Visit Report by 2-iron (Member since November 11 2007 with 318 posts) Visit Date - May 2008
Visit to University of Pennsylvania in May 2008 by 2-iron (Student, HS Class of 2009)
Visit Activities:
Information Session:
Yes - One of the best, most informative sessions, conducted by a very bright-eyed-and-bushy-tailed admissions rep. Campus Tour:
Yes - Led by a fairly articulate student, but the campus itself outshined anything he could say.
University of Pennsylvania Campus:
Friendliness/Courtesy of Students: 4 - Very Good -
Didn't talk to any students other than the tour guide, but all of the students seemed REALLY happy, more so than at any other school.
Friendliness/Courtesy of Staff: 5 - Excellent -
Really great staff. My mom went to Fordham, and despite her/my...uh...Jewishness/not Catholicness...she says all the Jesuits she has met are fantastic people.
Appearance of Campus: 5 - Excellent -
The most beautiful Gothic buildings I have seen anywhere. The dorms facing the river are also spectacular. You can actually walk down the hillside fronting the river on top of these dorms' roofs.
Building/Facilities Maintenance/Cleanliness: 3 - Good -
There was lots of litter, but that was okay. The campus, being so crowded, compact, and bustling, had a sort of lived-in feel that added to the charm.
Dormitories: 5 - Excellent -
Didn't see any insides, but they seemed like a real step up from anything I've seen before. The lack of frat houses means that EVERYONE gets the dorm experience.
Security/Safety: 4 - Very Good -
It's not the safest city in the world, but the Georgetown area itself is nice and safe. The school seems to take all the neccessary precautions to ensure safety.
Overall Campus Impression: 5 - Excellent -
My favorite visit so far.
Off-Campus:
Area Immediately Around Campus: 5 - Excellent -
Best of both worlds: urban enough to have plenty to do, but not in the middle of a smog-filled downtown.
City/Town/Community: 5 - Excellent -
No place like DC for internships and gaining experience, save maybe NYC. Stay west of downtown and you'll be okay.
Campus Visit Notes for University of Pennsylvania:
Visit Description:
Really enjoyed my visit to Georgetown, the first campus with which I really fell in love. Lots of happy people. Took a little time adjusting to the crosses above the blackboards, etc. but was really a great, diverse place that seems to bring together liberals and conservatives, hippies and preppies, all of whom share the characteristic of being smart, savvy, and driven.
Hotel/Lodging Recommendations or Comments:
Embassy Suites in Tysons Corner, VA is great...we've stayed there on two college visit trips.
Dining/Restaurant Recommendations or Comments:
Lots of great food in DC, but very little of it is cheap.
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Didn't talk to any students other than the tour guide, but all of the students seemed REALLY happy, more so than at any other school.
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Really great staff. My mom went to Fordham, and despite her/my...uh...Jewishness/not Catholicness...she says all the Jesuits she has met are fantastic people.
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There was lots of litter, but that was okay. The campus, being so crowded, compact, and bustling, had a sort of lived-in feel that added to the charm.