It’s normal for high school students to feel nervous about college. Because of this, pre-college programs can help give students a taste of college life to reduce some of the tension. These programs, such as the University of Pennsylvania programs for high school students, often require living in the dorms and taking college courses on campus.
This article focuses on the University of Pennsylvania pre-college programs to help prep students for life in college. It also offers top programs, costs, descriptions, and more so that future college students can get an early leg up on the competition. These programs can help students know what a real college environment is like so they have a little more background for the essays in their college applications.
Why High School Students Should Attend a University of Pennsylvania Program
High school students should attend a University of Pennsylvania program to jump-start their college education, forge intellectual connections, earn college credit, and get an introduction to college by studying and living on a historic campus. Penn summer programs offer all of this plus an Ivy League curriculum for current 10th-11th grade students no matter which field of study they choose.
High School Student Requirements for the University of Pennsylvania Program
To qualify, students need a minimum GPA of 3.3, intellectual depth, and technical skills. Some programs might require a letter of interest. Pre-collegiate students with extracurricular interests are encouraged to apply before the application deadline. University of Pennsylvania programs are open to high school juniors (11th grade) and high school seniors (12th grade).
Can High School Students Attend a University of Pennsylvania Program Online?
For the most part, the Penn summer high school programs take place in person. There is one online program, but most prospective students are told that they are required to be on campus for the duration of the non-credit, immersive study. This ambitious program is open to both domestic students and international students.
How High School Students Can Get Into a University of Pennsylvania Program
- Complete the online application. The first step to getting into a University of Pennsylvania program is to complete an online application form. Students need only fill out the form for the program they are interested in and submit it.
- Submit an application essay. Students are required to write an essay to show why they should be admitted into the program. The essay should be placed in a single document and be properly structured. The ideal length should not exceed 400 words. This can be considered practice for the essay section of college applications.
- Upload a high school transcript. Students will also be required to submit their school transcript containing a full year of their academic grades. However, if this is not available, the student can upload their mid-term or interim report card.
- Letters of recommendation. At least one letter of recommendation is needed for admission into the program. Students have the option to submit the letter via email or mail it physically to the office.
- Pay a non-refundable application fee of $75. This university also requires a fee to apply. However, there may be an application fee waiver for students who attend public schools in the Philadelphia School District.
University of Pennsylvania Academies
Penn Law School Pre-College Academy
This academy lasts for three weeks and is an intensive introduction to the legal system for high schoolers. These students learn basic law concepts of the United States legal system as well as specialized fields of law and similar information found in the school’s undergraduate courses. This program covers environmental law, entrepreneurship law, human rights, privacy, intellectual property law, and immigration law.
Popular Pre-College Programs
- Pre-College Law
Summer Academies
There’s also a long list of Penn summer academies for high schoolers. These programs last for three weeks and consist of scientific and social topics in college-level courses. Students who enroll enjoy the comprehensive learning experience and use high-tech tools and resources to get a full pre-collegiate experience.
Popular Pre-College Programs
- Mathematics Academy
- Neuroscience Research Academy
- Social Justice Research Academy
Popular University of Pennsylvania Programs for High School Students
| Program | Cost | Location | Duration |
| American Sign Language and Deaf Culture Academy | $5,500 | Online | 3 weeks |
| Biomedical Research Academy | $9,700 | University of Pennsylvania campus | 3 weeks |
| Chemistry Research Academy | $9,700 | University of Pennsylvania campus | 3 weeks |
| Experimental Physics Research Academy | $9,700 | University of Pennsylvania campus | 3 weeks |
| Global Culture and Communication Academy | $9,700 | University of Pennsylvania campus | 3 weeks |
| Mathematics Academy | $9,700 | University of Pennsylvania campus | 3 weeks |
| Neuroscience Research Academy | $9,700 | University of Pennsylvania campus | 3 weeks |
| Social Justice Research Academy | $9,700 | University of Pennsylvania campus | 3 weeks |
The Best University of Pennsylvania Pre-College Programs
American Sign Language and Deaf Culture Academy
- Discipline: Communication sciences
- Learning Method: Online
Students in these virtual sessions learn narrative skills as well as basic conversation in ASL. The environment is immersive to help students learn with ease and also features weekly seminars that discuss the perspectives and experiences of members of the deaf community. Academic experience is obtained from publications, deaf community professionals, and lectures. Penn State’s online courses offer the same exciting learning opportunities as the on-campus courses.
