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This week begins the World Series, the premier sporting championship in the nation (at least in my opinion–why have one night of the Superbowl when you can have at least four nights of nail-biting, crowd-rousing suspense?). While the world obsesses over the current New York-Philadelphia rivalry, let’s take a look at another – between Columbia University and the University of Pennsylvania.  The only two Ivy League schools with truly urban campuses, Columbia and UPenn are champion institutions themselves. But who will come out on top? Best of five wins…

1. Mascot Matchup

Columbia- Don some baby-blue and white to cheer on the Lions, so named for the university’s heritage as King’s College (referring to the King of England, whose coat of arms portrays a lion).
UPenn- The Penn Quakers pay homage to the Society of Friends (aka the Quakers), the religious affiliation of the settlers of Pennsylvania. The largest Quaker-fest occurs each spring at Penn Relays, a prestigious and historic track-and-field event attracting students from high schools and colleges across the country.

Three credits to: UPenn. How could you not love a team named the Quakers? Who doesn’t love oatmeal?

2. Late-Night Munchies

Columbia- After an evening of criss-crossing Morningside Heights, stop by Koronet’s Pizza where a classic New York slice will set you back $3.50. If you think that’s expensive, consider that the slice takes up the entire length of your forearm.
UPenn- If you’re in Philly, you gotta have a cheesesteak. The all-American concoction of sliced steak and cheddar cheese on a hoagie (that’s right) is the most mouth-watering attraction in the city, and UPenn students get their fix at Pat’s King of Steaks, open 24/7.  Get a standard for $7.50.

Three Credits to:  Columbia, where you get more bang (and crust, and sauce, and cheese) for your buck!

3. Terrific Traditions

Columbia- Each spring, Columbians clamor to attend the Varsity Show, a fundraiser for the athletics team that takes the form of a student-written, produced, and performed production that satirizes every part of life at Columbia and current events.
UPenn- The Quakers sure are Friend-ly: each year on Hey Day, the outgoing senior class will “haze” the junior class, covering them with food as they pass through the quad, where representatives from each class then give speeches and the junior class is officially introduced as seniors.

Three credits to:  Columbia, for the ingenuity.

4. Ass-kicking Alumni

Columbia- Barack Obama, Julia Stiles, Maggie Gyllenhaal, Allen Ginsberg, Art Garfunkel, Paul Simon
UPenn-Ben Franklin, Donald Trump, Chaim Potok, Dick Wolf (creator of Law & Order), William Carlos Williams, Tory Burch

Three credits to:  UPenn (Ben Franklin shaped democracy as we know it, and Trump is his own freakin’ brand of capitalism).

5. Acceptance Rate Agony (for the class of 2012)

Columbia- 10%
UPenn- 16.9%

Three credits to: Columbia

And the diploma goes to: Columbia! In this series, the title goes to New York and the Lions. For Philadelphia afficionados, better luck on the field this week!

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