Anonymous wrote:Op again. Thanks everyone. DC is indeed looking for more of the "classic college vibe". I don't know much about either school, but is there anything to the pre-professionalism of Penn? Does it make it a bad environment for a happy and not aggressively competitive kid? Leaning towards Penn -- but worried about this point.

Wharton is special. There is quite a bit of pre-professionalism but IMO it turns out to be a net-positive as you can be sure your kid will be serious about internships and jobs that will set them up for a strong future. Clubs can be competitive but there are vibrant non-competitive environments which is true about both Penn and Columbia. Would pick Wharton for sure, the 'classic college vibe' is more present with a unified campus, strong greeklife etc.

Anonymous wrote:I went to Penn for grad school and now live in NYC. If your kid is looking for a typical undergrad experience, 100% Penn. NYC is a lot of fun as a professional with plenty of disposable income. If that’s not your demographic, Philly wins every time as far as I’m concerned.

You don't need so much disposable income. You pay for housing and dining for Columbia that go for the same price as any other university. There are plenty of free or reduced tickets for Columbia students.

Anonymous wrote:Are you serious? Wharton!

+1. Not even close.

I went to Penn for grad school and now live in NYC. If your kid is looking for a typical undergrad experience, 100% Penn. NYC is a lot of fun as a professional with plenty of disposable income. If that’s not your demographic, Philly wins every time as far as I’m concerned.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Penn is the social Ivy. Also very wealthy. Culture on weekends is going out to dinner, expensive clubs.

The social scene isn't your typical college dorm party.

My kid is at Penn, and I know several other students there too. This isn't their experience at all! Definitely much more of a typical college experience.

Same with my Penn kid . Pick Penn over Columbia

For a student interested in finance or business, Wharton offers a more direct path. Columbia has a slightly better location for Wall Street jobs for obvious reasons. You could not go wrong with other one. Congrats on having these very impressive choices.

Anonymous wrote:My kid is at Columbia and I would take Wharton. You take Wharton over anything else except maybe Harvard and Yale and then it's a close call.

Could you please elaborate on why.

My kid is at Columbia and I would take Wharton. You take Wharton over anything else except maybe Harvard and Yale and then it's a close call.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Penn is the social Ivy. Also very wealthy. Culture on weekends is going out to dinner, expensive clubs.

The social scene isn't your typical college dorm party.

My kid is at Penn, and I know several other students there too. This isn't their experience at all! Definitely much more of a typical college experience.

How do DMV kids do at Penn?

Anonymous wrote:Close family member went to Wharton and graduated ~12 years ago. Has a wonderful tight-knit circle of friends and all are wildly successful. I always had fun when I visited - not pretentious at all. FYI I went to Columbia for grad and probably wouldn’t want it for my kids for undergrad. Everyone I know who went has mixed feelings.

You wasn't at Columbia for undergrad, so you have no idea there were a lot of programs specifically for undergrads.

Anonymous wrote:Close family member went to Wharton and graduated ~12 years ago. Has a wonderful tight-knit circle of friends and all are wildly successful. I always had fun when I visited - not pretentious at all. FYI I went to Columbia for grad and probably wouldn’t want it for my kids for undergrad. Everyone I know who went has mixed feelings.

My kid said a student needs to fit into extracurriculars. Most are competitive. It's not your local church choir that takes everyone in. If a student has no talent other than high stats, socially awkward, can't hold a conversation, they will be left behind. It's the same story in other ivies.

Close family member went to Wharton and graduated ~12 years ago. Has a wonderful tight-knit circle of friends and all are wildly successful. I always had fun when I visited - not pretentious at all. FYI I went to Columbia for grad and probably wouldn’t want it for my kids for undergrad. Everyone I know who went has mixed feelings.

Anonymous wrote:Kid this year was accepted to Penn and Columbia for economics but Duke is the front runner right now, for similar reasons of balance between great academics and life quality. No final decision yet.

Penn, Columbia and Duke! Wow. Well done. You must have one super kid!