Drexel University Student Portal Guide: Navigating Your Academic Journey

Founded in 1891 by financier and philanthropist Anthony J. Drexel, Drexel University is a private institution committed to providing students a strong, well-rounded education with a focus on work experience, research, and technology. Drexel is considered Philadelphia’s technological university and is known for its use of co-operative education as part of the undergraduate learning process. This guide provides a comprehensive overview of the essential online resources and platforms available to Drexel students, including DrexelOne, Drexel Learn, and other key services. Understanding how to effectively navigate these resources can significantly improve your academic journey and overall college experience.

Drexel University: An Overview

Drexel University's acceptance rate is 55%, making it a moderately selective university. Admissions proceed via a rolling process, so the earlier that a student submits all information, the sooner he or she will receive a decision. However, it is important to note that there are different deadlines depending on a student's interests. For instance, January 15 is the deadline for those students who would like to be considered for the A. J. Drexel Scholarship. Furthermore, Drexel is not an exclusive user of the Common Application. The factors that are most closely considered include rigor of secondary school record, class rank, academic GPA, and standardized test scores.

A majority of students complete an 18-month, full-time work experience relating to their specific academic interests during their undergraduate career. Today, the co-operative education program continues to excel as one of the country’s largest and most diverse.

Essential Online Platforms

Need to find your course materials? Need to register for classes? Need to look at your university bill? Most things you will need in your career as a college student can be accessed on the web through one of Drexel’s many online services. You have used at least some of them already, but there are others you have not had to use yet or have not completely explored yet. Understanding Drexel’s on-demand online resources is a great first step to success while at Drexel. A lot of the processes for simple tasks can all be done online, avoiding a long wait to talk to an advisor or professor.

DrexelOne: Your Central Hub

After receiving a user ID and creating a password, your first stop is DrexelOne at one.drexel.edu. DrexelOne is the hub that connects all other services, and is a lot like the directory of a company.

Welcome Page: The Welcome Page holds various information to see at a glance or access quickly.
Academics Tab: It is essential for registering for classes and ensuring you are on track to graduate. Under the Registration box, the DegreeWorks Graduation Requirements is an important site that tracks completed and outstanding courses required to obtain your degree. Information unique to you is at the top, including your program, GPA and academic standing. As you scroll down, the list of requirements is broken down into several sections, including requirements for general education, your major, the Honors program, co-op and any minors you add.
Explore Other Tabs: Be sure to explore the other tabs in DrexelOne as they cover every aspect that you may need to alter during your time here.

Drexel Learn (Blackboard Learn): Accessing Coursework

The go-to platform for everything related to classes or coursework is Blackboard Learn, which most people refer to as Drexel Learn, BB Learn, or just Learn, accessible at learn.drexel.edu. You might have already used Learn for placement exams, and in that case you will have experienced what a lot of your tests and exams going forward will look like.

Courses Tab: After selecting the Courses tab on the left, you will see that each class for the term has its own box to open up the page for that course. Each class’s Learn page is accessible by clicking on that course’s name in the Academics tab of DrexelOne, and they are all structured differently according to which instructor is teaching it.
Calendar Tab: Within Drexel Learn, the Calendar tab is useful for seeing when assignments are due in relation to each other across all courses.
Grades Tab: Additionally, the Grades tab provides a quick view of your overall grade for each course and the grades you received on the last couple of assignments.

Kaltura and Echo Video: Video Platforms

Another important platform used in classes is Kaltura, Drexel’s video hosting platform. Most of the time it is used embedded directly into Drexel Learn (for lecture recordings, video materials, etc.) so you do not notice its presence. Occasionally professors link to Kaltura itself or encourage you to use it for hosting your own videos. College of Computing and Informatics students also have access to Echo Video, a platform that stores full recordings of every class you take at CCI. All CCI classes link to their Echo Video page from their BB Learn page.

Drexel Degreeworks and Banner Web: Planning Your Academic Path

Once the time comes, you will need to plan out your schedule and register for the classes you need. You will want to have a plan prepared - for your long-term career as a college student as well as the current year and upcoming term. Drexel Degreeworks gives you an overview of your program and the classes that are required of you as well as the options you need to pick from. In Degreeworks you can make a plan of study that outlines which classes you want to take and in which order. Once you have a long-term plan, you can use Banner Web to plan out the exact sections to register for before your time ticket opens. The Plan Ahead features shows all available courses and sections, and what a potential schedule would look like.

