<p>I'm having real problems deciding whether going to Reed or to Upenn! I will be starting classes this fall and I just got off the waiting list at Upenn yet I am currently enrolled at Reed. Losing the enrollment payment is not a real problem yet I love both colleges and I don't know where I should go. I am going to be a double physics and theology major and I'm an international student from Costa Rica. I love Upenn because its in the east coast and the environment and social life really attracts me not to mention its an ivy league and very good in physics. Yet, Reed is a college which gives undergraduates a special focus, it centers in truth seeking which is very much what I'm looking for and is also excellent in physics, it has a really eco friendly environment and they have told me Portland is beautiful. I'm having real trouble making my decision, any advices?</p>
<p>What's a Reed? Well, I'm kidding and you should probably research the more subjective issues and make a decision based on that?</p>
<p>Btw, I think 99.99999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999% of the known world would tell you to go to Upenn if there are no financial concerns.</p>
<p>Wow, I can't imagine two schools more different than Reed and Penn.</p>
<p>Wow. These are VERY different schools. Reed is very small, very intellectual (not to say that Penn isn't, but Reed is more intense about it) with a pretty defined hippy/hipster/alternative culture. It's really near Portland, but feel suburban.</p>
<p>UPenn is IN the city. It is a lot bigger, with a lot more variety of people and, overall, a far more sporty/preppy feel (not that it is particularly so in comparision to all schools, but it is in comparison to Reed). IMO, you should definitely make this decision based on what kind of environment you’d feel more comfortable it. If you’re really not sure, UPenn might be the better choice, because they’ll be a larger varity of kinds of people…OTOH, for some people Reed is absently perfect, and many of those people would not be as happy at UPenn.</p>
<p>UPenn, unless Reed is world renowned in your major and specializes in physics and theology... which it doesn't.
Congrats on getting off the waiting list!</p>
<p>Churyumov, you're going to find that a lot of people on CC are going to tell you to got to UPenn just because it is ivy-league and renowned. And no, I'm not speaking of the above posters, but the vast majority of CCers are ivy-league centric.</p>
<p>Physics and theology are quite strong at Reed, an intense liberal arts college with a dedicated focus to undergraduates. UPenn is bigger, more renowned, but by extension not as undergrad focused. You will find that UPenn will also have excellent programs in physics and theology. And though UPenn is literally in a city, Reed is only a 10-15 minute bus ride from Portland, so you get to enjoy city life when you want to, but not be in the midst of it. </p>
<p>Reed is also very very rigorous, perhaps more so than UPenn. Reed is known for having stressed students who work extremely hard, but that is the environment. Reed truly is an academic and intellectual powerhouse of a school. UPenn is too, but only by its nature of being ivy league. What I'm saying is that an ivy league school is an ivy league school is an ivy league school. UPenn just enjoys a strong business program and nice location. However, there is frankly no college quite like Reed in terms of academic and social atmosphere, and perhaps no institution quite like it too (with the exception of UChicago.)</p>
<p>You can't go wrong with either. Both are great. But I have a soft spot for Reed College :)</p>
<p>Penn's physics department is ranked in the top 20 nationally, and its religion department is ranked in the top 10 nationally, so it's highly ranked in both of your intended majors. Further, many of Penn's other liberal arts departments are ranked in either the top 10 or the top 20 in the nation. </p>
