(UPenn) Coming to Penn is easily the best decision I

How this student rated the school

Educational Quality	A	Faculty Accessibility	A
Useful Schoolwork	A-	Excess Competition	A
Academic Success	A	Creativity/ Innovation	A
Individual Value	B	University Resource Use	B+
Campus Aesthetics/ Beauty	A-	Friendliness	A-
Campus Maintenance	B+	Social Life	A
Surrounding City	A	Extra Curriculars	A
Safety	B

Describes the student body as: Friendly, Approachable Describes the faculty as: Helpful

Male

SAT1310

Not so bright

Lowest Rating Individual Value	B

Highest Rating Educational Quality	A

He cares more about Individual Value than the average student.

Date: Dec 21 2005
Major: Economics (This Major's Salary over time)
Coming to Penn is easily the best decision I ever made. I'm a transfer student from Paris so when applying all I wanted was to be on a prestigious college campus while maintaining the life of a cosmpolitan urbanite. I was hesitating between Penn and Columbia since location was my main criterion, but I'm glad I came here after a week of much thought. Penn can be whatever you want it to be. People complain that it's too big and impersonal but trust me there's so many student services as well as nice faculty that are glad to help you out if you act as an adult and take the initiative to seek help.

The academics is top notch…I certainly won't deny that I felt so intimidated taking my first Calculus exams even though I was always the best in high school. Thing is, everyone here WAS also best at theirs…there's positivity in the competition, everyone works really hard and plays really hard. I know I'm yet to see the cut throat stuff but I'm sure I'll be able to sail through that well. Large classes tend to be tough due to the curve but if you work hard enough you'll be fine. Whenever you get an A here you'll know it's because you deserve it, not by sheer luck at all. Last minute studying and memorizing won't get you grades, as you will notice.

While it's nice to study in Van Pelt for hrs and hrs, Philadelphia is always a short cab ride away. It'll never be Paris but it will always be fabulous, at least for American standards - the little restaurants, the night life(21 or not:)!),the culture,the sports,theaters, shops…Forget Boston, Philly's the quintessential college city!

I have to admit there's been a couple of times when I felt unsafe walking on campus after dark or after seeing crimre reports regularly in the DP, but that can easily be curbed if you walk in groups or use common sense. There's also the 24hr escort service(PennWalk), used it today on my way back from the movies…no complaints. The officers are friendly and they're willing to follow you anywhere.

If you want an excellent Ivy League education without all the fuss and pressure of "Ivy Leaguedness" while meeting smart, inspirational people from all walks of life COME TO PENN. It's not 100% perfect(it's more like 90-95%) but it's a very good indeed. As long as you're mature, open and not a loser you're so not gonna regret it. It's so worth the 40 grand your parents pay, make sure you make the most of it.

Responses

Hi, I read your review about Upenn, and was curious how you came down to your decision between Penn and Columbia. I'm also an international transfer student accepted to Penn and Columbia this fall, and I still don't know which school is the right decision for me. I hope if you can share with me your experience transferring to Penn. Thanks!

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