The Triangle

Issue date: 5/14/10 Section: News

Media Credit: Adam Rothstein Drexel has seen interest increase in many of its programs, especially the biology and accelerated BS/MD programs, according to Senior Vice President of Enrollment Management Joan McDonald, who also said there has been increased female interest in the sciences.

Drexel University admitted its largest freshman class to date, approximately 2,600 students, for the 2010-2011 academic year, according to Senior Vice President of Enrollment Management Joan McDonald.

McDonald said the University was originally aiming for closer to 2,468 students but admitted about 2,600 instead. In addition to being the largest class, the number of women also increased by 5 percent, bringing the undergraduate level to about 45 percent women overall, McDonald said.

"We're very pleased with this class," McDonald said. "The undergraduate class is beginning to mirror the graduate level in terms of enrollment, where about 60 percent are women."

McDonald also said the incoming class includes many students outside of Drexel's "primary market area" of Pennsylvania and New Jersey. Instead, she said, California, Texas and Florida combined will send about 150 students, almost double the amount sent in previous years.

The international student population also grew from nine to 10 percent, with China sending a projected 75 students and India sending 50. McDonald said that interest in some programs and colleges also saw a spike.

"We saw a big surge in biology interest from young women, as well as an increased interest in attending medical school," McDonald said. "The College of Arts and Sciences has really developed its biology faculty over the past few years, and the Integrated Sciences Building also shows a commitment to the University's educational resources."

McDonald added that the accelerated BS/MD program received around 1,500 applications, from which 400 students were selected for interviews. After these, 60 students were offered a place in the program, and half accepted.

"Because we don't really expand the program every year but interest continues to grow, we now have to be more selective," McDonald said.

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