University of Pennsylvania Top Questions

It's in a city

I like that it is big enough to offer much diversity but without sacrificing intimacy and individual attention.

It is incredibly diverse and there is a great deal of effort made in research fields.

The work hard/play hard ethic and the emphasis on community service both in and outside the classroom. My major (Health and Societies) was also unique to the school.

The athlete community. The athletes at the school are amazing people, and the girls on my team were absolutely the best friends in the world.

The students are driven, engaged, intelligent, talented, diverse, and are almost always fun to talk to. and many of them are good looking!

The school is located in a city, yet there is still a very distinct delination of campus and city.

I did not consider other schools because I applied and was accepted to UPenn early decision.

A student’s take on the social life at Penn, and Penn’s reputation as the “Social Ivy”.

The new Civic Scholars and Engineering Scholars programs are making a splash on campus, exemplifying Penn’s active dedication to integrating community engagement with academics. Campus security was recently rated number six in Security Magazine’s Security 500, the top 500 security executives and their organizations. Of all educational institutions, Penn ranked first by far. While crime in Philadelphia is high, the Penn community can easily avoid any potential danger by using common sense. Penn provides free walking and driving escort services with a simple call, lighting virtually everywhere, emergency calling booths at every block, and a team of security so that you will spot someone in a fluorescent yellow vest at every corner. Dining is excellent, especially for vegetarians. As a vegetarian, I find more options than one who can’t have a meal without meat. Especially recently, the dining company, Aramark, has made an increased effort to change up the menu every day, with great success. Hillel, the Jewish center and best kept secret, has arguably the best on campus food. The slew of off-campus is so enormous that I still haven’t been to many restaurants a couple blocks away. Best things: The central location, the “One University” policy, Academically Based Community Service Courses, excellent financial aid (especially with the new policy to begin implementation in Fall 2008), the dynamic and rich history of Philadelphia, the cultural aspect of Philly, amazing professors, interdisciplinary and integrative learning, a rapidly growing vision and endowment thanks to a charismatic and dedicated president.