<p>So I'm currently working on the Penn supplement, and I feel like Penn's interdisciplinary system should be focused on since Penn itself emphasizes it so much on the website/brochure etc. </p>
<p>But I'm really confused on how Penn exactly is unique.</p>
<p>I know about the Dual Degree programs etc, and I'm not planning on applying to those. I am interested in the CAS.</p>
<p>Besides the dual programs, how is Penn's interdisciplinarism implemented in the CAS? What unique opportunities are available for CAS students not enrolled in dual programs?</p>
<p>I feel like the stuff I've been saying regarding Penn's interdisciplinarism are just way too vague and it can be applied to basically ANY colleges. Most colleges allow you to pursue things outside of your major, correct? (Electives, etc) But how is Penn unique? </p>
<p>Thank you so much!</p>
<p>Penn’s one university (research it) policy allows students to take classes at any one of Penn’s undergraduate or GRADUATE schools (minus the medical grad schools). And most colleges actually won’t give you much freedom take courses in other majors unless you are doing a dual major or minor. Most won’t even let you take a second major unless it is related to your first major with classes that count for both, and/or in the same school (think CAS, Wharton).
Hope that helps.</p>
<p>Also, Penn and CAS excel in interdisciplinary majors and programs, such as Biological Basis of Behavior; Health and Societies; Philosophy, Politics, and Economics; and Cinema Studies, just to name a few, and really stress the crossing of traditional academic boundaries. In fact, that’s part of Penn’s institutional DNA, if you will, going back to Ben Franklin’s educational philosophy, and continuing through such innovations as the country’s first medical school, first collegiate business school, etc., as well as many others, all of which broke or crossed traditional academic boundaries of the time.</p>
<p>Plus, as Kstrida addressed, try finding another top university that encourages undergrads to take classes in, e.g., that university’s top-10 law school (as well as the majority of its top grad and professional schools). Spoiler alert: you won’t find it. :)</p>