The University of Pennsylvania is honestly a wonderful school. There are so many opportunities here for academic exploration, for jobs, and even for social comfort. The diversity of the campus, truly makes it a great fit for pretty much every student.
Do you have any tips for prospective students?
Dear Prospects, some tips are
1.REACH OUT FOR SUPPORT. Often when students go to large schools like this, which house up to 15,000+ students including graduate students, it can be a bit intimidating and overwhelming at first. This can leave people feeling like a lost puppy in an amusement park, but do not fear! There are so many support groups on campus, upper class students willing to help out a freshman, and teachers willing to sit down and give you advice in your trying times! Believe me, it is easy to feel alone and weak, but by reaching out you will find transitioning easier.
2.TAKE ADVANTAGE OF WHAT THE SCHOOL OFFERS YOU. UPenn is a great school with many opportunities, from helping you land your dream job, or helping you figure it out, to giving you the chance to study abroad in a different language for a year. The university has so many clubs and student government groups, its amazing and taking full advantage of the resources the school offers you, can not only benefit your social life, but also your professional life as you work alongside professors doing research or become the leader of the student union.
3.FIND WAYS TO RELIEVE STRESS. At any collegiate level academic environment there is stress. Whether it be the personal stress of performing well academically, or the stress of feeling like there is just too much to do and not enough time, it is crucial to find your personal way of relieving stress. For me it was dance. For you it might be going to an art exhibit every Saturday, or going to Pottruck gym for yoga sessions or (if you're hardcore a weight lifting class!), or going ice skating at the Penn ice rink, or downtown shopping with your buddies! Whatever it is, find it and do it!
4.EXPLORE PHILADELPHIA. At UPenn you have the unique experience of going to school in one of the most awesome cities nationally! Like what is not to like about Philadelphia! The more you explore the city the more enchanted you will become with all it has to offer yo...
Do you find there’s enough academic rigor at your school?
University of Pennsylvania, like any college, is pretty tough. Courses at UPenn are particularly challenging because they explore the topics thoroughly. The professors and curriculum encourage you to explore topics in ways that promote thinking in a different way than just memorization. You learn not just by memorization, but through application. The professors push you to truly grasp the material, and understand it in a way that creates a more meaningful perception of the topic at hand. However, the professors make learning material so much easier, because of their willingness to aid you and their passion for the material they are teaching.
Describe the dorm life at your college.
DORM LIFE IS SUPER AWESOME! UPenn offers residential programs, which is where a group of students who have similar interests are placed in the same hall and the hall (throughout the year) studies this topic. The dorms are relatively small, but with the activities being done in the hall, such as study breaks and hall trips, make it worth while.
Describe the food and dining at your college.
Food on campus isn't too bad. It's not the best food, but UPenn does offer many food options, so if something doesn't quite fit your taste, there is always something else. Plus UPenn is located in the city, so there are plenty of off campus restaurant options.
What’s there to do for fun at your college?
GO DOWNTOWN! There is so much to do downtown and even on campus. Downtown there are art and music festivals, exhibits and museums, shopping centers, parks, and clubs! On campus, there is ice skating, performing arts shows, sports games, gyms for recreations, and festivals. There is just so much to do, I can't list it all!
Do you feel you’re getting value for the money you’re spending on college?
Yes, UPenn is expensive, but with all that the school has to offer, I'd say it's worth it!
Share any unusual traditions or locations on campus
There is this thing called the button and it's actually pretty awesome. It's a statue of a button in the middle of campus and its super fun to look at and play around. I mean, what other school has a button, but it also serves as a monument so as to help guide people through campus. Also, there is also a church on the campus, in one of the educational buildings! Super cool!
Which types of students will excel at your college?
Any student!
Are you involved in any clubs or activities?
The amount of clubs and activities here at UPenn are almost innumerable! There are so many options to choose from, and if you name it, there will most likely be that group on campus. If not, you can easily make your own club or team if you'd like to see it on campus. The clubs and activities are tailored toward any type of student and personal interest so every person can find something fun and favorable to do on campus.
Are you involved in any clubs or activities?
I'm not a part of greek life, so I couldn't really judge it, but it does seem to be pretty big on campus! However, its not overwhelming. If you think it's not your scene, then that's cool too!
How would you describe campus safety? Do you feel safe on campus?
