Students Laughing near LOVE statue

What Penn Looks For

Each year, the University of Pennsylvania Admissions Selection Committee seeks to enroll a class of 2,400 scholars, scientists, artists, athletes, innovators, and entrepreneurs. 

We want our campus to reflect the world around us, so we enroll students who come from all corners of the world and a wide range of backgrounds.

We look for students who aspire to develop and refine their talents and abilities within Penn’s liberal arts-based, practical, and interdisciplinary learning environment. Our ideal candidates are inspired to emulate our founder Benjamin Franklin by applying their knowledge in “service to society” to our community, the city of Philadelphia, and the wider world. To best understand prospective students’ paths through Penn, we approach applications with a comprehensive whole person review and with great care.