The University of Pennsylvania is one of the nine Ivy League universities, making it extremely selective and heavily weighing your high school GPA. You must complete the most challenging courses offered at your school and earn the best marks possible in order to be considered for admission to Penn.
On an unweighted scale, aim for as near a 4.0 as you can. If the GPAs of students who take AP or IB classes are weighted by your high school, enroll in such courses and make an effort to receive As in every subject. A weighted GPA of 4.13 or above is what you should aim for. It will appear far better to take the most challenging classes and get As than to get straight As in the easiest ones. The University of Pennsylvania acceptance rate out of state is only 3.5%.
Latest About University of Pennsylvania Acceptance Rate
The University of Pennsylvania has very strict admissions requirements. It's crucial to meet their GPA and SAT/ACT requirements in order to pass their initial screening process and demonstrate your academic readiness. Your chances of getting in are almost nonexistent if you don't live up to their expectations. Once you've overcome this obstacle, you'll need to wow the University of Pennsylvania application reviewers with your extracurricular activities, essays, and reference letters, among other things. It's challenging to raise your GPA in time for college applications if you're a junior or senior right now. You will require a higher SAT or ACT score to make up for a GPA that is at or below the 3.9 school average. This will enable you to successfully compete against applications with GPAs higher than your own.
What Is the University of Pennsylvania Acceptance Rate?
The University of Pennsylvania acceptance rate is 7%. This means only 7 out of 100 applications are selected by the University. Therefore, admissions at Penn is extremely selective. Of the applicants who submitted their test results to the University of Pennsylvania, half had an ACT score of 34 or a SAT score between 1500 and 1570. Nonetheless, 25% of candidates who were accepted had scores that were higher than these ranges, and 25% had scores that were lower. The University of Pennsylvania is accepting applications through January 5.
The University of Pennsylvania's admissions committee values a student's GPA highly in academic matters. When available, an applicant's high school class rank is taken into consideration, and letters of recommendation are highly valued by University of Pennsylvania admissions officers.
University of Pennsylvania Acceptance Rate for International Student
For the University of Pennsylvania acceptance rate for international students, For the Fall 2023 semester, 13,309 international students applied to Penn's undergraduate programs; 419 (3.1%) of them were offered admission. The percentage of overseas students in the first-year class is 13%. In Fall 2023, 6,887 overseas students were enrolled at Penn across all levels. To know what the acceptance rate for the University of Pennsylvania is, Penn is open to applications from students worldwide, and we value the distinctive viewpoints that each foreign student adds to our lively campus community. Approximately one in five of our Quakers have home addresses outside of the United States, and our undergraduate population is representative of over 100 countries. The International Student and Scholar Services (ISSS) is committed to helping the foreign students with all aspects of their academic journey, including immigration planning, on-campus adjustment, and post-graduation job placement.
University of Pennsylvania Acceptance Rate for Graduates
The acceptance rate for graduate students at the University of Pennsylvania ranges from 5.9% to 7%. Approximately 2,400 students were enrolled in the class of 2027, out of over 59,000 applications submitted by the institution. The acceptance rate for the graduate programs offered by the institution is approximately 5.9%. These programs include the Wharton School, School of Arts and Science, and School of Engineering.
There are twelve schools on one campus that contain Penn's graduate and professional programs. The application process for each graduate program is unique. Candidates submit a direct application to the desired program. Applicants may contact the desired program with any inquiries they may have regarding the admissions procedure. There are twelve schools on one campus that contain Penn's graduate and professional programs.
University of Pennsylvania Acceptance Rate for Undergraduates
59,465 applications were submitted to Penn for admission to the 2027 class. 3,489, or 6%, of the candidates received admission offers. Of the students who were admitted for Fall 2023, ninety-four percent were from the top 10 percent of their high school graduating class.
Undergraduate applicants to Penn are required to select one of the four undergraduate programs offered by the university—the College, Wharton, Penn Engineering, or Penn Nursing—or to apply to a coordinated dual-degree, accelerated, or specialized program that will act as their home base for the duration of their academic career. Every accepted student will be accepted into the particular program or school for which they applied.
