It is okay to not know what you want to major in.

“What is your intended major?” When I was presented with this specific question on the Penn application, I instinctively thought of neuroscience because it was simply the only area of study that I had a good opportunity to explore and had decided to pursue. However, I love learning and my interests touch upon numerous disciplines. As I started taking classes, meeting and talking with other students and faculty, as well as joining many dinners discussing various academic pathways, it only made me further doubt my intended major of neuroscience. I was presented with 55 majors and 80 minors in the college of arts and sciences, with fields of study spanning from Urban Studies to biochemistry to even designing your own individualized major.

As a current freshman entering my second semester at Penn, the uncertainty still persists. Sure, I may know what I definitely do not what to pursue, (this is still subject to change!) however, I still do not have a general idea of what I specifically would like to major in. I just want to be that person to tell you that if you are in this position, you are not alone. During my first week at Penn, I met countless freshmen with diverse interests and aspirations, however, most of them all had shared a common thread - a lack of absolute confidence in their intended major.

This is exactly the one thing that makes the College unique. You possess the complete capability to fully immerse yourself in exploration and discovery until you pinpoint what exactly it is that makes you tick. Within every general foundation and sector requirement, you can take classes that range in areas of study, from the humanities to the social sciences and the natural sciences, all while fulfilling those specific requirements you need in order to graduate. In this way, during your first two years here, you have plenty of time to identify your catalysts for excitement.

Also, keep in mind, it's natural for your interests and aspirations to evolve over time. UPenn acknowledges this and allows students the space to grow, change, and adapt their academic focus as they learn more about themselves and the world around them. Don't be afraid to pivot or change direction if you find a different area of study that truly resonates with you. Sometimes, the most fulfilling paths emerge unexpectedly. Stay open-minded, curious, and proactive in seeking out experiences that broaden your horizons. Remember, the journey through education is not just about acquiring knowledge, but also about discovering your passions, strengths, and areas where you can make a meaningful impact. Embrace the opportunities to try new things, engage in diverse experiences, and interact with various perspectives.

Remember, not having a clear major in mind at the outset of college is not uncommon. It's a period of exploration and self-discovery. With the flexibility in the curriculum, the interdisciplinary opportunities, the numerous resources at your disposal, and most of all, time, you will be supported and will find the academic discipline that you find yourself most intellectually stimulated by. In essence, your academic path doesn’t solely define you. Your unique blend of interests, experiences, and skills outside of academia also contribute significantly to your growth. Balancing your studies with hobbies, extracurricular activities, and personal passions can provide a well-rounded perspective and enhance your overall college experience.

- Tsering S.

Exploring Spaces on Penn's Campus

Penn is beautiful – and bursting with wonderful places to explore. As a current first-year student, I have grown to love the variety of buildings and architectural styles which decorate Penn’s gorgeous campus.

Now, I absolutely adore looking for new places around campus to relax or to work. No matter what vibe you are looking for, there is always a perfect study spot for you. Let me introduce you to my top three favorite study spots — not listed in any particular order — so far!

1. Collaborative Study: Weigle Information Commons

Studying with friends is a great way to make work more enjoyable and productive – and Weigle is the perfect place to do it. Located on the ground floor of Van Pelt, Penn’s central library, Weigle Information Commons is filled with over 20 study rooms and booths. These noise-insulating rooms can be booked on Penn Libraries’ website, and are decked out with television screens, computers, and whiteboards for effective collaboration!

2. Geographic Convenience: Physics and Astronomy Library

Finding yourself with enough time to study or relax, but not enough to go to your favorite study spot? Sometimes, all we need is a cozy place that is close to where we need to be. As a student intending to major in Physics and Material Science, I often have classes and events in David Rittenhouse Labs (DRL) – and as such, the Physics Library is close and dear to my heart. The library is in DRL itself, and offers tables and couches for work or relaxation. Yet, consider yourself warned: I have on too many occasions abandoned work, having been distracted by the fascinating physics bestsellers proudly displayed on the library shelves...

3. Midnight Cram - Goldstein Undergraduate Study Center

I often procrastinate. That is a trait of mine I try to avoid, but admittedly still possess. Fortunately, on the off day where my homework time extends to past midnight, the Goldstein Undergraduate Study Center is open and waiting for me.

The study space is located in the basement of the Van Pelt library and you can stay there for as long as you want, even to the early mornings. Home to a dozen study rooms and countless tables, Goldstein also hosts Mark’s cafe, a self-checkout cafe with drinks, meals, and snacks both hot and cold. Goldstein makes the late-night study sessions – or as comfortable as those can be.

