Drexel University-ACE Program Fall '09

Is this Joe?

No my name is Kevin

hey everyone,

just wanted to check back in and see if any of you received their financial breakdown of how much our program is gonna cost us. I got mine a couple weeks ago and I only received about $7500 from the government. an approximate total of how much everything was going to be was about $42,000 (because it included housing, commute, books, uniforms, etc). Have any of you looked into where you were going to take your loans out?

What is everyone doing about housing? I live in the northeast with family and near the Regional Rail which I could take to Suburban Station, but I wasn't sure if living closer to campus would work better in my favor, especially for studying purposes and class times. I also have access to a car, so another option would be to drive everyday, but I imagine parking to be a hassle and becoming expensive as well. Any ideas?

-jo

I am currently parking my car in the garage right across from the New College Building (where the majority of classes are held). I pay per month at a rate of $240. Daily will cost you around $15. I live in campus housing (Stiles Hall) so I leave my car there 24/7. They also have a monthly rate that's not 24/7 that's cheaper. I think you have to be in after a certain time and out before a certain time.

oh yeah, there are other lots that are probably cheaper. I was warned that some are pretty shady though especially if you living downtown and leaving your car in lots overnight, etc.

I just chose the lot due to it's location and security compared to others that i've seen

thanks juniata!

So you live in Stiles? I was actually considering living there as well since the approx. cost that drexel had given me included on campus housing. But I was worried about moving everything in, how much furniture I would really need, etc. I understand they all come unfurnished? I never moved out on my own because I live with family still. How is the apartment like?

The sole reason why I moved into Stiles was convenience. I only have a one block walk to class. Everything's included so I don't have to worry about utilities to pay, etc.

The apartments are pretty small. I live in a 2 bedroom and my room is a 10x10. I was told all rooms are pretty much the same size no matter if you live in a 1,2, or 3 bedroom apartment. Kitchens are decently sized and you have full sized range/oven and refrigerator. (You have to bring everything else--microwave, toaster, coffee maker, etc.) I somehow got a handicapped accessible room so my bathroom seems oversized. I'm not sure what other bathrooms look like to compare mine to!
I was freaking out about the size of my room at first. I thought it was way too small for everything I thought I needed to bring. There are no closets but they do provide a two door armoire or whatever it's called which you can fit a lot into. I went to IKEA to buy everything I needed. I got a nice sized desk, 6 drawer dresser, single bed, bedside table and a decent sized book shelf (which I recommend). I actually still have some room left to walk around haha.
The common area is small but you could easily fit a couch and large tv if you wanted to.
I live on the 7th floor and have a very nice view of center city business district (comcast center, liberty plaza, and of course the hospital. I'm into emergency medicine so I get excited when the aeromedical choppers come in and land on top of the hospital which I get a nice view of. *This all depends on what side of the building you live on. All even numbered apartments have my view (depending on floor obviously). I heard the view out of the other side of the building isn't as nice.
I know there are two or three other ACE students in my quarter that live here. I've seen a lot more ACE'ers that are in their 3rd quarter that live here too.
Overall, the building is VERY quiet. They say it's full with students but walking around you'd never know it. Everyone I guess stays in their rooms and studies all day/night. Never loud and no parties that i've experienced so far. It's pretty much all graduate students, ACE nursing, rad tech, and med students.
http://www.drexel.edu/housing/halls/Stiles/default.asp

Any more questions, just ask!

Hi Jo,

Just wanted to add that I commute from Norristown on Septa R6. The first quarter I bought a pass for 146/month. Sometimes I take the bus to the train. Tokens are about 1.50/ride. If I drive to the train, I park for $1. The 2nd and this quarter i bought 10 pass tickets at about 50. My clinicals are all over so I am at school only on Mondays and Tuesdays.

The first semester, there is an advantage to being close to school but afterwards there is little to no advantage commutewise unless you are sent to a clinical that is in center city. So far, I have had one clinical at Hanneman and one at 11th Street Center. The other 5 have been in the suburbs.

Hope this helps in making a decision.

Thank you for your responses, you guys have been a big help! =]

I was actually thinking about living on campus, however the price of Stiles was bothering me and also the fact that I had to bring my own furniture. Its good to know that I will only be on campus alot during the 1st quarter...and I have heard that clinicals are all over the place. With the money for housing, I might as well try to invest in a new car instead, lol. Thanks again for your input!

I live in University City across the river, and can get there easily by public transport. Can't afford a 2nd car and DH uses the car to get to work, so I'll be buddying up with my clinical group for rides when we start getting placed everywhere.

It's a beautiful neighborhood and less expensive than Center City if you do want to live closer.

But honestly? If you have free housing with your parents I would take it and save the money!