How important is Drexel University's rank?

I'm looking at Drexel University for a possible application, but I'm not sure how much weight to give to its ranking. Does rank really matter that much, or should I focus more on other aspects?

The importance of college rankings can vary depending on a student's priorities. While rankings can give an initial impression of a university's reputation and academic resources, they shouldn't be the sole determining factor in your college decision. The reason being, rankings are mostly based on aggregate data and may not reflect individual experiences of the students.

Drexel University, for instance, is well-regarded for its unique co-op program where students gain up to 18 months of real-world work experience before graduation. This feature may not necessarily be considered in many ranking systems, but for certain students, this experiential learning might be invaluable and may ultimately lead to better job prospects after graduation.

You should also consider factors like the specific programs you're interested in, the campus culture, the location, and financial factors, among others. For example, a student interested in engineering would benefit from a strong engineering program, irrespective of a university's overall ranking. Similarly, the fit of a university's culture or the support systems and resources available might greatly influence a student's overall experience, success, and happiness, which, again, may not be fully captured by a ranking.

You can gather more information about Drexel by looking at student reviews, researching programs and professors, and of course, by engaging with the admissions department through webinars or tours. You can find tour options here: https://drexel.edu/admissions/visit-tours. There are multiple virtual visit options available for those who can't make it to Philadelphia in person.

Overall, it's a good idea to use rankings as one of the tools in your college search but not the only one. You can balance the input from rankings with information from various sources about other factors that are important to you. This way, you can choose a school that will be a great fit for you academically, personally, and financially. Ultimately, what matters most is that the university fits your needs and future goals.