<p>Basically what the title says. Right now im leaning toward Penn and im going to their penn preview thing. i really like penn because of its open class structure (no core like Uchicago) so i can easily dual degree with CAS/Wharton. Plus, ive heard it is more laid back. and then again, chicago is known for its econ and rigor. i want to later to get into medicine and was wondering which place would you choose with all the things i have said. they are both great cities. the thing is neither of them gave me money. could i possibly appeal for merit money with chicago? i dont have financial need.</p>
<p>bumppppppppppp</p>
<p>You sound more cut out for Penn. Chicago has the rigor you seem to want to avoid, as well as a strong core.</p>
<p>If you want to go into medicine: My mom graduated from the U. of C. with a bio degree and was rejected from med school. This was due to her low grades, as A's are quite a feat to pull at Chicago. And, although there is some grade inflation now, they don't dish out A's like candy.</p>
<p>Another option is for you to take your bio and chem courses after graduating from the U. of C., getting A's from another school. This usually takes one year, and there are these kind of programs for non-bio majors all over the country, perhaps the best known being Columbia. But any school works.</p>
<p>My two cents. I am not at all trying to bash the U. of C. In fact, I will be attending there in the fall. I just wanted to state the facts and warn you what you are in for.</p>
<p>I'm currently at Penn. The nice thing is that what you said about it being laid back is true, to a certain extent. The main difference is that it's pretty much up to you. There are tons of tough courses that will require you to really work hard, like anything in Finance, OPIM, math, etc. But, if you're looking to take it easy, there are courses for that too. </p>
<p>Mainly, they leave it up to you to shape your own decisions. It's also nice that you have the freedom to take classe sbetween schools.</p>
<p>this decision is really getting dicey. it is tough to pick between the two. Chicago has the best econ program in the country, the city of Chicago, great grad schools, and great nobel prize profs. penn has wharton, philly, great atmoshphere and size, and also great grad schools. it is so hard to pick one but it will probably be penn because it has a more laid back nature. anybody else want to convince me to go to chicago?</p>
<p>Not if you want laid-back. U Chicago is famous for its culture of the mind and its intellectualness.</p>
<p>i like intellectual, but i also like it in way when you are being laid back and talk about world issues as well along with religion if you know what i mean.</p>
<p>Mmm... not sure if this will be a factor in your decision, but in general, Penn's dorms are far from great.</p>
<p>Browns, you are like me- you like to discuss "the meaning of life". I went to Chicago, but really didn't find that going on there much, so it was disappointing. Those discussions happen in the most random places-are as likely to happen at the local community college or fast food place or on a street corner as at U Chicago. About the merit money- you have nothing to lose by asking. The two schools are comparable. Penn is a little harder to gain admission to, and has the Ivy League label. U Chicago does have great dorms. Is one better than the other for you geographically?</p>
<p>I don't think I would call Penn particularly "laid back," especially if you were accepted into the Wharton section.</p>
<p>I agree - Penn isn't laid back on the whole. Maybe around 15% of the population don't really care about anything. The rest are quite cut-throat. That said, I think Penn students are MUCH happier than UChi. students. :D</p>
<p>I have never gotten the impression from UPenn students and grads that UPenn is laid back.
The UChicago core is rigorous but I would suspect that UPenn classes are demanding no matter what the subject. </p>
<p>Cities - I prefer Chicago over Philly. The lake makes it heaven! You could request the Shoreland dormitory and get a room with a lake view. That's awesome! (I guess I have a bias b/c I had a cousin who was brutally murdered in Philly but as I have said before, crime can happen anywhere).</p>
<p>Go to UPenn if you prefer and apply to Chicago Med school later - just an idea.</p>
<p>Go to Penn!!! Not even close.</p>
<p>If your only reason for choosing Chicago would be perceived rigor and strength of the Econ program, go to Penn. The social life is a million times better, and the academics at Penn are fantastic. You can get yourself the same education (Penn IS an Ivy, after all), have a better GPA and have a lot more fun. You could try to appeal for merit money at Chicago, but it's doubtful you'd get it.</p>
<p>Seriously, Penn is just as or more prestigious and you are an undergrad, not a PhD. Focus on the important things.</p>
<p>Sounds like Penn is better for you, with the "open class structure," as you put it.</p>
<p>It would come down to whether I preferred an intellectual or pre-professional atmosphere, if I were choosing. Do you want to learn more for the sake of learning or more for the sake of getting a good job?</p>
<p>There will be plenty of intellectuals at Penn.</p>
<p>Yeah go with Penn.</p>
<p>I say Penn. I live a few trainstops away from the University and have been on campus quite a bit and based on what you said, I think that you seem to be leaning towards Penn. Here is the way I'm approaching my decision between two schools (BU & American) as well...</p>
<p>If you go to Penn, will you regret not going to UChicago?</p>
<p>or</p>
<p>If you go to UChicago, will you regret not going Penn?</p>
<p>The problem is now that my parents will also have to put my other brother through a college in a year, and thus they would also feel the obligation of paying for a 45,000 dollar institution as well. If not, it would truly be a double standard. I just wonder if Penn is really worth that extra cost. I could also choose Ohio State instate, but how can i really pass up on Penn? If i were to apply for fin. aid my sophmore year with my brother in college, and let us say my dad makes about 200k, would i receive any sort of fin. aid given that he is also nearing retirement?</p>
<p>I had to choose between the following colleges:
Bard College-10,000 scholarship
Penn
WashU
U Chicago
Vanderbilt
Emory
Berkeley
UCLA
Michigan
Case-21,000 scholarship
OSU-5,000 scholarship</p>