Academics

Source: https://admissions.upenn.edu/how-to-apply/preparing-your-application/academics Parent: https://admissions.upenn.edu/how-to-apply/preparing-your-application

When you apply to Penn, you’ll be asked to choose one of our undergraduate schools or specialized programs as your home base for the time you’re a student here. When we look at the “Academics” section of your application, we’re looking to see how your time in high school has prepared you for the school or program to which you’re applying!

Every Penn student gains a strong foundation in the liberal arts and sciences and can take classes in all four of our schools. Therefore, we encourage you to consistently take classes in core academic areas—English, social studies, math, science, and foreign language—throughout your four years of high school. We hope that every student who applies to Penn will challenge themselves in high school based on the opportunities offered at their school. 

We also understand that every high school is different, so we will review your school’s profile to best understand the types of courses available to you, your school’s grading scale, your school’s unique attributes, and the opportunities provided.  

When reviewing your transcript, our Admissions Committee considers the academic evidence it provides to establish your preparedness for Penn. We ask questions such as:   

• Are you taking advantage of rigorous courses available in your high school? (i.e., did you have the opportunity to take challenging courses? Did you take that opportunity?)
• Do your grades in core subject areas show you are prepared for the specific academic program you are applying for?

Guidance on Academic Preparation by Undergraduate School

The College of Arts and Sciences

In applicants to the College of Arts and Sciences, we would like to see:

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

School of Engineering and Applied Science

In applicants to Penn Engineering, we would like to see:

• an ability to innovate, design, and practically apply scientific discoveries
• expressed reasons for pursuing an engineering education
• a strong preparation in physics and mathematics, particularly calculus

School of Nursing

In applicants to the School of Nursing, we would like to see:

• a commitment to patient care and the future of healthcare delivery
• a desire to explore issues in health care and research
• a strong preparation in the sciences, particularly in chemistry and biology

The Wharton School

In applicants to The Wharton School, we would like to see:

• an interest in leveraging business to fuel positive change that advances the world's economic and social wellbeing
• demonstrated leadership
• strong preparation in mathematics, including exposure to calculus in high school