Rutgers Honors VS Penn

Colleges & Universities A-Z University of Pennsylvania
1

<p>I am starting to think Rutgers Honors program is a better choice than Penn both economically and academically. I may just be trying to assuage the pain from being deferred but hear me out:</p>

<p>Rutgers= $0 for me
Penn= $50,000 (but prob get an estimated $30,000 in grants according to web site)</p>

<p>Rutgers will be easier to get a high GPA. Ultimately I want a prestigious graduate degree and admissions look more highly on GPA than undergraduate school. One of my uncles went to SUNY Binghamton and then went to Yale Law. My other uncle went to Rutgers then Penn Law. </p>

<p>I know Penn would be more of an experience. Rutgers is nothing but Jersey students while Penn is saturated with diversity. However, the Honors program has a lot to offer. Rutgers actually has more course selections for evolutionary biology (which happens to be my passion), including a major in evolutionary anthropology. Undergraduate research opportunities match those at Penn (I know from my bro's friends that are currently conducting intense research there). Honor students get carpeted suites and opportunities to see special seminars that seem very interesting. Most students in the honors program are students that either just missed the ivy league (potentially me) or cannot afford it (potentially me as well). Thus, I still will be immersed with intellectual minds.</p>

<p>No one has to remind me of Penn's unique beauty: Philadelphia, Locust Walk, the environment, the science program..... BUT, if I am hypothetically admitted this April, should I turn down a free scholarship? I would have mad bones for graduate school and a better chance of getting a graduate degree from esteemed school (I am eying Harvard's graduate program for evolutionary biology). </p>

<p>I know it comes down to the personal preference... the cliched "go with the school that feels right." But I can see myself more than happy at either one. Penn has been my dream school for the past 2 years and I have partied at Rutgers many times and had a blast. What would be the more logical choice? Has anyone faced a similar dilemma?</p>

2

<p>I don’t think you can make a wrong choice here - especially given the monetary benefits of going to Rutgers. Graduating debt free frees you up, and gives you choices that some students can’t even imagine. If you get into both, I would go to the one that fits you best, the one where you feel you can excel academically and socially. If you are driven, you can go to a great graduate school from either school.</p>

3

<p>if you visited both and spent equal amounts of time at each, i would think one would rise above…</p>

<p>i turned down my full ride to rutgers to go to penn, and never looked back</p>