About University of Pennsylvania

Founded in 1740, University of Pennsylvania. is a Private college. Located in Pennsylvania, which is a city setting in Pennsylvania, the campus itself is Urban. The campus is home to 11,716 full time undergraduate students, and 13,244 full time graduate students.

The University of Pennsylvania Academic calendar runs on a Semester basis. In the school year the student to faculty ratio was 6:1. There are 1380 full time instructional teachers. Degrees awarded at University of Pennsylvania include: Bachelor's Degree, Masters Degree, Post-master's certificate, Doctor's degree.

Quick Facts

Acceptance Rate9%
Application Deadline1-Nov
Application Fee75
SAT Range1380-1570
ACT Range32-35

Admissions at UPENN are considered Most Selective, with ,109% of all applicants being admitted.

In the school year, of the students who applied to the school, only 6 of those who were admitted eventually ended up enrolling.

100% of incoming freshmen are in the top half of their high school class. 99% were in the top quarter, and 96% were in the top tenth. You can apply online.

STUDENT LIFE

We asked, and students answered these important questions about student life at University of Pennsylvania.

0%
“We”re apathetic”
18%
“We know about current events and vote”
60%
“We participate and encourage others to get involved”
22%
“There”s nothing we won”t protest”
2%
“We save it for the classroom”
15%
“Sometimes, but not often”
51%
“There”s usually intelligent conversation to be found”
32%
“All the time, including weekends”
2%
“I”m always terrified”
13%
“I only go out in groups”
54%
“I usually let someone know where I”m going”
30%
“I feel extremely safe”
15%
“We don”t play sports”
0%
“We play recreationally”
74%
“We bought the gear”
10%
“We live for the big game”
6%
“It”s not really our thing”
21%
“Occasinally we gallery crawl”
59%
“There are a variety of opportunities”
15%
“We”re a very artistic group”
1%
“Haven”t met them”
9%
“Available in class”
73%
“They keep regular office hours”
17%
“They”re always available”
0%
“No greek life, but other groups to join”
20%
“There is some involvement, but not a lot”
74%
“Plenty of people join a sorority or fraternity”
6%
“It”s everything. If you”re not greek, you”re a geek”
0%
“We”re not into drinking at all”
4%
“Maybe a little, but it”s not a big thing”
33%
“We only party on weekends”
63%
“There”s some drinking happening every night”
2%
“Never, we”re here to learn”
41%
“There might be people who do”
43%
“People are known to partake on weekends”
14%
“There”s a huge drug scene”
0%
“We”re apathetic”
18%
“We know about current events and vote”
60%
“We participate and encourage others to get involved”
22%
“There”s nothing we won”t protest”
2%
“We save it for the classroom”
15%
“Sometimes, but not often”
51%
“There”s usually intelligent conversation to be found”
32%
“All the time, including weekends”
2%
“I”m always terrified”
13%
“I only go out in groups”
54%
“I usually let someone know where I”m going”
30%
“I feel extremely safe”
15%
“We don”t play sports”
0%
“We play recreationally”
74%
“We bought the gear”
10%
“We live for the big game”
6%
“It”s not really our thing”
21%
“Occasinally we gallery crawl”
59%
“There are a variety of opportunities”
15%
“We”re a very artistic group”
1%
“Haven”t met them”
9%
“Available in class”
73%
“They keep regular office hours”
17%
“They”re always available”
0%
“No greek life, but other groups to join”
20%
“There is some involvement, but not a lot”
74%
“Plenty of people join a sorority or fraternity”
6%
“It”s everything. If you”re not greek, you”re a geek”
0%
“We”re not into drinking at all”
4%
“Maybe a little, but it”s not a big thing”
33%
“We only party on weekends”
63%
“There”s some drinking happening every night”
2%
“Never, we”re here to learn”
41%
“There might be people who do”
43%
“People are known to partake on weekends”
14%
“There”s a huge drug scene”

University of Pennsylvania REVIEWS

Write a review, Enter to win $1,000 Scholarship
  • How would you rate on-campus housing?

    177 Students rated on-campus housing 3.6 stars. 14 % gave the school a 5.0.

  • How would you rate off-campus housing?

    125 Students rated off-campus housing 3.7 stars. 0 % gave the school a 5.0.

  • How would you rate campus food?

    181 Students rated campus food 2.9 stars. 9 % gave the school a 5.0.

  • How would you rate campus facilities?

    182 Students rated campus facilities 4.3 stars. 48 % gave the school a 5.0.

  • How would you rate class size?

    182 Students rated class size 3.9 stars. 30 % gave the school a 5.0.

  • How would you rate school activities?

    180 Students rated school activities 4.5 stars. 61 % gave the school a 5.0.

  • How would you rate local services?

