Applications for summer 2023 are now closed.
The following 2023 programs are closed for rolling admission: Biomedical Research Academy, Chemistry Research Academy, Experimental Physics Research Academy, Neuroscience Research Academy, and Social Justice Research Academy. If you are a student attending a Philadelphia School District Public or Charter school, you may still submit a scholarship application to these programs.
For our high school summer programs, an online application and a non-refundable fee of $75 are required.
Priority deadline
For your application to be reviewed during the priority application period, all application materials, including letters of recommendation, must be submitted by January 31 with no exceptions. Applications not completed by January 31 will not be reviewed for the Priority Deadline period.
Applying by the priority deadline gives you the greatest chance of being admitted into your program of choice. Acceptance to your desired program is not guaranteed, as many programs fill before the end of the priority application window. Early application is strongly advised as priority applications are processed in the order they are received.
International students are strongly encouraged to apply by the priority deadline to give the most time for visa purposes.
Rolling admissions
Applications submitted or completed after January 31 are reviewed on a rolling basis. You will receive an email notification when your admissions decision is available. There is a $1,500 nonrefundable deposit for all programs.
Application deadlines: Summer Academies, Penn Summer Prep, and Pre-College Programs
| December 1 | Summer program applications open |
Use this video to help you complete an application for enrollment:
Admissions overview
Applications may only be submitted through our online application system. Please note that this system is utilized for undergraduate, graduate, and continuing education programs in addition to summer high school programs; the language in our application system may reference other programs.
A successful applicant should have:
- Minimum 3.3 high school GPA
- Writing that shows both technical skill and intellectual depth
- Strong recommendations
- A variety of extracurricular interests
Application checklists
- Completed online application
- Application essay: Individual essays should not exceed 400 words.
- Describe your academic and personal goals and how these may be further achieved by studying at Penn during the summer.
- High school transcripts (official or unofficial transcripts are accepted): Upload a copy of high school transcripts into the online application. The transcript must include one full academic year of grades (two semesters or four marking periods). If your transcript does not include one year of grades, you may upload a mid-term or interim report card, or middle or junior high school transcripts in addition. Pass/Fail grades are acceptable; however, we may request additional documentation for the Admissions Committee review. If you choose to email a copy of your transcripts to lps-admissions@sas.upenn.edu, please upload a document into the application system stating your materials have been sent by email.
- One letter of recommendation: This letter may be submitted electronically through the application system (preferred) or emailed to admissions at lps-admissions@sas.upenn.edu. For electronic submissions through the application system, enter the name and email address of the recommendation providers into the system and our admissions team will reach out to them about providing the recommendation once your application has been officially submitted. Letters of recommendation must be no more than one year old by the date of submission and must reference the specific program that the applicant is applying to.
- Non-native English speakers: Test scores verifying English proficiency—TOEFL, IELTS, SAT, PSAT, ACT or Duolingo English Test (DET)—are accepted (waived if the applicant attends English-medium school).
- Standardized test scores are not required for application.
- Non-refundable application fee of $75, payable online with a credit card (see below for information about waiving this requirement).
- Completed online application
- Application essays: Include all essays in a single document, clearly numbered. Individual essays should not exceed 400 words.
- Describe your academic and personal goals and how these may be further achieved by studying at Penn during the summer. Feel free to discuss the particular program to which you are applying as well as other aspects of studying at Penn during the summer.
- Select a few of your non-academic or extracurricular experiences and explain how these activities supplement your academic and personal growth.
- Non-native English speakers only: Describe your English educational background and experience.
- High school transcripts (official or unofficial transcripts are accepted): Upload a copy of high school transcripts into the online application. The transcript must include one full academic year of grades (two semesters or four marking periods). If your transcript does not include one year of grades, you may upload a mid-term or interim report card, or middle or junior high school transcripts in addition. Pass/Fail grades are acceptable; however, we may request additional documentation for the Admissions Committee review. If you choose to email a copy of your transcripts to lps-admissions@sas.upenn.edu, please upload a document into the application system stating your materials have been sent by email.
