Undergraduate Admissions and Census Update

With the release of our undergraduate admissions census today, I am writing to share information about our first-year class. This academic year, Drexel welcomed 1,918 full-time, first-year undergraduates. This talented and motivated class represents students from all corners of the country and the world, and we are excited to have them join the Drexel community.

These students, 32% of whom are first-generation college students, bring not only remarkable academic accomplishments but also impressive and inspiring commitments outside of the classroom — from conducting cancer research to documentary filmmaking and even participation in Olympic trials.

In light of shifting demographic trends and national challenges in international student enrollment, the University expected a smaller first-year class and proactively aligned its planning and budget to reflect that projection.

As we move forward, a comprehensive analysis of our recruitment efforts is guiding the development of new strategies to deepen our outreach and engagement with prospective students. Concurrently, Drexel’s leadership remains focused on strengthening the quality of the student experience and on evolving our budget model to a more sustainable framework better aligned with our long-term goals. This shift is critical to best support our students throughout their time at the University and to secure Drexel’s long-term financial strength.

This work will be bolstered by our Academic Transformation including the transition to a semester calendar and the development of a reimagined curriculum. Together, these efforts will further solidify Drexel’s position as a global leader in experiential education and in preparing graduates not only for their first jobs, but for a lifetime of professional growth and impact.

At a time when families across the country are questioning the value of a college degree, Drexel remains focused on delivering an educational experience with clear value and measurable outcomes. Our strong performance in this year’s U.S. News & World Report rankings affirms the momentum of our efforts. Our mission to expand opportunity, support student achievement and foster long-term success has never been more important.

Thank you for your continued dedication to our community and our shared purpose. I look forward to all that we will accomplish together in the year ahead.

Sincerely,

Antonio Merlo, PhD
President