Winter Entry Option

Winter Entry is an alternative start for first-year students admitted to fall 2025.

Drexel University offers a Winter Entry Program for those students who may need more time before the start of their college career. The Winter Entry Program will allow students to start classes in January 2026 as opposed to the fall of 2025 allowing more time to prepare.

First-year students admitted for fall 2025 that have not yet confirmed their enrollment have the option to request to join the Winter Entry Program. Students who are approved for Winter Entry will begin at Drexel in the winter quarter (January 2026) and receive the same level of academic rigor and preparation their first year as other students. Students in the Winter Entry Program will begin their second year at the same point in their plan of study as their fall entry peers and will not experience any delays in reaching graduation due to participation in this program.

Admitted students should review the frequently asked questions below carefully to ensure they fully understand the implications of joining Drexel as part of the Winter Entry Program. It is important to note that the following majors are not eligible for Winter Entry.

Animation and Visual Effects
Architecture
Architectural Studies
BA/BS/JD (Accelerated Program)
BA/BS+MD Early Assurance Program
Biomedical Engineering
BS/MS Psychology (Accelerated Program)
Custom Design
Dance
Entrepreneurship & Innovation (Three Year Option)
Film and Television
Game Design and Production
Music Industry
Neuroscience
Screenwriting and Playwriting
Undeclared – Design & Media
User Experience & Interaction Design

To discuss if your program is eligible, or what other major options you may able to take advantage of, contact your admissions representative.

Frequently Asked Questions

You can request to have your fall application be considered for the Winter Entry Program by visiting Discover Drexel and filling out the Winter Entry request form. Once we receive your form, you will hear back from the admissions committee once they have had time to review your request — usually about two weeks.

You can submit the Winter Entry request form to request that your application be moved to the Winter Entry Program. You can locate this form in Discover Drexel. If you have withdrawn your fall 2025 application already, please contact enroll@drexel.edu.

Yes, your financial aid package will remain the same. Please note, if you were awarded a Pennsylvania state grant and received one, you will have to reapply for that grant again for your summer quarter.

Yes, if you did not fill out the CSS Profile for the fall term, you will have an opportunity to submit the CSS Profile to be considered for Drexel University need-based aid.

Yes, you will still have the option to participate in Cooperative Education. Learn more about co-op opportunities at Drexel.

No, your plan of study will not be impacted as you will still be enrolled in three quarters of classes during your first year of enrollment: winter, spring, and summer quarters.

You must request to have your application moved to the Winter Entry Program by June 30.

To ensure a smoother student experience, we encourage international students who do not currently reside in the United States to submit their I-20 application and requested documents as soon as possible but no later than November 1. To do so, students will need to confirm their enrollment to the University. Upon confirmation of your enrollment, you will be asked to send your I-20 documents to Drexel University immediately.

Curricular Practical Training (CPT) allows F-1 students to engage in employment, as long as it is an integral part of their curriculum. Please review the International Students and Scholars Services' information about Curricular Practical Training to learn about the eligibility requirements and procedures to obtain CPT. Students must have been lawfully enrolled full-time in a degree-granting program for one full academic year (3 quarters or 2 semesters) before applying for CPT.

If you have questions about this process, contact us at enroll@drexel.edu.

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