9 UPenn Summer Programs for Highly Motivated Students

If you’re looking to challenge yourself this summer beyond your high school curriculum, UPenn Summer programs offer you a range of opportunities online and on campus. You’ll be faced with college-level academics, interact with like-minded peers, and feel what it’s like to be a college student for a summer.

In this article, we’ll list down different summer programs high school and undergraduate students alike can try at UPenn.

• UPenn Summer Programs for High School Students
• UPenn Summer Programs for Undergraduates
• Frequently Asked Questions
• Takeaways

UPenn Summer Programs for High School Students

UPenn high school summer programs are offered through the School of Arts and Sciences. These let high school students around the country and world experience college-level academics at an Ivy League university.

1. Summer Academies

2025 program dates: July 5 to July 26

Eligibility: Current 9th-11th grade students, 3.5 minimum GPA, required prerequisite courses vary per academy

Program cost: $9,949

The Summer Academies are intensive, three-week, non-credit programs that let you explore a specific academic subject in-depth. Aside from lectures, this UPenn summer program also engages you in practical lab work, research projects, case studies, and site visits to give you an authentic feel for the discipline you’re studying.

For example, the Global Culture and Media Academy features guest lectures by leaders in language, culture, and business who are based in Philadelphia or from Penn faculty. You’ll also have experiential activities that encourage reflection and communication regarding course topics.

The Academies you can choose from are:

• Biomedical Research
• Chemistry Research
• Economics
• Experimental Physics
• Global Culture and Media
• Microbiology and Infectious Diseases
• Neuroscience Research
• Social Justice Research

As a participant, you’ll live on campus in UPenn dorms, eat at dining halls, and have access to campus facilities like libraries and gyms. You’ll be supervised by residential assistants who are also typically teaching assistants for the academic program. This residential experience helps you develop independence and a sense of what it’s like to be a college student.

This UPenn summer program is great for those who have a strong interest in a specific field and want to explore it in a rigorous, pre-collegiate setting. The hands-on nature of the academies gives you practical experience in the field, which can be especially helpful in disciplines like science and engineering.

2. Penn Summer Prep

2025 program dates: July 5 to July 19

Eligibility: Current 9th-11th grade students, 3.5 minimum GPA

Program cost: $5,949

Penn Summer Prep is a two-week, non-credit residential program that lets you explore two undergraduate-level modules in a university setting. This lets you explore different academic fields and discover new interests—which is different from other typical summer programs that only allow you to choose one course.

This UPenn summer program offers academically rigorous modules, with readings and assignments outside of class. You could say that it might make you feel like a college student more since you get a broader, interdisciplinary experience, like an actual freshman. You’ll also live on campus and use the university facilities.

Penn Summer Prep is good for students who are interested in both humanities and STEM and are looking for an interdisciplinary curriculum. The program is also for you if you aren’t yet sure what you want to major in since it lets you explore different subjects.

As with other UPenn summer programs, you receive a Certificate of Completion at the end and can also request recommendation letters from your instructors.

3. Pre-College Residential Program

2025 program dates: July 1 to August 9

Eligibility: Current 10th-11th grade students, 3.5 minimum GPA

Program cost: starts at $14,311

The Pre-College Residential Program lets you enroll in actual undergraduate courses alongside UPenn’s own students. That means, upon completing your course, you can request an official transcript with transferable credits. Most courses are worth one course unit, which is equivalent to four college credit hours. For courses with a lab component, like Biology 101, students earn 1.5 c.u.

Because you can earn credit, you can expect that coursework in this UPenn summer program is more demanding and follows the same standards as those for Penn undergraduates. You should be prepared for homework, research papers, midterms, and/or finals.

The Pre-College Residential Program is best for students who want a challenging, immersive college-like experience. After all, aside from living on campus and using university resources, you’ll also experience the intellectual demands of a top-tier university to earn college credit.

This UPenn summer program can also be a chance for you to assess whether UPenn (Ivy League academics in general) is the right fit for you before you start applying to colleges. Even if you realize they’re not for you, the program is still an impressive addition to your college application.

4. Pre-College Online Program

2025 program dates: May 27 to July 2, July 3 to August 8

Eligibility: 3.5 minimum GPA

Program cost: starts at $8,462

If you want to challenge yourself with a credit-bearing course but can’t travel to UPenn for the Pre-College Residential Program, you can apply for the Pre-College Online Program instead.

Similar to the residential program, you’ll enroll in credit-bearing undergraduate courses, taking them online alongside current Penn undergraduates. The classes are taught by Penn faculty, staff, and visiting scholars. You’ll be evaluated by the same academic standards as undergraduates and can earn one or more course units equivalent to college credit hours.

Since this UPenn summer program is online, you can participate from anywhere in the world, making it a great option for international students or those who can’t commit to an in-person, residential program.

But despite being online, you can still expect demanding courses that involve homework, research papers, midterms, and/or finals, giving you a realistic preview of college-level academics.

5. Online Seminars

2025 program dates: June 9 to 27, July 7 to 25

Eligibility: 3.5 minimum GPA

Program cost: $2,949

The Online Seminars are three-week, non-credit, interdisciplinary programs. They consist of 15 hours of activity per week, combining live, synchronous Zoom sessions, asynchronous sessions, and individual work on readings and projects. This format helps you develop the self-discipline and time management skills needed for college-level work.

