<p>QuakerOats, yeah pretty much. A ton of people smoke weed, so if you're into that it's easy to find people who are like you (as a non-smoker, I know a ton of different sources that I could use if I decided to take up the habit). Pick up the 34th Street weekly magazine to get an idea of thoughts regarding sex, and alcohol... Penn really gets neglected for its parties. The unregistered parties fraternities throw can be very fun, and even some of the registered parties are fun.</p>
<p>liontreelion, yes 4 classes per semester. Now, keep in mind that Wharton, Engineering, and Nursing all are designed for 5 courses per semester, but the College is the largest undergraduate school, and I'm in it, so I know it best. Basically here is the curriculum.
There are twelve core requirements under different names (thirteen for anyone in the class of 2012 or later). They are separated into five "Foundational Approaches" and seven (or eight) "Sector Requirements." To complete these requirements, you need to choose from a list of approved courses; some overlap (for example, I took a course that satisfied both my "Physical World" sector requirement and my "Quantitative Data Analysis" foundational approach). Also, you may test out of the foreign language requirement if you are proficient in another language. You are permitted to double count one general requirement for a major course (for example, I counted PSCI183, American Political Thought, for the "History & Tradition" sector as well as for my political science major).</p>
<p>Most majors have twelve required courses, though science majors (biology, chemistry, physics, combinations of those) will have upwards of eighteen required courses. In addition to the major requirements, students must take twenty electives, which may consist of requirement courses, courses in a minor, or courses in another major. The maximum requirement for courses is 36 (i.e. if you are in a major such as Biological Basis of Behavior, which has 18.5 courses required, you only need to take 17.5 electives for a total of 36 to graduate). </p>
<p>The openness of this curriculum allows for double majors, multiple minors, and early graduation. For example, this semester I am taking six courses (for some reason which I haven't figured out yet... maybe I'm a masochist?); I am 90% sure I'm going to be taking a course in Germany over the summer, which will give me a total of 22 credits entering my junior year (that includes one AP credit I was awarded). If I take five courses a semester from here on out, I can graduate a semester early with a political science major, a legal studies & history minor (in conjunction with the Wharton school), and a German minor. Keep in mind that I began my German language study second semester of Freshman year at the second level language instruction and that I need to pass the fourth level to even begin a minor!</p>
<p>Other options include submatriculation. One of my friends will be graduating with a bachelor's degree in chemistry as well as a master's degree in chemistry. He took five courses per semester and no summer courses; and he also has the chance to take music courses and several "just for fun" courses this semester.</p>
<p>Also if you look at the courses Penn offers, keep in mind that Penn operates on the course unit (c.u.) system, NOT the semester hour system. So while most colleges award 3 credits for courses which meet 3 hours a week, Penn awards 1 c.u. for that time. Therefore, though other schools generally require 120 credits for graduation, Penn requires 32-36 c.u.</p>