Reed of Upenn???? - Page 2

Churyumov · 05-10-2008, 10:46 PM

well Upenn was all along my first choice and i actually only applied to reed because my counselor was completely obsessed with the college but when I did some further research I realized I loved its whole education policy since I myself am very kind of tree hugger and at the same time nerdy type so my choice ended up being between those two

mydixiewrecked · 05-10-2008, 11:00 PM

U Penn...yes I know, very cliche.

45 Percenter · 05-11-2008, 12:35 PM

Actually, in terms of ecological/environmental consciousness, Penn is one of the top colleges/universities in the US:

Quote:

University of Pennsylvania’s New Wind Energy Commitment Puts It Back on Top Among Peers
April 28, 2008

PHILADELPHIA -- The University of Pennsylvania is increasing its use of renewable wind energy during the next two years, earning the University the rank of top consumer of wind energy among institutions of higher education across the nation, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

Penn has ranked consistently as one of the nation’s Top 25 green-power purchasers since the EPA began ranking institutions in 2005.

The University, which purchases its wind energy through Community Energy of Radnor, Pa., will purchase an additional 80,000 megawatt hours per year, bringing its total wind-energy purchase to nearly 200,000 megawatt hours per year. This figure is the equivalent to powering 22,000 average homes in the United States for a year. Penn’s current wind-energy contracts continue through 2011, with the supplemental purchase retroactively covering 2007 and 2008.

“We are proud to expand our sizeable commitment to clean and renewable wind energy,” Penn President Amy Gutmann said. “This is yet another demonstrable step that Penn is taking as a leader in a global effort to achieve environmental sustainability.”
Purchasing wind energy is one element of Penn’s Green Campus Partnership, a multi-year strategic plan to achieve climate neutrality.

In February 2007 Dr. Gutmann was the first Ivy League signatory to the American College and University Presidents’ Climate Commitment, requiring Penn to develop a long-range plan for carbon neutrality. An interdisciplinary committee of students, faculty and staff are at work on this plan, which will be completed in the fall of 2009.

“By the completion of our sustainability plan in 2009, we expect to unveil additional programs including continued participation in sustainable energy," Anne Papageorge, vice president for facilities and real estate services at Penn, said.

Additional information about Penn’s commitment to environmental sustainability is at Penn Green Campus Partnership.

Penn: Office of University Communications: University of Pennsylvania’s New Wind Energy Commitment Puts It Back on Top Among Peers

ilovebagels · 05-11-2008, 12:43 PM

I'd say Penn. I'm thunderingly biased, of course. But Penn is about as green as an urban university is going to get.

And they're building even more greenspace on what used to be parking lots and US Post Office buildings. Check out the master plan Penn Connects : *—*Home

Oh and check out the biopond--an amazing hidden urban gem. UPenn - SAS - Department of Biology - Biopond

UPenn - SAS - Department of Biology - Biopond

carolyn · 05-12-2008, 02:26 PM

The answer to your question depends on how big a risk-taker you are.

You've been to Penn. You know what it looks like, what Philadelphia is like. Penn is a "name brand" Ivy school here in the U.S. so you won't have folks pausing when you tell them where you go to school and saying, "where's that?" There are a larger number of international students at Penn than at Reed, which might be a good thing. You'll have more of the "traditional" college experience people visualize of U.S. schools at Penn -- football games, frats and sororities, etc. You'll be on the east coast and closer to the places many international students picture visiting in the U.S. -- NY, D.C., Boston. Academically, you'll find Penn students just a tad more career focused than Reedies, but you will also find plenty of academic challenge.

Reed is the riskier option. It's not the "traditional U.S. college experience." No football games, no sororities/frats, but lots of intense intellectual conversations. You haven't visited so you're making your choice on pictures and second-hand impressions, but Reed's campus is as beautiful as it looks in the pictures (and by the way, you'll hardly be in the hinterlands of suburbia - lots of shopping, cafes, coffee houses within a short walk of campus). But, if you want to see more of the U.S. on a weekend, you'll be heading to Seattle, San Francisco, or LA, and probably not NY, Boston or Philadelphia which are six hour plane flights away. The west coast has its own sensibility -- more laid back, definitely more ecologically concerned. Portland's very livable, and has lots of charms of its own (including a great art scene, independent music, etc.), but it's not Philadelphia or NY. Finally, while Reed is known by some, drop its name into conversations and you're less likely to find someone has heard of it. You will have an intense intellectual and academic experience at Reed --- for some, it's too much. So, there is some risk there as well if you're not sure you want to work that hard.

So, think about what level of risk feels comfortable, and go with your gut instinct. They are both great schools, but as everyone's said, you'll have very different experiences at them. But, since they are both great, there is no wrong answer here, just different choices. Trust your instinct.

MeasureYourself · 05-12-2008, 02:36 PM

Upenn is in another league from Reed

ilovebagels · 05-12-2008, 03:08 PM

It is truly a matter of apples and oranges

MomofWildChild · 05-12-2008, 03:36 PM

I have trouble imagining the same student being happy at both places.

Interesteddad- I also have trouble understanding why a Penn student would take the train to Swat for a class. I have a lot of respect for Swat, but don't really see what would be gained. My kid has found more than enough classes that he wants to take (and too many that he HAS to take) to get on a train and go somewhere else!

poubelle · 05-12-2008, 04:21 PM

I greatly prefer Reed... but the schools are so different. It depends on what kind of college experience you want, as others have said! Both are very good schools.

hampster · 05-13-2008, 10:13 AM

^ Wow, excellent post Carolyn. Bravo.

Personally, I would pick Penn, but if the OP is sure about a career as a physicist/academic then it's a harder choice. Churyumov, is there really no way for you to visit Reed?