<p>I've managed to narrow my list down to Yale or UPenn for undergrad. I plan to major in either psychology or cognitive science, pre-med and I'm African-American so I'm looking for strong diversity and good race relations. If anyone can give insight on the social scenes, people, bests/worsts, environments, teachers, sports culture, spirit, etc it would be amazing. </p>
<p>Less than two weeks to decide!</p>
<p>Yale.
(10 char.)</p>
<p>While Yale wins on prestige (and we must all admit that prestige is seldom ill-earned), both schools excel in the fields of psychology.</p>
<p>Both schools are spirited in their own way.</p>
<p>If you want the most prestige and a bit more school spirit (not to say Penn lacks it), choose Yale
If you want a better city, and maximum academic breadth (not to say Yale lacks it), choose Penn</p>
<p>Have you visited the schools?</p>
<p>Are you considering undergraduate research? I imagine both schools have different ways of going about that.</p>
<p>Go to Yale.</p>
<p>Yale- one of the 3 schools that made Ivy league well respected.
Penn- one of the 5 schools that became good because they’re in the Ivy league.</p>
<p>“so I’m looking for strong diversity and good race relations.”</p>
<p>I would say this is not always easy to find at any schools let alone Ivy League schools, but there are communities for students of color at both places. Also, both institutions are close to African Am communities - although you will hear students complain (some subtly some no so subtly) about the “ghetto” environment. Unfortunately, you will have to contend with some ignorance in that regard. Personally, I would not pass on Yale, but if you prefer Philly and the city, then Penn might be a good option.</p>
<p>yale hands down</p>
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</p>
<p>Hmm you are a confusedboy as your moniker would infer.</p>
<p>^Amusing nonetheless. </p>
<p>Yale is known for good race-relations, at least according to Princeton Review.</p>
<p>Can you visit?</p>
<p>You really have to make your own decision, because half of CC people’s dream is to go to one of the HYPSM. On this site HYPSM >>> Anything.</p>
<p>“good race relations”</p>
<p>Everyone defines this differently, but I think that randomized housing, like Yale’s, leads to better social integration than theme housing, like Penn’s. Penn has an Af-Am theme house, many frat-sorority houses that consistently lean white, etc.</p>
<p>I would pick Yale. Like you, I was accepted to both a few years ago. New Haven really grows on you, its a very interesting place. Also, I like Confusedboy’s post, because it is somewhat true.</p>
<p>like Hanna said, I think Yale probably has more race interaction and less self segregation due to the lack of fraternities, which tend to be predominantly one race (either white, or themed towards a certain culture)</p>
<p>
Forgive me if I have diverged from the concentration of this thread, and I do not intend to carry on a conversation about this on this thread, but come on - is it really ignorant to criticize “scenic” New Haven? That’s not even a racially relevant issue.</p>
<p>OP: I think you’ll find healthy diversity at both institutions. I personally strongly prefer Penn’s environment - Perhaps that is the cityboy in me speaking, but I love the urban, robust feeling at Penn.</p>
<p>
At least you live up to your name confusedboy.</p>
<p>Culturally themed housing or organizations have NOTHING to do with contributing to campus segregation. In fact they were created IN RESPONSE to segregation and students of color who affiliate with culturally relevant activities and organizations do better academically because of the support networks they foster - so let’s get that straight. </p>
<p>As for “scenic New Haven” - ignorant comments aren’t relegated to the “scenery” but to the people, who happen to be on the opposite end of the socio economic spectrum as most Yalies. - so let’s stop pretending.</p>
<p>
Then perhaps ignorance would best be rephrased as racism (though I would hesitate to label whatsoever depending towards what specifically such comments are directed. Regardless, I see where you’re coming from and so let’s just say we probably agree in principle, even if I am pickier with nuances than most.</p>
<p>Re-centering relevance: Both schools are highly prestigious; yes, Yale is slightly more prestigious, but Penn isn’t exactly chopped liver and pre-med is pre-med, so it boils down to quality of program/instruction in the areas you’re looking for IMO (in which you have already indicated your interest and in which I cannot provide further assistance, my apologies). As for sports culture, both have their fair share of school spirit but for the bigger sports Penn wins it for me (especially for basketball, in which Penn has a traditionally strong program though it faltered this season). By the way, I can see why some may think so at this point but I am not a Penn student; I’m merely a teenage observer.</p>
<p>"Hmm you are a confusedboy as your moniker would infer. "</p>
<p>"At least you live up to your name confusedboy. "</p>
<p>Go ahead, keep attacking my “name”. It wont change the fact. XD</p>
<p>The name does not make the university, the university makes the name. When penn was made an ‘ivy’ it did not magically turn to one of the best universities in the world</p>
<p>A note on race-relations: At Penn, there certainly isn’t racial tension by any means. There is self-segregation, though, and this includes many races–African Americans, Asians, Indians, Latinos. It’s very evident just from eating at a dining hall. However, this trend has been echoed by friends at may different schools, so I think it’s fairly common. You might want to speak to students at Penn and Yale to get their perspectives, but I don’t see reason to believe there would be much difference. This is not to say, of course, that races don’t interact, because that’s FAR from the truth; people do seem to stay closer to others of the same race, though.</p>
<p>I know nothing about Yale but UPenn is sure great. The social life here is awsome.
Diversity is not an issue here, I’m a Muslim girl from Dubai and I can assure you that you’ll find people from all over the world. The social life here is great and the parties are nice too:P
The campus is beautiful as well, specially now in spring.</p>