Honorable Mentions:

The Woodlands – an absolutely gorgeous expanse of field and forest to the southwest of campus. Imbued with rich history and adorned with gorgeous flora and fauna, The Woodlands is the perfect place for group or individual studying while immersed in nature.

Fisher Fine Arts – the completely silent study library. I was shocked upon my first visit to Fisher, having been astonished by its radio-silence and productive study. If you are someone who is distracted or stressed by noise, Fisher is the ideal spot to bring out your undivided focus.

- Tony T.

Creating a Unique Academic Experience

As a student in the College of Arts & Sciences, I have a plethora of majors and minors to decide from. While this was one of the reasons I was drawn to the College when applying to Penn, it’s honestly overwhelming in practice. Throughout my first year, I remained undecided, taking a variety of classes from Spanish Literature to Calculus II. However, after taking Introduction to Biology I in my sophomore fall, I knew that I wanted to study biology more in-depth. I was drawn to the real-life applications of biology, and the logic puzzles that we unraveled during lectures. While there are a number of concentrations within the Biology major, I decided to pursue the General Biology track so that I would be exposed to many different areas like evolutionary biology and immunology. As someone who hopes to apply to medical school in the future, I also liked how heavily intertwined the Biology major was with the medical school course requirements.

Beyond biology, I’ve always been interested in the more humanistic side of medicine, including access to health care and inequities in the healthcare system. While this could not be satiated by the Biology major, I had the option to take Healthcare Management courses in the Wharton School. This semester, I’m taking a Health Care Systems course, HCMG 1010. We started off learning about the basic structure of the U.S. healthcare system in this course, then went in-depth into hospitals, doctors, and nurses. We have had a number of esteemed speakers from the Penn health system and beyond, who supplement the content we are learning in class. While I could not major in Healthcare Management, as it is a concentration offered at the Wharton School, I’m planning to complete the Neuroscience & Healthcare Management minor. This is an interschool minor between the College and the Wharton School that I am taking full advantage of it. This minor allows me to explore the humanistic side of medicine, and explore a complex area of biology: neurobiology. The diversity of this minor is just one example of how the College has allowed me to create a unique academic experience that I am grateful for.

- Aleena B.

Finding Family Before Penn Begins

Nervously, I flinched as what seemed like thousands of screams erupted on the other side of the double doors. The doors opened, and three-five upperclassmen swirling in bright blue swarmed into the crowd of one-hundred and thirty freshmen, all as simultaneously shocked and thrilled as I was.

“Pennquest, pennquest, pennquest, the best!!!!” 

Pre-orientation program, Pennquest – a three day backpacking trip in the Poconos Mountains – was my first experience at Penn. It is important to clarify that I have no athletic prowess, and my experience of the outdoors was limited to taking walks in parks. 

We were thrown in headfirst, socializing with so many people: Where are you from? What’s your major? What dorm are you in? You could barely get a breath in those first twenty-four hours until you were in the woods with your ten group members accompanied by your two upperclassmen leaders. 

It’s crazy, then it’s not. Now, time seemed to slow down as we begin to dig deeper into ourselves and our peers. I can’t talk much more about it because you, incoming freshman, have to experience it firsthand. 

However, it is suffice to say that Pennquest is a family. A family I made before Penn had even started. And clearly I loved it so much that I am now a leader and had the incredible opportunity to lead eleven freshmen into the woods this past August. 

There are so many pre-orientation programs available for incoming students to fit your interest leading to so many new faces eagerly waving at you down Locust Walk during your (shorter) trek to class – and trust me, it makes the cloudiest of days a little bit brighter.

- Hita M.

My Experience on the NBC Decision Desk

I can honestly say that I’ve had an experience as a Penn student that I couldn’t have had at any other university.

Each year, the Penn Program on Opinion Research and Election Studies (PORES) hires student research fellows to conduct data-based research in political science and related fields with staff and faculty mentors, but also to participate in the program’s partnership with the NBC Decision Desk, the team that calls races for the network on election night. I started working as a PORES fellow in my sophomore year and have had the opportunity to work as part of the Decision Desk team twice now in addition to my other research. When I found out that this opportunity existed at Penn because many of the analysts on the Decision Desk team are Political Science professors here, I was immediately excited to be involved. Political Science is a broad field, but I have always had a particular interest in elections.

On election night during the 2022 midterms, I worked with a small group of other student fellows to enter up to date county-level data into spreadsheets for use by the senior analysts (including current and former professors of mine). In the days leading up to the election, we rehearsed our roles, given the importance of both speed and accuracy on the night itself.

