University of Pennsylvania Top Questions

First and foremost, visiting the campus itself is imperative. Having a feel for the campus can only be achieved by being on the campus. A brochure simply does not convey what the university truly has to offer. Additionally, spending time with students is a priceless experience. Although college sponsored tours may provide insight about the available facilities and support systems in place for students, there is far more to a college education than simply its academic aspect. Looking back on my college search, I truly wish that I had found a student at each institution that I wished to attend, who could give me a tour of the campus. Seeing the campus from a student's perspective is far more accurate than from an administrator's standpoint. Being that the staff and faculty instates programs to please students, the best way to measure their success is to speak to the students who experience such programs on a daily basis. I know that I, as a current undergraduate student at iPenn in the Engineering School, can provide prospective students with a clearer understanding of the academic courseload and the type of social life they can expect, than a school administrator.

The best advice I could give to parents and students about finding the right college is visiting. Visit as many schools as you possibly can, and visit a variety of different kinds: urban, suburban, rural, big schools, and tiny schools. You may think you know what you want when it is all theoretical, but everything changes once you start visiting. And when you visit the school that's right for you, you'll know it. I did! The first time I visited Penn, it just felt right, and I knew that if I got in, I had to go there. Luckily for me, I got in. My advice to anyone trying to make the most of their college experience is: find your niche. For me, this was community service. Immediately upon arriving on campus, I joined an organization that runs after-school programs in West Philadelphia, and it was the best decision I've made. Find something you're passionate about, and throw yourself into it, heart and soul. You'll meet amazing friends along the way, and it might even shape what you decide to study. For me, community involvement helped me settle on an urban studies major.

It's important to look at what other students are like when you visit a college. Consider this more than a name value.

If you enter the process having outlined what you know you need (and what you would also like), you'll know the right environment when you come across it. That is why visiting schools is so important and it's why applying to too many can be counterproductive. On my college search, I knew what I wanted--vaugely. I knew that I wanted to be in a big city and I knew that I wanted to try to get into one of the best schools in the country. After that, it was just a matter of a school speaking to me, a place that I felt surprisingly at home. There was an "aha!" moment when I toured Penn. The most important thing when searching for a college./university is to find a place where you think you can grow. You don't want something that you're totally accustomed to and you don't want an environment that makes you feel out of place. The college experience is about pushing yourself, and if you find the right environment for that type of growth and self-exploration, a place that is both supportive and challenging, then you've found your school.

Go with your gut :)

Please do not put money on the top of your list of "Important Things to Consider When Choosing Colleges"; while money is certainly important, it should not be used to determine the next four years of your child's life. Ultimately, a student's college experience will mould him into what he will be for the rest of his 70 some years, and you don't want to let money stand in the way of his/her potential. The differences in social/academic lives between a very cheap school and a very expensive one are more than acute. While my school is incredibly academically oriented (and very expensive), the schools only blocks away are hardly on the same academic level. For example, my Corporate Finance course covers 16 chapters in 1 semester, whereas other business schools cover only 6-8. We have amazing professors with both research and professional experience, and I don't know if I can say the same for cheaper schools. Don't let money stand in the way of a decision; after all, a better school leads to a better job, and a better job leads to that much more money in the near future, right?

pick a school that is right for you, not what is expected of you or the current standard

I think it is important to go with your gut instinct and to not be afraid about taking risks.

I made the mistake of not looking at enough colleges so I would strongly advise high school students to start thinking about colleges early and visiting as many as they can. Parents should to encourage (but not nag) their children and constantly remind them to think about where they want to go for the next four years of their lives. To make the most of the college experience, students should join extra-curricular clubs to meet new people. They should hang out with their new friends but not let their social life get in the way of their studying. Students should befriend people in their class. Not only would it benefit them by having a study partner, they can also have fun while studying, which would make the whole learning experience better. Students also should not hesitate to go to office hours or to email their professors or TAs when they don't understand something.

Visit the campus first and make sure the school has the right ethnic and racial mix that you will be happy in. It could be the best school in the world, but if you are not happy and do not have good friends, you will not thrive. Make sure you find a place where you will be happy and feel comfortable. Make sure there are enough resources, extra-curricular activities, and courses that you will be able to explore. College is about much more than just academics, but be sure that both academic and social aspects are sound. Talk to students, do your research, but above all, when all is said and done, follow your heart in order to make your decision. Listen to your heart.

