How to Apply to Life Sciences and Pre-Health Study at Drexel University: Co-op in Most Programs, Biological Sciences and Neuroscience in Arts and Sciences, Nursing and Health Sciences in Nursing and Health Professions, One Major Chosen at Admission, With Admission Routes and Prerequisites for U.S., International (Including Chinese) and Transfer Students

Drexel University is in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and runs on quarters. Its signature feature is cooperative education (co-op), which alternates classroom study with 6 to 18 months of professional work and is available in most programs. Life-science and health undergraduate programs sit in three schools: the College of Arts and Sciences (Biological Sciences BS, Neuroscience BS, and the Biochemistry concentration of the Chemistry BS), the College of Nursing and Health Professions (Nursing BSN, Health Sciences BS, Exercise Science BS, Nutrition and Foods BS and others) and the Dornsife School of Public Health (Public Health BS). This guide follows Drexel’s website for fall 2027 entry, with separate sections for U.S. applicants, international applicants and applicants from China. Most of Drexel’s dates print no year, so check that they apply to fall 2027.

1. Relevant undergraduate majors

• Biological Sciences (BS, Department of Biology): the catalog lists a Bachelor of Science, minimum 183.5 credits, on quarters. Co-op options: five years with three co-ops (three six-month jobs), four years with one co-op, or four years without co-op. After the core, students choose a concentration: Cell/Molecular/Genetics/Biochemistry, Organismal Biology/Physiology, Ecology/Evolution/Genomics, Pathobiology, General Biology, or Cell and Gene Therapy. The catalog contradicts itself on the count: one passage says “six concentrations” and another says “five”; six are listed. Accelerated BS/MS options with Advanced Therapeutics and Biological Sciences exist.
• Neuroscience (BS): a joint program of the College of Arts and Sciences and the School of Biomedical Engineering and Science; minimum 186.5 credits; one co-op (four years) or no co-op; concentrations in Cellular and Molecular, Cognitive and Affective, and Neurosystems and Computational Neuroscience. The catalog says it is designed for students with a strong commitment to research.
• The Chemistry BS has a Biochemistry concentration in the College of Arts and Sciences; not covered further here.
• Nursing BSN (College of Nursing and Health Professions): a full-time four-year option with one six-month co-op in the third year, a five-year option with three co-ops, and for eligible transfer students a three-year option (one co-op) or a two-year option (no co-op). Per the catalog: minimum 181.0 credits; graduates are eligible to sit for the RN licensure exam; the degree is approved by the Pennsylvania State Board of Nursing and the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (the catalog also lists CCNE accreditation for the BSN). Also offered: the Accelerated Career Entry (ACE) BSN (for people who already hold another bachelor’s degree) and an RN/BSN completion program.
• Health Sciences (BS): minimum 183.0 credits, one co-op (four years). The catalog says graduates pursue rehabilitation professions (physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech-language pathology), physician assistant studies, medicine and dentistry, optometry, audiology, clinical research, public health and others. There is an optional Exercise Science concentration, bridge programs to the Doctor of Physical Therapy and the Physician Assistant MHS, and articulation options: BS/MSOT with Drexel’s occupational therapy department, BS/MSAT with Thomas Jefferson University’s athletic training department, and BS/PharmD with the University of the Sciences (as the catalog describes it).
• Exercise Science BS and Nutrition and Foods BS are in the same college; Public Health BS is in the Dornsife School of Public Health (the catalog says it is accredited by the Council on Education for Public Health), with an accelerated BS/MPH.
• Biomedical engineering is in the engineering college and is not covered here.
• Whether these majors are STEM-designated: not stated on the pages we read. Ask the admissions office.

2. Admission: you choose one major at admission

• Choosing a major: Drexel’s first-year FAQ says double majors are possible but you can apply to only one major; after enrolling you can discuss adding a double major with your advisor. The application instructions say students are encouraged to select two different programs as first and second choices, and may ask to be considered for the undeclared First-Year Exploratory Studies program; these two statements are not fully consistent, so follow the application system.
• GPA bar: Drexel says it has no set minimum GPA for admission; the 2025-26 first-year class had an average GPA of 3.79 (4.0 scale), and 40% were in the top 10% of their class.
• Nursing and other restricted programs: the pages we read do not state seat numbers or entry conditions for the Nursing BSN; they give only the college’s prerequisites (below). The accelerated BSN (ACE) uses its own “Accelerated Career Entry Nursing” application, not the Common Application.
• Switching in: the pages we read do not state the conditions for moving into Biological Sciences, Neuroscience or Nursing after enrolling; not published there. Ask the programs’ advisors or admissions.

