<p>I feel the issue of diversity is well, a non-issue, at Penn.</p>
<p>By that, I mean that I don't buy the idea that there's like segregation at Penn. I'm Indian, and I've found that even though campus is filled with people of all different ethnicities, Indian people often have a circle of Indian friends. It has nothing to do with the institution or anything, it's just that people of common interest or background may hang out together. My friends are of all different ethnicities here, but there are times when I'll go to a South Asian Society event and hang out with other Indian people I know.</p>
<p>What I'm saying is that the notion of ethnic self-segregation at Penn is dependent entirely on the individual. You can be as integrated, as self-segregated, or as purposely deterred from hanging with people of your ethnicity, as you want. I'm sure Columbia is like this too.</p>
<p>Also:</p>
<p>Penn's campus is not as big as you seem to fear. I am ridiculously out of shape, and I have no problem going from one end of campus to another. Obviously the closer stuff is the more convenient it is. But I feel as though Columbia's campus is more cramped and packed than Penn's is sprawling and tiring. I go to 40th street all the time. </p>
<p>In fact, getting around in NYC will be more of a hassle than at Penn. For example, SEPTA, Philly's public transportation system, went on strike briefly in the fall. However, during that short time, whenever friends and I wanted to go downtown, it was just a couple miles of walking. In January, the high almost reached 70 on a couple of days, so I walked all the way to the eastern border of the city a couple of times. That luxury wont be there at Columbia, as the walk from campus to downtown is much greater in NYC than in Philly. Sure there are cabs, but even that will take much longer to get around New York than Philadelphia.</p>
<p>Note: I had this same debate last year, Penn v. Columbia, and I chose Penn, so I've definitely thought this one through. I wouldn't throw around haphazard comments unless it was a consideration of mine last year.</p>