Graduate Admissions
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Graduate and professional programs at Penn emphasize the integration of knowledge across boundaries and disciplines. More than 16,000 graduate and professional students study at Penn, pursuing nearly 300 degree and certificate offerings, from Accounting to Women’s Health. Explore our graduate programs and request program information.
Penn is a nationally-ranked research university, one of the top recipients of competitive research grants in the U.S. More than 170 research centers and institutes play a major role in advancing the university’s intellectual agenda. Learn more about research activity in Penn’s graduate and professional schools through Research at Penn.
There is no one central Office of Graduate Admissions. All questions about the admissions process should be directed to the academic program of interest. Carefully research the admissions information available online through the Penn Catalog for your prospective program. If you are unable to find the information you require, contact the appropriate School Admissions Office:
Annenberg School for Communication
3620 Walnut Street
Philadelphia, PA 19104-6220
tel: 215-573-6349
skype: 215-573-6349
e-mail: jmurray@asc.upenn.edu
Arts & Sciences PhD Programs
Graduate Division
3401 Walnut Street, Suite 322A
Philadelphia, PA 19104-6228
tel: 215-898-8101
e-mail: gdasadmis@sas.upenn.edu
Arts and Sciences, The College of Liberal & Professional Studies
3440 Market Street, Suite 100
Philadelphia, PA 19104-3335
tel: 215-898-7326
e-mail: lps@sas.upenn.edu
Arts and Sciences, Fels Institute of Government
3814 Walnut Street
Philadelphia, PA 19104
tel: 215-898-2600
e-mail: felsinstitute@sas.upenn.edu
Dental Medicine
Robert Schattner Center
240 South 40th Street
Philadelphia, PA 19104-6030
tel: 215-898-8943
e-mail: dental-admissions@dental.upenn.edu
Education
GSE Admissions Office
3700 Walnut Street
Philadelphia, PA 19104-6216,
tel: 215-898-6415
e-mail: admissions@gse.upenn.edu
Engineering
Graduate Admissions
109 Towne Building
220 South 33rd Street,
Philadelphia, PA 19104-6391
tel: 215-898-4542
email:
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For programs in Bioengineering, Electrical & Systems Engineering, Integrated Product Design, Mechanical Engineering and Applied Mechanics, and Materials Science and Engineering, email admissions1@seas.upenn.edu.
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For programs in Computer Graphics and Game Technology, Computer and Information Sciences, and Data Science, email admissions2@seas.upenn.edu.
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For programs in Biotechnology, Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Computer and Information Technology, Nanotechnology, Robotics or Scientific Computing, email admissions3@seas.upenn.edu.
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For the online Computer and Information Technology Masters program, email online-admissions@seas.upenn.edu.
Law
J.D. Admissions
3501 Sansom Street, Philadelphia, PA 19104-6204,
tel: 215-898-7400
e-mail: admissions@law.upenn.edu
Graduate Admissions: LL.M, L.L.C.M., S.J.D.
