<p>Unfortunately, I haven't had the opportunity to visit UPenn yet, in addition to other schools. One of the most important aspects of a school to me is the culture of the place. Does anyone know what the overall student body culture and school is like at UPenn?</p>
<p>(ie: competitiveness, obsession with grades, etc.)</p>
<p>i think penn is largely filled with people looking to achieve balance, and finding it in a mix of academic and extracurricular activities</p>
<p>you don’t have a ton of study-only library hermits (except during midterm / finals times), nor party-only, grade-sucking folks; there’s the reputation of “work hard, play hard” and “the social ivy” which are pretty well-deserved</p>
<p>people are interested in a tremendous diversity of fields and pursuits - so if you want to do food photography, engage in vigorous parliamentary debate, volunteer in west philly elementary schools, pig out at all-you-can-eat sushi or bobby flay burgers, learn about microfinance, hang out with friends from another continent…</p>
<p>… then you can do that, and so much more, at penn</p>