From: Shalini Hemen Kurani
To: (mail link disabled)
Subject: interview
Date: Thu, 24 Jul 1997 15:45:24 -0400 (EDT)
1) What are the dorms like there? How about off-campus
housing?
A variety of dorms are available. Students may choose to live in
a suite with 4 separate rooms, in an apartment-style dorm, or
just a double room. During my freshman year, I shared a room in
the Quad, which is where 1200 of the freshman live. Next year I
will be sharing an apartment-style place with three of my
friends. Because Penn is located in the city, off-campus housing
is available and is a common choice for students as well.
2) How hard are the classes compared to high school?
Because the students are all very competitive, I'd definitely
have to say classes are more difficult than high school. But
that's partly because students are there because they want to be
there, not because they have to, as in high school. Grades are
often based on how you do compared to the others in the class.
But as long as you try to keep up with the work and don't fall
too behind, you'll do fine.
3) What is your average workload?
The amount of work varies weekly, depending on when you have
exams and how difficult your classes are. But I guess on the
average I spend at least 3 hours a night studying. This doesn't
account for finals week though!
4) How open are your professors for extra help?
The professors are always willing to help. All professors must
have two office hours per week -- many hold more -- where you can
go if you need to talk or are having problems in the class. Plus
you can always email them if you have any questions.
5) What are the sports at your school like?
Sports are a big part of life at school. Many attend the
basketball games, tennis matches, crew meets, etc. The stands at
football games are always packed with people.
6) The extracurricular activities?
There are hundreds of groups and clubs at Penn, definitely
something for everyone. There are theater groups, a cappella
groups, ethnic groups, clubs for people with certain majors,
sororities, fraternities, you name it.
7) What is there to do besides schoolwork (i.e., for
entertainment)?
Because Penn is located in the city of Philadelphia, there is
always something to do. Students can visit museums, go to the
theater, go shopping, go to the movies, or just relax and walk
around the city.
8) What made you decide to go there?
I decided to go to Penn for several reasons. First of all, I am
planning to major in finance, and its Wharton School of Business
is one of the best in the country. I didn't want to go too far
from home, and Penn is only 2 1/2 hrs away. Plus, I wanted to go
to school in the city because of all the things there are to do,
and Penn is located in Philadelphia.
9) What did you do to cover the costs of a college education?
Paying for college isn't easy. I work during the summer to earn
money, and the scholarships I received in high school also help.
10) Any additional comments?
Penn is often thought of as the "social Ivy." Students
work hard, but they also balance this by taking time out to relax
and have fun, which is easy to do in Philadelphia. My freshman
year was great and I'm looking forward to the next three years at
Penn.