<p>I am currently a freshman student in one of these College's studying Politics/Econ. Is there that much of a difference? Wharton obviously drags up Penn's overall ranking, but is the degree from the College that different between these schools/career possibilities? I am debating transferring from one of these to the other, and wondering the academic difference.</p>
<p>I would also consider the cultural difference. I went to grad school at Penn (not Wharton), but live in Virginia. My daughter wouldn’t even consider applying to UVA because it was to preppy/snobby to her. UVA has very unique, southern based traditions that students either love or hate. For instance, they call their quad The Lawn, and students are referred to as First Years, Second Years etc., not freshman, sophomores etc. Both have great academic reputations, and even though UVA is often called a Public Ivy, Penn IS an Ivy League school. I don’t mean to sound anti-UVA. Personally, I would have LOVED to have gone to school there. I just think they have such different cultures that it needs to be considered. Academically, they both have wonderful reputations. One other thing to consider is that Penn’s location in a major city is very different from UVA’s location in Charlottesville, a great town with many galleries, restaurants and well-educated people, but without the benefits (and disadvantages) that come with being in or near a major metropolitan area.</p>
<p>As noted, UVa is not for everyone. But one of my kids graduated from there and loved it. The history, traditions , school spirit, are part of what makes it great and Charlottesville is a cool place. Since you are only a freshman, you may want to give the transfer idea more time. Both great schools.</p>
<p>I am not too concerned with the cultural aspects. Basically, without giving away which school I am at, the one I would be transferring to has a campus life that is very appealing to me and much better than that which I have now. If you could (THANK YOU for responding) elaborate on your opinions on the academic ability of the respective schools – AKA is there too much of a difference?</p>
<p>Look, you’re being pretty cagey about the whole thing so you’re probably not going to get a big response to your questions. Why are you considering a transfer so soon? If you are instate for UVa and you and/or family would have to pay/have paid more for Penn , the finances may need to be taken into consideration unless your family is wealthy. Both good schools so I would think more about finances and social things.</p>
<p>“Wharton obviously drags up Penn’s overall ranking” - That’s an erroneous assumption. However, even without Wharton, Penn beats Duke for undergrad.</p>
<p>No one from Penn would start a thread like this. The calibre of students at Penn is considerable higher than at UVA, and the competition is considerably greater at Penn. Recruiting at Penn is open to all. CAS students can get the same job offers as Wharton students in some fields.</p>
<p>There’s a world of cultural difference between these two universities.</p>
<p>"No one from Penn would start a thread like this. " Good to know .</p>
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<p>I agree with this part of the post (and little else). Even if you’re not in Wharton, you can take Wharton classes. Career Counseling is university-based so everyone signs up for the same interviews.</p>
<p>Otherwise, I think UVa and Penn are pretty much peer schools. They are often close in rankings (if that’s important to you). The main difference lies in the environment, social and physical, not in the academics. Do you want to be in a big, somewhat dirty city or do you want a smaller city? UVa definitely has better sports than Penn (again if that’s important to you) but at Penn, you get to see the Big Five (Drexel, Penn, St. Joe’s, Villanova and Temple) play basketball.</p>
<p>Another difference between Penn and UVA is that UVA is a state school, so the majority of kids ar from in state VIrginia. You get a lot more diverstiy at Penn. But I agree that the environment, is the major difference. I also believe that because of the limited pickings UVA has in that it has to take most of its kids from VA, is that the overall calibre of students, particularly those from in state is not quite what Penn’s are. My brother lives in VA, and at his kids’ high school, considered a very good one, a number of the kids apply to UVA and the ivies, including Penn. Many more get rejected from Penn, and for many of them who do apply to a spread of schools, like the ivies, UVA is the “Best” school that accepts them. As an OOSer at UVA, though the students are less all instate than at most state flagships, you are going to be a definite minority. But these differences are miniscule in rates, rep and recognition, as they are both way up there with thousands of school under them in listing. It’s nit picking in terms of differentials. The environment is more the issue. Penn is more like Pitt or GW in having a city campus… UVA more like PSU or UMD.</p>
<p>I had read a thread earlier similar to yours. This person was at Upenn but was not able to maintain a high g.p.a as an Econ major so was considering transferring to UVA. i would pick UPenn over UVA and I am saying this as a VA resident with lots of family having graduated from UPenn. </p>
<p>That is confusing ,raclut, since there would be no guarantee a person’s GPA would improve just by transferring schools? I really have no opinion about which school is best in this situation since the OP has shared no info about himself or his finances and what is even making him consider transfer. They are both good schools and it could be clearer about which might be best for this particular student but we just don’t know (since we have no information).</p>
<p>Everyone I so truly appreciate the lively comments. I am sorry for not providing more details: </p>
<p>I am from the Midwest – one of the states vastly underrepresented at all schools on the East Coast.<br>
Although I am not wealthy my parents fortunately were frugal savers throughout their careers and money (although a burden) is not, technically, an issue.<br>
It is very helpful that you all think it is a mostly cultural/social difference in the schools.<br>
It’s funny that you all say nobody at Penn would start a thread like this, because I am actually at Penn now and mostly wish to transfer because of cultural and social difficulties (the city, the lack of school spirit, etc.). At Penn, if I stay, I will major in Philosophy, Politics and Economics (One major). At UVA, with some AP credits and working hard I think I could double major in Politics and Economics, with a possible minor in English or history. </p>
<p>It seems that one is not supposed to state their current school on these threads but I really do not mind. I hope this all clears some things up. </p>