Graduate Admissions
- Information About Graduate Education Programs
- Application Procedure
- Application Forms
- International Applicants
- Admissions FAQs
Thank you for your interest in the Graduate Division of the School of Arts and Sciences at the University of Pennsylvania. The application system for Fall 2009 will open on October 1st. Please visit the following website to begin your application at that time.
Apply Here
Fall 2009 Application deadline* ~ December 15, 2008
(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 via 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 15th
Be advised that although applications for the fall semester can be received until July 15, admissions decisions for the PhD degree are made in the Spring. Applicants should contact their graduate groups for further information.
The Professional Masters degree programs such as the FELS School of Government and Organizational Dynamics have rolling admissions and accept applications year round. If there are any questions, you should contact the graduate group directly. If you visit the Program section of this website, you will have access to all department web pages.
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. 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.
The Graduate Division has introduced a new on-line application system. This application is easy to use and has many benefits. You may access your application to update or change your information 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 2009 is $70.00.
Listed below are the options for utilizing either paper or electronic applications for the graduate groups in this school. We no longer mail a paper version. We strongly recommend that you link in to the application only after viewing the information made available by your specific graduate group.
- Electronic On-line Application
- Regular Paper Application Download (Must download Adobe Acrobat to be able to print documents)
- Please note that the Psychology Program requests that all materials arrive in electronic format only.
If you are applying from abroad, certain special instructions apply to you.
- International students must send an international postal money order as payment of the application fee. American Express, Discover, Mastercard and Visa are also accepted.
- International applicants whose native language is not English must submit proof of English proficiency (TOEFL). Please visit the following site for test locations and dates in your country.
- 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 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.
How do I get a printed copy of the Graduate Catalogue?
We no longer print a paper copy of the catalog. The on-line version of the Graduate Catalog is updated frequently and is more current than the printed version.
What are the dates for admissions deadlines?
Few graduate groups accept applications until July 15, 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.
Professional Masters degree programs such as FELS School of Government and Organizational Dynamics have rolling admissions and will accept applications all year.
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. American Express, 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.