This Year’s University of Pennsylvania Admission Requirements
Contents
Check here UPenn Acceptance Rate for all year. Here I have listed UPenn Acceptance Rate
- UPenn Acceptance Rate 2022
- UPenn Acceptance Rate 2023
- UPenn Acceptance Rate 2024
- UPenn Acceptance Rate 2025
- UPenn Acceptance Rate 2026
UPenn Acceptance Rate: The University of Pennsylvania is an Ivy League School, and its admissions statistics are between the other Ivy League Schools.
Similar to trends seen for all leading schools University of Pennsylvania acceptance rates have been decreasing in the last 8 years and are likely to continue to decline for the foreseeable future.
2023 was by far the most difficult year for admission to the University of Pennsylvania. For the class of 2023, 44,960 applicants applied to the University of Pennsylvania, of which 3,345 were accepted with an acceptable percentage of 7.4strong>. 7.4 %.
Overall applications were up 1.1 percent over the last calendar year (2022 until 2023), from 44,482 to 44.960.
For the class of 2023, 1 279 students were accepted by the early admissions procedure. Early applications totaled 7,110, resulting in an acceptance rate for early applicants of 18 percent.
Early applications rose by 0.5 percent over the previous calendar year (2022 until 2023), from 7,074 to 7,110.
History and Identity of the University of Pennsylvania
UPenn is closely tied to its identity. The school was first established in 1740, initially as a charitable school. Still, later it was transformed into an academy after 1751 thanks to its efforts by Benjamin Franklin, who also became head of the very first Board of trustees.
The University of Pennsylvania is one of the oldest universities in America. In 1765, after the founding of the School of Medicine, UPenn was the first medical school in colonial America.
In the early 1700s, Benjamin Franklin’s vision for UPenn was a multidisciplinary school that emphasized combining traditional teaching and research methods with real-world knowledge and involvement in the community. In this way, UPenn today is “the Ivy League without the ivory tower.”
Penn Acceptance Rate
The school received 56,333 applications from Penn for the class of 2025, which was the biggest applicant pool ever; only 3,202 were selected.
With a 5.68 percentage of acceptance, it was the most competitive year in the school’s history. The official class of 2026’s acceptance rate hasn’t yet been announced.
We know that approximately 55,000 applicants were received, and the class that will be the first to start is anticipated to comprise around 2,400 students. The acceptance rate is expected to be less than five percent and could go up to 4.5 percent.
Penn: Early Decision Acceptance Rate – Class of 2026
Of the 7,962 early decisions that were received for a seat in the class in 2025, Penn admitted 1,194, making it the lowest ever ED accept rate.
The class of 2026 was slightly more successful, with a 15.6 percent admit rate for that ED cycle. The admissions committee accepted 1,218 applicants from 795 applicants.
What Are the University of Pennsylvania’s Courses Like?
The University of Pennsylvania is a higher education institution that offers top-quality, high-standard research-based education in numerous undergraduate and highly-ranked graduate programs across the university’s faculties.
The following faculties are affected by the university: School of Education, Engineering and Applied Science, Law School, School of Medicine, School of Design, School of Dental Medicine, along with the Wharton School.
Although it is a secular institution, the University of Pennsylvania has a large religious community that includes Hillel to Jewish students as well as Penn Newman Catholic Centre, Penn Newman Catholic Centre, and the Intervarsity Christian Fellowship. More than 2,500 students are enrolled in study abroad programs annually in fifty countries.
Penn Admissions – SAT, ACT, GPA and Class Rank
Students admitted (not currently enrolled) in the class of 2025 have an average of 50 percent SAT span of 1490-1660. The ACT is 35 to 36. The most recent official university statistics showing the academic qualifications students are enrolled in is from the class of 2024.
In that group, it was reported that the average SAT was 1520 and it was reported that the median ACT score of 34. 96% of the 2020-21 first-year students were from the top tier in their class at high school. The average weighted GPA is 3.9.
Average Academic Profile of Accepted UPenn Students
GPA
The GPA of high school students for the class of 2025 at UPenn was 3.90, and 96 percent of students completed high school within the top 10 percent of their class.
SAT/ACT
The middle 50 percent SAT score of 1460-1570 in the class of UPenn 2025. The middle 50 percent ACT average score of 33 to 35. Of the students admitted who had standard test scores, 65 percent completed the SAT, and 35 percent were taking the ACT.
Class Rank
UPenn does not publish the rank of its accepted students. The fact is, 96% of 2025’s class was among the top 10 percent in their class at high school.
