I have a freshman at Penn. Very happy, great writing class and many classes are relatively small so my kid knows the prof- 12 kids in writing, 12 kids in foreign language. Involved in a performing arts group with likeminded kids. New perf arts center will open 2027. So many opportunities and kids are busy - working hard and go out a lot. I don't see the whole wharton vs college/humanities debate drama. Friend groups are not separate. My kid has friends in both, and they study together, are in the same clubs, same housing, same parties, cross register for classes if they want, and even share the same career service office.

We visited Penn and liked it but decided it wasn't the right fit. A little too urban, not enough green space, didnt like the seperate colleges.

An aside, loved JHU, the campus is great, the new student center amazing and once the renovated library opens next fall that will be a great addition.

Checkout
https://writing.upenn.edu/wh/

Kelley Writer's House at Upenn

The question might be viewed in terms of alternatives that may be available. Penn may be fine for humanities, but may not compare with colleges with more concentrated humanities cultures, such as, for example, Williams, Hamilton, Vassar and Kenyon.

Upenn Dilemma: all Humanities kids want to get into Wharton ( or at least take its coursework) while overwrought, toxic and backstabbing strivers of Wharton will have none of it..
And the battle goes on…..

Excellent--thank you!

Penn is excellent for humanities. There are several museums on or near campus where she could intern.

Penn is great for humanities! Good luck!

Thanks very much for the feedback! Nice to see replies that were all civil and helpful

Also consider jhu - bit easier to get into Penn, very strong in these areas as well.

Penn is good but if you can get into Yale, it’s by far the best option for this combo.

Great school for studio art, art history and English.

Not my kid, but dd had a friend who went to Penn I think as an English major and seemed to really enjoy, she got involved with some kind of writing house on campus and when I saw her last ( a few years ago) seemed happy with her experience so far.

My daughter is a senior and really likes UPenn after we visited many schools. I know UPenn's reputation in terms of Wharton and pre-professional kids. But does anyone have experience with the school to know what kind of experience humanities kids have there? She specifically wants to study art history and English. It's obviously a great school academically, but I'm wondering if kids with her interests enjoy their time there in terms of meeting people with similar interests, finding clubs they enjoy, etc.