Penn Early Exploration Program

PEEP Applications

PEEP applications are closed for 2025.

Penn is dedicated to supporting outstanding young scholars from all backgrounds in their college admissions process by building skills to help them thrive once they get to campus. That’s why each year we host the Penn Early Exploration Program (PEEP) for rising high school seniors.

About the 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!

PEEP is a three-week online workshop-based virtual program designed to help get you ready to apply to college and thrive once you’re there. Admissions staff and members of the Penn community will guide you through the college application process and help you gain insight on finding community and support at college.

PEEP meets virtually once a week on Wednesdays in the evenings. Each week features a two-hour workshop with different presenters, information, and activities. Asynchronous content will be hosted on Canvas, an online community and learning forum.

We offer PEEP two times during the summer to allow more students to attend while keeping our cohort size small enough for you to have meaningful connections.

When you apply, you’ll be asked to indicate which cohort works for you. Each cohort offers the exact same programming.

PEEP is offered completely free of charge.

Cohort 1

Wednesdays from 7-9pm ET

July 23-August 6

Cohort 2

Wednesdays from 7-9pm ET

August 13-August 27

Here's a sneak PEEP of what to expect

  • An overview of the University of Pennsylvania including academic programs, cultural hubs, and student centers
  • Information about first-generation and limited income resources, and Penn's generous need-based aid
  • Time to connect with current students and speak directly with admissions staff to have your questions answered
  • Practical workshops on how to approach the different parts of your application

Who Should Apply to PEEP?

The Penn Early Exploration Program (PEEP) is designed to allow high school students to learn more about applying to highly selective schools, finding community, and, of course, about Penn!

PEEP is a program best suited to students attending high school in the United States (including DoDEA schools) who are citizens and permanent residents of the United States, Canada, and Mexico. Students who live outside of North America are encouraged to explore our upcoming virtual events and our YouTube channel, where we cover nuances to the application process and financial aid that are unique to the international experience.

To be eligible for PEEP, you should:

  1. Be interested in studying at one of Penn's four undergraduate schools or coordinated dual-degree programs
  2. Be a high school senior in the fall of 2025 and graduate high school in the 2025-2026 academic year

In addition, PEEP is well suited for students who identify as at least one of the following:

  • Will be a first-generation college student (if your parent or parents did not complete a four-year college or university degree)
  • Come from limited financial means (for example: you might be eligible for Free or Reduced-Price Lunch (FRPL), or qualify for a fee waiver for the ACT or SAT)
  • Live in a rural area

Does that sound like you? Then read on to learn what to expect and how to apply!

The Application

PEEP applications are closed for 2025.

Students interested in attending PEEP are asked to complete a brief application.

This application is made up of:

  • Basic contact and biographical information
  • Report cards or unofficial transcript showing all courses taken and all final grades
  • Senior course schedule
  • List of extracurricular activities or resume
  • One short answer question

This year's short answer question is:

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)

We encourage you to explore some of the many ways students find community on our campus to help you answer this question!

Glossary

First-Generation

You are considered first-generation to college if your parent or parents did not complete a four-year college or university degree.

Limited-Income

Students who come from modest financial circumstances. You are considered to have limited income if any of the below apply to you:

  • Your family income is below $75,000 a year
  • You qualify for Free or Reduced-Price Lunch (FRPL) at your school
  • You qualify for a fee-waiver for the SAT or ACT

Cultural Resource Centers

Penn has six Cultural Resource Centers, or CRCs, dedicated to celebrating and supporting specific populations and cultures. Each center consists of a physical space for students, as well as resources, events, and community for students to participate in. These include:

Frequently Asked Questions

We understand you may not yet have your final grades for the school year. Please submit your most current report card for the year when you apply and forward your final transcript to us once it is available.

You are considered to have limited-income for the purposes of PEEP if any of the below apply to you:

  • Your family income is below $75,000 a year
  • You qualify for Free or Reduced-Price Lunch (FRPL) at your school
  • You qualify for a fee-waiver for the SAT or ACT

Income and related opportunities vary significantly by geography, cost of living, and family size. Perception of income level may also vary based on the perceived wealth of the people around you. Therefore, the above list is not exhaustive, and if you believe your family could be described as limited-income, we encourage you to apply.

You are considered first-generation to college if your parent or parents did not complete a four-year college or university degree.

We hope this program will better equip you to determine whether Penn may be a good fit for you by displaying the exciting array of academic and social opportunities available at Penn. PEEP will introduce you to the network of support that enables current students to thrive, as well as application tips to assist with the application process to any selective college or university. However, PEEP participation is separate from the undergraduate application process to the University of Pennsylvania.

PEEP is a program best suited to students attending high school in the United States (including DoDEA schools) who are citizens and permanent residents of the United States, Canada, and Mexico. Students who live outside of North America are encouraged to explore our upcoming virtual events and our YouTube channel, where we cover nuances to the application process and financial aid that are unique to the international experience.

No. Each cohort will have its own capacity and is a closed group. Students can only participate in the cohort to which they are admitted.

Once you have your final transcript, please send it to peep@admissions.upenn.edu.

A copy of your responses will be sent to you along with a confirmation that we received your application. Please check your email for a message entitled “Submission Confirmation: PEEP 2025 Application.”

Sessions will not be recorded. While we hope you'll be able to fully participate each week, program content will be available on Canvas following each session. There is no need to notify Penn Admissions if you cannot attend a particular session.

Program content will be available on Canvas until Tuesday, September 30th.

Decisions will be communicated via email by the end of June.