Non-Traditional Graduate Studies through CGS

Application Deadlines

Summer: May 1
Fall: August 15
Spring: December 1

* All applications materials must be received in our office by the application deadline.

Application

Applications may only be submitted through our online application system. To begin a new online application, click here. An application must contain all of the following in order to be considered complete:

• Completed application form
• A professional resume
• Non-refundable application fee of $70.00 (Make checks payable to the Trustees of the University of Pennsylvania)
• Application essays
• Official transcripts from each post-secondary school attended, sent directly to CGS address at left
• TOEFL Score report, for applicants for whom English is not their primary language

Application Essays

Please respond to each of the following questions.  If you are submitting your essays online, please upload them together in one document. Number your essays clearly and begin each essay on a separate page. Responses should not exceed four pages in length for all the questions combined.

1. Have you ever been placed on probation, dismissed or suspended from any college or university for reasons pertaining to academic integrity? If yes, please include any facts that you believe bear on the significance of this circumstance.
2. Describe your educational history and background, making sure to address whether your records and transcripts accurately reflect your academic ability. Explain fully if you have ever withdrawn, taken a leave of absence, or been dropped by any school, college, or university.
3. Write a brief essay describing your academic and personal goals and explain how these will be furthered by study at Penn in general and at CGS in particular. Feel free to discuss a specific academic topic you have enjoyed studying and explain why it is of interest to you.
4. Describe any non-academic experiences that you feel strengthen your application such as employment, travel, community affairs, volunteer work, publications, etc.

Letters of Recommendation

Letters of Recommendations are not required. However, you may submit up to three letters of recommendation to support your application. These should be from individuals with whom you have had a close professional or academic association and who know of your desire to enroll in the College of General Studies. If you decide to submit letters of recommendation, you may ask your recommenders to complete their letters online or to submit hard copy letters of recommendation. To submit online recommendations, follow the instructions in the Recommendations section of the online application. If your recommendations will not be submitted online, please complete the CGS cover sheet for letters of recommendation, give it to your references, and have them complete and attach the form to their letter. You can download the form at www.sas.upenn.edu/CGS/downloads.

Standardized Test Scores

Standardized test scores are not required. However, you may opt to submit standardized test scores such as the GRE. Submit TOEFL scores if English is not your primary language.  Applicants who have completed post-secondary work in an institution where the instruction was in English do not have to submit TOEFL scores.  Use ETS institutional code 2986 when requesting test scores.