University of Pennsylvania GPA Requirements
A lot of schools have the minimum GPA required, but it is usually just the minimum requirement for applicants to be able to submit their applications without being immediately rejected.
The important GPA requirement is the GPA you require to have a real chance of getting admitted. To determine this, we analyze the average GPA of the school for the current students.
The mean GPA at the University of Pennsylvania is estimated to be 3.9.
(Most schools have a weighted GPA based on 4.0; however, some schools report unweighted grades.
With a GPA that is 3.9, the University of Pennsylvania will require you to be top of your classes. It is essential to score nearly straight A’s in all your classes to stand out from other applicants.
Additionally, you must be taking many hard AP and IB courses to demonstrate that college-level education is effortless.
If you’re an undergraduate or senior and your GPA isn’t easy to alter, be ready for college applications.
If your GPA is below or below the average of your school, which is 3.9, you’ll need more of an SAT or ACT score to make up the difference. This will enable you to stand out from other applicants with higher grades than you.
SAT and ACT Requirements
Every school has its standards for standardized testing. Many schools require SAT or ACT in addition to the ACT, while some require SAT subject tests.
You must pass one of the SAT or ACT to apply to the University of Pennsylvania. Additionally, you must perform well to submit an impressive application.
University of Pennsylvania SAT Requirements
A lot of schools claim they do not have an SAT score cutoff. However, the reality is that there’s a secret SAT requirement. The cutoff is based on the average score for the school.
It is estimated that the mean SAT scores composite score at the University of Pennsylvania is 1500 on the 1600 SAT scale.
This score makes the University of Pennsylvania Extremely competitive in SAT scores.
How to Apply to UPenn
Deadlines
Application Timeline | Deadline | Notification Date |
Early Action | November 1 | December 15 |
Regular Decision | January 1 | April 1 |
Application Requirements
UPenn will accept both the Common Application and the Coalition Application. Both require applicants to submit two additional essays. The other requirements comprise:
- Official transcripts from high school
- School report
- Recommendations from a Counselor
- Evaluations of teachers (2)
- Mid-year report
- Final report
Additional materials and optional items:
- SAT/ACT scores
- The second letter of recommendation
- Music/art supplement
Admissions Trends & Notes
- 14% of the Class in 2026 ED admits they were first-generation students.
- 40% of students admitted attended high school; 88% of students were involved in community work.
- The University of Pennsylvania will be a test-optional institution until the admissions cycle 2022-23.
- Students accepted to the ED round were from 60 nations.
- 2026 was the Class with the highest number of students from Philadelphia who have been accepted to Penn.
How Penn Evaluates Applicants
Six aspects are considered the “most important” in admissions selection at Penn. University of Pennsylvania: Rigor of high school coursework, GPA, standardized test scores, the application essay, as well as recommendations and personal qualities and character.
It is crucial to mention that Penn extended their optional testing policy until the 2021-22 admissions period. The next “important” factors include class rank and interview, extracurricular activities, and ability/talent.
For extracurricular activities, it’s crucial to have a “hook” when applying to Penn. For example, more than 1000 NCAA Division I athletes compete for the Quakers. A few of them were selected by a Penn coach, which gives them a significant advantage in admission.
But, they are only one of many areas where one’s talent can open the doors of the most Ivy League institution like the University of Pennsylvania.
According to the admissions office, “Penn looks for students with the ability to turn their ideas and interests into action, people whose talents and experiences will energize our community.”
Your skills and achievements in the lab or on stage as a member of the orchestra in work or a community environment can have the same impact as those you’ve seen in the field.
Who Actually Gets Into Penn?
Let’s examine the demographics of our current Penn undergraduates:
Geographically the undergraduate student body includes the highest amount of students from these states:
- Pennsylvania: 18%
- New York: 16%
- New Jersey: 12%
- California: 10%
- Florida: 6%
- Massachusetts: 5%
Suppose you live in The Deep South or a less-populated state such as Montana or Idaho. In that case, your location is more likely to give an advantage to your chances of being accepted rather than Pennsylvania or New York.
Colleges such as Penn are known to boast that every first-year class is at least one member from each U.S. state which is why living in an area that is remote can boost your chances of being accepted.
