About

See what students say:

Academics

At the University of Pennsylvania, students share an intellectual curiosity and topnotch resources but don’t “buy into the stigma of being an Ivy League school.” Students here are “very passionate about what they do outside the classroom” and the “flexible core requirements.” The university is composed of four undergraduate schools (and “a library for pretty much any topic”). “You can take courses in any of the schools, including graduate-level courses.” Luckily, there’s a vast variety of disciplines available to students: “I can take a course in old Icelandic and even another one about the politics of food,” says a student. Wharton, Penn’s highly regarded, “highly competitive undergraduate business school” attracts “careeroriented” students who don’t mind a “strenuous course load.” There are “more than enough” resources, funding, and opportunity here for any student to take advantage of, and “Penn encourages students to truly take advantage of it all!” Professors can “sometimes seem to be caught up more in their research than their classes,” but all “are incredibly well-versed in their subject (as well as their audience).” If you’re willing to put in the time and effort, your professors “will be happy to reciprocate.” In general, the instructors here are “very challenging academically” and are “always willing to offer their more than relevant life experience in class discussion.”

Student Body

This “determined” bunch “is either focused on one specific interest, or very wellrounded.” Pretty much everyone “was an overachiever (’that kid’) in high school,” and some students “are off-the-charts brilliant,” making everyone here “sort of fascinated by everyone else.” Everyone has “a strong sense of personal style and his or her own credo,” but no group deviates too far from the more mainstream stereotypes. There’s a definite lack of “emos” and hippies. There’s “the careerdriven Wharton kid who will stab you in the back to get your interview slot” and “the nursing kid who’s practically nonexistent,” but on the whole, there’s tremendous school diversity, with “people from all over the world of all kinds of experiences of all perspectives.”

Campus Life

Penn students don’t mind getting into intellectual conversations during dinner— “Politics and religion come up often, but so does baseball, types of wine, and restaurants”—but some “partying is a much higher priority here than it is at other Ivy League schools.” “Campus is split between the downtown club scene and the frat/ bar scene, depending on your preference.” However, when it comes down to midterms and finals, “people get really serious and…buckle down and study.” There’s easy access to downtown Philadelphia, yet “still the comfortable feeling of having our own campus,” giving students plenty of access to restaurants (BYO restaurants in Philly are “a huge hit”), shopping, concerts, and sports games, as well as plain old “hanging out with hallmates playing Mario Kart.” “It’s the perfect mix between an urban setting a traditional college campus.” The school provides plenty of guest speakers, cultural events, clubs, and organizations for students to channel their energies (all of which “makes the campus feel smaller”), and seniors can even attend “Feb Club” in the month of February, which is essentially an event every night. The weekend buses to/from New York and D.C. “are always packed.” It’s a busy life at Penn, and “people are constantly trying to think about how they can balance getting good grades academically and their weekend plans.”

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Contact & Visit

Campus Visits Contact

Address
Admissions Office
1 College Hall
Philadelphia, PA 19104-6376

Phone
218-898-7507


Experience College Life

Most Popular Places On Campus
University of Pennsylvania Museum
Institute of Contemporary Art
Walnut Street shops and restuarants
Annenberg Center
Franklin Field

Most Popular Places Off Campus
Philadelphia Museum of Art
Independence Hall/Liberty Bell/Old City
National Constitution Center
Reading Terminal Market
Flyers, Phillies, Eagles

Campus Tours

Campus Visiting Center
Monday-Friday; Saturday
9am-5pm; 10am-2pm
218-898-7507

Campus Tours
Appointment Required: No
Dates: Year-round
Times: Varies
Average Length: Varies

On Campus Interview

Campus Interviews
No

Information Sessions
Available

Times
offer year round in conjunction with tou

Faculty and Coach Visits

Dates/Times Available
Year-round

Arrangements
Contact Admissions Office

Advance Notice
2 weeks

Class Visits

Dates/Times Available
Year-round

Arrangements
Contact Admissions Office

Overnight Dorm Stays

Overnight Dorm Stays
Available

Arrangements
Contact Admissions Office

Limitations
1 night only; Oct, Nov, Feb; Mon - Wed n

Transportation

Types of Transportation Available to Campus
Philadelphia International Airport is five miles from campus (see driving instructions below). Airport shuttle trains leave every half hour and stop at 30th St. Station, a 15-minute walk from campus. Amtrak train service is available to 30th St. Station in Philadelphia, which is a 15-minute walk or short taxi or bus ride from campus.

