<p>I have to make a tough decision... Columbia vs UPenn (Arts & Sciences) Even as a name-whore, I have much trouble differentiating the two schools. I mean, UPenn has higher rankings (#4 vs #7) but Columbia's name is more known - esp. internationally. NYC is the best city in the world but I do live like 20min away from Columbia... Philly might be a fun new experience. I want to compare school spirit, overall happiness, core at columbia vs random requirements, social life... job recruitment? They are truly two amazing schools but I would like to know.. WHAT THE HELL IS THE DIFFERENCE? Thanks.</p>
<p>I'm in the exact same boat and I have no idea which to choose. Academically, at least in terms of science they're about equal. I'm thinking one of Columbia's big selling points would be NYC. On the other hand, the campus isn't as nice as Penn's and Penn has better campus life and school spirit. I dunno, I'm so split, but I'm sure whatever choice we make will be a good one, can't really go wrong with those two schools.</p>
<p>Penn's got the better finaid if that's an issue for you.</p>
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UPenn has higher rankings (#4 vs #7)
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<p>Given the volatile nature of USNews' rankings, this is an awful benchmark. UPenn wasn't a "top 10" school until fairly recently, and now is ranked about MIT and Stanford. USNews may change the methodology again or other schools may get better at gaming the rankings, and Penn could slip again.</p>
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Columbia's name is more known - esp. internationally.
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<p>People who matter (i.e., people who will be hiring you for jobs, business clients) will know both schools.</p>
<p>Both schools are comparable in terms of prestige. Penn has more school spirit and on campus social life than Columbia. It isn't as costly to live in Philly as it is in NY. Please, please investigate the Core in detail. It is a major chunk of the curriculum at Columbia. If it's not for you, don't even think about Columbia.</p>
<p>Columbia has the opportunity for tons of school-year internships. And I agree with acinva--if you feel the core won't make your more well-rounded, or is too substantial, don't go. The core can easily take up a good 1/3 of your classes. Columbia is smaller than Penn (about 7,000 undergrads vs. 10,000), and the surrounding neighborhood of Columbia is much safer than West Philly.</p>
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That's not entirely true. Financial aid everywhere is on a case-by-case basis. Also, if you send your "better" aid package to Columbia, you'll get a reconsideration of your Columbia aid.</p>
<p>And I didn't know Columbia was #7.</p>
<p>I'm a columbia student with a lot of friends at Penn and there is one main difference i've noticed. Penn strikes me as much more like high school in terms of competitiveness and focus on future jobs. Columbia certainly has that element, but the Core really focuses students on becoming well rounded and that spills over into all elements of life at columbia. Both schools are great, so it comes down to what your personal interests are.</p>
<p>Rankings can give one a basic sense of the regard that a school is held in but I would not even think about them when you are looking at a group of schools in the same range. If you are talking US News rankings - Penn includes Wharton in the mix so the #4 ranking is formulated with a business program included that is known for applicants with very high stats. The order of top colleges can be set up 100 different ways depending the bias of those formulating the list. </p>
<p>Columbia College is generally more difficult to get into than Penn Arts & Sciences. Both have large Asian and Jewish populations. The average income per family at each school might be identical for all that I know but Penn feels more monied. Columbia students might be wearing $150 jeans but they carry ratty bookbags, not Prada :). Penn and Columbia offer very different and excellent undergrad educations. Many students are pre-professional at both schools. Penn feels more traditional with frats being a large part of the social scene, popped collars and the like. IMHO, Columbia is almost like a european school in that there are many things to do but socially the students are very independent. With a few exceptions, the sports teams are better at Penn.</p>
<p>I suspect that Columbia's Core stimulates a certain amount of discussion which, with all undergrads reading or having read the same books, makes the school feel like a more intellectual place. Frats exist but do not socially dominate. Great little restaurants and coffee bars are off the Columbia campus. Great little restaurants and coffee bars are off the Penn campus. Columbia has easy access to NYC which is an exceptional place to live, Penn has access to a less dynamic but fun city.</p>
<p>Just a parent talking here but I have spent a great deal of time on both campuses and many Columbia and Penn students have passed through my door and commented about their respective campus cultures - I felt that I could throw my 2 cents into the pot.</p>
<p>Both schools should serve you well. My daughter goes to Columbia and continues to enjoy her experience there....NYC has a raw energy that she loves. She has many friends at Penn that are equally happy. You need to spend time on both campuses - your choice could well come down to intangibles.</p>
<p>Penn has a much larger undergraduate community--twice the size of Columbia. Students center their social life more around campus happenings--and there is a ton of that (well beyond the greek system which is present but not dominant). Penn embraces the "one university" concept and students can develop their own majors, independent study opportunities, and research/study opportunities with professors at the graduate and professional schools. Penn loves interdisciplinary majors and programs. The people who go to Penn tend to be very happy with the place and there is a high percentage of loyal alumni involvement. Penn has lots of traditions (most alumni can sing you the school song and tell tales of "Hey Day" and "Spring Fling"), a large campus, varied housing (including a residential house system by interest), and a strong study abroad program. With such a large undergraduate population it is hard to characterize Penn as this or that. Wharton does attract a certain type of student--but the college of arts and sciences does not take a back seat at all.</p>
<p>Since this is the Columbia board, you know all about Columbia. It is an outstanding school. But they are REALLY different. The size, the core, NYC, the different ambiance on campus..... I went to Penn and I do alumni interviews and I think it's easy to be happy at Penn since you can "find your people" there, it's so diverse and dynamic. I was on a recent tour of Columbia and thought it was great in a completely different way from Penn.</p>
<p>Columbia isn't nearly as socially oriented as Penn.</p>
<p>hey i got into both Penn engineering and columbia engineering and the decision is killing me.. i have to say columbia's aid package for me is better despite popular belief... but aside from money, i'm pretty lost as to which school is better in terms of which provides a better education.</p>
<p>school-spirit and social life wise, i think it's out there for the people that want to find it. penn probably has more opportunities becuase it's more campus less city oriented, but i'm sure it's also there in columbia. i'm not so worried about a social life becuase it's gotta be there i assume. (but then again, what am i to know, i've visited each school only once)</p>
<p>NYC.</p>
<p>(Ten Char)</p>
<p>what columbia has over penn is a huge margin in prestige and quality</p>
<p>well to tell the truth upenn has a core just like columbia's also. the only thing i think about upenn is that it is better socially and they also have the better dorms, if youre a germophobe though, you will share bathrooms in both colleges...sorry. I love the core it sounds great compared to Upenn's ambiguous core starting this year. I think its has something to do with new pres. Amy Gutmann. But CU will give you many opportunities, like internships, so its a toss up i guess, but im going to CU and I think ill be happy there. Go Lions class of '10 one love....</p>