University of Pennsylvania
Philadelphia, PA · private nonprofit
Official site ↗Admissions
| Admit rate | 5.9% |
| Applicants | — |
| Middle-50% SAT | 1500–1570 |
| Middle-50% ACT | 34–35 |
| Avg GPA | — |
| Test policy | — |
| Avg net price / yr | $31,229 |
| Grad rate | 97% |
| Median earnings (10 yr) | $111,371 |
| Source | scorecard_bulk · 2025 |
Application requirements
| Early Decision | 2025-11-01 |
| Regular / Rolling | 2026-01-05 |
| Application fee | $75 (US) · $75 (intl) |
| Personal essay | Required |
| Test policy | always required |
| Teacher recommendations | 1 |
| Counselor recommendation | Required |
| Mid-year report | Required |
Source: Common App first-year Requirements Grid, 2025-26 cycle. Confirm on the college's site — requirements can change mid-cycle.
Supplemental essays
~200 words each.
- Write a short thank-you note to someone you have not yet thanked and would like to acknowledge. (We encourage you to share this note with that person, if possible, and reflect on the experience!)
- How will you explore community at Penn? Consider how Penn will help shape your perspective, and how your experiences and perspective will help shape Penn.
- Wharton prepares its students to make an impact by applying business methods and economic theory to real-world problems, including economic, political, and social issues. Please reflect on a current issue of importance to you and share how you hope a Wharton education would help you to explore it.
- The flexible structure of The College of Arts and Sciences’ curriculum is designed to inspire exploration, foster connections, and help you create a path of study through general education courses and a major. What are you curious about and how would you take advantage of opportunities in the arts and sciences?
- Penn Engineering prepares its students to become leaders in technology by combining a strong foundation in the natural sciences and mathematics with depth of study in focused disciplinary majors. Please share how you plan to pursue your engineering interests at Penn particularly within the intended major you selected.
- Penn Nursing intends to meet the health needs of a global and multicultural society by preparing its students to advance science that impacts healthcare. Why have you decided to apply to Nursing? Where do you see yourself professionally in the future and how will you contribute to our mission of promoting equity in healthcare?
Copied verbatim from the school's official admissions page (2025-26 cycle).