The most rewarding and thrilling part of the experience was feeling that I had made a real and valuable contribution to such important work, and particularly to coverage that I would have been watching and tracking at home had I not been working. The experience was made even more memorable because I was able to share in the excitement of the night with a group of other fellows who I had become close with over the months that we participated in the program together. PORES provides incredible opportunities outside the classroom for students like me who are interested in survey research and elections, and the quantitative side of political science more generally. It exemplifies the types of experiences available to students here at Penn that help foster niche or specific interests – I’m so grateful to have found PORES and to have been able to engage with the program’s offering during my time here.

- Lucy K.

Career Services

Penn's Career Services stands out as an invaluable resource I've tapped into during my time here. It serves as the central hub for professional support, catering to a diverse range of students — whether they're sophomores seeking finance internships or pre-law students navigating the law school application process.

In my current role as a Peer Career Advisor at Career Services, I assist students in various capacities, from helping them on their initial  job searches to refining resumes and cover letters. Career Services also addresses the all-too-familiar  "What can I do with my degree?" question with comprehensive post-graduate outcomes data aggregated by school and year.

An especially beneficial tool is the mock interview appointments available through Handshake, allowing students to simulate professional interviews. Additionally, you can reserve a spot in the McNeil Building for your online interview sessions.

There are so many underutilized gems on the Career Services website — so don’t wait! Take a look yourself and appreciate the breadth of resources available for you. 

- Rachel L.

You Belong Here

In class introductions, when telling a fun fact about myself, I always tell the story of how "I fell into a ditch during the first week of classes." Most college students do not enter their freshman years with the expectation of transferring. Little did I know however, that it would take an extra two years for me to discover my dream school.

When I was accepted into Penn, I felt success after months of study and work. But when I first arrived on campus for orientation, I felt the first pangs of regret. The unfamiliarity was overwhelming, having come from a small liberal arts college I wasn’t used to the bustling streets and active student body. This cascade of emotions climaxed during the first week of classes, where I fell into a ditch after searching for Gregory College House amidst the darkness of Locust Walk. On the ground, I questioned my decisions, debating whether to return to my old school, or to even get up in the first place. But in the end, I did and I realized that while returning was the easiest option for me, it wasn’t necessarily the correct one.

I came to Penn for a reason, to expand my social network and have fun with the variety of opportunities it offered. Getting lost and stumbling was simply my process in establishing familiarity and a sense of home in this vibrant campus. To all prospective first-years, know that the Penn experience is different for everyone. Recognize the opportunities given to ease your adjustment and that familiarity is the antidote to homesickness. You will stumble and have fun. But in the end, no matter what, you belong here.

- S. Chun

Concentrating within the History major: Is it worth it?

After my first meeting with my pre-major advisor, I was shocked at the interdisciplinary nature of History at Penn, as the major cross-listed with departments like Sociology, Economics, or even Gender studies. So it is unsurprising that within the major itself, students can concentrate within any discipline that peaks their interest.

Within the concentrations, there are Regional Concentrations (American, European, and World) and Thematic Concentrations, which are listed below. Regional Concentrations are self-explanatory, you take courses that are geographically related to your area of historical interest. They are not as specific as Thematic Concentrations, rather, they focus on how geography, time, or location affect the history of a region. Popular courses include: Discover the Middle Ages, Art History in Global Asia, or Introduction to the Middle East. 

Diplomatic History: For students interested in studying foreign policy or the military. This concentration may also be for those interested in government work, as a background in foreign policy and international trade would bolster your quantitative skills in finance and qualitative skills in writing. Courses would also have to be taken in the Economics Department, cross-listed with History. Examples of popular options amongst these courses: International trade, Chinese Foreign Policy, and American Foreign Policy.

Economic History: Similar to Diplomatic History, the Economic concentration is for students who are more interested in the theory behind Economics and the history of its evolution over time in Asia, the U.S, Europe, Africa, and Latin America. This is a great choice for students interested in building their math/statistical skills whilst pursuing a humanities based major. Students are also required to take Intro to Microeconomics and Macroeconomics, so if mathematical courses are not your cup of tea, then perhaps other concentrations more involved with research would suit your interests. Most students who pursue this concentration have an interest in consulting or finance, but that is not a requirement whatsoever.