- One letter of recommendation: This letter may be submitted electronically through the application system (preferred) or emailed to admissions at lps-admissions@sas.upenn.edu. For electronic submissions through the application system, enter the name and email address of the recommendation providers into the system and our admissions team will reach out to them about providing the recommendation once your application has been officially submitted. Letters of recommendation must be no more than one year old by the date of submission and must reference the specific program that the applicant is applying to.
- Non-native English speakers: Test scores verifying English proficiency–TOEFL, IELTS, SAT, PSAT, ACT, or Duolingo English Test (DET)—are accepted (see below for information about waiving this requirement).
- Standardized test scores are not required for application.
- Non-refundable application fee of $75, payable online with a credit card (see below for information about waiving this requirement).
- Completed online application
- Application essays: Include all essays in a single document, clearly numbered. Individual essays should not exceed 400 words.
- Describe your academic and personal goals and how these may be further achieved by studying at Penn during the summer. Feel free to discuss the particular program to which you are applying as well as other aspects of studying at Penn during the summer.
- Select a few of your non-academic or extracurricular experiences and explain how these activities supplement your academic and personal growth.
- Non-native English speakers only: Describe your English educational background and experience.
- High school transcripts (official or unofficial transcripts are accepted): Upload a copy of high school transcripts into the online application. The transcript must include one full academic year of grades (two semesters or four marking periods). If your transcript does not include one year of grades, you may upload a mid-term or interim report card, or middle or junior high school transcripts in addition. Pass/Fail grades are acceptable; however, we may request additional documentation for the Admissions Committee review. If you choose to email a copy of your transcripts to lps-admissions@sas.upenn.edu, please upload a document into the application system stating your materials have been sent by email.
- One letter of recommendation: This letter may be submitted electronically through the application system (preferred) or emailed to admissions at lps-admissions@sas.upenn.edu. For electronic submissions through the application system, enter the name and email address of the recommendation providers into the system and our admissions team will reach out to them about providing the recommendation once your application has been officially submitted. Letters of recommendation must be no more than one year old by the date of submission and must reference the specific program that the applicant is applying to.
- Non-native English speakers: Test scores verifying English proficiency–TOEFL, IELTS, SAT, PSAT, ACT, Duolingo English Test (DET)—are accepted (see below for information about waiving this requirement).
- Standardized test scores are not required for application but are highly encouraged. To submit your test scores with your application, upload a copy of your PSAT, SAT, or ACT test scores report directly through the application system or email them to lps-admissions@sas.upenn.edu as attachments. Be sure all scores clearly show your first and last name.
- Non-refundable application fee of $75, 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. Additional materials (such as transcripts) can be submitted by email to lps-admissions@sas.upenn.edu. Be sure to include the first and last name that you applied with when you are submitting application materials.
English proficiency test scores
Non-native English speakers must submit a test score to verify English language proficiency unless they attend an English-medium school, in which case this requirement is waived. For the Pre-College Programs, a student must attend an English-medium school for 2+ years by the time of enrollment for the requirement to be waived.
If scores are required, a TOEFL, IELTS, Duolingo English Test (DET), PSAT, SAT, or ACT score is accepted. Copies of score reports may be uploaded to the application system or emailed to lps-admissions@sas.upenn.edu as attachments. The minimum TOEFL scores required for admissions consideration are 100 (iBT), 250 (CBT), or 600 (PBT). The IELTS score required for admissions consideration is a 7. The minimum Duolingo English Test (DET) score required for admission is 120.
At-home TOEFL test scores are accepted through the 2022-2023 admissions year. Please visit the specific standardized testing websites for exam options in your home country.
Application fee waiver
Any applicant from the School District of Philadelphia who attends a public or charter school or one of the following organizations is eligible for an application fee waiver. Applicants indicating that they are from the School District of Philadelphia will automatically have the application fee waived.
Applicants from one of the eligible organizations below will need to secure a fee-waiver code. To do so, please email us at lps@sas.upenn.edu (to the attention of Mary Bustamante) before submitting your application. Include your full name, the program to which you are applying, and the name of your sponsoring organization.
Eligible organizations include:
- Achievement First
- Amerigo Education
- Minds Matter
- Philadelphia Futures
- Schuler Scholars Foundation
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.
