Two Immersive Experiences are built into your Drew Launch plan.
You choose from a wide array of high-impact offerings and purposeful learning opportunities that push your academics beyond the classroom.
Check out the frequently asked questions below.
WHAT COUNTS AS AN IMMERSIVE EXPERIENCE?
Courses and Programs
- Community Based Learning courses
- nycTRECs (semester programs in New York City)
- shortTRECs (1-4 week study abroad)
- longTRECs (semester study abroad)
- Immersive Experience courses (search by term + immx attribute in look up classes – see instructions below)
Undergraduate Research
- Drew Summer Science Institute (DSSI)
- Digital Humanities Summer Institute (DHSI)
- Research Institute for Scientists Emeriti (RISE)
- Senior Thesis (Specialized Honors and Baldwin Honors)
Internships and Employment
Student Leadership and Mentoring
- Academic Excellence Scholars
- Action Scholars
- Alternative Spring Break – Volunteer without Borders
- Changemakers Program
- Community Assistant (CA)
- Division 1 Teaching Assistants (TA): Chemistry, Biology, Physics, Environmental Science
- Drew 110 Teaching Assistant (TA)
- DSEM Writing Fellows
- Francis B Sellers Peer Mentors
- Summer College Student Mentors
Have Your Own Idea?
Before your experience begins, you’ll need to submit a student immersive experience petition to Drew’s Committee on Academic Policy and Curriculum. The petition can be found on the CAPC webpage, under the “Forms for Students” tab. If approved, and upon completion of the experience, you’ll answer reflection questions that will be reviewed by your faculty or staff evaluator. If satisfactory, your evaluator will inform the Dean’s office that you should receive immersive experience credit.
WHERE CAN I FIND A LIST OF IMMERSIVE EXPERIENCE COURSES?
To find immersive experience courses offered in a particular semester
Visit Treehouse > under Academic Information, click on Class Schedules > Search by Term > In the Subject box, highlight all subjects (Command A) > In the Attribute Type box, select CLA – Immersive Experience > click on Class Search.
Screenshots below for additional guidance.
I’M HAVING TROUBLE DECIDING WHICH IMMERSIVE EXPERIENCE IS RIGHT FOR ME. WHAT SHOULD I DO?
- Talk to your adviser about which immersive experiences will set you on a path to explore or achieve your goals
- Look for immersive experience opportunities that are offered, or required, in your major
- Enroll in Drew 110, an optional, 1-credit course that helps you plan for your time at Drew and beyond.
- Attend information sessions or resource fairs organized around various immersive experiences.
- Meet with staff in the Center for Career Development and sign up for Handshake to find a list of internship opportunities.
- Ask your fellow students about immersive experiences in which they have participated.
- Dare to get out of your comfort zone. Use the immersive experience as a chance to explore something new.
HOW DO I PARTICIPATE IN AN IMMERSIVE EXPERIENCE AND HOW DOES IT GET NOTED IN MY LADDER?
If the immersive experience is a credit-bearing course, you will register for it as you would any other course and it automatically will be noted in your Ladder. Please note that some courses, particularly those associated with programs offered through the Center for Global Education, require prior application. In other words, you may register for those courses only after you have been accepted to the program.
Upon completion of other experiences, such as Undergraduate research, work and student leadership and mentoring, your program director will submit your name to the Registrar’s Office to be noted in your Ladder.
WHY DOES DREW REQUIRE TWO IMMERSIVE EXPERIENCES?
Studies show that participation in at least two immersive experiences lead to higher rates of student success, including higher GPAs. Immersive experiences help students develop transferable skills that impress prospective employers and graduate programs.
CAN I MEET THE TWO IMMERSIVE EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENT WITH TWO OF THE SAME CATEGORY OF EXPERIENCE, SUCH AS TWO SHORTTRECS OR TWO COMMUNITY BASED LEARNING COURSES?
Yes
CAN I COMPLETE MORE THAN TWO IMMERSIVE EXPERIENCES?
Absolutely! Under Drew’s General Education Requirements, you must complete at least two immersive experiences, but you may participate in as many as you choose. In fact, many Drew students complete more than two.