First-Generation Applicants
Penn is a place for firsts—and that includes being the first in your family to go to college.
Are you planning to be the first person in your family to pursue a bachelor’s degree? Congrats! Just starting your college search is a major accomplishment. Different institutions may have their own definitions, but at Penn, you're considered first-generation if you will be the first person in your immediate family to attend a four-year higher education institution. You may have also heard of the term FGLI (pronounced FIG-lee) which is used to refer to students who may identify as first-generation to college and/or come from modest financial backgrounds.
Regardless of your pathway to Penn, we’re here to assure you that there’s a diverse and thriving community ready to welcome you to campus with open arms!
of the class of 2028 identifies as first-generation
The average financial aid package at Penn covers more than the cost of tuition.
Application Support
At Penn, we take a holistic approach to reviewing applications, considering every part of your story within your unique context. And there’s no single factor we prioritize! We want to understand how you’ve engaged and challenged yourself with the opportunities available to you.
Tips for Your Activities Section
When filling out your activities section, we want you to think beyond traditional extracurriculars. Your responsibilities outside the classroom, whether translating for your parents, caring for siblings, or working a part-time job are all valuable experiences that have helped shape who you are, and help us understand your context. We encourage you to share these commitments in your application and all the parts of your story that make you uniquely you. Learn more about first-year application requirements.
As you journey through your college search and application process, we’ve compiled a few resources to help you navigate the process with confidence. Whether you’re looking for advice on building a strong list of recommenders, or need essay writing tips, the tools below are here to help you craft your strongest and most authentic application.
Virtual Events
Our virtual events offer workshops and opportunities to help you craft a strong application. From virtual admissions workshops and webinars to panel discussions with members of the Penn Admissions team, our live events will help you dive deeper into specific aspects of the college search, application and overall Penn experience.
PEEP (Penn Early Exploration Program)
Are you a rising high school senior interested in learning more about Penn and applying to selective universities? Would you like to feel more confident navigating the application process? Do you identify as limited-income and/or first generation to college? Then PEEP might be the right program for you! The Penn Early Exploration Program (PEEP) is designed to help get you ready to apply to college and thrive once you’re there—free of charge! Occurring twice during the summer, PEEP is an educational opportunity to help students feel more confident about applying to college.
Applying to College 101
At Penn, we believe higher education can benefit everyone, and we want to help you along your college admissions journey. In partnership with Heights Philadelphia, we've designed an online course for all high school students across the nation—like you—who are interested in pursuing a college education. This free and self-paced course is designed to give you access to resources, tools, and insider tips to help you pave your own pathway to college.
Worksheets & Guides
Looking for additional tools to help stay organized while you research colleges and prepare your applications? We’ve created a series of worksheets to help you navigate your college search process—for applying to Penn or any school. From narrowing down your college list to keeping track of upcoming application deadlines, this series of guides will get you ready to apply to college.