University of Pennsylvania Reviews

  • 259 Reviews
  • Philadelphia (PA)
  • Annual Tuition: $63,452
90% of 259 students said this degree improved their career prospects
94% of 259 students said they would recommend this school to others
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Student & Graduate Reviews

Lyndsay Wood
  • Reviewed: 10/16/2013
  • Degree: Chemistry
"Penn was an excellent choice for my graduate program. Really tough classes that enforced course work, and great faculty selection for thesis work."
oluseye Carrena
  • Reviewed: 10/16/2013
  • Degree: Systems Engineering
"I'm in my first year of my graduate program and i'm loving every second of it. UPenn rocks."
Claire Gober
  • Reviewed: 10/16/2013
  • Degree: Chemistry
"UPenn provides a quality education without the cut-throat competitiveness seen in other top notch schools."
Andrew Lewis
  • Reviewed: 10/16/2013
  • Degree: Chemistry
"A good blend of high quality research without the over the top cutthroat students you find at some other top schools. Career support is amazing if you are in Wharton or if you are looking for an academic job, otherwise you will need to start networking early. Graduation times are relatively fast."
Tianshuo Zhao
  • Reviewed: 10/16/2013
  • Degree: Other Engineering
"Pros: highly interdisciplinary academic environment new facilities in the nanotechnology area high-level faculty Cons: relative small size of the engineering school"
Shyam Sivakumar
  • Reviewed: 10/16/2013
  • Degree: Mechanical Engineering
"Pros : Great atmosphere, good environment to study and learn with great faculty. Suggestions: Add a Co-Op program maybe for engineering students that might want to work in specific industries"
Yitao Zhang
  • Reviewed: 10/16/2013
  • Degree: Chemistry
"Pros: Worldwide famous, super convenient since it's in the near city. Cons: safety might be a potential issue. sometimes it can noisy and a little bit dirty since the population is large"
Sonia Redko
  • Reviewed: 10/9/2013
  • Degree: Education
"Intercultural Communication is an important and up-and-coming field, but programs such as this one are not yet very widespread – this is one of the few master’s programs in this field available at an esteemed university. The required courses provide solid foundational knowledge in applied linguistics, but much of it is based in theory, rather than in practice. However, the program is quite flexible, and many classes can be taken throughout the university, so as a practitioner it is possible to find elective courses that will strengthen your relevant skills. As a word of warning, this program is not geared for a student who needs guidance and structure - the program’s main appeal is the ability to tailor it to your individual needs. The students within the program have varying interests and career objectives. This can be a bit overwhelming for students who are not sure which direction to take, but the flexibility allows for exploration which is very liberating for the right student. A personal point of dissatisfaction I have is with the lack of diversity within the study body – the majority of students in the program are from China. This seems to be a phenomenon affecting many graduate programs today, but I feel it would make much more sense for a program such as this one to establish and uphold a diverse space."
Isabelle Cannell
  • Reviewed: 10/2/2013
  • Degree: Fine Arts
"Competitive program, but could hold certain students to a higher standard"
Anabelle Keene
  • Reviewed: 9/29/2013
  • Degree: Nursing
"Penn graduates are sought after as they are known to be high quality practitioners and uphold the high expectations of today's patients."
Vincent Hilldrup
  • Reviewed: 9/23/2013
  • Degree: Law
"Although the LL.M. program was very flexible and the courses on point, UPenn's efforts in helping the LL.M. students find a job is absolutely horrendous. For all intents and purposes, the UPenn career support is limited to sending students to the International Job Fair in NY and telling students to network. Beyond this, there is no help whatsoever. Once you leave the program, career support barely even answers any emails. In my graduating class, unless you were from South America, only 2 people, out of 118, found a job at a law firm. For $60,000, this degree is quasi-worthless. With most employers seeking to hire only J.D. students, LL.M.s are at a distinct disadvantage. The ONLY advantage of this program is that it can provide you with the requirements necessary to take the NY bar."
Shimeng Xu
  • Reviewed: 9/18/2013
  • Degree: Education
"Based on my family background, I would say that Philadelphia is kind of an expensive city to live in, but I'm determined to accomplish my further education in UPenn, therefore, I'm here to apply for a scholarship to support me to finish my study here."
Jordan Pickett
  • Reviewed: 9/17/2013
  • Degree: History
"AAMW gets around 150-200 applications per year and takes 3-5 applicants. First cuts to application pile are made on basis of language preparation: successful applicants will have 2-3 modern languages by time they apply, and 1 or 2+ ancient languages. Advanced coursework in ancient languages will follow at UPenn, which is rigorous. Excavation experience and skill with technology (AutoCAD, ArcGIS) is also highly regarded. Generally speaking, apply to people and not programs -- so make connections with faculty who might advise you before you apply/visit. Financial support is competitive -- $25k+/yr stipend plus insurance, travel/research money, which will do you just fine in many parts of Philadelphia."
Michael Cho
  • Reviewed: 9/17/2013
  • Degree: Biomedical Sciences
"I'm having a wonderful time. I work hard but it pays off. The city is by definition less attractive because it's so urban, and the school itself isn't in the best area. Lots of police to account for that."
Lucas Dawson
  • Reviewed: 9/17/2013
  • Degree: Biomedical Sciences
"U Penn offers top of the line immunology research environment for students, along with quality mentorship from a department full of investigators at the top of their fields."
Kyle Farris
  • Reviewed: 9/17/2013
  • Degree: Political Science
"An excellent program for graduate studies. The professors are incredibly accessible and supportive of a variety of research interests. The scholarship package is one of the best in the country. As far as cons go, the department can be a little disorganized at times."
Thomas Dodson
  • Reviewed: 9/14/2013
  • Degree: Physics
"Highly interdisciplinary environment with one of the best (and largest) soft matter groups in the country."
Kenya Hall
  • Reviewed: 8/26/2013
  • Degree: Social Work
"The School of Social Policy and Practice at the University of Pennsylvania is what you make it. You basically spend 2 years and a lot of money on self reflection. That may sound a bit overwhelming and it's definitely a lot to deal with when you are there, but I am happy I went. The faculty and staff in the social work program are very supportive and they really have an open door policy. All the professors really seem to want you to succeed. The financial aid leaves a lot to be desired. There doesn't seem to be a whole lot of scholarship money available from the school which leaves everyone either getting more in federal loans, or looking for outside scholarships. I am thankful for the income based repayment plan through the Department of Education, or else I would have never been able to afford the tuition."
Andrew K
  • Reviewed: 8/23/2013
  • Degree: Computer Science
"I had several summer internships opportunities during my undergrad years, one of which led directly to my post-graduation job. Penn Engineering's flexible programs that allow you to combine engineering with other interests (whether business or arts) has played a big role in my career success."
Orchid Tierney
  • Reviewed: 8/22/2013
  • Degree: English
"The school has a well developed network of contact, real-time support; excellent access to library and human resources; and a strong research-driven ethic. No discernable negatives so far."