Online Courses for High School Students

Penn Summer Online courses are a great way for high school students to pursue advanced academic study without setting foot on campus. Students choose from an exciting array of Penn undergraduate courses in subjects such as U.S. History, Calculus I and II, English Literature, and many more. High school students will be in the virtual classroom with undergraduate students from Penn and other top colleges and universities. Successful completion will lead to official academic credits, which may be applied towards an undergraduate degree.

Courses

Qualified students may enroll in one or two undergraduate courses per Summer Session*

*Summer 2011 courses are not yet finalized. Below please see Summer 2010 offerings as an example of potentail courses.

Summer Session I: May 23 – July 1

Summer Session II: July 5 – August 12

World Music and Cultures
MUSC 050 
Summer Session I  

Calculus, Part I
MATH 104
Summer Session I

Greek and Roman Mythology
CLST 200
Summer Session I

U.S. History to 1865
HIST 020
Summer Session II

Intro to Romanticism
ENGL 104
Summer Session II

African Music
MUSC 053
Summer Session II

Calculus, Part II
MATH 114
Summer Session II

German I
GRMN 101
Summer Session II

Course Selection

Students select their college credit courses in consultation with the academic director, though registration in a desired course is not guaranteed. Complete course descriptions, including prerequisites and meeting times will be available in February. Students must register, add, and drop courses through the Summer High School Programs office.

Penn college credit courses are offered in Penn Summer Sessions. Students earn one Penn course unit (1 CU, or the equivalent of 3 college credit hours) for each course taken. Students attend Penn undergraduate classes online with Penn College students, taught by Penn instructors and distinguished visiting faculty. Most classes have homework, research papers, midterms, and/or finals. College credit classes meet online 2 to 5 times weekly, Monday through Friday.

Grades

Students are evaluated by the same academic standards and procedures as undergraduate students. Completed college credit courses result in an official college grade. Upon completion of courses students may request official transcripts from Penn’s Office of the Registrar (fee based).

Application Deadlines

Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis through May 1, 2011. Admission decisions are posted to your online application account within one week of submitting the completed application (including our receipt of documents.) You will receive an email notice when your admissions decision is available.

How to Apply

Applications may only be submitted through our online application system. When applying please select the 'Penn Summer High School Program' from the list of available programs and the 'Online Courses Program' from the available concentrations. Please read all instructions below and then click the button to begin:

Apply Online

An application must contain all of the following in order to be considered complete:

1. Completed online application
2. Official (sealed) copy of high school transcripts
3. One letter of recommendation from a teacher or guidance counselor
4. Application essay and supplemental question (see below)
5. Standardized test scores: SAT, ACT, or PSAT scores
   **Note for international students: TOEFL (or TOEFL equivalent) scores are required for international applicants whose native language is not English. Students who attend an English-language high school may submit PSAT or SAT scores as a TOEFL substitute.**
6. Non-refundable application fee of $70.00. Payable online by credit card or check. (Make checks payable to the Trustees of the University of Pennsylvania and mail to the address below.)

Mailing Address:

Penn Summer High School Programs
University of Pennsylvania
3440 Market Street, Suite 100
Philadelphia, PA 19104-3335

Application Essays

Please respond to the following questions. Your essays should be 300-400 words, single-spaced, 12-point font. We value thoughtfulness and quality over quantity.  Please upload the essays to your online application.

1. Describe a significant person or event in your life and how this has affected your decision to study a specific topic in college or pursue a specific career later in life.
2. Please provide a list of all high school clubs, activities, sports teams, and service organizations that you have been or are currently participating in. List format is sufficient.

Tuition and Fees

Standard Penn Summer Sessions Undergraduate tuition and fees apply. In addition, an Online Technology Fee is assessed.

Questions

Should you have any further questions regarding the application process please contact Lauren More by email at hsprogs@sas.upenn.edu or by phone at 215-898-7326.