<p>I'm trying to evaluate the A&S schools at Penn and Uva. Aside from tuition differentials for in-state students at Uva, I'm interested in comparisons between the schools' academic programs/departments and the on-campus social dynamics (aside from urban vs. rural settings). Thanks in advance.</p>
<p>Penn’s and ivy, UVA is a public school</p>
<p>UVA is more easy-going being that it is a public school and it is a feeder for kids who couldn’t do much else coming out of a VA high school than get into their local college. Hence, you’ll have people on campus who do not represent the intellectual curiosity that you’d find at Penn. Also, from what I hear, the greek life is more robust on Penn campus.</p>
<p>Also, the academic departments at Penn will be stronger than those at UVA because Penn is more selective about admissions so the students are stronger, raising department standards.</p>
<p>Both are very good schools but I suspect that Penn is ultimately better in most areas. That’s not to say that UVA doesn’t have strong programs…if you google UVA undergraduate program rankings, the first link is pretty comprehensive. I would definitely go with Penn if told to decide between the two though.</p>
<p>Are you just applying? Then go ahead and apply to both. That is of course if the app fees are no issue. Honestly, when comparing these two institutions I honestly don’t think you can take rankings into account. If you get into both there will be no bad options. Both offer first rate educations (Yes, UVa isn’t an Ivy, but in the bigger picture that doesn’t really matter). I would say pick based on which department is stronger. For example, if you wanted to do premed I’d go with Penn because they have an amazing med school, and thus amazing undergrad research opportunities. For the social aspects, the atmosphere is just different. I can’t really explain it.</p>
<p>^Unless there’s a large difference between the quality of departments, I don’t think it should be much of an issue in this case. Even if UVA had a slightly better program in my major, I would still want to go to Penn because a lot more people are intellectual (as stated by necrophiliac).</p>
<p>The academics at both are excellent. I do not believe you would notice much of a difference in teaching quality or the level of the material. Mainly, the campus culture at UVA will be slower paced and your peers will be less Type-A and super competitive. Basketball is well followed at Penn but sports will be far more prominent at UVA.</p>
<p>Maybe wharton is super-competitive, but not penn as a whole. i would also encourage you to go out of state for college. those four years can be a wonderful leap into independence.</p>
<p>ya i agree. u need the college experience, plus it’s not bad to experience it at penn where you would get the ivy degree while having fun.</p>
<p>Many thanks for your input. As I research and evaluate the academics at both schoolsespecially the strengths of the Classics departments at eachI am trying to understand differences in the social pulses at each university, also. Not particularly interested in dynamic greek life at Penn, unless it has a negative impact on a potential non-greek-life student. I enjoy partying, but I am more interested in finding a balance in body, mind, and spirit.</p>