tel: 215-898-0407
email: gradadmissions@law.upenn.edu
Master in Law (ML) Program Admissions
Tel: 215-573-2952
email: master@law.upenn.edu
Perelman School of Medicine M.D. Program
Suite 100, Stemmler Hall, 3340 Hamilton Walk
Philadelphia, PA 19104-6056
tel: 215-898- 8001
e-mail: admiss@pennmedicine.upenn.edu
Perelman School of Medicine Masters Programs
https://www.med.upenn.edu/psom/masters.html
Perelman School of Medicine PhD Programs in Biomedical Graduate Studies
160 BRBII/III, 421 Curie Blvd.
Philadelphia, PA 19104-6064
tel: 215-898-1030
e-mail: bgs@pennmedicine.upenn.edu
Nursing
Claire M. Fagin Hall
418 Curie Blvd., Suite M-5
Philadelphia, PA 19104
tel: 215-898-4271
e-mail: admissions@nursing.upenn.edu
Social Policy and Practice
3701 Locust Walk
Philadelphia, PA 19104-6214
tel: 215-898-5539
e-mail: apply@sp2.upenn.edu
Veterinary Medicine
3800 Spruce Street, Suite 106
Philadelphia, PA 19104-6008
tel: 215-898-5434
e-mail: admissions@vet.upenn.edu
Weitzman School of Design
110 Meyerson Hall,
210 South 34th Street
Philadelphia, PA 19104-6311
tel: 215-898-6520
e-mail: admissions@design.upenn.edu
Wharton MBA Program
Suite111 VH, 3733 Spruce Street
Philadelphia, PA 19104-6301
tel: 215-898-6183
e-mail: mba-admiss@wharton.upenn.edu
Wharton MBA Program for Executives
Philadelphia:
255 South 38th Street
Suite 108
Steinberg Conference Center
Philadelphia, PA 19104.6359
Tel: 215.898.5887
e-mail: mbaexec-admissions@wharton.upenn.edu
San Francisco:
2 Harrison Street (Harrison & Spear)
Sixth Floor
San Francisco, CA 94105
Phone: 415.777.1000
e-mail: mbaexecwest-admissions@wharton.upenn.edu
Wharton Doctoral Program
Steinberg-Dietrich Hall, Suite 430
3620 Locust Walk
Philadelphia, PA 19104-6302
tel: 215-898-4877
e-mail: doctoral-programs@wharton.upenn.edu
Penn’s graduate and professional programs are housed in 12 schools on one campus. Each graduate program has a separate admissions process. Applicants apply directly to the program of interest. All questions about the admissions process should be directed to the program of interest.
Spring 2020
Recognizing the challenges of teaching, learning, and assessing academic performance during the global COVID-19 pandemic, Penn’s admissions committees for graduate and professional programs will take the significant disruptions of the COVID-19 outbreak in 2020 into account when reviewing students’ transcripts and other admissions materials as part of their regular practice of performing individualized, holistic reviews of each applicant. In particular, as we review applications now and in the future, we will respect decisions regarding the adoption of Pass/Fail and other grading options during the period of COVID-19 disruptions. An applicant will not be adversely affected in the admissions process if their academic institution implemented a mandatory pass/fail (or similar) system for the term or if the applicant chose to participate in an optional pass/fail (or similar) system for the term. Penn’s longstanding commitment remains to admit graduate and professional student cohorts composed of outstanding individuals who demonstrate the resilience and aptitude to succeed in their academic pursuits.
Required Tests
For PhD applicants: Most, but not all, PhD programs at Penn require the Graduate Record Examination (GRE). The University’s institution code is 2926, you only need to send your scores to one Penn code and it will be matched to your application. Each graduate program has a different GRE requirement; please refer to your program of interest for more information. For information about the administration of the GRE, see the Educational Testing Service website.
For professional program applicants: Some, but not all, professional programs at Penn require standardized test scores, such as the GRE, LSAT, MCAT, GMAT, etc. Each program has a different requirement and a different institution code. Please refer to your program of interest for more information.
International Applicants
Applicants who are non-native English speakers may also be required to report scores from the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL), Pearson’s PTE Academic, or International English Language Testing System (IELTS). Please refer to your program of interest for detailed requirements.
Penn is a leader among its peers in welcoming students from every part of the world. The division of International Student and Scholar Services offers help, advice, and information on all matters connected to immigration, employment, adjustment to a new culture, and living in Philadelphia.
Application Materials
Please note that all application materials become property of the University of Pennsylvania and will not be returned. Remember to retain a personal copy of your application.
Offline Recommendation
Penn strongly prefers that recommenders submit letters of recommendation online through the admissions system. If, however, your recommender is unable to submit an online recommendation, please follow these instructions:
1) Select the “Recommendation Form PDF Download” and download the form.
2) Complete the first section. Be sure to include the address of the appropriate admissions office — refer to the "Contact Graduate Admissions" list below.
3) Print out the form and provide it to your recommender.
Please note:
- If you are applying to a program in Nursing, print out and provide your recommender with these special instructions for completing your letter of recommendation.
