GlobNomad

Okay. Thanks. I think that's pretty different from what Penn considers an internship. This sounds more like a remote consultancy, not really an internship. But useful info anyway!

Interesting. How do they have internships concurrent with heir classes? Are they local internships? How many hours? (just trying to make sense of it all!)

Wow. I'm not sure I'd be brave enough to do that @Heather1011! What were some of the things you DID like about Penn? (you've written a lot about Harvard but I'm really curious about Penn's program).

That's great for both of you. I can't wait to be in your shoes next year. @Heather1011 Did getting (or not getting?) the FLAS factor into your decision? It's a lot of money!

Good for you @Heather1011. (although judging from your conversations here, it sounds like Harvard had always been your choice and you just needed an excuse to make that choice which it seems you got. I personally am still leaning Penn for next year!).

I think you've already made up your mind (even though you're not admitting it) to go to Harvard. Nothing wrong with that. If I were in the same situation, I would choose the school that puts me in less debt since they're both good schools.

Also, have you spoken to any Penn alums?

So, is your sense that Penn won't give you similar opportunities? I know Harvard is a big name, but Penn stands pretty well on their own too...

Harvard and Penn are my top choices. But since I'm still abroad, I've decided not to apply until I can visit both places. Harvard is Harvard - I mean, their name is so big it's all anyone thinks about. Penn's IEDP just seems like such a great program - and it's pretty impressive what they've achieved given how young the program is (compared to Harvard and TC etc). It's as if they've really thought things through and looked at what the competitors offered and tried to one up them all. It's the perfect program for me and the internship sounds amazing! So given its 10 courses plus an internship (which they fund!), I think that sort of makes up the cost difference (okay not really, am trying to talk myself into this). Actually, Philly is a lot cheaper than Cambridge so there's that too. Anyway, I'm glad I don't have to make this decision this year! Who knows, maybe I'll feel differently about Harvard after I visit... I guess I don't want to be one of those people who thinks about the name only...