# The College of Arts and Sciences

**Source**: https://admissions.upenn.edu/academics/four-schools/college-arts-sciences
**Parent**: https://admissions.upenn.edu/academics/four-schools

Start at The College of Arts and Sciences if you want to pursue a curiosity-driven education, go deep to master a subject that excites you, and put your learning into practice to make the world a better place.

The College of Arts and Sciences is the heart of Penn’s undergraduate experience, where tradition meets innovation. It is home to disciplines spanning the humanities, social sciences and natural sciences.

A degree in the arts and sciences is practically and personally invaluable, serving as a foundation for navigating the ever-changing world around us. As a student in the College, you will be part of the creation, synthesis, application, and transmission of new knowledge that you uncover as part of research projects with faculty from the College, hospitals, research centers, and other undergraduate and graduate schools. If you want a broader perspective, you can embrace several academic disciplines through creative combinations of majors and minors.

## In Applicants to the College of Arts & Sciences, We Would Like to See:

- A curiosity about the world and desire to learn many ways of thinking to address complex challenges
- An ability to apply classroom knowledge to the world
- An interest in listening to and learning from people who think differently than you
- Strong preparation in a balanced and advanced college preparatory curriculum

## What Can You Study in the College?

### Majors & Minors

Whether you have a sense of your intended field of study, or have too many interests to decide just yet, the College offers a flexible curriculum designed to frame opportunities for you, and their extensive advising network will help you navigate them.  The College fosters a culture of exploration and as such, students do not declare a major until the end of their sophomore year.

### Coordinated Dual-Degree, Accelerated and Specialized Programs

If you have focused academic interests, you can apply to programs that will enable you to earn more than one degree as you delve deeply into specific areas of interest. We encourage students interested in these programs to [explore them closely](/academics/exploring-academics/specialized-degree-programs) to learn what they offer, and what specific application requirements they may have.

*Those programs that include a degree in the College of Arts & Sciences include:*

- [ISB](https://huntsman.upenn.edu/): The Huntsman Program in International Studies and Business
- [LSM](https://lsm.upenn.edu/): The Roy and Diana Vagelos Program in Life Sciences and Management
- [MLS](https://vagelosmls.sas.upenn.edu/): The Roy and Diana Vagelos Scholars Program in the Molecular Life Sciences
- [VIPER](https://www.viper.upenn.edu/): The Roy and Diana Vagelos Integrated Program in Energy Research

## Meet Some College of Arts and Sciences Students!

[## Paulina Destarac

Interested in research and photography

Read Story](/visit-connect/penn-perspectives/student-stories/paulina-destarac)

[## David Thai

A first-generation college student focused on inspiring others

Read Story](/visit-connect/penn-perspectives/student-stories/david-thai)

[## Bela Parekh

Interested in the natural sciences and business

Read Story](/visit-connect/penn-perspectives/student-stories/bela-parekh)

[## Anea Moore

Focused on education and community development

Read Story](/visit-connect/penn-perspectives/student-stories/anea-moore)