Gender History: This concentration appeals to students who are interested in the study of women, gender, and sexuality. Those who desire to conduct research may find this concentration particularly attractive, as many professors conduct Gender History studies (through potential overlap with Sociology) from cross-cultural perspectives all year-round. As an especially interdisciplinary concentration, the concentration allows students to take courses in Asian American studies, Africana studies, Health & Societies, Latinx Studies, Jewish studies, and more. Some popular courses could include: Gender and Sexuality in Chinese History, Global Queer History, and Sex and Power in the Middle East.

Intellectual History: Students interested in investigating the history of human thought, culture, and expression, in conjunction with European texts that have helped shape Western thought, will likely gravitate towards this concentration. Students majoring in Intellectual History are likely to engage in research through CURF, similar to Gender History, and are usually interested in pursuing academia of some sort, though this is not always the case. Pre-law is a popular option amongst History majors, with some students in Intellectual History going to law school after graduation. It is important to note that the courses within this concentration tend to be European dominated, however, two major-related elective courses are permitted across interdisciplinary departments. Asian American studies, Africana studies, Philosophy, or Political Science are popular options for these cross-listed elective credits.

Jewish History: Being the only concentration that has a language requirement, this concentration allows students to rigorously study Jewish history from Spain’s Golden Age to modern Israel, Eastern to Western Europe, and how Judaism has evolved throughout the centuries. Hebrew or Yiddish courses are required in conjunction with Jewish History, although a proficiency exam may be taken to test out of all or some of the four required semesters of language. Students may collaborate with the Katz Center for Advanced Judaic Studies for research opportunities or may attend talks with Jewish scholars. 

Political History: As the newest concentration, students will be able to declare a Political History concentration from August 2024 onwards. Students are invited to study the comparative approaches to the organization of government, state institutions, citizenship, and rights. How is this different from majoring in Political Science? In layman’s terms, the concentration is rooted in the historical method, encouraging students to focus on a single nation, empire, or region to consider how geography, time, and location affect the development of political infrastructure. This concentration is particularly attractive for those interested in pursuing law.

It's up to you whichever area you’d like to concentrate in, and if none of these subject matters suit your interests, then you are welcome to not concentrate whatsoever. I encourage you to experiment with courses that fulfill different concentrations, because more often than not, they end up counting towards the general history major. Students interested in pre-law may not concentrate at all however, as it leaves time for pre-law themed extracurricular activities. For those interested in pursuing PhD’s, concentrations are a popular option to dive very deeply into a subject area and conduct research with faculty. Due to History’s interdisciplinary nature, it also makes it easy for students to switch between different concentrations with little consequence.

- Seyoon C.

Finding Community

When I first got to Penn, I thought it would be very hard to make friends. Although I have to admit it was quite hard to find my people, the people I feel most comfortable with, Penn has so many incredible resources for finding a community. The university really fosters a sense of community that motivates the upperclassmen to help incoming freshmen.

In my specific case, the first place that did this for me was Mex@Penn. I am an international student from Mexico and to find a place that made me feel at home was the most heart-warming feeling in the world. The Mex@Penn president, who was a senior at the time, found all of our numbers and made a groupchat with the Mexican freshmen. Each one of the board members texted us individually to let us know that they were there for whenever we needed them and some of them even took us out for coffee or lunch. These "coffee chats" evolved into great friendships that included movie nights, long study sessions and talks about life in college and at Penn.

Hearing upperclassmen telling you about their experience with classes, friends and the culture at Penn was incredibly calming, it gave me a deeper sense of belonging and showed me that I'm never alone. There are dozens of people, me included, that would be willing to do this for any incoming freshman. 

- M. Villela

Welcome to the College

Holding the Penn NSO calendar in our hands, my friends and I nervously made it past DRL, onto the large green clearing that was Shoemaker Green. A myriad of tables lined the front of The Palestra, gleaming under the countenance of tablecloths red and blue. People were buzzing with passionate conversation. We had made it to one of the final events on the NSO calendar – Welcome to the College.

When I first filled out my application to Penn, I remembered the word “Major” staring at me through my computer screen. It was only during this fair, amongst the sea of excited students and professors, when I realized the unnecessary weight I had placed on myself.

To call this experience at Welcome to the College a “majors fair” is an understatement – for my friends and I, this was freedom. In conversing with staff and fellow students, I found bountiful intriguing courses, ranging from the art of translating poetry, to the foundations of European thought, to the applications of machine learning in physics. I heard about the fun of research labs whilst sharing a nice lunch; I learnt about the wonder of first-year seminars whilst grabbing a College T-shirt.

The scary word ”major” that had once burdened me turned out to be one of my favorite things about Penn through attending Welcome to the College. We are all multidimensional, and we here can explore all our colorful passions.

