<p>So I just finished my first year of college at UVA but was unhappy there and decided to transfer. I've been accepted into Georgetown and the University of Pennsylvania and really can't decide.</p>
<p>I didn't like UVA because it was a bit too conservative and Southern for me. I'm an academically driven student and have lived abroad most of my life and never felt like I fit in at UVA. I'm quirky and creative but am a social person and always had fun, interesting friends. I really want a school where I can have options to explore new things and meet exciting, smart, chill people. </p>
<p>Georgetown is great for its international feel and opportunities provided by DC - speakers, museums etc. But I'm worried that the school will be much more of the preppy, conservative feel I disliked at Virginia. However, I do have a cousin and a few friends there who would make the transfer transition easier.</p>
<p>Just visited UPenn for the first time this past weekend. Loved Philly for its cultural attractions and vibe (PAM, downtown, historic remains etc.) and liked Penn's intellectualism and breadth of academic opportunities. I only know two people there and them, not too well. </p>
<p>So my main questions include:
Where do transfer students transition best?
Where will I have the best opportunity to explore the arts as well as politics, history, economics?
Where are the people more accepting to the different or interesting?
How much should I take into consideration what both cities have to offer - do student actually take advantage of these opportunities?</p>
<p>Any information would be splendid!
Thanks</p>
<p>did you get into Wharton?</p>
<p>Just keep in mind that UPenn is an Ivy. Don’t base your decision on the present,think long term.</p>
<p>These are all very difficult questions to post on this forum unless, hopefully, recent transfer students to Penn and GTown come by and actually put in their two cents. I feel as though I’m not qualified to answer this because I have not transferred to either, but I’ll give you kind of my general reflections:</p>
<ol>
<li><p>Transfer transitions are tough for many. I don’t know how easy either situation would be. It’s good to have a base of people at the university already, but if you are a social person then it shouldn’t be too hard gaining new friends quickly. 
I am of the mindset that this transfer transition shouldn’t pose too much of a challenge to someone who is willing to make the most out of the university.</p></li>
<li><p>Being a Philly native, I can say that Philadelphia is the spot for many different artistic, volunteer, and social impact opportunities. I love it there. I’ve only visited DC, but I get a similar vibe. With GTown, you will be in a much safer area (if that makes any difference), but I think Philly has all the opportunities you want to be involved in what you mentioned. It’s really a toss up when comparing two cities, as cities in general tend to have more opportunity and access to what you mentioned then say a medium-sized “city” (where I live - Reno, NV). When comparing schools, the amount of opportunity to art, politics, history etc, is like comparing small tidbits. Each offers their own unique opportunities albeit similar general categories, I feel, since they have the capacity to offer such opportunities in the first place. </p></li>
<li><p>Penn is often marked as the “social” Ivy. I am not enrolled there, but I would give Penn the nod over GTown in a second because of this. GTown, and I’m not going to assume anything, does strike me as conservative and preppy, and I know that Penn has focused admissions over the last 5-6 years on increasing diversity. I can’t speak for GTown, but they strike me as very traditional.</p></li>
</ol>
<p>If you want to know specifically more about Philly (and Penn), feel free to PM me. I have many friends who go there and many friends in the city, still.</p>
<p>Best of luck!</p>
<p>Whoops, than* haha it is early.</p>
<p>I think you would be a great fit at Penn based on what I read about you. A friend of mine goes to Penn (Wharton) and he’s a very chill guy. Obviously one person doesn’t make up an entire student population but I can assure you UPenn would be a great experience for you.</p>
<p>I am in the College for both schools. Thought about reapplying to SFS (I was accepted as a freshman but chose UVA thinking it would have more options).</p>
<p>Anyone know how important Greek life should be in my decision? I went through rush at UVA but didn’t join a sorority. I found later that UVA does have a pretty dominant Greek scene even though most of the population was not involved. I know Penn is about 35% Greek but I don’t know how it compares…</p>
<p>Where did you end up going- UPenn or Georgetown?</p>
<p>Please use old threads for information only.</p>
<p>If you click on the member name, you can look at their posting history, which tells the last date they were active and often answers your question.</p>