Drexel University
Responses from the Student Interview
From a student who identifies as Major: Health Sciences
Minor: None
Student Self Identifies as: Asian Straight Female
Summary
Student-athlete and on the Student Advisory Athletic Committee Board.
Background
Gender Identity: Female
Race/Ethnicity: Asian
Sexual Orientation: Straight
High School Experience: Public High School in New Jersey with about 200 students in the graduating class. There was a culture of going to college.
First Generation College Student: No
Major: Health Sciences
Minor: None
Extracurricular Activities: Student-athlete and on the Student Advisory Athletic Committee Board.
Academic Experience
Can you describe your weekly coursework for your major?
I had many labs and most of the courses took place at the Hahnemann University Hospital in the city center of Philadelphia, which was a nice experience. For my grades, I mainly had midterm and final exams, and for the lab classes, you had lab practicals.
Is there anything that you feel your major’s department does especially well or especially poorly?
After Health Sciences you can potentially become a PA (Physician’s Assistant), physical therapist, or a nurse. The faculty has lots of connections, which is nice. They can put you in touch with the right people if you are serious about it.
Can you describe the learning environment?
It was collaborative and competitive. Most of the projects are group work, which was nice but also sometimes a pain. The people are competitive, but in small aspects.
What has been your favorite class in your major or minor?
I liked Anatomy because it was interesting and we had a cadaver lab. It was interesting to apply things we were learning on a cadaver.
What has been you least favorite class in your major or minor?
My least favorite class was Biology because it was a mostly memorizing.
What made you choose your major? And are you happy with your choice?
I want to be a physical therapist and I thought this major was applicable. I’m happy with my choice.
How is managing both your sport and your coursework?
It is difficult at times. You have to be on top of things and be on your schedule, but it is manageable.
Is it common to take classes over the summer?
Yes. It depends if you are a four or five-year student. Many students want to stay over the summer to take classes because of the quarter system.
Reasons to Attend
1) Philadelphia is amazing and there are many opportunities for things to do on and around campus. You will never get bored and there is always something to do.
2) Co-op, because it can help you get a job or set you up for the future if you need hours for grad school. Co-op is a great experience and helpful.
3) The food.
Reasons Not to Attend
1) You have to be a city person.
2) You have to take academic seriously because it is very fast-paced and you have to be on top of your stuff, otherwise it can be overwhelming
3) This can be a pro and con, but we are right next to the University of Pennsylvania campus and students don’t always mix well.
Around Campus
Where have you lived over the four years?
Freshman: I lived in Race Street Residences, which is a suite style dorm. I had three roommates and it was a nice place to live because all other athletes were living there. In our suite we had our own bathroom and kitchen and we had a common area where we could hang out with other people. It was on campus housing.
Sophomore: I lived in a new building called The Summit in another apartment. I was with the same three people. We had our own washer, dryer, and kitchen, which was nice. In the building, we had common areas for studying and a rooftop lounge. I was living in the middle of campus, which was convenient.
Junior year: I lived in an athletic house with 6 other girls from my team. We lived in the Powelton neighborhood, which is close to campus. It is technically an off-campus residence. We were across Drexel Park where many people always hang out, tan and whatnot.
Senior year: I am now living in an apartment with skyline porch view and that is on 30th Street. It is on campus. It’s to a new apartment building and I live with four other girls.
What was your favorite place to live?
I enjoyed all my living situations and have gotten lucky with everything.
Can you describe the level of safety you’ve experienced on and around campus?
I feel safe because there is always Drexel police riding around on bikes. We have a police station on campus. We also get Drexel alerts in the form of text messages about crime or whatnot that happen on or near campus. I feel safe here.
What is your favorite off-campus restaurant?
I’m a fan of Savas Brick Oven Pizza.
What is your favorite place to get away from campus?
I like to go for a run by Kelly Drive when I want to get away from campus. It is a nice area to run with the Boathouse Row, which is a scenic place.
Social Opportunities
What kind of weekend activities or nightlife do you like to participate in?
We mostly went to bars because it is a city school. If you’re on a sports team you usually hang out with your sports team or whatever affiliation you’re with.
What nights of the week do you regularly go out? And are there certain things you do on certain nights?
Thursday is a big night and Saturday. Sundays can be a big night depending if you are of age and if you want to go into the city. Some bars have karaoke nights, which is fun but they can be strict on IDs. You can also go out on Tuesdays in the summer but not during the school year.
What have been some of your favorite times at Drexel?
The first week of school is called Welcome Week. It is an orientation thing and for freshman it is a huge time and many people are coming back for it, so it is not just freshmen. It is a lot of fun.
How happy are you with the nightlife at Drexel? Is there anything you would change if you could?
I like the nightlife because there is always something to do in the city and you will never be bored.
Campus Culture
How did you meet your closest friends?
I met them through sports. I have also met some of my friends through my major because I had some classes with them.
How would you describe the overall social scene at Drexel?
There are people who love to go out, but there is also a good amount of people who go more to the library and don’t go out. You know who you will see out because it’s the same people that go out.
To what extent do you feel people of different races and sexual orientation mix socially?
I would say yes and no. In terms of my team and friends, we hang out most of the time with the same friends and we don’t hang out with other people.
How would you describe the student body?
Diverse. There many foreign people who come to Drexel. When you are walking on the streets you will hear different languages. [10% of the Class of 2022 are international students.]
Do you think people are generally happy with Drexel by their senior year? Do you think people leave loving Drexel?
Yes and no. A good amount of people love Drexel, but you will also hear people complain about it, which I think is normal to an extent. When you graduate, everyone is happy and feels accomplished, but there are mixed emotions.
Careers
Has the alumni network helps you find internships or jobs?
For my co-op, it was helpful. Once you have a co-op, it is often that you’re hired by that co-op depending on your experience. The alumni network can help get you to get in touch with a specific company or person if that’s where you’re interested in working.
To what extent have you used the career office? How helpful have they been?
They are good at helping you with your resume. I have used them a few times for mock interviews and for grad school applications. They are really helpful.
Did you learn any computer programs that will be especially helpful for you professionally or for your course work?
We don’t use computer programs that much, but part of our curriculum is a computer science class. During this class, we worked with Excel and different computer programs to introduce you to them and help you become more familiar with certain programs that can be useful in your workplace situation.