College Match Program: Penn FAQ

Penn's partnership with QuestBridge is one of a number of initiatives designed to meet our commitment to President Amy Gutmann's progressive vision for the University: the Penn Compact. The Compact embodies our pledge to increase access, integrate knowledge, and engage both locally and globally. As a program aimed at increasing the number of talented low-income students at some of the nation's best colleges and universities, The National College Match Program increases access by allowing students to consider Penn without worrying about the cost of attendance.

We hope you will choose to apply to the University of Pennsylvania!

If you are selected as a QuestBridge Finalist and wish to rank Penn as one of your eight choices, your QuestBridge application will be forwarded to Penn's Admissions Office. In addition to the QuestBridge application, however, we require some additional information.

The following documents must be faxed, postmarked, or electronically submitted to Penn's Admissions Office by November 3rd, 2008:

The Common Application or the Universal Application (you may use your QuestBridge essays as your Common/Universal Application essays by copying and pasting the essays into the Application)
The Penn Supplement

Please note: the Penn Supplement must be submitted online if you submit the Common or Universal College Application online. If you mail or fax your Common or Universal College application, please print and also complete the Penn Supplement.

Official high school transcript
Official score reports. You make take either:

the SAT Reasoning Test and two SAT Subject Tests (Penn's SAT code: 2926) or
the ACT with Writing (ACT code: 3732)

Mid-Year Report from high school counselor, if available
Please note: you do not need to resubmit your Secondary School Report form or your two Teacher Recommendations.

The following information must be faxed, postmarked, or electronically submitted to Student Financial Services by November 3rd, 2008:

The University of Pennsylvania Cover Sheet for Financial Documents and supporting documents:

The College Board CSS PROFILE (Penn's CSS code: 2933)
The Penn Financial Aid Supplement (PFAS)

Please note: Complete and submit online via the MyPenn Applicant Portal if you are a US Citizen or Permanent resident. To access the Applicant Portal, you will need your login credentials, which the Office of Admissions will send you in early November, after they receive your Common or Universal College Application.

Parent tax return (all pages and schedules) and W-2's for 2007

Review a complete financial aid application checklist at http://www.sfs.upenn.edu/finaid-checklists/checklists-pro-us-edp.htm

Student Financial Services, Attn: QuestBridge Finalist Committee
005 Franklin Building
3451 Walnut Street
Philadelphia, PA 19104-6270

Fax: (215) 573-5428

Frequently Asked Questions

Is there a fee to apply to Penn through QuestBridge, or are fee waivers available?

The application fee is automatically waived for QuestBridge Finalists participating in the National College Match process. If using the Common Application, select ''Other'' under ''Fee Waiver Request'' in the ''Payments'' section of the Common Application. If using the Universal Application, select ''counselor approved fee waiver.''

Can international students apply to the University of Pennsylvania through QuestBridge?

At this time, participation in the National College Match process is limited to citizens and permanent residents of the United States, Canada and Mexico.

What is the last testing date Penn will accept?

For the Match process, the last date candidates may take the SAT and Subject Tests is October 2008. For the ACT with Writing, the last date is October 25th. Please do not use the ''rush'' option for sending scores to Penn; your scores will make it to us in time without being rushed.

Regular Decision candidates should complete all testing by December of their senior year. First-time testing delayed until January will place the applicant at a disadvantage in our evaluation process.

Do I have a better chance of being admitted to Penn if I apply through the College Match process?

No. College Match candidates, like all applicants to Penn, are evaluated in the same rigorous and holistic manner and all applicants are held to the same high standards.

For those who Match with Penn, is the decision binding?

Yes. You'll be able to spend the rest of your senior year focusing on finishing strong and looking forward to coming to Philadelphia, instead of stressing over pending decisions! Congratulations!

When are QuestBridge Finalists notified if they were matched with Penn?

Matched students will be notified by QuestBridge on December 1st and contacted by Penn shortly thereafter.

Do you offer a fly-in program or special visit specifically for QuestBridge applicants?

