Unrelated: Drexel University indirectly led me to become a Yelper. I had moved to Philadelphia for…read moregrad school, and I wanted to find a good cheesesteak. Google pointed me towards Yelp. Yelp pointed me toward cheesesteaks. And well, here we are...
I have mixed feelings about Drexel University.
On a good day, I have positive feelings about:
+ The time and money that I invested in a master's degree from a relatively well ranked university (although this is debatable, and entirely dependent on which academic ranking list you consider).
+ The co-op program; I was required to complete a slightly modified version to receive my degree. The co-op emphasis resulted in me doing a summer internship of sorts, which then resulted in me getting the job I have now. So (when I'm feeling generous), I'm willing to concede that I now have an established career in a field that I didn't actually qualify for because my boss happened to be impressed with my co-op experience. But, we're talking Butterfly Effect-ish events that has led me to where I am, so Drexel University doesn't get all the credit.
On a bad day, I remember:
- Some of the borderline unqualified professors that I had to deal with.
- How the program I was in seemed to play fast and loose with the curriculum.
- How the aforementioned program basically cut me loose with few, correction, no networking opportunities afforded me (despite my best and often desperate efforts). They are good about asking me to donate to the school though, but it'll be a cold day in Mali before I become a donating alumnus.
- How I'm actually in an entirely un-related field right now, so the degree that I pursued proved to be an expensive waste of time.
- How I was unemployed for 1.5 years following the expensive education that I pursued. Well this last one involved so many variables that it would be unfair to blame it on Drexel University.
All of this came to mind recently, because I am mere months away from paying off my graduate student loans. It was a hefty amount. I tried to the best of my ability to limit how much money I borrowed and it was still pretty expensive. But, I have a career (that I love), which has helped me pay off the loans within... ::counting:: four years of me receiving the degree... Many of my friends from the program have also gone on to become quite successful in their respective careers.
So... Now I'm straddling the line and feeling ambivalence about Drexel as a whole. I wouldn't do it again if I had a choice. But if I had a choice, I would also be born a Saudi Arabian prince. We can get into weird alternate timelines with me very easily...
Ultimately, if your decision to pursue post-secondary education is significantly influenced by Yelp reviews, university as a whole may not be for you. Do your due diligence, and determine if Drexel is your best option. Or don't. We all have to learn these things by ourselves, right? After all, we aren't talking about cheesesteaks here...
Lastly, while the main campus is decent, the Center City Campus is ugly as sin. A majority of my classes were at the ugly campus. Sad.