<p>@Fighting Quaker, how did you find the Fresh Ex program, was it easy to make friends. From what I have heard, obviously the Quad and Hill are the best places to be as a freshman, in terms of being around other freshman.</p>
<p>“Best” is relative to every person. Yes, there are far more freshman at Hill or the Quad.
There are about 60-80 Freshman in the Fresh Ex program and I found it very easy to make friends. I’m rooming with three of my hallmates from last year and still talk to a great number of people from the program (and because the retention rate is so high, I see them all the time).</p>
<p>almabella1 doesn’t know what he/she is talking about. how can you say the Quad’s rooms are “sort of on the small side” and then immediately after say Hill’s rooms are “decent-sized”?</p>
<p>@IceCreamIsYummy:
From what I’ve seen, Hill rooms seem to be a little better situated for the amount of people living there. The Quad just seems a little more compact because of the amount of people. </p>
<p>I apologize for my mistakes and future mistakes on this thread. I just try to bring as much as I can. If you can provide any more insight into those types of rooms, please feel free to add your expertise. :)</p>
<p>@itsinreach:
While Yale is known for it’s fine arts (Harvard interviewer wondered why I didn’t apply for that…)Penn has its share of thespians. We have comedy shows, plays, and dance showcases all the time here. Usually, you’ll see a group advertising on the walk. If you would like to get involved, groups will advertise in the buildings and around campus. :)</p>
<p>IceCream has a point. By no means are Hill rooms “decent” size. They are closer to a double closet than a double bedroom. Quad rooms vary significantly, some are very spacious while others…not so much. But yeah, Hill rooms are TINY.</p>
<p>Way to throw a fellow Quaker under the bus…lol. Like I’ve said from the guide, my perspective is limited. I only saw certain quad rooms and certain hill rooms. The set-up seems to be better in Hill…for me, anyway. But in the end, I’m still living in the high rises, and potential Quakers should make of list of their own preferences and then find the housing that is the best match.</p>
<p>whoa. I find that the time and work behind that housing post, along with the subjectiveness of the words “tiny” and “decent,” allow some leeway in interpretation. I think we should really lay off almabella1.</p>
<p>:)</p>
<p>what do you do in the FreshEx program? any examples? i cant find anything about what we actually do there online</p>
<p>“This program acquaints first-year students at Penn with many of the resources and points of interest that the university and its surrounding community have to offer. By bringing together freshmen with sophomores, juniors, and seniors with proven interests in mentoring, counseling, and developing the university community, this program will serve as an extended orientation program as students arrive, and will help those students develop into active citizens within their newly chosen academic community.”</p>
<p>From Housing website. I think it’s intentionally vague b/c the RAs/GAs that run the program probably vary the activities from year to year. I think the focus is more on bonding rather than activities.</p>
<p>yeah i saw that part online. so i was wondering if anyone who was in a fresh ex program would care to elaborate.</p>
<p>The Fresh Ex program is actually chalk full of activities created by both the RA/GAs and the Fresh Ex Coordinator. In my year, activities included: Philly scavenger hunt, carnival, pumpkin carving, homemade dinners, Willy Wonka night (Chocolate and movies), trips to restaurants, community service activities, sledding outside, and much much more (and this isn’t including all the activities that Harrison sets up as a house like trips to the theatre, study breaks, and way more). You’ll also be set up with an upper classroom mentor that will live in the same floor as you (most of whom are fresh ex alums).</p>
<p>Fresh Ex is basically an excuse for the house to spoil the freshman that live there rotten.</p>
<p>so is it smart to do it? does it take up too much time where you could be doing more fun things?</p>
<p>None of the events are required. It’s a “smart” thing to do if you want to live in a high rise that maintains a strong community among freshman with entertaining activities.</p>
<p>Thank you for taking your time to answering questions… Mine is; i applied RD to Wharton but I am thinking to change my application to the College of Liberal Arts so i could have a better chance (i am not a top applicant) How hard is if you are accepted to the College of Liberal Arts and then you want to transfer to Wharton ?</p>
<p>@IAmABeast: I totally agree with FightingQuaker. Smart thing = Free things. If there’s one thing you wanna do in College, it’s save money for tuition. Here you have a program that is basically loaded with cash and you get to do all these cool things. I know that a lot of people don’t get the chance to explore Philly, eat at fancy restaurants, etc., so here’s your chance! Also, if you live at Harrison, you are pretty much a hot commodity for the next year…everyone from the Quad/Hill/etc. will be wanting in on the high rises. </p>
<p>@NOKA1993: Transferring into Wharton from the College of Arts and Sciences** (not Liberal Arts…) is pretty tough.</p>
<p>They say you need a 3.4, but a 3.7-3.8 is what you need to have to be seen as a competitive candidate.</p>
<p>More information here: [Internal</a> Transfer: Policies](<a href=“http://www.college.upenn.edu/policies/transfer_internal.php]Internal”>http://www.college.upenn.edu/policies/transfer_internal.php).</p>
<p>
At this point, it wouldn’t help you if you switched to CAS (if that’s even still possible), especially if admissions knew your reason.</p>
<p>are the cheerleading team and/or dance team hard to get into? like are the girls that do it really good and experienced? or could a semi beginner join?</p>
<p>Are Penn students generally very friendly and welcoming to transfers?</p>
<p>Absolutely… Penn is so big that there is no chance you will know even a third of your graduating class, let alone everyone in the school. I meet people almost every day who I’ve never seen before, and it really doesn’t make a difference whether someone transferred in. Like no difference whatsoever.</p>