    186 Students rated local services 4.5 stars. 66 % gave the school a 5.0.

  • How would you rate academics?

    183 Students rated academics 4.1 stars. 45 % gave the school a 5.0.

What's your overall opinion of University of Pennsylvania?

52 Students rated University of Pennsylvania

nathalie

I am a current freshman in the Wharton school and I LOVE every minute of my experience here! As long as you are open and friendly you will find a group of friends here. Be cognizant of all the opportunities and events Penn has to offer though because there is so much to do here.

Malia

Coming to Penn was the best decision I could have made for myself. I remember a few years back when I was applying to colleges I read every Unigo review to help with my decision. In the end I don't remember why I chose Penn all I know is that I am so happy I did. I can honestly say that this campus has the perfect work/social life balance. If you like to work hard and play hard then this school is for you. There are always social events going on so it's easy to get distracted but if you learn how to prioritize you will end up having the time of your life here.

Mikayla

I love how diverse the University of Pennsylvania is. There is a lot of opportunities to do whatever it is you're into. But you have to know what that is, sometimes this can be daunting and for me personally it makes it really hard to find a solid group of friends at Penn. Then I realized I don't need a group of people who all know each other in order to have a group I just need to let my friends be my friends and surprisingly their overlaps have happened naturally.

Sejal

Although the tuition and workload are admittedly lofty, the academics and opportunities available at the University of Pennsylvania are unparalleled. I have always supported the belief that a professor can make or break the class. When a professor is passionate about what they are teaching, students are more likely to be engaged in lectures and perform better on exams. At Penn, such passionate professors are almost guaranteed. Being surrounded by the best and the brightest, I feel that I am being pushed to my limits in every way possible. In just one semester at Penn, I have grown intellectually, socially, and professionally. The rich diversity at Penn allows me to explore my options in and out of the classroom. With such a tremendous number of academic resources, I can explore my alternate interests, such as nutrition and economics, while staying on the pre-dental track and majoring in biology. With such a diverse student population, I can deepen my understanding of other religions, nationalities, and cultures. With such an extensive alumni network, I am confident that I will have stability in my prospective career path. In terms of extracurriculars, UPenn continues to impress. Greek life, the arts, and sports are major components of student life. Students are encouraged to step out of their comfort zones and try new things. For instance, I decided to audition for a dance team even though I am an incompetent dancer. As I completely embarrassed myself, I was humbled as I realized that I do not have to be the best at everything. It was an important life lesson that every Penn student learns early on. Located in the vibrant city of Philadelphia, UPenn students have countless opportunities to go to concerts, festivals, restaurants, museums, and other interesting places in the city. The campus, itself, is very vivacious and busy. Locust Walk, the main pathway through campus, is always swarming with students heading to class and tables set up with information on upcoming events. Overall, I am very satisfied with my experience at the University of Pennsylvania so far. It has been everything I expected and more. I look forward to the new opportunities that I have yet to encounter in the remainder of my undergraduate education.

University of Pennsylvania FAQS

  1. What is the Acceptance Rate at University of Pennsylvania?

    The fall 2020 acceptance rate for University of Pennsylvania is 9%. That means, out of _____ applications received in 2020 , _____ students were offered admission. The number of males who applied was _____ vs the number of females which was _____.

  2. What should every freshman at your school know before they start?

    It's all a game. You need to play to the best of your abilities and hope for the best. It may seem overwhelming now, but it WILL work out. No matter where you end up, you will still be able to be a successful adult and achieve your dreams. Just think of the bigger picture and relax. Work hard and try your best, but know that it WILL work out.

    Read all  170 answers
  3. Describe the students at your school.

    They are driven and dedicated, always attend class, participate in lecture, and succeed.

    Read all  73 answers
  4. Here's your chance: Say anything about your college!

    Compared to other schools I considered as well as my own upbringing, Penn's urban environment was unique. I had never lived in a large city before, and I did not take full advantage of the opportunities to get involved with the community outside of Penn as much as I had hoped to.

    Read all  39 answers
  5. What do you consider the worst thing about your school? Why?

    How judgemental people are about other peoples' social statuses. Most students here at least come from a priveleged background because the financial aid is not enough for most people. There is much emphasis on what people wear, and expensive trends here.

