Opinion Columns
Locust Talk with Lucy Hu (Episode 2) — Legacy Admissions
Columnist Lucy Hu takes to Locust Walk to get students' opinions on legacy admissions in the second installment of her video series, "Locust Talk."
Lucy Hu | America: Leading the world in holistic admissions
Some argue that the main crux of university is to take classes and earn a degree, and therefore, academic excellence is key to success. But, the purpose of university is to provide an education, and the purpose of education extends far beyond classroom learning.
Mateen Tabatabaei | Reconciling free speech with uncomfortable opinions
It’s easy to stand for a principle like the right to free speech when the speech in question poses no threat to oneself.
Dylan Reim | Greeks have a right to their own narrative
The sheer number of articles I’ve read against aspects of Greek life is surprising in itself, but even more surprising is how few of those writers actually experienced what they claimed to understand.
Jay Shah | The search for the perfect job can erase the traits that make us special
When did we forget to think about what we like to study and stand our ground? When did we forget to think for ourselves?
Guest Statement by Samara Wyant and Max Grove | Mental health, cost, campus, community: Samara and Max for UA
We are running for Undergraduate Assembly President and Vice President because we have the talent, vision, and perspective to represent and lead the student body.
Amy Chan | Dear baby Quakers, enjoy your acceptance to the fullest
I want to tell them not to give themselves so easily to others because they’ll disappoint you in the end. I want to say, prepare yourselves for the storm.
Isabella Simonetti | Keep Penn out of my bedroom
Let’s demand more effective policy change from the administration — Penn can combat sexual assault without treating its students like minors.
Spencer Swanson | Trump’s golden reunion is not worth celebrating
The controversies surrounding Donald Trump as a shady businessman, uncouth politician, groping womanizer, and increasingly failed president should be motivation enough for the University to take a bold stand.
Sara Merican | Having faith at Penn
Christianity for me was not the end to the search for meaning, but rather, something that pointed me to where I should search.
Carlos Arias Vivas | What Penn’s drag performers taught me about self-exploration
The night at the drag show showed me a new level of confidence I know I can adapt in my daily life.
Rebecca Alifimoff | Why study abroad shouldn’t count in your GPA
Penn students should be trusted to make the most of their study abroad experiences, both academically and personally, without being limited by the narrow metric of the GPA.
Jessica Li | We are the ones who shape our college experience
Underneath the perfect facade of the superstar student, there are always doubts, and even regrets, about the choices they have made. There are infinite paths we can all go.
Lucy Hu | Why the Asian-Pacific Islander label is inaccurate
It’s time for Asian Americans to stop talking about their struggles in the “API community,” without actually knowing anything about the PI community.
Isabella Simonetti | Life at the most insecure Ivy
Penn might not be “the best” school in the Ivy League, but let me pose an important question: why does it matter? And why does it hurt our egos so much? Four years go by too quickly to walk around with chips on our shoulders.
Mateen Tabatabaei | What Amy Wax's critics get wrong
Wax’s general and anecdotal observations may be distasteful and impolitic, but equating them with a breach of privacy to further “her scholarly ends,” as Ruger puts it, seems dishonest.
Dylan Reim | Snarty in the USA — Penn came together for the snow day
Walking down Locust between the snarties connected me with multiple groups I’d otherwise have no business associating with, and connected me to my peers in a way that could only come about here and now.
Amy Chan | Kicking and screaming into adulthood
I feel as if there is something wrong with me, especially because everyone around me seems to be moving on. And for the first time in my life, I don’t know what’s going to happen.
Locust Talk with Lucy Hu (Episode 1) — The Liberal Bubble
Columnist Lucy Hu takes to Locust Walk to get students' opinions on Penn's "liberal bubble" in a new weekly video series.
