How to Apply to Mathematics at Drexel University: Choose Mathematics on the Application, Four Years of High School Math, BS or BA Degrees with Co-op, and Admission and Prerequisites for Domestic, International (Including Chinese) and Transfer Students

Drexel University in Philadelphia runs on a quarter system and is known for its co-op program. Undergraduate mathematics is offered by the Department of Mathematics in the College of Arts and Sciences (CoAS), and Drexel’s first-year prerequisites page groups it with the sciences. Below is what Drexel’s official pages say, organized for US domestic applicants, international applicants (with a separate section for applicants from China) and transfer students. Computer science, economics and other majors are outside this guide, mentioned only where they overlap with mathematics.

1. Degrees and how admission works

• Degrees: the department lists the BS in Mathematics, the BA in Mathematics, and a separate BS in Mathematical Statistics (same first-year prerequisites; this guide mentions it only briefly).
• BS versus BA (catalog): both list a minimum of 181 credits, with total credits of 180–190 for the BS and 178–192 for the BA. The BS requires Abstract Algebra I and II (MATH 331, 332) and Elements of Modern Analysis I and II (MATH 401, 402) plus at least 40 credits of math electives. The BA requires either Abstract Algebra I or Modern Analysis I plus at least 30 credits of math electives, and has more free electives (45 credits for the BS, 66 for the BA). Drexel describes the BA as especially suited to double majors or careers in education, actuarial science, medicine and more.
• Shared core: Calculus I–III, Multivariate Calculus, Linear Algebra, Differential Equations, Introduction to Mathematical Reasoning (MATH 220), and a computer science sequence (CS 150 or 164, plus CS 171 and 172). Drexel says the major emphasizes abstract reasoning, mathematical modeling and computational tools.
• How you are admitted: first-year applicants choose the major on the application. Drexel encourages two different programs as first and second choice, and you may also indicate interest in First-Year Exploratory Studies (undeclared). To change your major after applying, the first-year instructions say to email enroll@drexel.edu. The pages read do not say whether the math major has a capacity limit or what the conditions are for moving into math from another major; ask the College of Arts and Sciences recruitment team (coas_enroll@drexel.edu).
• Grade condition after enrollment: the catalog says math majors must pass MATH 121 (Calculus I) with a grade of B or higher.
• Flexibility and double majors: Drexel says the programs are flexible and easy to combine with other majors, with biology, chemistry, education and physics given as common pairings. An actuarial science minor, a mathematics minor and teaching certification through DragonsTeach are available.
• Accelerated master’s: Mathematics BS/MS, and Mathematics BS or BA with a Biostatistics MS. Conditions are not given on the program page; see the catalog.
• Math competitions: Drexel does not say how competition results are viewed in admission. The catalog does list a Math Competition Problem Solving Seminar (MATH 235) among the math electives.

2. Prerequisites, placement exams and credit

• High school preparation: Drexel groups mathematics, mathematical statistics, physics and other sciences together and asks for four years of mathematics (algebra I and II, geometry, and trigonometry or pre-calculus) and two years of lab science (biology, chemistry or physics). The prerequisites page does not make calculus a requirement.
• Placement exams: new students take placement exams in subjects including mathematics, and the math department links to calculus placement exam preparation. The placement page describes fall 2026 entry (exams open 21 May, to be completed by 24 June); fall 2027 dates have not been published.
• AP (2026-27 crosswalk): AP Calculus AB 4 or 5 gives 4 credits for MATH 121 and exempts the placement exam; AP Calculus BC 4 or 5 gives 12 credits for MATH 121, 122 and 123 and exempts the placement exam; AP Statistics 4 or 5 gives 4 credits (STAT 201 and others). AP Precalculus 4 or 5 maps to MATH 110. The placement page says AP scores replace the placement exams only if taken in sophomore or junior year.
• IB: Mathematics HL 6 or 7 gives 8 credits for MATH 121 and 122; Further Mathematics HL 6 or 7 gives 12 credits for MATH 121, 122 and 123. The crosswalk lists no Mathematics SL entry.
• A-level: Cambridge Mathematics (9709) grade A or B gives 4 credits for MATH 121; Mathematics – Further (9231) grade A or B gives 8 credits for MATH 121 and 122.
• Honors: the math pages read here do not describe an honors math sequence or how to enter one.

