Is Penn’s no-loan financial aid program a big draw?
A. I think we still need to get that story out more broadly. In non-applicant surveys we are still seeing that some students are not applying because they feel they can’t afford a Penn education. But, I think we wouldn’t be in the good position that we are in today if we weren’t able to say that we are committing $120 million in need-based financial aid and that students have the ability to graduate debt free, which will free up greater opportunities for them career-wise and graduate school-wise. It’s a powerful message that we continue to promote. Q. Do people try to influence you? A. There’s a great deal of responsibility that comes with this job. You have to have the institution’s best interest at heart, and the students’ best interests at heart, even though that’s going to play out with some students not getting in. You have to be able to make decisions. You are going to be thoughtful, but you have to be able to move through the process. Q. How many people sift through the nearly 2