- If you are applying to a program in the School of Social Policy & Practice, print out and provide your recommender with these special instructions for completing your letter of recommendation.
4) Your recommender should send the form directly to the admissions office you designate, along with the letter of recommendation.
Visiting Penn
You are welcome to visit the campus. Interviews are generally by invitation only. Applicants may contact their prospective program to inquire about the availability of tours, open houses, and information sessions. If you plan to visit campus, make sure to visit other attractions in Philadelphia too.
Privacy Policy
Prospective students and applicants should review Penn’s Privacy Policy.
Penn’s graduate tuition and other fees vary by school. Consult the individual schools and programs for details. Penn awards some loans based on financial need. These awarded loans are only made by Penn as part of a student’s financial aid package. The loans are repayable by the student after completion of his/her education or withdrawal from school and are not subsidized.
Students in Ph.D. programs generally receive multi-year financial packages to cover tuition, fees, health insurance and a living allowance or stipend. The terms of the award may vary according to field of study. Contact individual programs for details. Most programs require that PhD students teach or conduct research for two or more years during their course of study, as part of their academic preparation.
Penn’s professional schools provide limited assistance in the form of grants based on financial need. Some schools award merit-based scholarships or provide support in return for service. Contact your school for information on its policies and application procedures for grants and scholarship funding.
Penn’s Student Financial Services provides up-to-date information the cost of attendance, as well as loans and other resources for support. U.S. citizens and permanent residents may be eligible for federal loans (i.e., Direct Loan, Grad PLUS). In addition, private alternative loan programs are available for credit-worthy borrowers. Generally, international students must have a qualified co-signer who is a U.S. citizen or permanent resident.
A stimulating intellectual and social community of students and scholars from across Penn’s 12 schools form a vibrant graduate network. The campus offers extensive resources for academic support and personal enrichment.
Graduate Student Center
Penn's Graduate Student Center provides a home base for graduate and professional students. Located in the heart of campus on Locust Walk, the Center hosts a variety of activities including recreational outings, dissertation support workshops, game nights, and more.
Graduate Student Organizations
As the University-wide graduate student government, GAPSA -- the Graduate and Professional Student Assembly – advocates for students, funds initiatives, and plans events. A wide variety of other graduate and professional student organizations flourish at Penn, including school governments, as well as professional, social, athletic, and cultural groups.
Campus Resources
The Grad Student’s Guide to Thriving at Penn, published by the Grad Center, comprehensively outlines all of the many resources serving graduate and professional students at Penn. Of special importance to many students are these resources:
Across 12 Schools, more than 16,000 graduate and professional students, and more than 5,000 faculty members, we become one university: a wide-ranging, ever-changing community that draws its strength from a multitude of races, ethnicities, nationalities, genders, sexual orientations, historical traditions, ages, religions, disabilities, veteran status, interests, perspectives, and socioeconomic backgrounds.
Penn has a number of policies and initiatives that support its efforts to foster inclusive excellence. Diversity and inclusion related data, progress reports on initiatives, a timeline of selected milestones, and stories about members of the Penn community are available here.
Famous as the birthplace of life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness, Philadelphia is a vibrant city offering countless things to do: fascinating museums, vibrant parks, national historic sites and famous (and delicious) food.
Learn more about the great City of Philadelphia.
Philadelphia neighborhoods each have a distinctive personality. The University of Pennsylvania is located in the University City section of Philadelphia. While most students live in University City and the adjacent Center City neighborhoods, there are many other areas to explore.
Penn's Office of Off Campus Services assists students with finding housing in Philadelphia, as well as assistance with leases, landlords, utilities and more. New graduate and professional students are encouraged to start looking for housing 3-4 months before arriving at Penn. Each spring, the University offers online sessions about housing so that incoming graduate students can get this critical information before arriving on campus.
The Graduate Student Center's Resources for New Grad Students includes a section on Moving to Philadelphia, which includes more information on transportation, parking, dining, and more.