3. First-year deadlines and materials

• Early Decision (binding): 15 November, decisions mid-December; CSS Profile by 25 November (institutional need-based aid); deposit by 15 January.
• Early Action: 15 November, decisions mid-December; CSS Profile by 25 November; deposit by 1 May.
• Regular Decision: 15 January, decisions by 1 April; CSS Profile by 1 February.
• Winter entry: 1 October, decisions by 1 November (the page lists the 2026–2027 aid year and a 4 January start of winter term).
• The first-year deadlines page shows no year; check that the dates apply to fall 2027 entry before you submit.
• Application fee: USD 65 via the Common App or Coalition App (Scoir). US veterans and dependents, children of Drexel employees and Pennsylvania residents may qualify for Drexel’s fee waiver; others can request a waiver through the application platforms.
• Essay: 250–650 words. Transcripts: official transcripts from each high school attended, covering grades 9, 10 and 11 plus grade 12 in progress, sent directly by the school.
• Recommendation: one, from a school or college counselor. Drexel does not ask for a math teacher’s letter (the two-letter requirement applies to BA/BS+MD Early Assurance applicants only, where one must be from a science teacher).
• Testing: the first-year instructions page, under a heading reading “Optional for Most Applicants”, also says Drexel requires all first-year applicants to submit standardized test scores while offering flexibility in which test counts, and then says Drexel practices No Harm Test-Optional admission: scores are not required, never count against you, and opting out does not affect aid or merit scholarship eligibility. Both statements appear; confirm with admissions if unsure. BA/BS+MD Early Assurance applicants must submit SAT or ACT scores.

4. US domestic applicants

• Tuition: Drexel is private, and the tuition page lists a single rate for four- and five-year undergraduate programs, with no in-state or out-of-state split. For 2026-27 it is USD 21,026 per quarter plus a USD 790 general fee (also billed during co-op), and a one-time USD 300 first-year program fee.
• Aid: US citizens and permanent residents should file both the CSS Profile and the FAFSA to be considered for the most aid; without the CSS Profile by the deadline you are not eligible for institutional need-based aid. The FAFSA priority date is 1 February.
• Scholarships: Drexel Merit Scholarships are decided by the Admissions Committee together with admission, with no separate application: USD 20,000–35,000 for Early Decision/Early Action admits and USD 10,000–35,000 for Regular Decision admits. The scholarship page says awards are not available during co-op terms. Drexel does not publish any in-state priority or guaranteed admission.

5. International applicants

• English: applicants whose first language is not English and who have not had three full years of English-medium instruction must submit TOEFL iBT, TOEFL Essentials, IELTS, PTE, Duolingo or Cambridge C1 Advanced/C2 Proficiency scores; no minimum scores are published. Exemptions: English as first language, three full years at an English-medium high school, or SAT Evidence-Based Reading and Writing 600+ or ACT English 27+.
• Transcripts: applicants who attended any secondary school outside the US send official records from every school, with notarized English translations, covering grades 9–11 and grade 12 in progress.
• Proof of funds: for the I-20/DS-2019, an official bank letter in your or your sponsor’s name, or a non-Drexel scholarship award letter, plus a passport photo page.
• Cost estimate (2026-27, three full-time quarters): tuition and fees USD 65,798, living expenses USD 19,398, other costs USD 3,200, about USD 88,396 in total. 2027-28 costs have not been published.
• Aid: international students must submit the CSS Profile by the deadline for institutional need-based aid. The merit scholarship page lists both domestic and international applicants as eligible.