    Read all  38 answers
  6. What is your overall opinion of this school?

    we don't really call it "UPenn". Most people just say "Penn" the best thing about Penn is the location of the campus. When you walk down Locust Walk, you feel like you're part of a true college environment. The location is wonderful - you have access to a large city, yet the convenience of one unified campus; you have the opportunity to take classes in historic buildings, yet you can also take hands-on classes in the West Philadelphia community. I would change the weather. I hate slush. Also known as "wintry mix" (that awful wet snow that makes the streets brown and gross) I would also add more green space. Fortunately, though, we have close access to the Skuykill River park and Penn is adding a big park in the years to come. My school is just the right size. Large enough that I'm still meeting new people every day, but small enough that I run into people I know every time I enter a class or step outside. I spend most of my time in the Van Pelt library or in my apartment (Harrison high rise). Not a college town, but a college neighborhood within a big city. People's reaction to "I go to Penn"?: people everywhere - "Oh, Penn State?" people everywhere -"Where's that?" people from the south - "Why'd you go to school all the way in Pennsylvania?" (I'm from Georgia) people from philly- "Woahh...UPenn! (said in a way indicating that I'm probably stuck-up and elitist) I'm kind of scared of the administration. I want to know what they do with our ridiculous endowment. And I think they waste too much money on catering and tents for parties. The biggest controversy was last Halloween when Amy Gutmann hosted a halloween costume party and a kid came dressed as a terrorist and Amy Gutmann posed in a picture with him. But that got blown out of proportion. There is a decent amount of school pride. Or at least a strong desire to brand our school's name so that people know we aren't a public school, but rather an Ivy League institution. But we're pretty apathetic about athletics. I will always remember New Student Orientation (NSO) and Spring Fling. Most common complaints are about the dining hall food. But I think that most of the moaning is from whiny brats who think a normal meal is take-out from Stephen Starr restaurants.

    Read all  35 answers
  7. What are the academics like at your school?

    You have to make an effort to get professors to know your name. My favorite class was through the graduate school of government - Fels. It was called "Women Leaders and Emerging Democracies" and was taught by former Congresswoman Marjorie Margolies (her son is dating Chelsea Clinton). The class was very hands-on and we heard a lot of wonderful guest speakers. Students study a reasonable amount. In class participation is an important part of classes Some Penn students have intellectual conversations out of class. Others just gossip. And others just talk about summer internships and investment banks (cough cough, Wharton) Students are very competitive. Especially pre-meds and Wharton kids. Most unique class - Community Based Environmental Health. We learned about health risks and the developed a plan to fix an environmental health problem in West Philly. My major is Philosophy, Politics and Economics (PPE). It's an interdisciplinary major based off of the Oxford major by the same name. And Harvard has the same program but they call it Social Studies. It was Bill Clinton's major. I LOVE PPE. It teaches you liberal arts combined with practical real-life skills You have to make an effort to see professors outside class. The academic requirements are good, except there are too many science requirements (especially for non-science majors). Wharton is geared toward getting a job. The other schools are geared towards learning.

    Read all  34 answers
  8. What's unique about your campus?

    The College House system, the resources students have at their disposal, and the ability students have to run with what they love.

    Read all  32 answers
  9. What are the most popular student activities/groups?

    Penn's large size means that just about everyone finds a group of friends easily. Many people become close with the friends they make in the dorms during the first weeks of school Freshman year, and those who don't like their hall-mates will meet their social group through extra-curriculars and student clubs. The trick is that you have to seek these groups out, and be willing to spend time at Hillel, the Writer's House, the Newman Center, or whatever extra-curricular "second home" interests you. There are plenty of students at Penn who don't drink alcohol, but people who are offended by the thought or sight of people who drink might feel uncomfortable living on campus.

    Read all  32 answers
  10. What's the one thing you wish someone had told you about freshman year?

    how difficult the intro science classes are.

    Read all  31 answers
  11. What kind of person should not attend this school?

    Anyone who can't deal with distractions.

    Read all  30 answers
  12. What do you brag about most when you tell your friends about your school?

    I love my school, it's the best place I could've gone for me.

    Read all  29 answers
  13. What is the stereotype of students at your school?

    WIth Wharton most of the stereotypes are about how business-oriented the students are. Also that there are a lot of rich, jewish students. Also that Penn has a "work hard study hard" dynamic, and that we're the "party ivy."

    Read all  28 answers
  14. Is the stereotype of students at your school accurate?

    Patrially accurate, but with 10,000 undergrads there is room for every kind of person. I was part of a more intellectual group of performers and writers, and loved every minute.

    Read all  27 answers
  15. Describe how your school looks to someone who's never seen it.

    My school is unique and unconventional but at the same time very modern in its teaching and beliefs.

    Read all  26 answers
  16. What kind of person should attend this school?

    Someone who is hardworking and good at time management

    Read all  26 answers
  17. What's the most frustrating thing about your school?

    The University of Pennslvania doesn't have many flaws in their system. Other than the school system, the most frustrating thing about my school is probably the inconvenient hours of operation for the gym and the campus cafeteria. As an Ivy League school, I would have thought more students would be up late studying and when students are studying, in my own opinion, I would want to take a break and get a midnight snack or meal. Besides that, I think University of Pennsylvania is a great school.

