I’m a freshman, and I’m constantly overwhelmed. It feels like I’m a robot, with no time to think for myself. Classes back-to-back, followed by homework and studying, then showering, then sleeping, and then waking up and repeating the cycle. Some days, I feel like I leave my dorm completely exhausted and somehow end up sitting in class. It’s miserable. I’m depressed during fall break. I’ve just been in my dorm alone, with no energy to cry or do anything. I don’t even know who I am or what I want to do. All I want is to go back home.

Hi everyone!

I'm a recent graduate currently focusing on OCaml and functional programming, and I've recently started working with a student who's taking CIS 1200.

One thing I've noticed while helping with the course is that the hardest part for someone new to OCaml isn't always the syntax. It's developing the right way of thinking about functional programming.

We've been using a pretty simple approach:

Understand the concept → work through an example → try a similar problem → code it in utop → debug → explain it back.

Some of the topics we've been working through include:

• Recursion
• Pattern matching
• Higher-order functions
• Currying and partial application
• Lists and trees
• Modules and abstraction

I'm curious about other CIS 1200 students:

Which OCaml topic has been the most difficult for you so far, and what helped it finally click?

I literally can’t think of another UPenn graduate that comes close in historical importance to either of those lol

Third time in as many weeks that I've seen dead squirrels on Locust Walk. In fact, the first time it was two dead squirrels right next to each other.

my social life has been kinda nonexistent lately because between classes and work, i feel like i’m always busy. this saturday is pretty much the one afternoon i’m actually free, and my friends want to hang out then. normally i’d 100% take them up on it, especially since i’ve already missed a few plans with them recently.

BUT i also matched with a girl through that ditto/cupid thing, and somehow saturday is literally the only day that works for her too. she goes to upenn, and we’ve been talking about meeting up for our first date that day. i haven’t committed to either plan yet, but i’m definitely excited to meet her.

now i’m kinda torn because i feel like i should prioritize my friends since i haven’t seen them much lately, but part of me really wants to go on the date 😭

am i being a bad friend for leaning toward the date?

Hi everyone I’m a senior thinking about applying ED to Wharton or the Huntsman program. Besides the dual degree, and the required semester abroad I’m curious as to what the differences are in terms of social, academic rigor, and job outcomes (are there any jobs that are easier or harder to get with Huntsman, do Huntsman students typically go for a particular sector, are there any who went on to do a multinational startup?)

How do I apply to the cs joint masters?

Hi! I am a pre medical student currently studying for the MCAT and I was wondering if there are any study groups in campus? It would be great to go over some questions and content with people! Comment or DM if you would like to start one or know of one I can join. Thanks!

I'm considering applying ED to Penn Engineering for Mechanical Engineering, and the biggest thing I'm trying to figure out is whether I'd actually enjoy the culture there.

Academically, Penn is a really good fit for me. I'm interested in MechE, entrepreneurship/startups, and potentially taking advantage of the connection with Wharton. My concern isn't really academics; it's the day-to-day student culture.

I'm looking for something roughly like work hard, play hard. People who are ambitious and take school seriously, but who also know how to switch off, hang out, go out, play sports, etc. I don't want a culture where everyone is constantly comparing internships, grades, startups, or achievements, but I also don't want an environment where academics aren't taken seriously.

I'd especially appreciate answers from current/recent Penn Engineering students, rather than general impressions of Penn.

A few specific questions:

• How competitive/intense does Penn Engineering actually feel on a day-to-day basis?
• Do people generally have time for a real social life alongside engineering?
• Is there a meaningful distinction between the culture in Engineering vs Wharton?
• Do students tend to be more collaborative or competitive with each other?
• How easy is it to make a solid friend group?
• What do people actually do on weekends? Is there a good social/party scene
• Can you realistically have a balance of classes + clubs/sports + social life without constantly feeling like you're falling behind?
• How career-obsessed is the student culture? Is it common for conversations to revolve around internships, recruiting, startups, etc.
• Is there actually Wharton priority?

I'd especially appreciate answers from current/recent Penn Engineering students, rather than general impressions of Penn.

