Drexel Supplemental Essays 2025-26

Drexel Supplemental Essays

Located in the heart of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Drexel University is undeniably an excellent school for students to add to their college lists. There are over 80 Drexel majors and minors, but the school is most known for its STEM majors, especially computer science and engineering. In this article, we will discuss the Drexel supplemental essays, their importance, and how to respond to the Drexel essay prompts.

Now, you might be wondering why Drexel University supplemental essays are necessary for your application. Writing the Drexel essays are a chance for students to share with the Drexel admissions committee who they are beyond grades, test scores, and recommendations. This means that students should put the appropriate amount of thought and consideration into their answers to the Drexel essay prompts in order to highlight their positive attributes and unique qualities. 

If you are interested in applying to Drexel University, you might feel a bit overwhelmed by the Drexel supplemental essays. Luckily, you’re in the right place! Our comprehensive guide will expertly break down the requirements of the Drexel supplemental essays. We’ll also provide tips on how to craft strong responses to the Drexel essay prompts. But first, here are a few admissions quick facts. 

Drexel Admissions: Quick Facts

Please note that essay requirements are subject to change each admissions cycle, and portions of this article may have been written before the final publication of the most recent guidelines. For the most up-to-date information on essay requirements, check the university’s admissions website. 

Is Drexel University hard to get into?

Drexel University takes into consideration several things when determining admission. These variants include a student’s high school performance, letters of recommendation, standardized test scores, and, of course, the Drexel supplemental essays. 

While the Drexel University acceptance rate is 78%, it is important to remember that acceptance is certainly not guaranteed. Not all students who apply gain admission. Because of this, one should not slack on any part of the application process, particularly the Drexel essays.

The Drexel University ranking is #80 in U.S. News for Best Colleges nationally. This Drexel University ranking is proof that Drexel is a well-respected university in Philadelphia. Therefore students should take care in answering the Drexel supplemental essays to help their application stand out. 

Does Drexel University have supplemental essays?

Most undergraduate applicants will be required to submit a personal essay with their college applications via the Common App or Coalition App. Drexel is no exception. The personal essay topics will vary, but the primary purpose of these essays is to tell the Drexel admissions committee things about yourself that cannot be found in any other part of your application.

Additionally, Drexel University has program-specific Drexel University supplemental essays. Students who apply for certain majors or special programs within the university will be asked to submit additional Drexel essays that express their passion for their intended major. These Drexel supplemental essays provide applicants with the opportunity to help their application stand apart from the rest!

The Drexel supplemental essays are dependent upon the program a student applies for, which can be determined from the list of Drexel majors. We’ll dive deeper into a few of these programs and introduce the Drexel essay prompts later on in this article. 

Use the essays to your advantage

It is important to make the absolute most of your Drexel supplemental essays. Do not make the critical mistake of waiting until the last minute to begin writing your Drexel supplemental essay draft. Allow yourself enough time for editing and proofreading, and you’ll beat that Drexel University acceptance rate.

Drexel University Essay Requirements

Drexel University requires the submission of one personal essay between 250 and 650 words. There are also additional Drexel University supplemental essays that are specific to certain programs or majors.

Like all supplemental college essays, each of the Drexel essay prompts will have a suggested word count. Additionally, the Drexel website states that it is important for students to take any and all requirements into consideration while writing. Students can see all requirements, including the required (and optional) Drexel University supplemental essays, by visiting the Drexel University website here.

Complete program-specific essays

As we mentioned, additional Drexel essays will be required if a student is applying to certain programs within the university. Because of this, it is important for students to evaluate all of the potential majors in order to apply for the correct program. To do this, we recommend checking out our resources on how to choose a major and spending some time exploring Drexel majors and programs.

Submit by the deadline

It is critical for students to ensure they submit their application, including any required Drexel supplemental essays, by the application deadline. Failure to submit all materials by this date will almost guarantee a rejection letter from the university. Time management, along with test scores, recommendations, and what you say about yourself in your Drexel supplemental essays, will all play an equally important role in the decision of the admissions committee. 

