Philly: One Big College City

by Jennifer Merritt

"New York, New York?"
Think about it: As a member of the tristate area, when people refer to "the city," you assume they mean New York, right? (Did you ever really wonder what city Sex and the City referred to when it first premiered?) And, if you're one of the thousands of high school seniors considering urban area colleges not far from home, New York may just be the only city on your radar.

The folks at One Big Campus in Philadelphia, however, are trying to change your mindset. The program aims to increase student interest in the city by supplying potential and existing students with the knowledge of all Philadelphia has to offer historically, academically, and culturally, plus student discounts all around town.

In addition to its scores of restaurants, museums, and high--end vintage shops, Philly is also home to more than 80 colleges and universities. college students from all over the world (and yes, the tristate area) were asked to sound off on why they choose to school in the City of Brotherly Love. What they have to say may just change your view of "the city."

Start spreading the news

"I've lived in big cities all my life, so it wasn't really a choice of 'Do I want to live in the city or do I want to live in the suburbs?' It was more, 'Which city do I want to live in?'" says Rowan Sidd, a Boston native and recent graduate of Philly's Drexel University. "I've been to New York so often, I kind of felt like I already knew that [city]. I'm big on going to a place I'm not familiar with and experiencing it."

After getting acquainted with Philadelphia, Rowan found the city reminded him of his hometown. "Boston's very green - we have a lot of parks and outdoor areas," he says. "So does Philadelphia." Some favorite "green" student hangouts include Rittenhouse Square, a park complete with stone railings and a fountain located in one of Philly's more prestigious sections, and Penn's Landing, which overlooks the Delaware River and is host to plenty of runners, rollarbladers, and rowers.

Another draw? "The cost of living is relative to what you make here," Rowan says. "Back home, it's not.

"It's just not feasible to get out of college, move back to Boston, get a job, and be able to live on my own, because I'd be in a shack somewhere down by the river," he jokes. "You get the same experience [in Philadelphia] for a reasonable price." Most students say they're able to rent spacious apartments for about $200--$300 per housemate.

No "little-town blues" here
Adarsh Shah, a native of London and Kenya, wanted to attend a U.S. college in a city with seemingly contradictory characteristics - one that's full of hustle and bustle, but also possesses small--town charm. "I missed the city life in London," he says. "I'm someone who likes to stay up pretty late and run around a lot."

Philadelphia - with the night life of Old City, shopping on Walnut Street, and funky vibe on South Street - perfectly complimented Adarsh's social needs. But as a finance and marketing major at the University of Pennsylvania, Adarsh also required something to satiate his academic attitude, too. "[Philadelphia] is not a typical city; it's quite quiet," he says. "It's also very cultural with history embedded into it."

Want to be a part of it?
You might find it hard to believe just how at--your--fingertips the city can be. As the fifth largest city in the world, Philly may provide opportunities you won't find anywhere else. "[Philadelphia] is not the arts 'center,'" which translates into greater accessibility, says Brian Lamsback, a junior communications major with a theater minor at Villanova University (Villanova, PA), located just minutes from Philly. "There are options for people like myself who want to get involved and maybe go see a play where you meet the actor afterward."

What also amazes most people about Philadelphia - even those who've lived there all their lives - is how eclectic it is. Gary Davidoff, a senior English major at Temple University who grew up in the suburbs of Philadelphia, says he's constantly discovering new parts of the city. "I was on South Street the other day - I've been going to South Street since high school - and I just found a little Italian place I'd never seen before," he says. "It was excellent."

Michelle Freeman, a communications major at Drexel University, and a native Philadelphian, agrees. "There are lots of things to discover and do," she says. "There are over 80 [colleges] in the region, so there are tons of people to meet, and every time you go out, you see a small store you've never noticed before, or a boutique you've always wanted to go in, but never did."

If you can make it in New York...
Of course, the sun doesn't always shine in Philadelphia, and just as New York has its downsides, so does Philadelphia. Unlike Gary and Michelle, Alexis Danilo, a business major at Drexel who grew up in New Jersey, says navigating the city can sometimes prove difficult. "In cities like New York, you can walk down the street and find what you're looking for," she says. "I feel like you have to search for things here."

Tiffany Miller, a native of Philadelphia and a graduate of Temple, loves her hometown, but admits the pace of the city might be hard to adjust to. "You need to like a fast--paced environment," she reveals. "If you're from New York, it probably doesn't seem fast to you, but if you're from anywhere else. It might be a little much. You need to be ready for that."

OK, so maybe Philadelphia's nothing like New York. But you know, that isn't necessarily a bad thing. Isn't the point of college to get out and experience new places, people, and things? Ultimately, like FRANK SINATRA sings, it's up to you.

http://www.collegesurfing.com/content
Jennifer Merritt is a frequent contributor to The CollegeBound Network. Learn more about finding a school that's right for you.

Sound Off! Post Your Comments

You are not currently logged on. Please login to add a comment.

Most-Read This Week

Search and Find Colleges and Universities by State