6. Applicants from China

• Transcripts (China entry): current students send junior school year 3 and senior school years 1 and 2; graduates send junior year 3, final senior years 1–3 and an official copy of the Chinese graduation certificate, all with certified English translations.
• Gaokao: Drexel does not say whether or how the Gaokao is used. Email enroll@drexel.edu to confirm.
• Huikao: the pages read do not mention it.
• International curricula: A-level, IB and AP credit is in section 2. Drexel does not say how Chinese curricula map to “four years of mathematics”.
• Other China-specific guidance: none on the pages read; see the international first-year pages or contact admissions.

7. Co-op, department programs and outcomes

• Co-op: math majors choose a four-year program with no co-op, a four-year program with one co-op, or a five-year program with three co-ops. Each co-op is a six-month full-time paid job, either in industry or in research; Drexel says research co-ops with math professors often lead to peer-reviewed publications.
• Undergraduate research: students can join faculty research, department seminars and colloquia, and the Mathematics Resource Center employs math students as paid tutors. Department-specific scholarships are not described on the pages read.
• Outcomes (Drexel’s wording): “98% of graduates employed or enrolled in competitive advanced degree programs”; the page gives no year or definition. The page lists graduate schools that math majors have attended, including Drexel, Johns Hopkins, MIT, NYU, Penn State, Purdue, Rice, Rutgers, Temple and the University of Georgia.

8. Transfer students

• Prerequisites: the transfer prerequisites page lists requirements by college and program, and mathematics is not among them. Transfer GPA and calculus/linear algebra requirements for math are not published; contact the College of Arts and Sciences (coas_enroll@drexel.edu). The transfer instructions say Drexel assumes coursework similar to its own curriculum, and applicants with fewer than 24 semester credits also send high school transcripts.
• Materials: USD 65 application fee (waived for applications by the priority deadline), a 250–650-word essay, official transcripts from every college attended (notarized English translations for international records), and syllabi or course descriptions for credit evaluation. Housing is not guaranteed for transfer students.
• Deadlines: only 2026-27 dates are published. Fall priority deadline 15 April, then rolling until one month before the term; international applicants outside the US are encouraged to apply and confirm by 14 June for the I-20, with 15 July the last date. Winter entry 15 October. Fall 2027 transfer dates have not been published.
• Scholarship: transfer students with an associate degree from an accredited community college may receive the Drexel Promise Scholarship (50% of tuition), which cannot be combined with other Drexel need-based grants or merit scholarships.

Checklist

US domestic applicants:

• Apply by 15 November (ED or EA) or 15 January (RD) and choose mathematics; four years of high school math and two of lab science; submit the CSS Profile (25 November or 1 February) and the FAFSA

International applicants:

• Same deadlines; English score or exemption; grade 9–12 transcripts with notarized translations; bank letter for the I-20; CSS Profile on time

Applicants from China:

• Transcripts with certified translations; confirm with enroll@drexel.edu how the Gaokao is used; math majors must earn a B or higher in Calculus I

Transfer students:

• Confirm math requirements with the College of Arts and Sciences; watch for fall 2027 dates (last year’s priority deadline was 15 April)

Sources: Drexel University, BS/BA in Mathematics; Department of Mathematics; BS in Mathematical Statistics; Catalog: Mathematics BS; Catalog: Mathematics BA; First-year instructions; First-year deadlines; Admission prerequisites; Standardized testing policies; International transcript requirements; Placement exams; AP/IB/A-Level credit crosswalks; Transfer instructions; Transfer deadlines; Transfer prerequisites; Undergraduate tuition; International cost estimates; Undergraduate scholarships. Degree requirements follow the catalog’s current version and costs are 2026-27 rates; the first-year deadlines page shows no year; transfer dates and the credit crosswalks are for 2026-27; the placement page describes fall 2026 entry. Check Drexel for the latest details on fall 2027 entry.