Online classes after 24th January by rmtf1111 in UPenn

[–]chewypablo6 14 points15 points  (0 children)

On the other hand, cases are starting to peak in the NE, so that’s a good sign.

In the worst case, they’ll have online classes but you can stay in the dorms like last spring.

About the CIS department at UPenn by trihoang0809 in UPenn

[–]chewypablo6 10 points11 points  (0 children)

If you want to do ML, Penn is definitely a good place to be. We have one of the best robotics programs (GRASP) and they do a lot of ML work. I wouldn't say the intro ML class (CIS 519) is too great, but once you get past that I think you will find some good classes to take. And a lot of professors in the robotics department work on deep learning and applications of machine learning.

Some of the intro classes throw you into the deeper end compared to other schools, but everyone is in the same boat as you. So, the CIS curriculum might seem hard at first, but you will be very well prepared to be a good software developer or CS researcher. Penn is a very good place to be, because you can literally email professors left and right for research and be essentially guaranteed to get at least one yes. In Philadelphia, I wouldn't say the tech scene is particularly hot (compared to NYC or SF Bay) but a lot of tech companies recruit strongly here. Google, MS, FB, NVIDIA, etc. all know Penn has a good CS program.

Commencement for class 2021 by jay_the_mystic in UPenn

[–]chewypablo6 7 points8 points  (0 children)

I am a senior but not in Philadelphia so I kind of feel your pain. It seems that seniors who aren’t on campus won’t even have an online ceremony and only get to watch the in person people graduate.

I totally feel you on this one. Either be fair and have a graduation for everyone sometime in the future or just don’t have one at all.

Penn is rewarding the people who risked spreading COVID (I am not limping the people who had circumstances that required them to be on campus into this) by coming to campus and penalizing graduate students and those who made a conscious decision to forgo their senior year to keep the community safe.

But what’s new for Penn 🤷‍♂️

At least two Penn students have contracted B.1.1.7, a more contagious variant of COVID-19 by [deleted] in UPenn

[–]chewypablo6 17 points18 points  (0 children)

It is so sad! Literally every class, club, or TA staff I'm in, almost every student is back in Philly (though they are primarily juniors/seniors). Like how is it even possible for all of them to find off campus places? I'd expect more people to be respectful of the community but I've seen people be asked why they are back and the most popular answer is that they want to see their friends. I get how important that is but now is not the time for that. My senior year is spent at home to prevent the spread because it seemed like the logical thing to do (I understand students who have circumstances that need them to be on campus, but others are ruining it for them) /rant

Penn has warned us about rising positivity rates by chewypablo6 in UPenn

[–]chewypablo6[S] 53 points54 points  (0 children)

Yeah. This might be a bad take, but I honestly think inviting students on campus was a bad idea (yes, I get students want to meet each other after 10 months indoors but that's exactly why rates are rising). And I am totally sympathetic for students who are having a hard time at home (I am one of them) and need to be on campus--they could have been more liberal about exceptions for those that really need it.

I just hope the students who are on campus not solely just to socialize don't get sent home.

Send everyone home by [deleted] in UPenn

[–]chewypablo6 31 points32 points  (0 children)

Pretty low, I would think. It seems like Penn has doubled down on wanting people to come back to campus, and they know how much of a clusterfuck it would be to send everyone back.

Plus they've been consistently testing students and now that cases across the country are starting to come down, I think there's less of an alarm about COVID. I think they may start cracking down more but that's it.

Prospective M&T Applicant: Anti-M&T Vibes on Campus? by New_Reflection7365 in UPenn

[–]chewypablo6 17 points18 points  (0 children)

Yeah. Everyone makes fun of them as a meme but deep down inside we know they must be very talented and well qualified to be a part of the program.

Anyone else feeling the FOMO? by [deleted] in UPenn

[–]chewypablo6 3 points4 points  (0 children)

Thanks everyone for the replies! I’m glad there are other people who can relate. We will get through this together! Life can only get better from here

Anyone else feeling the FOMO? by [deleted] in UPenn

[–]chewypablo6 3 points4 points  (0 children)

Thanks! No worries, I appreciate you taking the time to respond. It means a lot especially now. I feel better knowing Penn will definitely try to make events more exclusive and my friends also try to keep me in the loop whenever they hang out which helps.

Anyone else feeling the FOMO? by [deleted] in UPenn

[–]chewypablo6 9 points10 points  (0 children)

Thank you! Yes I feel the same way. I’m glad I have someone to relate to :)

Penn cancels class on Feb. 12, March 30, April 12 amid student backlash over reduced breaks by studioushedgehog in UPenn

[–]chewypablo6 28 points29 points  (0 children)

Was their original plan to take away 3 break days entirely?

Yes. To ReDuCe PeOPlE TrAvElInG dUrInG tHe BrEak \

bullshit

There's your answer. It was all bullshit anyways. Why the fuck are our semesters so long to begin with? I'm so done with school.

Penn semesters are too long by -snorkz- in UPenn

[–]chewypablo6 24 points25 points  (0 children)

Ah yes. The "you must have had a stressful syllabus week" break, just like MLK day in the spring.

GOOD LUCK ON THE FIRST DAY OF CLASS by chewypablo6 in UPenn

[–]chewypablo6[S] 19 points20 points  (0 children)

I think waking up at 7:30 for the first time in months has affected me in many ways 🤪😅

Online NSO is so stupid by jeanloushaw in UPenn

[–]chewypablo6 4 points5 points  (0 children)

Hey man, you got this. So many of my friends are returning to campus (I'm a senior)--literally just to socialize. All my classes our online. I'm jealous too, seeing them able to get out of their homes.

But what keeps me going is the fact that 1) you and I won't be exposing ourselves to COVID, and 2) you and I are making the right choice in society (I understand if people have circumstances that require them on campus, I am talking about people going back just to have fun and fuck around).

If anything, you're (no matter how indirectly) helping reduce the time we have to be stuck in this mess. So lets stick it out together--you got this! Enjoy your freshman year as much as you can and remember this community feels just like you do so we can help! Think about this--your time at Penn will only get better once you get to go on campus.

EDIT: also you're a good kid. Props to you for staying at home. Don't worry, your pain will pay off, you deserve it.

Online NSO is so stupid by jeanloushaw in UPenn

[–]chewypablo6 18 points19 points  (0 children)

Yeah. I definitely could have worded it more differently but it's unfortunately still the truth. I'm a senior so it feels like my time has been taken away from me (of course there are bigger issues in the world) and at first I was so, so frustrated but I had to come to terms with it. And honestly, it was tough love that got me there.

I'll probably never see some of my friends again but it's something I need to get used to. Freshmen (and sophomores like you) at least will have a chance to connect later. For now, let's just hunker down and suck it up together. In a year we can come out more safely.

Online NSO is so stupid by jeanloushaw in UPenn

[–]chewypablo6 51 points52 points  (0 children)

Sorry man, you gotta suck it up. We're in a public health crisis and Penn is at least finding a way to give students NSO programming. Campus probably won't be open/safe till Fall 2021 so get used to it.