Grad studies-- Columbia vs. Penn?

Colleges and Universities A-Z University of Pennsylvania
1

<p>Hi. I was recently accepted to both Columbia and UPenn for Master’s programs in city and regional planning. They are both great schools academically, so I am trying to get an idea about the campus atmospheres before I make my decision. I like the idea of Columbia because, well, it’s in the city, and it gave me more money than Penn. On the other hand, Penn seems cool because I believe it has more of a close-knit atmosphere, and the the cost of living is lower.</p>

<p>The qualities I’m looking for in a school are an intellectual atmosphere, but not too snobby-- I’m from SoCal and I like it laid-back! A place where it’s easy to meet people and make friends, easy to get around, a good school administration, and lots to do. </p>

<p>I would be grateful if anyone who has gone to these schools could tell me where I would be more likely to find these qualities?</p>

2

<p>Penn has more of a "campus" feel than Columbia. Also, Harlem is near Columbia. :)</p>

3

<p>I think Penn is a much better place to be as an undergraduate than Columbia. But for the same reasons Columbia is not a good undergraduate place, it is a great graduate place.</p>

<p>That is, I feel undergraduates should stay together and develop a community (which they do at Penn), whereas grad students should go out and be more "adult" and take advantage of the city's resources (and NYC certainly has more of that than Philly).</p>

<p>So if you long for the college years, go to Penn</p>