<p>I seriously don't have a clue which one I want to pick..
On one hand, Penn is an ivy, and pretty prestigious.
However, if I go to Penn, chances are I won't be at the top of my class..
On the other hand, Echols sounds really cool... no course requirements, and chances are I will be more toward the top of the class. Also there are supposed to be special guidance staff for Echols Scholars...</p>
<p>1) In terms of graduate school acceptance and job opportunities, which would you guys recommend?</p>
<p>2) In terms of college experience, which would you guys recommend?</p>
<p>Echols is nice - but it's not the reputation maker that the Jefferson is. Your real choiuce is laid back, southern, and fun UVA in smaller Charlottesville or less fun/better rep Penn in Phila. Good luck.
For what it's worth, my daughter went to UVA and loved it. She would not have been admitted to Penn out of high school. She qualified for honors at UVA, scored well on her LSATs, and is now in a law school most Penn graduates cannot think of getting into.</p>
<p>My understanding is that Penn is the fun, party Ivy. Top of the class? I don't know what that means. If you can make As at UVa, you can make them at Penn. Both are wonderful. Jefferson founded UVa. Franklin founded Penn. Jefferson and Franklin together founded the United States of America. How cool is that? Visit them both, pick the one you love. If it winds up a draw, the tie goes to the Ivy.</p>