<p>Does UPenn still have GSIs/TAs lead recitation/discussion sections for lower-division and introductory classes, as opposed to the professors doing both the lecturing and the small group discussions? I'm strongly considering applying to UPenn, but class size and accessibility of professors as opposed to merely GSIs and TAs is important to me. Thanks!</p>
<p>Intro classes tend to be anywhere between 150 and 350 students, so TAs will lead recitations. That said, I never had a course where the professor did not offer (and stick to) office hours. In my first lecture, of 80 students, the professor knew literally every single student’s name within the first two weeks, and she was always available.</p>
<p>Don’t be fooled, however. I had quite a few professors who had no interest in teaching introductory courses (or no ability to do so… or a combination of both), and that was challenging since I also appreciate speaking directly to professors. I had five courses where I never spoke to the professor (though I did have extended conversations with the former governor of Pennsylvania when I had his class!). If you are looking for a place where the professor himself will teach all aspects of the course, Penn isn’t it.</p>
<p>That said, I took 33 courses at Penn. Eight were lec/rec (four courses in my major). Out of the eight TAs who taught recitations, I felt that five were exceptional teachers, two were adequate and one was just awful. In many instances, it was actually to our benefit that a graduate student was leading the recitation since grad students can offer a different perspective to what professors say in lecture. In every course except for Math, which I just didn’t understand at all, I consistently left recitation understanding far more than when I went in.</p>