I worked hard on my applications, but I never expected the college I got into to define me, nor did I go on a college trip around the country.  I had a vague “ranking” in my mind, but I was careful to avoid making any decisions before I had tangible options before me. 

I was thrilled to be admitted to Penn, and I was waitlisted at the only other schools that were its competition in my mind.  So, for me, it was a really easy decision.  I visited with my mom, and about 15 minutes into the tour, I told her if we could afford it, Penn was where I would like to be.  There wasn’t any formula, nor would I recommend one. 

I went into the process confident in the fact that I would be happy with whichever school was willing to take me.  That made me much more relaxed. I did my best in completing my applications, and knew the rest was out of my control.  The truth of the matter is, things seemed to be geared towards college perpetually earlier: go to the “right” preschool to go to the “right” elementary school so you can go to the “right” high school to go to the “right” college.  If I can recommend one thing, don’t let the college admissions process absorb you. 

Work hard in school for yourself, volunteer for the community, and most importantly explore to find things that you care about.  And if that didn’t convince you, all those things look great on that consecrated “college resume.”

My favorite part about going to school at Penn is not really the school itself but the people in it, including students and faculty.    There’s something very special about the kind of person who comes to Penn (and is lucky enough to have that opportunity).  This may seem a bit ridiculous, but my greatest fear before coming to Penn was that I would be a small fish in a big pond. 

I was quite nervous that Penn, in all of its supposed Ivy League glory, would swallow me whole; I would be a nobody compared to “all-stars” from around the country.  I am happy to report that nothing could be farther from the truth.  Penn students, for the most part, are interesting, highly motivated, and curious people.  Not everyone is a published author or scored a 1500 on their SATs (or whatever that translates to on the new test), but nearly everyone has a reason for being there.  And more importantly, we are happy to be at Penn.  Because the truth of the matter is, I can learn about nuclear strategy during the Cold War at pretty much any school in the country.  But Penn is one of the few places where not only can I learn from one of the premier minds in developing that strategy, but also feel comfortable to discuss and sometimes argue over (remember machloket) what I have learned with my friends over dinner.  But the truly greatest part Penn involves a balance that one quickly masters, because those same friends are right beside me at a party on Saturday night.

I’m very involved with my fraternity, Tau Epsilon Phi.  As a sophomore I was treasurer, and will be president for my junior year.  Leadership in a Greek organization is something I would recommend to any incoming student.  I have learned how to manage a tremendous amount of responsibility, while also making sure that the people I am serving, who also happen to be my closest friends, are satisfied with my work. I am most proud of developing my ability to achieve and maintain the respect of my peers. 

From talking with my friends at a number of other schools, I have learned that the material covered doesn’t differ from school to school as often as one might think.  Penn’s introductory psychology class, for example, is very similar to the one taught at Berkeley or Michigan. What am I doing at Penn that I could not or would not have done elsewhere?  As you may or may not know, Penn is divided into four sub-schools all on the same campus: the College, Wharton, Engineering, and Nursing.  All are nationally ranked, but each caters to a different kind of student and fosters its own learning environment.  After freshman year, I decided that I wanted more than a liberal arts education from the college, and chose to apply for a degree in finance from Wharton as well.  This application involved simply checking off a box on a form stating that I wanted to pursue a dual degree.  At most other schools with business programs, the application process is nearly identical to applying to college all over again (essays, letters of recommendation, etc.). The university encourages students to take advantage of every opportunity possible, and makes sure that students are able to do so.  I did not want just a liberal arts degree, nor did I want a technically focused business degree.  At Penn, I am privileged to work for both.