Whatever you do, don't get caught up in the name of a school. It may sound great to attend an Ivy League or other prestigious university, but make sure that you are comfortable with the workload, pressure, and expectations that requires. It's most important to be happy and comfortable wherever you choose to go; as long as you work hard and really apply yourself, you can acheive whatever you want. Also, make sure you visit the schools that you apply to, especially once you're really deciding where you want to go to school. That campus and city will become your home, and sometimes a visit beforehand can make all the difference in making or breaking your decision. Once you're in college, live it up! "Carpe diem" may sound cliche, but it's true. This time has the potential to be the best four years of your life, and there is a ton of resources and potential experiences at your fingertips, just waiting to be explored. Good luck, and above all, have fun!

i don't know

Apply to many schools--a few safeties, a few good shots, and a few reaches. Don't be afraid to go somewhere tough, but be ready to work hard from day one. Make sure to start fulfilling requirements right away. Don't be afraid to meet your professors and go to their office hours--you will do best in courses where you are engaged with the professor, sitting in the front row, and always being prepared. Start testing out different campus groups right when you get on campus so that you don't find yourself missing out later and too afraid to start late in the game. Have fun!

Find the one that matches you the best: what you want to do in life, what kind of students and people you want to interact with, what type of town you want to be in.

I believe that college is really what you make of it. No matter where you go, there will be people you get along with and people you don't, classes you love and classes you wish you never signed up for, and days when you are completely satisfied with your college and days when you wish you were anywhere but here. If you make the effort to make strong connections with people and make lifelong friendships, and you take advantage of all the resources and opportunities available to you, you WILL have a wonderful experience. Just make sure to surround yourself with things that make you happy and focus on doing your best.

Every high school senior stresses about college admissions, while his or her parents save every penny to finance the education. Yes, it is tough, but to every situation there is always a perfect solution. Online search for schools is great, but in order to make the best decision you should visit the school. No excuses. Only then and there will you know if it feels right. Stay over for a night, take a stroll on a school day and see what is going on around campus. If it matches your expectations, then do not hesitate and apply. Only YOU can make you college experience count, no matter how well the school is advertized or criticized by others. And as far as the financing education goes, there is always help. You just have to look for it. Besides the piggy bank and FAFSA, there are hundreds of scholarships online. The college itself may offer you one, based on your grades or the program of study. And as always, do not wait till the last minute to apply to college or for the financial aid. Do it early. Save yourself the trouble, and get what you want and need!

Don't become too preoccupied with ranking. Its about finding the school that is the best fit for your personlity, learning style, and future goals. Look for a school that has a strong and well respected department for your field of interest. If you are not sure what you want to major in look for a school that is strong all around. Definately try to get a sense of what kind of students go there and what it takes to suceed. Pick classes STRATEGICALLY. I cannot stress this enough. College is NOT about learning as much as you can, thats what reading is for. Pick clases that you can excel in and balance it with courses that are challegenging enough but not impossible. Choose professors that can be helpful to you in the future: recomendation letters, jobs, research, plain old personal development. But also enjoy yourself, find and OUTLET (ie: music). Make the most of opportunities that come your way and study a little bit everyday, it will save you ALOT of trouble. Finally, don't be afraid to define your own path, you might be tempted to do what everyone else is doing academically DONT. FIND YOUR OWN WAY.

The schools you've applied to probably all have comparable academics, so choose based on what you think you'll be doing in your time outside of class. Make sure you consider the resources available around campus - are there restaurants, clubs, places to shop or is every worthwhile activity on campus? Try to get a feel for what the social life centers around at each school. If prestige or reputation is important to you, don't worry about whether or not that's shallow and consider it equally with all the other characteristics of the schools you're looking at.

I have only one simple piece of advice: choose a college that you enjoy AND can afford; it's not worth going into debt just to attend your reach school. Your college experience will be whatever you make of it regardless of where you go, so choose somewhere that's affordable.

Go where it is cheapest.