Drew University info

shanjo · 09-14-2009, 03:42 PM

guys,
anyone have some information about this college. majors, campus, dorms, anything that can help me make a decision.

Thanks.

peterhob · 09-14-2009, 03:54 PM

I too have a list of colleges short listed and I don't have a lot of info about them. I guess this is the only way to get some help regarding schools.. lol

cadbury · 09-14-2009, 07:56 PM

Hi! The best first step for getting info about Drew or any other school on your list is to take a close look at their webpage. There should be all kinds of info re: majors, facilities, dorms, international programs, activities, etc. If you can go to a college info night where several of the schools on your list are represented, that would be great too. Finally, after whittling your list down a bit, you should visit the campuses and talk with people.

Good luck!

nyc · 10-07-2009, 10:15 PM

Of course the guide books, web sites and college nites are a good place to start, but most of those are at least somewhat "scripted" - - at the very least the college rep is working off list of talking-points.

Can anyone tell us about Drew - - for those of us who want more than just a profile of the incoming class and other info from the view book?

Debruns · 10-08-2009, 05:40 AM

My son goes there, but it's hard to tell another student how they will feel. You can find students at every school that will be happy and not happy and fall in the middle.
I would say for my son, the greatest strength was the very small classes, even in ones like Intro to Psych which is usually 100+ even at other small LAC's. (here 45) The interaction my son has had with his professors has been great and he always felt, except in a couple of occasions, he could call, email or stop by and be welcome. His only regret, being in the social sciences was that it didn't have the research options he might have had at a college like Clark, but he developed and did independent projects.
I think if you can visit, you can get a good idea about the dorms, food, etc. I never heard a lot of complaints and they just built a new dorm and fixed up a few of the old ones...that you can see and read about online. They have theme houses and sub-free if you like that option.

Drew is also SAT optional and I know they do give aid without scores, but nothing is guaranteed as with any application.
If you have any specific questions, I'll try to answer them.

cadbury · 10-09-2009, 03:23 PM

My D is a junior at Drew this year. So let me see if I can add anything to debrun's comments. The campus is quite beautiful (complete with deer!) and it's in an excellent location. Drew is only a 45-50 minute ride to NYC via commuter rail. There are many corporate headquarters nearby, with opportunities for internships and work in the area. Drew's theater program was ranked #1 in the nation by Princeton Review this year. President Weisbuch is seriously committed to diversity on campus, and has increased the number of minority students dramatically. He has also made some significant physical changes (new energy efficient dorm, remodeled freshmen dorms, etc). There are many opportunities to study abroad, with financial aid traveling with you. D went to Argentina on a Drew International Seminar (DIS) over Jan intersession and is currently studying in London. Hope this helps!

yabeyabe2 · 10-09-2009, 11:02 PM

I live near Drew and often go there for theater. The kids I know who are there like it for the reasons stated above--my only addition is to note it is in a very nice suburb with restaurants, etc

nyc · 10-10-2009, 12:49 PM

"There are many opportunities to study abroad, with financial aid traveling with you. D went to Argentina on a Drew International Seminar (DIS) over Jan intersession and is currently studying in London."

^^^ At most schools D is considering, finaid follows students studying abroad during the fall/spring semesters. Aid for J-term or summer study abroad, however, is quite rare.

Did your D receive finaid for her Jan intersession trip to Argentina?

Debruns · 10-10-2009, 01:22 PM

I found never to assume aid follows...Drew when my son started didn't include it, but in the following year, did. I hadn't thought to check at the time. I didn't think they did for Jan. term, but Cadbury would know better about that. Some schools have scholarships you can apply for during summer/January terms abroad.
St. Anselm was on one daughters's radar for a safety and when she heard aid didn't travel, off it came. If you would like the opportunity in school, you really have to ask or be sorry later.

nyc · 10-10-2009, 03:42 PM

"I found never to assume aid follows...If you would like the [study abroad]opportunity in school, you really have to ask or be sorry later."

^^^ Ain't that the truth!!

cadbury · 10-13-2009, 11:39 AM

Greetings.

Regular financial aid follows for Fall & Spring semesters at Drew programs and at approved programs. However, there IS some money available for the January and May DIS based on financial need. Incidentally, the DIS is heavily subsidized for sophomores (with application freshman year) to allow more students to have an international experience. It used to be subsidized for all Drew students, which was very cool because it allowed many students to have multiple international experiences. But that is no longer the case. So juniors and seniors are paying substantially more for the DIS.

I should also note that the DIS program has gone to some pretty amazing places in recent years including Argentina, China, Ghana, and Egypt.