Environment at Wharton -- Competitive?

<p>I’ve heard varying reports on how competitive the students at Wharton are… so I’m wondering what the people here think (esp. Penn students!). </p>

<p>Is it as cutthroat as it sounds? Will people share notes and study in groups? Or is the competitiveness simply the result of an insane grading curve?</p>

<p>What effect does this have on the learning enviroment? * </p>

<p>Your thoughts and insights are welcome!
Thanks :)</p>

<ul>
<li>a lame phrase, I agree!</li>
</ul>

<p>They will slit your throat given the opportunity. Penn covers this up, but the main floor of Huntsmann Hall really has the most homicides per square feet on the entire east coast.</p>

<p>Yes, that was a joke.</p>

<p>It is not bad. Most people - with a few rotten eggs as the exceptions - are nice about it.</p>

<p>It's not really cutthroat.</p>

<p>I mean everybody works really hard, but it's more to bring yourself up than to bring others down.</p>

<p>I tried killing a few classmates once, those who were on the top of the curve. But they survived and managed to complete the coursework from the hospital. And to add insult to injury the professor failed me for cheating, apparently that form of competition is not allowed. I mean, hello, where does this professor live? Mars? This is business, so a bit of competition is just healthy. Darwinian capitalism and all that. I mean, I didn't even steal their notes.</p>

<p>It has a competitive atmosphere, but that's more of a positive thing in my opinion. It motivates you to do better and really boosts your confidence being in that kind of environment. Students can't be cut throat because you have so many group projects and need to work on teams so much that you can't afford to be a jerk. Otherwise no one will want to work with you or ever help you out. From my experience - people are willing to help out and a lot of people study in groups.</p>

<p>I don't think people will mind helping you if you need assistance and show that you are commited and simply don't understand the material as well as you would like to. I'm not sure people will help you if you decide to miss a whole week and just copy notes.</p>

<p>Yes exactly. No one wants to work with slackers either!</p>