The University of Pennsylvania or UPenn is a private Ivy League and the fourth-oldest institution of higher education in America; an institution with a selective acceptance rate.
UPenn is a renowned institution that has graduated three Presidents of the United States, 32 senators, 163 House of Representative members, Nobel laureates, Tony Award winners, Academy Award winners, and heads of state.
It’s the dream of prospective students to study at UPenn and thousands of graduate students from outside the U.S. apply to the university each year.
So, what does it take to get into UPenn as a first-year or an international applicant?
About The University of Pennsylvania
According to Wikipedia, the University of Pennsylvania is a private research institute located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and was established in 1740.
The University of Pennsylvania currently has twelve schools located on its main campus, New Bolton Center, and Morris Arboretum campuses. UPenn offers degree programs at undergraduate, graduate, and professional levels through these schools.
Also Read: What Are The 12 Ivy League Schools and Their Ranking?
Schools at the University of Pennsylvania
These schools at UPenn offer degree programs at all levels.
- School of Art and Sciences
- School of Engineering and Applied Sciences
- The Wharton School
- School of Dental Medicine
- Penn Carey Law
- Perelman School of Medicine
- School of Nursing
- Annenberg School of Communication
- Graduate School of Education
- Stuart Weitzman School of Design
- School of Social Policy and Practice
- School of Veterinary Medicine
The University of Pennsylvania Rankings
According to U.S News & World Report, the University of Pennsylvania is ranked #6 in Nationa Universities, #13 in Best Value Schools, and #1 in Business Programs.
On QS World University Rankings, UPenn is ranked #12 on the list of the world’s top 100 universities. The university is also ranked #16 on world university rankings according to Times Higher Education.
University of Pennsylvania Acceptance Rate
The University of Pennsylvania is very selective in its admission process. The admit rate at Penn is far below the national average of universities in the United States. The class of 2025 applicants at the University of Pennsylvania through the Early Decision and Regular Decision application, was 56,332 out of which 3,304 were admitted.
According to recent admission statistics released by UPenn, a total of 2,420 new students were offered admission into the university. The new students were selected from a combined 59,465 early and regular decision applications.
The recent admission statistics for the incoming class of 2027 indicate an acceptance rate of 4.06%. The University of Pennsylvania remains selective in its admission process with a single-digit admit rate.
GPA Requirement at the University of Pennsylvania
The University of Pennsylvania is quite selective in its admission process with an acceptance rate lower than the national average for universities in the United States.
According to Prepschloar.com, the average GPA required at the university is 3.9.
SAT Requirement
Although standardized test scores are not required at Penn, you can self-report your test score if you have taken any.
The average SAT score at the University of Pennsylvania is 1500 on the new SAT scale.
ACT Requirement
The ACT score required at the University of Pennsylvania is 34.
Also Read: How to get into an Ivy League School and their Acceptance Rate
The University of Pennsylvania Application Requirement
An application to the University of Pennsylvania either through the Early Decision or Regular Decision starts with applicants providing the required secondary school credentials.
To join a large number of applicants applying to Penn, here are the essential requirements.
Requirement for First-Year Applicants
All first-year applicants can apply to Penn via the Common Application and Coalition Application, in addition to providing a series of high school reports.
Application Options
The University of Pennsylvania accepts either the Common Application or the Coalition Application. Additionally, you will also respond to a Penn-specific Essay to enable the university to understand your character and intellectual curiosity.
Application Fee or Fee Waiver
An application fee of $75 must be paid online with credit cards for Penn to access your application.
Official High School Transcript
Ask your school counsellor or officials to submit your transcripts. Four of the undergraduate schools at the University of Pennsylvania demand good grades in core subjects, regarding your field of study.
Also Read: Columbia University Acceptance Rate
School Report
Have your school counsellor or academic advisor submit your school report to Penn. The school report must be submitted online.
Letters of Recommendation
The University of Pennsylvania requires the submission of three letters of recommendation either from your teacher or school counsellor.
Two of these letters should come from teachers who have taught you in core subjects. At Penn, there are two options for submitting a recommendation letter.
First, you can submit one recommendation letter from your school counsellor and two from teachers.
Secondly, you can submit one recommendation from your counsellor, one from your teacher, and any other recommendation.
Mid Year Report
Most of your results in the senior year might be unavailable during your application to Penn, you can submit your mid-year report for admission evaluation.
