University of Pennsylvania: Neuroscience Research Academy image
image
United States, Pennsylvania, Philadelphia
image
Requirements
image Unofficial Transcript
image Min GPA Requirement
image Essay
image 1 Recommendation
image English Test C1-C2
image Online Application From
image Application Fee
image Official Transcript *
image
Jul 06 — Jul 27
Price range
9700 USD
image
image
Need Help?
Learn more about the application process in the Blog or by scheduling a free consultation with the Summer Program adviser
Speak with an adviser Learn more in the blog
University of Pennsylvania: Neuroscience Research Academy image
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Key Facts

Taught by members of Penn’s Biological Basis of Behavior program, the Neuroscience Academy introduces students to this cutting-edge field in both research and medicine, which has provided important insights into understanding the mind in both health and disease.

Interest Areas:
Biology & Medicine
Enrichment
Natural Sciences & Ecology
Physical Sciences
Research
STEM
Technology & Innovation
Grade:
Grade 9
Grade 10
Grade 11
Other features:
image Non-credit
image Residential
image Accepts International Students
image Financial Aid
image Application fee waiver
Academics

The Neuroscience Research Academy explores the biological foundations of the brain, 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.

Features
Lectures and discussions: Attend twice-daily lectures and conversations with Penn’s distinguished neuroscience faculty. Additionally, participate in a journal club to discuss peer-reviewed neuroscience literature and develop presentations on those papers, and take part in a neuroethics club to debate current ethical dilemmas within the neuroscience field.

Lab activities: Participate in hands-on laboratory activities to gain an introduction to experimental techniques.

Applications outside the classroom: Further your understanding of the brain in a fun and educational setting with related films, discussions, and readings. Past trips have included visits to the Mütter Museum and the Franklin Institute.

Format

The Neuroscience Research Academy is fully residential with no commuter or online options.

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Eligibility

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 and one year of high school chemistry are required for application.
  • 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.
Application Components
image Unofficial Transcript
image Min GPA Requirement
image Essay
image 1 Recommendation
image English Test C1-C2
image Online Application From
image Application Fee
image 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.

Tuition & Aid
Neuroscience Research Academy
image Jul 06 - Jul 27
image 3 weeks
residental-icon Residential
9700 USD

Tuition for 2024 - TBA.
2023 Summer Academies tuition:
Neuroscience 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.

University of Pennsylvania: Neuroscience Research Academy image
image
image
United States, Pennsylvania, Philadelphia
image
Requirements
image Unofficial Transcript
image Min GPA Requirement
image Essay
image 1 Recommendation
image English Test C1-C2
image Online Application From
image Application Fee
image Official Transcript *
image
Jul 06 — Jul 27
Price range
9700 USD
image
image
Need Help?
Learn more about the application process in the Blog or by scheduling a free consultation with the Summer Program adviser
Speak with an adviser Learn more in the blog

Useful Resources