I had always mistakenly thought that the world was a maze, with one ‘right’ path I had to find and pursue. Yet, as Penn puts it: we can find a way – or make our own. Now, with Penn in the palm of my hand, the world was my canvas.

- T. Tian

Finding Balance

Finding the balance between academic priorities and our own lives can be a barrier to success and overall well-being for freshmen at Penn. I will explain things that have helped me in breaking down this barrier within my first month of being a Penn student!

1. Structuring your week out into blocks of time is key to staying organized and is the first big step you can take in reaching your academic goals, while also having time for other commitments. I highly recommend utilizing Google Calendars as there will be many events, info sessions, and workshops you will want to sign up for. When you receive your finalized course schedule, make sure to add the deadlines and dates of all assignments, exams, and papers. This has been my biggest lifesaver because during your first few weeks here, you don't want to forget about any relevant tasks that could cost you your grade.

2. Do not save studying till two nights before the exam! You will not retain any information you studied and it will leave your brain on the day of the test. Instead, what you want to do is set aside 30-40 minutes a day in reviewing class material for each class every night. I promise that the information will come to mind much more easily compared to cramming a night before the test.

3. Utilize the people around you. Whether it's professors, staff, friends, or peers, everyone here wants you to succeed. If you need help, reach out and I promise someone will lend you a hand. Also, make sure to take advantage of office hours, even if you have no questions. You will have nothing to lose, but information to gain!

- T Sherpa

Exploration

When I was admitted to Penn in the spring, I was already planning out my 4 years of college. I wrote down what clubs I wanted to join, the classes I wanted to take, and fields of study I wanted to pursue. I was so motivated to stick to my idea of “the perfect college experience” that I didn’t realize what I was missing until I stepped onto campus during New Student Orientation (NSO) in August.

In August, the College hosted an Exploration Expo, where students had the chance to interact with faculty members from various academic departments. I found this experience immensely valuable, as it allowed me to delve deeper into the South Asian Studies program and explore potential opportunities within the neuroscience department. This experience broadened my perspective on the wealth of knowledge that the College had to offer. Penn's curriculum ensures that students receive a well-rounded education, irrespective of their major, through Sector Requirements. As a result, I had the opportunity to engage with the Indonesian community in Philadelphia and rekindle my passion for South Asian history.

As a freshman in the College, my advice to prospective students would be to seize the myriad opportunities that Penn offers. The College opens up a world of endless possibilities—the sky truly is the limit. It provides a wealth of resources to help you embark on your journey as a Quaker, whether it's by exploring classes outside your comfort zone or finding a community of like-minded individuals. The College serves as the epicenter for every endeavor you dare to undertake!

- A. Madhira

My Writing Seminar

As someone who prefers to spend her time solving complex calculus problems and learning about the process of DNA replication in humans, I did not see the appeal in taking a first-year Writing Seminar: a course entirely focused on analyzing, reading, and writing essays.
My take on the course, though, could not have been more wrong. My Writing Seminar focused on the real-life applications of writing. We practiced outlining the class text Atlas of the Heart, which explored the raw human experience through emotions. Not only have I utilized this outlining strategy for other classes but for my leisure time as well, as I am an avid reader of fictional texts.

We also spent a considerable amount of time learning how to write stellar resumes, cover letters, and applications. Penn is often considered to have a strong Pre-Professional environment, which can be intimidating at times. However, my Writing Seminar was a major contributing factor to my preparedness for that aspect of student life.

Because of the small class size–seven students in total–I was also able to form a strong professional relationship with my Professor. I would often meet with her to share the ups and downs of freshman fall, get feedback on a club or internship application, or discuss the latest news in the pop culture world! My first-year Writing Seminar undeniably defined my freshman fall, as it introduced me to the real-world applications of Penn Academics and gave me a wonderful community of peers and professionals to lean on.  

- A. Bhatti

Penn's Work-Study Opportunities

"Work-study" is a term you might be familiar with when it comes to financial aid packages. It's a component of these packages, earned through approved on- or off-campus jobs. Typically, work-studyincome can help cover indirect college expenses like groceries, course materials, and travel.

The exciting part is that work-study opportunities aren't limited to U.S. citizens; permanent residents and international students may also qualify. I've personally taken advantage of this fantastic opportunity and gained numerous interpersonal and professional skills from various jobs over the past three years.

