<p>I think this question relates less to actual income distribution - which is the same at virtually all top private schools (Northwestern’s and Penn’s income numbers were virtually identical), and the culture on a campus. Is conspicuous consumption and materialism valued on campus, or underplayed? Do discussions of attainment of material wealth permeate the feel of a campus, or not? </p>
<p>Such distinctions are highly subjective, and rely upon the impressions (and biases) of the observer. For one take at describing Penn culture by an individual who knows the school well, you can check out JHS’ observations in this thread where he compares UPenn to UChicago:</p>
<p><a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/university-chicago/1313593-upenn-v-uchicago-2.html[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/university-chicago/1313593-upenn-v-uchicago-2.html</a></p>
<p>Some of his relevant points:</p>
<p>"In general, Penn is a place with a lot of conspicuous consumption; Chicago is a place where conspicuous consumption would be a huge social faux pas. Even kids from well-to-do families and private schools here tend to experience a little shock when they go to Penn and see how willing some people are to throw money around. That’s not a worry at Chicago.</p>
<p>To this aged observer, there is a huge difference between how students dress and act on the two campuses. Especially women. To walk around Penn is to see a lot of makeup, carefully tended hair, jewelry, and designer clothes. Not on everyone, of course, or necessarily even a majority, but lots. And the general dressing standards – even for guys, who are slobs wherever you go – are several quantum levels higher. In other words, at Penn, people tend to dress like they care how they are dressed, and expect to be judged by others on that basis."</p>
<p>Again, take from that what you will. Like JHS, I’ve spent considerable time around both UChicago and UPenn, and I found his comments to be on the mark. Again, these are just one person’s impressions, though, and it deserves repeating that the top schools all have more in common than anything else. These are just JHS’ subjective observations, and they happen to mirror my own.</p>