<pre><code> Though I haven't visited yet, I like and have always like the vibe at UPenn. The location, the academics, the history etc. I could go on. However, I also get the feel that it's a school largely for people who already know what they want to do in life, like Claremont McKenna. I'm more looking for an intellectual kind of atmosphere since I'm still unsure about what I want to do yet. Is this the case? If so, I think it might be better for me to just scratch it off the list and save it for Law school.
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<p>Penn has about 6,400 undergraduates in its liberal arts component, the College of Arts and Sciences. That’s as many liberal arts undergrads as–and in many cases MORE than–there are at virtually all of the other top private universities. While Penn certainly has a strong pre-professional ethos–due largely to the presence of the Wharton and Nursing, and to a lesser extent Engineering, undergraduate programs–there are still a significant number of undergrads (thousands) who arrived at Penn NOT knowing what they want to do in life. Penn is extremely supportive of undergrads who want to explore academically, and the curriculum and policies of the College of Arts and Sciences strongly encourage it.</p>
<p>Like its academic peers, Penn is a relatively large and diverse research university, and there’s plenty of room for all types of undergraduates, pre-professional or otherwise. And as I said, you’ll find THOUSANDS there who are as uncertain of their future career plans as are their counterparts at other top schools.</p>
<p>Penn has many students like you. Many students to not know exactly what they want to do initially. </p>
<p>While there is clearly every type of student at a University of Penn’s size, to me Penn has an ethos of students who are bright, sociable, and actively involved. Students tend not to be satisfied with only getting an education from sitting in a lecture hall and learning from books. They also want to participate through labs, research, clubs, internships, international programs, etc. They tend to be very engaged. </p>
<p>Additionally, many students prioritize carving out some level of time for socializing. Many of the students quickly develop strong bonds with their peers and support each other.</p>
<p>From the Penn web site:</p>
<p>“How important is it that I identify a major when I apply to Penn?
Not very important is the short answer. Identifying a major certainly gives the admissions committee a sense of which direction you’re leaning, but what you check on the application has no bearing on your course of study once enrolled. Over half of the students who identify an intended course of study on their application end up pursuing something else once at Penn. Half of the College’s applicants check the “undecided” box from the outset!”</p>
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<p>There isn’t the slightest similarity between Penn and Claremont McKenna.</p>
<p>My D is there now. She’s at Wharton but still doesn’t know what she wants to do and hasn’t felt any pressure to go one direction or another. She’s even considering law, politics and non-profits. I’d say that it’s fine to be either focused, pre-professional and curious, intellectual - She kind of found a community of people within the larger community and seems cool with that.</p>
<p>Many undeclared engineering majors as well.</p>
<p>You do need to pick which college to apply to, although you can switch eventually if you want to.</p>
<p>^It’s tough to switch from CAS to Wharton.</p>
<p>Thanks for all the info guys!</p>
<p>I believe I posted about that on another thread. The short of it is, they will take some people who want to transfer into Wharton, but it is limited to available space. It would be interesting to see how many people are rejected from transferring, and if they can try again.</p>
<p>@IlariaCaelestis The one thing that Penn does better than almost any other college is to provide its students with access to excellent liberal arts programs, as well as outstanding pre-professional programs. Most top schools either do not have significant business and engineering programs, or they have an engineering focus and lack the breadth and depth of liberal arts programs. At Penn, student have access to both, and under the One Penn policy, students have the opportunity to take courses in all of its colleges.</p>