University of Pennsylvania Review
The University of Pennsylvania has its main campus in Philadelphia, the largest city in the state, as well as several additional campuses in Pennsylvania. Undergraduate, graduate and continuing education students can choose from a number of programs offered through the university's 12 academic schools.
University of Pennsylvania Overview
University of Pennsylvania (Penn), established in 1740, is the fourth-oldest higher education institution in the country. Classified as a research university, Penn is a founding member of the Association of American Universities. The student enrollment is over 19,000, making Penn one of the largest universities in the country. U.S. News and World Report ranked the university fourth among the best undergraduate colleges and universities during its 2010 college review.
The university's undergraduate, graduate and professional degree programs are consistently top-ranked by U.S. News and World Report, Times Higher Education, Forbes and the National Research Council. The University of Pennsylvania is home to the country's oldest psychology department and the world's first academic school of business. In addition to the main campus, Penn also has research, educational, biomedical and health-care facilities in Philadelphia, Kennett Square and other the Pennsylvania locations.
Admissions and Enrollment Overview
Admissions requirements are specific to each academic college at Penn, but applicants typically need to complete prerequisite courses and a personal statement. Applicants must also take either the ACT with Writing test or the SAT Reasoning Test, with two SAT Subject Tests; Penn does not require minimum test scores for admissions. Early or regular decision options are available for freshmen, transfer and international applicants.
Campus Facilities and Learning Environment
The University of Pennsylvania Library system has 15 libraries, with over five million serial volumes and books and 44,000 e-journals and print magazines. Students can access additional resources through the e-resources section on the website or from other university libraries using BorrowDirect+. The University of Pennsylvania Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology and the Institute of Contemporary Art both offer showcases and art exhibitions throughout the year.
Penn has 165 research centers and institutes and over 4,500 faculty and postdoctoral fellows; the student-faculty ratio at Penn is 6:1. The West Philadelphia, New Bolton Center and Morris Arboretum campuses have almost 300 buildings. Undergraduate, graduate and professional students are encouraged to participate in Penn's study abroad program, which offers semester or year-long opportunities in over 60 countries.
Schools and Colleges at the University of Pennsylvania
- School of Arts and Sciences
- School of Engineering and Applied Science
- School of Nursing
- Wharton School
- Annenberg School for Communication
- School of Social Policy and Practice
- Law School
- School of Design
- School of Medicine
- School of Dental Medicine
- School of Veterinary Medicine
- Graduate School of Education
Contact Information
- Address: 3451 Walnut Street, Philadelphia, PA 19104
- Phone Number: (215) 898-5000