3. Pre-med and combined medical programs

• The catalog says the Steinbright Career Development Center offers comprehensive pre-professional advising to students and alumni considering careers in law or medicine. The pages we read give no recommended pre-med course list, no medical school acceptance statistics and no note for international applicants; not published there. Ask the career center or a biology advisor.
• BA/BS+MD Early Assurance Program (4+4): a combined program with Drexel’s College of Medicine that gives early acceptance to both undergraduate study and medical school. Open on the four-year, one-co-op track to Biological Sciences, Chemistry (BA) and Biomedical Engineering; students cannot apply to Neuroscience, Health Sciences or the Nursing BSN co-op program.
• Requirements: U.S. citizen or permanent resident applying as a first-year; on track to graduate from an accredited U.S. high school; a minimum 3.5 GPA on a 4.0 weighted scale (subject to change); SAT superscore of at least 1420 or ACT composite of at least 32 with verified official scores, and applicants who choose test-optional are not eligible; four years of laboratory science including one each of biology, chemistry and physics; Biological Sciences and Chemistry (BA) applicants should complete four years of mathematics by the end of senior year; all materials and the College of Medicine supplemental application by 15 November, with no Early Decision; two letters (a counselor and a science teacher); a $120 medical school processing fee; a select number invited to a virtual multiple-mini-interview, with decisions in mid-March; transfer students are not eligible.
• The Arts and Sciences pre-professional page says entering classes admitted to the program had an average GPA of 3.94 and average SAT of 1527 or ACT 34; accepted students must keep a 3.6 GPA in all coursework including STEM, without repeating a course and with no grade below C, and the MCAT is required to matriculate. Most BA/BS+MD students at Drexel major in Biology.

4. Prerequisites

• College of Arts and Sciences science majors (Biological Sciences, Neuroscience and others): four years of mathematics (algebra I and II, geometry, trigonometry or pre-calculus) and two years of laboratory science (biology, chemistry or physics).
• College of Nursing and Health Professions (including Nursing and Health Sciences): three years of mathematics (algebra I and II, geometry) and two years of laboratory science.
• High school prerequisites for the Public Health BS: the admission prerequisite list does not name public health; not published there.
• IB mathematics: for most programs Drexel accepts either “Applications and Interpretation” or “Analysis and Approaches”, higher or standard level.
• Credit: Drexel says AP exams and select higher-level IB exams with superior scores may earn credit; send scores to Drexel, and your academic advisor reviews them after you confirm enrollment. College courses taken in high school are usually transferable with a C or better if not used for high school graduation and applicable to your program; send transcripts by 30 June. Which AP/IB scores replace biology or chemistry courses is not stated on the pages we read.
• Biological Sciences BS course sequence (catalog): BIO 131, 132 and 133 (Cells and Biomolecules, Genetics and Evolution, Physiology and Ecology) with labs; CHEM 101, 102, 103 and organic chemistry CHEM 241 and 242; PHYS 152, 153, 154; mathematics either Introduction to Analysis (MATH 101, 102 and 239) or Calculus (MATH 121, 122 and 123), plus Scientific Data Analysis MATH 410 and 411; BIO 311 Biochemistry or CHEM 243; then BIO 207, 208, 209, 211, 219, 224 and 225, senior seminars BIO 471 to 473, ENVS 212 Evolution, 28 to 30 credits of concentration courses and 24 credits of free electives. Total 176.5 to 189.5 credits.
• Nursing BSN course sequence (catalog): the requirements include English composition, Anatomy and Physiology HSCI 101, 102 and 103 (15 credits in all), MATH 101, NURS 120, CHEM 103 and CHEM 108, BIO 226 Microbiology for Health Professionals, NFS 220 and 315 in nutrition, PSY 101 and 120, SOC 101, HSCI 345 statistics and a language course; nursing courses include NURS 221, 225, 226, 317, 320, 321, 322, 323, 326, 327, 328, 329, 420 to 423 and 495.