During my sophomore year, I served as an Event Manager for Rodin College House, where I handled event logistics for over 700 residents. In my junior year, I took on multiple roles, including being a TA for FNCE 0002 in the Wharton Global Youth Program, teaching personal finance topics to 60+ high school students. I also worked as a Research Assistant for the Wharton Behavioral Lab, assisting in experiments and research sessions for Penn faculty and grad students. Currently, I'm a Peer Career Advisor for Career Services @ Penn and a Korean Tutor for the Penn Language Center. These work-study jobs not only helped cover my personal expenses but also significantly contributed to my professional development. They have proven to be valuable experiences to showcase on my resume, and I thoroughly enjoy interacting with fellow student-workers and managers.

The range of employment opportunities available through work-study is diverse, making it an excellent way to get paid while creating a positive impact!

- Rachel L.

College Economics vs. Wharton: What’s the Difference?

As a junior majoring in Economics in the College, I often get mistaken for a Wharton undergraduate student or get many confused questions regarding the similarities and differences between the two tracks. The Wharton Undergraduate Division answers this question in a simple manner: “When you are deciding on where to go to college, you should ask yourself whether you want to focus on the theory of economics (BA) or the application of economics and business knowledge (BS in Economics).” I actually think there are more nuances to consider when making this important decision, so here’s a list of some similarities and differences, specifically on course requirements and professional opportunities:

Similarities:

• Both tracks allow you to learn microeconomics and macroeconomics theories, to a varying scale of depth. 

• Both College and Wharton students often choose similar career paths after receiving their degree, as both are structured around analytical thinking. Popular fields include: Finance, Management Consulting, Research, Tech, and Public Policy. 

• Career Opportunities | Department of Economics (upenn.edu)

• Your Future - Undergraduate (upenn.edu)

• Both tracks have extensive alumni support and mentorship opportunities, such as the Ben Connect Program (upenn.edu). 

• Both have access to Penn professional development programs and research opportunities, not limited to Career Services | University of Pennsylvania (upenn.edu) and Penn CURF (upenn.edu). 

Differences: 

• You will receive a Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) degree in Economics in the College of Arts & Sciences, while you will receive a Bachelor of Arts (B.S.) in Economics in the Wharton School of Business. 

• At Wharton, you will “concentrate on specific areas of business such as finance, marketing, or management”. This means that you will not delve into the theoretical and fundamentals of economic theory, and will focus more on current business topics. However, as a College Econ major, you will deepen your understanding by studying macroeconomic concepts, mathematical models, fiscal policy, and international finance. 

• Translating to course requirements, the CAS Econ major will take a minimum of 12 CUs (credits) of Economics courses. Other than these requirements, they will work on their general education requirements, and any additional major/minor requirements and electives, located here. College students often pick up a Wharton minor such as Statistics or Consumer Psychology, and are able to take Wharton classes as electives. 

• The Wharton undergrad student will take a minimum of one Econ class (ECON 0110) that covers both the fundamentals of microeconomics and macroeconomics. Their complete requirements are located here, which consists of their concentration requirements and other business requirements. 

To quickly summarize, Wharton students will automatically receive a B.S. in Economics, while concentrating in business fields (i.e. finance, marketing, management, etc.), while College students are eligible to major in Economics and receive a B.A. degree. The former will learn the fundamentals, then move onto applying the knowledge to business scenarios while the latter will take a more laser-focused approach in learning different topics in economics.

Making a decision between the two will come down to an individual student’s interests in learning the ins and outs of economics theories in an interdisciplinary manner vs. learning the fundamental concepts then choosing to focus on a business setting. This is because while their approach to learning and curriculum are different, both tracks prepare students for a diverse array of professional fields. 

- Rachel L.

Should You Add a Concentration in the Biology Major?

Penn students who declare as a biology major have the option to pursue a general biology track, or specialize in one (or two!) of the many concentrations offered in the school. Here, I break down the different concentrations to help you decide which, if any, you may want to pursue.

General Biology: This is the major you go with when you don’t want to specialize in any of the subtopics in biology. It is the most straightforward and has the least requirements, so it is a lot easier to complete. Many of my friends in this major are able to graduate a semester early. If you are pre-med, there is very good overlap with the pre-med requirements such that you don’t need to worry about taking many additional classes outside of this major. You also have the flexibility of choosing different classes that interest you for upper level requirements. 

Computational Biology / Mathematical Biology: These two concentrations are great if you like math, computer science, and applying data science methods to solving biological problems. The computational biology concentration requires the intro sequence of computer science courses (in the Engineering school) which will provide a good background to navigate most programming tasks in biology. The mathematical biology concentration has the same requirements, just instead replacing intro computer science classes with calculus and linear algebra classes. These engineering and math courses can be challenging, but if you are willing to dedicate a lot of time to your courses, you will learn a lot!