When it comes to ethnicity, The breakdown of ethnic identity is as follows (percentages are not equal to 100% because applicants may list more than one race):
- White: 36%
- Asian American: 25%
- Hispanic: 10%
- African American: 8%
- International: 13%
- A race or two to Five percent
- Unknown: 3%
International studies of the present are based in these regions around the world:
- Africa and in the Middle East: 11%
- Asia: 46%
- Australia as well as the Pacific and Australia: 5 %
- Canada and Mexico Canada and Mexico
- Central/South American/Caribbean: 5%
- Europe: 16%
The breakdown of genders among students in the current academic year is as the following:
- Men: 46%%
- Women: 54%
Penn’s Yield Rate
The Penn yield rate, the percent of students accepted who choose to enroll multiplied by the total number of admitted students, is more than 70 percent. The conclusion is that an extremely high percentage of the students admitted to Penn choose to enroll at the university.
One reason is that an early binding decision accepted many students. For example, top colleges like Duke, Northwestern, Notre Dame, and Claremont McKenna have yield rates closer to 60 60%.
Tips for Applying to Penn
The 55,000plus Quaker hopefuls must be aware of these:
- Interviews aren’t required as part of the admissions procedure; However, most applicants are provided through experienced alums. Interviews are usually informative because they are primarily informational (although they are a part of the admission process) and are conducted in person or via Skype.
- For guidance on the questions, you need to be ready to answer, check out our blog: college interview tips.
- Contrary to many Ivies, Penn does consider ” demonstrated interest,” so make sure you keep in contact with Penn throughout the application process. This could include a campus tour, sending a message to the admissions representative and interacting with the school through social media, or even attending Penn events in your local area.
- Make sure you do everything possible to “bring your application to life.” This includes looking for recommenders who describe your interests and help make your unique character and qualities pop off the page. Essays are also important…
- You must dedicate enough time, effort, and energy to these two required supplementary essays and brief answers requested by Penn. For the 2020-21 cycle, they were:
Essays
- How did you come to discover your academic and intellectual passions, and how can you discover these at the University of Pennsylvania? Answer in the context of the college you’ve chosen for your undergraduate. (300-450 words)
- At Penn, learning and development occur beyond the classroom too. How can you discover the community of Penn? Think about how this community can influence your perception and sense of identity and what your perspective and identity will influence this community. (150-200 words)
Tips for applying to Wharton
The University states: “There is no typical Wharton student However, they’re each of them awe-inspiring, enthusiastic and well-rounded people who thrive in group environments with a strong leadership ability.
We have class presidents musicians, journalists and yearbook editors valedictorians and artists, stars in sports and pageant queens, champions of debate and entrepreneurs who are making use of their talents to their advantage at Wharton, Penn, and beyond.”
There are many routes to Wharton. However, all have impressive academic qualifications, a demonstrated leadership record, and a clear love for the world of business. The first supplement essay (above) and the Activities section in the Common App have to be distinctive in this regard.
How Hard Is It to Get Into UPenn?
UPenn is extremely difficult to obtain admission to and is only becoming more difficult. Just 3,202 students were granted admission from a record applicant pool of 56,333 students for 2025’s class, resulting in a record-low accept rate of 5.68 5 percent.
Of the 7,962 applicants who submitted applications through the early decision program of UPenn 1, 194 students were selected and set an all-time low of 15 percent late decision rate.
While UPenn’s early decision acceptance rate reached an all-time low, it’s significantly greater than the total acceptance rate.
Although UPenn’s acceptance rates are very low, your odds of being accepted could be greater or less, dependent on the quality of your profile.
CollegeVine will help you assess how you rank against other applicants using our admissions calculator for free that utilizes your scores on tests, grades, and extracurriculars to determine your chances of being accepted and provide tips for making your application stand out!
How to Improve Your Chances of Getting into UPenn
1.At least a 3.9 GPA while taking the most challenging classes
University of Pennsylvania (UPenn) is adamant that GPA, class rank and degree of vigor in the course are “very important” when making admissions choices.
Consequently, an applicant’s profile must include the majority (or most) of the most difficult courses available. Students applying to Ivy League schools often include several AP courses in their educational resumes.
Competitive colleges that get many applications, like UPenn, frequently employ an Academic Index (a distillation of an applicant’s academic achievements into one number) to filter out applicants with low academic credentials.
A good GPA is a crucial factor in having a high Academic Index. If your GPA is low and you’re in the early stages of your high school years, read our strategies for increasing your grade.
For those who are a junior-senior, it isn’t easy to improve your GPA. The most effective way to increase your Academic Index is to get better test scores.
2.Write engaging essays
The University of Pennsylvania considers the application essay and personal and character traits “very important” when making admissions selections.
