Drexel is a global research university located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania ranked among the top 100 in the U.S. With a large enrollment of under 15,000 undergraduates and about 8,700 graduates, Drexel is one of America’s largest private universities. The main campus is in the neighborhood of University City, surrounded by tree-lined residential blocks just minutes away from Philadelphia's downtown city center. Sharing the neighborhood with UPenn, it’s a fun place to call home dotted with coffee shops, restaurants, boutiques, and farmers markets-- an ideal place for students to live, study, and learn.
Visitor Information: Tour Drexel
Transportation: The Philadelphia International Airport is located in the Southwest section of the city, approximately 20 minutes from the Drexel campus. Amtrak provides intercity rail service to Philadelphia's 30th Street Station. Frequent service is offered to Northeastern cities including Boston, New York, Baltimore, and Washington. Intercity bus service is provided by Greyhound and Trailways bus lines from the terminal at 1001 Filbert Street, and MegaBus and Bolt Bus provide service to 30th Street Station.
Stay: Newly opened, The Study, is the perfect place to stay. Other choices near campus are the Inn at Penn and Sheraton University City. If you prefer to stay downtown, we suggest The Rittenhouse Hotel, AKA Rittenhouse Square or fresh off a 25 million dollar renovation The Ritz-Carlton.
Coffee: On campus head to campus dining center Urban Eatery where Downtown Grounds serves La Colombe coffee starting at 7 am to tired students on their way to class. Saxby’s is another popular morning spot to fuel up.
Breakfast: Food trucks are a big deal in Philly and perfect for a quick bite before your tour. Schmear It serves up custom spreads with their freshly baked bagels. If mixing chopped salmon, Sriracha or mangos into your cream cheese sound appealing to you, then this is a must try. Known for their fresh artisan bread, Metropolitan Bakery uses locally sourced products in their delicious granola, cereals, and tarts. Donuts and fried chicken—that’s our kind of hook up. Federal Donuts is a must during your visit, and luckily the West Philly branch is close to campus. The donuts start at 7 am, but you have to go after 11 am if you want to try their addictive fried chicken sandwich as well.
Anytime Of Day: Franklin’s Table Food Hall is a mecca for hungry students and locals that opened last March right on Walnut across from the main Penn campus (very close to Drexel) with an drool- worthy line up of vendors from established spots across the city. Opening at 7 am weekdays (10 on weekends) start your day with smoothies or acai bowls at The Juice Merchant or the acclaimed Forger sandwich or a BEC at High Street Provisions. Lunchtime savor a falafel sandwich or salad at Goldie’s from Philly’s famous chef Mike Solomonov of Zahav fame washed down with their addictive tehina shakes. With wood-fired pies from Pitruco Pizza, rolls and sashimi from DK Sushi and burgers, cheesesteaks and fried chicken sandwiches at KQ Burgers there is a food stall to satisfy everyone in your family.
Lunch: Right in University City are many great restaurants depending on your mood. White Dog, is popular with locals and students alike for it's quirky and adorable dog decor and delicious, eclectic farm to table menu. Distrito from Iron Chef Jose Garces is a hip, modern cantina. Harvest Seasonal Grill changes their menu every three months based on the seasons, and what the local farms are providing. Everything on the menu is less than 500 calories. A great vegetarian option is Magic Carpet food truck.
Dinner
Casual: Nominated for “Best Burger in America,” Rouge’s hamburgers are filled with Gruyere cheese topped with caramelized onions. Overlooking Rittenhouse Square, Parc is a modern Parisian styled bistro. Right near UPenn in University City, head to Han Dynasty for Dan Dan noodles and some of the best Chinese food in Philly.
A Step Up: Don't miss what many consider to be Philly’s best restaurant, Zahav, from Chef Michael Solomonov. His unique take on Middle Eastern cuisine has garnered him high praise and legions of fans. Try to snag a seat at the chef’s counter. You couldn’t hope for better reviews or more accolades than the one’s Vernick Food & Drink has accrued in the last two years. Located in a brownstone right off Rittenhouse Square the menu reads comfort food with a chef’s twist. One of Food and Wine’s best new chefs, Eli Kulp’s High Street on Market is another favorite Philly spot. Tired after a long day and looking for something convenient, right in University City, Restaurateur Stephen Starr's stylish Asian fusion Pod is set in a funky, modern room--sit in one of the pods which change colors or at the conveyor sushi bar.
Late Night Snack: Students frequent Insomnia Cookies on Spruce Street, and Ben and Jerry’s on South 40th.
Views From a College Counselor: Stuart Nachbar of Educated Quest remarks on his recent visit to Drexel: “Drexel University has the fourth-largest undergraduate enrollment of any independent (non-religious) private university in the US, after NYU, the University of Southern California and Boston University. It is also the largest private university that is firmly committed to co-op as an important part of its educational business model. Cooperative education offers students the opportunity to alternate between periods of school and work over one, two or three years of their college education. Co-op is not the only reason to choose Drexel. The opportunity to go to college in Philadelphia, America’s fifth-largest city—yes, larger than Boston, often called “America’s College Town,”—is another. Drexel offers over 80 majors and over 100 minors, many that you might not find at your flagship state university. It is quite common for Drexel students to double major or carry more than one minor. If you want a school with achievable admissions and co-op experience together with a taste of big city life, and you can work the academic calendar and the costs, put Drexel on your list. To see Stuart’s full profile of Drexel click here. Be sure to click on the extended profile link at the bottom of the page to see a comprehensive guide that includes facts on SAT and ACT mid ranges, comparable colleges, curriculum, the alumni network, safety on campus and costs—just to name a few.
Local Attractions: If you haven't visited the Liberty Bell since an elementary school trip, it's time for a repeat visit. And stop by the nearby National Constitution Center; an engaging, interactive and surprisingly stirring museum devoted to the U.S. Constitution. If you a fan of Renoir, Cezanne, and Matisse you must visit the Barnes Foundation, home to one of the best collections of French Impressionists in the world. Philadelphia Art Museum is another worthy art stop. Eat your way through Reading Terminal Market, the country's oldest farmer's market with more than 80 merchants.
— Quotes From Campus —
“A big draw on why I chose Drexel was the cooperative education program. Drexel operates on a quarter system, I get to alternative my full-time study periods with full-time employment at University-approved employers. I feel that this is an invaluable experience and hopefully will set me up for securing a job upon graduation.
”
“I love that Drexel is part of a big city and at the same time has a beautiful campus. It is an amazing college due to the Co-op program. Drexel truly helps prepare students for the real world. I am building a resume while learning what I really want and don’t want to do career-wise.
”
“The professors are awesome, school is fast paces as there are only ten weeks each term, so you really delve in and work hard. ”
DREXEL FAST FACTS
Established
1891
Mascot
Dragon
School Colors
Navy and Gold
Acceptance Rate
75%
Common Application
Yes
Supplement Essays
Yes
Early Action/Decision
Early Decision and Early Action
SAT
Average - 1270
ACT
Average - 28
Type
Private
Size
Large - 13,192 Undergraduates
Website
Region
Admissions Office
3141 Chestnut Street
Philadelphia, PA 19104-2875
(p) (215) 895-2400
(f) (215) 895-5939
enroll@drexel.edu
Sports Divisions
NCAA Division I
Greek Life
Yes
Noteworthy Alumni
Christopher Ferguson
Paul W. Richards
Maxfield Parrish
SHOP
DREXEL
Just toured the Drexel Campus? Are you a Drexel student, parent or Alumni? Fill out this 2 minute survey to supplement our Daytripper University Guide for Drexel!