Driving Instructions to Campus
The Office of Undergraduate Admissions is located in 1 College Hall (between 34th/36th Streets and Walnut/Spruce Streets). As you enter campus at 34th and Walnut Streets, you will see the main thoroughfare, Locust Walk. Proceed southwest on Locust Walk and you will spot "The Button" to your right and a statue of Ben Franklin to your left. College Hall is the building to your left behind the statue of Ben Franklin. The Office of Undergraduate Admissions is located on the ground floor of College Hall. WALKING FROM 30th STREET STATION: Take a right (head west) onto Market Street. At 34th Street, turn left. Proceed down 34th Street to the intersection of 34th and Walnut Streets. Follow directions listed above to reach Undergraduate Admissions. Estimated walking time: 15 minutes. PARKING: There are several parking facilities located on or near campus, as well as metered street parking. Recommended garages and lots: 38th and Walnut Street; 34th and Chestnut Street; Penn Tower Hotel (34th and Civic Center Boulevard); Sheraton Hotel (36th and Chestnut Streets); South Street and Convention Avenue; 32nd and Walnut Street; 40th and Walnut Street. FROM THE NORTH VIA NJ TURNPIKE: Take the New Jersey Turnpike South. Use Exit 4. Bear right out of the toll and follow signs to Philadelphia and the Ben Franklin Bridge. After crossing the bridge, take I-676 West to I-76 East. Follow I-76 East to Exit 346A, a left lane exit marked South Street. Turn right onto South Street to enter campus. To find parking, turn right at the 2nd light onto 33rd Street. Take the first left onto Walnut Street and there will be a lot on the right at 38th and Walnut. FROM THE WEST VIA PA TURNPIKE: On the PA turnpike, use Exit 326, the Valley Forge Interchange. Take I-76 East for approximately 17 miles until Exit 346A, a left lane exit marked South Street. Turn right onto South Street to enter campus. To find parking, turn right at the 2nd light onto 33rd Street. Take the first left onto Walnut Street and there will be a lot on the right at 38th and Walnut. FROM THE NORTH VIA PA TURNPIKE: Follow signs for I-476. Follow I-476 South to the I-76/Philadelphia exit. Take I-76 East for approximately 12 miles to Exit 346A, a left lane exit marked South Street. Turn right onto South Street to enter campus. To find parking, turn right at the 2nd light onto 33rd Street. Take the first left onto Walnut Street and there will be a lot on the right at 38 th and Walnut. FROM THE NORTH VIA 95 SOUTH: Taking I-95 South, use the 676/Central Philadelphia Exit. Follow signs to I-676 West, and follow 676 West until 76 East. Follow I-76 East until Exit 346A, a left lane exit marked South Street. Turn right onto South Street to enter campus. To find parking, turn right at the 2nd light onto 33rd Street. Take the first left onto Walnut Street and there will be a lot on the right at 38th and Walnut. FROM THE SOUTH VIA 95 NORTH: Taking I-95 North, use the I-676/Central Philadelphia Exit which is approximately 7 miles north of the airport. Follow 676 West until I-76 East. Follow I-76 East until Exit 346A, a left lane exit marked South Street. Turn right onto South Street to enter campus. To find parking, turn right at the 2nd light onto 33rd Street. Take the first left onto Walnut Street and there will be a lot on the right at 38 th and Walnut. FROM THE AIRPORT: Take I-95 North to the I-676/Central Philadelphia exit, which is approximately 7 miles north of the airport. Follow I-676 West until I-76 East. Follow 76 East until exit 346A, a left lane exit marked South Street. Turn right onto South Street to enter campus. To find parking, turn right at the 2nd light onto 33rd Street. Take the first left onto Walnut Street and there will be a lot at 38th Street.

Local Accommodations
Sheraton-University City Hotel $129-159/night 36th and Chestnut Streets Philadelphia, PA 215-387-8000, 800-325-3535 www.sheraton.com/universitycity The Hilton Inn at Penn $149-169/night 3600 Sansom Street Philadelphia, PA 215-222-0200, 800-HILTONS www.theinnatpenn.com
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Admissions

Applicants: 44,491
Acceptance Rate: 8%
Average HS GPA: 3.90






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