The following is a list of questions frequently asked about Drew University's College of Liberal Arts. If your question about the college is not included on this page, feel free to contact the Office of College Admissions.
Size
What is the size of the University?
The total student enrollment at Drew is approximately 2,500, with over 1,600 undergraduates and more than 900 students in the Theological and Graduate Schools. This provides a close-knit community where you study in small classes and receive personal attention.
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Distinction
What makes Drew different from other independent, liberal arts colleges?
You must review our prospectus and speak with students and faculty to fully appreciate Drew's distinctiveness. Among the more prominent features students most often cite:
- our heavily wooded campus near New York City
- the quality, dedication, and innovative spirit of the faculty
- the fact that our campus is among the most technologically integrated in the country
- the interdisciplinary and international emphases in our curriculum
- and the hands-on learning opportunities offered to students, from internships to research to study abroad.
Students particularly appreciate the quality of teaching, the small classes, and the close relationships they develop with faculty at Drew. Many also cite the absence of fraternities and sororities as a welcome feature.
Moreover, the quality of the educational enterprise at Drew places us among a select group of schools. College guides list us as highly selective; our alumni enjoy unusual success in graduate and professional school placement and in gaining employment; and our faculty has both an enviable record of scholarship and a commitment to teaching undergraduates.
Drew does not require SAT or other standardized test scores as part of the admissions process.
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Admissions
Do you take into consideration whether a student has taken advanced, honors, or AP courses?
Absolutely. Among the most important factors we evaluate in your application is the quality of your academic program in high school (the number of college preparatory courses-in English, math, foreign language, science, and social science-and the level at which you took these courses). We recognize, however, that not all students excel in all fields and that some high schools have a limited offering of advanced courses. Your program is evaluated both in terms of how well it has prepared you for a rigorous, liberal arts curriculum and in the context of the courses available to you in high school.
My high school does not rank students. Will this hurt my candidacy?
In most cases, no. High schools often provide some indication of GPA distributions or may report decile or quintile ranks even when they do not report precise ranks for students. To the extent that we are left with little or no sense of how well your performance compares to that of your classmates, however, we may be forced to give more weight to the other academic indicators in your application.
Do you accept Advanced Placement (AP) credit or International Baccalaureate (IB) credit?
Yes, with a score of 4 or 5 on the AP test administered by the College Board. In the case of the Calculus BC exam, a score of 3 or better is acceptable. The number of credits offered for and requirements fulfilled by each exam are detailed in the College catalogue. For IB higher level exams, scores of 5 or higher are accepted for credit.
Do you accept credit for courses taken in high school?
Only if they are college courses taught by the faculty of that college on the campus of that college as part of its regular academic program and if these courses satisfy the other requirements for transfer credits (liberal arts courses passed with a grade of C or higher). Courses taught at the high school and/or by the high school's faculty are not considered for credit. In addition, a student can be granted no more than 32 credits for work completed before high school graduation.
Courses taught at the high school and/or by the high school's faculty are not considered for credit. In addition, a student can be granted no more than 32 credits for work completed before high school graduation.
If admitted under the Early Decision (ED) program, must I enroll? What if I have applied for financial assistance?
Yes, you must enroll. If you apply for aid by the February 15 deadline and Drew's final aid award does not meet your demonstrated need as determined by our Office of Financial Assistance, you may have your enrollment deposit refunded by requesting it in writing before May 1.
What are the benefits of applying ED?
Many competitive high school students consider applying to a college under the Early Decision (ED) Plan. ED is a binding commitment where students, once admitted, are obligated to withdraw all other applications and to enroll at a specific college.
In many ways, Early Decision is the most straightforward and honest of all college admissions programs. It eliminates the "game playing" that has increasingly characterized the competitive admissions process. If you see yourself as a "fit" with what Drew is all about-and we agree-then you will be admitted. It's that simple.
Finding the right match between student and college is the most important part of any admissions process. Because there are fewer applicants during ED, the admissions staff has more time to really get to know you and to make certain that both you and Drew are right for each other. Also, students who apply Early Decision are among the first considered for merit scholarships and financial assistance.