They handle your application carefully in order to determine how well you connect with Penn's mission, academic programs, and educational experience. Penn reviews applications holistically—that is, they take into account your entire background and the narrative you offer with them—and they don't prioritize any particular aspect of your application.
University of Pennsylvania Acceptance Rate Trends (Last 5 Years)
Applications
2024
2023
2022
2021
2020
No. of applications received
42,205
44,960
N/A
N/A
N/A
No. of applications accepted
3,404
3,345
N/A
N/A
N/A
Factors Influencing University of Pennsylvania Acceptance Rate
Course difficulty, GPA, results on standardized tests, application essay, recommendations, and character are factors that Penn values highly. Talent, extracurricular activities, class rank, and interviews are further crucial criteria.
Compared to applicants submitting through the school's Early Decision program, who receive an acceptance rate of 15%, the overall acceptance rate at UPenn is a single digit (6–7%).
All it takes to improve your chances of acceptance at UPenn is to apply for Early Decision (ED) admission.
But keep in mind that Early Decision is final, and admitted applicants through ED must accept admission. If you're thinking about applying to UPenn's ED program, make sure it's a school you want to attend and that it falls within your financial means.
How to Improve Your Chances of Admission at University of Pennsylvania
When determining admissions, UPenn views GPA, class rank, and course vigor as "very important." As a result, a competitive profile will contain all (or almost all) As in the most difficult courses offered.
It is advised that students take the SAT or ACT since those who do not have lower acceptance rates than those who do. The middle 50% SAT and ACT scores for Penn are, respectively, 1460–1570 and 33–35. While a score in the middle of the 50% range is passable, your chances of getting in increase as you get higher in these ranges.
Your essay for UPenn does a fantastic job of highlighting your special qualities and how they will benefit the institution. Answer the questions on the application, and in your writings, be honest. You want to persuade the UPenn admissions committee that you are deserving of a slot.
Recommendation letters provide UPenn with a closer-up look at your academic profile. They offer perspectives that are not attainable by means of grades and ratings. A teacher who has recently instructed you in one of the key academic disciplines should be the one who recommends you. Instead of picking a teacher based solely on how well you performed in a course, look for someone who knows you well and can attest to your participation in the classroom.
Comparing University of Pennsylvania Acceptance Rate to Other Similar Universities
Regardless of ranking category, the 10 colleges and universities listed here are among the most selective, with the lowest acceptance rates of any undergraduate institutions. This list is based on the fall 2022 incoming class:
University
Acceptance Rate
California Institute of Technology
3%
Harvard University
3%
Columbia University
4%
Massachusetts Institute of Technology
4%
Brown University
5%
Yale University
5%
Dartmouth University
6%
Princeton University
6%
Cornell University
7%
Johns Hopkins University
7%
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I get into the University of Pennsylvania with a 2.5 GPA?
University of Pennsylvania acceptance rate GPA is quite competitive, and it is very unlikely to get into the University with a 2.5 GPA.
Is a 3.5 GPA good for University of Pennsylvania?
A 3.5 GPA is above average, but it may still be below the median for admitted students. Other strong aspects of your application could help.
What GPA do I need to get into the University of Pennsylvania?
Aim for a GPA of at least 3.9 or higher, as this is around the average for admitted students.
What is the lowest GPA University of Pennsylvania will accept?
While there's no official minimum, successful applicants typically have GPAs well above 3.7. Exceptions might be made for extraordinary candidates.
How much does the University of Pennsylvania cost for Indian students?
The estimated cost of attendance is around $85,000 to $90,000 per year, including tuition, fees, and living expenses. Financial aid may be available.
What steps should I take if I am waitlisted by the University of Pennsylvania?
Express continued interest, update the admissions office with any new achievements, and consider submitting an additional letter of recommendation.
Does University of Pennsylvania require SAT or ACT scores for admission, and how important are these scores in the application process?
UPenn is test-optional through the 2024-2025 admissions cycle, but strong SAT/ACT scores can enhance your application. If submitted, they are considered in the holistic review process.
Which university has the highest acceptance rate in the USA?
The universities with the highest acceptance rates in the USA are typically less selective institutions, including many state schools and community colleges. Some of these schools have acceptance rates close to 100%, such as:
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