University of Pennsylvania
Reviews

Not Much Need but What's Available Is Great

Public transportation and walking suffice, but Penn has a free van service every night 6pm-3am and they cover a pretty large area (maybe about 20x20 blocks?)

Guys/Girls

With so many different people, it's impossible NOT to meet people

Great Facilities All Around

There are many well-stocked libraries with helpful librarians. The gym is great and conveniently located. It's equipped with a basketball court, swimming pool, exercise machines, weigt=ht rooms and locker rooms. There's a great civic house where students can go to get involved in community service. Additionally there a lot of restaurants located around campus which provide a variety of food options, along with a number of great dining halls.

Common Majors, Schools' Registration, Professors, Dual Degrees, Pre-Med

Our professors are on average very engaging and eager to aid interact with undergraduates. The curriculum is extremely practical. Your workload varies but their are dual degree options to intensify it if you desire it. You can form your own double major if that suits you. If there is ever an academic struggle there are ample enough resources to help you. You have more counselors/ advisors than you could ever ask for and for anything you could ever ask for. There is also an on campus tutoring center and learning center to help you with these matters. Within the Engineering school Bioengineering is a popular major for Pre-medicine students as well as no pre-meds. Within the business school, Finance is the number one major. Within the College of Arts and Sciences, Politics, Philosophy and Economics is a common major; and Biological Basics of Behavior is a common pre-med major. Within the nursing school, it is pretty much a general track. When registering for Penn, you should register for WHAT SCHOOL YOU WANT TO BE IN right off the back because internal switching is extremely competitive and difficult. If someone would like to study in a dual-degree program they should apply for it from the beginning: they have nothing to lose.

Not Bad

It's not something you typically notice if you've lived in the city all your life, but the guys and girls are pretty normal and cool at Penn. They are diverse in backgrounds so you'll have a lot of different people, but in general everyone gets along pretty well.

Awesome

Professors are extremely approachable and easy to talk to. It is very easy to get a research internship around here. There are also several excellent interdisciplinary programs that make Penn unique - the market for people who specialize only in one pure field is saturated. Today's industries, especially in technology, demand for employees and entrepreneurs who have an interdisciplinary background. Penn prepares you for that.

Best 4 Years Ever!

I had a fabulous time at UPenn! I was very happy with the academics, research opportunities, extra-curricular activities, and student life in general. The administration really listens to students and responds to their wants and needs. I was able to find my niche in the performing arts community (theater and dance), but felt at home in professional student groups and just hanging out around campus. I'd choose it again in a heartbeat!

Supermanageable City

Philadelphia has all the benefits of a big city in a manageable size. The areas of University City, Center City, and Old City are all very walkable, with easy subway and bus access. The city offers great restaurants, including a bounty of BYOBs, as well as great cultural activities at places like the Kimmel Center and Theater District. For history buffs, Philadelphia has few cities that compare, with many "firsts" of the U.S. and of course, the Liberty Bell and Independence Hall. It would be nice if it was easier to get to areas like South Philly, which offer a great neighborhood vibe and different aspect of the city culture.

Fall

The beginning of the semester is mostly comfortable and sunny, especially when you bask in the sun while travelling from buildings. But it gets windy and chilly during December. Didn't experience enough snow to miss class or cancel class.

There Are So Many Resources Available to the Students

I am in the Wharton School of Business. At an Ivy League institution alone, one expects everything to be top-notch. However, this school far exceeded my expectations. The professors are great, the food is great and there are so many resources available to the students. There is really no reason why any person would not succeed in a great place like Penn!

I Love It!

I love Penn. It really is great all around, and is what you make of it. There is definitely something for everyone- athletics, greek life, academics, etc.

The Quad Isn't Everything

As a freshmen, everyone wants to live in one of the three dorms in the Quad. I must say the Quad is really oretty and does have a lot of things to do, but if you don't live there freshmen year its no big deal. I would personally reccommend Hill because it tends to be a bit friendlier. If you live in the quad you may find a lot of cliques develop which is something that should be left in high school.

Greek Life

Greek life seems to have a pretty significant presence, but I would say the majority are not involved, or if they are, not significantly. It's not really a big deal either way, and you can go to parties and stuff whether or not you are affiliated with the frat.

