Drexel vs. GWU, help!

[penguins_]

Hey all!

I was recently accepted into both Drexel and GWU, and I'm having A LOT of trouble deciding between the two schools. I was hoping ya'll could help me!

I went to both schools, and I loved them both. The faculty, the students. I like Drexel because it's in Philly. I think going there would be a good experience to explore the area. Going to GWU would be closer to home. I live in Northern Virginia. And I want to get a job in the DC area when I'm older so I can be near family.

I was wondering if there is anyone that could put in their input into one or both of them schools just so I can get some other perspectives!

Cost is not an issue!

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[DPTbound101]

I’m a little biased because I too got accepted into Drexel University and absolutely loved it, and I didn’t apply to GWU.

Drexel has become my number 1 school because it seems to have a well balanced curriculum, with anatomy held over 2 quarters instead of crammed into a short pre-summer semester, or just a single regular fall semester in the beginning. And I like that the program is on a quarter system because then you won’t have shortened summer semesters thrown in that you have to immediately adjust to the quickened pass of the class. And for me I really liked that there was a couple peds related courses and a prosthetics/orthotics course. I also really felt that the students genuinely enjoy themselves in the program, and they don’t seem as overwhelmed as other students I’ve met in different programs. I also really like that the faculty seem to go above and beyond to make sure you succeed in their courses, and the clinical coordinators will actually work with you in getting a certain clinical setting you like, and even if the school doesn’t currently have an affiliation with a certain site the coordinators are open to work on making it happen for you. Also, I personally like the idea of being able to participate in a service learning trip to gutamala and do a clinical abroad in either Italy or Austalia, and I liked that the first full-time clinical is the summer after your first year, instead of waiting until the end of the program to do all three rotations. And while visiting philly for the Drexel interview I noticed that Drexel has a real presence in the city, from students organizing a health education info day in center city, to volunteering in multiple community service based programs in the area. For these reasons Drexel is the school I’m more than likely attending, and I’m sure they have clinical affiliations in the DC area (if that’s a major worry for you when deciding between the two) since it’s not that far away from Philly, but you can always ask the admissions coordinator if they have any affiliations in DC, I asked about west coast affiliations myself.

But this decision is completely up to you, I’d recommend taking some time to compare the curriculum, the faculty/their research, service opportunities etc so you can really visualize the differences.

Hope this helps! I’m sorry I rambled on about Drexel

 

[PassionateDPT21]

Hey all!

I was recently accepted into both Drexel and GWU, and I'm having A LOT of trouble deciding between the two schools. I was hoping ya'll could help me!

I went to both schools, and I loved them both. The faculty, the students. I like Drexel because it's in Philly. I think going there would be a good experience to explore the area. Going to GWU would be closer to home. I live in Northern Virginia. And I want to get a job in the DC area when I'm older so I can be near family.

I was wondering if there is anyone that could put in their input into one or both of them schools just so I can get some other perspectives!

Cost is not an issue!

Although cost is not an issue.... Drexel does win in that aspect and it can still be an important pro.
I went to interviews with both schools and live in northern Virginia myself. So far, I'll be going with Drexel as my top choice, unless I hear back from a certain school or two and then I might have to rethink it. I am one of the interviewers that has not heard back from GWU and I think I would have heard back from them by now if they were planning to accept me. However, I honestly did not like the vibe from the interview session. I will say, I was so proud to get the interview and beyond excited to have a chance with such a great school. But when I went there I wasn't feeling it, I was upset with myself for not feeling it. Everything and everyone came off as a school that knows they are ranked very highly. For me this was not the right fit, plenty of other people loved it.
Drexel' s vibe really made me passionate and excited about their school, they seemed like they really care and will want you to be amazing. GWU came off as a high ranking school that didn't have to try to pull you in and might be more likely to tell you that you're doing something wrong rather than help you correct it before it gets to that point. I'm more into a nurturing environment instead of a stern or rigid environment.
Anyway, I don't know if this helps at all and I understand that this is really just one perspective. The timing of Drexel being my first interview or the over excitement I had going into the GWU experience could have a lot to do with it. I am definetly looking forward to the many resources Drexel offers, a larger cohort, and a new place to experience! Let me know what you decide!