Standardized Test
Due to the disruption caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, the University of Pennsylvania currently does not require applicants to submit standardized (SAT/ACT) test scores.
Applicants may self-report their test scores if they were able to take the SAT or ACT.
Application Requirements for International Applicants
The acceptance rate at the University of Pennsylvania is very competitive, yet it receives a large number of applications from international applicants. The admission stats for the class of 2025 show that applicants from over 100 countries were among the newly admitted students at Penn.
The application requirements at the University of Pennsylvania are the same for all first-year applicants. However, applicants who are non-native English speakers are required to write an English proficiency test.
English Language Proficiency Examination
The University of Pennsylvania requires that all applicants must be fluent in the English language. This is to enable easy and effective communication for receiving instructions at Penn.
Penn only considers applicants proficient in English if they meet one or both of these criteria.
- If English is the applicant’s native language
- If the applicant received instructions in English throughout their time in high school.
Failure to meet these standards, applicants will be required to take one of the following English proficiency tests.
- TOEFL
- IELTS
- Duolingo English Test (DET)
Also Read: List of Top-Rated Medical Schools in Philadelphia
How to Increase Your Chances of Getting Into the University of Pennsylvania
The acceptance rate at the University of Pennsylvania is extremely selective, hence it’s a competition among applicants on who gets in and who doesn’t.
To be at an advantage in the admission hurdle at Penn, here are things to do.
#1. Apply During Early Decision
Statistics from the newly admitted class of 2025 show an acceptance rate of 14.9% which is higher when compared to the overall admit rate of the University of Pennsylvania.
By applying to Penn in the Early Decision, you increase your chances of admission. However, an application through Early Decision is attached with some challenges.
#2. Obtain A High GPA while taking Hard Classes
The average GPA required at Penn is 3.9 and it demands getting the best grades in all high school courses. If your GPA is below the average of 3.9, you can take hard classes (AP or IB courses.) available in your school.
Most applicants to the Ivies often take up to 8 to 12 AP classes to enhance their admission chances.
#3. Write Interesting Essays
The University of Pennsylvania values the application essays and character during its admission decision. These essays provide details about your intellectual curiosity and character to the Penn admission committee.
You can write a unique essay to convince the application readers at Penn of your candidacy and also answer the UPenn-specific essays.
The University of Pennsylvania Contact Address
- School Address: Philadelphia, PA 19104, United States
- Phone: (215) 898-5000
Visit the official website of the Univerity of Pennsylvania for more information on academics, research, and upcoming events.
What is The University of Pennsylvania Looking For in Students?
Good grades and a high standardized test score would get you in the best position to become the next freshman at Penn. Apart from good grades, the University of Pennsylvania is in searching for students with the right motivation and inspiration, to follow in the footsteps of Penn founder, Benjamin Franklin.
Character, sense of leadership, and intellectual interest are among the factors Penn is looking out for in students.
Also Read: Harvard University Acceptance Rate, Admissions, SAT/ACT, GPA, Tuition
Cost of Attendance at Penn
| Tuition | $58,620 |
| General Fee | $5,896 |
| Technology Fee | $900 |
| Clinical Fee | $688 |
| Total Tuition and Fees | $66,104 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are some of the frequently asked questions regarding the acceptance rate at the University of Pennsylvania.
What GPA do you need for the University of Pennsylvania?
The average GPA required to get into Penn is 3.9.
How hard is it to get into U of Penn?
The acceptance rate at the University of Pennsylvania is very selective at 4.06%. Getting into UPenn requires a higher GPA, SAT, and ACT. However, you can increase your admission chances by applying via the Early Decision as its admit rate is 14.9%.
Is Cornell or UPenn easier to get into?
Penn is more selective than Cornell with an acceptance of 4.06%.
Among the Ivy League schools, Cornell is the easiest institution to get into.
Conclusion
The University of Pennsylvania is one of the finest institutions in the United States. An Ivy elite with a reputation for providing some of the best degree programs at all levels.
The acceptance rate at the University of Pennsylvania is extremely selective and only applicants with good grades have a better chance of getting in.
Getting into Penn is mainly dependent on good grades with a little touch of personal intellect.
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References
- U.S News & World Report: University of Pennsylvania
- TopUniversities: University of Pennsylvania
- Times Higher Education: University of Pennsylvania