University of Pennsylvania
1 College Hall, Room 100, Philadelphia, PA 19104
The University of Pennsylvania is a private university in PA, founded in 1740 and offers Associate’s and Bachelor’s degrees for undergraduates and Master’s and Doctoral degrees for graduate students. The undergraduate enrollment is 9,872, and the graduate enrollment is 12,564. The University of Pennsylvania is a hyper-selective school, receiving 42,205 applications and accepting 5.7% of applicants. University of Pennsylvania’s athletics teams compete at the club, intramural, and varsity levels. Additionally, the University of Pennsylvania employs 1,574 full-time instructional staff (100% of whom hold doctorate degrees) and has a 6:1 student to faculty ratio.
Empowerly Score®
98
University Score
- School Performance
- Extracurriculars
- Standardized Tests
- Essays
Empowerly Score®
At Empowerly, we prioritize data to customize our approach to student counseling. College admissions is becoming more selective by the year, so it’s never been more important than now to prepare in advance and give yourself the best chance for success.
Take the Empowerly QuizESSAYS
Applicants applying to the University of Pennsylvania will apply through the Common Application, Coalition Application, or the QuestBridge Application (if qualified). Applicants will write a personal essay based on the prompts provided in each application, and will also be required to answer university-specific supplemental questions.
Deadlines For Submitting Applications
Early Decision Application Deadline
November 1st
Regular Application Deadline
January 5th
ATTENDANCE FACTORS
- Character/Personal Qualities - Very Important
- Application Essay - Very Important
- Academic GPA - Very Important
- Rigor of Secondary School Record - Very Important
- Extracurricular Activities - Important
Average Acceptance Rate
5.70%
Empowerly Acceptance Rate
17.00%
STUDENT LIFE
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, is ranked #31 in the nation’s most diverse areas. A large part of the desirability is the well-established culture and rich history that the University of Pennsylvania contributes. After all, the 299-acre historic campus was established in West Philadelphia in the 1870s when much of the surrounding area was open fields. The school preserves its proud tradition of putting what students learn in the classroom into social-minded action, including a diverse campus, innovative educators, and dynamic interactions. As a student, you are invited to follow your passion in all aspects of student life. Thanks to its unparalleled lengthy history, students have continuously observed Penn’s wealth of traditions and incorporated their signature like the yearly “Hey Day” event—first organized in 1916.
Housing
- 55% of students live on campus
- Guaranteed housing for freshmen
The University of Pennsylvania has a residential system home to approximately 6,000 undergraduate students per year. Undergraduates must live on campus for the first two years in one of twelve college houses that feature different room types, amenities, and personalities. Each residence boasts a distinct themed residential community to match their shared interests, from cinema to science and technology. The architectural style of each building is equally distinctive, from modern high-rise buildings housing 800 residents to cozy 4-story brick homes with 170 residents. As your home away from home, your housing choices at the University of Pennsylvania will profoundly influence your campus life.
Life as a Student
Because the campus and its surroundings offer a broad range of unique and historical opportunities, life as a Penn student can be an epic experience. Start by attending one of the many exhibits, performances, and talks on campus covering arts, culture, religion, politics, and other personal interests. You can then join one of the university’s premier and oldest student organizations, such as the Mask and Wig, the nation’s oldest collegiate musical-comedy troupe founded in 1889. Or, you might prefer the Penn International Affairs Association, one of the school’s most popular groups that host the world-renowned Model United Nations team. You can also be a part of Penn’s history-making athletics, representing the school in every summer game from 1900 to 2012. Need a change of scenery? You can always go off campus to find everything from historical sites to world-famous museums—all within walking distance!
