<p>So, I got into Penn for the CAS, but I was wondering if you are allowed to take classes in the other schools (specifically Wharton). For example, say that I was a bio major but i wanted to take some business and management classes on the side...Could I take them at Wharton? I am also wondering about the dorms. Would you recommend living in the Quadrangle or the High Rises? Thanks</p>
<p>You can absolutely take classes in other undergraduate and most of the graduate schools as long as you meet the prerequisites. Penn's One University concept is part of what makes the university so dynamic and inter-disciplinary. Definitely go with the quad if you plan on having an active social life. It will be much easier to make friends than in the high rises.</p>
<p>the system
is down
the system
the system system
barrrummm bum
dooodooodoodoooo doodoo dooodoooodoodooo doodooo dooodooodoodoo dooodoo</p>
<p>Forgive me for lurking as a Cornellian, but I'm really interested in this One University policy that I keep hearing about at Penn. Is there anything more to it than the fact that you can take a course in any of the other undergraduate or graduate colleges? </p>
<p>Because Cornell basically has the same policy in effect -- an ILR can take engineering courses and an architect can take Hotel Management courses -- but maybe we just don't have it all tied up into a nice PR tag line.</p>
<p>nah that's about it to the policy, it's just cool for undergrads to be able to take med school infectious disease courses, or law school patent law courses, or for premeds to dabble in business</p>
<p>CayugaRed2005, what you described about Cornell's program seems very similar to Penn's. It just seems that Penn's policy extends a lot further than Cornell's does, which can lead to major differences in the breadth of educational opportunities at one versus the other.</p>
<p>live in the quad, there is no fun in the high rises if you are a freshman</p>
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nah that's about it to the policy, it's just cool for undergrads to be able to take med school infectious disease courses, or law school patent law courses, or for premeds to dabble in business
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<p>Sounds about right, students at Cornell obviously can't medical courses because the campus is in New York City, but they can take pre-vet courses. And in order to take law courses you do need to petition the Law School, demonstrating why the course fits into your academic goals. But the general effect is the same.</p>
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CayugaRed2005, what you described about Cornell's program seems very similar to Penn's. It just seems that Penn's policy extends a lot further than Cornell's does, which can lead to major differences in the breadth of educational opportunities at one versus the other.
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<p>Seriously? Penn's a great school man... but no need for unfounded boosterism.</p>
<p>
That's a big difference at Penn: no petition necessary. Undergrads can take classes at most of Penn's grad and professional schools without any kind of special dispensation, and undergrads are strongly encouraged to take advantage of the multidisciplinary and interdisciplinary offerings.</p>
<p>By the way, Penn has been using the "One University" tag for over 30 years, if not longer, to describe its interdisciplinary approach to education. The concept is deeply ingrained in the school's DNA, and has led to its being a pioneer in interdisciplinary studies by blurring the lines between traditional academic fields, as well as pushing higher education into new fields (e.g., first medical school in the US, first collegiate business school in the world, first school in the US to be called a university, first law classes, first journalism classes, first psychology department, etc.). It's not a recently concocted marketing ploy, but actually embodies a long tradition going back to the writings of Ben Franklin and Penn's origins in the 18th century:</p>
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Benjamin Franklin, Penn's founder, advocated an educational program that focused as much on practical education for commerce and public service as on the classics and theology. Penn was one of the first academic institutions to follow a multidisciplinary model pioneered by several European universities, concentrating several "faculties" (e.g., theology, classics, medicine) into one institution.
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<p>University</a> of Pennsylvania - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia</p>
<p>So as a freshman you could waltz right into a 1L criminal law course?</p>
<p>Sounds a little reckless, if you ask me.</p>
<p>^ Nope, not necessarily freshmen, and not necessarily every single law school course. But lots of them are available:</p>
<p>Penn</a> Law: Law Classes are not just for Law Students</p>