<p>Not to be presumptious about likelihood of admissions, I'm interested in why a liberal arts major (economics/philosophy/history) would pick Penn over Duke/NW/WU. Exclude weather as a factor. I know the whole Ivy league prestige thing, but I'm interested from the perspective of a total undergraduate experience and preparation for future. Son is into to Wash U; he loved the campus, size and prospective academics but is losing interest because of desire to watch D1 sports (maybe with a painted face (duke) or throwing toast at football games (Penn). I had one son at Chicago and another at Oberlin, both of whom went to the right school for them, and I want to be able to help son compare and contrast the opportunities. For example, are undergraduates valued at Penn in terms of availability and commitment of top professors? I know it is less warm and fuzzy than Wash U. Son doesn't need trophies or goody bags after finals, but would like to be able to get committed teachers.</p>
<p>I found that if you take the first step, to reach out to the professors, they will reciprocate. The opportunity for deep and meaningful interaction is there, but it is not served to you on a silver platter. I had phenomenal first-name relationships with professors, and met up with them on the other side of the planet for a clandestine tour of a palace closed to the public for restoration, followed by drinks…i still stop in and say hello to the ones still there when I am on campus–which I admit isn’t often what with my presently living in India…</p>
<p>I have an interesting perspective as I went to Wash U’s summer program and now go to Penn as a freshman. Firstly, I would say that it is much easier to talk to professors in a small seminar setting than a large lecture. With that out of the way, I have found Wash U and Penn to have similar ‘accessibility’ of their professors. </p>
<p>At Penn, even in classes of 160+, professors and TAs have known my name and face. One of my professors in a huge lecture hall of over 180+, knew EVERY student and every time they missed. We were also encouraged to ask questions whenever during the class. In my art history class, we are told to hold questions til the end, but there is a good 5-10 mins reserved for asking questions after the lecture that is class time, not <em>extra</em>. </p>
<p>Seminars are even better though…in my writing seminar, my professor got to really know me and my classmates. I can’t get into a lot of detail, but basically, the great professors will really go that extra mile to get you special opportunities. </p>
<p>That said, there are of course, bad teachers…who are very disorganized but not particularly ill-intentioned.</p>
<p>Another thing I would particularly say as a difference between Wash U is St. Louis vs. Philadelphia. In Philly, it is very easy and relatively safe to go down to Center City and do interesting things. Personally, I never felt safe in St. Louis as there was no one on the streets after about 6:00, and there was just cat-calling from the road. YMMV.</p>