5. Rounds, deadlines and materials (most dates print no year; check fall 2027)

• Platforms and fee: the Common Application or the Coalition Application with Scoir (one only); non-refundable $65 fee. Drexel waives the fee for U.S. veterans and their dependents, children of Drexel employees and Pennsylvania residents; waivers are also available through the platforms.
• Rounds: Early Decision (binding) and Early Action (non-binding) are both 15 November (the page prints 15 November 2026), with decisions in mid-December; Regular Decision 15 January, decisions by 1 April; Winter Entry 1 October, decisions by 1 November, classes start 4 January. The Early Action decision time differs between pages: the deadlines page says mid-December while the FAQ says mid-January. Deposits: 15 January for Early Decision, 1 May for Early Action and Regular Decision. Drexel says Early Decision and Early Action admits are eligible for a minimum of $20,000 in merit scholarships.
• Materials: a 250- to 650-word essay through the application platform; an official high school transcript sent directly by the school, covering grades 9, 10 and 11 and grade 12 courses in progress; one counselor letter of recommendation; the pages we read do not mention an interview.
• Testing: Drexel uses “No Harm” test-optional review. You may submit SAT or ACT scores; if they do not strengthen the application they are not used; choosing not to submit does not affect financial aid or merit scholarships. SAT code 2194, ACT code 3556. BA/BS+MD applicants must submit official SAT or ACT scores.
• Financial aid: U.S. citizens and permanent residents submit the CSS Profile and FAFSA (CSS Profile 25 November for Early Decision/Early Action and 1 February for Regular Decision; FAFSA priority 1 February).

6. U.S. applicants

• Cost: for 2026-27, tuition for four- and five-year programs is $21,026 per term plus a general fee of $790 per term, with a $300 first-year program fee (first year only). Drexel says general fees are billed in every term, including co-op terms. Drexel is private, and the cost page lists one tuition rate with no in-state rate.
• Program fees: the College of Nursing and Health Professions charges equipment and patient fees: Health Sciences $500 in the first term and $320 per quarter after that; Nursing Co-op $1,000 in the first term and $437 per quarter; the ACE program $4,036 in the first term. Fees for Biological Sciences, Neuroscience and Public Health: not stated on the pages we read.
• Merit scholarships: decided by the admissions committee with no separate application: $20,000 to $35,000 for Early Decision/Early Action admits and $10,000 to $35,000 for Regular Decision admits; renewable through the undergraduate degree, but not paid during co-op. Students who already hold a bachelor’s degree are not eligible.
• Other: the Dragon Alumni Scholarship is $500 a term (needs an endorsement from a Drexel alum); the Drexel Promise gives transfer students with a community college associate degree 50% of tuition.
• In-state preference: not stated on the pages we read; federal and state aid need the FAFSA.

7. International applicants

• English: international applicants whose first language is not English and who have not completed at least three full years of instruction in English must submit an approved test: TOEFL iBT, TOEFL Essentials, IELTS, Pearson PTE, Duolingo English Test, or Cambridge C1 Advanced or C2 Proficiency. Drexel says exemptions apply if English is your first language, you studied three full years at a high school where English is the primary language of instruction, or you scored at least 600 on SAT Evidence-Based Reading and Writing or at least 27 on ACT English. Minimum scores: not stated on the pages we read; confirm with admissions (enroll@drexel.edu).
• Transcripts: if any part of secondary school was outside the U.S., submit an official academic record with a notarized English translation from every secondary or postsecondary school attended (first-year instructions page). A transcript is official only if sent directly from the institution or signed, stamped in color and sealed. It must show grades 9, 10 and 11 and any grade 12 courses in progress.
• Proof of funds: Drexel requires proof of financial responsibility for a student visa: the I-20 application form, a copy of the passport photo page, and either an official bank letter attesting to the available amount or a non-Drexel scholarship award letter with an affidavit of support. Submit them with the application if possible.
• Cost: Drexel’s 2026-27 international estimate (three quarters): tuition and fees $65,798, living expenses $19,398, other costs $3,200, total $88,396 (the “All Programs” row).
• Aid: international applicants must submit the CSS Profile to be considered for institutional need-based aid; Drexel says it offers need-based aid to qualifying international students. Merit scholarships are open to domestic and international applicants.
• International students in nursing or clinical placements: the pages we read do not say whether there are limits; not published there. Ask admissions or the nursing college. The BA/BS+MD program takes only U.S. citizens and permanent residents.
• English preparation: Drexel’s International Gateway Program (a conditional admission program in the English Language Center) is for students who want more English preparation before entering an undergraduate major; the fall-entry deadline is 15 July and the deposit is due 31 July.
• Co-op: Drexel says international students can take part in co-op, with up to 18 months of professional experience; the work-authorization rules for international students during co-op are not stated on the pages we read. Ask International Students and Scholars Services.

