It is important to note that during the 18th and 19th centuries todays rigid distinction between graduate and undergraduate schools did not exist. Back then, an undergraduate degree was not a prerequisite for gaining admission to medical or law school. This is what makes Penn such a fascinating place during the 18th and 19th centuries. Even though the Penn alumni featured in Forging Fifty States took very different courses of study while at Penn, they were peers from the same learning institution. They did not know todays strict educational hierarchy that draws strong lines between undergraduate and graduate students. During the 18th and 19th centuries, a Penn student was a Penn student. To further illustrate the egalitarian landscape of Penns different schools, during the latter part of the 19th century, Penns collegiate sports teams were open to athletes from any of its academic programs. Therefore, it was not uncommon for medical students to take the field with dental students, libe