Show all

1 +

Pre-College Summer Programs at University of Pennsylvania

Visit website

Competitiveness: 3/5

Requirements

Unofficial Transcript

Resume

Online Application From

Application Fee

Jan 01 - Jan 01

Application is open on rolling basis

Need Help?

Learn more about the application process in the Blog or by scheduling a free consultation with the Summer Program adviser

Pre-College Summer Programs at University of Pennsylvania

Visit website

Key Facts

Ready for a first-rate summer experience at America’s first university? Founded by Benjamin Franklin in 1740, Penn offers an authentic Ivy League experience in the heart of Philadelphia for academically gifted high school students. Penn flourishes in and is enriched by a vibrant urban ecosystem steeped in history and brimming with arts, culture, and innovation. Explore America’s history in Philly’s urban setting and feel the pulse of arts, culture, and innovation.

Engage with leading faculty and build intellectual connections while taking challenging courses selected from a variety of disciplines. Penn is widely known for its expertise in medicine, business, and law, and students can immerse themselves in science, research, social justice, and mathematics classes.

Interest Areas:

Arts, Architecture, Design

Biology & Medicine

Economics & Finance

Engineering

Entrepreneurship & Business

Journalism, Media, Communication

Law, Government, Politics

Math/Statistics

Performing Arts (Music, Film, Theater)

Pre-college

Research

STEM

Technology & Innovation

Grade:

Grade 9

Grade 10

Grade 11

Other features:

Residential

Commuter

Program Details

Social Justice Research Academy

The Social Justice Research Academy brings students together with Penn instructors to examine the historical importance and the contemporary relevance of struggles to overcome inequality and injustice. Topics vary from year to year, but include a selection of significant historical struggles (such as the American Revolution, slavery and abolition, suffrage, civil rights and affirmative action) as well as those that define our present (for example: environmentalism, affordable housing, immigration, LGBTQ rights, Black Lives Matter, and #MeToo). As they explore the characteristics of effective community leadership and successful movement-building, students develop leadership skills as well as research and analytical skills.

This academy has been designed for students who are interested in: society, economy, politics, and environment doing research supplemented by photography, video, music, art, or digital design developing skills for leadership and organizational development doing projects related to freedom, justice, equality, sustainability, peace, and fairness Program Director: R. Scott Hanson R. Scott Hanson is a lecturer in the Department of History at the University of Pennsylvania, where he teaches courses in American history on a range of topics. He earned his PhD from the University of Chicago in 2002 and has been at Penn since 2012. Dr. Hanson is also an affiliate of the Pluralism Project at Harvard University and the author of City of Gods: Religious Freedom, Immigration, and Pluralism in Flushing, Queens (New York: Fordham University Press, 2016).

Biomedical Research Academy

Taught by members of Penn's Department of Biology and other regional biology teachers, the goal of this program is to introduce you to the experimental basis of biology, including relevance to disease. The focus of the program will be on how we know what we know. Daily morning lectures and discussions on the cellular, molecular and genetic aspects of biology will be followed on some days by guest lectures from scientists and clinicians from Penn’s Department of Biology and from the Penn Medical School. Afternoons will be spent in the laboratory with hands-on experiments that introduce you to the tools and techniques used in biomedical research labs. You will also participate in a small group “journal club” where you will learn to read primary scientific literature on a current topic of interest. Prerequisites : One year of high school Biology is required for application. One year of high school Chemistry is strongly advised. Program Director : Dr. Linda Robinson, Ph.D. Dr. Robinson is an Adjunct Assistant Professor of Biology and an Instructional Laboratory Coordinator at the University of Pennsylvania, where she designs teaching labs for and teaches some of the undergraduate biology courses. Dr. Robinson received her PhD from Washington University in St. Louis and has been teaching at Penn since 2000.

Chemistry Research Academy

This Academy affords participants hands-on experiences with cutting-edge research projects in the chemical sciences. Penn Chemistry is a leading center of molecular research and instruction, whose researchers are at the frontier of modern chemistry, tackling a wide variety of important societal challenges. Specific topics included in the Academy will be derived from departmental research thrusts and may include: synthesis and characterization of new compounds and materials chemistry of life processes spectroscopy and environmental photochemistry nanoscale materials and molecular devices new materials to solve energy challenges. Prerequisite: One year of high school chemistry is required.