8. Applicants from China

• Gaokao: the Drexel pages we read do not say whether the Gaokao is considered; not published there. Contact admissions (enroll@drexel.edu, 215-895-2400).
• Transcripts and certificate (the China entry on Drexel’s international transcript requirements page): current high school students send official transcripts from the third year of junior school and the first and second years of senior school; graduates send the third year of junior school and the final transcripts of senior years 1, 2 and 3, plus official copies of the original Chinese graduation certificate. Documents not in English need a certified English translation (that page’s wording; the first-year instructions page says “notarized English translation”, so the two pages differ and you should confirm with admissions).
• English: see section 7; the stated exemptions mean you may not need to submit a test, but minimum scores are not published.
• Huikao: the pages we read do not mention it.
• Drexel gives no separate note for Chinese applicants to health-related majors on the pages we read.

9. Transfer

• Transfer prerequisites (the transfer prerequisites page): Biological Sciences needs college-level Biology I and II (“other sciences may be considered”); Health Sciences needs two college-level lab sciences; Nutrition Sciences needs Chemistry 1 and 2; Biomedical Engineering needs pre-calculus or calculus and chemistry with lab. Nursing ACE requires another bachelor’s degree and eight courses: anatomy I (with lab) or anatomy and physiology I, physiology I or anatomy and physiology II, developmental psychology (lifespan), English composition, general chemistry with lab, human nutrition, microbiology with lab and statistics; three of the four sciences must be done at application, including both anatomy and physiology courses, with no waiver or substitution. To apply for the traditional BSN as a transfer, choose “Undergraduate Transfer Full-Time” as the application.
• Deadlines (the page is written for the 2026-27 academic year, so check 2027): fall quarter priority 15 April (fee waived if you apply by then), then rolling until one month before the term; international applicants: I-20 application recommended by 14 June and last date for consideration 15 July; winter quarter 15 October for domestic and international applicants; spring quarter 15 January.
• Credit: transfer credit is reviewed by an academic advisor; the transfer pages we read do not give a GPA bar; BA/BS+MD does not accept transfer students.
• Students who already hold a bachelor’s or graduate degree, including second-bachelor’s and Nursing ACE students, are not eligible for institutional aid or merit scholarships.

Checklist

U.S. applicants:

• 15 November for ED/EA, 15 January for Regular Decision; choose one major at admission; test-optional; one counselor letter and a 250-650 word essay
• Science majors: four years of math and two of lab science; nursing and health professions: three years of math and two of lab science
• For BA/BS+MD: materials by 15 November, official SAT 1420 or ACT 32, GPA 3.5

International applicants (including China):

• English test or an exemption (three years of English instruction, SAT reading and writing 600, ACT English 27); translations for non-English documents; I-20 form and bank letter
• BA/BS+MD is closed to international applicants; minimum English scores, Gaokao use and nursing placement limits: not published

Transfer students:

• Complete the program’s prerequisites (Biology I and II for Biological Sciences); fall priority 15 April; Nursing ACE needs a prior bachelor’s degree

Sources: Drexel University, Catalog: College of Arts and Sciences; Catalog: Biological Sciences BS; Catalog: Neuroscience BS; Catalog: College of Nursing and Health Professions; Catalog: Nursing BSN; Catalog: Health Sciences BS; Catalog: Dornsife School of Public Health; Catalog: Cooperative education; Arts and Sciences: pre-professional degrees; BA/BS+MD Early Assurance Program; First-year admission; First-year instructions; First-year prerequisites; First-year deadlines; First-year FAQ; Standardized testing policies; International students; International instructions; International transcript requirements; Transfer prerequisites; Transfer deadlines; Undergraduate tuition; International cost estimates; Undergraduate scholarships. Most dates print no year; check that they apply to fall 2027 entry. Costs are 2026-27 figures; check Drexel’s website for the latest.