Penn students are defined by their passion, even if it is undefined upon entering freshman year. Classes are so difficult that you have to experience them to understand, but the sense of accomplishment that comes with mastery over them is liberating and pure euphoria. Perhaps the most amazing thing about Penn, though, is what you will learn outside of the classroom through your peers and their amazing cultures.
Do you have any tips for prospective students?
Finish your high school career strong--don't let senioritis best you--and enjoy a well-deserved, relaxing summer. You will be plenty busy when you arrive on campus in the fall.
Do you find there’s enough academic rigor at your school?
Even if Penn seems impossibly difficult, there are so many resources that you literally have no reason to fail.
Describe the dorm life at your college.
I live in a highrise (apartment-like dorm), so I am biased, but visiting friends from other elite universities say that our dorms, even our worst, are nicer than theirs. I haven't heard of any nightmare-roommate stories, either, which is good since roommates are picked at random if they are not requested.
Describe the food and dining at your college.
Dining halls are not created equally. However, there are tons of dining halls and alternate options on campus (Subway, Starbucks, Burger Stop, and more restaurants than I can count).
What’s there to do for fun at your college?
Partying is a major source of fun for many (most?) students. However, everyone enjoys going into Center City to shop, dine, stroll, or just hang with friends. Networking. Engaging with the community and volunteering in (virtually) everything. Sleeping is fun for every college student.
Do you feel you’re getting value for the money you’re spending on college?
Penn is expensive, but students receive an unparalleled education. It is definitely worth it.
Share any unusual traditions or locations on campus
Greek life is very large at Penn (but 75% of students enjoy college without it)
The Philomathean Society is both the oldest continuous organization and, specifically, literary society in the US.
NSO (new student orientation) is absolutely amazing and is not lame or awkward like at most schools. Penn spends over a million dollars every year on just this one week. They even rent the Philadelphia Museum of Art for an evening and have the event catered by a five-star chef.
Hey Day is a tradition that Juniors celebrate when they move up as seniors. It gets pretty rowdy.
Which types of students will excel at your college?
There is a club for everything. Seriously. And if not, you can propose one and Penn will fund it because they can.
Are you involved in any clubs or activities?
Very present. You cannot really avoid it on the weekends, but you can definitely enjoy your Penn experience without it.
How would you describe campus safety? Do you feel safe on campus?
Allied Barton on Penn's campus has been ranked the nation's best campus security. Penn is in West Philly which, in parts, is dangerous, so street-smarts are important when off campus. However, Penn security has a very broad patrol area.
Penn students are defined by their passion, even if it is undefined upon entering freshman year. Classes are so difficult that you have to experience them to understand, but the sense of accomplishment that comes with mastery over them is liberating and pure euphoria. Perhaps the most amazing thing about Penn, though, is what you will learn outside of the classroom through your peers and their amazing cultures.
Finish your high school career strong--don't let senioritis best you--and enjoy a well-deserved, relaxing summer. You will be plenty busy when you arrive on campus in the fall.
Even if Penn seems impossibly difficult, there are so many resources that you literally have no reason to fail.
I live in a highrise (apartment-like dorm), so I am biased, but visiting friends from other elite universities say that our dorms, even our worst, are nicer than theirs. I haven't heard of any nightmare-roommate stories, either, which is good since roommates are picked at random if they are not requested.
Dining halls are not created equally. However, there are tons of dining halls and alternate options on campus (Subway, Starbucks, Burger Stop, and more restaurants than I can count).
Partying is a major source of fun for many (most?) students. However, everyone enjoys going into Center City to shop, dine, stroll, or just hang with friends. Networking. Engaging with the community and volunteering in (virtually) everything. Sleeping is fun for every college student.
Penn is expensive, but students receive an unparalleled education. It is definitely worth it.
Greek life is very large at Penn (but 75% of students enjoy college without it) The Philomathean Society is both the oldest continuous organization and, specifically, literary society in the US. NSO (new student orientation) is absolutely amazing and is not lame or awkward like at most schools. Penn spends over a million dollars every year on just this one week. They even rent the Philadelphia Museum of Art for an evening and have the event catered by a five-star chef. Hey Day is a tradition that Juniors celebrate when they move up as seniors. It gets pretty rowdy.
Passionate Smart Driven Innovative Creative Leaders
There is a club for everything. Seriously. And if not, you can propose one and Penn will fund it because they can.
Very present. You cannot really avoid it on the weekends, but you can definitely enjoy your Penn experience without it.
Allied Barton on Penn's campus has been ranked the nation's best campus security. Penn is in West Philly which, in parts, is dangerous, so street-smarts are important when off campus. However, Penn security has a very broad patrol area.