Incoming Class Profile

A Note to Future Applicants

It’s impossible to truly quantify the diversity and vibrancy of our community in numbers. The below percentages in no way translate into your individual “chances” of being admitted to Penn.

We are, above all, interested in who you are, and the many things that make you unique — something these high-level statistics could never capture!

Each year, we are thrilled to welcome a new cohort of highly talented Quakers to Penn. Below is a snapshot of our applicant pool for the class of 2028, and some data on our incoming first-year students.

Applications

College Hall during Convocation
65,236

total applications

Students cheering at Commencement
51%

of the class of 2028 was admitted early decision

Students at Commencement
2,396

students enrolled in our incoming class

When I found out about my admission decision on December 1 through QuestBridge, I was absolutely ecstatic—with one click of a button, I found out that I would be studying and learning at a place that will challenge me and encourage me to grow personally, socially, academically, and professionally.
- Phillip, '28

Test Scores

While testing remained optional for applicants, the middle 50% scores reported by enrolled students who chose to submit scores were:

Student in library
34-36

ACT

Study Room
1510-1560

SAT

Let's break that down a little more. Students in our incoming class also submitted test scores outside of the range shown above!

SAT Score Ranges

SAT Score Range% of Scores Submitted
1500-160088%
1400-149011%
1300-13901%
1290 and Below<1%

ACT Score Ranges

ACT Score Range% of Scores Submitted
35-3671%
32-3426%
29-313%

Geography

Close-up image of vintage globe
92 nations

where the class of 2028 have home addresses*

Students hiking
15%

of our incoming class is made up of students with home addresses outside of the U.S.

Group of three people smiling at camera
47 states

represented by our students—as well as DC, military APO, the Mariana Islands, Puerto Rico, and the US Virgin Islands

Aerial vi
149

incoming students are from Philadelphia—that’s 6% of the class!

*this does not indicate citizenship.

Having lived in Philly my whole life, I look forward to introducing my friends who might've come from around the world to Philly. Whether it's rollerskating down at Penn's Landing or Christmas shopping in the Fashion District and Center City, I'm all down for it! I'm super excited to check out many of Penn's libraries and Franklin Field!!

- Quoc, '28

Of our 2,396 incoming students for the class of 2028...

Students at commencement
19%

are first-generation to college students

Students participating in the hat-biting tradition during Hey Day
57%

identify as students of color

A pair of moccasins
23%

are from races and ethnicities historically underrepresented in higher education

Graduates cheering at Commencement
53%

identify as female*

Students cheering at Commencement
46%

identify as male*

A group of people from Penn's LGBT Center pose together outside
1%

identify as transgender, non-binary, and/or gender-questioning*

Students navigating campus during move-in
21%

are estimated to be Pell-eligible**

Students walking through campus
239

were affiliated with QuestBridge

Students volunteering on election day
469

were affiliated with Community-Based Organizations

*Gender identity indicated at the time of application

**Number based on currently available data and subject to change

Like most statistics, these numbers don’t paint a full picture. Our incoming Quakers have a broad spectrum of identities that we honor and celebrate!
 

In my free time, I love to stay active whether it is going for a run or going to the gym. I also enjoy being an active member of the community, and I'm excited to bring that to Penn! I am hoping to join Big Brother Big Sister along with the Medical Emergency Responder Team and possibly explore some research opportunities.
- Alyce, '28

Activities

Our incoming Quakers participated in a broad range of activities prior to joining Penn. When reviewing applicants, our process is grounded in assessing each individual’s pursuit of knowledge, contribution, and purpose. We're providing the overview below to give you a sense of some of the ways our incoming class's activities reflected this because there were too many to list! So please don't read this as a checkbox of activities you need to have to get into Penn. We want to get to know you authentically.

Okay, with that out of the way, the class of 2028 demonstrated pursuit of knowledge, contribution, and purpose through activities that explored:

Student engaged in research at computers
79%

a commitment to learning through pursuits like academically focused activities, research, speech/debate teams, tech, and more

Students celebrating Holi on campus
67%

cultural engagement through activities like art, dance, religion, theatre, and foreign exchange

Students volunteering on election day
94%

community impact through dedication to family responsibilities, volunteer/community service, environmental and social justice, and more

Student swimming during the Penn Triathalon
95%

personal development through commitments like athletics, career preparation, working a job, and internships

This information is accurate as of August 2024 as generated by Penn Admissions.