Now, let’s break down several of Drexel’s programs and the Drexel University essay prompts required for admission. 

Westphal College of Media Arts and Design Writing Supplement

As previously mentioned, the Drexel supplemental essays vary from program to program. One such program is the Westphal College of Media Arts and Design. This is the an arts and design school within Drexel University that houses many majors in the creative arts industry. From graphic design to dance, the Westphal College of Media Arts and Design has a wide range of majors to choose from. This program has its own specific supplemental essay required for admission.

Westphal College of Maria Arts and Design prides itself on teaching design, media, and performance in a different way. Being predominantly studio-based, the class sizes are small and hands-on, empowering students to excel in highly creative fields. 

Small class sizes mean fewer acceptances, which means that this program is more selective with acceptances. This is very important to keep in mind when writing the Drexel supplemental essays, either for the Westphal College of Maria Arts and Design or other Drexel programs. 

Breaking down the Westphal supplemental

Applicants to Westphal’s programs in Architectural Studies, Architecture, and Music Industry are required to submit program-specific Drexel supplemental essays. This essay differs from the personal undergrad essay required for all applicants. This Drexel essay prompts students to reflect on their chosen major:

Reflect on your experiences, personal characteristics, and unique traits that have prepared you for the challenges and opportunities associated with your chosen major. How have these things shaped your goals, aspirations, and potential contributions to your field of study? (500 words)

Generally speaking, this prompt can be categorized as a “Why Major” essay — with a twist. This prompt goes beyond simply asking you to elaborate on one of your academic interests. To answer this prompt in its entirety, you’ll need to explain why you feel like you are prepared to pursue your particular major and speak to your goals for the future.

With 500 words to work with, you have plenty of space to answer both parts. To make the brainstorming process easier, break the prompt into two pieces:

• First, look to the past. Think about the classes, extracurriculars, camps, hobbies, or personal projects that sparked or deepened your interest in this field. Also consider the qualities you bring — creativity, attention to detail, curiosity, problem-solving approaches, or personal values — that pair well with your major.
• Then, look to the future. Imagine yourself graduating with your Drexel degree. What comes next? Is there a career you want to pursue, a subfield you’re excited to explore, or an issue you hope to address?

Taking the time to map out these ideas before you start on a first draft helps clarify your story and streamlines the writing process.

Drexel’s BA/BS + MD Writing Supplement

Drexel University offers an early acceptance program for biological sciences, chemistry, and biomedical engineering majors known as the BA/BS + MD Early Assurance Program. This program is a 4 + 4 combined program. It offers students early acceptance into both their undergraduate program and their medical school simultaneously.

This unique opportunity is certainly more selective than a traditional undergrad acceptance. Because of this, any Drexel supplemental essays for the BA/BS + MD Early Assurance Program will extremely important. It is advised to begin the essay writing process with plenty of time to brainstorm your Drexel supplemental essays, draft your Drexel supplemental essays, and have your Drexel supplemental essays reviewed by several sources prior to submission. We will explain this process in more detail later in this article.

In addition to many admissions requirements, Drexel’s BA/BS + MD program requires its own supplemental essay. This gives applicants the opportunity to share why they are interested in the program at Drexel University College of Medicine.

Let’s take a look at the prompt: 

Tell the Admission Committee why you are applying to the joint program with the Drexel University College of Medicine. Be sure to explain why you want to be a physician and, more specifically, why you want to obtain your medical education at the Drexel University College of Medicine. (500 words)

Effective essays will explain why students have chosen this particular BS/MD combined program and why they want to become physicians. Essentially, it’s a “Why School” and “Why Major” essay rolled into one 500-word prompt. You can approach it similarly to the previous Drexel supplemental for Westphal: look back, then look ahead.

How did you decide you wanted to pursue medicine, and what made you commit to the demanding process of becoming a doctor? Committing to medical school before you’ve even graduated high school is significant — so what experiences have strengthened your motivation and prepared you for the road ahead?

