What should I do? I am not really old, but I had served military which made me a non-traditional applicant to UPenn.
I got acceptance letter from both, and I have to decide which place to go. Any thoughts, suggestions, or comments would be appreciated.
What major(s) are you considering?
Is there a big difference in net costs?
Why would you be considered “traditional” at Chicago but “non-traditional” at Penn?
@tk21769, UChicago only has the College for undergrads. It doesn’t have an evening division for working adults (at the undergraduate level) which is what Penn LPS is.
My thoughts: UChicago would offer a greater selection of majors and you would be more a part of the community than at UPenn LPS. Also, in UPenn LPS, you wouldn’t be in the flagship undergraduate program. In terms of prestige, UChicago and Penn are equivalent, but I’m not sure than Penn offers full job placement/recruiting services to LPS students. What is the cost differential after fin aid?
tk, I do not think Chicago automatically lumps non-traditional students into colleges of continuing studies as do Columbia, Northwestern or Penn.
Chicago traditional over Penn LPS if you ask me.
I agree with @Alexandre, though those schools don’t do the lumping. People can decide to apply to Columbia GS, NU SCS, Penn LPS (or Harvard Extension School) or to the flagship undergraduate program at those schools.
Thanks for your comments. For your information, I am a transfer applicant from Vanderbilt. I was considered as non traditional candidate for UPenn because of my military service.
I want to major in neuroscience with premed. UPenn has BBB (basis of behavioral Biology, which is neuroscience)
But UChicago has only Bio major with specialty in neuroscience.
So I would say in terms of major study UPenn would provide more about what I want to learn. UPenn has BA degree(It’s not Because of LPS. CAS only gives you BA degree) UChicago will give me BS degree. I don’t know it matters though.
So it is still very difficult to decide…
By the way I spent last 7 days only for searching about the quality of LPS program. and I found it is the same as CAS.
This is my friend’s classmate who did transfer to LPS told me.
No financial aid for both.
But for UPenn if I take LPS course it would be the half of the regular cost. I would have to take day courses for my major.
So comparing the tuition
46K for Uchicago vs. About 30 to 35K for Penn per year.
Just to preface to your friend, premed and biological basis of behavior (as you know) are not easy at Penn. I started out the same and after a year of Chemistry, I decided it wasn’t for me. It may be totally opposite for your friend. However, I just want to warn you that the science classes here are intense, very competitive, and time consuming and draining. It’s not so much the material, but the students in these classes, as most of them are premeds who want to rip your head off to get a better grade than you. If he is 100% committed on medical school and the road to being a doctor, then I say do it. However, I also want him to consider other majors just in case he drops the premed. As you know, premed + econ=molto bene!
- LPS students can technically take any classes they want at Penn. However, if finances are a concern, think twice about it. There are no daytime LPS classes though. Every LPS class is offered at night with a reduced tuition. However, if the day class counts towards your major (biology 101 for Biological basis of behavior), then you'll get a tuition reduction for it (so LPS tuition for day classes). However, I definitely recommend taking LPS science classes and as many of your requirements LPS. They are typically easier and usually grade more fairly.
- There is absolutely NO difference between the LPS diploma and the tradition College of Arts & Sciences diploma. Sweet deal right! The one caveat is that there's a stigma felt by most LPS students, especially older students, about not treated being equal as traditional students. Don't worry about this at all. If you know how to navigate Penn, you'll be fine! I think being an LPS student has many advantages to it, especially with getting priority in registering for night classes. You are still part of the Penn arts & sciences so there is no difference when people look at your resume or CV for jobs. Overall, it's worth it so make sure you are strategic in your choice of major, class selection, and overall goal. Also, since the degree is the same, you will have access to the same alumni network as every other student at Penn. Columbia GS has a completely separate alumni network.
Yes, but can LPS students get full access to Penn career services?
If you stick to the pre-med path, that won’t matter, but if you don’t, you’d need to look for a job.
According to UPenn’s OFFICIAL website:
Penn LPS students EARN THE EXACT SAME BA DEGREE as CAS students, and have EVERY privilege as Penn undergrads. LPS students are only another division of the several division of undergrads, CAS, Wharton, etc at Penn
If you go to UChicago, you will definitely learn and you will learn from some of the best (they have a ton of Nobel laureates as faculty). Penn is a good school, but not at the caliber of UChicago
:)) :)) :))
We splitting hairs between 7.8% and 9.4% acceptance rates now? They’re both top universities.