Ecology and Evolutionary Biology: Ecology and Evolutionary biology often is not the emphasis of many introductory biology courses, so this concentration is perfect if you feel intrigued by those fields and want to learn more. There is a lot of flexibility in the possible biology courses that you can take to fulfill this concentration, but all are related to ecology and evolutionary biology in some way. In addition to the biology classes, you will be able to take chemistry, physics, and math/statistics courses so you can have a rigorous scientific background.

Mechanisms of Disease: Are you interested in learning about the ways diseases occur in the human body? If so, this concentration may be a good fit. With this concentration, you will have a broad understanding of the different areas of disease, from the genetic underpinnings to the very microbes that cause infectious disease. In addition to these specialized biology classes, you will be able to have research experience through laboratory-based classes or independent study. This could be helpful in translational research settings, since the courses can give you a good background of a disease that you may want to treat clinically.

Molecular and Cell Biology: This is a great concentration if you are interested in basic science biology research, especially on a cellular level. Not only would you take all the intermediate classes including biochemistry, cell biology, genetics, and molecular biology, you will be able to take advanced classes that focus on a particular area, like the chromosome and cell cycle or cell signaling. In addition, experiment research is a required component, which means you can have an independent project by the time you graduate. 

Neurobiology: This is a great concentration if you are interested in brain physiology at the gene and protein levels. With this concentration, you will be taking classes in the neuroscience department along with fundamental molecular biology and genetics classes. In comparison to the neuroscience major (requires certain neuroscience classes), you will take standard intermediate biology classes but get to pick which advanced neuroscience classes you want to take.

Final thoughts: If any of these concentrations fascinate you, definitely try it out and take some classes specialized for the concentration. The good news is that, even if you don’t end up completing the requirements for that concentration, you would still be on track for the general biology major. Another thing to consider are your future plans and goals. Most students who are pre-med end up doing a general biology major without a concentration, since it has the least number of classes, which provides more flexibility for extracurricular- activities. That being said, there are definitely pre-med students that have a concentration and enjoy it. For me, computational biology is very helpful for research and I enjoy coding! Many students who choose to pursue graduate school or a Ph.D. degree in biology prefer picking up a concentration, since it enables them to dive deeper into a field of interest. Having a concentration will enable you to have more background knowledge if you do decide to pursue research rigorously. The general flexibility of most concentrations also makes it easy to switch, if you ever change your mind.

- Leilei H.

A Typical Day in My Life

Hey there! I’m a junior in the college studying computational biology, a concentration within the biology major. While no two days look exactly the same, here is a taste of what it’s like to be in my shoes on a typical Tuesday.

9:30 - 10:00 AM: Wake up, get ready for the day.

10:00 - 11:00 AM: Eat brunch, catch up on emails.

11:00 - 11:30 AM: Touring an apartment! I currently live on campus but will be off campus next year, so I’ve been apartment hunting.

11:30 - 12:00 PM: Walk to my first class of the day. I live on the opposite side of campus as my first class, but the good thing is that this is the furthest you can get living on-campus. 

12:00 - 1:30 PM: CHEM 2510 (Biochemistry) in the Chemistry Building. I’m taking this class since it fulfills a requirement for my major as well as a pre-med requirement!

1:45 - 3:15 PM: CIS 5450 (Big Data Analytics) in Meyerson Hall. This is a very practical, hands-on, data science class that samples the fundamentals of machine learning with Python. 

3:30 - 5:30 PM: PHYS 102 Lab (Physics Lab) in David Rittenhouse Laboratory. While we are allotted 2 hours to complete the lab, we almost always finish early. This class is pass/fail but must be taken with the corresponding physics section. 

??? - 6:00 PM: Go to our school gym, Pottruck. I try to fit in exercise whenever I can, so sometimes that means at night, and other times that means in the morning. 

6:00  - 7:00 PM: Have dinner back in my suite. By this time, I’m usually starving from a day of classes. I would either eat with a friend, chat with roommates, or watch a show while eating. 

7:00 - 9:00 PM: Call for my CIS 5450 group project. Club/Social event.

9:00 - 1:00 AM: Homework, research tasks, or studying for exams. This is my grind time! I am a night owl so I tend to do good work later in the evening.

1:00 - 2:00 AM: I wrap up my work around this time, and head to bed. 

- Leilei H.

