<p>I have gotten accepted into both University of Pennsylvania and Princeton but I am unsure about what decision to make. My thoughts are a bit scrambled so i will just jot them down.
I know this is long - but help is greatly appreciated :)</p>
<p>The academic environment.
As of right now I have a focus in engineering but that might change. Which school would prepare me for a engineering profession? Which school would allow for the easiest transition to another career goal? And how are the freshman seminars?</p>
<p>I also want to know about the academic support available at both schools? I'm quite certain I am not stupid :) But I am aware that I will be attended school with some of the nation's brightest. I want to know that if i were to start falling behind i would be able to talk to the professors (again rumors that UPenn professors are hard to get a hold of) or seek help from advisors. </p>
<p>The social environment.
I understand that both UPenn and Princeton are competitive Ivy Leagues but which if any has a more relaxed environment. (I have heard that UPenn students are always stressed) I want to go to a school where people are not stressing but enjoying the learning process. Does either of the schools seem to have a lot of Greek life? And are Princeton's Food Clubs really a big deal on campus? and anyone know about the outdoors clubs?</p>
<p>UPenn undergrad is roughly twice as large as Princeton undergrad. What are the positives or negatives of each. I am a bit wary of the size of UPenn's undergrad. Are the classes very large? I would like to hear from some Penn students. Do you still feel as if you are a part of the class or does the size get overwhelming. Is there a community feel with such a large class? If so, how is it achieved?. And at Princeton, is your family your residential college or do you get to branch out?</p>
<p>The physical environment.
UPenn is urban while Princeton is suburban. What are the advantages and the disadvantages of either? Does it ever bother Princeton students that they are not in or next to a larger city? Is buying a bike a good idea for getting around?</p>
<p>Which brings me to the point that my boyfriend of 3.5 years has made the decision to go to UPenn (over Yale, Columbia, Dartmouth & Stanford - crazy right?). I am not worried about "how to keep our relationship alive", I both happy to say that we both love each other enough to make it work. I just want to know if it would be 'easy' to commute from Princeton to UPenn every other week or so. I believe there is a train to Philadelphia and that the cities are about 40 minutes apart. But with college class schedules and extracurriculars (especially at these great Universities) does it look possible- easy, ok, difficult, insane? Does anyone have information about that train?</p>
<p>Again constructive advice is needed and greatly appreciated!
Thank You</p>
<p>You think your boyfriend is “crazy” because he chose Penn over other Ivys?? ahahahahahahaha. Sorry, that was just funny.
I did visit Penn and absolutely loved it. I’m a really social person and thought it was great because Penn’s greek life is present around campus and people were very friendly. Princeton does have “Eating Clubs” not food clubs lol and some of them are extremely competitive to get into.
When I visited Princeton, I hated it. People I met were so rude and the surrounding area was so boring. There are small boutique stores but that’s pretty much it.
Keep in mind that both schools are close to NYC. It’s only an hour bus ride from Penn to the city.
Academically speaking, Princeton is way more undergraduate-focused. I think that might be better for you if you want to have lots of attention from your profs.
I think you should visit both schools and decide. Good luck!</p>
<p>I was in the same crazy position last week. </p>
<p>Penn and Princeton are both amazing schools so academically speaking it comes down to the small things that matter in choosing between the two. Someone I heard on a video say that Princeton is a liberal arts school on steroids. Which I think is good although it wasn’t what I had originally wanted. In my opinion Princeton brings together the best of small classes as well as world class research opportunities. And because Princeton’s graduate programs are not as extensive as Penn’s you will be more able to partake in those opportunities. Also, because professors won’t be rushing off to their graduate students I think that they’ll be a lot more open and available, and with fewer students more time to talk one on one if needed. I don’t know about engineering in particular however.</p>
<p>Academic support I think would also be better (I think) if there are fewer students.</p>
<p>I think the schools are different socially. While Penn has been a school known for its study hard party hard atmosphere (though there are always exceptions) what really frightened me was the preprofessional atmosphere that I’ve heard exists which is a little bit to like my high school. Eating clubs are more for upperclassman, and about 80% participate in them so I guess it’s a big deal. You can do a host of activities in them since they are actually mansions that have been converted and hold more than just food! Coops (where you cook meals as a group) exist if you don’t want to be part of the Eating clubs. </p>
<p>In terms of location though I was originally leaning towards a city (like Penn!) because I live in the suburbs I did learn as I spent my summer studying at a university over the summer that it could be a distraction at times when you’re friends are going some place amazing and you can’t because you need to do work. Though the plentiful activity offerings at Princeton will probably have a similar effect, Princeton as a town is a lot less overwhelming. Plus, city visits will be even more special. And btw. There is a train station right on campus! And to answer your questions on bikes I saw quite a few (actually many) bikes when I visited over the weekend so it does not seem like a bad idea to have one as well. Penn’s surrounding area is also amazing, many shops and the like, def a bustling city though it isn’t exactly right in Philly (for better or worse.) Being in the city may allow for opportunities such as internships during the school year that may be more of a challenge from Princeton to either city a few times a week. </p>
<p>I hope this is a help from one Penn vs. Princeton student to another. Both are great choices and either one would give you amazing opportunities. B</p>