For Parents
Discover Drew
To “get” Drew, you really need to see Drew—so pay us a visit! You can attend an Open House, schedule a campus tour, take a virtual tour, whatever works for you.
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We are family!
As a parent, you know that choosing the right college is an investment your entire family makes to launch your student into a bright future.
At Drew University, we know this, too. We believe in the kind of education that only a classic liberal arts college can deliver: intellectually ambitious, socially inclusive, individually responsive. To this deep academic foundation we add Launch, our unique career development platform that puts every student on a purpose-driven, experience-based, community-guided path to success.
That’s why parents love Drew. Their students graduate with knowledge—and the skills, experience and networks to put it to work.
1) A Drew Degree Leads to Jobs
Launch, Drew’s career development platform, intentionally integrates rigorous academics, networked mentorship, purposeful experiences, and a powerful community. We ensure that every student graduates prepared to flourish personally and professionally.
“Drew’s faculty work hard to ensure students succeed through active listening, engagement and encouragement. Cecelia is working with her mentor, Professor Miao Chi, in a customized independent study of econometrics, to further expand her knowledge and better prepare for her future career.” Dawn Kracht, Parent of Cecelia Kracht C’21
“Benjamin’s education at Drew University was versatile in every way. He was offered several internships during his college career at Drew and he landed a wonderful job at Chubb Insurance Company, where he has happily worked since he graduated. We accredit much of his success to his time at Drew and the excellent mentors and programs that surrounded him.” Jacqueline Schiller-Audi, Parent of Benjamin Audi ’18
“Attending Drew University was a positive, life-changing experience for my daughters that set them on the right course for their medical careers. Right now, one daughter is a physician working in her residency and the other daughter is a third-year medical school student.” Kathy Vazzana, Parent of Kathleen Vazzana ’10 and Virginia Vazzana ’12
2) Preparation for Success at Top Graduate Schools
Drew sets students up for success. Our faculty and staff mentors help guide and advise students to be accepted to and prepared for the graduate school programs of their dreams. All 2022 grads who applied to med school were accepted into at least one program.
“Through the help and guidance from Drew University faculty, staff and mentors, as well as her work in the Student Engagement Office at Drew, Siobhan discovered that she wanted to pursue a career in higher education, and was accepted to the Higher and Postsecondary Education graduate program at Teachers College of Columbia University. Siobhan’s experiences, both inside and outside the classroom, proved to be invaluable, and I am certain that she has applied what she learned at Drew to excel in her continued academic studies and daily life.” Joan Quinlan, Parent of Siobhan Quinlan ’19
“Thomas attended one of the top colleges in the nation, Williams College—on a full scholarship—pursuing a master’s degree in art history. From there he went on for a PhD. Drew has certainly helped him to achieve his goals.” Steve and Nancy Price, Parents of Thomas Price ’15
3) Rigorous Academics
Drew delivers full-impact learning across 60+ courses of study, plus pre-professional and
combined-degree programs.
“My son has been doing research at Drew University since the summer before his first semester. As a rising junior, he was asked to present his research at the Society for Industrial Microbiology and Biotechnology and he had work published in the Metabolic Engineering Communications journal. It is amazing that, as an undergraduate, he presented at an academic conference and published research.” Kathy Lowther, Parent of Drew Stenger ’17
“Our son was always a high-performing student, but at Drew he went from being an excellent student to becoming a scholar.” Nancy and Steve Price, Parents of Thomas Price ’15
4) Best Value
Drew is repeatedly named a Best Value/Best Buy college by The Princeton Review,
Washington Monthly, Kiplinger’s, and Fiske Guide to Colleges. Drew is committed to
making education affordable. Over 85% of our students receive Drew grants and scholarships, and all students who apply for admissions are automatically considered for our annual academic scholarships.
“We had narrowed down the decision to two colleges. Both institutions were beyond our financial reach. Determined to try to make our daughter’s dream a reality, we applied for financial aid. From the beginning, Drew demonstrated a commitment to do all that was possible. The admissions counselor worked directly with the financial aid office to advocate for our needs. I knew then that Drew would treat us like members of the community instead of like strangers.” Michelle Backe, Parent of Ashley Backe ’19
5) Easy Access to New York City
Drew University is a beautiful, wooded campus in a charming and safe small town, all less than an hour by train from New York City. It’s the best of all worlds.
