<p>Hey. I know that Penn is an excellent school and a great undergraduate experience, but I had a few questions. I’ve heard Penn is stellar socially, and everyone seems to love it there, but what about classes-wise? Do you feel that you enjoy your classes, and that you are learning a lot? Or are academics a second priority? How about CS or DMD majors, in particular?</p>
<p>THanks so much!</p>
<p>Penn is an Ivy League university, and has the rigor associated with such institutions.</p>
<p>I certainly love my classes - I have friends doing CS and DMD and they seem quite happy with their programs. Many of the faculty here are simply amazing teachers who take their job very seriously. Large lecture classes are broken down into smaller recitations led by graduate TAs, many of whom are wonderful teachers as well. Professors as well as TAs hold office hours, and students are strongly encouraged to talk to their professors. Grading systems of the classes I've taken have been pretty fair, although people can be screwed over by the strict curves in Wharton classes. I think though that most Penn students will tell you that they really enjoy and get a lot out of their classes.</p>
<p>I feel that academics are the first priority for most of us, but Penn students tend to try to find a good balance between studying and "having a life." I myself don't drink and never go to parties (not a fan of alcohol and loud music), but I'm in so many performance groups that some weeks I spend more time playing the violin than studying/doing homework. I'm also a house manager so I organize/attend house events and act as an unofficial mentor to several of our freshmen.</p>
<p>If you want the stellar academics, Penn has them. But if you don't want them, they will pass you by.</p>
<p>As long as you take the initiative to maximize the academic resources and educational opportunities at Penn, there's no limit to how far you can go--you can go right into some grad school courses.</p>
<p>I know people who do not have initiative who have floundered at Penn. But those with the drive it takes will succeed in Penn--and life. If you want to develop a sense of drive, Penn is your last chance to learn before your livelihood depends on it!</p>
<p>large lectures haven't been too enjoyable for me, but small seminar-type courses have been nice. not only do you get more individual attention, but getting to know some of the professors can be fun.</p>