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The Biomedical Research Academy introduces the experimental basis of cellular, molecular, and genetic aspects of biology, focusing on relevance to diseases.
Non-credit
Residential
Accepts International Students
Financial Aid
Application fee waiver
Fusing daily lectures, faculty research talks, laboratory experiments, and small group investigations into current research topics, students gain insight into the core of biomedical research.
Features
Lectures: Featured lecturers include scientists, clinicians, and faculty from the Department of Biology and Penn's School of Medicine. Topics include genome sequencing, CRISPR/Cas-9, vaccines, antibiotic resistance, bioethics, and much more. Penn researchers present recent discoveries made in their labs here on campus.
Journal club: Students are placed into small groups to discuss peer-reviewed research articles. Under the guidance of a Penn researcher or faculty member, students learn how to read, interpret, analyze, and critique primary research.
Laboratory: Students perform molecular biology experiments in the same labs that are used for undergraduate courses. Using techniques such as PCR, gel electrophoresis, restriction analysis, bacterial transformation, and ELISA, students will determine their own blood type, investigate gene expression in bacteria, and analyze a mock disease outbreak.
The Biomedical Research Academy is fully residential with no commuter or online options.
Eligibility: Current 9th-11th grade students from across the world.
A successful applicant should have:
- Minimum 3.3 high school GPA
Writing that shows both technical skill and intellectual depth
Strong recommendations
A variety of extracurricular interests
Prerequisites:
- One year of high school biology is required for application
- One year of high school chemistry is strongly advised
- For any students who will be using the course Living Earth or Living Environment as their one year of biology prerequisite, please include the course description with your transcripts for the admissions committee to review.
Unofficial Transcript
Min GPA Requirement
Essay
1 Recommendation
English Test C1-C2
Online Application From
Application Fee
Official Transcript *
- Completed online application
- Application essays: Include all essays in a single document, clearly numbered. Individual essays should not exceed 400 words.
1. Describe your academic and personal goals and how these may be further achieved by studying at Penn during the summer. Feel free to discuss the particular program to which you are applying as well as other aspects of studying at Penn during the summer.
2. Select a few of your non-academic or extracurricular experiences and explain how these activities supplement your academic and personal growth.
3. Non-native English speakers only: Describe your English educational background and experience.
- High school transcripts (official or unofficial transcripts are accepted): Upload a copy of high school transcripts into the online application. The transcript must include one full academic year of grades. If your transcript does not include one year of grades, you may upload a mid-term or interim report card, or middle or junior high school transcripts in addition. If you choose to mail or email a copy of your transcripts, please upload a document into the application system stating your materials have been sent by mail or email.
- One letter of recommendation: This letter may be submitted electronically through the application system (preferred), or mailed or emailed to our office. For electronic submissions through the application system, just enter the name and email address of the recommendation providers into the system and our division will contact them with submission instructions.
- Non-native English speakers must submit a test score to verify English language proficiency unless they attend an English-medium school, in which case this requirement is waived. For the Pre-College Programs, a student must attend an English-medium school for 2+ years by the time of enrollment for the requirement to be waived.
If scores are required, a TOEFL, IELTS, Duolingo English Test (DET), PSAT, SAT, or ACT score is accepted. Copies of score reports may be uploaded to the application system or emailed to [email protected] as attachments. The minimum TOEFL scores required for admissions consideration are 100 (iBT), 250 (CBT), or 600 (PBT). The IELTS score required for admissions consideration is a 7. The minimum Duolingo English Test (DET) score required for admission is 120.
- Standardized test scores are not required for application.
- Non-refundable application fee of $75.
Deadline
Applications for summer 2024 open on December 1, 2023.
February 15 - Deadline to apply to Summer Academies.
April 1 - April 15 - Application Decision Release Window.
Jul 06 - Jul 27
3 weeks
Residential
Tuition for 2024 - TBA.
2023 Summer Academies tuition:
Biomedical Research Academy: $9,700.
There is a $1,500 nonrefundable deposit for all programs. There is also a nonrefundable application fee of $75, payable by credit card through our online application system.
On-campus program fees include: Use of Penn academic facilities, on-campus housing, three meals a day Monday–Friday, two meals on Sunday (no meals Saturday due to excursions/activities), extracurricular activities and trips, and student supervision.
On-campus program fees DO NOT include: Non-refundable $75 application fee, travel to/from campus, airport transfers, gym access (may be available for an additional fee); linens; class materials; meals eaten off campus; medical expenses; laundry; souvenirs; and personal spending money.
Financial Aid
If you attend a School District of Philadelphia public or charter high school you may be eligible to attend a Penn Summer Academy free of charge with a Penn Summer Scholarship.
Application fee waiver
Any applicant from the School District of Philadelphia who attends a public or charter school or one of the following organizations is eligible for an application fee waiver. Applicants indicating that they are from the School District of Philadelphia will automatically have the application fee waived.
Eligible organizations include:
Achievement First
Amerigo Education
Minds Matter
Philadelphia Futures
Schuler Scholars Foundation
If your organization would like to have a conversation about initiating a partnership with our office, please email [email protected] to set up an informational meeting.
Unofficial Transcript
Min GPA Requirement
Essay
1 Recommendation
English Test C1-C2
Online Application From
Application Fee
Official Transcript *
Application is closed
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