| Penn's physics department is ranked in the top 20 nationally, and its religion department is ranked in the top 10 nationally, so it's highly ranked in both of your intended majors. Further, many of Penn's other liberal arts departments are ranked in either the top 10 or the top 20 in the nation.
As others have said, Penn and Reed are completely different types of schools and environments. Of course, you'll find a much greater variety of courses, students, activities, etc. at Penn. Also, most undergrads in Penn's College of Arts and Sciences seem pleased with their courses and the undergraduate focus of their professors, especially once they get beyond the basic intro courses. Additionally, under Penn's "One University" policy, all undergrads are strongly encouraged to take courses in more than one of the undergraduate schools (College, Wharton, Engineering, Nursing) and in most of Penn's graduate and professional schools (Graduate School of Arts and Sciences, Law School, Annenberg School for Communication, School of Design, School of Social Policy and Practice, Graduate School of Education, etc.), without the need for any special dispensation. This allows undergrads to explore far beyond the traditional undergraduate liberal arts curriculum.
So unless you have a preference for the environment of a small liberal arts college, Penn has a lot more to offer in terms of variety, breadth, and depth. |