D accepted to both Penn and Haverford. Philly girl was really looking forward to getting out of the city, conflicted. Neuroscience major, any thoughts?
Hugely different experiences. She should go to accepted student days at both – my guess is that after 24 hours in each campus, she will know which way to go.
Thanks, already scheduled. In her case penn would be 6,000 less first year at least as she received Mayor’s scholarship. Cost will also have to be a factor.
As was mentioned, the schools are extremely dissimilar. If you have any specific questions about Penn, please feel free to ask. I will say that the College at Penn is like being at a quintessential liberal arts college in the heart of one of the world’s greatest research universities. There are a lot of benefits to that ranging from very small classes combined with lots of research opportunities with top scholars. Penn’s campus also has a mixture of city and cloistered ivory tower feels to it so while you will still very much be ‘in the city’ you won’t always feel like you’re living an exclusively urban life, if that makes sense. Congrats to your daughter! Happy to answer any specific questions you or she might have.
Thank you Penncas2014, as intparent suggested, much will be clearer after visiting both. As far as specific questions go we have many about Penn, housing, how the Mayor’s scholarship may differ for reg FA. We have not received any info about scholarship to date. I’m guessing all will be clear after Accepted students days.
Yeah they will definitely discuss all of it at admitted students days. Be sure to stop by the financial aid office as well to discuss the Mayor’s scholarship. Regular financial aid at Penn is entirely need based. They do guarantee that they will meet 100% of your demonstrated need but I think they use the term “demonstrated” a little liberally. That being said, I was dissatisfied with my financial aid offer and I appealed it and was able to attend Penn for significantly less than the cost of my flagship state university back home and I graduated with no debt after work-study and some summer job money. They really do try to meet your demonstrated need and if they fail to meet it adequately it is definitely worth discussing it with them to see if they can boost the financial aid offer. I know I am not the only student who was able to more fully explain my financial circumstances and to receive a significant increase in my aid offer.