<p>Hi! I'm a Penn freshman, and I applied RD to Wharton. If you have any questions about Philly, school (Wharton in particular), housing, fin aid, and whatever comes to mind, don't hesitate! :)</p>
<p>Hi almabella1! Do you find that you’ve made a lot of friends that aren’t in Wharton?</p>
<p>How about sharing 5-10 things you like at Penn that are unique?</p>
<p>@itsinreach: Because of the way the Wharton curriculum is set up, I take a lot a lot of classes in the other schools, meaning I spend a lot of time with non-Whartonites. So, I find most of my friends are in The College (SAS) and in Engineering (SEAS) with a few in Nursing. Also, for the first week of school, freshmen (or Frosh as Penn likes to call them) are in New Student Orientation (NSO). This is the where you establish life-long friendships.</p>
<p>@therecent:
My top 5 things that make Penn unique:
- Social IvyIm not much into partying, and I was surprised to find that Penn was the called the social ivy. Academics are important but are not the overbearing focus where it consumes people like at some schools. Here, the atmosphere is friendly and relaxedinstead of tense and overly-competitive. The school spirit here is very infectious, especially with during football and basketball season. </p>
<ol>
<li><p>Urban city feelsmost schools are the center of their city/town universe, and there’s not much going on outside of it. At Penn, you get the campus feel while still being immersed into the real world. My friends and I go down to Center City and shop and hang out and just explore the culture that surrounds the school. Granted, Penn is notorious for being in a rough area, but I have been out at one in the morning and there are Penn security officers almost everywhere to make you feel safe and to walk you back if you’d like. Also, I havent seen anything that makes me question my safety since Ive been here.</p></li>
<li><p>DiversityI have friends that go to other schools and you can see the majority vs. the minority. However, at Penn. Everyone is blended. Different ethnic and nationalities just seem to mesh here. I have a friend who goes to a certain prestigious school where they hang noosestrue story. However, at Penn, there is a mutual respect for everyones own way of living. We are named the best gay-friendly institution, the one of the best for vegetarian options, the most diverse campus
etc. Seriously, however you worship or live, there is a place close to, if not on, campus.</p></li>
<li><p>NSO weekits nothing to be rivaled. As I mentioned earlier, Im not one for partying, but at Penn, they really go all out. Millionaire parties in museums and on day cruise ferry, SNLesque live sketches, IKEA, FREE FOOD!! Even during reading days, they offer a little relief with fun activities. I mean, this is not a week people will ever forget. </p></li>
<li><p>Wharton and Cohortsfor me its unique because its the only undergraduate business school in the Ivies. There is a cohort system thats set up like the House system in Harry Potter. You earn points throughout the year through challenges, such as the Cohort Race, and the cohort that gets the most points earns the Cohort cupits like getting the Stanley Cup! Its just a really fun way to encourage students to connect with one another outside of class. </p></li>
</ol>
<p>If I think of any more, I’ll add them.</p>
<p>how tense are the Wharton classes? do people like dress up in suits everyday? How laid back/competitive is it?</p>
<p>@radco85:</p>
<p>Wharton classes can be difficult if you don’t keep up with them. As a freshman, you would take MGMT 100 and BPUB 250 with your cohort. With Management (MGMT), there aren’t many graded assignments, it’s based on group and individual participation and your client’s (yes, you work with a client from a nonprofit) grade. The difference is that in Wharton, it’s all about the application, and that’s why these classes can be a little challenging. However, they are very rewarding! Wharton sets their curriculum so that you get to taste a little bit of everything; that being said, most don’t return for a MBA because they have experience/knowledge in different concentrations. </p>
<p>About dressing up–no one but MBA students dresses up for class. I can count only two times where I wore a suit to class and they were both presentations. Wharton is a very laid back place. It is competitive in spirit, but you don’t live and breathe it every time you walk to class. </p>
<p>The professors are really cool, the TAs enjoy spending time with you outside of class, and classmates get together for BYOs (Bring your own…–restaurants that don’t have liquor licenses so people bring their own alcohol). </p>
<p>Cohort events happen frequently, which always guarantees free food and a great time just hanging out. </p>
<p>All in all, Wharton is like a mullet…business in the front, party in the back. :)</p>
<p>Hi Almabella1,</p>
<p>Is Wharton “the” strength of Penn? How are the sciences viewed, particularly math and physics? Can students double major in a major from Wharton (statistics) and something from AS (physics)?</p>
<p>@sbjdorlo:</p>
<p>While Wharton is a renowned business school, the strength in Penn lives in all of its academic departments. SEAS is excellent as far as I know, but its not as well known as, lets say, MIT. With Wharton, they dont limit you to just business schools. The curriculum is integrated into the other parts of the school. Wharton has a M&T program in conjunction with SEAS. Also, you can take Wharton classes and double major while in SEAS under individualized, but you might graduate in five years instead of four years.
