Admissions & Aid

Penn is committed to making its innovative, impactful Ivy League education available to students regardless of their economic circumstances. A generous financial aid budget and inclusive aid policies make attending Penn an attainable goal for students from the widest possible range of backgrounds.

penn parent hugs her child at move-in

Applying to Penn

penn students working on chalkboards in a classroom

Undergraduate Admissions

When applying to Penn, undergraduates choose one of the University’s four undergraduate schools (the College, Wharton, Penn Engineering, or Penn Nursing) or a coordinated dual-degree, accelerated, or specialized program that will serve as home base throughout their academic journey. Admitted students will be admitted to the specific school or program for which they applied.

graduate student presenting a research poster in houston hall

Graduate Admissions

Penn’s graduate and professional programs are housed in 12 schools on one campus. Each graduate program has a separate admissions process. Students apply directly to the program of interest. Penn does not have a central office for graduate admissions; all questions about the admissions process should be directed to the program of interest.

Preparing for First-Year Admission

Penn accepts the Common Application and Coalition Application. There is no preference for either format and both applications are treated equally in Penn’s process. Penn is also a proud QuestBridge partner institution.

Preparing for Transfer Admission

The Common Application and Coalition Application are accepted for those wishing to transfer to Penn. Applicants are encouraged to use the following resources: Checklist and Deadlines, Curricular Requirements, Eligibility Guidelines, Transfer Credit.

Need-based Grant Recipients 

Penn’s grant-based financial aid program is designed to increase access for students from all socioeconomic backgrounds. Gifts from generous alumni and supporters are expanding this robust financial aid program, as well as growing graduate and professional student aid to minimize the burden of debt.

penn's all-grant policy

$4.3B

in undergraduate aid awarded to more than 30,000 students since 2004

46%

of traditional undergraduate students received grant-based financial aid in 2024-25

49%

of aided students received grant-based aid that covered more than the full cost of tuition in 2024-25


Factual information courtesy of the Office of Institutional Research and Analysis

Penn Virtual Tour

Explore Penn through a virtual tour of our historic campus. Get a glimpse inside our state-of-the-art classrooms, hear from current students and faculty, and catch live performances by members of our community as you stroll down Locust Walk.
 

Penn Virtual Tour
Penn virtual tour