While we do not have a program specifically for QuestBridge applicants, we welcome you to visit campus. The Admissions Office staff conducts information sessions weekdays and student-led tours are offered seven days a week. Please see our schedule here: http://www.admissions.upenn.edu/visiting/tours.php.

Overnight visits and class visits may also be arranged by appointment. Details may be found at: http://www.admissions.upenn.edu/visiting/other.php.

May I send in more than two letters of reference?

In general, two letters are sufficient to give us a sense of who you are as a student and as a person. If, however, you feel strongly that someone (perhaps a religious leader, a close advisor, an employer or another teacher, for instance) has the capacity to add new and different insight or information to your application, please feel free to submit an additional letter.

How many students will be matched at Penn?

As it is Penn's first year participating in the Match process, we do not yet know how many students we will admit through the Match process and there is no target number of students we plan to admit. Our decisions will be made based on the strength and financial need of individual applicants, and we hope that applicants not matched with Penn will find success in the Regular Decision process.

If I am a Finalist and listed Penn as one of my eight choices, but was not matched, will Penn consider my application for Regular Decision?

Yes. If you are a Finalist who ranked Penn as one of your top eight schools but were not matched through the National College Match process, Penn will automatically consider you in the Regular Decision process. Please contact us if you wish to withdraw your application.

If I am a Finalist but did not list Penn as one of my eight choices, will Penn consider my application for Regular Decision?

Yes. You must contact QuestBridge to request that they forward your application to Penn. In addition, please note that you must also submit the Common or Universal Application and the Penn Supplement, as well as all supporting financial documents.

What if I am a Finalist but I chose not to participate in the Match process, will Penn consider me?

If you are a QuestBridge Finalist and you are participating in the Match Process you are not permitted to apply Early Decision to The University of Pennsylvania. QuestBridge applicants going through the Match Process must apply under the Regular Decision process. However, if you withdraw from the Match Process, you may apply directly to Penn under the Early Decision or Regular Decision plan. If applying Early Decision, you must submit your application by November 1; if applying Regular Decision, submit all materials by January 1.

Early Decision and Regular Decision candidates should follow all the standard guidelines for an applicant to Penn: http://www.admissions.upenn.edu/applying/incoming.php.

What if I apply to QuestBridge but am not named a Finalist; will Penn consider my application?

Yes. You may apply either Early Decision or Regular Decision and you should follow all the standard guidelines for an applicant to Penn: http://www.admissions.upenn.edu/applying/incoming.php.

If I am admitted to Penn, but not through the National College Match Program, what kind of financial aid will I be offered?

Financial aid at Penn is need-based, and Penn is committed to meet 100% of your determined need. In addition, Penn will not expect dependent students to borrow student loans to meet their academic year financial need, regardless of the family income level. Student Financial Services (SFS) considers each student and his or her family's financial situation individually. For more information on financial aid, please see SFS's website: http://www.sfs.upenn.edu/paying/paying-pro.htm.


