Applications for residential programs are now closed. Applications for Pre-College Online and Online Seminars are extended until May 16th. All applications and application materials, including the letter of recommendation, must be in by May 16, 2025, at 11:59 p.m. ET to be considered complete.
Admissions are on a rolling basis, so act now.
Penn LPS does not offer an admission deferral option; please be sure to apply to the term for which you plan to attend the program.
For our high school summer programs, an online application and a non-refundable fee of $100 are required.
Residential students cannot enroll in online programs for the same session.
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. We do not send notifications for missing materials. Please log into the application portal to check the completion status of your application. Any additional academic achievements, awards, or transcripts submitted after the application submission will not be considered in the review process. 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:
Admissions overview
Applications may only be submitted through our online application system.
A successful applicant should have:
- Minimum 3.5 high school GPA
- Writing that shows both technical skill and intellectual depth
- Strong recommendations
- A variety of extracurricular interests
Application checklist
- Completed online application: All submitted materials such as transcripts should clearly display the applicant’s full name.
- Application essays: Include all essays in a single document, clearly numbered. Individual essays should not exceed 400 words.
- What interests you about coming to the University of Pennsylvania SAS High School Programs and this specific academic enrichment experience? How will this summer program impact your personal and academic goals?
- Select two of your non-academic or extracurricular experiences and explain how these activities supplement your academic or personal growth.
- Non-native English speakers only: Describe your English educational background and experience.
- Transcripts
- Full transcript from 2023-2024 academic year (one year is 2 semesters or 4 marking periods)
- Official or unofficial transcripts are accepted
- Transcripts must be in English or accompanied by an official translation
- Pass/fail grades or narrative report cards are acceptable but may require additional documentation
- One letter of recommendation
- From an adult who knows you well in a professional, academic, or community context, and can evaluate your work and/or academic ability, such as a supervisor or professor
- Must reference the specific program you're applying to
- Must be written on the official letterhead of recommender's organization or institution
- Your recommender can submit their letter of recommendation while you complete your application. Enter your recommender's name and email into the application and select “Send to Recommender.”
- Non-native English speakers
Required Tests Minimum scores TOEFL or At-Home TOEFL 100 (iBT), 250 (CBT), or 600 (PBT) IELTS 7 Duolingo English Test (DET) 130 Exemption: Students who attend an English-medium school for 2+ years by enrollment time are exempt.
Please note: Penn does not currently accept the IELTS Indicator exam or MyBest scores for the TOEFL. - Standardized test scores
- Not required for application, but are highly encouraged for the Pre-College Programs
- PSAT, SAT, or ACT score reports are accepted
- Prerequisites: Please note that some programs have specific prerequisite requirements. We encourage applicants to carefully review the program details before submitting their applications.
- Non-refundable application fee of $100, payable online with a credit card (see below for information about waiving this requirement)
Submissions
Applications may only be submitted through our online application system. All the supplemental documents submitted with the online application should clearly show your first and last name.
The preferred method for supplemental document submission is electronically via the online application portal. If you have difficulty with the online application, please email the required documents to hsprogs@sas.upenn.edu, specifying your full name and the program for which you are applying.
Additional or supplemental materials (such as transcripts or additional test scores) will not be accepted after an application is submitted unless they are requested by the admissions committee.
Application fee waiver
Philadelphia residents attending a School District of Philadelphia public or charter high school are eligible for an application fee waiver. Applicants must indicate this on the online application to have the application fee waived.
If your organization would like to have a conversation about initiating a partnership with our office, please email hsprogs@sas.upenn.edu to set up an informational meeting.
