For those of you who want to live on campus, you cannot miss this episode.
Sansom Place is home for graduate students who choose to live on campus. It is consisted of two buildings--Sansom Place East and Sansom Place West. I am currently living at Sansom East, so I am able to fill you in some information about how's life here.
There are three words to describe my experience living at Sansom Place: convenient, safe and fun. Convenience and safety are always the top priorities when it comes to thinking about where to settle down. In this sense, Sansom Place has a lot going for it because of its favorable location and good security system. Located on Chestnut Street, it is only a 3 minutes walk to Penn bookstore, 5 minutes to Penn GSE and Pottruck Fitness Center, 10 minutes to Van Pelt Library ( which is the largest library at Penn). If you have classes in the morning, you can sleep in till 30 minutes prior to your class schedule. (If you are able to get shower and breakfast done in 20 minutes). It is also close to convenient store like CVS, and a grocery market. Therefore, its prime location has attracted many residents who value convenience most.
What Sansom Place provides also makes life easier. There is one laundry room down the sub-basement, which is free; many study rooms and lounges are on the ground floor; package room is only situated on the 2nd floor in Sansom East, meaning that residents in Sansom West have to come to Sansom East and pick up their packages. Trash chute is located on even number floor. So it takes a little going down or up for students living on odd number floor. The monthly rent includes cable, internet, utilities. Basically, residents only have to pay the amount that corresponds to their apartment type, no extra fees added.
Secondly, the security system equipped in two buildings should be given credits for. There are front desks and security guard working 24 hours, and for each building, there is an entrance where residents should both swipe their Penn Card and enter their unique 4-digit code to get access to the inside. Without Penn Card and 4-digit code, one cannot enter the main building. (The 4- digit code is created by students online and it is recommended never revealing their unique code to someone else.) For anyone that is from outside of Sansom Place, they must sign in and present their ID at the front desk. (I am not sure if they need to be accompanied by a Sansom Place resident; but from what I experienced, the answer is Yes.) Same rule for overnight visitors. If you have families or friends visiting you and they will be staying for a longer time, Hilton Hotel Inn and Sheraton University are just outside of Sansom Place.
Lastly, I think living here is kind of fun because there are many activities for students to be engaged and get to know each, and most of them are free. I've have participated in a tour to Philadelphia Arts Museum, and went to a welcome BBQ for all new residents. For me, most of my classmates are living in Sansom Place, therefore, it would be easier for us to get together, meet for group project and socialize.
There is one topic that I can't avoid when talking about on-campus housing, which is the cost!! As you know, most of the housing offered on-campus would be relatively higher than those off-campus. It's true. Choosing here has lots of advantages, but in the meantime, it is kind of expensive. However, it depends on how you value the importance. If, for example, you'd prefer low cost than convenience, than it's okay to find a place a bit farther from Penn campus.
I hope this blog will give you a general sense of what Sansom Place is like, and help you make the best housing choice. If you are interested in Sansom Place, you can use this link http://cms.business-services.upenn.edu/residential-services/housing-options/sansom-place.html to further your search. Or go to Penn Residential Services to find out more about on-campus and off-campus information. http://www.upenn.edu/services/residential.php
Good luck ! See ya~
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