Prove Your Way In

Documents needed

Applicants must have a high school diploma or have passed the high school equivalency exam or General Educational Development (GED) test:

• For those who have taken the GED prior to 2014, you must have a minimum score of 450
• For those who have taken the GED anytime between 2014 and the present, you must score 165, the College Ready score, in each section. Those who do not score as College Ready are encouraged to pursue coursework at their local community college to bring them to the college level.

Please note that all application materials become the property of the University of Pennsylvania and will not be returned. Remember to retain a personal copy of your application.

• Transcripts from each post-secondary school attended, regardless of age of transcript, number of courses taken, or grade received.

• High school transcript with graduation date, if fewer than 15 courses at the college level were completed. High school transcripts are also required for applicants that submit a GED score report.
  
  If you completed high school outside the United States, you are required to submit a World Education Service (WES) course-by-course evaluation for your course work. 

• International transcripts: Applicants who have attended a college or university outside the US are required to have a course-by-course credential evaluation (with grade point average and course levels) performed by an outside evaluation service. Credential evaluations will be reviewed by our administrators, and the determination of degree equivalency to US degrees is at the discretion of the College of Liberal and Professional Studies. The following evaluation service is acceptable:
  • World Education Services Inc. (WES): WES must complete a course-by-course evaluation of all post-secondary credentials. The course-by-course evaluation should include the comparability level of your education and list each of your courses along with the equivalent US marks and credit. Please select the WES basic course-by-course evaluation (with grade point average and course levels) and request that WES send your evaluation to Penn College of Liberal and Professional Studies Admissions. The school can be found by searching the University of Pennsylvania and then selecting College of Liberal and Professional Studies. The evaluation becomes an official academic record and sole property of the University upon its receipt. For additional information about the WES application and their review process, please visit the WES website. Please note that this service charges a fee for the evaluation. We encourage you to begin this process at least eight weeks in advance of the application deadline.

• English language proficiency: A strong command of the English language is necessary for successful study at Penn. Applicants whose native language is not English must submit official Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL), International English Language Test System (IELTS), or Duolingo English Test (DET) scores taken within the last two years to demonstrate English proficiency. The minimum TOEFL scores required for admission are 100 (iBT), 250 (CBT), 600 (PBT), or an IELTS score of at least 7.0. Duolingo English Test (DET) scores may also be submitted. The minimum DET score for consideration is 130. Please note that the College of Liberal and Professional Studies is accepting at-home TOEFL test scores. Please visit the specific standardized testing websites for exam options in your home country.
• Current resume/CV
• One letter of recommendation from an individual who knows you well in a professional, academic, or community context, and is able to evaluate your work, such as a supervisor or professor. Submitted recommendations are required to be on letterhead with an original or electronic signature and should not be from a spouse, partner, parent, or other family member. The letter of recommendation must be uploaded by the recommender, not the applicant. Applicants that are former Penn undergraduate students should email lpsonline@sas.upenn.edu regarding the reapplication process.
• Admissions essay: Please answer the following questions. We suggest a word count in the range of 500-750, with a minimum of 500.
  • Describe your educational history and why you have chosen an online program—specifically the Gateway Program—as your pathway to complete your undergraduate degree.
  • Discuss a specific academic topic you have enjoyed studying and explain why it is of interest to you.
  • List the Penn LPS Online degree concentration or course blocks that interest you the most and how they align with your career goals.
  • Describe any non-academic experiences that you feel strengthen your application (e.g., employment, travel, community service, volunteer work, or publications).
• Video response: Applicants are also required to submit a 1-2 minute video response. Applicant must use a device with a camera to record a video response to the following prompts:
  • What are two important life lessons you would you tell your younger self that may have changed the trajectory of your life if your younger self had that knowledge?
  • Why would it have made a difference?

Disclosure statement

Applicants are required to report all previously attended schools and include all prior post– high school college-level courses, regardless of whether (i) the courses were taken at a post- secondary institution in the United States or outside the United States, (ii) the applicant received a degree at the post-secondary institution, (iii) the applicant is seeking credit for such courses, or (iv) the applicant is changing majors/careers. Any misrepresentation, omission or academic integrity violation in the application and supplemental materials will justify denial of admission, rescission of admission, and/or financial aid or expulsion or revocation of a degree if discovered at a later date.

System requirements

All applicants should confirm that their computer technology is up to date and meets system requirements. Review current system requirements for all Penn LPS Online students.

Individuals who are on active duty or veterans of the US military service are eligible for application fee waivers.

Your completed application and application fee payment is due at 5 p.m. ET on the deadline date for the term to which you apply. We cannot guarantee that we will review information sent to the College of Liberal and Professional Studies admissions office after the deadline of the term in which you apply.

Completing your matriculation

To complete your matriculation into the BAAS program, your GPA must be 2.7 or higher after the completion of the four Gateway Program courses, with no individual grades lower than a C. Successful completion of these courses will satisfy the academic requirements for admission into degree status. If you meet or exceed these academic requirements, you should do well in the qualitative and quantitative courses required of BAAS degree students.

When I have completed my final Gateway Program course how do I transition to the BAAS degree?

1. When all 4 Gateway Program final course grades are visible on your transcript, upload your Gateway Program transcript to your Gateway requirements fulfilled application and submit it
2. Also submit a supplemental scholarship application, (part of the “Gateway requirements fulfilled” application), if interested in being considered for a Penn LPS online scholarship
3. Submit your FAFSA form
4. See the chart below to determine the first eligible term to start the BAAS based upon the term in which you complete your Gateway requirements

To transfer Gateway Program courses into the BAAS program, and become eligible to undergo financial aid evaluation, you must:

• Successfully complete four Gateway Program courses
• Remain in good academic standing
• Demonstrate the motivation and ability to be a contributing member of the Penn community
• Complete and submit an expedited BAAS: Gateway Requirements Fulfilled application

The University of Pennsylvania reserves the right to deny or rescind admission to a student in violation of its Code of Academic Integrity or Code of Student Conduct.

Have you successfully completed the Penn LPS Online Gateway Program requirements?

Once you have completed your fourth and final Gateway course, follow the instructions below to start your expedited application, accessible through our online application system. No additional application fee is required.

• Select "BAAS: Gateway Requirements Fulfilled" to begin the expedited application process (most of the application will be pre-populated with the information you previously submitted in your Gateway Program application)
• In the academic background section, upload unofficial copies with final grades of your four completed Penn LPS Online Gateway courses
• Confirm with admissions receipt of all official transcripts of previous college coursework taken prior to matriculation at Penn
• In the supporting documents section, upload an updated resume