TOP MAJORS
Finance
Management Sciences and Information Systems
Philosophy
Nursing
Economics
Business
SERVICES
Health and Safety
- 24-hour trained security on campus
- Late night ride/safe escort service available
Student Services
- Health Center
- Legal Advice
- Psychological Counseling
- Women's Center
Athletics
Varsity
Varsity
Baseball
Basketball
Crew
Fencing
Football
Golf
Lacrosse
Soccer
Squash
Swimming and Diving
Tennis
Track and Field
Wrestling
Cross-Country Running
Basketball
Crew
Fencing
Field Hockey
Golf
Gymnastics
Lacrosse
Soccer
Softball
Squash
Swimming and Diving
Tennis
Track and Field
Volleyball
Cross-Country Running
Club
Club
Badminton
Baseball
Basketball
Equestrian Sports
Field Hockey
Golf
Gymnastics
Ice Hockey
Rugby
Sailing
Skiing (Downhill)
Ultimate Frisbee
Water Polo
Badminton
Baseball
Basketball
Equestrian Sports
Fencing
Golf
Gymnastics
Ice Hockey
Rugby
Sailing
Skiing (Downhill)
Ultimate Frisbee
Water Polo
Intramural
Intramural
Cheerleading
Lacrosse
Soccer
Softball
Squash
Swimming and Diving
Tennis
Table Tennis
Volleyball
Cheerleading
Lacrosse
Soccer
Softball
Squash
Swimming and Diving
Tennis
Table Tennis
Volleyball
FINANCIAL AID INFORMATION
UPenn’s undergraduate grant-based financial aid program meets 100% of demonstrated financial need with grants and work-study funds. Additionally, students with family incomes less than $65,500 (and typical assets) receive financial aid packages that cover tuition, fees, room, and board.
*All costs below are estimates and may differ based on your circumstances.
- Tuition (On-Campus) - $56,212
- Fees (On-Campus) - $7,240
- Housing (On-Campus) - $11,754
- Dining (On-Campus) - $6,134
- Books and Supplies (On-Campus) - $1,358
- Transportation (On-Campus) - $1,036
- Personal Expenses (On-Campus) - $2,004
- Total Estimated Cost of Attendance (On-Campus) - $85,738
CORPORATE PARTNERSHIP / AFFILIATES
HISTORY
The University of Pennsylvania was founded in 1740 as the “College of Philadelphia” by the United States founding father, Benjamin Franklin. As one of the original nine colonial colleges, first president Benjamin Franklin sought for the College of Philadelphia to establish a modern liberal arts institution to train leaders with an empirical perspective for business, public service, and government. Following the American Revolution, the school was reconstructed in 1779 as the “University of the State of Pennsylvania” and became the country’s first state school and first university. However, the school became a private institution in 1779 when it changed to its current name as the University of Pennsylvania (or Penn for short).
Benjamin Franklin served as the university’s president until 1755 and later as a trustee until his passing in 1790. You can find his presence throughout Penn, especially in locations named after him, including its most famous landmark, Franklin Field. Moreover, the more than 190 institutes and research facilities on campus embody Franklin’s spirit for innovation, pragmatism, and civic-mindedness. For instance, the University of Pennsylvania proudly made many firsts in American higher education, such as the first collegiate business school in world-renowned Wharton in 1881, the first large-scale, general-purpose digital computer in 1946, and the first woman president of an Ivy League institution in 1994.
According to U.S. News Best Colleges, the University of Pennsylvania is ranked #8 in National Universities. With a total undergraduate enrollment of 9,872 and graduate enrollment of 1,300, Penn has a selective 9% acceptance rate. Students admitted to Penn have a choice of four undergraduate schools, but thanks to the school’s progressive “One University Policy,” students can enroll in any class of any Penn school regardless of major. The university also has an NCAA Division I and Ivy League athletics program, nicknamed the Quakers, with teams active in nearly 33 sports, including football, rowing, and rugby. Penn has the one-of-kind distinction of alumni, including eight signers of the Declaration of Independence and seven signers of the U.S. Constitution, among its illustrious alumni and trustees. Its rich history includes 36 Nobel laureates, 16 Pulitzer Prize winners, and 41 Olympic medal winners. Other notable alumni of the University of Pennsylvania include singer John Legend, U.S. President Donald Trump, and entrepreneur Elon Musk.