Lexi Grubbs

Miss Skirtich
11 December 2015
English 10: Honors World Literature
University of Pennsylvania: Start Your Journey to Success
The journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step Unknown. This anonymous
quote reflects on how a simple decision determines ones success in the real world, usually
stemming from a persons choice in college. The right college allows any student to take the first
steps of the journey, receiving any and every possible benefit available. The University of
Pennsylvania possesses all of the necessary qualifications to cite it as the most beneficial school
to attend for students in search of post-baccalaureate achievement. The University of
Pennsylvania sets scholars up for success because of its vastly sized campus, first-class
curriculum offered to students, and the picture-perfect and accommodating financial aid
program.
Its campus enables students to explore and discover new walks of life. With such a large
number of students, one can deduce that the University of Pennsylvania acquires a considerable
student demographic. As of fall 2014, the University of Pennsylvania acquired a total of 24,806
students. Of those attendees, the number of full-time undergraduate scholars reached 10,406
(Facts 1). As we know, population equals diversity. The university is chalk full of diversity,
which further helps to teach students of the world. According to the universitys official website,
A total of 6,428 international students applied for admission to Penns undergraduate schools
for fall 2014 and 429 (6.7 percent) received admissions offers. Twelve percent of the first-year
class consists of international students. Of the international students enrolled in the Class of
2018, 15 percent were from Africa and the Middle East, 43 percent were from Asia, 3 percent
were from Australia and the Pacific, 15 percent were from Canada and Mexico, 5 percent were

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from Central and South America and the Caribbean, and 20 percent were from Europe. Penn had
4,559 international students enrolled at all levels in fall 2014. (Facts 2). These statics represent
how many different and unique backgrounds present themselves at the school. Every continent
proudly presents representatives, further providing examples of the schools diversity. With all of
this diversity comes new ideas, customs, and cultures that possibly assist in educating students of
the differences of the world. Understanding these differences assists those in search of success
because the person develops more advanced people skills: learning the customs, how to deal with
people of those places, and remaining respectful while interacting. The University of
Pennsylvanias sizeable and diverse campus environment enables students to obtain a new
opening to worlds contrasting his or her own.
Along with the universitys vastly sized campus comes the advanced and far superior
curriculum which allows for more opportunity than that of a less prestigious college. The
University of Pennsylvania wants to ensure that in every field of study exists the guaranteed,
absolute most experience and knowledge available. It comprises itself of sixteen schools
specializing in their own respective subjects; four of which specialize in undergraduate while the
other twelve teach graduate level education (Academics 1). This move guarantees that only the
utmost best be delivered to students while continuing to allow the students options; each school
specializes in a certain field, too. For example, Wharton University of Pennsylvania specializes
in business. Another way that the University of Pennsylvania guarantees the absolute most
knowledge available shows through in the fact that the school offers multiple resources where
one finds education and information. For instance, the libraries contain billions of different texts.
They also offer virtual texts, allowing students to study anywhere they please (Facts 5). Finally,
The University of Pennsylvania expresses an obvious passion about the idea of their students

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studying abroad. The official website states, Penn ranks first among the Ivy League schools and
12th nationwide among doctoral/research institutions in the number of students studying abroad,
according to the most recent data (Institute of International Education, 2014). In 2012-2013,
2,109 Penn students participated in study abroad programs for academic credit. (Facts 5). Going
back on the point of the previously mentioned diversity, studying abroad offers students the
ability to learn about other cultures firsthand. Also, studying abroad allows scholars to travel to a
foreign school or country to acquire the best, total information needed in that degrees field. The
University of Pennsylvanias noticeable desire to deliver a quality education proves that the
university wants to provide only the best to its student body.
Lastly, in addition to the five-star curriculum and the extensive demographic of students, the
financial aid perfected itself on allowing graduates to avoid the hassle of extensive student loans.
The school offers a program that allows students to attend using very few, if any, student loans.
The All-Grant Financial Aid Program extends financial aid to all students, both dependent and
independent, in need of assistance. In regards to this policy, the University of Pennsylvania
stated the following: The policy applies to dependent undergraduate students in the College of
Arts and Sciences, the School of Nursing, the College of Engineering and Applied Sciences, and
the Wharton School, who have not already received a baccalaureate degree. [] Because there is
no expected parental contribution, independent students are expected to assume a somewhat
higher share of their expenses than dependent students, and may continue to have need-based
loans. The policy is in effect for the standard undergraduate career of eight academic year
semesters. (All-Grant Financial Aid Program 1). In laymens terms, this policy works to ensure
that all students receive a degree from the college, no matter the economic standing of the
scholar. Besides the All-Grant Program, multiple other ways of payments arise to assist students

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in need of aid paying for school. The University of Pennsylvania offers a work-study program to
all students looking to earn cash. In addition to this, scholarships offer most students, especially
lower income families, support throughout the years that student attends. However, loans seem
inevitable these days; have no fear because, of the 843 undergraduates who graduated in 2015,
each borrowed an average of $18,911. A $19,000 loan represents a mere 7% of the four year cost
of this classs education (Loans - Myths and Facts 2). The lack of dependency of college loans
permits graduates to focus more on finding his or her dream job rather than rushing into a job to
earn a money in an effort to pay off the pricey debts. In conclusion, the University of
Pennsylvanias financial services excel at ensuring that every student, no matter what the
background of the person, earns a top-notch education for as little as possible.
With a first-class curriculum, advantageous financial aid program, and a large yet appropriate
size of both students and campus, the University of Pennsylvania extends forth everything that
an academic needs in his or her journey to triumph. From the excess of diversity and population,
one learns people skills; the knowledge offered enables students to receive every bit of
information for his or her degrees field. Finally, the financial aid lifts the pressures of debt off of
students shoulders, allowing them to focus on his or her career. All of these points assisted in
proving the point that the University of Pennsylvania sets scholars up for success because of its
vastly sized campus, first-class curriculum offered to students, and the picture-perfect and
accommodating financial aid program. College is what you make of it but I do believe you can
accomplish anything you want at Penn. There are great resources available. It helps if you know
what you want to do and try to actively get involved. (University of Pennsylvania 1).

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Works Cited
Academics. University of Pennsylvania. University of Pennsylvania. Web. 7 December
2015.
http://www.upenn.edu/programs
All-Grant Financial Aid Program. University of Pennsylvania. University of Pennsylvania,
Student Registration & Financial Services. Web. 7 December 2015.
http://www.sfs.upenn.edu/announcements/announcements-penn-finaid-initiativeexpanded.htm
Facts. University of Pennsylvania. University of Pennsylvania. Web. 7 December 2015.
http://www.upenn.edu/about/facts
Loans - Myths and Facts. University of Pennsylvania. University of Pennsylvania,
Student Registration & Financial Services. Web. 7 December 2015.
http://www.sfs.upenn.edu/pdf/2015-16/loans-myths-facts.pdf
University of Pennsylvania. StudentsReview :: The University of Pennsylvania.
StudentsReview. Web. 10 December 2015.
http://www.studentsreview.com/viewprofile.php3?k=1361997617&u=1209