Experimental Physics Research Academy

This Academy allows students to take advantage of the vast research facilities on Penn’s campus to explore modern physics topics that are out of reach for most high school programs. You will learn about mechanics and optics, and move on to basic electricity and prove basic theory through the knowledge and lab skills. Each lab group will construct and use its own apparatus to measure the speed of light. The program is organized to allow students to become familiar with laboratory hardware they use and to actually assemble and test some of it. Prerequisite: Previous physics experience is encouraged, though not required.

Mathematics Academy

The Mathematics Academy is a unique opportunity for students interested in examining mathematical concepts rarely offered at the high school level. This rigorous, proof-oriented program will fuse lectures, problem sessions, demonstrations, and exploratory research to engage students in topics such as: Discrete Mathematics Combinatorics (enumerative, algebraic, geometric) Generating functions and partitions Graph Theory Probability Combinatorial Game Theory Algebra and Number Theory Linear Algebra Prime and factorization algorithms Congruences and quadratic reciprocity Galois Theory Geometry of numbers Geometry and Topology Euclidean ad non-Euclidean geometries Geometric transformations Algebraic geometry Point-set topology Knot Theory Relevant field trips, including the National Math Museum in New York City, and the National Cryptologic Museum, may also be included. Prerequisite : One year of high school Algebra II/Trigonometry is required for application. Program Director: Nakia Rimmer

Neuroscience Research Academy

This Academy is designed to introduce students to the biological foundations of the brain. Lectures will introduce students to important neuroscientific topics, progressing from the cellular foundations of the neuron, to an understanding of the sensory systems, and culminating with higher-order cognitive functions such as memory, emotion, and morality. In the afternoons, students will participate in hands-on laboratory activities, where they will learn important experimental techniques. During this time, students will also be able to visit several active research laboratories. Additionally, students will engage in a small group “journal club” where they will gain experience reading the neuroscience literature related to a particular topic of choice, and which culminates in a group presentation. Prerequisites: One year of high school biology and one year of high school chemistry is required for applicants.

Penn Prep

Explore Penn’s broad liberal arts and sciences curriculum within an immersive and dynamic Ivy League learning environment. The Penn Summer Prep Program allows ambitious students to enroll in two undergraduate-level modules from across disciplines while benefiting from the rich educational resources of the university. Explore a new topic of interest, dive into an old favorite, or learn a new skill this summer within a Penn summer module. Topics may include: Biology of Antidepressants, Media, Activism and Social Movements , Anthropology, College Prep, Critical Approaches to Popular Culture, Film Studies, Photography, Urban Justice, Climate Change, Genetics, and Computer Science.

Once admitted into the Penn Summer Prep Program, students select two modules within Session A. Each student must select one morning module and one afternoon module from the same session. In addition to class time, students should be prepared to complete readings, group activities, or other coursework outside of the classroom.

Visit the Penn Summer website for module descriptions and application details: https://summer.sas.upenn.edu/programs/high-school/summer-prep

Global Culture and Communication Academy

The Global Culture and Communication Academy seeks to offer students a foundation for understanding the intricate and complex relationship between language, culture, communicative practices, and the role we play as individuals in the globalized world of today. The course will focus on key ideas to provide a basis for nuanced practices, reflections, and strategies that are associated with 21st-century skills and essential behaviors of a global citizen. The Global Culture and Communication Academy is fully residential with no commuter or online options.

Reviews

The program has honestly been the highlight of my summer. The classes and after-class activities kept me in an excited state for the entirety of the two weeks. I am beyond grateful for my experience at Penn.

Sarah Z

Oct 2018

This program was great! The dorms were nice, the RCs were nice, and the academics were spectacular. This experience allowed me to be independent for the first time, and it has helped me understand more of what I’m interested and what path I wish to follow in the future.

Riona W

Sep 2018

I really enjoyed my time here. I made lifelong friends, learned from incredible professors, got to experience campus life, and had learning experiences that I never before thought I would have access to as a high schooler.

Jessica Z

Jun 2019

This gave me a really good feel of how college will be. It made me super excited and I think I've become more motivated to become a better student and person overall due to the welcoming atmosphere here. I was also able to time manage really well, getting my work done while also participating in fun activities.