If you are considering submitting an application to UPenn, the deadline for Fall 2023 admissions is January 5 and the fee for the application costs $75.
Application fees can add up, but some schools offer free applications and students who are struggling to afford application fees may be eligible for fee waiver for their application.
Students who apply to UPenn for fall should hear back from UPenn by April 1.
UPenn Admissions Stats at a Glance
Here's an overiew of some of UPenn's admissions stats.
Admitted Students in Top 10% of Graduating Class | 93% |
Admissions Test Policy | Optional |
Applicants Who Submit SATs | 49% |
Applicants Who Submit ACTs | 30% |
Waitlist | Yes |
Continue reading for more information on UPenn's admissions stats.
Considering Applying Early to UPenn?
These are the early application deadlines for University of Pennsylvania.
Early Decision I | No | –– | –– |
Early Decision II | No | –– | –– |
Early Action | No | –– | –– |
UPenn does not offer early decision or early action.
The early decision acceptance rate at UPenn is 15%, compared to an overall acceptance rate of 6%. In 2022, UPenn admitted 1183 of the 7961 students who applied early decision.
Some students apply to college early because they believe it will help their chances. Early deadlines may increase the chance of being admitted, since applying early shows your are very interested in a school, and your application is being considered before all the regular decision applicants apply.
See a list of some selective colleges that admit significantly more applicants during early decision or early action than during regular admission.
In 2022, UPenn waitlisted 3,933 students. Of those, 2,753 eventually got off the waitlist.
What Does UPenn Look For in an Applicant?
Colleges consider a range of factors when choosing who to admit for their next incoming class. Each college has a different way of determining which factors are are most important in the admissions process. When creating your list of schools to apply to, you may want to consider your strengths and any possible weaknesses in your application, and apply to colleges that prioritize the areas where you shine.
Admissions Factors at UPenn
What does UPenn consider during the admissions process? Listed below are factors commonly taken into consideration during admissions decisions.
Character/Personal Qualities | Very Important |
Application Essay | Very Important |
Recommendation(s) | Very Important |
Standardized Test Scores | Very Important |
Academic GPA | Very Important |
Rigor of Secondary School Record | Very Important |
Class Rank | Important |
Extracurricular Activities | Important |
Interview | Important |
Talent/Ability | Important |
Alumni/ae Relations | Considered |
Geographical Residence | Considered |
Racial/Ethnic Status | Considered |
State Residency | Considered |
Volunteer Work | Considered |
Work Experience | Considered |
Level of Applicant's Interest | Considered |
First Generation | Considered |
Make sure to check with UPenn for more information on admission factors.
UPenn 2022-2023 Application Requirements
To apply, all applicants to UPenn must submit the following items. Double check with UPenn's admissions department to confirm all application materials and requirements.
Interview | ||||
Transcript(S) of College Record | ||||
Standardized Test Scores | ||||
Statement of Good Standing From Prior Institution(S) | ||||
Letter(s) of Recommendation | 2 | |||
Written Essay or Personal Statement | √ | |||
Transcript of High School Record | √ |
What GPA Do I Need To Get Into UPenn?
Your high school grade point average (GPA) is a number that reflects your high school academic performance. A weighted GPA or an unweighted GPA are the two possible GPA scores considered by colleges.
An unweighted GPA is an average of your scores from each class on a four-point scale. 4.0. Unweighted GPAs range from 4.0 to under 1.0. A weighted GPA considers your average grade and the difficulty of your classes. A weighted GPA boosts your average by adding extra points for honors or Advanced Placement courses.
UPenn considers weighted GPA scores from incomging students.
Out of all students that were admitted, 28% submitted a class rank. At UPenn 93% of students ranked in the top 10% of their graduating class in high school, 98% were in the top 25% and 100% were in the top 50%.
GPAs of Admitted Students
At University of Pennsylvania, student GPAs fall in the following ranges.
4.0 GPA | 28% |
3.75 and 3.99 | 36% |
3.50 and 3.74 | 6% |
3.25 and 3.49 | 4% |
3.00 and 3.24 | –– |
2.50 and 2.9 | –– |
2.00 and 2.49 | –– |
This chart depicts the percentage of all enrolled, degree-seeking, first-time, first year (freshmen) students who had high school grade point average within the given ranges.
UPenn considers standardized tests scores during the admissions process.
UPenn is a test optional school. Test optional schools allow students to choose if they want to submit ACT or SAT scores with their applications or not.
In 2022, 49% of UPenn's first-year students submitted their SAT scores with their application. 30% of admitted applicants sent ACT scores.
What's a Good SAT Score for UPenn?
To be competitive with other UPenn applicants, you should strive to earn between 720 and 770 (or higher!) on the SAT. At UPenn 25% of admitted students scored higher than 770 and 25% of scored lower than 720, but the majority of students scored somewhere in between these two numbers.
On the SAT Math Section, 25% of UPenn students scored 35 or higher and 75% of students scored 760 or higher. On the SAT Critical Reading section (formerly called the Verbal section), 25% of UPenn students scored 800 or higher, and 75% scored a 760 or higher.
Want to increase your SAT Score?
Preparing for the SAT can help raise your score, but it doesn't have to take up a lot of time.
Learn how to increase your SAT score 200 points or more in just 10 minutes a day.
What's a Good ACT Score for UPenn?
Want To Bring Up Your ACT Score? Access ACT practice tests and study tips and see upcoming ACT test dates.
Transferring to University of Pennsylvania
For transfer students wishing to start in the Fall, the deadline to apply is March 15. Applicants should hear back by May 15.
Transfer students can enroll in UPenn during the following terms:
• Fall Term
UPenn Admissions FAQs
Can I defer my acceptance to UPenn?
✅ Yes, admitted students can defer their admission to UPenn.
Does UPenn accept transfer credits?
✅ UPenn accepts eligible transfer credits from accredited institutions.
Do I have to submit test scores to UPenn?
❌ No, UPenn is test optional, so it's up to you if you want to submit test scores or not. If your scores are higher than the school's average, you probably want to include them. If your scores are average or below average, you it might make sense to leave them out of your application..
What is UPenn's acceptance rate?
✅ UPenn's acceptance rate is 6%.
What is the early decision acceptance rate at UPenn?
✅ UPenn's early decision acceptance rate was 15% in 2021.
What is the early action acceptance rate at UPenn?
❌ UPenn does not offer eary action.
Want To Learn More About UPenn?
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