During ED, your candidacy is assessed by answering the following questions: "does this student have what it takes to succeed at Drew?" and "do this student's interests match those of the university?" By contrast, during Regular Decision (RD), applicants are assessed more comparatively -- with students competing against one another for the places remaining in the class.
If you think you are right for Drew and would like to consider applying ED, we encourage you to do so. If you'd like to talk more about Early Decision at Drew, please visit our Admissions Counselor page to access contact information for your regional admissions counselor.
Early Decision applications will be reviewed from November 1, 2008 through January 15, 2009.
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Computers
Will a personal computer be required?
Yes. As part of Drew's instructional technology program, students are required to have a laptop computer, and will normally receive the standard Drew laptop computer, although some may choose the upgrade for a fee. The Drew computer is fully supported, configured for the Drew network, provided with access to software that is used in many academic courses. For more information on Drew's laptop computer, click here.
When it comes to technology, Drew is very different from most other colleges. We are a laptop school, which means that student laptops are the foundation of our instructional technology program. You will not find many computer labs here. Rather, our laptops provide full academic functionality, and you can access everything you need, it at any time, whether you are in class, at home or just about anywhere on campus.
When did Drew become a laptop school?
We started the laptop program in 1988. Before that, in 1984, we became the first liberal arts college in the United States to provide personal computers to all entering students. Drew is recognized as a frontrunner in technology usage. We were one of just 10 schools in 2000 to receive a “Pioneer Award” from EDUCAUSE, a nonprofit national consortium of colleges, universities and other organizations that is dedicated to the transformation of higher education through the application of information technologies.
How does the laptop program work?
Drew students (first-year and transfer) receive a university-provided laptop customized for our proprietary network. All laptops come with a four-year warranty and accidental damage coverage, as well as software licenses, so students pay nothing additional for licensed software, re-imaging or hardware repairs. Our on-campus support includes a help desk that is open 70 hours per week as well as a full-service computer repair shop.
How do students use their laptops in class?
Students use their laptops to access software, take notes, complete assignments and even take exams.
Are there restrictions on how the laptops are used out of class?
No. As part of our technology program, the Drew network environment is highly managed in terms of virus protection and system security updates. We require that all users of the network comply with federal, state and local ordinances, and with University policies that keep the network secure and available to all. But we do not otherwise restrict what the students can do with their computers outside the classroom. In fact, on a typical weekday night a very high percentage of the students – some 85% – are connected to our network for academic and personal reasons.
What is the technology infrastructure like on campus?
The Drew campus is chock full of wired and wireless connections, so students can access the network from their classes, residences, common areas and even many outdoor spaces. Today, there are 5,500 ports on campus, which is far more than the number of people here. Our network is specially designed for an academic environment. Each course has a place for sharing and saving files and information, as well as a chat room. Students can access a suite of software packages on the network at no additional charge. Additionally, students, faculty and staff all have email and personal space on the network that can be used for file storage and other functions, like creating websites.
Do you provide training?
At the beginning of our students' first year, they take a training course that helps them learn about the Drew computing environment; how to take care of their laptops, including protecting them from spyware and viruses; and a few things about key software programs. We also provide a full range of training programs on a non-required basis and employ a full-time training coordinator. We find that many students come to Drew with strong computing background – and that those with less experience do learn quickly.
Are there the non-academic benefits to Drew's approach to technology?
Absolutely. Our alumni often cite the enriching technology experience at Drew as a real advantage in their careers because they are so accustomed to employing technology in day-to-day activities.
Can students get involved in the Drew technology department?
Our help desk is staffed 100% by students, and being involved can be a great educational experience. In fact, many of our alumni who have been part of our on-campus computer support and training teams have gone into professional careers involving technology.
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Academic Program
Does Drew use teaching assistants to teach classes?
No.
How large are the classes?
Small. 78 percent of the lower-level courses (open to first-year students) have 25 or fewer students enrolled, while 15 percent have 10 or fewer students enrolled. Over 80 percent of upper-level courses have 20 or fewer students enrolled.