    Read all  22 answers
  18. What is the stereotype of students at your school? Is this stereotype accurate?

    I'd say there are 4 different stereotypes of penn students, depending on which school you're in; Wharton, the College, Engineering, or Nursing. "Whartonites" are known as the cut-throat profit driven, win at all costs type of people. They're the ones setting the curves, going to office hours, and fighting for every last point on every exam. In the college of arts and sciences, we're more laid back, well rounded students. Often indecisive, and prone to complain about class, while staying up til 4 a.m. in van pelt to finish off the 15 page paper due tomorrow. Penn is known as the "social ivy", and students in the college have no problem living up to that name. It's not unusual to see students out at parties as early as thursday night. Engineering students pretty much don't exist outside of the engineering buildings. Their work ethic is different than Wharton students, in that it's not so competitive or money driven, as it is just genuine interest in learning the material, and passing with an A+. Consequently, between 7 class schedules and back to back to back all nighters, engineers pretty much stick to themselves. Nursing students are the soft, nice people who always say hi, and never seem to be too stressed about anything. They seem to live laid back lives, only ever complaining about 7 a.m. clinicals. While of course not every person in these respective schools is a member of these stereotypes, on the whole, they seem to be pretty accurate in capturing the personality of the schools. Thats perhaps why one of the first questions a penn student asks another penn student after first meeting is, "which school are you in?"

    Read all  17 answers
  19. Describe your favorite campus traditions.

    The Wharton School of Business

    Read all  14 answers
  20. Why did you decide to go to this school?

    There's two main reasons I decided to come to Penn 1) It's the best school that I got into 2) They gave me the most financial aid. Story time: I never thought I would end up coming to Penn. Actually, it wasn't my dream school and I only applied because it was a great school and it had all of my potential majors. To my surprise, I got in! I visited shortly after my acceptance and really liked the urban pre-professional feel it had. My final decision came down to Penn, Cornell, and Notre Dame, since they gave me the most financial aid.

    Read all  11 answers
  21. Describe the dorms.

    Dorms at Penn tend to vary--the Quad's three buildings are extremely popular for freshman, who find the Gothic architecture and social atmosphere to be perfect. Many freshman and upperclassman alike find themselves at home in some of the smaller dorms like Hill House and King's Court where a sense of community is usually strong. The high-rise dorms have more amenities and often are popular with sophomores, but usually do not have the same social atmosphere as the low-rise dorms. Penn also makes use of residential programs within houses that bring students of similar interests together, and are generally a positive experience for participants.

    Read all  5 answers

Student Body

Students

52%

female

48%

male

11,716

Total Undergrad Enrollment

13,244

Total Grad Students

67%

Out-Of-State

18%

In-State

15%

International

Organizations

350

Student Organizations

32

Fraternities

14

Sororities

Housing

Yes

On-Campus Housing

27%

of students living on campus

Student Diversity

% American Indian/Alaskan Native
N/A
% Asian/Pacific Islander
19%
% Black or African-American
7%
% Hispanic/Latino
10%
% White or Caucasian
44%

TUITION & AID

All students must apply yearly for financial aid. This process starts with the FAFSA. Though financial aid deadlines vary by school, it is a good idea to apply as soon as possible. For the upcoming school year, you can apply as early as October 1 for the FAFSA. Additional school aid will be dependent on the FAFSA results.

60% of students attending University of Pennsylvania receive some sort of financial aid. 14% were awarded federal grants. While 13% received federal loans. Many students do also need to apply for additional private student loans.

Cost Out of State

$51,464

Tuition and fees(Out of state)

$1,280

Books and Supplies

$14,536

Room and Board

67,280

Total On Campus

Actual Cost By Income Level(W/Financial Aid)

Family Income
Cost
$0 - $30K
$4,939
$30 - $48K
$5,263
$48 - $75K
$12,322
$75 - $110K
$20,398
$110K & UP
$37,370

We use student reviews and the most current publicly available data on our school pages. As such, we don't typically remove or edit college information. Sources for school statistics and data include the U.S. Department of Education's National Center for Education Statistics and the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System. Portions of college data include copyrighted material, which is reproduced on this website by permission of Wintergreen Orchard House, a division of Carnegie Communications. © 2009-2016 by Wintergreen Orchard House. All rights reserved.

FIND SCHOLARSHIPS

Find your perfect match from over 3 million scholarships!

START YOUR SEARCH

CAN YOU GET INTO University of Pennsylvania?

Complete your profile to see if this school is a fit for you, and what your chances of admitance are.

START YOUR SEARCH