<p>How good are these departments at UPenn? I love UPenn for many reasons: urban environment, big, great rowing culture (I'm looking to get recruited), beautiful campus, prestigious, etc. I am, however, a bit concerned about this, though. As an adult, I want to write historical fiction, so ideally I would like to double major in these subjects (with a minor in Creative Writing, an option at UPenn). UPenn is lauded for good business and engineering programs, and I'm curious as to how the liberal arts there compare. Also I would appreciate any feedback about the flexibility of classes and majors, and any general advice about majoring in these areas.</p>
<p>Penn’s English and History departments are generally ranked among the top 10 in the country. Additionally, Penn has many other liberal arts departments that are ranked among the top 10 or top 20 in the country (e.g., Economics, Anthropology, Linguistics, Religion, Music, Psychology, Sociology, Classics, French, German, Comparative Literature, Art History, etc.).</p>
<p>And if you’re interested in Creative Writing, you should check out Penn’s nationally renowned Kelly Writers House:</p>
<p>It’s a terrific place–you should try to visit it (and Penn in general, of course!). Kelly Writers House likes to have potential applicants who are interested in writing come visit the house–contact them for more info.</p>
<p>I have a few questions about Upenn. I come from a middle class family but with the scholarships I have gotten and some other finagling I will be able to afford Upenn. Will I be a outcast if I’m not rich? Basically, how apt am I to encounter the snotty rich girl that every school has?</p>
<p>Also, I read that some people have grading curves of C+ and B, can you still reach summa cum laude with those kind of grading curves? Is that really normal?</p>
<p>It’s up to you. I was middle class but through finagling, my parents could just send me to Penn (we live near NYC so middle class might be considered well-off in other areas).</p>
<p>I was very worried the first month at Penn, but it soon wore off. There are a lot of middle class and even poor people at Penn. I dated a guy who was on full grants, paid for his books only. But I had other friends who were heirs to petroleum fortunes, princes, daughters of diplomats, etc.</p>
<p>Don’t worry about the one snotty rich girl, there will be many of them. People find their own niche there, and the frat and sorority system is pretty good and equalizing.</p>
<p>Grading curves depend on the school and the professor. There was a scandal at Wharton because the administration sent around letters that 70% of all grades given must be A’s and B’s. The grading in Wharton is much easier than SEAS for example. I got a C- in physics II, and that was the average grade.</p>