Application Information

Summer 2024 applications are closed.

The applications for summer 2025 will open in late fall 2024. Please sign up to receive more information.

See the deadline to submit for each program below. For our high school summer programs, an online application and a non-refundable fee of $75 are required.

Application deadlines: Summer Academies, Penn Summer Prep, and Pre-College Programs

December 1 Summer program applications open
January 31 Deadline to apply to Pre-College Programs
February 15 Deadline to apply to Summer Academies
February 15 Deadline to apply to Penn Summer Prep Program
April 1 - April 15 Application Decision Release Window

Use this video to help you complete an application for enrollment:

Admissions overview

Applications may only be submitted through our online application system. Please note that this system is utilized for undergraduate, graduate, and continuing education programs in addition to summer high school programs; the language in our application system may reference other programs.

A successful applicant should have:

  • Minimum 3.3 high school GPA
  • Writing that shows both technical skill and intellectual depth
  • Strong recommendations
  • A variety of extracurricular interests

Application checklists

  • Completed online application: All submitted materials such as a transcript should clearly display the applicant’s name.
  • Application essays: Include all essays in a single document, clearly numbered. Individual essays should not exceed 400 words.
    1. Describe your academic and personal goals and how these may be further achieved by studying at Penn during the summer. Feel free to discuss the particular program to which you are applying as well as other aspects of studying at Penn during the summer.
    2. Select a few of your non-academic or extracurricular experiences and explain how these activities supplement your academic and personal growth.
    3. Non-native English speakers only: Describe your English educational background and experience.
  • High school transcripts (official or unofficial transcripts are accepted): Upload a copy of high school transcripts into the online application. The transcript must include one full academic year of grades (two semesters or four marking periods). If your transcript does not include one year of grades, you must upload a mid-term or interim report card, or middle or junior high school transcripts in addition. Pass/Fail grades are acceptable; however, we may request additional documentation for the Admissions Committee review. If you choose to email a copy of your transcripts to lps-admissions@sas.upenn.edu, please upload a document into the application system stating your materials have been sent by email.
  • One letter of recommendation: This letter may be submitted electronically through the application system (preferred) or emailed to admissions at lps-admissions@sas.upenn.edu. For electronic submissions through the application system, enter the name and email address of the recommendation providers into the system and our admissions team will reach out to them about providing the recommendation once your application has been officially submitted. Letters of recommendation must be no more than one year old by the date of submission and must reference the specific program that the applicant is applying to. The letter of recommendation should be written on the official letterhead of the recommender’s organization or institution.
  • Non-native English speakers: Test scores verifying English proficiency—TOEFL, IELTS, SAT, PSAT,  ACT or Duolingo English Test (DET)—are accepted (waived if the applicant attends English-medium school).
  • Standardized test scores are not required for application.
  • Non-refundable application fee of $75, payable online with a credit card (see below for information about waiving this requirement).
  • Completed online application: All submitted materials such as a transcript should clearly display the applicant’s name.
  • Application essays: Include all essays in a single document, clearly numbered. Individual essays should not exceed 400 words.
    1. Describe your academic and personal goals and how these may be further achieved by studying at Penn during the summer. Feel free to discuss the particular program to which you are applying as well as other aspects of studying at Penn during the summer.
    2. Select a few of your non-academic or extracurricular experiences and explain how these activities supplement your academic and personal growth.
    3. Non-native English speakers only: Describe your English educational background and experience.
  • High school transcripts (official or unofficial transcripts are accepted): Upload a copy of high school transcripts into the online application. The transcript must include one full academic year of grades (two semesters or four marking periods). If your transcript does not include one year of grades, you must upload a mid-term or interim report card, or middle or junior high school transcripts in addition. Pass/Fail grades are acceptable; however, we may request additional documentation for the Admissions Committee review. If you choose to email a copy of your transcripts to lps-admissions@sas.upenn.edu, please upload a document into the application system stating your materials have been sent by email.
  • One letter of recommendation: This letter may be submitted electronically through the application system (preferred) or emailed to admissions at lps-admissions@sas.upenn.edu. For electronic submissions through the application system, enter the name and email address of the recommendation providers into the system and our admissions team will reach out to them about providing the recommendation once your application has been officially submitted. Letters of recommendation must be no more than one year old by the date of submission and must reference the specific program that the applicant is applying to. The letter of recommendation should be written on the official letterhead of the recommender’s organization or institution.
  • Non-native English speakers: Test scores verifying English proficiency–TOEFL, IELTS, SAT, PSAT,  ACT, or Duolingo English Test (DET)—are accepted (see below for information about waiving this requirement).
  • Standardized test scores are not required for application.
  • Non-refundable application fee of $75, payable online with a credit card (see below for information about waiving this requirement).
  • Supplemental essays: The Global Culture and Media and the American Sign Language & Deaf Culture Academies have supplemental questions in addition to those above. These must also be included at the bottom of your single document and should not exceed 400 words per question.
    • Global Culture and Media Academy
      1. Have you traveled outside your home country? If yes, where, when and for how long?
      2. Where do you see culture in your life?
      3. What does culture mean to you?
    • American Sign Language & Deaf Culture Academy: Why are you interested in attending the ASL & Deaf Culture Academy, and what skills are you hoping to learn by participating in the academy?
  • Completed online application: All submitted materials such as a transcript should clearly display the applicant’s name.
  • Application essays: Include all essays in a single document, clearly numbered. Individual essays should not exceed 400 words.
    1. Describe your academic and personal goals and how these may be further achieved by studying at Penn during the summer. Feel free to discuss the particular program to which you are applying as well as other aspects of studying at Penn during the summer.
    2. Select a few of your non-academic or extracurricular experiences and explain how these activities supplement your academic and personal growth.
    3. Non-native English speakers only: Describe your English educational background and experience.
  • High school transcripts (official or unofficial transcripts are accepted): Upload a copy of high school transcripts into the online application. The transcript must include one full academic year of grades (two semesters or four marking periods). If your transcript does not include one year of grades, you must upload a mid-term or interim report card, or middle or junior high school transcripts in addition. Pass/Fail grades are acceptable; however, we may request additional documentation for the Admissions Committee review. If you choose to email a copy of your transcripts to lps-admissions@sas.upenn.edu, please upload a document into the application system stating your materials have been sent by email.
  • One letter of recommendation: This letter may be submitted electronically through the application system (preferred) or emailed to admissions at lps-admissions@sas.upenn.edu. For electronic submissions through the application system, enter the name and email address of the recommendation providers into the system and our admissions team will reach out to them about providing the recommendation once your application has been officially submitted. Letters of recommendation must be no more than one year old by the date of submission and must reference the specific program that the applicant is applying to. The letter of recommendation should be written on the official letterhead of the recommender’s organization or institution.
  • Non-native English speakers: Test scores verifying English proficiency–TOEFL, IELTS, SAT, PSAT,  ACT, Duolingo English Test (DET)—are accepted (see below for information about waiving this requirement).
  • Standardized test scores are not required for application but are highly encouraged. To submit your test scores with your application, upload a copy of your PSAT, SAT, or ACT test scores report directly through the application system or email them to lps-admissions@sas.upenn.edu as attachments. Be sure all scores clearly show your first and last name.
  • Non-refundable application fee of $75, payable online with a credit card (see below for information about waiving this requirement).

