What do you like about UPenn?

Colleges and Universities A-Z University of Pennsylvania
1

The username says it all: University of Pennsylvania is second to none on my list of universities.

I would like to share what I like about UPenn, and then I would like responses from currently enrolled students, alumni, or anyone else associated with the university. I really want to learn more about it.

First off, I love the academics, research, and work opportunities. UPenn academics are clearly very rigorous, and rigor is very important to me when it comes to academics. But further, it seems that more so than any other university, UPenn stresses practicality and getting things done. The facts that UPenn is a top 4 university when it comes to research, that there is such a high rate of employment after graduation, and that internships and active student participation in research are so fundamental are testaments to how productive and proactive is the environment at UPenn. Penn prepares students for the REAL WORLD. The students in general don’t seem to be wrapped up in how great they are and expect opportunities to just fall on their laps simply because they have an Ivy League degree, unlike Harvard and Princeton students.

While students are academically motivated, intelligent, and hardworking, UPenn students also have good social lives and commitments to extracurricular activities other than studying. That is a rare combination nowadays; should I get into and attend UPenn, it would be nice to know that my colleagues are intelligent and diligent without being snobby, uptight, or overly preppy. Events like the Spring Fling sound fun, and even just hanging out in a city with great culture, great food, and just so much to do must be a plus for students as well.

My dream is to be able to get in early decision this year (I’m a rising senior in high school), but I’m not quite sure I want to apply to CAS, Wharton, or Engineering. Since I’m undecided, I figure CAS is probably the way to go, but I don’t actually know. Career-wise, I’m interested in being an actuary, college/high-school level teacher, or maybe someone who works in a lab of some sort. Thank goodness for the One University policy!

I did take a tour of the campus (it’s very nice, and I like that there are food trucks everywhere), and I have read a bit on the Penn website. I don’t need convincing that I want to attend, but rather I want to find out more about Penn and hear from people with firsthand experiences.

Thanks to anyone who responds!

2

I only spent a year at Penn but I have to say it was a really great place with really great people. I happened to love the campus, which might be a superficial thing to look at, but you’ll very quickly feel at home there. Strolling down Locust Walk is very secluded and charming and feels incredibly collegiate. At the same time, you have all of Philly at your disposal. EMBARRASSING CONFESSION - I really did not take advantage of it. It’s easy to exclaim about all the museums and landmarks and cultural experiences, but it’s another thing to actually make plans to go there, which I didn’t do so often unless someone invited me, or my boyfriend came for the week to visit. I did, however, eat at a lot of restaurants which were fabuloso.

I think what I really liked though was the students. Penn has a prominent social justice focus. You’re right in that students don’t tend to be snobby Ivy-obsessed people. Most of what I encountered was students who really wanted to use the resources at their disposal to help others, especially the surrounding Philadelphia community. It’s humbling and nice.

3

People never want to say this – and I realize applicants cannot and should not say it but – having 2 Penn degrees and being out of school for a while, I like the prestige of the degrees; there is credibility in just having gotten in and graduated from there – even though I’ve obviously accomplished things since then.

My more realistic answer – LOVE the campus and miss it so much. It feels like home whenever I’m on Locust Walk, but frankly all over campus – behind Steiny D or the Quad/near HUP etc. There is something about that campus and the people walking around that makes me STILL feel what I felt when I went there – that ANYTHING was possible.

4
  1. Definitely miss the campus all day every day. The perfect balance between a beautifully landscaped, perfectly manicured aesthetically pleasing campus and the bustling vibrancy of Philadelphia was exactly what I wanted in a college experience. Studying on College Green, in Fisher Fine Arts, or in a High Rise Rooftop Lounge was the perfect opportunity to learn in an environment that inspired you. And it always felt like there was a place for everyone on campus. And with the renovations to Van Pelt, it became one of my absolute favorite places to be when writing an essay.
  2. The intensity of extracurricular life at Penn. Students are insanely dedicated to their clubs as if they were second jobs. Students take leadership so seriously and it truly shows in the quality of the initiatives that each club proposes and carries out. When I tell my friends from other schools about my extracurricular experiences they think I'm a little crazy for how seriously my Penn Friends and I took our clubs-- but I loved it. The passion at Penn is palpable and utterly distinct from what my friends elsewhere experienced. Which came with a little bit of stress too- and maybe some distractions from class- but it was worth it, I think.
  3. The Professors- I was lucky to have some of the best professors at Penn but I can honestly say I never took a bad class. Every professor was so dedicated to undergraduate education and so passionate about their research. It was beyond easy to involve myself in research with professors who were happy to have the help and excited to share what they were working on with interested students. They provided me with life advice and class advice and job advice. They were friends and confidants and I still keep in touch with several of them even though I've graduated.
  4. The People- Penn people have ivy league intelligence without the snobbery. On the outside people think Penn kids are rich snobs and that whartonites will bite your head off for a job interview but that's so far from the case. I met the most diverse, humble, and incredible group of people at Penn that I know I'll be friends with for the rest of my life. No one was trying to outdo one another with their 'impressive' qualities and everyone was excited to collaborate rather than compete. The premium placed on social life at Penn makes for a collegial environment that supports the building of meaningful relationships. It was so easy making friends at Penn and finding a social activity to partake in either on campus or in Philly.
  5. Being the Social Ivy: whether we should or shouldn't be Playboy's number one party school is irrelevant. People know how to have fun at Penn and it isn't just exclusive to the kids who join greek life or decide to go downtown. So much value is placed on being social at Penn that it's impossible not to have a good time.
  6. Career services-- They will literally do anything to connect you to the opportunities you want to pursue. I cannot even begin to describe how helpful they were through my job search and grad school search. They are incredible and so supportive even after you graduate.
  7. Food Trucks- this kind of goes with campus but I don't know how I survive without Magic Carpet, Hemo's, Philly Sugar Truck, Buis and every other food truck around campus.

So much more. Impossible to list it all. Mostly Bui’s egg sandwiches tho

5

The Penn Food Trucks are legendary. There’s even a web site devoted to them–all 61 of them!

http://pennfoodtrucks.com/

6

Sorry, for the newb here, how do the food trucks work…meaning, they aren’t a part of a meal plan, correct? This is out of pocket eating?

7

@sbjdorlo Yes, you pay with cash

8

Good to know that my son will need some extra cash on hand to try out food trucks once in a while.

9

Curious: might there be a way to extol the virtues of Penn without throwing shade?

10

Food trucks! There are two Chinese ones close to each other on Spruce- Le Ahn, and The Real Le Ahn. My first day at Penn, I heard the dramatic story about how Le Ahn was there first, beloved by all, and then another truck opened up and stole her name, causing mass confusion, so Le Ahn changed into The REAL Le Ahn. Later I found out they were both owned by the same people and this scandalous story was a fake. Don’t trust anyone!!! But I did get a veggie lo mein for $1.75 there.

edit- HUGE $4 BURRITOS AT MEXICALI. RUN, DON’T WALK, TO MEXICALI.

11

@GnocchiB

My apologies. To be honest, I kind of regretted naming particular institutions not long after I posted the thread. I was stupid in saying that. I promise you that I don’t attribute snobbery to an individual person simply based on where he/she is attending university, and let me assure you I’m not much of a trash talker in real life. Sorry, again.

On another note, thank you to all who responded. I hope to read more extolling of the virtues of Penn. A lot of what I’m reading is affirming my opinion on such a fine university.

45 Percenter:

I did not know there was a website dedicated to the food trucks. That’s so cool. It seems food trucks are becoming the highlight of the thread. Lol.

Thanks for sharing!