I’m going to be applying to schools this next fall and I’ll probably apply to Temple or Drexel. I’m planning on majoring in physics. I just wanted a general comparison of the schools and if anyone knows any specific info about each schools physics/science programs, please tell me! Thanks!
Drexel is known for being a more science-oriented school than Temple and is renowned for its co-op programs that will let you get hands-on experience working with companies for a semester. In addition, it’s in University City, adjacent to UPenn, which is a much more desirable area than North Philly, where Temple is.
^^ On the other hand, Temple is significantly less expensive for in-state students, and strong students can get a full ride at Temple. My husband got into Penn and Temple (for physics), and chose Temple (honors program) with a full scholarship. He did end up getting his doctorate in physics, and has a tenure track job in the field. At times he does think regretfully about what he missed out on by not going to Penn – better preparation for grad school, better mentorship, etc. However, having zero debt allowed us to purchase a house soon after marriage, and allowed us to travel extensively before the arrival of our children.
I know the co-ops at Drexel sound appealing. But as someone who worked for a time at Drexel, I would say only certain fields get helpful co-op placements. In particular, engineering, CS and business students tend to have lucritive, career promoting options. I doubt if physics is one of those fields with great co-ops, because you need more than a few undergraduate years to do something meaningful in physics.
My suggestion – shoot for Penn if you have a stellar resume. If you live in the city, there are city scholarships at Penn that pay the full ride. As for Drexel, while applying, ask the physics department what sort of placements students have achieved for coop – and try to ask some current students as well.
Then, when all the results come in, do a cost benefit anaylsis.
BTW: University of the Sciences also has a physics major. That could be another West Philly school to consider.
I really want to go to penn, but I screwed up at the beginning of high school. I was thinking about going to Temple or Drexel for two years and then transferring, to have more As to outweigh my freshman and sophomore years of highschool (or I guess I could always just go to penn for grad school). The Drexel co-op for physics is actually really cool, I visited and they said that the physics majors went to NASA. I also really love west philly compared to the Temple campus. The only problem is that Drexel is so expensive!
A few comments:
–Do you have to go to college in Philly? That limits your choices.
–There is no need to choose a college now. See where you get in and how the aid packages fall out. I would not go heavily into debt for Drexel if Temple is an option as well.
–Whatever school you start out at, you should plan on spending all 4 years there. If you start a school with the intention of transferring then it becomes hard to form meaningful friendships, develop relationships with professors, get involved in campus life etc. If you want to throw a transfer application in to Penn or elsewhere at some point that is fine, but it is very hard to transfer to Penn. You should assume you will be staying where you start and if a transfer works out and it is affordable that should be a pleasant surprise.
For Drexel: Do all the Physics majors get NASA coops, or just the best? Make sure you ask around. Also see if it is a one coop or 2 or 3 coop program. For 2 or 3 coop programs, students typically go to three different jobs.
@psycholing is pretty accurate. Drexel is best known for engineering, business, and CS. For physics, I’m not sure the price difference would be worth it.
http://drexel.edu/coas/academics/undergraduate-programs/physics/co-op/
@happy1 I’m also applying to other schools in jersey and New York and PA. I just wanted to stay around philly so I didn’t have to pay for room and board.
@psycholing I don’t know all the details of the co-op, but I will check out university of the sciences as well!
If you have Penn - level stats, Lasalle and Rowan will be safeties with good scholarships. Look into haverford, Bryn Mawr if you’re a girl.
For co-ops, UCincinnati is professionally stronger and cheaper than Drexel, Northeastern more prestigious and stronger academically.
Run the NPC on all of these and check out deadlines for merit scholarships if you qualify.
A top school for Physics is Lawrence in Wisconsin.