Penn Freshman Taking Questions

Colleges and Universities A-Z University of Pennsylvania
21

<p>1) How many classes are interactive/hands-on/practical/case studies, those types of things?</p>

<p>There are several of these courses, but the majority of them are small person seminars that are hard to get into (I know there is a very popular one where Penn students take a class with inmates). That being said, a bunch of my classes have “interactive” qualities about them. My History seminar went to the Penn Museum to analyze how they portrayed history; my econ class had tons of “practical” moments as we discussed CURRENT (as in the day of) events and their implications; my polisci class included lunches with some pretty well-known guys (EJ Dionne and Bill Kristol). </p>

<p>2) What’s the social life like there? Are there a decent amount of parties and events, is it common to mix with other universities and hang out, how easy is it to do this, etc</p>

<p>Probably something better answered by someone other than me, and this question has been visited several times on this forum. Social life is what you make of it. This is not a state school, but I find most of my friends think it’s more than adequate for what they are looking for. If you only go out once in a while, like me, there is plenty to do. I’ve never felt bored here this entire semester. As for the inter-university aspect, I have friends that occasionally party with their friends from other universities in the area, but besides that, I really don’t know. Drexel is right next door though. </p>

<p>This is probably most applicable to the college, but would recommend taking all sector requirements, or replacing a few of them with seminars?</p>

<p>I’m assuming the question is whether or not every single class you take in a semester should fill a requirement. I say absolutely not, as many interesting courses do not fill a specific requirement. Some advisers stress to their advisees that they should knock out as many requirements from the beginning as possible. Mine however, did not, and I’m a bit worried at this point that I may end up fulfilling them my last semester of senior year. But I don’t regret taking a seminar, and I’m definitely taking a couple next semester as well.</p>

<p>have you guys heard of transfering among different schools? what are some distinct qualities that each school has? is it difficult to transfer school/major if you don’t feel your current position befits you?</p>

<p>Another question that has been visited before, and one that is probably better answered by someone else. Transferring between schools does occur. I believe you need a 3.8 or above to even have a chance at transferring into Wharton (very hard to do), and a bit less for the college. From what I hear, transferring into engineering isn’t too much of a problem, since a bunch of them drop out anyway. In the college, you don’t need to declare a major until the latter half of your sophomore year.</p>

22

<p>Hey! Thanks for creating this thread… I’m so excited to be at Penn next year!</p>

<p>I’m wondering about the roommate choosing process at Penn… is there an extensive survey students fill out that reslife uses to match kids… or is it more of the run of the mill “do you smoke”, “are you messy” kind of thing. How good do you think Penn is about matching roommates? I’m not a super “picky” person. I feel that I can get along with most people but I really don’t want to be stuck with someone who parties 24/7… I don’t think I could deal with that. Also, how many people usually share a bathroom? And, other than the quad, what places do you recommend as good/bad places for freshman to live?</p>

<p>Thanks so much!</p>

23

<p>HARRISON. Did you hear me okay? Live in HARRISON! Everyday I smile with joy that I am living here and not in the Quad, Hill, Kings Court, etc. (not meant as a low-blow to them)</p>

<p>But yes, housing apps and roommates. There is no extensive survey at all. In fact, the only question I remember is the obvious “early bird or late owl” one. Sometimes it works out sometimes it doesn’t. I’m living in a quad where I started out with three roommates, but now only have two. Again…sometimes it works out, sometimes it doesn’t. Bathroom sharing depends on where you live. I know that Hill, the Quad, (Stouffer??) and Kings Court (both) have community bathrooms. ICK, right? Gregory and the high-rises (including HARRISON) have bathrooms in the room that you only share with your roommates (and must supply toilet-paper, clean, etc.). Don’t know about Du Bois. </p>

<p>Freshman-heavy dorms are the Quad and Hill. I wanted the perfect balance between privacy and having a social life, and found it here in Harrison. Not to mention having your own kitchen, living area, bathroom, cafe, “gym,” rooftop lounge, HEATING AND AC CONTROL, etc. Once you guys choose housing in April or so, I’ll make my case for living in Harrison a bit stronger. Most people end up liking where they live anyway.</p>

24

<p>Hiiii fightingquaker. I remember your real life name–do you remember mine? (hint: same floor). Hahaha
Anyway, I also live in Harrison (as can be seen, on the same floor as fightingquaker) and it’s definitely awesome. Yes, the elevators suck, but living in a high rise was definitely a good choice.</p>

<p>Anyway, I’m in Wharton, and I’ll admit that I’ve struggled with the thought of transferring to CAS/dual degree-ing. I’m pretty sure I’m just going to try and get a dual degree, and take an extra semester (since I also plan to study abroad for a full year, which is actually very rare).
Honestly, the reason I’ve been unsure about Wharton is because…well, it was the only business school I applied to, and in the first few months when I went to these “business 101” info sessions, etc., and heard from current people in business…well, you don’t have to be in Wharton to get those jobs by any means. Honestly, while it looks nice on a resume, it’ll only give you a really big leg up on things like investment banking (which I have no desire to do, since you work like 90 hours a week). So I’m taking/going to be taking all these business classes…when in reality, I will end up relearning a lot of it on the job, if I go into business. I mean, they’re definitely interesting (well, I hope they will be…mgmt100 doesn’t really count), but I sometimes feel that I could be and should be taking liberal arts classes instead (because I like a lot of things).
I’m also kind of disappointed in classes because I went to an amazing high school with an awesome pedagogy, but that’s just me (…and another friend from my high school). I’m hoping next semester will be a lot better though (Miller for legal studies is supposed to be amazing, and I’m taking an extra liberal arts course).
Honestly though, I do love Penn. If this came out sounding negative, it’s because I was trying to give my honest 2 cents, and it’s easier to talk about the negative things than the positive ones.</p>