Biomedical Research Academy
- Discipline: Biology
- Learning Method: In-person
This program introduces students to genetic biology, cellular and molecular biology, and their relevance to diseases. Students take part in daily lectures and learn about the fundamentals of biomedical research. This science program also allows students to engage in laboratory experiments, faculty research talks, and group learning. It is held in person only.
Chemistry Research Academy
- Discipline: Chemistry
- Learning Method: In-person
This program provides a basic understanding of chemistry research. Students learn from lectures, research students, and professors in the department. The program includes hands-on experience in the lab, where students will learn to optimize authentic methods with experimentation and analytical techniques such as gas chromatography and spectroscopy. It’s best if you have some experience in high school chemistry before joining this program.
Experimental Physics Research Academy
- Discipline: Physics
- Learning Method: In-person
This program teaches physics, quantum dynamics, mechanics, electromagnetism, and astrophysics. Students take part in activities, lectures, discussions, and projects to gain a thorough understanding of equations that allow them to appreciate physics better. The program offers a hands-on experience in science and is only offered in person.
Global Culture and Communication Academy
- Discipline: Social sciences
- Learning Method: In-person
This Penn summer program is for students who want to pursue culture and language-related courses in college. This is a non-credit summer program that introduces students to the complex and intricate relationship between culture, language, and communicative practices. Penn State is proud of the cultural engagement opportunities found in its summer courses.
Students will also learn about the roles of humans in the globalized world today. The main focus of this educational experience is culture and communication. Students will master key ideas for nuanced reflections, practices, and strategies associated with behaviors and skills of the 21st-century global citizen.
Mathematics Academy
- Discipline: Mathematics
- Learning Method: In-person
This Penn summer mathematics program is for students who want to learn mathematical concepts on a more complex level than is offered in high school. Some topics covered in this college prep program include combinatorial game theory, graph theory, probability, generating partitions and functions, discrete mathematics, and combinatorics.
The program is a blend of demonstrations, lectures, problem sessions, and exploratory research. The Mathematics Academy is an academic opportunity that takes place on campus only and does not offer an online equivalent.
Neuroscience Research Academy
- Discipline: Biology
- Learning Method: In-person
This neuroscience program focuses on the brain’s biological foundations. Students will learn about the cellular foundations of neurons, sensory systems, and other cognitive functions like morality, emotion, and memory. This program also introduces the students to cool concepts in medicine and research and how they relate to understanding diseases and health.
Social Justice Research Academy
- Discipline: Sociology
- Learning Method: In-person
The social justice research program is an in-person civic education course, and students are responsible for any travel fees incurred in getting to the Philadelphia campus. This program aims to bring students together from different parts of the world to consider the past, present, and future of social justice.
Students who want to pursue a degree or career in social justice, or high schoolers with an interest in humanities, social sciences, and arts should apply. Most of this academy’s topics focus on suffrage, slavery and abolition, the American Revolution, civil rights, labor, immigration, climate change, and asylum policies.
Next Steps After Your University of Pennsylvania Program for High School Students
Completing a University of Pennsylvania program for high school students is an excellent college preparatory step. The program offers opportunities for students and their peers to have an engaging college experience and choose a suitable discipline and path of study that fits their skills and preferences. Also, they will get a feel for what topics in college are like.
University of Pennsylvania Programs for High School Students FAQ
The tuition cost for the university of Pennsylvania pre-college programs ranges from $5,500 to $9,700, depending on the program, for these three-week experiences. Students may also need to spend some money on transportation to the in-person classes, as well as on any additional course materials.
The university only offers one online pre-college program, and all the other school programs require in-person learning. Students reside on campus during these programs and take part in group learning and laboratory practicals for a fully immersive experience that has an energy that trumps most virtual sessions.
Pre-college programs help ease some tension and fear of the unknown that comes with enrolling in a college or university for the first time. Students learn a lot from a new perspective and determine if their chosen discipline is suitable. They also get a chance to network with students around the state and even the world. Students will learn more about how a college community works and will have a heads-up on the college requirements they’ll need to showcase when trying to impress college admissions officers.
Yes, the University of Pennsylvania pre-college programs are worth it for most high schoolers. They offer a wide range of programs for disciplines including humanities, social sciences, and STEM. While they might be a bit pricey, the programs offer an application fee waiver for eligible students from public high schools in the region.
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