About Penn
First things first: We’re the University of Pennsylvania (aka Penn), an Ivy League research university founded by Ben Franklin in the heart of Philadelphia. Did that sound stuffy? It felt stuffy. Here’s what we’re really about:
Penn is a place for people who want to do something big. But it’s also for people for who want to try a bunch of little things first. It’s a place for sparking revolutionary ideas. For pioneering thinkers. And it’s a place that will help you figure out what inspires and excites you. Where you won’t just gain knowledge, you’ll make it. You’ll research solutions, invent ideas, engineer art – all in a culture that’s not about perfection, but about perfecting the pursuit.
The people who love it here? People who are drawn to other people and who are curious about everything. This is the time to figure things out. Try everything that seems worthwhile. You’ll find what truly is.
Sound like the place for you? Then we can’t wait to meet you.
This is Penn
STATS AND FACTS
8:1
Student-Faculty Ratio
9,960
Undergraduate Students
4,200+
Course Offerings
96%
6-year graduation rate for undergraduates
Affordability & Aid
Here at Penn, we believe the hard part about college shouldn’t be paying for it. That’s why all undergraduate financial aid is awarded on the basis of financial need (aka, need-based aid). We are committed to making a Penn education accessible and affordable by meeting 100% of demonstrated need with grants and work-study funding. Those are funds you don’t have to pay back, meaning its possible to graduate debt-free!
Ready to Learn More?Frequently Asked Questions
We look for students who aspire to develop and refine their talents and abilities within Penn’s liberal arts-based, practical, and interdisciplinary learning environment. Our ideal candidates are inspired to emulate our founder Benjamin Franklin by applying their knowledge in “service to society” to our community, the city of Philadelphia, and the wider world. To best understand prospective students’ paths through Penn, we approach applications holistically and with great care.
Yes, Penn accepts the Common App, the Coalition Application, and the QuestBridge Application. All applicants, regardless of citizenship, must submit one of these applications.
Student Registration and Financial Services posts financial aid application checklists for prospective students. Most students will need to submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), CSS Profile, and Penn Financial Aid Supplement. Make sure to follow the instructions on your relevant checklist and turn in forms by their listed deadlines.
There are a wide range of clubs, organizations, and activities on campus. Take our word for it that there are enough academic, cultural, environmental, performing arts, religious, media, and social opportunities for you to get involved in and to find community with! You will also live and learn in the vibrant city of Philadelphia where diverse people and a saturation of experiences come together. Rich in history, culture, art, recreation, and famous (and delicious) food, Philly offers countless things to do and something for everyone.