For more information, I would check out [Penn</a> Engineering - Welcome to the School of Engineering and Applied Science (SEAS)](<a href=“http://www.seas.upenn.edu/]Penn”>http://www.seas.upenn.edu/) and [The</a> Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania](<a href=“http://www.wharton.upenn.edu/]The”>http://www.wharton.upenn.edu/)</p>
<p>Did I answer all your questions?</p>
<p>sbjdorlo, the Physics program at Penn is excellent. There are some incredible professors on the faculty, including two who have a chance of winning the nobel prize in a few years for a paper they co-wrote, and there is tons of great research being done. Most undergrad physics majors participate in research and many are pretty intensively involved, presenting at conferences and such. They also go on to great grad programs, one senior I know just got in the Harvard pHD program.</p>
<p>Thanks, Poeme!!! :)</p>
<p>Thank-you, Poeme and Almabella1. This is great to know. I’ll dig deeper into the links you’ve given.
I do have another question. When visiting Penn, can a student sit in on classes? Does a student need to contact a prof ahead of time?</p>
<p>@sbjdorlo: Yes, you can sit in on classes? And no, you do not personally contact professors.
When sitting in on a class, you go to the Admissions Office (which I believe is in College Hall) and you can see what classes are open to be “sat in on.” You don’t have to make any appointments or anything. You just walk to the desk and say what you would like to do. Then, just chat with the professors and sit in. Just remember, each professor and lesson is different. Try a few different courses in one day to really get a feel for the campus.</p>
<p>another question. What house are you in? I was thinking about Stouffer hall myself because I like the quiet workspace and I want dibs for Mayer. Any recommendations on housing?</p>
<p>thanks to you guys for the help here 
I am SO excited to get to Wharton this year!!!</p>
<p>One more question (for now), please. Can students test into courses? Say a student has taken a lot of college math classes in high school, even if they don’t get credit for them, can they take placement exams to place into the appropriate level of course?</p>
<p>@radco85:
Heres a comprehensive list of the PROs and CONs of the residential buildings</p>
<p>THE HIGH RISES</p>
<p>Pros: Im in one of the high rises, which I recommend to anyone who wants to feel slightly independent while still keeping with the college dorm life. It’s like a nice community of apartment-style housing, and you have a room that not accessible to just anyone passing your hall. There are also the closest to Hunstman Hall which is where most of the Wharton classes are held. You would like to do the Freshmen experience, then you would live in Harrison. Besides that, only Harrison and Harnwell are available for freshmen. Rodin becomes available after your first year. I recommend for people who have strict dietary needs and desires. </p>
<p>Cons: The high rises make up this ghastly wind tunnel (be prepared) Unlike the traditional dorm houses, you have to clean your own bathroom and place, so they arent recommended for those who prefer not to clean. Also, since the high rises are on one side of campus, you have to add extra time to your commute, especially during high elevator traffic time (10 to 11:30 am). </p>
<p>THE QUAD</p>
<p>Pros: This is the traditional style of college dorm life, and one of the prettiest places on campus. The rooms are sort of on the small side, but it forces everyone to become more friendly and communal with each other. Its the closest to the nursing school, and Houston Hall and WaWa (youll know of its importance when its 3 AM and you have the munchies). Recommended for those who enjoy being social and would like to live in the traditional dorm set-up. </p>
<p>Cons: But on that note, for some the Quad is over-rated mainly because of the room situation and because living in the Quad makes it difficult to get into the high rises (because of the house lottery. Those who lived in the high rises the longest get precedence). I dont recommend it for those who enjoy being alone and like having their own space. </p>