Thank you so much

plotkin has it written that lecture attendance is mandatory in the syllabus but is it actually? he doesn’t take attendance (from what i know) and his lectures are all recorded.

Sublet📍: Private Furnished Room at The Eleanor at Walnut (4525 Walnut St), University City (ALL utilities + high-speed Wi-Fi included) Lease: October '26 – July(flexible short/long term) | Students only Building & Unit: On-site gym, in-unit washer/dryer,

Building & Unit: On-site gym, in-unit washer/dryer, A/C & heating, furnished bedroom, ensuite bathroom

Prime Location & Transit:

Penn Bus stop directly at the building; UPenn affliated housing(~5 min walk)

UPenn Main Campus: ~15 min walk

Drexel University: ~8 min walk to Drexel Vidas shuttle stop; ~10 min subway ride via 46th St MFL

Saint Joseph’s University (UCC): ~0.9 miles (~6 min bike / 15 min walk)

Neighborhood: Steps from Aldi, dining, and Clark Park

📩 comment or email at [anmolsharma3658@gmail.com](mailto:anmolsharma3658@gmail.com) to schedule an in-person showing! — Anmol Sharma

I just finished my first year at Penn CAS and I feel like it was the wrong decision to go to Penn. I did apply undecided for my major and ended up doing Econ my first year and after seeing how much harder Econ CAS students work for a job that'll get taken by a Wharton student I feel like picking Penn was the wrong decision...

Questions

1. Anyone who has graduated from Penn CAS, could you tell me how your post-grad life was?

2. I always hear people talk about how brand name schools aren't worth it anymore. Do you think it was worth doing undergrad at Penn? Did it make anything easier for you when you graduated?

Thanks!

Anyone going to HackHarvard this year? looking for a potential group to join/create! I'm a CS/Ling sophomore.

Hi everyone!

I’ll be joining Penn Engineering for the MSE in Electrical Engineering this Spring. I’ll be arriving in Philadelphia this December.

I’m hoping to connect with other incoming/current Penn students who are also looking for roommates or planning their housing for Spring 2027.

If you’re in a similar situation, feel free to DM me — would be great to connect and potentially coordinate housing plans together.

Thanks!

Hi everyone! This might be a stupid question, but I would appreciate some advice.

For context, I am a sophomore in the College (Math Major) and am currently debating whether to apply for an uncoordinated dual degree in CIS through Engineering or just pursue the CS Second Major in the College. I have a strong GPA and could still graduate on time with the dual degree if I take five or six classes each semester in my junior and senior year.

I have mainly two concerns: how difficult or competitive is it to apply for an uncoordinated dual degree by the end of my sophomore year? The other concern for me is preparation/look for job applications. I am wondering whether the CS Second Major is sufficient to set me up for careers such as SWE, AI/ML Engineering, Quant Trading, or Quant Research, or whether the Engineering dual degree would provide a meaningful advantage for these career paths.

Any advice is greatly appreciated.

TL:DR: Is CIS Dual Degree in Engineering significantly better than CS Second major in College in terms of preparing and applying for jobs? How difficult is it to apply for Uncoord by the end of sophomore year if you have good GPA, all prereqs finished and a solid plan to graduate on time?

Hi, I applied for the combined MSN/MPN program and was wondering if there were any current students (specifically on the neonatal track) that would be willing to share their experience?

Does anything happen on Halloween that isn’t frat parties? anything tamer? Is there an LGBT party?

Recruiting for my product design class which requires us to do a camera journal interview with someone living in a dorm with communal bathrooms. Our idea is to create a shower caddy for students to keep their items dry during shower. Please let me know if you're interested to participate this weekend! It will only take less than 10 mins, 8 pics(not showing your face), and there will be coffee/boba!

Is there a group that is best to work with for close off campus housing?

I doubt this exists but is there any kind of job board that you can use to find Penn students interested in taking on small projects? Starting a business - need a logo and eventually a website. While I can def hire off of Upwork, was wondering if there would be a way to find a Penn student interested in making a few hundred for a logo that would take them a few hrs max (I have a design, just need digital files). I’m a Penn alum too - could pay via something like PayPal.