We all know Penn is regarded as one of top schools in the nation. However, it looks like most of its prestige comes from Wharton which, as many of you may know, is consistently ranked as the US's #1 business school. It seems that Penn's other departments are not THAT impressive, compared to other top universities. If someone is looking to study a field outside of business at a top university, why should they choose Penn and not elsewhere?
If you want to go off rankings, then in the College there are many majors that are ranked in the top ten in the entire nation. I don't know much about nursing but the engineering school offers a Bioengineering major that often regarded as top 5-10 in the country, and I think the engineering school itself is around the top 30ish.
Yes, it is that good. I'm in a humanities major in Arts & Sciences, and I am surrounded by great faculty and great students. There are tons of resources and opportunities for undergrad research (in any field), plus stuff like the Kelly Writers House and preceptorials (Preceptorials | University of Pennsylvania).
Classics faculty - awesome. Anthropology faculty - awesome. History faculty - awesome. The number of languages offered is insane. Etc etc.
I don't know if this is important to you, but there is a large and active Jewish community on campus representing all denominations (including a large modern orthodox community). There are tons of Jewish resources, including a popular kosher dining hall.
"It seems that Penn's other departments are not THAT impressive, compared to other top universities"
Peppino: I'll assume you posted this out of sincere curiosity (as opposed to someone wishing to slag Penn). The phrase I quoted from you is one that, from alums and students of competitive colleges, sounds ridiculous, if I can be blunt. To imagine for one iota that my classes at another Ivy were quantitatively or qualitatively SO SUPERIOR to what my peer at Penn would have rec'd is preposterous. Anyone, ANYONE with any knowledge of the quality of these schools wouldn't diminish Penn whatsoever. If I rec'd resumes from HYP grads and a Penn grad -- I would treat them completely equal (well... I think I might be a tad biased toward a fellow alum. LOL).
These broad X is better than Y comparisons are the fodder of outsiders -- not of people who have actually attended or taught at those schools. Same crowd whose self-worth is linked to USNWR rankings. All trash, IMHO.
Penn is great. I would have been honored to attend -- and would be ecstatic if my own kid would apply too.
"..I don't know much about nursing but.."
Penn's Nursing School (Graduate) is tied with JHU and UCSF as #1 in the nation (USNWR rankings). UCSF has no undergrad programs, and Hopkins only has accelerated BSN. Lists are meant to be argued (anyone who visits U-Pitt or CWRU will swear that nothing better could exist anywhere, and this may be true), but rest assured Penn SON hold's its own.
Are you asking a loaded question to indicate that you know nothing whatsoever about the Nursing profession, or are you just confused about something else? Bud123, your statement is so blindingly ignorant that I really can't imagine anyone respecting anything you offer on this forum. Please stop insulting Penn, Nursing, Vandy, USC, and simply smoke your bud in peace, away from CC.
Last edited by cecilturtle; 11-11-2012 at 01:11 AM.
Actually, back in the Dark Ages when I went to Penn, Wharton was the refuge for students who couldn't get into the College and College for Women. Wharton has gotten good at marketing, but I'm not convinced the actual education there has improved.
However, Penn overall was excellent then and has gotten better. There's much more opportunity for students to do research, and the community-based service learning courses are amazing. The administration is more responsive to student interests; finally, after a long absence, there's a chance to study journalism, for example. Individual majors are more flexible. One University is more than a slogan.
Cecil, I don't think he was slamming anyone. My daughter is going to a community college to get her nursing degree and the cost is far less than Penn. I think it is a legitimate question.
Bud123, thank you for the PM; that was very considerate. My presumption of your motive stands correction. MySonsDad, thank you for the plaintive honesty. But, come on friends. The Nursing industry is broad and vastly more vertical than you are attributing with your kind shucks. A DNP from Penn earns $125K in a number of different roles. Near unanimity is the assertion that non-BSN RNs are being phased out in the next several years. The flexibility and positioning of a BSN-RN from Penn, or Pitt, or Case Western is not hidden under a bushel. Talk to the NIH and those who supply the enormous funding $ for these schools, for these specific undergrad and grad Nursing programs. Please read more about industry trends. With respect to bottom line cost of education, that varies widely based upon so many.. bla bla, you know this already!
Again, forgive me for my attitude.
also, cecil, don't forget other things a college offers, like the environment, peer collaboration, experience, opportunities, learning experience, competition, etc. are things that are beyond just what is taught and just "getting a degree." So all in all, your son could end up with the same job and pay as someone who graduated from, say, a community college or another school, but then again I feel like college isn't just for getting a degree / job. Idk, i'm just a freshman here, sigh, its tough. Besides, Financial Aid at Penn isn't too bad.
