United States
University of Pennsylvania
Funding
University of Pennsylvania is NEED-AWARE for international applicants from Bangladesh (need-blind applies to citizens/permanent residents of US, Canada and Mexico). Penn meets 100% of its calculated demonstrated need for admitted international aid recipients with no-loan need-based grants, scholarships and work-study; Penn does NOT offer merit scholarships. Applicants must apply for aid during admission if they may need it at any point during four years. Receiving 100% calculated need does not mean a guaranteed zero family contribution.
Eligibility
Selectivity context: Exceptionally selective. Bangladeshi first-year applicants can apply using Common Application, Coalition Application or QuestBridge. Penn REQUIRES SAT or ACT for 2026–27 first-year applicants, with a hardship waiver request option; self-reporting scores permitted until admitted. International applicants seeking Penn aid use 2027–28 CSS Profile code 2933, and international income documentation as requested; the FAFSA is for domestic applicants, not Bangladesh international applicants. Financial aid consideration is not available if an international student failed to request it during the admissions process.
Deadlines
Fall 2027 admissions: ED November 1, 2026; RD January 5, 2027. Penn international financial aid priority dates for award delivered with admission: ED November 6, 2026; RD February 5, 2027. International aid office says late documentation does not reduce full/fair aid consideration but may delay the aid offer; later document deadlines for an award before July billing include ED January 15 and RD May 1. The 2027–28 CSS Profile and family-income materials must follow Penn applicant checklist.
What University of Pennsylvania needs for Fall 2027
Draft research from official pages (checked 14 Nov 2026). Not yet verified by a bdesh editor — confirm every date and prompt on the official page. 6 details still being checked.
Rounds and deadlines
| Round | Application | Financial aid | Decision |
|---|---|---|---|
| Early Decisionbinding | 1 Nov 2026 | 6 Nov 2026 | mid-December 2026 |
| Regular Decision | 5 Jan 2027 | 5 Feb 2027 | by April 1, 2027 (one search summary of Penn pages said 'April') |
Essays and short answers
Required200 words
Write a short thank-you note to someone you have not yet thanked and would like to acknowledge. (We encourage you to share this note with that person, if possible, and reflect on the experience!)
all first-year applicants
Required200 words
How will you explore community at Penn? Consider how Penn will help shape your perspective, and how your experiences and perspective will help shape Penn.
all first-year applicants
Required200 words
Penn Nursing intends to meet the health needs of society in a global and multicultural world by preparing its students to impact healthcare by advancing science. Why are you applying to Nursing, where do you see yourself professionally in the future, and how will you contribute to our mission of promoting equity in healthcare?
School of Nursing applicants
Required200 words
The College of Arts and Sciences is designed to foster discovery and connection. Describe something you are curious about—something you'd like to learn more about or find a new approach to—and how you might pursue that curiosity in the College.
College of Arts and Sciences applicants
Required200 words
Wharton prepares its students to make an impact by applying business methods and economic theory to real-world problems, including economic, political, and social issues. Discuss a current issue of importance to you and how you hope a Wharton education would help you explore it.
The Wharton School applicants
Required200 words
Penn Engineering prepares its students to become leaders in technology by combining a strong foundation in the natural sciences and mathematics with depth of study in focused disciplinary majors. Describe how you plan to pursue your engineering interests at Penn, particularly within the intended major you selected.
Penn Engineering applicants
Required200 words
Describe your experience with the target language you selected. You may wish to share the length of time you've studied or used this language, how you've learned it, the skills you've acquired, and/or the skills you still wish to develop. Please also explain why you are interested in studying this language and the region(s) of the world where it is spoken.
Huntsman Program in International Studies and Business applicants (response 2 of 3; response 1 is selecting a target language from eleven)
Required400 words
The Huntsman Program supports the development of globally-minded scholars who become engaged citizens, creative innovators, and ethical leaders in the public, private, and non-profit sectors in the United States and around the world. What draws you to a dual degree in international studies and business, and how would you use what you learn to address a global issue where these two domains intersect?