The two aspects are connected since essays are an ideal platform to highlight your distinctive qualities and how they can benefit UPenn’s campus.
In addition to writing a personal statement, UPenn applicants are prompted to write two essays that are specific to UPenn:
- In light of the particular undergraduate school you’ve chosen, How will you pursue your academic and intellectual pursuits at The University of Pennsylvania? (300-450 words)
- At Penn, Learning and development also occur in the outside world. How can you discover the community of Penn? Think about how this community can influence your perception and sense of identity and how your perspective and identity can influence the community. (150-200 words)
Your UPenn essay is an opportunity to stand out from the crowd. Make sure you write in a genuine voice and describe how you can fit into the campus while writing your essays.
3.Get great recommendations
Recommendations are crucial in your UPenn applications and are considered “very important.” UPenn requires you to provide a high school counselor or advisor letter and two teacher recommendation letters.
Ideally, they’re teachers you’ve known well, starting from your senior or junior years, for academic subjects that are core to your education.
UPenn is also willing to accept a recommendation letter from a person not a teacher like an athlete coach, intern or supervisor of research or boss of employment that is part-time, or an individual from the local church.
These letters can only be effective when the person who wrote them knows you can write particularly about you and provide information about you that is not found in the teacher recommendation letters.
Requesting a teacher for a letter of recommendation is a major request. Teachers aren’t the money to draft them; most likely, they’ve been asked by students from multiple schools. Be sure to get a persuasive letter by adhering to the nine guidelines to request the Letter of Recommendation.
4.Apply Early Decision
The average acceptance rate for UPenn is 5.68 percent. This is considerably less than the acceptance rate for students who apply through the early decision program. Applying early decision to UPenn can significantly boost your chances of being accepted.
The admissions process is at an earlier rate under the earlier decision (ED) program offered by the University of Pennsylvania. However, the early decision process has its problems.
Early decision is binding, and those accepted through ED commit to attending. If you’re contemplating the possibility of applying to ED at UPenn University, make sure that it’s the right school to attend and that it’s within your budget. Because ED is binding, comparing financial aid offers from other schools is impossible.
5.Cultivate at least one or two Tier 1-2 extracurriculars (find your “spike”)
UPenn does not consider extracurricular activities as “important” to admissions decisions; however, they’re a great way to stand out against other candidates. There are many different types of extracurriculars in the admissions process, and the best way to comprehend the difference between them is to look at the four levels of extracurriculars.
- Tier 1 is an extremely rare event that shows incredible ability or accomplishment. Examples include winning a prestigious contest like the Microsoft Imagine Cup or attending a famous summer event like PromYS.
- Tier 2 activities show an impressive level of ability or accomplishment; however, they are more prevalent in comparison to Tier1 extracurriculars. Tier 2 activities include playing an instrument or sport at the all-state level or as the president of a well-known group such as Model UN.
- Tier 3 extracurriculars are not as well-known activities as those that are found in the higher levels. Examples include participating in an official sport or an executive position within an organization.
- Tier 4. is the most commonly used (and less impressive) other extracurricular action. This includes participating in a club but not being in a leadership position or playing an instrument or a sport but with no distinction.
A successful application for admission to an Ivy League school like UPenn will likely include some activities that fall within the top two levels of extracurriculars.
The notion that colleges are looking for well-rounded students is a myth. The top students have a strong curiosity, referred to as”spread” or ” spike,” rather than a conglomeration of interests that are not related.
What is UPenn Looking for?
Having good grades and special tests isn’t enough to be considered for admission to the most selective schools like UPenn, as most applicants are academically competent.
Along with a stellar academic record, The university offers applicants a thorough examination, looking for students who inspire to follow the example of the school’s creator Benjamin Franklin by serving society–including the university community, the city of Philadelphia, and the entire world.
What UPenn seeks in a prospective student and the degree of competition required for admissions are determined by the program you’re applying for.
The University of Pennsylvania’s College of Arts and Sciences (CAS) is not as educationally competitive as the HYPSM. It places a greater emphasis on extracurricular activities and admitting students with a broad range of interests.
Other programs offered by UPenn are searching for specific characteristics in a student. Examples include:
- The Wharton School: You don’t need an extensive background in business to boost your chances of being accepted to the renowned UPenn Wharton college of business; however, demonstrating leadership is an important characteristic.
- Huntsman program: A profile of a multicultural college and experience in different languages can help you catch the attention of admissions officials for admission into UPenn’s dual degree program for international and business relations.
