Classes at Drake are definitely tough & if you didn't study in high school, that won't transfer well here. You will have to put in a significant amount of work no matter what your major is. Although the course material is difficult, it is definitely manageable, especially with the help of the approachable faculty. However, perhaps the greatest aspect about Drake is that you are not just getting a degree, but learning how to navigate the real world as well. Drake strongly stresses real world application through Mock Interviews and Resume/Cover Letter Workshops. Additionally, Drake has it's own career website, comparable to monster.com, which lists full-time positions & internships both in the Des Moines area and across the country so you can learn how to handle life in the work place before you get there.
Do you enjoy the experience at your school?
There is always a lot to do at Drake. The student activities board does an excellent job planning events throughout the year like concerts(Eric Hutchinson, Quietdrive), Free Salsa Dancing Lessons, and even on campus laser tag. However, if you'd rather do something off campus downtown Des Moines is only 10 minutes away by car & has a lot of really neat places to visit. Drake students get to ride the Dart bus(Des Moines Public Transportation) for free and it will bring you right to Des Moines hot spots such as Court Avenue, which has a lot of nicer restaurants and bars for those over 21. There is also the Civic Center which plays host to big name shows such as RENT, Wicked, and Billy Elliot. Additionally, Des Moines is cluttered with cute little shops, coffee houses, and tea bars, all of which are with visiting.
Do you feel you’re getting value for the money you’re spending on college?
Drake is definitely on the more expensive side, but as a private institution, it's well worth the money. The on campus residence halls are all recently renovated and the dining halls just got a major makeover as well. The majority of professors have an open door policy with office hours, and a lot list their cell and home phone numbers in their syllabus. Since Drake is a smaller school it is really easy to get involved which makes it easier to obtain leadership positions and build a resume. All of this, in combination with Drake's generous academic and need-based scholarship policy, makes the Drake experience more than worth the money.
Do you have any tips for prospective students?
Open up right away & be yourself. Unlike a lot of state schools, no one comes to Drake with half of their graduating class. Therefore, 90% of students that enter as first years know only 1 or 2 people when they get to campus, thus making it a lot easier to make friends. Take advantage of this by joining lots of different activities and leaving your room door open(when you're there) to encourage the people on your floor to come in and chat.
Which types of students will excel at your college?
Drake is great for students who know exactly what they want to major in because you get to begin your major in your first year. This makes it exceptionally easy to double or even triple major.
Classes at Drake are definitely tough & if you didn't study in high school, that won't transfer well here. You will have to put in a significant amount of work no matter what your major is. Although the course material is difficult, it is definitely manageable, especially with the help of the approachable faculty. However, perhaps the greatest aspect about Drake is that you are not just getting a degree, but learning how to navigate the real world as well. Drake strongly stresses real world application through Mock Interviews and Resume/Cover Letter Workshops. Additionally, Drake has it's own career website, comparable to monster.com, which lists full-time positions & internships both in the Des Moines area and across the country so you can learn how to handle life in the work place before you get there.
There is always a lot to do at Drake. The student activities board does an excellent job planning events throughout the year like concerts(Eric Hutchinson, Quietdrive), Free Salsa Dancing Lessons, and even on campus laser tag. However, if you'd rather do something off campus downtown Des Moines is only 10 minutes away by car & has a lot of really neat places to visit. Drake students get to ride the Dart bus(Des Moines Public Transportation) for free and it will bring you right to Des Moines hot spots such as Court Avenue, which has a lot of nicer restaurants and bars for those over 21. There is also the Civic Center which plays host to big name shows such as RENT, Wicked, and Billy Elliot. Additionally, Des Moines is cluttered with cute little shops, coffee houses, and tea bars, all of which are with visiting.
Drake is definitely on the more expensive side, but as a private institution, it's well worth the money. The on campus residence halls are all recently renovated and the dining halls just got a major makeover as well. The majority of professors have an open door policy with office hours, and a lot list their cell and home phone numbers in their syllabus. Since Drake is a smaller school it is really easy to get involved which makes it easier to obtain leadership positions and build a resume. All of this, in combination with Drake's generous academic and need-based scholarship policy, makes the Drake experience more than worth the money.
Open up right away & be yourself. Unlike a lot of state schools, no one comes to Drake with half of their graduating class. Therefore, 90% of students that enter as first years know only 1 or 2 people when they get to campus, thus making it a lot easier to make friends. Take advantage of this by joining lots of different activities and leaving your room door open(when you're there) to encourage the people on your floor to come in and chat.
Drake is great for students who know exactly what they want to major in because you get to begin your major in your first year. This makes it exceptionally easy to double or even triple major.