Questions and Answers

What’s the Charles Drew Enrichment Laboratory and why do you want me?

The Drew laboratory is a program in the College of Natural Science designed for high achieving students who are willing to work hard and earn top grades. The laboratory provides instruction in mathematics, chemistry, biology, physics, and nonmathematical problem-solving skills.

The reason the laboratory wants you is because you represent the best of this year’s incoming freshmen. We invite students who have excelled in high school and are ready to meet the college challenge. The Drew laboratory’s model is enrichment. We take your potential and help you develop it.

What if I don’t major in the sciences or agriculture and natural resources?

Even if you decide that a major in the sciences or agriculture is not for you, you can still join the laboratory and enjoy the full benefits of membership.

Sounds good so far, but prove it!

Math: Math for many freshmen is taught in an auditorium with dozens of students. The classes are often impersonal and a student’s needs can easily go unmet. Drew takes you out of the auditorium and puts you back into the classroom. Our classes often have no more than 30 students. Our instructors are teachers who care about you as a student, and they take your academic development very serious. That’s why they’ve designed a well run mathematics learning system to facilitate your success.

Chemistry: The Drew lab offers tutorial assistance referred to as (TAC) which accompanies entry-level chemistry courses. These sessions involve intensive study, problem solving, and drill sessions that supplement scheduled lectures and recitations.

Biology: The Drew lab offers tutorial assistance in biology. NSC 203 is a supplemental instruction course which accompanies the entry level biology courses. This is a one-credit hour course that meets two hours a week and includes additional study sessions. Tutoring is available and emphasis is on enrichment.

Free Tutors: Everybody needs some help in college, even if you didn’t in high school. In Drew, we assess your situation and make sure that you get the help you need. Most of our tutors are former Drew students themselves, so they know exactly how to address your needs.

Problem Solving: Drew offers a unique set of courses (NSC 201 and 202) that orient incoming reshmen on how to navigate through the university system. We make sure you are prepared to deal with any and all situations, conflicts, or problems you might encounter. These courses help you to develop as a professional student.

Peers: Drew students have futures in science and agricultural and natural resources. They excel academically. They care about each other. They graduate. Join a long and proud tradition of excellence and become a member of a family that will help you get your degree from Michigan State University. Drew alumni have continued their professional education at Harvard University, University of Michigan, Northwestern, and the University of Chicago, among other top universities in the Unites States.

What if I’m a Lyman Briggs School, Emerging Scholars, RISE, ROSES, pre-veterinary, pre-nursing, pre-med, or agriculture and natural resources major?

Even if you are in one of these programs or majors you can still be a member of the Drew laboratory. You will find that our program complements these programs rather than detracts from them. We will help clarify this for you during your orientation session.

Housing: We ask all Drew students to request housing on the east side of campus (Hubbard, Akers, Holmes, McDonel). It’s most convenient for you, because our classes, study sessions and administrative offices are located in the East complex. Also, your peers will be living on the east side of campus, and living in close proximity to them will help you get to know and work with your fellow Drew students.

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