<p>I am deciding which of these two schools to apply ED. I'm pretty career-oriented...I'm interested in biomedical engineering. I'm not too outgoing, not looking for a school where people party all the time and I just feel left out. I can be a little antisocial, but it just takes time for me to open up. I also have some....minor health problems (weight loss and some other stuff), so I want to go to a school that challenges me academically but also leaves me some time for myself so I can exercise, take walks, release some of my stress, etc. I'm very close to my family but I also want to receive a good education. I live in NJ so I've been going to NY city my whole life, but I've never really been to Philly...it's a completely new neighborhood for me. I want to go to a school that's very welcoming, inviting, and the people there should be friendly and willing to make friends with a quiet girl like me. </p>
<p>Which school would you recommend? I know my "requirements" are broad and a little demanding, but let me know if one of these two schools seems right for me. </p>
<p>I also wanted to mention that I am interested in studying law as a grad., but I may change my mind and decide to pursue medicine or get an MBA (it's not too likely, though -- I never really saw myself as a doctor or businesswoman). I'd like to stay in the same school for my grad, but it's not absolutely necessary.</p>
<p>I think with a freshman class of over 1000 kids (for both schools), you’d fit in anywhere. UPenn is known as one of the more social ivies, and Columbia has the Core curric, which could be an easy way to start a convo and make new friends. I live in NJ too. Did you visit Penn? It was literally right across the river from Camden. Philly did feel more dangerous than NYC though (<– my personal opinion). So, I guess my post didn’t help much, but I hope it gives you something to think about.</p>
<p>If you’re shy and tend to be quiet, big schools like Columbia or Penn will not be a good fit for you - you’ll get lost. (They’re best for outspoken, active types.)</p>
<p>I agree with shimmer. Columbia and Penn are both relatively large schools (not, of course as large as say…Rutgers). If you’re not a very social person, you won’t be left friendless but it will be much harder to meet people and fit in. Have you considered a liberal arts school?</p>
<p>Also, point of note: schools usually do not like to accept grad students who came from their own undergraduate programs, so if you are interested in going to Penn or Columbia law you should definitely look elsewhere.</p>
<p>“Also, point of note: schools usually do not like to accept grad students who came from their own undergraduate programs, so if you are interested in going to Penn or Columbia law you should definitely look elsewhere.”</p>
<p>Actually, the opposite tends to be true, at least for medicine. There are more Columbia med students from Columbia College/SEAS than any other undergraduate school. Not sure if the same is true when it comes to Columbia Law or Business, though.</p>
<p>And I’d say that, out of the 2, I think Columbia would seem to be more of a fit than UPenn. Columbia has a great law school, plus you’ll be closer to home! I’d say go ED to Columbia. :)</p>