Tour of UPENN

A few weeks ago I visited the University of Pennsylvania and spent time learning about both the Wharton School and the University in general. The historic brick buildings and tree-lined paths gave the University a traditional college feel while still being located in the middle of Philly. The campus felt lively and active, with students studying outside, moving between classes, and participating in different activities. The campus was completely different than my school, and I loved it.

I was interested to learn how Wharton structures its business program, which is very different from what is done at many of the other schools I have been researching. Instead of students graduating with the major of their choice, every Wharton student graduates with a Bachelor of Science in Economics. Within that degree, students get to choose different concentrations that allow them to focus on specific areas such as business economics and public policy, behavioral economics, or marketing. I found this approach interesting because it gives students a strong foundation in economics and business while still allowing them to specialize in areas that interest them most.

Another part of the program that stood out to me was the opportunity to pursue a dual degree through the Huntsman Program in International Studies and Business. This program allows students to combine the Wharton business curriculum with a major in international studies through the School of Arts and Sciences at the University of Pennsylvania. Students study global economics, politics, and culture while also developing advanced proficiency in a foreign language. I thought this was especially interesting because it connects business with a broader understanding of how global policy and international markets interact.

While learning about the program, I started to think about how different college academics will be from what I’m used to in high school. The system at Wharton is designed to give students both structure and flexibility. Everyone shares a common academic base, but they are still able to shape their own path through their concentrations and the opportunities available at the University. Hearing about how the program works made me think about how the subjects I’m studying now, especially economics, could connect to more advanced ideas in the future.

Overall, visiting Penn helped me better understand how a large university can combine strong academics with a wide range of opportunities. Seeing the campus, learning about the structure of Wharton’s program, and hearing how students shape their academic paths was motivating. I look forward to visiting other campuses and comparing this experience to those.