25

<p>Is Penn really competitive in terms of students against students? Are people happy to help others succeed or are they hesitant to help someone get potentially higher grades?</p>

26

<p>And also, I know you’ve explained some of the dorms, but there are so many different houses on the website and I was wondering if you knew which style would be best if my main concern is sharing a bathroom with lots of people?</p>

27

<p>stephaniie- We should room together, ha! That’s one of my main concerns too.</p>

28

<p>Is Penn really competitive in terms of students against students? Are people happy to help others succeed or are they hesitant to help someone get potentially higher grades?</p>

<p>I’m in the College, and I haven’t seen any of this (mostly because our curves, when they exist, are generous). My Wharton roommate says he hasn’t felt the competitiveness yet, but expects it later. My personal experience has been very positive, with people willing to help each other out without hesitation. </p>

<p>And also, I know you’ve explained some of the dorms, but there are so many different houses on the website and I was wondering if you knew which style would be best if my main concern is sharing a bathroom with lots of people?</p>

<p>If you want to share a bathroom with up to three people choose Gregory or Harrison/Harnwell. There are doubles in Harrison and Harnwell too, and yes, you can request a roommate so long as he/she also requests you and you apply with the same houses on your application. Keep in mind that this means you also have to clean your bathroom and supply toilet paper. This has not been a hassle personally for me (thank god for Clorox wipes). But fear not, you have tons of time to think about housing. </p>

<p>Feel free to keep them coming to keep me away from finals. PM me for any questions too.</p>

29

<p>If you don’t mind me asking, what were your stats?</p>

30

<p>Hey! I’ve been looking into Mayer and I can’t figure out if all of the rooms have a bathroom/kitchen or if just some do. Can you comment at all on the types of rooms freshman generally get in Mayer? And what the freshman experience is like at Mayer v. in the quad. The quad sounds awesome but I’m not into floor bathrooms and the Mayer rooms like amazing and it sounds like there is an awesome sense of community.</p>

<p>Is Mayer in Stouffer hall? This is the impression I got. Stouffer’s right outside the quad right?</p>

31

<p>I love Harrison! Haha yeah hopeful underdog, we should be roommates. But yeah I looked at Harrison and loved it. And they accept freshmen! I’m applying asap. Do it with me hopeful underdog!</p>

32

<p>You should check out Stouffer/Mayer! It looks really awesome. I’m about to check out Harrison some more lol</p>

33

<p>But do we still get roommates there because I still want one or at least a apartment mate personish</p>

34

<p>I think we do… I’m trying to look into it. I could be wrong but from what I can tell Stouffer is mostly singles and Mayer is more apartment style living with a bathroom/kitchen and I think freshman usually get a one bedroom apartment (but I think usually 2-3 people live in that one bedroom). Could be wrong here, though.</p>

<p>Both Mayer and Harrison look like great options though!</p>

35

<p>I lived in Harnwell as a first year student in one of the residential programs! I highly recommend doing it. Trading hall style bathrooms for your own apartment and a community that shares one of your interests is a good deal. I loved it!</p>

36

<p>Thanks for your input! I’ll check it out.</p>

37

<p>Just adding my two cents…</p>

<p>I’m also a freshman and I chose to live in the quad. I really like it here; the traditional hall-style is definitely conducive to making a lot of new friends and acquaintances, especially if you’re a little on the shy side. It’s also in the heart of campus. Food is always nearby (food trucks, restaurants, or if you dare…1920 Commons). </p>

<p>However, if I got a chance to redo my housing choice, I would have definitely lived in the high rises. I have a couple of friends who live in Harnwell and they have spacious, well-furnished (wheelie chair & lounge chair!) rooms; some even have living rooms and kitchens. The sense of community is definitely a lot stronger in the high rises. There are always activities going on with the rest of your college house. Also, I plan on living on-campus for the rest of my years here at Penn. It’s pretty difficult to get into the high rises after freshman year if you don’t know someone already living there (freshman, I believe, have a better chance of getting in).</p>

38

<p>Thanks!</p>

<p>Do you feel the “freshman experience” is as strong in the high rises though? I wouldn’t call myself shy, but I’m not completely extroverted. Do you think I’d do better in the quad?</p>

<p>Also, do you know any freshmen who live in Stouffer (or Mayer in particular)? What about freshman in Harrison? Are there any big differences between Harrison and Harnwell?</p>

<p>**Also, can you comment on the party scene? And perhaps how it differs (or doesn’t differ) for people living in different college houses?</p>

39

<p>Hmm…Since the quad is basically full of freshman, you’ll be meeting tons of new people in the same situation as you. However, I think once you start classes, you start meeting people from everywhere. Just because you don’t live in the quad or another college house, it doesn’t mean you can’t to other houses and hang out with people there. </p>

<p>Freshmen in Stouffer…Stouffer has a very strong community; everyone is super friendly there. I’m not so sure about Mayer Hall though. </p>

<p>I don’t know too much about Harrison, but regarding building differences, all the high rises are pretty much the same. I personally know that Harnwell is an awesome place to live. My friends who currently live in the high rises love it there. </p>

<p>As for the party scene, I think it’s pretty much the same everywhere haha. You make what you want of the party scene. If you want to go out, there will be people that also want to go out. The same holds true for people who don’t want to party.</p>

40

<p>thanks !</p>