Have been accepted to UPenn-LPS program…it grants a degree same as the Arts & Sciences kids however it’ll say ‘liberal and professional studies’ on my transcripts. Program has identical requirements to graduate as normal undergrads + a writing seminar, so there’s actually more requirements to receive a degree.
I want to pursue graduate studies and have also been admitted to Cornell. I’m wondering if you were in my shoes would you choose the traditional degree from Cornell or the degree from UPenn within the non-trad program of Arts & Sciences? Penn diploma is identical to the normal one however the transcript difference has me concerned with how grad school adcoms will view it. Imagine it is something that will come up during interviews and may be held against me. Opinions?
Grad schools do not care where your degree is from as long as your application is solid, GPA, GRE/GMAT/LSAT/MCAT, ECs, and LORs. I highly doubt attending LPS will be held against you even though LPS classes are cross-listed with “traditional” Penn courses; which means you’re competing with “traditional” students for the As.
IMO, I’d choose Cornell. If you’re looking for the college experience (whatever that means to you), you’ll definitely get it through a “traditional” program. The only drawback with attending LPS or other programs designed specifically for non-traditional students may be the potential to mute your college experience and in turn it into a “commuter” school, ie you’re only there to take classes.
I was a non-traditional student and a vet when I went to college. I chose the “traditional” program. I enjoyed every minute of it, even interacting with idealistic teenagers hell bent on saving the world.
If your goal is for grad school admissions, it wont make a difference whether it’s a traditional or non-traditional program. If your after the college experience, go to a traditional program.
Congrats on admissions to both though.
I’d choose Cornell. I’m non-traditional myself that intends to enroll in a traditional program this coming fall. I don’t know a whole lot about LPS but I have visited Columbia and did a little research on their GS school.
I visited Cornell last summer and it’s absolutely beautiful. It’s a bit remote but the campus had a great vibe. I got the impression that Cornell would offer a great experience.
Awesome thanks for the feedback! My only fear w/Cornell is the isolation and being in my mid-twenties, house parties might get old. I certainly need to make a visit up there before I decide on anything. I’ll be going in as a junior wherever I decide, need to figure out if 2 years in a more isolated college environment is appealing or not.
@yolocholo: As a fellow non-traditional student, I would most certainly choose Cornell. UPENN’s LPS, while strong, is segregated from other undergraduates and, as such, taught by different faculty members–which may or may not be a problem. If paying UPENN’s price, I, personally, would want to be taught by the same faculty members as the traditional students.
LPS is literally an advising program w/in Arts & Sciences. The night classes are only for a few gen ed requirements and at least half of the students in these classes are traditional Penn students (anything starting after 5:30pm falls under LPS jurisdiction)…after fulfilling the last of those gen ed’s maybe 3-4 classes you take your major classes during the day w/everyone else. My concerns aren’t w/LPS being some different/segregating program as it isn’t. I’m just mulling the LPS designation on the transcripts.
I’d say pick Cornell. It’s a big enough school that there’ll be plenty of people in your age group. I’m from Philadelphia and people - meaning recruiters and HR folks - definitely have some misgivings about LPS.
I am a big LPS fan and LPS landed me in a traditional Ivy League grad school program yet I agree with the others. Cornell is no less than Penn. Going to the traditional Cornell is a better choice. If it’s like Penn LPS and [Your State School], I would advise you to go with LPS.
LPS is a very good option but Cornell is a great one. You don’t want to trade an A for an A-, do you?
@mickt13 - thanks so much for the informative posts about LPS…has really helped me make peace w/forgoing Penn for some options further from home
@hellojan - that recruiter info is golden and I appreciate the info