Questions For Current/Past Students From A Potential Transfer Applicant

Colleges and Universities A-Z University of Pennsylvania
1

<p>I am currently a freshman at Case Western Reserve University, and am reviewing my options for transfer. I came up with a list of eight schools to apply to as a rising sophomore, realizing that most of them are reaches. However, I am not seeking to be chanced, as I too can read statistics and come up with the same conclusions. Instead, I have some questions, the type not normally covered in promotional materials or the school’s website. I am hoping that any current or former students can help shed some light on these matters:</p>

<p>• How flexible is Penn with transfer credits? I assume all will transfer, but mostly as blank. Is there a limit on how many of them can count towards the major or to general education requirements?
• How frequently is the school paper published? Is it easy to become involved as a regular columnist? What is the general quality of it?
• Should there be a need, how extensive are student support (academic) resources available?
• How do the libraries rate as far as quality, volume, and diversity of collection? Is there 24/7 access during the school year? Is there anything else important about the libraries to note?
• How ubiquitous is wifi access? What is the quality/stability of the wired network in dorms and around campus?
• How easy is it to create a new club and receive funding? Are there any non-obvious restrictions that one should be abreast of?
• What is the quality of speakers brought to campus? Is there a general political balance, or is selection skewed to one side? How are speakers chosen, and who brings them in?
• As far as television goes, I assume the rooms have basic cable. Is it possible to purchase an upgrade?
• How active is the campus Jewish community? If one looks, can they easily find other Jews?
• Since Penn is the so called “Social Ivy”, can anybody elaborate on the parties there?
• What else is there to do on campus? Off campus?
• Is the Greek scene dominant? How are the Jewish frats treated?
• How friendly is the school to transfer students? Is the transition fairly painless?
• How helpful is the school with aiding in the location of summer internships? Is there research in the social sciences available during the year? If so, how easy is it to become involved with it?
• How exactly does sub-matriculation to the law school work?
• It is possible to take classes at other colleges (Wharton) than the one admitted to, correct? Are there any burdensome concerns that make doing so hard?
• Are there any other small or obscure perks that your school offers which may not be widely known? (ex: Case Western students can access the entire O’Reilly catalogue online, and the school supposedly offers free massages to students sometime just before finals.)
• Is there anything else a potential transfer student should know before either applying or coming here?</p>

2

<p>transfer credit is hard to come by.
if it's like an obscure course that you took, you probably won't get credit.
but for the generic courses like introductory microeconomics, calculus, introductory psychology, etc, you'll be fine. </p>

<p>and to answer some of your other questions:
quality of speakers?: nonexistent.. hahahaha :]
ease of transfer?: penn is not the friendliest of places, but there are always a big group of other transfer students that you'll get to know. there really isn't much to do on campus. i had more fun at my previously attended school.</p>

3

<p>school paper (The</a> Daily Pennsylvanian)is published every weekday, and it has a million dollar budget, if that indicates quality of production (it's an independent, receiving no university funding), plenty of dp alums are at top publications.</p>

<p>academic resources are peachy</p>

<p>libraries are all over the place (Libraries</a> on the University of Pennsylvania Campus), tons of materials available, only one area is 24 hours (rosengarten student study center), also libraries in dorms</p>

<p>wifi is all over the place (Wireless</a> at Penn), wired is generally more stable just because buildings with stone obviously have difficulty in signal transmission, but in general you shouldn't have a problem.</p>

<p>clubs are easy, i think we need 4 interested students, that's it... (Procedures</a> for Starting a Club)</p>

<p>tv actually has a decent lineup in the package (||</a> PVN Channel Lineup & Reception Status ||), but no upgrades are possible if you're in a dorm.</p>

<p>tons of jewish people, you'll have absolutely no problem there (Welcome</a> to the Jewish Community at Penn | Penn Hillel).</p>

<p>explore philadelphia!</p>

<p>do we have jewish frats? no idea there... but greek system isn't overwhelmingly dominant...</p>

<p>tons of research going on at all times...</p>

<p>sub-matriculation is very challenging, more info here (Submatriculation:</a> B.A./J.D.)</p>

<p>taking classes in other undergraduate (or even graduate) schools is easy</p>

<p>um tons of perks, specify what type you mean?</p>

4

<p>You're not going to find anything more at Penn than at Case to be honest. It's what you make of your time at each school. I wouldn't transfer unless you're deathly miserable. Students @ Case have just as much opportunity as those coming from Penn as long as they make the most of their time. </p>

<p>GL</p>

5

<p>Thank you both for your answers to my questions. They have been quite helpful. Does anybody else have any other input, particularly with regards to any of the questions not yet answered?</p>