<p>As others have said, Penn and Reed are completely different types of schools and environments. Of course, you'll find a much greater variety of courses, students, activities, etc. at Penn. Also, most undergrads in Penn's College of Arts and Sciences seem pleased with their courses and the undergraduate focus of their professors, especially once they get beyond the basic intro courses. Additionally, under Penn's "One University" policy, all undergrads are strongly encouraged to take courses in more than one of the undergraduate schools (College, Wharton, Engineering, Nursing) and in most of Penn's graduate and professional schools (Graduate School of Arts and Sciences, Law School, Annenberg School for Communication, School of Design, School of Social Policy and Practice, Graduate School of Education, etc.), without the need for any special dispensation. This allows undergrads to explore far beyond the traditional undergraduate liberal arts curriculum.</p>
<p>So unless you have a preference for the environment of a small liberal arts college, Penn has a lot more to offer in terms of variety, breadth, and depth.</p>
<p>"They have told you Portland is beautiful" - have you not been able to visit?</p>
<p>If you go to Penn, you have the option of taking courses at Swarthmore, which is a direct 20 minute train ride connecting stations on the two campuses.</p>
<p>Actually, here's another thought--you say you want to major in "theology." Do you mean "Religion"? Because the two are not the same, and as far as I know, Reed does not have a theology major, and I would guess Penn does not either. </p>
<p>I know it is now too late to change if you really mean "theology." But if you hapen to also be looking for a school with an active Religious population as well, Reed, which sells shirts that have the unofficial school creast with the motto "Communism, Athieism, Free love," might not be the best place. Not to say that there aren't religious communities there, I'm sure thier are, but Penn will probably offer you more/larger options in that regard, both because of its size and the wider variety of kinds of people it attracts.</p>
<p>OTOH, if I'm totally off base with this and it doesn't make a differance to you, feel free to ignore :D</p>
<p>Another thought: I've heard its harder to double major at Reed than most schools because of its demanding distriubtion requirments and such (you might even have to pass their intense junior year examination in both majors if you double, I'm not sure). As far as I know, things would be easier in that regard at Penn.</p>
<p>No, I have never visited Portland but I did do a summer camp at Upenn so in that way I know much more about Penn</p>
<p>Well I wasn't aware there was a difference between theology and religion, I am actually not a religious person, I'm an agnostic but i have been very interested in religious studies all my life, I guess if there is a difference then I meant religion, sorry for the mistake. I actually like Reed in that sense since I am well pretty close to being considered a socialist atheist...</p>
<p>Since you're interested in physics, that often means research, and that requires a PhD. Some time back interesteddad compiled a list of the top 100 schools in the country by percentage of all undergrads (not just physics majors) who later earn a PhD in physics/astronomy; UPenn was not on the list (which is why I stopped at 10/13). Here are the top ten (13 with ties):</p>
<p>PhDs and Doctoral Degrees:
ten years (1994 to 2003) from NSF database</p>
<p>Number of Undergraduates:
ten years (1989 to 1998) from IPEDS database</p>
<p>Formula: Total PhDs divided by Total Grads, multiplied by 1000 </p>
<p>Note: Does not include colleges with less than 1000 graduates over the ten year period</p>
<p>1 California Institute of Technology 96
2 Harvey Mudd College 64
3 Massachusetts Institute of Technology 29
4 New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology 20
5 Reed College 13
6 Carleton College 13
7 Princeton University 13
8 University of Chicago 13
9 Rice University 13
10 Case Western Reserve University 9
11 Harvard University 9
12 Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute 9
13 Swarthmore College 9</p>
<p>Plus, Reed is the only school in the country with a nuclear reactor run by undergrads.</p>
<p>Reed also has a strong religion program: Reed</a> College Department of Religion</p>
<p>
[quote]
Another thought: I've heard its harder to double major at Reed than most schools because of its demanding distriubtion requirments and such (you might even have to pass their intense junior year examination in both majors if you double, I'm not sure). As far as I know, things would be easier in that regard at Penn.