“Adriana participated in the New York Semester on Contemporary Art and interned at a New York City art gallery, and studied Spanish in Barcelona in a Drew shortTREC program. The ability to participate in multiple learning experiences has enhanced her opportunities for graduate school.” Emilio Cordova C’90 and Ileana Cordova, Parents of Adriana Cordova C’21
“Drew offers proximity to New York City for arts and cultural opportunities, a warm and inviting atmosphere and a culture of inclusion not found at a lot of liberal arts colleges. Drew is small enough for my daughter to know a large percentage of the community, but large enough for her to feel challenged and find a vast number of places where she can fit.” Anne Abrams Nadel-Walbridge, Parent of Danya Nadel ’17
6) Hands-On Learning
Drew students build marketable skills for their future through research, internships, student-led projects, and other immersive, purposeful experiences
“Drew had unique opportunities to learn in the real world. Charlie participated in the London Semester and enrolled in the Semester on the United Nations. Pearl was thrilled with the neuroscience program and did research in the Drew Summer Science Institute. And now our third child, Robert, is at Drew and having a great experience as well.” Richard and Sharon Sutter, Parents of Charles Sutter ’16, Pearl Sutter ’18, and Robert Sutter ’21
“My daughter traveled to South Africa to do research in the area of medical anthropology. There, she learned directly from traditional medicine men and modern physicians. She toured the country and met prison guards who watched over Nelson Mandela. The research she did helped with her honors thesis—and the trip itself is something she will never forget.” Shelley Nadel, Parent of Leah Nadel ’18
7) Supportive Networked Mentorship
Drew students have an incredible network of support – not just faculty mentors (who are there to advise, inspire, and challenge them), but also career, peer, and personal mentors. And that’s huge: It means that they leave Drew prepared for a world in
which 85% of jobs are filled through networking.
“Every Drew administrator and professor takes obvious pride in the school and the students. I feel so lucky that my daughter is part of the Drew community and that she had these professors to help her develop her worldview.” Holly Atha, Parent of Haviland Atha-Simonton ’18
“Our daughter, Brittany, had several advisors and she could communicate openly with each one. They were easy to meet with and gave her a substantial amount of guidance. The classes were fantastic and she has great relationships with her professors. Brittany was always engaged and involved!” David and Tracy Ferrara, Parents of Brittany Ferrara ’17
8) A Community of Diversity
Small enough to feel like family; expansive enough to welcome students from 42 countries and a multitude of backgrounds. Drew ranks in the Top 25 nationally on The Princeton Review’s “Lots of Race/Class Interaction” list. It is a community that any student would want to be a part of.
“I love that Drew is a small school—it feels like a family. But I also love that there are students at Drew from 42 different countries. The student body is relatively small in number—but I feel that, in some ways, my daughter has the world right at her fingertips.” Holly Atha, Parent of Haviland Atha-Simonton ’18
“Drew’s small community—and its students with diverse interests and backgrounds—gave our children a feeling of freedom to explore things they had never tried before. Our daughter stepped out of her comfort zone and went into New York City for her internship in her senior year. Our son took risks by involving himself in new activities like intramural rugby, jazz band, the radio station and many others.” Jeff and Rachelle Kramer, Parents of Katherine Kramer ’12 and Jonathan Kramer ’18
9) Customized Paths of Study
Match chemistry with musical theatre? Design an independent study? Tackle a senior thesis? Yes, on all counts. We work with your student, as an individual, to create a plan of
study perfectly designed for their future.
“A Drew liberal arts education allowed Jared to blend the sciences and the humanities into a fulfilling college experience—a double major in environmental science and philosophy—and a foundation for future pursuits.” Dan Chiariello C’86, Parent of Jared Chiariello C’21
“Drew prepared Uma by giving her the space to expand her horizons, ultimately leading her to discover a passion for medical research. Supportive faculty and the opportunity to pursue both fundamental research in virology and minors in Pan-African studies and public health led her to an MD/PhD program in medical science.” Kumar Kantheti, Parent of Uma Kantheti C’19
“My daughter really valued the research options available to her. Drew’s undergraduate neuroscience program, with its small class sizes and opportunities to conduct significant research at the undergraduate level, were the big selling points for us. Aside from Susan’s major field of study, she continues pursuing her interest in Italian culture. She participated in a summer program in Orvieto, Italy, was a member of the student club CIAO and launched an Italian culture theme house called Piccola Italia.” Luann Weiner, Parent of Susan Weiner ’17
10) The Freedom to Pursue Varied Interests
Drew is the perfect place to explore, connect, and make memories. Starting with Move-in Day, students will discover Drew is all about diving in – to 90+ student-run clubs and organizations, intramural sports and DIII athletics, and a slew of speakers and events.
“All of our children have had a positive experience at Drew. Each finds the many extracurricular offerings and the support of fellow students satisfying. They are involved in rugby, fencing, Hillel, the Pre-Health Society and the Residence Hall Association, and serve as tour guides.” Richard and Sharon Sutter, Parents of Charles Sutter ’16, Pearl Sutter ’18, and Robert Sutter ’21
“Jenny thrived at Drew. She was in three great honors and research programs—Baldwin, Civic and RISE—and also on the swimming and diving teams. She loved the Civic Scholars program and she volunteered frequently throughout the year. She was also selected to be a resident advisor.” Mel Stein and Alice Salvo, Parents of Jennifer Stein ’18
