Graduate Admissions

• Information About Graduate Education Programs
• Application Procedure
• Application Forms
• International Applicants
• Admissions FAQs

Fall 2005 Application deadline ~ December 15, 2004 (Fellowship and Scholarship consideration)*

For Information About Graduate Education at the University of Pennsylvania

While the Office of the Graduate Division serves as the processing center for all graduate admission applications to the School of Arts and Sciences, the best sources of information about our graduate programs are the Graduate Catalogue and the graduate groups themselves. Information about Non-Traditional Graduate Studies Programs can be obtained from the Office of the College of General Studies. A good source for information about graduate student life in general is the Graduate Student Center.

Application Procedure

Prospective graduate students begin the application process by getting in touch with the specific graduate group. Each graduate group supplies the latest information on programs and application procedures, either vi a the web or by mail. It is recommended that you find information specific to the program in which you intend to study, as you may apply to only one program per entrance year.

*Consult the Admissions Calendar for important fellowship and admissions deadlines. Anyone interested in competing for fellowships must have a complete application on file by December 15. (Note New Date)

Be advised that although applicat ions for the fall semester can be received until July 15, most admissions decisions are made earlier. Applicants should contact their graduate groups for further information.

All applications for admission are submitted to the Office of the Graduate Division of the School of Arts and Sciences Office for processing. Applicants are responsible for submitting complete applications, including duplicate copies of transcripts (two originals) and recommendations (photocopies are acceptable). It is important that applicants continue to check on the status of their applications until all supporting materials have been received. After an application is complete, the original application remains on file in the Graduate Division Office at 3401 Walnut Street, Suite 322A; the copy is forwarded to the appropriate graduate group.

Admission decisions are made by individual graduate groups. The official acceptance letter is generated by the Office of the Graduate Division of Arts and Sciences, although students may also receive a separate letter from the chair of the graduate group.

Application Forms

The University has introduced the Penn ExpressApp, a Web-based Electronic Application. This application is being accepted by many of Penn's Graduate Schools and will eventually replace the paper version. The advantages to using this application are numerous. You may access your application any number of times until you submit the application to us. Once your application has been submitted, you will be able to check its status and note the receipt of supporting documentation. Applicants can avoid costly long-distance calls. The application fee for Fall 2005 is $70.00.

Listed below are the options for utilizing either paper or electronic applications for the graduate groups in this school. We strongly recommend that you link in to the application only after viewing the information made available by your specific graduate group.

• Penn ExpressApp (Electronic Application Only)
• Regular Paper Application Download (Must download Adobe Acrobat to be able to print documents)

International Applicants

If you are applying from abroad, certain special instructions apply to you.

• Applicants from outside the United States should know that if they request materials from the Graduate Division of Arts and Sciences Office, these materials will be sent out within one or two days. Please contact the Graduate Arts and Sciences Office if any expected mail from this office does not arrive in a reasonable amount of time.

• International students must send an international postal money order as payment of the application fee. Discover, Mastercard and Visa are also accepted.

• The Office of the Graduate Division of the School of Arts and Sciences will provide immigration forms for the necessary visas after acceptance; students who have been accepted for admission need to contact the office if they do not receive these forms.

• Upon application for admission, your name will be forwarded to the University's Office of International Programs in order that they can provide you with other information relevant to foreign students.

• A helpful site to visit during your application process is EducationUSA. This website provides information and a list of advising centers in your country that can help you begin your graduate studies in the United States.

Admissions FAQs

How do I get a printed copy of the Graduate Catalogue?

The on-line version of the Graduate Catalog is updated frequently and is more current than the printed version. If you would like a printed version of the graduate catalog mailed to you, there are costs associated. All requests for a printed catalog must be accompanied by a check drawn on an American bank or international postal money order made out to Trustees of the University of Pennsylvania for the amount below:

Please send this request and payment to:

How long does it take to receive application materials?

Admissions applications and related materials are usually mailed the same day the request is received. If you do not receive the materials in a reasonable amount of time, please get in touch with the Graduate Division Office.

What are the dates for admissions deadlines?

Some graduate groups accept applications until July 15, but since most departments make admission decisions earlier, applicants are advised to apply by the December 15th deadline for consideration. Contact the specific graduate group for further information on the admissions process in that group.

Where should GRE, TSE and TOEFL scores be sent?

These scores are to be sent to the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences Office. The school code is 2926; please be sure to include the department code as well if it is available.

I am applying from abroad--what form of payment should I use for my application fee?

In payment of the application fee, applicants should send an international postal money order for the required amount. Checks drawn on a foreign bank will be returned and the processing of the application will be delayed. Discover, Mastercard and Visa are also accepted. See Certification page for further details.

I am not a United States citizen--how do I get a visa?

Upon your admission, the Office of the Graduate Division of the School of Arts and Sciences will send you the proper documents for obtaining visas; if you do not receive these forms, please contact this office.

Where can I access the Campus Safety and Security brochure?

To review the University's most recent annual report containing this information, please go to Almanac You may request a paper copy of the report by calling the Division of Public Safety at 215.898.4482.