Are faculty accessible to students?
We hope that this is one of your questions, because the attention that students enjoy at Drew is undoubtedly one of the greatest strengths of the school. The student-to-teacher ratio is approximately 12-to-1, and all faculty of the College of Liberal Arts, including the President and the Dean of the College, teach undergraduates. Faculty post office hours, attend many campus events, and they can also be contacted by phone, voice mail, and electronic mail.
You can easily cultivate enriching relationships with outstanding professors. Perhaps the best evidence of this is that whenever alumni are surveyed about what they most appreciated about Drew, they invariably begin by citing the quality of teaching and the relationships they developed with professors here.
Do you have any off-campus/study abroad programs?
Among American colleges and universities, Drew is a pioneer of off-campus study. Initiated over 30 years ago, our semester in London (on British politics, history, literature, and theatre) was among the first of its kind to be made available to students. Drew also sponsors a program in West Africa in arts and culture.
More recently, Drew has developed International Seminars in which small groups of 15 to 20 students spend about a month in locations throughout the world such as China, Ecuador, Cuba, Puerto Rico, India, Ghana, Iceland, Italy, and Spain doing intensive interdisciplinary work with two or three professors. Students take a course to prepare for the seminar and write a research paper upon their return.
Closer to campus, Drew runs four semester programs in New York City on contemporary art, theatre, the United Nations, and Wall Street, and a semester in Washington, D.C. on government.
Do you offer internships?
The Academic Internship Program annually coordinates more than 150 internships for Drew undergraduates. Because of Drew's location in Morris County, N.J., which has among the heaviest concentrations of headquarters for international corporations in the country, and our proximity to New York City, Drew students enjoy exciting and challenging internships in many fields, including the arts, banking and commerce, communications, education, health sciences, laboratory research, and legal and government agencies.
Can I be considered for both the Seven-Year Dual Degree (B.A./M.D.) Program and the regular B.A. program?
Yes. Students applying to the dual-degree medical program will be automatically considered for the regular B.A. program. You do not need to reapply for the B.A. program if denied admission to the dual-degree program.
What is your acceptance rate for students who apply to medical school? Law school? Graduate school?
Over 25 percent of Drew students attend graduate or professional school upon graduation. The acceptance rates to law and medical schools and to graduate programs in the arts and sciences total about 85 percent.
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Student Life
What is security like on campus?
Drew University is located in Madison, New Jersey, and enjoys a reputation as one of the safest campuses in the country. Our director of public safety, formerly a high-ranking state police officer, has worked to develop a good rapport and understanding between the officers of the department of public safety and our students. Full-time, academy trained public safety officers patrol the campus 24 hours a day utilizing marked patrol cars and bicycle and on foot patrols.
Is housing guaranteed? Are the residence halls coed? Can I get a single room as a first-year student?
Yes, sort of, and no. On-campus housing is guaranteed for four years, and approximately 90 percent of undergraduates live on campus. Students may choose from single-sex or coed floors. All bathrooms are single-sex. Some residence halls consist of traditional "doubles," while others offer "quads" or "suites." In addition, foreign language and special interest theme houses are available to juniors and seniors. As a first-year student, however, you may obtain a single room only for a compelling medical reason.
Can I keep a car on campus?
Only juniors and seniors are eligible to keep cars on campus. There is also an alternative to keeping a car on campus - ZipCar.
Do many students go home during the weekends?
Our undergraduates come from 43 states and 12 foreign countries, and while many of them are from New Jersey, few return home for the weekends, almost none with any regularity. Most students remain on campus during weekends and enjoy a variety of athletic, cultural, and social events sponsored by the University Program Board, by campus clubs and organizations, and by a very active performing arts program. Many will hop into Manhattan, less than an hour's ride by bus or train. The train station is within walking distance from campus and bus service to the city is available from the main gate of the campus. To be sure, students also spend part of their weekends keeping up with school work.
Do you have fraternities/sororities?