[/quote]
A double major at Reed is reported to be exceedingly difficult in eight semesters, mostly because of two required theses (as well as two junior quals).</p>
<p>This doesn't answer your question, but what I would like to know is how you managed to apply to both UPenn and Reed. In other words, how in the world were you deciding which colleges to apply to that led you to these two completely different schools?</p>
<p>well Upenn was all along my first choice and i actually only applied to reed because my counselor was completely obsessed with the college but when I did some further research I realized I loved its whole education policy since I myself am very kind of tree hugger and at the same time nerdy type so my choice ended up being between those two</p>
<p>U Penn...yes I know, very cliche.</p>
<p>Actually, in terms of ecological/environmental consciousness, Penn is one of the top colleges/universities in the US:</p>
<p>
[quote]
University of Pennsylvania’s New Wind Energy Commitment Puts It Back on Top Among Peers
April 28, 2008</p>
<p>PHILADELPHIA -- The University of Pennsylvania is increasing its use of renewable wind energy during the next two years, earning the University the rank of top consumer of wind energy among institutions of higher education across the nation, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.</p>
<p>Penn has ranked consistently as one of the nation’s Top 25 green-power purchasers since the EPA began ranking institutions in 2005.</p>
<p>The University, which purchases its wind energy through Community Energy of Radnor, Pa., will purchase an additional 80,000 megawatt hours per year, bringing its total wind-energy purchase to nearly 200,000 megawatt hours per year. This figure is the equivalent to powering 22,000 average homes in the United States for a year. Penn’s current wind-energy contracts continue through 2011, with the supplemental purchase retroactively covering 2007 and 2008.</p>
<p>“We are proud to expand our sizeable commitment to clean and renewable wind energy,” Penn President Amy Gutmann said. “This is yet another demonstrable step that Penn is taking as a leader in a global effort to achieve environmental sustainability.”
Purchasing wind energy is one element of Penn’s Green Campus Partnership, a multi-year strategic plan to achieve climate neutrality.</p>
<p>In February 2007 Dr. Gutmann was the first Ivy League signatory to the American College and University Presidents’ Climate Commitment, requiring Penn to develop a long-range plan for carbon neutrality. An interdisciplinary committee of students, faculty and staff are at work on this plan, which will be completed in the fall of 2009.</p>
<p>“By the completion of our sustainability plan in 2009, we expect to unveil additional programs including continued participation in sustainable energy," Anne Papageorge, vice president for facilities and real estate services at Penn, said.</p>
<p>Additional information about Penn’s commitment to environmental sustainability is at Penn</a> Green Campus Partnership.
[/quote]
</p>
<p>I'd say Penn. I'm thunderingly biased, of course. But Penn is about as green as an urban university is going to get.</p>
<p>And they're building even more greenspace on what used to be parking lots and US Post Office buildings. Check out the master plan Penn</a> Connects : — Home</p>
<p>Oh and check out the biopond--an amazing hidden urban gem. UPenn</a> - SAS - Department of Biology - Biopond</p>
<p>The answer to your question depends on how big a risk-taker you are.</p>
<p>You've been to Penn. You know what it looks like, what Philadelphia is like. Penn is a "name brand" Ivy school here in the U.S. so you won't have folks pausing when you tell them where you go to school and saying, "where's that?" There are a larger number of international students at Penn than at Reed, which might be a good thing. You'll have more of the "traditional" college experience people visualize of U.S. schools at Penn -- football games, frats and sororities, etc. You'll be on the east coast and closer to the places many international students picture visiting in the U.S. -- NY, D.C., Boston. Academically, you'll find Penn students just a tad more career focused than Reedies, but you will also find plenty of academic challenge.</p>
<p>Reed is the riskier option. It's not the "traditional U.S. college experience." No football games, no sororities/frats, but lots of intense intellectual conversations. You haven't visited so you're making your choice on pictures and second-hand impressions, but Reed's campus is as beautiful as it looks in the pictures (and by the way, you'll hardly be in the hinterlands of suburbia - lots of shopping, cafes, coffee houses within a short walk of campus). But, if you want to see more of the U.S. on a weekend, you'll be heading to Seattle, San Francisco, or LA, and probably not NY, Boston or Philadelphia which are six hour plane flights away. The west coast has its own sensibility -- more laid back, definitely more ecologically concerned. Portland's very livable, and has lots of charms of its own (including a great art scene, independent music, etc.), but it's not Philadelphia or NY. Finally, while Reed is known by some, drop its name into conversations and you're less likely to find someone has heard of it. You will have an intense intellectual and academic experience at Reed --- for some, it's too much. So, there is some risk there as well if you're not sure you want to work that hard.</p>
<p>So, think about what level of risk feels comfortable, and go with your gut instinct. They are both great schools, but as everyone's said, you'll have very different experiences at them. But, since they are both great, there is no wrong answer here, just different choices. Trust your instinct.</p>