Amayah Jones
ENGL 1102
Dr. Weaver
9 March 2022
Drexel University
Summary:
Drexel University was founded by Anthony J. Drexel in Philadelphia, PA in 1891 as a school for higher education in the world of constant innovation. While dedicated to finding solutions to the world’s problems through extensive experiments and research, Drexel University allows its students to participate in potential discoveries. This makes the ideal Drexel student someone willing to positively impact their community and the future. The website uses the APATSARC strategy assumptions aligning with the large rhetorical strategy imagining ideal readers to persuade the audience to become students. All in all, Drexel University works to improve society and give students practical experience in their career pathway.
Analysis:
The Drexel University website expresses what students will be exposed to in this urban-based school from major projects to individual advancement. On the website, the school uses assumptions along with imagining ideal readers to capture audience’s interest. They attempt to apply to as many individuals as possible, mentioning their contribution to various fields. The website is complemented by the school’s continuously growing reputation and presence in the academic world. So, while the website uses the aspects of the school to attract many individuals, the target audience is those interested in research and creating a major impact on the world.
The Drexel University website looks to use its location and prestige to grasp the audience which is where assumptions are introduced. As mentioned, it is in the heart of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and is a “world-class comprehensive R1 research institution and a global leader in experiential education” (Drexel University). The website assumes that the audience is responsive to life in the city and being a part of the reputation and discoveries offered by Drexel University. Therefore, the university highlights elements that they presume will be appealing based on their ideal audience. For example, the website expresses that Drexel is “. . . putting students on the front lines of innovation alongside the visionaries shaping the future of their fields” (Drexel University). In other words, Drexel works to give students hands-on experience, ultimately building their resumes while allowing them to assist in potential groundbreaking discoveries. The Drexel strategy is based on the expectation that those reading are revolutionists and bear extensive goals. Overall, the school is looking to pique people’s interest when mentioning its domination in experimental education.
The school also uses its reputation when imagining ideal readers, because they are looking for people that are persuaded by the thought of attending an esteemed school such as how some people go to Harvard based on its prestige alone. As a result, this school website includes its ranking and achievements such as being “Awarded the designation of “R1 Doctoral University — Very High Research Activity” by the Carnegie Classification of Institutions (2019)” and disclosing 43 total inventions (Drexel University). The website looks from the perspective of students who want to be associated with a school well known for immense success. Drexel also imagines ideal readers to be swayed by potential scientific relevance. For instance, people who may want to become recognized for being a part of a remarkable scientific breakthrough will want to attend a school that finds itself in the center of innovation.
In retrospect, the Drexel University website expects to gain the allegiance of the audience with its influence in the community and its triumph in inventive academics. The city aspect is an accent that may be a finalizing factor for many readers based on their outlook on life in the city. Drexel makes it known that the goal is for the students to develop as individuals and succeed in their passions. They are driven to go beyond merely being engaged in class activities to apply what they learned at Drexel University to enhance the community around them. In the end, Drexel University goes beyond life on campus and individual advancement.
Response:
After learning about Drexel University’s place in the academic world, I did consider adding this school to my college list, but the main reason I would not want to go is because it is in Philidelphia and Philidelphia is not my ideal city. However, it promotes many attractive features such as its dedication to advancing knowledge and its urban location.
The absence of barriers such as money, test scores, or distance would also make me attend the school such as if it were located somewhere like New York. That is my ideal school location because I love the north, especially the New York atmosphere. I do not want to stay in Georgia for higher education so, if Drexel were in New York, I would go there, or it would be an option. I am primarily interested in attending a research university and Drexel sells its prestige in that department. This school aligns with some of my essential values in life; it promotes success, freedom, learning, and reputation. The school is focused on helping their students learn resulting in their overall success in their lives. In addition, students are offered many freedoms such as time to explore many facets of the college, participating in various experiments, and promoting student involvement. As mentioned in my analysis Drexel attached many accomplishments to their website and they are building their prominence in society and for that reason, I would want to apply to this school. Drexel University has proven to be a school worth the application because of its dedication to involving students in the betterment of the world and I want to be a part of something bigger than myself, so this school has me sold.
Work Cited
Drexel Home, 7 Mar. 2022, drexel.edu/.