Penn Arts and Sciences High School Programs welcomes bright and ambitious high school students from around the world to experience the Ivy League. Whether you’re ready for an immersive pre-collegiate experience, looking for advanced studies in a field that fascinates you, or planning to get a head start on college admissions by earning academic credit, we have a program for you.

At Penn, you can explore exciting topics in college-level courses taught by University faculty, staff, and scholars, and seek academic support or further study through Penn’s remarkable libraries and campus learning centers. Explore our offerings—with options in the summer and academic year, specialized studies or academic exploration, with or without academic credit—and choose the right path for you.

Penn Arts and Sciences High School Programs welcomes bright and ambitious high school students from around the world to experience the Ivy League

Experience the best of Penn

Penn offers academic challenges for talented high school students who want to learn from—and alongside of—the very best in the Ivy League. Our programs include:

Fall and Spring

Young Scholars Program

Summer Only

Summer Academies

Summer Only

Penn Summer Prep

Summer Only

Pre-College Programs

Summer Only

Online Seminars

See what our students are saying

Matilde Mannil

Matilde Mannil

Neuroscience Research Academy, 2021

“The Penn Summer Neuroscience Research Academy allowed me to delve into the introductory world of neuroscience and helped confirm my decision to major in this field. Additionally, through the neuroethics discussion group, I discovered the law side of neuroscience which I am now very passionate about.” Read Matilde’s story »

Michael Samuel

Michael Samuel

Young Scholars Program 2022-23

“I decided to start taking classes at Penn because I wanted to get a feel for what a university class is like: the level of rigor, what size classes, what the environment and interactions with professors are like.” Read Michael’s story »

Grace Knipe

Grace Knipe

Neuroscience Research Academy, 2022

“I’ve really been able to enjoy working on what it’s like to live on your own, as well as being able and like one of the coolest cities and being able to experience all the great things it has to offer.” Watch Grace’s video »

Mark Kahwash

Mark Kahwash

Chemistry Research Academy student, 2021

“The Chemistry Academy helped me develop my interest in chemistry even more by taking the learning beyond the classroom into a research-oriented environment. The balance between lectures, independent research, and labs allowed me to stay engaged and enjoy the program while also learning about cool concepts." Read Mark's story » 

Explore our students’ projects

coming soon

Watch Celine’s public service announcement video from the Pre-College Program module COVID 19 – 101.

Watch students build a community radio telescope in the Penn Summer Experimental Physics Research Academy.

Upcoming dates and deadlines

Young Scholars High School Program

Spring 2025 Deadline

December 1, 2024

Penn SAS High School Summer Programs

Applications for summer 2025 open on December 1, 2024.

Our program operates on a rolling until full admissions process. Only completed applications are reviewed as they are received. It is an applicant’s responsibility to make sure that their application is complete. It may take up to six weeks for an applicant to receive an admissions decision on a completed application.

We strongly recommend applying early to increase your chances of admission to your program of choice before it is at capacity. International students interested in residential programs should remember to allot time for visa processing and submit their applications early.

Historically, our programs fill well in advance of the final deadlines:

Final Application Deadline Programs
March 30
  • Online Seminars Session 1
  • Pre-College Online Program Session I
April 27
  • Summer Academies
  • Penn Summer Prep
  • Online Seminars Session 2
  • Pre-College Online Program Session II
  • Pre-College Residential Program

Ready to learn more?

Sign up for information about any of our high school programs and learn how Penn can help you get ahead.

Request information

In the news
Students from across the world gathered this summer on Zoom to learn about key issues from Penn teaching fellows, activists—each other.

Penn Summer high school students take on social justice issues in an immersive, 3-week summer academy

Students from across the world gathered this summer on Zoom to learn about key issues from Penn teaching fellows, activists—and each other.

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