I was in your shoes about a year ago (except it was UMDNJ, of course). Had already sent in a deposit for the GSBS, too. Jumped on Drexel when accepted:
(1) Weather / California!
(2) Mostly medical school classes with comparison to Drexel medical students (I think GSBS lets you take maybe one? If they think you'll not drown?)
(3) Sure it's not a 1-year master, but the option for a 2nd year allows you to continue to enhance your academic profile.
And the Midtown area is great. In terms of positives:
(1) Very close to campus (~10-15 minutes on both bike and car from where I'm at)
(2) Everything you might need (groceries, eatouts, hair cut, dentists, etc.)
Neutrals:
(1) Rent is around 500-1000, depending on what you want. Check out padmapper.com (I put this under neutral cause this can be expensive or cheap depending on where you're coming from)
(2) Fair amount of homeless. I don't mind... I just leave my bottles/cans by the dumpster and they pick em up for recycling in a few hours, max.
Negatives:
(1) A few weeks ago, there was one female victim of murder about 3 blocks from where I live. However, the murderer was romantically involved with her; it was not some random shooting. Most people will attest that midtown is mostly professionals aged 25-35, and violent crimes in this area are *extremely* rare.
(2) Now for the crime that's pretty common in midtown: bicycle theft. It's unfortunate because bike is the best way to get around, IMO. If you want to bike, get yourself a solid U lock and some locking skewers or a cable for your wheels (and seat, if really paranoid). For a U-lock, I spared no expense and got Kryptonite's New York Fahgettaboudit. I got Pinhead locking skewer and haven't had a problem with them since, though I don't think they're necessarily the top-of-the-line security for your wheels (or seat).
I mean, when I put in my deposit in and signed up for UMDNJ's crime alert texts, I was getting automatically texted about a shooting, car break in, and rape every week. For safety, Sacramento >>> Newark.
