<p>Im beginning to seriously consider UPenn, but I have some questions and I was wondering if some current/recently graduated students could answer them. These are my main concerns for now, and Ill post more if I think of them.</p>
<p>1) Even though UPenn is a big school, do you still feel like professors are engaging and actually care about students? Or do many professors act like they are there only because they have to be? Are many classes taught by TAs? If so, how are the TAs as teachers? Someone told me of a friend who never got taught by the professor in freshmen math or something like that does that sound like a rare case or the norm?
2) Competition: Ive heard two different sides of this. Some say students are just really competitive with themselves because they want to push themselves so they just seem intense. Others say that students are really competitive because the classes are curved a lot so people try to do better than others - they are focusing on their career (grades I guess?) more than "intellectual exploration." Im looking for an environment where I can work hard and study by myself but still be able to collaborate and work/study with others (as Ive done in high school).
3) Are people cliquey? Ive heard this is true especially with different ethnic groups but Im wondering in general if people are eager to meet new people throughout all 4 years or if people just stick with their same groups of friends? I also heard that how much money you have somewhat dictates who you become friends with. Would you agree?
4) Drinking/Partying. This is kinda making me uneasy. Ive read that UPenn is one of the more drinking/partying oriented Ivy schools. While obviously drinking goes on at every college, does it dominate most peoples social lives at UPenn? It would be nice if a guy responded since a girl there told me she goes out like twice a month and then just hangs out with her friends, watching TV or doing other stuff, but I dont know if it would be the same for guys (to just watch movies or play a game one night etc) Its not that I dont want to party/drink, I just dont want to feel like thats the only way I can have fun in college. And I know UPenn has a lot of events going on like plays and stuff but do many students (whether big partiers or not) actually attend? Or are they there just for the losers who dont want to party? I dont know if Im reading too much into this aspect of UPenn, its just that all the college review books and people Ive talked to have mentioned how prevalent drinking is, and Im afraid of only meeting people who went to UPenn because they were looking for this exact social scene.</p>
<p>Thanks for taking the time to honestly answer these questions. I really appreciate it!</p>
<p>1) As tenebrousfire said, it’s a mixed bag. Most of the professors I’ve had here have been great. I think the majority of the classes here are taught by professors (lol, I used to know the stat when I worked as a tour guide over the summer…want to say it’s over 90%?) although recitations are usually led by TAs (grad or undergrad students, depending on the department) There are some classes (usually seminars) that are led by grad students though.</p>
<p>2) From my experience, it’s competitive in the sense that you’re trying to stay on top of the average, since most classes are curved. But in terms of individuals, most of the people I’ve interacted with aren’t cutthroat competitive and there’s generally a collaborative atmosphere.</p>
<p>3) It can be I guess; people tend to hang out with groups they’re in (e.g. I play on a club sports team and we’re all pretty close knit and hang out even after practice and such) My friends and I always joke that certain ethnic groups tend to walk around campus in mobs, but I think freshman year most people are pretty open to meeting new people. After freshman year though I think people tend to settle down into their smaller groups.</p>
<p>4) There’s lots of stuff to do that doesn’t involve drinking/partying if that’s not your scene. I guess it depends on you friend group; most of my close friends aren’t as into the party scene (like they’ll go out once in a while, but not every weekend) so we often end up just chilling in the apartment, watch a movie, etc.</p>
<p>1) Not my professors, but I’m in Wharton and take classes based on how easy they are and not how great the professors are. That’s totally my fault. I don’t think I’ve ever seen a class taught by a TA but they lead recitations (like at every other college…)</p>
<p>2) It’s the curve, and only in curved classes. I’ve never encountered someone opposed to studying together. I think we realize that helping one person out probably won’t screw up the entire curve for you.</p>
<p>3) Yes. Penn is made up of a number of subcommunities. Definitely not just racial/ethnic groups, but also sports teams, Greek life, student government, the performing arts crowd, etc. You still meet a ton of people though because the campus is so huge. Personally I don’t mind beind part of a niche community because I can choose whether I want to see familiar faces or step out in the greater campus community and meet new people. I don’t really agree with the money thing except for snobby people who only hang out with snobby people. It’s an Ivy, it’s expected.</p>
<p>4) I know plenty of sober people or people who don’t like partying. Perhaps Penn isn’t as conducive to that kind of lifestyle as other schools but it’s fine I think. I’ve definitely spent nights playing board games or going out to karaoke or watching movies with friends before.</p>