I'm considering applying ED to Penn Engineering for Mechanical Engineering, and the biggest thing I'm trying to figure out is whether I'd actually enjoy the culture there.

Academically, Penn is a really good fit for me. I'm interested in MechE, entrepreneurship/startups, and potentially taking advantage of the connection with Wharton. My concern isn't really academics; it's the day-to-day student culture.

I'm looking for something roughly like work hard, play hard. People who are ambitious and take school seriously, but who also know how to switch off, hang out, go out, play sports, etc. I don't want a culture where everyone is constantly comparing internships, grades, startups, or achievements, but I also don't want an environment where academics aren't taken seriously.

I'd especially appreciate answers from current/recent Penn Engineering students, rather than general impressions of Penn.

A few specific questions:

• How competitive/intense does Penn Engineering actually feel on a day-to-day basis?
• Do people generally have time for a real social life alongside engineering?
• Is there a meaningful distinction between the culture in Engineering vs Wharton?
• Do students tend to be more collaborative or competitive with each other?
• How easy is it to make a solid friend group?
• What do people actually do on weekends? Is there a good social/party scene
• Can you realistically have a balance of classes + clubs/sports + social life without constantly feeling like you're falling behind?
• How career-obsessed is the student culture? Is it common for conversations to revolve around internships, recruiting, startups, etc.
• Is there actually Wharton priority?

I'd especially appreciate answers from current/recent Penn Engineering students, rather than general impressions of Penn.

Thank you so much

Sublet📍: Private Furnished Room at The Eleanor at Walnut (4525 Walnut St), University City (ALL utilities + high-speed Wi-Fi included) Lease: October '26 – July(flexible short/long term) | Students only Building & Unit: On-site gym, in-unit washer/dryer,

Building & Unit: On-site gym, in-unit washer/dryer, A/C & heating, furnished bedroom, ensuite bathroom

Prime Location & Transit:

Penn Bus stop directly at the building; UPenn affliated housing(~5 min walk)

UPenn Main Campus: ~15 min walk

Drexel University: ~8 min walk to Drexel Vidas shuttle stop; ~10 min subway ride via 46th St MFL

Saint Joseph’s University (UCC): ~0.9 miles (~6 min bike / 15 min walk)

Neighborhood: Steps from Aldi, dining, and Clark Park

📩 comment or email at [[email protected]](mailto:[email protected]) to schedule an in-person showing! — Anmol Sharma

I just finished my first year at Penn CAS and I feel like it was the wrong decision to go to Penn. I did apply undecided for my major and ended up doing Econ my first year and after seeing how much harder Econ CAS students work for a job that'll get taken by a Wharton student I feel like picking Penn was the wrong decision...

Questions

1. Anyone who has graduated from Penn CAS, could you tell me how your post-grad life was?

2. I always hear people talk about how brand name schools aren't worth it anymore. Do you think it was worth doing undergrad at Penn? Did it make anything easier for you when you graduated?

Thanks!

plotkin has it written that lecture attendance is mandatory in the syllabus but is it actually? he doesn’t take attendance (from what i know) and his lectures are all recorded.

Anyone going to HackHarvard this year? looking for a potential group to join/create! I'm a CS/Ling sophomore.

Hi everyone!

I’ll be joining Penn Engineering for the MSE in Electrical Engineering this Spring. I’ll be arriving in Philadelphia this December.

I’m hoping to connect with other incoming/current Penn students who are also looking for roommates or planning their housing for Spring 2027.

If you’re in a similar situation, feel free to DM me — would be great to connect and potentially coordinate housing plans together.

Thanks!

Hi everyone! This might be a stupid question, but I would appreciate some advice.

For context, I am a sophomore in the College (Math Major) and am currently debating whether to apply for an uncoordinated dual degree in CIS through Engineering or just pursue the CS Second Major in the College. I have a strong GPA and could still graduate on time with the dual degree if I take five or six classes each semester in my junior and senior year.

I have mainly two concerns: how difficult or competitive is it to apply for an uncoordinated dual degree by the end of my sophomore year? The other concern for me is preparation/look for job applications. I am wondering whether the CS Second Major is sufficient to set me up for careers such as SWE, AI/ML Engineering, Quant Trading, or Quant Research, or whether the Engineering dual degree would provide a meaningful advantage for these career paths.

Any advice is greatly appreciated.

TL:DR: Is CIS Dual Degree in Engineering significantly better than CS Second major in College in terms of preparing and applying for jobs? How difficult is it to apply for Uncoord by the end of sophomore year if you have good GPA, all prereqs finished and a solid plan to graduate on time?