- The Jerome Fisher Program: Competitive applicants to this business and engineering dual-degree program will have STEM education at the MIT level.
- The Vagelos Program: The applicants to this dual-degree program that integrates life sciences with business will require similar experiences with their patients and those who apply for advanced medical programs.
Financial Obligations for University of Pennsylvania Students Are Listed in The Table Below.
Undergraduate Cost of Attendance | |||
Budget Items | Living On Campus | Living Off Campus | Living at Home With Family |
Tuition | $49,220 | $49,220 | $49,220 |
Fees | $6,364 | $6,364 | $6,364 |
Housing | $10,200 | $9,351 | |
Dining | $5,416 | $4,635 | $1,854 |
Books and Supplies | $1,318 | $1,318 | $1,318 |
Transportation | $895 | $936 | $1,511 |
Personal Expenses | $1,890 | $1,890 | $1,890 |
Total Budget | $75,303 | $73,714 | $62,157 |
How Does UPenn Fare Against Others
As among the Ivy League, it isn’t surprising that the University of Pennsylvania outshines most schools that aren’t as famous.
In certain aspects, UPenn is more prestigious than other Ivy Leagues and those with similar standing. It’s not surprising that it’s one of the top universities in the US.
There are a lot of schools and universities to pick from, and you can limit yourself to just a few. This is where analyzing how your favorites perform against each other is crucial.
Let’s look at a quick comparison of our experience at the University of Pennsylvania with schools students usually select for their college lists:
- UPenn and. Penn State. The University of Pennsylvania (UPenn) and Pennsylvania State University (Penn State) are two different institutions that are both excellent. The former is part of the Ivy League. It is also a government institution.
- UPenn vs. Harvard University. Both UPenn along with Harvard both Ivy Leagues. Although Harvard is typically ranked higher than UPenn, it is also cheaper in tuition — $51,143 instead of. the $54,652 (academic year: 2021 through 2022).
- UPenn vs . Columbia University. The acceptance rates at UPenn and Columbia aren’t that different from one another, in the range of 7.7 percent. 5.4 percent. In terms of the number of majors available, UPenn has more -more than 100 vs. 70.
- UPenn vs. Cornell University. With an acceptance rate of 10.9 percent, it’s much easier to gain admission to Cornell than to UPenn. But it’s essential to remember that both are highly regarded and selective schools.
- UPenn vs. Brown University. It’s less expensive to enroll at UPenn than at Brown in that the cost of tuition for one academic year is around $60,944. However, with the acceptance rate at 7.1 percent, Brown is just as specific as UPenn.
- UPenn vs. Dartmouth College. The population of Dartmouth is much smaller than UPenn’s 6,292 and. 22,436. However, UPenn has the slight advantage of having a higher student-to-faculty ratio than Dartmouth 6:1 in comparison to. 7:1.
Where is the University of Pennsylvania located?
University of Pennsylvania
3101 Walnut St, Philadelphia, PA 19104-3437
University City, Philadelphia, PA 19104
University operator: 215-898-5000
Website: www.upenn.edu
FAQS
What GPA do you need to get into UPenn?
3.9 or more
Admission to Penn is highly competitive at an acceptable rate of 7.44 percent. According to our research for applicants, to stand a good chance of getting admitted, it is necessary to be able to show a GPA of 3.9 or higher and an SAT score close to 1570, and an ACT score of or above 34.
Is Cornell or UPenn easier to get into?
Based on the most recent information, Cornell’s acceptance rates for its early decision program are 22.7 percent! UPenn’s early decision program accepted 18% of the early applicants!
What major is UPenn known for?
The most popular majors at the University of Pennsylvania include Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services; Social Sciences; Health Professions and Related Programs; Biological and Biomedical Sciences; Philosophy and Religious Studies; Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies; Mathematics and Statistics; …
What kind of students get into UPenn?
UPenn usually requires students to earn outstanding scores for admission. On the 4.0 scale, the average GPA of admitted students was 3.9.
This is roughly an A-average throughout high school. The performance of UPenn accepted students on standardized tests is equally impressive.
Is University of Pennsylvania prestigious?
Ratings and rankings
The University of Pennsylvania is one of the best private institutions in Philadelphia, United States. It is ranked number 13 in the QS World University Rankings 2023.
Conclusion
It is believed that the University of Pennsylvania is one of the top universities worldwide. It offers undergraduate, master’s, and doctoral degrees.
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