Huntsman applicants (response 3 of 3)
Required400 words
The Vagelos Life Sciences & Management (LSM) program brings together two powerful modes of understanding—scientific inquiry and strategic thinking—to prepare students to engage thoughtfully and creatively with some of the most complex challenges of our time. What questions, problems, or opportunities would you hope to explore through LSM, and how might the integration of life sciences and management shape your approach to them? Focus on the ideas, values, or questions that draw you to this intersection, rather than how LSM might advance your career, and make sure this essay is distinct from your single-degree application.
Vagelos Life Sciences & Management (LSM) applicants
Required400 words
Explain how you will use the M&T program to pursue problems or opportunities that require both engineering and business perspectives.
Jerome Fisher Program in Management and Technology (M&T) applicants (response 1 of 2)
Required200 words
Describe something you created, designed, improved, or built. What motivated you, and what did you learn from the process?
M&T applicants (response 2 of 2)
Required400 words
Describe your interest in nursing and health care management, and how Penn's coordinated dual-degree program in nursing and business would help you meet your goals. Please ensure that this essay is distinct from your single-degree application, if applicable.
Nursing and Healthcare Management (NHCM) applicants
Required200 words
VIPER students pursue dual degrees in science or math and engineering. Which major combination(s) interest you most right now and why? Your response to this prompt is not binding; students often shift majors as they learn more through the program.
Vagelos Integrated Program in Energy Research (VIPER) applicants (response 1 of 2)
Required400 words
Describe your interest in the VIPER program, including how any past experiences (academic, research, extracurricular, etc.) have shaped your interest in energy science and technology, and how you envision participation in VIPER fitting into your future goals.
VIPER applicants (response 2 of 2)
Required400 words
Discuss how your interests align with the Visual and Interactive Computing (VIC) program at the University of Pennsylvania.
BSE in Visual and Interactive Computing (VIC) applicants
Testing
- SAT/ACT required
- English tests: TOEFL, IELTS Academic, Duolingo English Test
- Not required if English is the native language or the primary language of instruction for at least three years by enrollment. Otherwise official scores sent directly by the testing agency (self-reported English scores not accepted); only exams taken on or after April 1, 2025 accepted for 2026-27. Penn TOEFL code 2926. IELTS One Skill Retake and TOEFL MyBest scores not accepted. No minimum scores published on the page read. Optional InitialView interview does not replace English testing.
Recommendations · Interview
- counselor + 1 teacher
- Interview: Optional
- Application fee: $75 · Apply through Common App, Coalition Application (Scoir), QuestBridge
Financial aid for international students
- Need-aware for international applicants
- ✓ Meets full demonstrated need
- Forms: CSS Profile
- Documents: Parents' tax return from country of residence (upload original and English translation if not in English); If no tax return: wage statement, pay slip or employer letter on letterhead stating annual income; Non-Tax Filer Form for non-filers; Non-custodial parent documents where applicable; Convert foreign currency amounts to US dollars; submit via the Document Submission Portal (not through IDOC or email)
- CSS Profile code: 2933
Penn is need-aware for international applicants (non-citizens and non-permanent residents of the US, Canada and Mexico) and admits only aid candidates it can fund. Admitted aid recipients get 100% of demonstrated need via grants and work-study. Aid must be requested at the time of application; students not admitted with aid cannot apply later. Aid is institutional; loans generally need a US co-signer. Part of a grant may be subject to US tax. Travel assistance available to continuing students. Bank statements / Certification of Finances not mentioned on the checklist read.
Official pages used
- admissions.upenn.edu/how-to-apply/first-year-applicants/application-requirements
- ask.admissions.upenn.edu/support/solutions/articles/157000361133-what-are-the-deadlines-to-apply-to-penn-as-a-first-year-student-
- srfs.upenn.edu/financial-aid/apply/prospective-UG-checklists/international
- admissions.upenn.edu/how-to-apply/preparing-your-application/essays-prompts
- admissions.upenn.edu/how-to-apply/preparing-your-application/testing
- ask.admissions.upenn.edu/support/solutions/articles/157000361217-can-i-submit-an-initialview-interview-
- admissions.upenn.edu/affording-penn/international-aid
- srfs.upenn.edu/financial-aid/international
- admissions.upenn.edu/how-to-apply/first-year-applicants
- admissions.upenn.edu/affording-penn/financial-aid