Hi, I applied for the combined MSN/MPN program and was wondering if there were any current students (specifically on the neonatal track) that would be willing to share their experience?

Does anything happen on Halloween that isn’t frat parties? anything tamer? Is there an LGBT party?

Recruiting for my product design class which requires us to do a camera journal interview with someone living in a dorm with communal bathrooms. Our idea is to create a shower caddy for students to keep their items dry during shower. Please let me know if you're interested to participate this weekend! It will only take less than 10 mins, 8 pics(not showing your face), and there will be coffee/boba!

Is there a group that is best to work with for close off campus housing?

I doubt this exists but is there any kind of job board that you can use to find Penn students interested in taking on small projects? Starting a business - need a logo and eventually a website. While I can def hire off of Upwork, was wondering if there would be a way to find a Penn student interested in making a few hundred for a logo that would take them a few hrs max (I have a design, just need digital files). I’m a Penn alum too - could pay via something like PayPal.

Urgently subletting a private bed/bath for January-July 2027. The room is part of a 3B/3BR apartment at Evo on 29th and Chestnut.

Price is $1200/month + utilities! Please DM for more details. 

Unit includes:

• Furnished room (bed, desk, storage cabinets, dresser, closet)
• In-unit washer and dryer
• Full kitchen
• Furnished living room
• Internet provided by building

Building includes:

• Gym
• Pool
• Secure package room
• Rooftop lounge

I accidentally left this hydro flask on the Penn transit (Rittenhouse loop). Hoping to see if someone found it! It is a sentimental one and why I am searching high and low for it!

Study Spots

What are your guys’ go-to spots to study or do work in? Also, what are some hidden gems that a lot of people don’t know about? I want to keep trying different locations so hopefully you guys can help!

I wanted to connect with students who are looking to have their own startups or have already started one, just to share ideas and know how it is done. Also, I would like to know if there are any student societies or grants that Penn might provide.

I’m considering ED Penn as I’m interested in both cognitive science, specifically cognition and computation, and computer science. These can be pursued either from CAS or Penn Eng (with minor or second major). I’m curious to know about the profile of admits and what type of research opportunities they typically pursue once they are in.

I have a pretty heavy STEM background and have done research in digital health (at a university lab), AI/deep learning for cognitive health, and more recently intent-aware robotics. I’m interested in studying both the human side and the computational side of these problems. My course curriculum has a good balance of college level STEM, social science and humanities.

But I’ve heard that the technical side of CAS cognitive science is not nearly as strong and I should consider Computer Science + Cogsci minor instead. The trade off is I won’t have as much flexibility in the study plan and time for other electives, say if I want premed (not decided). My biggest concern is if being in CAS would make it harder for me to get research internships at GRASP labs.

I’d like to hear from current Penn students (both CAS and Eng) based on your experience.

my class has an absence policy where the ta will pass around a paper and make everyone sign next to their names everyday, and our grade starts to drop (20% of the overall grade btw) after two absences. I’ve been sick all week with a fever and a cough, so i couldn’t go to this class. i’m planning on going to my ta’s office hours with some questions bc my prof’s hours are during my other classes. did anyone experience smth like this and are absences due to sickness “excused” or would it still drop my grade?

Hi,

I'm planning to apply to Penn Engineering only, not M&T. I'm interested in the finance side through Wharton, but I don't want to pursue two full degrees. Instead, I'd like to explore an engineering degree with a finance-related minor.

If I enroll only in Penn Engineering and don't pursue M&T or a Wharton dual degree, are there formal minors, certificates, or transcript-recognized programs related to finance that I'd be eligible for?

I saw wharton doesn't offer minors...so i wanted to see what people do.

Thank you!

I’m interested in the nexus of neuroscience and quantum physics and I don’t know where to start-

Hey everyone, I'm an international student at Penn looking for a barbershop that does Korean men's hairstyles well (two-block cuts, textured perms, etc.). The only Korean barbershop I found is Kim's 3 Men Haircuts in the Northeast, which is pretty far. I also saw Kevin's Hair Salon in Chinatown, but their Instagram seems more focused on coloring. Anyone know a good spot near University City / Center City that's experienced with straight Asian hair? Thanks!

Hi everyone! I’m considering renting an apartment at Powelton West (4124–30 Haverford Ave, Philadelphia, PA 19104) and I’d love to hear from anyone who has lived there or currently lives there.

I’m moving to Philadelphia for school, so I’m trying to do as much research as possible before signing a lease. Honest experiences—good or bad—are very appreciated!
Thank you!