Submissions

Applications may only be submitted through our online application system. Additional materials (such as transcripts) can be submitted by email to lps-admissions@sas.upenn.edu. Be sure to include the first and last name that you applied with when you are submitting application materials.

English proficiency test scores

Non-native English speakers must submit a test score to verify English language proficiency unless they attend an English-medium school, in which case this requirement is waived. For the Pre-College Programs, a student must attend an English-medium school for 2+ years by the time of enrollment for the requirement to be waived.

If scores are required, a TOEFL, IELTS, Duolingo English Test (DET), PSAT, SAT, or ACT score is accepted. Copies of score reports may be uploaded to the application system or emailed to lps-admissions@sas.upenn.edu as attachments. The minimum TOEFL scores required for admissions consideration are 100 (iBT), 250 (CBT), or 600 (PBT). The IELTS score required for admissions consideration is a 7. The minimum Duolingo English Test (DET) score required for admission is 130. 

At-home TOEFL test scores are accepted through the 2023-2024 admissions year. Please visit the specific standardized testing websites for exam options in your home country.

Application fee waiver

Any applicant from the School District of Philadelphia who attends a public or charter school or one of the following organizations is eligible for an application fee waiver. Applicants indicating that they are from the School District of Philadelphia will automatically have the application fee waived.

Applicants from one of the eligible organizations below will need to secure a fee waiver code. To do so, please email us at lps@sas.upenn.edu (to the attention of Mary Bustamante) before submitting your application. Include your full name, the program to which you are applying, and the name of your sponsoring organization.

Eligible organizations include:

  • Achievement First
  • Amerigo Education
  • Minds Matter
  • Philadelphia Futures
  • Schuler Scholars Foundation

If your organization would like to have a conversation about initiating a partnership with our office, please email hsprogs@sas.upenn.edu to set up an informational meeting.

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