<p>HILL</p>
<p>Pros: It has its own dining hall, which is convenient for when its cold outside. The rooms are decent-sized. Nice small community. Its the closest to the engineering side of campus. Majority of the residents are freshmen. FUN FACT: Used to be a all-girls dormitory, which is the reason why there is a moat-like area around the entrance.</p>
<p>Cons: There isnt any air conditioning. Not recommended for the easily flustered and for those suffering from hot flashes (I kid, I kid about the hot flashes, not the A/C). </p>
<p>DU BOIS </p>
<p>Pros: Really small community, majority being African American. Has it own mini museum/collection of African-American heritage memorabilia. This is suite style living, which means you have a number of bedrooms grouped together with a living room. Recommended for those who would like to live in an African-American community.</p>
<p>Cons: Close to the high rises which means wind tunnel. For suite style, there really isnt a kitchen, its more like a kitchenette. Same as the high rises, you have to keep your place clean.</p>
<p>KINGS COURT/ENGLISH HOUSE</p>
<p>Pros: Slightly on the large-sized rooms from what Ive seen (for doubles anyway). Traditional style dorm living, but with a smaller community. Has its own residential dining hall. Almost all of the residents here are freshmen. If you are in the Huntsman program, you live on the same floor together in Kings Court. </p>
<p>Cons: Not as conveniently located for trying to get to class because of its location on Sansom. You will need a fan because it can get really stuffy with the windows closed in the dorms. </p>
<p>GREGORY</p>
<p>Pros: Gregory is almost set up like Du Bois, with suite style. A more quiet residential building with everyone having their own space. </p>
<p>Cons: Very quiet. Not recommended for someone who loves to be social (that person should live in the Quad). Not recommended for those find the quiet to be maddening and intense. </p>
<p>STOUFFER-MAYER</p>
<p>Pros: For Stouffer, it has the traditional dorm style for those want to experience that, and for others living in Mayer, its the apartment-style housing like the High rises. Its close to WaWa (read the excerpt in the Quad). Stouffer is recommended for those who would like their own space in the form of a single. Mayer recommended for those who want apartment style and still keep with the quiet atmosphere.</p>
<p>Cons: Same as Gregory. </p>
<p>With all that being said, I tried to be as unbiased as I could, but of course, I havent visited all of these buildings. This is just a suggestion guide, but of course, for more information, I would visit the website for floor layouts and (if you can afford it) visit the campus to check it for yourself. </p>
<p>[University</a> of Pennsylvania Housing Services](<a href=“http://www.business-services.upenn.edu/housing/residences/index.html]University”>Home | Penn Residential Services)</p>
<p>@sbjdorlo: As Apple says, “there’s an app for that.” Well, for most of the general required courses…there’s a test for that. During the first week of school and actually integrated into NSO week, there are tests to place you into higher classes. For now, I know you can take a placement test for almost all of the languages, Chemistry and almost all of the math courses higher than 104 (which is Calculus I here). Just note: for all math courses, calculators aren’t allowed, but you are allowed a handwritten cheat sheet on regular, letter-sized paper (both sides).</p>
<p>this is actually the best house guide I’ve read. I am actually now thinking of Harrison, so I might apply for FreshEx. idk, Harrison just looks very nice.</p>
<p>Harrison is very nice. Any questions, let me know here or through PM. I’m a Fresh Ex alum, here again for my second year, will be here next year, works for Harrison, etc. I love it.</p>
<p>Thanks OP - another question (I asked this on another penn freshman thread but alas no answer): Do you know if there’s a musical theatre-y type scene at Penn at all? A lot of people interested in it?</p>