Celebrating August 1

Since March of 2020, we have all become more familiar with words like "unprecedented," "social distancing," "quarantine," and others often used during the pandemic. Although we heard these words more often than we would have liked, they were most often used appropriately given the situation the world was in. But the arrival of COVID-19 vaccines has allowed light to emerge from the darkness that dominated so much of 2020.

August also signifies a new beginning for those of us at Drexel.

Here in Philadelphia, it has been exciting to see COVID cases go down as the city opens back up. This summer, Philly has already hosted the Wawa Welcome America Festival, which featured Juneteenth celebrations, free admission to many of the city's museums, drive-in movie screenings, and more. In August, a diverse array of musical artists, including Hall & Oates, The Isley Brothers, Weezer, and Dead & Company, will all perform in the City of Brotherly Love.

August also signifies a new beginning for those of us at Drexel. On August 1, the Coalition Application and the Common Application will open, allowing students to apply to Drexel for admission in fall of 2022. Back in May, the University announced that it will be returning to full capacity in the fall, and we are very excited to welcome our new crop of Dragons to our beautiful University City campus in September.

We are equally excited to connect with high school seniors who are embarking on their college search process. We will still have virtual visit options, but we would also love to host students on campus for in-person visits, and we are thrilled to be returning to visiting high schools and college fairs across the country this fall.

There are so many great things going on at Drexel — in classrooms, labs, clubs, organizations and activities, and, of course, in our cooperative education program. We are eager to share the Drexel story with prospective students in hopes that they will be able to see not only what Drexel can do for them but what they can bring to Drexel. Ultimately, we want to hear students articulate the vision for their futures by reading their applications. In Undergraduate Admissions, there is already speculation about which state or country the first application we receive this year will be from. August 1 is right around the corner, so we won't have to wait much longer to find out!

To all of the rising seniors, we hope to see you soon, on campus, in your city, or on screen...and ultimately in fall 2022!