See What You Like

Freshman year everyone goes to all the different frat parties, especially first semester, but come winter and spring, people begin to figure out where they like to go best, and usually stick to those places. There are basically two bars- one is impossible to get into if you are under 21, but the other is pretty easy to get into. Most fun are probably house parties at sports teams houses, and pretty much everything is within walking distance.

Just Be Responsible.

The administration and the advisers know what's going on; many of them are cool about it as long as you're safe. There's increased vigilance during Spring Fling because that's when the entire school goes crazy, and I have heard stories of parties getting busted but students usually do not get in trouble. Penn does a good job of letting kids have fun while encouraging them to take responsibility for their actions. If you are caught, they won't punish you but you're trusted to know not to do it again.

It's a Community

I don't know how to put it differently but you definitely feel like a part of the school when you go here.

Not Bad

I was very surprised by the turnout of the girls at UPenn. I transferred from another college and the girls here were a definite upgrade, despite my fears. The women aren't as attractive as those you find at a state school, but in general there were a lot of cute girls. As far as the bars I've been to, I haven't seen a lot of attractive women, but New York is not far away... As far as style, there is a range of how people dress. My first semester I literally had a schedule with a Spanish class of preppy-dressed underclassmen, a class with a bunch of formally dressed suited-up Whartonites, a couple of social science classes with urban-dressed students, and a film class with all sorts of different styles.

I’ve had a great experience at...

I’ve had a great experience at Penn thus far. The key, just like at any other school, is finding your niche. Because Penn is big, this can take some time and patience. Once you find your crowd, you’ll make friends with some of the brightest, most interesting people you’ve ever met. If you don’t like the face-paced intensity of East Coast cities, Penn might not be right for you. It has its flaws, but what school doesn’t?

I love Penn. It’s definitely...

I love Penn. It’s definitely challenging, but the people I have met here are priceless. The teachers have been okay so far, but it all depends on what you classes you have to take. You make the best of what you have, and things usually turn out pretty well. I’ve gotten stressed at some points, but if you plan right, that can all be alleviated. There are also so many other things to do here other than academics . . . from sports, to performing arts, to cultural or political clubs. You get from Penn what you put into it and what you want from it. Come to Penn; it’s a really cool place.

I’m obsessed with Penn. I’m hoping...

I’m obsessed with Penn. I’m hoping to stay for grad school, and my sister will hopefully be attending as well. I have to say, going to Penn was the best decision I ever made! I love it here, and I can’t imagine being anywhere else. I feel so at home, and I’ve made so many wonderful friends. I love being in the city, but when you’re on campus sometimes, you even forget that you are in a city! It’s there when you want it, but you can escape it, too. I just can’t say enough good things about it. I can’t believe my first year is over already. It’s flying by, and that makes me sad because I love it so much!

I could not picture myself being...

I could not picture myself being at any other university. I applied early decision to Penn because I just knew it was for me. The campus, the people, the classes, and the city are all amazing. I promise that if you do make the decision to come to Penn that you will not regret it at all.

I really love it here. It is...

I really love it here. It is excellent. Nobody has ever told me anything about their schools that can surpass Penn.

I wanted to go to school in a big...

I wanted to go to school in a big city, so Penn definitely fits that role well, as it is nearly in the middle of Philadelphia. I enjoyed my freshman year, and I’m enthusiastic about my major, now that I’ve been through my first classes and met the professors of the department. They all are such brilliant professors, and I’m incredibly glad to have their knowledge at my disposal.

My overall experience at Penn has...

My overall experience at Penn has been marvelous. Penn is huge. I would have to say that it’s more difficult to avoid making friends with good people than it is to do so. There are so many different types of people with interesting personalities all over campus, and a wide range of activities to help you meet them. The classes are truly exciting, and you learn a lot more from them than what’s on the syllabus. Living in a city, on a vast campus, and attending one of the finest universities in the country is rarely disappointing and never boring. You can always fine something interesting to do and someone splendid to do it with.

I am absolutely in love with this...

I am absolutely in love with this school, and I could not imagine going anywhere else. I think that Penn allows a perfect combination of work and play. I love the people; I have found plenty of extracurricular activities to keep me busy; and I cannot wait for classes to start up again in the fall. Come here. You’ll have fun, I promise.