Regarding housing...I primarily used the website
www.homestore.com and searched near 19144. There is definitely a mouse problem in the area of all the apartments, but if you have the holes all fixed up, then it's no problem.
Alden Park apartments are quite eye pleasing (old historic looking building) with a nice gym, but quite expensive and they have funny things with their heat sometimes during the winter. They are within walking distance.
Don't live in School House Lane (all I hear is negative comments from people that lived there).
There are some other apartments near the school, but I don't remember the names of them. Some are only 2 BRs though.
I knew a few people who live(d) in Park Heights. I hear reasonable things about it. It's nothing really special, but it's a good size for the money (in philly), gas is included (yes, that means heat in the winter), and has security. It's one of the high rises. The exercise room is adequate, but not super. The management was always really nice to my friends when I was there.
You should be alright getting an apartment in the next month or so and still have your choice, but if you specifically want a studio, I would go sooner (not as many of them and they go fast). But one bedrooms will probably stick around for a bit....
Other Drexel students have other comments? I don't know much about the "other" side of the school (non-Wissahickon).