ONE UNIVERSITY, BIATCH

Yet another great thing about Penn is that "One University" is actually more than just a slogan.

At Penn, College students need not limit themselves to merely classes administered under the School of Arts & Sciences. The University is our multi-billion dollar oyster. We are free to take classes in all four undergraduate schools, which gives Penn students unprecedented breadth in their education.



Between my roommate (C'07) and I, we have taken classes in all four undergraduate schools.

COLLEGE: Well duh.
WHARTON: Negotiations, Stat, International Comparative Management
ENGINEERING: Intro to Computer Programming
NURSING: Forensic science (as in "how solve a murder scene") and a class on sex and sexuality

But wait, there's more!

Why stop at the undergraduate schools when you can take a foray into grad school as well?

That's right, Penn even lets you enroll in select grad school courses. Next fall I will be taking a class at Penn Law: LAW-924: China and International Law



It's One [damn good] University here at Penn. Where else can you get all of a university at your fingertips?

A HIDDEN GEM OF PENN

One of the coolest parts of Penn is also among its least-known.

Among all the hustle and bustle of an urban, Ivy League university, nestled out of the way behind the Quad, lay the illustrious and borderline-surreal Biopond.

Ah, the Biopond. A beautiful and verdant five-acre refuge from the hustle and bustle of urban and academic life. It is Elysium tucked inside University City.

The Biopond is a wonderful place for reflection, studying, romantic walks with that special someone, and apparently for botanical research too--not that I'd know. I'm a liberal arts man and I met my life-sciences requirement with PSYC-001 (spectacular class, btw).

THE BEST LAST CLASS EVER

What better way to close out the semester than with an open bar?

That seemed to be the logic of my GAFL-541 professors, anyway.

On the last day of class they announced we were going out to a "farewell dinner" of sorts at Marathon Grill (nice restaurant/bar at 40th & Walnut). Waiting for us there was a buffet and a bar (for those 21 and older, of course). Sweet. Here's my Amex.

It's open bar, sir...

What? Doth my ears deceive me? Am I really getting an open bar, paid for by my own Penn profs?

Yes, yes I am. Simply amazing.

Sadly I could not take full advantage of this magical privilege as I had two big tests the next day. But getting the chance to unwind with your professors outside the classroom is an interesting experience, to say the least...