No. Drew students cite the absence of fraternities and sororities as a secondary reason for enrolling at Drew and point to it as an indication of the openness of the campus culture.
Will I be able to pursue my extracurricular activities at Drew?
Probably. Undergraduates at Drew are actively involved in over 80 clubs and organizations in the performing arts; publications; political, social, and religious groups; student government; and in a wide variety of intramural, club, and varsity athletic teams, including 18 varsity intercollegiate teams that compete in NCAA Division III. We are particularly proud of the fact that over one-third of our students are active in community service.
Is your campus "liberal" or "conservative"?
Whether the question refers to political inclinations or personal life styles, the answer is that Drew's student body is very diverse and encompasses a broad range of beliefs, views, and affiliations. We have, for example, active chapters of both the College Republicans and the College Democrats on campus, as well as pro-choice and pro-life groups here. A valuable part of the Drew experience, in fact, is the result of students from different geographic, socioeconomic, ethnic, and religious backgrounds with many different skills and aspirations learning from each other in the classroom, residence halls, and through many clubs, organizations, and athletic teams.
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SAT/ACT Optional Admissions Consideration
What does SAT/ACT OPTIONAL mean and to whom does it apply?
At Drew, SAT/ACT Optional means that applicants to the traditional Bachelor of Arts program have a choice as to whether or not they submit SAT/ACT scores for admission consideration. Applicants who choose NOT to submit SAT/ACT scores must instead submit a graded paper (writing sample) from a high school class.
It is important to understand that SAT/ACT Optional does NOT mean that the Admissions Committee disregards standardized scores submitted by applicants. Rather, SAT/ACT Optional allows each applicant to decide which—SAT/ACT scores or a graded paper—best represents his/her academic and intellectual ability.
At Drew, SAT/ACT optional applies to all students who submit an application for admission to the traditional Bachelor of Arts Program. It does not apply to students who wish to submit an application to the B.A./M.D. Dual Degree Program. B.A./M.D. candidates must submit SAT scores to Drew for admission consideration.
When did Drew begin SAT/ACT optional admissions consideration?
Drew began SAT/ACT optional admissions consideration in September of 2005.
Why did Drew make the SAT/ACT optional for admission?
Drew joins a growing number of colleges and universities who have taken this step. We believe that factors other than standardized test scores can be better predictors of success in college, particularly the strength of a student's high school program and his or her grade point average.
Does this mean that Drew is going to accept less qualified students?
No. Drew remains highly selective and will continue to look for a substantial high school record, including a strong grade point average.
If I don't submit standardized test scores to Drew and instead submit a graded paper, can I still be considered for merit scholarships?
Yes. All applicants are considered for merit scholarships regardless of which—standardized test scores or a graded paper—they submit for admission consideration. Furthermore, the Admissions Committee does not prefer one medium over the other.
What qualifies as a graded paper?
The graded paper must be a graded writing sample from your junior or senior year.
The sample must be analytical or critical in nature and not a mere summary. It should demonstrate your ability to communicate complex ideas and opinions, and to write effective, well-supported arguments. Examples of such samples may include: an analysis of a book, a work of art, or a literary style; a position paper in which you argue for or against a policy or idea; a research project from a natural or social science course.
If you plan to major in the natural, physical, or biological sciences (and choose to submit a graded paper in place of SAT scores), you are asked to submit a graded paper that pertains to your scientific area of interest.
Generally speaking, the graded paper should represent what you consider to be your best work. It must be accompanied by a description of the assignment that generated it. It must also contain a grade noted by the teacher who gave the assignment.
Going forward, how will Drew evaluate each applicant?
Going forward, we will consider the strength of the high school, the rigor of the curriculum, the student's grade point average, and class rank (if available). Other factors of importance include: standardized scores (for those who submit scores) or a graded paper (for those who do not submit scores); recommendations from guidance, academic, and civic communities; extracurricular involvement and leadership; writing ability, and the admissions interview (not required but highly recommended).
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Any further questions may be submitted to Drew's Office of College Admissions via e-mail at cadm@drew.edu or by calling the office at 973-408-DREW.
