I was accepted into the Drexel ACE program and very excited to begin. I'm not from the Pennsylvania area and am not too familiar with the schools there but I was wondering if someone can give me an idea of what Drexel's reputation is like? Thanks.

I've attended many TRENDS CEU progrmas they co-hosted with local nursing groups.

Excellent reputation, well connected in the community, picked to manage 2 medical schools that combined which they now own. Strong innovative Nursing Dean. School located in inner city neighboorhood just blocks from City Hall.

Son attends main campus across river from health complex too... so little biased. :) Expensive $$$ private school but worth investment in ACE program.

Hi,

I was also accepted into Drexel's ACE program for fall 2007. I'm from the westcoast and not familar with Philadelphia area. I probably should start thinking about where to live. Where are the ideal areas to live near the school? I am concerned about safety as well. I know there are negative things said about Philadelphia and safety, and it seems like more people emphasize the bad rather than the good. Nevertheless, I know that Philadelphia has good qualities, but those are much less emphasized.

I guess my questions are: How diverse is philadelphia? Where are the safest places to live near Drexel? Is ideal to have a car to get around or is public transportation pretty efficent? Public transportation sucks where I currently live.

Thanks!

I dont know much about their rep but they have a huge health base. I see a lot of their students in my local hosp and they must be really good. I was also considering this school for my BSN. I've never heard any negative things about drexel.

Hi IC3,

I was also accepted into Drexel's Fall 2007 ACE program. I have been to Philly only a couple of times, and I have to say that while Philadelphia can be dangerous in certain areas. I looked at going to Temple University but decided not to because when my boyfriend and I boarded the bus, the bus driver turned to us and told us not to leave his sight and to stay at the very front of the bus because he was afraid for us. It was at 1 p.m. on a Tuesday afternoon. North Philly is a very racially tense area.

South Philly is not supposed to be too safe either. but University City and certain parts of Center City (where I think the Health Sciences Center is) are really nice. University City around UPenn is a very nice area. It is of course pricey. I found a website called 4wallsinphilly.com and it has info on some affordable, as well as luxury apartments for rent. I have a friend that is a property manager for a nice house in University City and the tenants rent rooms I think about $600 each. All the tenants are UPenn students.

I have a few friends that commute from Chester County (Philly Burbs) on Septa everyday and I have taken it a few times. It isn't too bad, but I plan to live close to the campus to save time and money commuting.

Have you heard anything about the class schedules? I have heard that clinicals are not very convenient because the school does not consider where you live when they assign them to you. I read somewhere that you can try to trade with other students.

Hope this helps a little bit.

Hi, everyone! I was also accepted into Drexel's Fall 2007 ACE program. I live in a suburb of Philly and will be taking the train (Septa) to campus. I absolutely cannot wait to start. In terms of safety, I've never felt insecure or uncomfortable walking around on or near Drexel's campus. My mother and I take the train to center city quite often and walk everywhere, day and evening.

I've heard the same about clinicals, LovebeingaYankee. Drexel claims that they will try to keep you as close to home as possible, but according to past students it doesn't usually work out that way. Also, in regards to class schedules we probably won't get them until orientation, but you can see the 2005-2006 first quarter class schedules on Drexel's website. Ours will probably be pretty similar, I'd imagine. Under the ACE program's page there is a link on the right hand side to view the 2005-2006 ACE handbook. The class schedule is in the handbook. What I am pretty sure of is that they group us up alphabetically by last name into 3 or 4 sections when making up our schedules.

I had considered Temple's program but their reputation seemed to be questionable from what numerous people told me. I don't think I would've felt comfortable walking around the Center City campus, anyway. I have friends who went to school there, not for nursing, though, and made sure they were packin' heat whenever they were on or near campus.

Be sure to check out www.craigslist.com for housing, as well.

~Cathy

Hi all,

So I recieved a form for student housing with my acceptance package. Does anyone know about Stiles Alumni Hall? It did not list any rates, so I did some searching on Drexel's website but still no rates. There was a small description and it sounds nice. Apparently, it is close to Hanne. Campus, the hospitial and libaries. I'm considering trying that out for the first quarter and hopefully recruit some roomates during fall quarter. But this depends on if student housing is reasonable and whether or not I can find something cheaper.

Lisa

hi lisa,

when did you receive your acceptance package? i haven't gotten any mail from drexel at all and i already submitted my deposit. anyway, i was just curious... does anybody know how many people applied to drexel's ace program this fall and how many actually got in? thanks.

One of my class mate is living at Stiles, i heard she said the rate is pretty reasonable. Stiles is literally right across the street, takes about 40 seconds walking from Stiles to classes/library/Hanne. hospita.

Hi all,

So I recieved a form for student housing with my acceptance package. Does anyone know about Stiles Alumni Hall? It did not list any rates, so I did some searching on Drexel's website but still no rates. There was a small description and it sounds nice. Apparently, it is close to Hanne. Campus, the hospitial and libaries. I'm considering trying that out for the first quarter and hopefully recruit some roomates during fall quarter. But this depends on if student housing is reasonable and whether or not I can find something cheaper.

Lisa

Hi IC3,

I was also accepted into Drexel's Fall 2007 ACE program. I have been to Philly only a couple of times, and I have to say that while Philadelphia can be dangerous in certain areas. I looked at going to Temple University but decided not to because when my boyfriend and I boarded the bus, the bus driver turned to us and told us not to leave his sight and to stay at the very front of the bus because he was afraid for us. It was at 1 p.m. on a Tuesday afternoon. North Philly is a very racially tense area.

South Philly is not supposed to be too safe either. but University City and certain parts of Center City (where I think the Health Sciences Center is) are really nice. University City around UPenn is a very nice area. It is of course pricey. I found a website called 4wallsinphilly.com and it has info on some affordable, as well as luxury apartments for rent. I have a friend that is a property manager for a nice house in University City and the tenants rent rooms I think about $600 each. All the tenants are UPenn students.

I have a few friends that commute from Chester County (Philly Burbs) on Septa everyday and I have taken it a few times. It isn't too bad, but I plan to live close to the campus to save time and money commuting.

Have you heard anything about the class schedules? I have heard that clinicals are not very convenient because the school does not consider where you live when they assign them to you. I read somewhere that you can try to trade with other students.

Hope this helps a little bit.

That bus driver must have been exagerating...the crime is no different from any other city. Racism? I think thats an issue every place you go...people are going to be people. Center city is known for rape victims big time but I think you can commute in the day time normally. Can't judge a place you have not actually lived.

the university has a great reputation, however the hospital (Hahnemaann) does not.

congratulations on ur acceptance and good luck with your studies. the ACE Program is NO JOKE - so be sure to take your studies VERY SERIOUSLY!!

if you have not done so already, please speak with an ACE graduate and/or current ACE student - they can give you the low-down on what to expect as far as examinations/clinicals. you will literally have to eat, sleep and sh!t nursing content.

again, Good Luck!!