Most students enter the University Scholars program in their first year, shortly after committing to attend Penn. In this process, the Office of Undergraduate Admissions and UScholars staff collaborate to admit a cohort of 20-30 incoming first-year students to the program. These students come from diverse backgrounds, varying degrees of prior research experience, and interests across all the undergraduate schools' areas of study.
The program also facilitates an on-campus application process each Fall semester to admit a small number of second-year and third-year students. Students may apply only once while at Penn, and that one application cannot be revised and resubmitted.
University Scholars are unified by an innate curiosity, a passion for conducting and communicating research with others, and exploring the different ways of understanding the world. We particularly seek students who…
- …are naturally curious about the world around them;
- …wish to learn of different research processes and approaches outside of their immediate major(s) or area of expertise;
- …desire to participate in the exchange of ideas with professors and students in vastly different disciplines;
- …wish to embark on an independent, yet faculty mentor-supported, research project in their chosen area of expertise;
- …are willing to go beyond the bounds of normal coursework to engage with research;
- …demonstrate a commitment to building a community of scholars, the research process, and the different ways of knowing.
If you believe you match this criterion, please read below for further information on our application processes for both incoming first-year students and current Penn students.
Questions on the application processes? Please contact University Scholars Program Coordinator, Taryn Painter (tpainter@upenn.edu).
Application Steps
College of Arts & Science. To apply, indicate your interest in the University Scholars Program on the Matriculation Questionnaire. This questionnaire will be on your admissions portal after you confirm your intent to attend Penn, and you will have time to investigate each program before responding. An automated email will be sent with instructions on applying to your selected program(s) of interest. The UScholars application consists of several short-response questions that will elucidate your research interests, desire to join our program, and what you expect to gain and contribute to our community.
Wharton, Nursing, and Engineering.The Admissions office will screen your on-campus application to the University, and you will be invited to apply into to the program after you confirm your intent to enroll at Penn. The UScholars application consists of several short-response questions that will elucidate your research interests, desire to join our program, and what you expect to gain and contribute to our community.
Timeline
- Early Spring: application opens to all incoming students; students are granted access to the program’s application after confirming their intent to attend the University.
- Early May: application portal closes to all students.
- Late May to Early June: all students receive a notification regarding their admission to the UScholars program.
- Mid-to-Late June: deadline to accept or decline offer of admission to UScholars.
A Note on Participation in Similar Programs
UScholars serves as a student's primary co-curricular program, an academic activity that augments a student's intellectual trajectory, but does not yield credit or fulfill a requirement as a curricular (or course for credit) commitment. As such, UScholars may not participate in programs with similar academic commitments (e.g., Vagelos Molecular Life Science, VIPER).
If you received an offer of admission from University Scholars, accept or decline your offer by the requested deadline.
You will receive additional instructions from the UScholars Program Coordinator on items to complete by early-to-mid July.
Introduction
Current second- and third-year applicants must demonstrate…
- …that they are pursuing an their own original and independent research question, carefully explicating how they generated their question and the extent of independence they have/will exercise while conducting research;
- …a commitment to the program's mission, including interest in communicating and collaborating within and across their area of study.
Second-year applicants must have a well-formed research question and an idea of how to answer that question–a methodology. While second-years are not required to have a faculty mentor at the time of application, they should have a brief list of 1-2potential Penn faculty memberswho would serve as their mentor. Please see our Program Requirements page for more information on Penn faculty mentors.
Third-year applicants must already be conducting their own original, independent research under the guidance of a research mentor from a Penn faculty mentor. Please see our Program Requirements page for more information on Penn faculty mentors.
Application Steps
Current Penn students interested in the University Scholars program may apply via the link below. Please read the application instructions carefully, consult your faculty mentor, and craft your materials accordingly.
Application Components
- Application form
- Personal statement (500 word maximum)
- Research proposal
- Resume/CV
- Unofficial Penn transcript
- Two (2) letters of recommendation
Timeline
- September 1: Application opens for all students
- November 1: Application closes for all students
- December 1: Interviews for select applicants commence
- By winter break: Notifications for all students delivered
APPLY HERE
A Note on Participation in Similar Programs
UScholars serves as a student's primary co-curricular program, an academic activity that augments a student's intellectual trajectory, but does not yield credit or fulfill a requirement as a curricular commitment. As such, UScholars may not participate in programs with similar academic commitments (e.g., Vagelos Molecular Life Science, VIPER).