Need Help Please! Penn LPS vs Berkeley L&S

Colleges & Universities University of Pennsylvania
1

<p>I’m a transfer student and got into Penn LPS and Berkeley L&S (A one letter difference). Gee I wish I only got into one of them so that I don’t have to make this difficult choice.</p>

<p>OK. I know they’re both great schools and I should be happy at either one. But as greedy as a human can be, I just want to pick the one that’s the best (for me).</p>

<p>A little about myself: International, Asian, went to a college in my country for two years (a pretty good school, but definitely not Penn or Berkeley caliber.) Got bored and dropped out, one semester gap, and came to a community college here in the U.S. So I’m pretty much a non-traditional student. My work experience includes a book translation (one of the most classic one about film editing), and a once-a-week tutor. I also had tons of ECs/leadership at the college in my country.</p>

<p>Here are the pros and cons of both schools:</p>

<p>Penn
Pros:</p>

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<p>Berkeley
Pros:</p>

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<p>Cons:</p>

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<p>Something else to consider: At Penn I will be an absolute minority: international, Asian, transfer, LPS non-traditional student.
At Berkeley there will be more people in the same situation with me: Asians are taking over the UC system now, including Berkeley (Bravo!), and a good number of transfer students there, too.
So my concern is, will I fit in at Penn?</p>

<p>By the way I’m a (indie/rock) music and movie lover, very independent but definitely not anti-social. In fact, would it be too late for me as a transfer to join a frat?</p>

<p>If I go to Penn, does the fact of being at LPS undermine my education/ college experience/ career opportunities?</p>

<p>So many questions. Forgive my insecurity. You would’ve understood me if you’ve interrupted your college education and spent two more years in a cc for the sole purpose of transferring to a top school and getting a worthwhile college experience.</p>

<p>So please. Thanks!</p>

2

<p>When you say you’re looking for a “boutique” experience, I think you’re forgetting that Penn is also very large. </p>

<p>Honestly your vibe seems to match Berkeley to me. It is very Indie, sort of hipster, etc. Also, it has the major you want, and the name recognition is a plus if you plan to return to your home country. Also, being in silicon valley opens you up to a world of internships, technology, and possible job opportunities (if you plan to stay in the US). </p>

<p>However, you also have to weigh in large class sizes and Berkeley’s intense curve. Be ready to work extremely hard (though this also applies to Penn, of course, I think private schools are generally more concerned about students/helping them do well and have the resources to do so).</p>

<p>Congrats on the acceptances! They are both awesome and there is absolutely no wrong choice here.</p>

3

<p>@alwaysleah</p>

<p>Thanks! Yeah, people who know my personality have similar comments as yours, and Berkeley is quite famous for being a hipsters’ school. I’m happy to interact with different types of people though, and I’m quite curious about how’s the hipster scene at Penn?</p>

<p>From the research I’ve done, I love both schools. I might visit Berkeley this weekend but wouldn’t have a chance to visit Penn since it’s too far away (I live in Los Angeles right now). Berkeley has like 25k undergrads, and Penn is close to 10k. Still quite a difference.</p>

<p>Do you know if it’s difficult to switch majors at Berkeley? Especially considering that I’m a transfer.</p>

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<p>I’m not sure what the rules are as a transfer, but I know that there is a CS major in L&S. There is a CSEE major in the college of engineering, but I would imagine that it would be more difficult to transfer across schools than in L&S. </p>

<p>Have you completed all the prereqs for CS? It would probably be close to impossible of you haven’t, but doable if you have. </p>

<p>I don’t know much about Penn, other than that it’s a great school. But I’m positive that you would be able to find fellow hipsters there. It is also known as the social ivy, so i would assume the social life is good. I live right next to UCB and I’m in Berkeley all the time, though. I have a lot of friends there so if you have specific questions about other stuff I could try to get you answers. Definitely try to visit though!</p>

5

<p>@alwaysleah
I’ll visit it and see how I feel. Thanks! So bad I couldn’t visit Penn.</p>

<p>Any Penn student’s comment?</p>

6

<p>OK, I know it’s finals week, so good luck everyone ;)</p>

7

<p>“Close to San Fran”
Why is this a pro?</p>

<p>Penn is close to Pennsylvia (first US capital), Baltimore, Washington DC, New Jersey, New York, Boston in term of transportation for students(buses). There are lots of things to do and to see there.</p>

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<p>I was almost decided to go to Penn. The day before yesterday, when I was working on a film crew, I got an email saying that I was accepted to NYU for film production, which makes things more complicated since I came to the U.S. aiming for film, though I’m not quite sure now. But it’s NYU’s Film! Worth it? Planing to visit next week. Ten more days to make a decision. Any thought?</p>