Penn vs WashU

fogcity
Sun, 24 Aug 2014 19:57:40 +0000

I’m not quite sure of the basis of your “okay” and “bad” lists for Penn. I know several current Penn students and I don’t see even a hint of the academic competitiveness you mention. There is certainly competition, sometimes intense, for extracurricular activities, such as chorus, student government, athletics, etc. Penn undergraduates are often multi-talented so that’s not a surprise. It’s no different at other similar universities.

What is striking about many Penn students is their level of confidence, and often their sense and drive toward specific careers. And by that I don’t mean generic careers but specifics regarding the careers – industry, location and role. While Penn does not have the course flexibility of universities such as Brown, major requirements do not fill the schedule. There is opportunity to take courses outside the major. By getting credit for AP courses (make sure you score 5s) you open up additional course slots. Many students double major.

Penn is much better known by business leaders in certain parts of the country than Washington U. This is certainly the case in Northern California and the Northeast, both important locations of dynamic new industries.

As a double legacy you would have good chances ED at Penn. For regular decision the acceptance rate is approaching 7%.