Frequently Asked Questions for First-Year Applicants

At Drexel University, we look for academically focused students who are driven to succeed, but we do not have set minimum GPA requirements for admission. For statistics about the entering class, please refer to our First-Year Student Population Profile.

The prerequisite courses that you need to take will depend on the program to which you are applying; see our Admission Prerequisites for more information.

Please refer to our Application Deadlines for information about deadlines and critical dates.

Early Decision (ED)

If you choose to apply Early Decision, it means that you will apply early and receive an admission decision sooner than the Early Action and Regular Decision applicant pool. Early Decision applicants will receive one of three possible decisions: an offer of admission, deferral to Regular Decision, or denied admission. Early Decision is binding. This means that if you are offered admission, you must attend Drexel University and withdraw any applications submitted to other schools. A few benefits of applying Early Decision are maximum financial aid and scholarships consideration, first-choice housing, and first-choice registration.

Early Action (EA)

If you choose to apply Early Action, it means that you will apply early and receive an admission decision sooner than the Regular Decision applicant pool in mid-January. Early Action applicants will receive one of three possible decisions: an offer of admission, deferral to Regular Decision, or denied admission. Early Action is non-binding, and if accepted, you have until the May 1 National Candidates' Decision Day to confirm your acceptance. Early Action applicants also have the added benefits of receiving priority for financial aid, scholarships, housing, and registration.

Regular Decision (RD)

If you choose to apply for Regular Decision, you will receive a non-binding decision from Drexel by April 1. If accepted, you have until May 1 to confirm your acceptance.

See our Application Deadlines or learn more about our Early Decision and Early Action Admission Options.

Refer to the First-Year Application Instructions for a list of required materials.

Drexel has a Test-Optional admission policy. Students are welcome to submit SAT or ACT scores if they feel the scores are indicative of their academic achievement, but they are not a required part of the application.

Drexel allows first-year applicants to choose whether to submit standardized test scores. Applicants who opt to submit are offered some flexibility in which test(s) will fulfill the standardized test score review. Learn more about Standardized Testing Requirements.

Note: BS/BA+MD Early Assurance applicants are required to submit SAT or ACT scores. 

For full exam results submitted, Drexel will consider your highest section scores on the TOEFL exam. If you would like for your MyBest™ score to be used in the review of your application, be sure to submit the full score report for all sections that comprise the MyBest™ Score.

Drexel will accept both the higher and standard levels of either "Mathematics: Applications and Interpretations" or "Mathematics: Analysis and Approaches" for most programs of study.

However, applicants to Computer Science or Software Engineering programs must be enrolled in either the higher level of "Mathematics: Applications and Interpretations" or the standard or higher level of "Mathematics: Analysis and Approaches." Applicants to Biomedical Engineering are encouraged take either the higher level of "Mathematics: Applications and Interpretations" or the standard or higher level of "Mathematics: Analysis and Approaches."

U.S. Citizens and Permanent Residents

English proficiency exam results may be considered for admission for domestic first-year students whose first language is not English or for whom English is not spoken at home. Official exam results should be submitted to Admissions. Drexel's TOEFL code is 2194. Please review our Standardized Testing Requirements for a full list of the approved exams.

International Applicants

International first-year applicants whose first language is not English must take an approved English proficiency exam and request that results be forwarded to the Office of Admissions. Drexel's TOEFL school code is 2194. Please review our Standardized Testing Requirements if you believe you qualify for an exemption and to see a full list of the approved exams.

While it is possible to double major at Drexel, you can only apply to one major at the time of admission. Once you begin classes at Drexel, you will be able to consult with your academic advisor about adding a double major.

Yes, you have the option to choose one of our 90 options. With the help of your academic advisor, you can select a minor once you've enrolled and have begun taking classes. 

An accelerated degree allows a student to obtain an undergraduate and graduate degree within a shortened period of time. Learn more about Drexel's Accelerated Degree Programs.

Yes. Drexel recognizes the significance of superior scores earned by incoming first-year students on Advanced Placement (AP) examinations administered by the College Board and select higher-level International Baccalaureate (IB) examinations. Students should arrange to have their scores sent directly to Drexel University. Scores will be reviewed by your academic advisor after you have confirmed your enrollment. Refer to our Enrollment Policies for Admitted Students for additional details.

Coursework will be evaluated by the academic advisor after an applicant has confirmed enrollment at Drexel. Typically, coursework is transferable if the applicant has received a C grade or better, has not used the coursework to satisfy high school graduation requirements, and the coursework is applicable to the applicant's course of study. However, the academic advisor will make the final evaluation.

Official transcripts from the college(s) an applicant attended should be sent to the Office of Admissions along with a High School Dual Enrollment Verification form [PDF] by June 30 in order to receive an evaluation of college-level coursework completed during high school.

To fix an error on your application, please email enroll@drexel.edu with the information you are requesting to change. You will receive a confirmation email acknowledging that the change has been made.

You can check the status of your application by visiting the Discover Drexel Portal.

Note: Information on Discover Drexel reflects what has been processed into our system. It will not reflect materials that we have received but have not yet processed.

Once we receive admission documents, it takes approximately two to four weeks to process them into our system. After we have processed the materials, they will be reflected in your application in Discover Drexel.

Please refer to the First-Year Application Instructions for detailed instructions on how to submit individual items.

Please refer to the First-Year Application Instructions for our mailing addresses.

To withdraw your application, log in to Discover Drexel and choose the Application Inquiry Form under "Have a Question?" and select the "I want to withdraw my application" option.

All students are automatically considered for merit aid during the application review process. No additional applications are required. Merit scholarship decisions are based on the credentials submitted at the time of application. For information about additional scholarships, please visit the Drexel Central website to learn more about Grants and Scholarships.

Need-based institutional aid: Applicants must submit the CSS Profile by the appropriate deadline.

Federal and state aid: U.S. citizens and permanent residents must submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Drexel's priority deadline is February 15.

Read more about How to Apply for Aid.

Drexel University offers Division I sports in the Colonial Athletic Association. If you would like to be considered for varsity athletics, please fill out the Prospective Athlete Form. A coach will follow up if it is determined that you are a good fit for their program. Due to the competitive nature of varsity athletics, Drexel also offers a wide variety of club and intramural sports, ensuring everyone has the opportunity to participate.

Cooperative education (co-op) at Drexel enables undergraduate students to have real-world work experiences with University-approved employers, giving them the opportunity to test-drive a career before they graduate and enter the workforce. Students can participate in up to three different co-ops, which equals 18 months of professional work, alternating with classroom study. Cooperative education at Drexel is a degree requirement for most majors. Learn more about Co-op Opportunities at Drexel.

Drexel's academic year is comprised of four quarters, which include 10 weeks of classes and one week of finals. The number of quarters that students will attend each year depends on their co-op option. Learn more about How Co-op Works.