Love Sculpture on UPenn's campus in the snow

Penn Admissions Blog

Welcoming Penn’s Early Decision Admitted Students
Dean Whitney Soule | December 14, 2023

Welcome to the first members of the Penn Class of 2028! We offered a huge welcome to our QuestBridge Match students on December 1st. When reviewing them and more than 8,500 Early Decision applications, we were humbled by the ambition, stories, ideas, and important moments of reflection and gratitude that were shared along the way. We can’t wait to welcome these intellectually curious and caring students to campus!

Representing the first half of the Class of 2028, these future Quakers admitted through Early Decision will join us from 68 countries, 41 states, D.C., Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and right here from our home of Philadelphia. With them, they will bring their academic energy, new perspectives, and unique traditions to fill the classrooms, research labs, and student organizations for Penn’s four undergraduate schools: the College of Arts and Sciences, Penn Engineering, the Wharton School, and the School of Nursing.

In particular, we noticed their gratitude for those who have positively influenced them, their intention for discovery and collaboration, and the energy they already harness in pursuit of their big ideas. And, along with their humility, a good dose of humor and good cheer.

We look forward to welcoming them to campus in 2024!

About the author
Dean Whitney Soule

I’ve worked in college admissions for over 30 years, and I focus on building bridges between what ‘has been’ and what ‘can be’ so that the whole process can become less complicated yet still effective for students to find their way into college.  I especially love meeting new students when they arrive each year because it’s so fun to match them to the stories and information that we know from their applications!

I love coffee, running, snacking all day, and laughing.  I also adore dogs.  I spend a lot of time with my nutty English Bulldog, Stella, and I can be very easily distracted by silly dog memes. My favorite location on Penn's campus is the entire stretch of Locust Walk, and I love authentic Philly cheesesteaks. You can reach me at deansoule@admissions.upenn.edu.

View all posts by Dean Whitney Soule
Meet The Penn Admissions Bloggers