This UPenn summer program offers niche subjects, letting you explore and possibly confirm an interest before applying to college. The 2025 topics are:

• Writing for Researchers
• American Sign Language and Deaf Culture
• Genomics and Bioinformatics
• Statistics for Experimenters

For international students, it’s a way to also experience an Ivy League program without the hassle of applying for a visa and travelling. By participating in a program that features both live lectures and independent work, students can better understand the demands of a university-level curriculum.

UPenn Summer Programs for Undergraduates

Wasn’t able to catch UPenn summer programs as a high school student? The university also offers summer programs for undergraduate students and even professionals.

6. Summer Sessions

2025 program dates: May 27 to July 2, July 3 to August 8, May 27 to August 8 (11-week session

Eligibility: listed below

Program cost: starts at $5,396

Penn Summer Sessions are a series of undergraduate-level courses designed to help you get ahead on your academic requirements, explore new interests, or advance your professional skills. All courses taken during the Summer Sessions earn academic credit from UPenn.

This UPenn summer program lets you enroll in online or in-person courses, depending on what fits your summer schedule.

Penn Summer Sessions is open to many people, such as:

• Undergraduates from other institutions
• Working professionals (including UPenn employees)
• UPenn alumni
• International students (who are already enrolled at an accredited US college, since Penn Summer Sessions isn’t responsible for visa sponsorship)
• Recent high school graduates

Examples of courses that undergraduates, in particular, are:

• Law and Society
• Human Origins, Evolution and Diversity
• World Film History
• Statistics for Economists
• Narrative Across Cultures

You can also browse through courses according to category—whether online, on-campus, or pre-health. Graduate students also have their own categories to choose from.

7. Penn Summer Global Institute

2025 program dates: July 2 to August 8

Eligibility: International undergraduate student with high English language proficiency

Program cost: $14,558

The Penn Summer Global Institute is a six-week academic program for international undergraduate students with high English language proficiency. This UPenn summer program gives an immersive experience where you take Ivy League-level courses and earn academic credit alongside Penn students.

You can enroll in two courses and earn Penn academic credits. The program also provides an academic advisor to assist you. Outside of classes, you’ll have weekly cultural excursions around Philadelphia and the surrounding region. You can also travel on your own to nearby cities like New York City and Washington, D.C.

You’ll live in university residence halls and have access to various campus resources and facilities. You can also opt for a dining plan. You’ll get to socialize and interact with a diverse student body, including other visiting international students and current Penn students.

8. English Language Programs

2025 program dates: varies

Eligibility: international students who are at least 18 years old

Program cost: $6,293 for the Intensive Program

The Penn Summer English Language Programs are designed for international students who wish to improve their English skills for academic, professional, or personal growth. As a participant, you’ll receive an Ivy League education and be immersed in American language and culture.

These UPenn summer programs have small class sizes, so you can receive more individual attention from instructors. You also get targeted skill development depending on your specific goals since there are English language programs that can prepare you for university study in the US or advancing your career.

There has also been a long history of custom programs sponsored by organizations like the US International Education Association and the Study Abroad Foundation. Some of these past programs are:

• English for Embassy Contacts
• English for Leadership and Innovation
• English for Business Communication
• Academic Writing for University Lecturers
• Custom International Business Communication Program

9. Penn Summer Abroad

2025 program dates: varies per location

Eligibility: Penn undergraduate students and other domestic and international undergraduate students from an accredited college or university

Program cost: varies per location, but $5,396 per course unit and a general fee of $466

Penn Summer Abroad offers you the opportunity to earn Penn credit while being immersed in a new culture and location. The programs are led by Penn faculty, letting you explore specific academic topics.

These UPenn summer programs offer specialized courses, such as studying cinema at the Cannes Film Festival, exploring environmental science in the Alps, or mastering language skills in another foreign country. The experience will let you meet peers with similar interests and gain a global perspective.

These are the locations for summer 2025:

• The Alps
• Cannes, France
• London, England
• Madrid, Spain
• Tours, France

Penn Summer Abroad is great if you want to gain an Ivy League education in a global setting, expand your academic horizons, and experience unique opportunities that combine rigorous coursework with travel and cultural engagement. Fellowship and scholarship opportunities like the William A. Levi Travel Fellowship and Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship are also available to help with costs.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Does UPenn have a summer program for high school students?

Yes, UPenn offers a variety of summer programs for high school students. These include the Summer Academies, Penn Summer Prep Program, Penn Summer Sessions, and Online Seminars.

2. How hard is it to get into the UPenn summer program?

UPenn doesn’t release official acceptance rates for its summer programs, but you can expect admissions to be highly competitive and selective. After all, the programs typically require a strong academic record, typically with a GPA of 3.5 or higher, and other application materials like essays and recommendations.

3. How much does the UPenn summer program cost?

The cost varies significantly per UPenn summer program. For example, three-week residential programs like the Summer Academies cost around $9,949, while the six-week Global Institute can cost over $14,500.

4. Can I earn college credit through UPenn summer programs?

You can earn college credit through some UPenn summer programs, such as the Pre-College Programs and Summer Sessions.

Takeaways

• UPenn summer programs for high school students are the Summer Academies, Penn Summer Prep, Pre-College Residential Program, Pre-College Online Program, and Online Seminars.
• UPenn summer programs for undergraduate students and professionals are the Summer Sessions, Penn Summer Global Institute, English Language Programs, and Penn Summer Abroad.
• Don’t know which UPenn summer program to apply for? Or looking for similar experiences? We can help you plan your extracurriculars so you can choose the ones that align with your goals.