University of Pennsylvania Visit Report by swissmiss3

Visit Activities:

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Campus:

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We finished at Villanova earlier than expected, so my mom figured we could drive to Penn and get on their last tour/info session. Called admissions for directions and they helped lots!

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Very pretty campus, LOTS of huge trees and lush grounds.

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Everything looked well cared for. Nothing lacked care at all.

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Being right in downtown Philadelphia, it's probably as safe as possible, which might not be saying much. Use caution, especially at night.

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We didn't reach Admissions before I knew this wasn't the place for me. Decided to skip Penn altogether. Looked great, but was obviously not a good fit for me. I couldn't see myself ther

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Off-Campus:

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Lots of shops, restaurants, and you-name-it all around campus. If you get bored here, you caused it yourself.

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This looked exciting, but was clearly not for me.

Campus Visit Notes for University of Pennsylvania

Visit Description:

We planned this trip down to the half-day because I wanted to visit lots of schools in as short a time as possible. We live in Texas, and were only out east for my sister's college graduation, so returning to see schools later on was not an option. It was now or never.

We allowed one day for each college we visited, but finished at the Villanova visit early enough to make the last Penn tour/info session that same day. Thanks to the helpful admissions people at Penn, we found the campus and a parking deck. Once on campus, it didn't take me long to realize that this was a pretty place but most definitely not for me. I told my mom that I couldn't see myself living there for 4 years. She asked if I was sure. Um, yeah, I'm sure. No way. She said okay and we returned to the car to go to our hotel for that night.

We stayed at the downtown Holiday Inn, thanks to a relative who gave us free nights with his points. That hotel was gorgeous. We checked in and then did the Philadelphia tourist stuff. Saw the Liberty Bell, Independence Hall, and then shopped at a large mall, eating in the food court. There is a China-Town sort of area not far from the hotel where you can get delicious Chinese food (we did) and find great Chinese things to buy. Be prepared to walk!

As we were on our way back to the hotel after dinner, we stood at a corner waiting for the light to change. A homeless man behind my mother reached out, lifted the end of the ribbon from her hat, and wiped his face with it! Uggg....So be ready for just about anything!

Since we visited Villanova and Penn on the day that was scheduled just for Villanova, that freed up the next day when we had intended to visit Penn. I added Princeton to the roster and we headed there next.

Hotel/Lodging Recommendations or Comments:

The downtown Holiday Inn (historic district) was fabulous! Walking distance to tourist sites.

Dining/Restaurant Recommendations or Comments:

China Town has lots of interesting restaurants. If you're like me, you would enjoy a good Chinese dinner!

Other Comments (Transportation, local attractions, parking, etc.):

Philadelphia has about anything you could want.