Skywalker23

What are the main differences/similarities between these schools? I can't seem to decide between the two and need more information. For example, after visiting UIUC and UMich it was very obvious which one I preferred, Michigan. However, I won't have the luxury of traveling halfway across the country to visit Columbia and UPenn, on the east coast. So, I need some help deciding which one I would like better and which one I should apply to. Just give me a general comparison of the two schools.

nooob

I wouldn't live in Philly if someone paid my rent for me. NYC is about a hundred times better (more fun, exciting, etc.). Columbia's campus is a bit nicer and, ironically, seems more spaced out. At Penn you'll walk down narrow streets with tall buildings to each side, whereas at Columbia the campus seems more spread out. And Columbia is more prestigious worldwide.

Skywalker23

Okay, since you'll probably ask me this eventually...

Some things I look for in a campus:

-Variety
Different parts of campus look/feel totally different and unique

-Close Community
Easy to make friends and hang out, find where you fit in

-Good Weather
I'll let this one pass since both of the schools are very good. If the school is good enough, I'll brave the cold.

-Large/Medium Size
Big enough to feel like I'll never see everyone/everything

-Quiet, Peaceful Location
Suburban area next to a big city is best. I realize both of these schools are in major cities though.

-Good transportation
Must be easy to reach major airport because of how far away the schools are.

-Easy to reach Professors
Should be self-explanatory. Good S:F ratio and office hours.

-Good colors
School colors must be appealing to the eye, otherwise I will not apply. Just kidding, of course.

monstor344

Growing up near NYC and visiting NYC frequently, I can genuinely say that nearly every city I've visited feels like a rathole compared to NYC, both big and small cities. And I've been to quite a few larges cities, both in the nation and outside of it. People like to complain about crime in NYC, but relatively speaking, NYC is very safe. I felt almost scared when I visited Newark and Hartford earlier this year. And I've only seen Philly once, but there was something about the atmosphere that just felt disjointed. There isn't a lively and robust sense there like there is walking through Manhattan.

And I know I didn't say anything about the schools themselves, but I assume you are interested in the cities themselves, and it's in my opinion that NYC blows Philly out of the water.

kwu

I spent eighteen years of my life in New York City. Went to school in the city, volunteered in the city, worked in the city, played in the city.

Philly is comparable.

Columbia and Penn are comparable.

Columbia is small, Penn is big. Neither has a tight community because kids flee in every direction for the city. The weather in both areas can be volatile and icky, but definitely better than New England weather. Both are located in areas that you need to research carefully, so you know which hotspots to avoid if you value your life. NYC has one of the most well-organized, convenient, and accessible public transportation systems in the world.

The two are exceedingly comparable. If you had the luxury of choosing between the two, however, I would recommend Columbia, with bias.

eatsalot

Variety
Different parts of campus look/feel totally different and unique

Columbia has a pretty cohesive design.. Penn wins this one.

-Close Community
Easy to make friends and hang out, find where you fit in

Neither really have this. But Penn gains slight edge.

-Good Weather
I'll let this one pass since both of the schools are very good. If the school is good enough, I'll brave the cold.

Meh, the same. But more fun in NY. So Columbia wins here

-Large/Medium Size
Big enough to feel like I'll never see everyone/everything

Penn is significantly larger. Is it large enough for you to not like it?

-Quiet, Peaceful Location
Suburban area next to a big city is best. I realize both of these schools are in major cities though.

Penn is a little out, in University City. Penn wins this one. But really, not be much lol.

-Good transportation
Must be easy to reach major airport because of how far away the schools are.

Both are really accessible. From Penn, it's a 5 minute walk to the station and a 20 minute train ride for 8 bucks. For Columbia, its a bus/subway/taxi ride to the airport. Cost varies.. but i think Penn wins this one.

-Easy to reach Professors
Should be self-explanatory. Good S:F ratio and office hours.

Meh, both elite privates. No winner.

-Good colors
School colors must be appealing to the eye, otherwise I will not apply. Just kidding, of course.

Okay, sorry to the Columbia fans, but light blue just doesn't suit me hahaha (Duke blue wins jk). Penn wins.

sooooooooooooooooo I say Penn. I hope this helps a little haha.

nooob

Life after 'Harry Potter': Emma Watson is heading to Columbia University in the fall

emma watson is going to columbia.

teenage_cliche

Though I don't have knowledge of Penn's campus, Columbia's is certainly distinct and cohesive from the rest of the city. Yes, the city is very easily accessible, but the campus itself is a distinct entity and you can walk around it realizing that you're in NY but not being really in the middle of the city yourself, if that makes sense.

Coolbrezze

Both are well known universities, ivy leagues.

Well it may really vary depending on your major, but overall Columbia has a larger party scence while Penn has a larger community feel. I've heard a lot that many Columbia students have complain of the lack of school community, but there are now students trying to promote the college community... well that's what I've read.

star_s

^ Penn is actually often referred to as the "social Ivy" or the "party Ivy," so I don't know if Columbia's party scene is necessarily larger. Penn's sense of community also suffers from the divide between Wharton kids and CAS kids.

One of the most profound differences that hasn't been mentioned yet is the Core at Columbia. Penn has distribution requirements but nothing to the same degree.

hmom5

I see these schools as quite different.

First, Columbia is considerably hardrer to get into. That would be a key factor for many.

Penn is a much more social school, a 'party ivy'. Columbia attracts more wouldbe intellectuals who want the core. Penn's campus lets you forget you're in Philly if you stay within. At Columbia I never lose the feel of urban grit. NYC is the much better location if you will use and enjot the city.

Gordon_Gekko

I'd go with Penn.

I visited Columbia a couple months ago and it was nice but I was a little disappointed overall. The neighborhood it is in (Morningside Heights) seemed a little rough to me. It wasn't too bad, just not as nice as anywhere from Central Park south... Columbia is really like an enclave tough; it's in the city but feels separate. I also thought it was kind of small compared to some of the other schools I've seen.

Skywalker23

My parents said Penn was better...but they probably just want me to go there so it's easier for them to keep track of their babies. (My sister lives in Philly)

nooob

@Gordon_Gekko

If you thought Columbia was in a rough neighborhood (which it really isn't, it's just near one :P), have you seen Philly? Penn is right in the middle of a pretty ghetto neighborhood.

I visited both and can safely say NYC is a lot more fun and safer (relatively)

BananaSandwich15

NYC is an ok city it's not great. it's just super dirty. philly is boring but the people a nice. i thought penn had the nicer campus but i like closed off campuses. i don't think comlubia is as much of a machine as penn

and who cares what neighborhood it's in. i've been to both schools and i didn't see the "ghetto" anywhere.