SCDC Online: Co-op Opportunities

SCDC or the Steinbright Career Development Center is the one-stop shop for all things co-op at Drexel. As a first-year, there are a lot of questions that might exist around SCDC and co-op. The good news is that Drexel has thought of that. Drexel has a class called COOP 101 that you take at least one quarter before your co-op slot, and it will explain all about cooperative learning at Drexel. SCDC Online is the portal that you will learn to use to apply, manage, and accept or rank co-op opportunities.

Ask Drexel: Getting Your Questions Answered

If you have questions, go to ask.drexel.edu to see frequently asked questions or to submit a new one.

Read also: Drexel University Scholarships

Understanding Drexel Connect

Drexel University offers an innovative online platform called Drexel Connect, designed to enhance the student experience and streamline various administrative tasks. Whether you’re a new student or a returning one, understanding how to effectively navigate Drexel Connect can significantly improve your academic journey.

Getting Started with Drexel Connect

Drexel Connect serves as a central hub for students to access important resources, such as course materials, financial information, and academic advisement. To begin using this powerful tool, you’ll need your Drexel username and password provided by the university upon enrollment. Once logged in, you’ll be greeted by a user-friendly interface that allows for easy navigation.

Course Management

One of the most crucial sections within Drexel Connect is the “Courses” tab. Here, you can:

View your course schedule for each term.
Access syllabi and lecture materials uploaded by professors.
Submit assignments electronically.
Participate in online discussions with classmates via discussion boards.
Track your grades throughout the term.

Billing & Financial Aid

Managing finances can often be overwhelming for students. However, with Drexel Connect’s “Billing & Financial Aid” section at your disposal, keeping track of tuition payments and financial aid becomes more manageable. This section provides detailed information about your tuition balance and payment due dates.

Additionally, Drexel Connect offers a convenient platform to apply for financial aid or scholarships directly from within the system. You can also keep track of any pending documents required by the university’s financial aid office through this portal.

Academic Advisement

Navigating academic requirements can sometimes feel like a maze. Fortunately, Drexel Connect simplifies this process through its “Academic Advising” section. Here, you can:

View your assigned academic advisor.
Schedule advising appointments.
Access important resources related to your academic journey.

Furthermore, Drexel Connect provides a degree audit feature that allows you to track your progress toward graduation. This tool helps ensure that you are on track with completing the required courses and credits for your chosen program.

Staying Connected with Campus Life

Drexel Connect is not limited to just academics; it also keeps students connected with various aspects of campus life. The platform offers access to:

Event calendars
Student organizations
Campus news

You can browse through upcoming events, join clubs or organizations that align with your interests, and stay up-to-date with the latest campus news and announcements.

Through Drexel Connect’s messaging system, students can also communicate directly with faculty members or university staff regarding any queries or concerns they may have.

College Jargon

Navigating the world of higher education can be overwhelming, especially when faced with a barrage of unfamiliar terms and jargon. As your student embarks on their college journey, it's essential to comprehend the various terms and phrases commonly used in the college landscape.

FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid): The primary form used to apply for federal financial aid for college.
SAI (Student Aid Index): An eligibility index number that a college or career school's financial aid office uses to determine how much federal student aid the student would receive if the student attended the school.
Credit Hours: The value assigned to each course indicating the amount of time spent in class per week.
GPA (Grade Point Average): A numerical representation of a student's average grades.

Understanding these terms can aid in better communication with your student about their college experience.

Tips for Success

Drexel is a large school, and it can easily feel overwhelming or confusing. Here are some tips to help you succeed:

Explore DrexelOne: Familiarize yourself with all the tabs and resources available.
Utilize Drexel Learn: Check your course pages regularly for updates, assignments, and announcements.
Plan Ahead: Use Drexel Degreeworks and Banner Web to plan your schedule and track your progress.
Engage with SCDC: Take advantage of the co-op opportunities and resources offered by the Steinbright Career Development Center.
Ask Questions: Don't hesitate to use Ask Drexel or contact your advisor if you need help.
Stay Connected: Use Drexel Connect to stay informed about campus events and communicate with faculty and staff.

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