Penn. Short, sweet, and powerful. The name holds a certain prestige in people’s minds, not only because of its Ivy League status. It represents something valuable — something to be proud of. Teachers beamed when you told them where you would be going to college. Friends smiled, impressed. When you called your grandma, as always, she was proud of you.
And yet, the name isn’t why I chose Penn.
Of course, the numbers and reputation are hard to ignore: a ranking in the top 10 universities (with the Wharton School ranked No. 1 among undergraduate business schools), a member of the Ivy League, and an undergraduate student population of under 11,000. When Vice Provost and Dean of Admissions Whitney Soule announced Penn’s record-low 4.9% acceptance rate for this year’s incoming class, conversations resurfaced about Penn’s elite status. More competitive, more prestigious, more proof that the name “Penn” holds significant value.
It’s easy to frame Penn as a symbol of exclusivity, as it is increasingly selective in choosing top valedictorians, nonprofit founders, world champions, and future leaders. But we rarely ask the inverse: Why did we select Penn?
Like others in the Class of 2029, I chose Penn without stepping into a Huntsman Hall lecture or joining a club advertised on Locust Walk that changed my sense of purpose.
But I didn’t choose Penn just because it chose me. I chose it because it’s the kind of place where the name isn’t the whole story — it’s the start of it. At most top institutions, opening doors for students is a given. However, Penn offers more. Penn hints at a place where ambitious students hold together a collaborative and equally competitive community.
Perfect? Hardly. Competitive? Definitely. Easy? Certainly not. But the right starting point for my next four years of adventures? Without a doubt.
The reality of that starting point looks different for everyone. Some students appreciate the promise of hands-on research as first years. Others relish the opportunity to double major in two diametrically opposed fields. Penn’s range and flexibility don’t force us to narrow our interests. They invite us to explore.
Like many other Penn students, Wharton first year Meera Tewari chose Penn over other top institutions. “I was deciding between the Ross School of Business at the University of Michigan and Wharton,” Tewari said. “Even though Ross was in state and a fantastic option, I ultimately chose Penn for Wharton’s global recognition, the flexibility of its curriculum and concentrations, and the idea of being in Philly, a big city with so much history and culture, while still having opportunities to connect with the local community.”
The culture at Penn isn’t easy to describe. Yes, it’s ambitious. But Penn also creates momentum. Not pressure, but possibility. This ambitious nature draws students to Penn. Because here, ideas don’t just live inside lecture halls — they get tested, built, and pitched.
Wharton first year Annalise Leck echoed that sentiment: “I chose Penn because Wharton’s unmatched resources and opportunities make it the best place in the world to study business.” She reflected on her time in the 2023 Wharton Global Youth Program, saying, “I’ve seen the drive and ambition of its students up close, and it’s indescribably inspiring and unique to Penn.”
A common theme emerges: Penn fosters an ambitious community, especially in the context of its research-driven environment. “Penn’s emphasis on hands-on undergraduate research captivated me. Its synergy of collaboration and innovation is truly unique,” College first year Klara Molnar-Tanaka said.
Other students considered both athletic and academic offerings at Penn — not just focusing on the name, but also the opportunities. Simon Lioznyansky, a Wharton first year on the men’s fencing team, considered that balance carefully. “I chose Penn over other schools because I knew I wanted to do business,” he said. “Obviously, there’s nowhere better in the U.S. for business than Wharton.”
Aside from academics, Lioznyansky also evaluated the athletic possibilities at Penn. “Another choice for me was fencing,” he continued. “I was trying to get recruited to any top-tier school for their NCAA team, so after I won one of the biggest senior events in the U.S., I immediately got an offer from Penn. As my top choice, I accepted instantly.”
Think of Penn as a starting line: the people, the programs, the promise that there’s no single mold. The next four years are yours to define.
So when your dentist, best friend, or someone on your grandma’s Facebook asks, “Why Penn?” — don’t think of Penn as a label or a status symbol. Penn is more than its name.
Congratulations and best wishes to the Class of 2029!
MISCHA WIJESEKERA is a Wharton first year from Houston studying finance. Her email is mischaw@wharton.upenn.edu.
