Application Requirements

To be Submitted BY Your Application Deadline:

Application Forms

Penn accepts applications from the Common App and Coalition Application. We have no preference for either format and treat both applications equally in our process. We encourage you to review the features of each application format and use the platform that suits you best. You should submit only one application per admissions cycle and not mix-and-match across platforms.

Penn is also a proud QuestBridge partner institution and participates in the National College Match program for high-achieving students with significant financial need. We will accept the QuestBridge Application from QuestBridge National College Match Finalists and non-finalists alike in lieu of the Common App or the Coalition Application.

We encourage you to learn more about QuestBridge and the National College Match program.

These applications will include prompts to share:

• autobiographical information about you and your family
• how you spend your time inside and outside of school
• your accomplishments
• your personal essay, which is sent to most schools

Application Fee or Fee Waiver

The application fee to apply to Penn is $75. If paying the application fee is a significant financial burden for you and your family, please request an application fee waiver through either your Common App or the Coalition Application in the “fee waiver” section.

Penn-Specific Essays and Short Answers

2024-25 Short Answer and Essay Prompts

When answering these prompts, be precise when explaining both why you are applying to Penn and why you have chosen to apply to a specific undergraduate school. Some of our coordinated dual-degree or specialized programs will have additional essays to complete, but the Penn short answer prompts should address your single-degree school choice.

Students will be asked to respond to the following three prompts in their application to Penn:

1. 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!) (150-200 words, only required for first-year applicants)
2. 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. (150-200 words)
3. The school-specific prompt is unique to the school to which you are applying. (For example, all applicants applying to the College of Arts and Sciences will respond to a prompt specific to the College of Arts and Sciences).

Official High School Transcript and School Report (SR)

You will need to request that an official transcript is sent by a school counselor or another school official for all high schools you have attended. 

Your counselor will also need to submit a School Report form (available on the Common App or Coalition Application website). You may need to invite your school counselor or another school official to complete these steps.

Letters of Recommendation

Your counselor or another school official will need to send a Counselor Recommendation on your behalf. You will also need to request recommendation letters from two other teachers OR one teacher and a non-academic supporter.  

Early Decision Agreement (only if applying for Early Decision)

If you decide to apply through the Early Decision round, you, your parent or guardian, and your counselor will be prompted to sign and submit an Early Decision Agreement form which confirms you will attend Penn if you are admitted. 

Financial Aid Materials

To apply for financial aid, you will need to submit a separate application for aid in addition to your application for admission. Here’s what you’ll need to submit: 

1. FAFSA 
2. CSS Profile 
3. Federal Tax Returns

Standardized Testing (Optional for the 2024-2025 Admissions Cycle)

Penn will not require applicants to submit the SAT, ACT, or SAT Subject Tests for the 2024-25 application cycle. This applies to both first-year and transfer applicants. If you decide not to submit SAT, ACT, or SAT Subject Test scores, you will not be at a disadvantage in the admissions process. Students who are able to take the SAT, ACT, and/or SAT Subject Tests and wish to report them may continue with that plan.

• Early Decision: Last Test Dates Accepted—October 2024 (ACT) or November 2024 (SAT)
• Regular Decision: Last Test Dates Accepted—December 2024 (ACT) or December 2024 (SAT)

Alumni Conversations

Penn alumni make efforts to arrange informational conversations with applicants to provide an opportunity to get to know the Penn alumni community and for applicants to share information about themselves. These optional conversations are not evaluative and are subject to alumni volunteer availability. After you submit your application, keep an eye on your email for an invitation to interview with an alum. You are not required to have this conversation, but it can be a great opportunity to learn more about you, and for you to learn more about Penn! 

• Early Decision: Mid-October–Early December 
• Regular Decision: December–Early March 

Supplementary Materials (Optional)

All of the information that we feel is crucial in making an admission decision is included within our required documents. While most students who apply to Penn do not submit supplemental materials, you may choose to share other materials if you feel there is information essential to your application which was not able to be captured within the required documents. 

To be Submitted AFTER Your Application Deadline:

Mid-Year Report

Ask your school counselor or another school official to complete and submit your mid-year school report when your grades become available. Your mid-year report should include your grades for the end of your first semester of 12th grade. If you have already completed high school by November/December and we already have your grades, you will not need to submit this.

• Early Decision: Required by February 15, 2025 (for deferred applicants only) 
• Regular Decision: Must be submitted directly by your high school as soon as mid-year grades are available 

Final Transcript (for matriculating students)

If you are accepted and decide to enroll at Penn, matriculating students must submit their final transcript for the end of their 12th grade semester in June. 

Verification Policy

All application materials, unless otherwise stated, must be official and sent directly to the University or the University’s designated application platform from an official source (e.g., high school), not through an agent or third-party vendor, with the following exceptions: submissions by government and partner organizations and/or submissions by non-profit, community-based organizations when schools are unable to provide this information on behalf of the student. 

Applicants are required to attest to the accuracy and authenticity of all information and documents submitted to the University of Pennsylvania. Failure to submit complete, accurate, and authentic application documents may result in denial or revocation of admission, cancellation of academic credit, suspension, expulsion, or eventual revocation of degree. Applicants and/or school officials may be required to assist Penn Admissions in the verification of application documents and statements. 

All applicants to the University of Pennsylvania must confirm on their application that they understand and agree to adhere to the above expectations. Questions about this policy can be directed to Penn Admissions at info@admissions.upenn.edu. 

Submitting Supporting Documents

If sending supporting documents via email, they should be sent to documents@admissions.upenn.edu. 

If sending supporting documents via mail, they should be sent to: 
3535 Market Street, Suite 850 
Philadelphia, PA 19104