University of Pennsylvania
- Local Atmosphere

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University of Pennsylvania - Local Atmosphere - Local Atmosphere - College ProwlerCollege Prowler4.24

Local Atmosphere

Quick Stats

Fun Local Trivia
  1. Philadelphia is a city of firsts. The city is home to the first insane asylum, the first electronic computer (ENIAC developed at Penn), America's first university (yes, Penn itself), and the U.S.'s first zoo.
  2. The stairs that Rocky Balboa climbs victoriously in the first Rocky movie are none other than those which lead to the main entrance of the Philadelphia Museum of Art.
  3. King of Prussia Mall, located in a suburb right outside of Philly is the East Coast's largest mall and the second-largest in the country, dwarfed only by The Mall of America.
  4. Philly's official nickname is "The City of Brotherly Love" because it was perhaps the first city in the world to tolerate all religions. Penn's mascot, the Quaker, was picked in homage to Billy Penn himself to reflect this aspect of Philly's history.
  5. Philadelphia boasts over 100 art museums, many of which can be found along the Ben Franklin Parkway, designed to mimic the Champs-Elysees. The Rodin Museum houses the second-largest collection of the artist's sculptures in the world (Paris is the only city with larger) and the Academy of Natural Sciences holds dinosaur remains, a live butterfly house, and much more
Notable Natives
  • Marian Anderson
  • Donald Bartholomew
  • John Barrymore
  • Ed Bacon
  • Boyz II Men
  • Alexander Calder
  • Wilt Chamberlain
  • Bill Cosby
  • Stuart Davis
  • Walter E. Diemer
  • Oliver Evans
  • W.C. Fields
  • Henry George
  • Grace Kelly
  • Patti Labelle
  • Mario Lanz
  • Tara Lipinski
  • George McClellan
  • Margaret Mead
  • Cecil B. Moore
  • Man Ray
  • Betsy Ross
  • Will Smith
  • The Three Stooges
Local Slang
  • Hoagie: Commonly known as a sub or a hero
  • Wawa: Found in Philly and south New Jersey, this is basically a 7-Eleven where you can get a 'fresh' sandwich 24 hours a day.
  • Wiz-with: The proper way to order a cheesesteak with cheese-wiz and onions. (For no onions simply say "Wiz-without." See? It's easy!)
Points of Interest
  • Old City
  • Philadelphia Museum of Art
  • Rittenhouse Square
  • South Street

Student Author OverviewWhat's This?

Students at Penn love Philadelphia. Most wanted to study at an urban college for the excitement and opportunity one can provide, and their wishes are more than fulfilled at Penn’s West Philly location. Center City, with its streets full of restaurants, theaters, and other hot spots, is a short walk away, and the historical richness of Old City is just a hop, skip, jump, and a cab ride from the heart of Penn’s campus. Speaking of campus, unlike most urban schools, Penn actually has one, which allows students to relax, play sports, toss a ball, ride a bike, or catch some sun on the grassy expanses of college green or the many courtyards around the dorms.

Unique, vibrant, and artsy, the city of Philadelphia has absolutely everything a student could want. Music, food, sports, and more universities than Boston, as well as sections of the city which retain their friendly neighborhood feel, set Philly apart as a diverse and exciting place to go to school. On a given weekend, a Penn student could easily take a walk along Walnut Street, spend some time at the zoo, browse one of over 100 art museums, enjoy a meal at one of Philadelphia’s excellent restaurants, and then spend some time at trendy South Street’s many shops. While Philadelphia offers all of this and more, it lacks the crowded jostle of New York, providing a comfortable college setting for even those students without any previous urban experience.

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Penn Student ReviewsWhat's This?

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Local Atmosphere at University of Pennsylvania

quaker2014

Finance and Accounting '14

5.0
A+

Great Place to Live

Philly has a ton of history and a lot of culture. You really get a feeling like you're in a place that changed the fate of the U.S. Beyond that, the night life is a lot of fun. Septa is a cheap way to get downtown and enjoy the city life. I love it here

May 09, 2012

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Local Atmosphere at University of Pennsylvania

lkahler

Environmental Studies '13

3.8
B+

Open Community

West Philadelphia is where the university is situated. An open campus means an opportunity of interaction with not just students, but people of the local area; this is true also when going off campus, to walk around the beautiful old townhouse lined streets, each unique and worth a second to observe- either due to their interesting choice in decor including color scheme, or because of their stately, old presence.

There are many local restaurants that support the school community, from chain stores, to the more unique locally owned locals. There are places tucked away on the aforementioned streets that invites you to explore the area.

Mar 29, 2012

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Local Atmosphere at University of Pennsylvania

mwinslow

Urban Studies and Affairs '15

5.0
A+

Ivy League in a Lively City

Although some students are too "scared" of West Philly horror stories or decide to not take advantage of the Philly area, Philadelphia is an awesome place to live. Whenever you get bored of campus, there's always something to do in Philadelphia. Tons of restaurants, Old City has a great night life, Center City has tons of shopping, Fitler's Square and the Schuykill River Park have a family-oriented, clean environment. There's literally endless possibilities. Philadelphia is a young city, filled with creative people.

Feb 20, 2012

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User rating for University of Pennsylvania - Local Atmosphere is 4.6 out of 5 based on 24 user reviews.

Student Survey Poll ResultsWhat's This?

Rate the local atmosphere on the following topics

What is the local atmosphere like at your school?

What is the proximity to other universities? Is there much interaction?

Can you see yourself living here after graduation?

Facts

Shopping Centers
  • The Bellevue
  • Cherry Hill Mall
  • The Gallery at Market East
  • King of Prussia Mall
  • The Shops at Liberty Place
Major Sports Teams
  • Philadelphia 76ers: basketball
  • Philadelphia Eagles: football
  • Philadelphia Flyers: hockey
  • Philadelphia Phillies: baseball
City Web Sites
Distances to Nearest Major Cities
  • New York City: NY: 2 hours
  • Washington: D.C.: 2 hours, 30 minutes

Movie TheatersWhat's This?

The Bridge: Cinema de Lux
230 S. 40th Street
Philadelphia
(215) 386-3300

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Most Recent Student Author View all

Name
Perry Petra-Wong
Hometown
Pasadena, Calif.
Major
Philosophy, Politics, and Economics

College Prowler is seeking talented student authors to assist with writing and updating the College Prowler guides to their schools. This is a great opportunity for a student to gain experience and tremendous exposure, utilize new media techniques, and share advice with high school students about what life is really like at your college.

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