School Spotlight: Drew University

There are over 4,000 colleges and universities in the U.S. And while the media tends to focus on just a handful of schools, we at College Coach encourage students to think outside the box during their college selection process and explore a wide range of colleges. As such, we are highlighting a new college each week in our School Spotlight series. Check out the college below, along with the other posts in our series, and you may just stumble upon your dream school! School Spotlight: Drew University Madison, NJ  Students who love the idea of attending a liberal arts university with small classes and lots of hands-on learning opportunities ought to consider Drew University. Less than an hour’s train ride from Manhattan, Drew enrolls just under 1,700 undergraduates who are eager to learn not just from a textbook, but from the world around them. The University’s general education requirements expects all students to complete an off-campus experience, which might include an internship, a community service project, or one of the school’s New York Semesters, which literally turns New York City into a classroom. Courses such as “The United Nations System and the International Community,” “Introduction to Media Industries,” and “Wall Street & the Economy” let students learn directly from the source as they combine field trips with coursework back on campus. Alternatively, during abbreviated January and summer terms, students can participate in a short term study abroad opportunity off campus. An education at Drew University might be more affordable than you might think. Last year the university lowered their tuition by 20 percent, effectively reducing it to the 2010 rate. And with 80 percent of students receiving merit scholarships (ranging from $5,000 to $20,000) as well as need-based aid, overall costs become even lower! Photo credit: Top, Courtesy of Drew University/Lynne DeLade