 

[DPTbound101]

Although cost is not an issue.... Drexel does win in that aspect and it can still be an important pro.
I went to interviews with both schools and live in northern Virginia myself. So far, I'll be going with Drexel as my top choice, unless I hear back from a certain school or two and then I might have to rethink it. I am one of the interviewers that has not heard back from GWU and I think I would have heard back from them by now if they were planning to accept me. However, I honestly did not like the vibe from the interview session. I will say, I was so proud to get the interview and beyond excited to have a chance with such a great school. But when I went there I wasn't feeling it, I was upset with myself for not feeling it. Everything and everyone came off as a school that knows they are ranked very highly. For me this was not the right fit, plenty of other people loved it.
Drexel' s vibe really made me passionate and excited about their school, they seemed like they really care and will want you to be amazing. GWU came off as a high ranking school that didn't have to try to pull you in and might be more likely to tell you that you're doing something wrong rather than help you correct it before it gets to that point. I'm more into a nurturing environment instead of a stern or rigid environment.
Anyway, I don't know if this helps at all and I understand that this is really just one perspective. The timing of Drexel being my first interview or the over excitement I had going into the GWU experience could have a lot to do with it. I am definetly looking forward to the many resources Drexel offers, a larger cohort, and a new place to experience! Let me know what you decide!

I felt the same way when interviewing at University of Delaware, it’s an amazing program and I was overjoined when I got the interview, but they too gloated about being “number one” multiple times, including the students saying that was a main reason for them attending the program....I felt it was annoying lol

 

[penguins_]

Although cost is not an issue.... Drexel does win in that aspect and it can still be an important pro.
I went to interviews with both schools and live in northern Virginia myself. So far, I'll be going with Drexel as my top choice, unless I hear back from a certain school or two and then I might have to rethink it. I am one of the interviewers that has not heard back from GWU and I think I would have heard back from them by now if they were planning to accept me. However, I honestly did not like the vibe from the interview session. I will say, I was so proud to get the interview and beyond excited to have a chance with such a great school. But when I went there I wasn't feeling it, I was upset with myself for not feeling it. Everything and everyone came off as a school that knows they are ranked very highly. For me this was not the right fit, plenty of other people loved it.
Drexel' s vibe really made me passionate and excited about their school, they seemed like they really care and will want you to be amazing. GWU came off as a high ranking school that didn't have to try to pull you in and might be more likely to tell you that you're doing something wrong rather than help you correct it before it gets to that point. I'm more into a nurturing environment instead of a stern or rigid environment.
Anyway, I don't know if this helps at all and I understand that this is really just one perspective. The timing of Drexel being my first interview or the over excitement I had going into the GWU experience could have a lot to do with it. I am definetly looking forward to the many resources Drexel offers, a larger cohort, and a new place to experience! Let me know what you decide!

Thank you so much for your response! Do you know which interview you were at for GW for you to get that vibe? I find it interesting how they interviewed like 100 people at a time. I had my Drexel interview back in September (it was my first), and the GW interview was in December and that was the last interview. I'm just trying to put perspectives together so thank you for your input!

 

[PassionateDPT21]

Thank you so much for your response! Do you know which interview you were at for GW for you to get that vibe? I find it interesting how they interviewed like 100 people at a time. I had my Drexel interview back in September (it was my first), and the GW interview was in December and that was the last interview. I'm just trying to put perspectives together so thank you for your input!

I was at the 11/11 interview session. I'm pretty sure it was the first and they had another on 12/1. Mine was 50 people give or take a few and I think the second one was too. And I know they atleast have another interview session coming up early february.

 

[charlotter]

I was at the 11/11 interview and about 50-60 applicants interviewed. I believe they get around 700 applicants each year, so that was to be expected. I personally got the feel from my interview and from the info session that I went to that the faculty are really friendly and genuinely want to help students succeed. One or two of the faculty members previously attended GWU DPT too. I never felt like GWU was harping on being "one of the best" especially since PT school rankings are pretty baseless.