My Favorite Spots Near Campus

It goes without saying that there are many great places within campus to visit and admire, such as the Arch building, the Starbucks inside 1920 Commons, Williams Cafe, etc.. However, I also think it is important to acknowledge that there are some incredible places worthy of visiting outside of campus too. 

The first place I would like to mention is Board & Brew. This is a two story restaurant/cafe about a block away from campus. The food and drinks are great! I especially love their vegetarian chorizo tacos and their matcha latte. The first floor is a great place to do some work with friends. However, I mostly frequent the place to go to the second floor, which is where they have over 600 board games. Paying a small fee of $5 gives you access to all of these board games for as much time as you’d like to stay there. My friends and I love going on Friday nights!

The second place I would like to mention is Ochatto. Ochatto is a restaurant my friends and I go to at least once a month. It is about 1-2 blocks from campus. They have great prices and great flavors. My go to is usually their $16 three sushi rolls + 1 miso soup meal. I also love their teas, especially their peach green tea. This was the first restaurant my friends and I tried when we first came to Penn, and we have loved it since then!

Finally, I would like to mention the various boba shops around campus. The boba shops I know of are Boba King, Kung Fu Tea, Tea-Do, and Ochatto (they also sell boba there!). My favorite boba shop out of all of these is Kung Fu Tea, which is about 3-4 blocks away from campus. My friends and I like going to this one because they have some board games, such as Jenga and Connect 4. Boba runs are a very quick and easy way to do something fun with your friends during the week!

- Emma L.

Pre-Professionalism at Penn

I have frequently been asked during cognoscenti presentations about Penn’s school culture, so I thought I’d write about one common question. While my opinion is just n=1, here are some of my thoughts on pre-professionalism at Penn:

Is Penn Pre-Professional?

Yes, I think so. However, I think it is mostly due to the existence of specialized undergraduate schools like Nursing, Engineering and Wharton as well as programs like LSM, VIPER, or Huntsman that seem to pigeonhole students into very specific courses of study. These specialized programs make people consider their career trajectories early on. With this, it is much easier to look for research, internships, and extracurriculars that match their interests. It’s crazy to think that out of high school, some students knew that they wanted to study life science and business, or do energy research. Good for them! That is really cool. But it’s also perfectly okay if you don’t know what you want to do.

Okay, But Are People in College Pre-Professional?

There is a great diversity in terms of levels of pre-professionalism in the College, but the curriculum is built to serve people on either ends. There are many people in the College that come undeclared, or have no idea what they want to do as a career after graduation. Tracks like BFS and ISP enable students to explore many different classes. The foundations and sector requirements are also a great way to explore classes while still completing requirements to be on track to graduation. Even after declaring a major, there are differences in concentrations or classes you can take depending on what interests you in the major. Some majors, like cognitive science, enable you to take classes from multiple departments: from linguistics to computer science to neuroscience. On the other hand, majors like mathematics include classes almost exclusively from the math department. Some people choose to complement their major in the college with a second major in computer science from the Engineering school. Others take inter school minors with Wharton (like consumer psychology) or Nursing (like nutrition) to supplement their major in the College. There are of course many people who don’t do any of that, and explore only majors and minors from just affiliated with the College.

What Do You Think Of the Pre-Professionalism Culture? 

Personally, I think a healthy amount of pre-professionalism is important at the undergraduate level. I am inspired by how driven my peers are and how invested they are towards their future career development. I have friends that I know who will be fantastic surgeons and those who are already programmers at big tech companies. Recruiters also frequently come to our campus, making opportunities like that more readily available for all students. While it could be easy to feel peer pressured into certain professions just because everyone around you is doing the same, most people I know have a passion for their interests and take their own spins on their education here at Penn to prepare them for life after college.

- Leilei H.

Getting Involved

Most students come to Penn filled with energy and eager to become a part of the many vibrant and wonderful clubs and organizations on campus. While this is a great attitude, I distinctly remember a key piece of advice I received before my first year, which has served me well throughout my four years here. “Go and explore, but be selective, you don’t want more on your plate than you can handle.” This couldn’t be more true. It is great to explore your interests and hobbies, and especially try out new things. You meet so many people, and you test out whether something is right for you. But being picky is crucial, it helps you sieve through what you truly care about and enjoy, and it also keeps your schedule from becoming overwhelming, which can be detrimental to your involvement and performance in any one individual club or organization. Again, this is not to say you should not try out new things and that those may be many, but always be aware of how much you can add on, and use that to guide your decisions. As always, talking to others about your plans and dilemmas is always a good way not only to get some feedback, but by verbalizing your thoughts you can make them much clearer on your own. 

-Humberto C.