The DP taught me how deeply fulfilling it can be to devote yourself to something important, even without the dangling carrot of external validation from grades and other “objective” measures of success we obsess over on this campus.
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Lucy Hu | Should international students give up career or family? How about neither.
I will always have to choose between pursuing my passions in the United States of America and being with my family. If I choose one, I can’t have the other.
Sophia DuRose | Too many students don't take full advantage of financial aid
Students should know of every advantage Penn’s financial aid offers in order to allow them the same access as Penn students not on financial aid.
The process of reflecting was valuable in that it was a cognizant deliberation and analysis of my mentality and actions. It helped me break out of habit and identity my faults, my ways of responding to situations, and the methods I can take to improve my lifestyle. It also helped raise self-acceptance as I pinpointed victories that I’ve achieved through hard work and compassion.
Lucy Hu | Should international students give up career or family? How about neither.
I will always have to choose between pursuing my passions in the United States of America and being with my family. If I choose one, I can’t have the other.
Sophia DuRose | Too many students don't take full advantage of financial aid
Students should know of every advantage Penn’s financial aid offers in order to allow them the same access as Penn students not on financial aid.
Hadriana Lowenkron | Volunteering this summer isn't financially sustainable for everyone
The truth of the matter, and what some are so quick to overlook, as they are blindsided by their activist ambitions, is that having the ability to volunteer or take on an unpaid internship exudes extreme privilege.
Tyler Larkworthy | Penn students need to lead more sustainable lives
We could live incredibly sustainable lives. But we don’t.
Urooba Abid | Penn, make summer courses more accessible to students from all backgrounds
The entire system of summer courses at Penn benefits mainly wealthy students.
Isami McCowan | Now more than ever, it’s important to say no sometimes
Before I came to Penn, I pretty much said “yes” to every kind of position or opportunity presented to me.
And, although their nagging can sometimes be annoying, it’s good to be reminded from time to time that it’s important to get enough sleep, eat well, and go to Van Pelt every once in a while.
I realized that spending a lot of time alone, coupled with the stress of academics, can foster loneliness even in those who like alone time. This means you might not feel as happy as you might have in high school or on vacation.
Learn our names correctly. It’s not that hard.
Sophia DuRose | Incoming freshmen, take advantage of your peer advisors
My peer-advisor story is not a unique one, and many people don’t feel as if their peer advisors have done all they can to help them. But I must ask myself if I did all I could to ask for help.
So my question is, why are sexual encounters where men benefit more normalized? And how can we combat this idea? By talking.
Julia Mitchell | International students deserve transparency from Student Financial Services
There are steps that the University could take to both mitigate tax inconsistencies and to better disseminate these facts to students, many of whom do not realize the facts until they are issued an unexpected billing statement that they will have to pay a tax on a significant portion of their grant.
The truth is that housing presents a problem with no good solution.
If students are going to stay up late working regardless of the operating hours, why not open up more spaces for them to use so they can at least be comfortable and at ease?
The first thing you tell someone when you meet them — before inevitably bringing up your major or your hometown — is your name. It holds weight.
Christy Qiu | Baby Quakers, don’t let pessimism of Penn students be the deciding factor
I’ll be the first to admit it: even with all its nuances, I love Penn, and I am so glad I chose to come here.



