You also need to articulate why Drexel is the right place for you. What about Drexel’s medical school drew you in? How will Drexel help you achieve your long-term goals? It’s great to mention Drexel’s programs and opportunities by name, but be sure to include context that explains why each one is meaningful to you.

Use this opportunity to highlight your strongest motivations and the experiences that shaped them. While you shouldn’t simply restate items from your resume or activities list, you can expand on key experiences — what you learned from them, and how they’ve influenced your direction moving forward.

Does Drexel University care about essays?

Having to worry about Drexel supplemental essays in addition to all other requirements for college application submission can feel overwhelming. But, it’s important to remember that Drexel University really does care about essays. Otherwise, they would not ask applicants to waste their time writing.

There is a lot more that goes into an admission decision than just numbers. Schools want to know who you are, how you are unique, and how diverse your background is. So, take any opportunity to showcase these elements to the Drexel admissions committee to help your application stand out.

Test-optional policy

Another important thing to note is that Drexel University has a test-optional admission policy. Students do not have to submit their ACT or SAT scores. If you feel your test scores are not indicative of your academic achievement, don’t stress! In other words, only submit test scores if you do well on the SAT or ACT.

Because of this, the Drexel University admissions committee most likely values the Drexel supplemental essays even more. Therefore, students should put real effort into crafting thoughtful and well-written essays. Think of this as the time to really allow your personality and experience shine through. 

How to write the Drexel Supplemental essays?

Next, let’s discuss how to approach writing the Drexel supplemental essays. 

Understand the prompt

The best way to begin is to review the prompt and get a full grasp of what it is asking. Break down the question into separate sections. Dissect every part of it fully so that you have a clear direction when writing.

Next, jot down your relevant ideas, memories, and the key points you want to include in your essay. A solid brainstorming session is the foundation of a strong essay, so this is a super important step. While writing your list, it is best to be as specific and personal as possible. The more personalized your ideas, the easier it will be to decide which one to focus on.  

Free writing & drafting

Once you have completed the above steps to set the foundation for your essay, it’s time to free write. Free-writing is a great way to get all of your ideas out and organize your thoughts. You can use the writing you do during this time as a reference point to begin your story.

With both your brainstorm and free write behind you, begin drafting your Drexel supplemental essay. Having already done the prep work, you can choose what you would like to utilize. Knowing the direction of your essay is important. And, remember that you do not have to focus on word count or grammar at this stage. The key is to allow your creativity to flow as you answer the prompt clearly and express yourself to the admissions committee. 

Proofread, proofread, proofread

After your Drexel supplemental essay draft is complete, you will want to proofread your draft for all grammar edits, as well as ensure your essay fits within the word count requirements. From there, your draft will be ready for review. We recommend asking several people to read your essay so you can get different perspectives on what is and isn’t working.

Ask trusted mentors, like parents, teachers, advisors, or counselors, if possible. The goal is for these sources to revise for grammatical errors, as well as offer feedback on the overall structure of your Drexel supplemental essay.

You can utilize this workflow for any of the Drexel supplemental essays you will have to submit, including the essays for specific programs within the university. 

Drexel Supplemental Essays – 5 Takeaways

Completing the Drexel supplemental essays can feel overwhelming, so let’s simplify five key takeaways to take with you into your Drexel University application process:

Still need more support?

You’re in the right place! At CollegeAdvisor, we’re here to assist you every step of the way in your college application journey. From formulating your college list to helping with your supplemental essays, our team is ready to help you. Check out our guide to the top colleges in Pennsylvania when crafting your college list, and be sure to reference our essay guides and examples for a deeper dive into the supplemental essay writing process.

This guide was written by Nora Eckler. Looking for more admissions support? Click here to schedule a free meeting with one of our Admissions Specialists. During your meeting, our team will discuss your profile and help you find targeted ways to increase your admissions odds at top schools. We’ll also answer any questions and discuss how CollegeAdvisor.com can support you in the college application process.