My DD will be a legacy and a development applicant to Penn (if she applies). We’ve been looking at smaller colleges such as Amherst, Williams, Swarthmore, etc but my daughter has a much higher chance of getting into Penn than she does anywhere else we’ve looked. As a freshman at Penn, is it relatively easy to make new friends at such a big school? And what is the overall culture if it can be easily defined? My DD has always attended a small private school and the thought of a big university is a bit intimidating. We’re Jewish and one aspect of Penn that appeals to my DD is the large Jewish population (there are few Jewish people where we live). My husband recalls Penn as being quite cutthroat both as an undergraduate and in medical school. Is this still the case? Although DD can be competitive, she ultimately wants to be part of a warm and supportive circle of friends. Any feedback given is much appreciated. Thanks!
For some inside info, you should take a look at the Opinion section of the Daily Pennsylvanian newspaper:
http://www.thedp.com/section/opinion
This is a good time to look, as a lot of the graduating seniors have just written columns on their UPenn experience. Overall, the results are kind of a mixed bag - some people decry the pre-professionalism and the competitive, toxic nature of the undergraduate experience. Others talk fondly about their professors and friends.
This third party video also presents a lot of student interviews:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EMIrhvEcdYo
Again, it’s a mixed bag. One complains that it’s not Harvard, and another raves about the experience. That seems to be the biggest takeaway from all the independent student info I can find - YMMV, and best that your DD goes in prepared and with eyes open.
@UrbanMum, easily getting along with Penn kids/making friends is not a concern. However, there are tons of extremely ambitious, highly-energized, self-motivated and self-competitive kids in almost all career paths including the pre-med at Penn. Penn kids usually are not cutthroat competitive each other but themselves. This is even worse to some kinds of kids. “Although DD can be competitive, she ultimately wants to be part of a warm and supportive circle of friends.” I believe Penn fits her. As a development applicant to Penn, ED is the best time to your DD. Good luck.
My senior DD spent much of her time at her on campus job at Kelly Writers House, where she found a warm, and inviting home away from home. Most of her good friends are from there as well. If your DD has a passion and can connect with like-minded folks at Penn, she will likely find a warm and inviting environment.
If you think she’s a development applican, what’s your development rep say of her chances?