First-Year Applicants

If you’re confident Penn is the best fit for you, consider applying through Early Decision. Our Early Decision program is binding, meaning that if you are admitted, you are required to accept our offer of admission and enroll at Penn. 

If you are still unsure if Penn is the right choice for you, or if you want the ability to compare financial aid packages across all schools to which you are admitted, you should consider applying through the Regular Decision application program.

Applying Early Decision

Our Early Decision application deadline is November 1, 2024.

By mid-December, you will receive one of three possible outcomes from your Early Decision application: 

You are Admitted into the University of Pennsylvania

As part of our Early Decision program, you are committed to accepting our offer of admission. You must withdraw any active applications you have to other colleges/universities. The only instance in which you could request to be released from our Early Decision binding agreement is if your financial need can’t be met, which would be determined only after consulting with Penn’s Student Financial Aid office.  

If you are admitted, we ask that you confirm your enrollment by January 5, 2025.

You are Deferred for Consideration During Regular Decision

Your application will be considered among our Regular Decision candidates, and you will no longer be bound by the Early Decision binding agreement. You will receive final notification of our decision in late March/early April. Instructions on how to provide updates to your application will be found on your applicant portal. 

You are Denied Under the Early Decision Program

Your application process for this cycle year is complete. If you are still interested in Penn, you are welcome to re-apply during the next application cycle. 

We will notify all Early Decision applicants of the exact time and date of our decision release at least one week ahead of time so that they can be aware of when to expect their admissions decision. 

We appreciate that attending Penn is a tradition for many families. The Admissions Office identifies legacy applicants based on the information provided in a student’s application and defines “legacy” as being either a child or grandchild of alumni. Legacies who apply to Penn—like all applicants—receive thorough consideration in the application process. 

Although applicants considering applying through Early Decision must submit their applications earlier (November 1st) than Regular Decision applicants (January 5th), the process of applying is no different.  

Applying Regular Decision

Our Regular Decision application deadline is January 5, 2025.

Please note that if you are accepted by another school under a binding Early Decision program, you must inform the Office of Admissions and withdraw your Regular Decision Penn application. 

By April you will receive one of three possible outcomes from your Regular Decision application: 

You are Admitted into the University of Pennsylvania

You have been accepted and are now invited to join the incoming first-year class. You will have until the admitted student reply date to accept or decline our offer of admission. 

You are Waitlisted

You have been placed on the waitlist and do not currently have a seat in the incoming class. If you choose to accept your spot on the waitlist—and if space allows— you will be considered for admission later in the spring or summer. 

You are Denied Admission Under the Regular Decision Program

Your application process for this cycle year is complete. If you are still interested in Penn, you are welcome to re-apply during the next application cycle.