<p>My school's college counselor gave me a list of schools that he wanted me to do some research on, and UPenn was one of them. What are the atmosphere, academic environment, and social atmosphere like? My main academic interests are math, chemistry, and economics. Some of my extracurricular interests include trumpet and boy scouts (hiking,camping, backpacking, etc.).</p>
<p>Penn is an Ivy League campus nestled in one of America’s largest cities.</p>
<p>I find it unique among top schools in being able to balance a vibrant on-campus community with the myriad social, cultural, culinary, recreational, economic opportunities of Philadelphia…it is a balance that few other schools reach, either having a campus community that takes a back seat to the city (Columbia, NYU), or just aren’t in a city–or at least not a remotely desirable one <em>cough new haven cough</em></p>
<p>Penn is also unique for the breadth of academics that students can and do pursue. Penn has 4 different undergraduate schools (second in number only to Cornell) and 12 graduate schools. Penn is among the most liberal/proactive in allowing undergraduates to take courses not only in the other undergraduate schools, but even in the graduate schools.</p>
<p>Social atmosphere, well it’s a contender for the title of “the party ivy/social ivy” but that doesn’t mean it’s on par with Ohio State or what have you…</p>
<p>Incidentally, Penn people have won nobel prizes in 2 out of 3 of your academic interests (economics and chemistry) :)</p>