Campus is super safe! There are walking escorts at all hours, security at pretty much every corner and there are constantly patrolling officers, so you can feel secure. Dorms are extremely secured, and there are a list of numbers to campus police, penn ride, and other resources that every student is encouraged to have. I do!
The University of Pennsylvania is honestly a wonderful school. There are so many opportunities here for academic exploration, for jobs, and even for social comfort. The diversity of the campus, truly makes it a great fit for pretty much every student.
Dear Prospects, some tips are 1.REACH OUT FOR SUPPORT. Often when students go to large schools like this, which house up to 15,000+ students including graduate students, it can be a bit intimidating and overwhelming at first. This can leave people feeling like a lost puppy in an amusement park, but do not fear! There are so many support groups on campus, upper class students willing to help out a freshman, and teachers willing to sit down and give you advice in your trying times! Believe me, it is easy to feel alone and weak, but by reaching out you will find transitioning easier. 2.TAKE ADVANTAGE OF WHAT THE SCHOOL OFFERS YOU. UPenn is a great school with many opportunities, from helping you land your dream job, or helping you figure it out, to giving you the chance to study abroad in a different language for a year. The university has so many clubs and student government groups, its amazing and taking full advantage of the resources the school offers you, can not only benefit your social life, but also your professional life as you work alongside professors doing research or become the leader of the student union. 3.FIND WAYS TO RELIEVE STRESS. At any collegiate level academic environment there is stress. Whether it be the personal stress of performing well academically, or the stress of feeling like there is just too much to do and not enough time, it is crucial to find your personal way of relieving stress. For me it was dance. For you it might be going to an art exhibit every Saturday, or going to Pottruck gym for yoga sessions or (if you're hardcore a weight lifting class!), or going ice skating at the Penn ice rink, or downtown shopping with your buddies! Whatever it is, find it and do it! 4.EXPLORE PHILADELPHIA. At UPenn you have the unique experience of going to school in one of the most awesome cities nationally! Like what is not to like about Philadelphia! The more you explore the city the more enchanted you will become with all it has to offer yo...
University of Pennsylvania, like any college, is pretty tough. Courses at UPenn are particularly challenging because they explore the topics thoroughly. The professors and curriculum encourage you to explore topics in ways that promote thinking in a different way than just memorization. You learn not just by memorization, but through application. The professors push you to truly grasp the material, and understand it in a way that creates a more meaningful perception of the topic at hand. However, the professors make learning material so much easier, because of their willingness to aid you and their passion for the material they are teaching.
DORM LIFE IS SUPER AWESOME! UPenn offers residential programs, which is where a group of students who have similar interests are placed in the same hall and the hall (throughout the year) studies this topic. The dorms are relatively small, but with the activities being done in the hall, such as study breaks and hall trips, make it worth while.
Food on campus isn't too bad. It's not the best food, but UPenn does offer many food options, so if something doesn't quite fit your taste, there is always something else. Plus UPenn is located in the city, so there are plenty of off campus restaurant options.
GO DOWNTOWN! There is so much to do downtown and even on campus. Downtown there are art and music festivals, exhibits and museums, shopping centers, parks, and clubs! On campus, there is ice skating, performing arts shows, sports games, gyms for recreations, and festivals. There is just so much to do, I can't list it all!
Yes, UPenn is expensive, but with all that the school has to offer, I'd say it's worth it!
There is this thing called the button and it's actually pretty awesome. It's a statue of a button in the middle of campus and its super fun to look at and play around. I mean, what other school has a button, but it also serves as a monument so as to help guide people through campus. Also, there is also a church on the campus, in one of the educational buildings! Super cool!
Any student!
The amount of clubs and activities here at UPenn are almost innumerable! There are so many options to choose from, and if you name it, there will most likely be that group on campus. If not, you can easily make your own club or team if you'd like to see it on campus. The clubs and activities are tailored toward any type of student and personal interest so every person can find something fun and favorable to do on campus.
I'm not a part of greek life, so I couldn't really judge it, but it does seem to be pretty big on campus! However, its not overwhelming. If you think it's not your scene, then that's cool too!
Campus is super safe! There are walking escorts at all hours, security at pretty much every corner and there are constantly patrolling officers, so you can feel secure. Dorms are extremely secured, and there are a list of numbers to campus police, penn ride, and other resources that every student is encouraged to have. I do!