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Home National College Match The Program The Scholarship Partner Colleges Selection Criteria Student Profiles Process Overview Application FAQ College Prep Scholarship Student Resource Center Refer A Student About Us	University of Pennsylvania QuestBridge National College Match Program Penn's partnership with QuestBridge is one of a number of initiatives designed to meet our commitment to President Amy Gutmann's progressive vision for the University: the Penn Compact. The Compact embodies our pledge to increase access, integrate knowledge, and engage both locally and globally. As a program aimed at increasing the number of talented low-income students at some of the nation's best colleges and universities, The National College Match Program increases access by allowing students to consider Penn without worrying about the cost of attendance. We hope you will choose to apply to the University of Pennsylvania! If you are selected as a QuestBridge Finalist and wish to rank Penn as one of your eight choices, your QuestBridge application will be forwarded to Penn's Admissions Office. In addition to the QuestBridge application, however, we require some additional information. The following documents must be faxed, postmarked, or electronically submitted to Penn's Admissions Office by November 3rd, 2008: The Common Application or the Universal Application (you may use your QuestBridge essays as your Common/Universal Application essays by copying and pasting the essays into the Application) The Penn Supplement Please note: the Penn Supplement must be submitted online if you submit the Common or Universal College Application online. If you mail or fax your Common or Universal College application, please print and also complete the Penn Supplement. Official high school transcript Official score reports. You make take either: the SAT Reasoning Test and two SAT Subject Tests (Penn's SAT code: 2926) or the ACT with Writing (ACT code: 3732) Mid-Year Report from high school counselor, if available Please note: you do not need to resubmit your Secondary School Report form or your two Teacher Recommendations. The following information must be faxed, postmarked, or electronically submitted to Student Financial Services by November 3rd, 2008: The University of Pennsylvania Cover Sheet for Financial Documents and supporting documents: The College Board CSS PROFILE (Penn's CSS code: 2933) The Penn Financial Aid Supplement (PFAS) Please note: Complete and submit online via the MyPenn Applicant Portal if you are a US Citizen or Permanent resident. To access the Applicant Portal, you will need your login credentials, which the Office of Admissions will send you in early November, after they receive your Common or Universal College Application. Parent tax return (all pages and schedules) and W-2's for 2007 Review a complete financial aid application checklist at http://www.sfs.upenn.edu/finaid-checklists/checklists-pro-us-edp.htm Student Financial Services, Attn: QuestBridge Finalist Committee 005 Franklin Building 3451 Walnut Street Philadelphia, PA 19104-6270 Fax: (215) 573-5428 Frequently Asked Questions Is there a fee to apply to Penn through QuestBridge, or are fee waivers available? The application fee is automatically waived for QuestBridge Finalists participating in the National College Match process. If using the Common Application, select ''Other'' under ''Fee Waiver Request'' in the ''Payments'' section of the Common Application. If using the Universal Application, select ''counselor approved fee waiver.'' Can international students apply to the University of Pennsylvania through QuestBridge? At this time, participation in the National College Match process is limited to citizens and permanent residents of the United States, Canada and Mexico. What is the last testing date Penn will accept? For the Match process, the last date candidates may take the SAT and Subject Tests is October 2008. For the ACT with Writing, the last date is October 25th. Please do not use the ''rush'' option for sending scores to Penn; your scores will make it to us in time without being rushed. Regular Decision candidates should complete all testing by December of their senior year. First-time testing delayed until January will place the applicant at a disadvantage in our evaluation process. Do I have a better chance of being admitted to Penn if I apply through the College Match process? No. College Match candidates, like all applicants to Penn, are evaluated in the same rigorous and holistic manner and all applicants are held to the same high standards. For those who Match with Penn, is the decision binding? Yes. You'll be able to spend the rest of your senior year focusing on finishing strong and looking forward to coming to Philadelphia, instead of stressing over pending decisions! Congratulations! When are QuestBridge Finalists notified if they were matched with Penn? Matched students will be notified by QuestBridge on December 1st and contacted by Penn shortly thereafter. Do you offer a fly-in program or special visit specifically for QuestBridge applicants? While we do not have a program specifically for QuestBridge applicants, we welcome you to visit campus. The Admissions Office staff conducts information sessions weekdays and student-led tours are offered seven days a week. Please see our schedule here: http://www.admissions.upenn.edu/visiting/tours.php. Overnight visits and class visits may also be arranged by appointment. Details may be found at: http://www.admissions.upenn.edu/visiting/other.php. May I send in more than two letters of reference? In general, two letters are sufficient to give us a sense of who you are as a student and as a person. If, however, you feel strongly that someone (perhaps a religious leader, a close advisor, an employer or another teacher, for instance) has the capacity to add new and different insight or information to your application, please feel free to submit an additional letter. How many students will be matched at Penn? As it is Penn's first year participating in the Match process, we do not yet know how many students we will admit through the Match process and there is no target number of students we plan to admit. Our decisions will be made based on the strength and financial need of individual applicants, and we hope that applicants not matched with Penn will find success in the Regular Decision process. If I am a Finalist and listed Penn as one of my eight choices, but was not matched, will Penn consider my application for Regular Decision? Yes. If you are a Finalist who ranked Penn as one of your top eight schools but were not matched through the National College Match process, Penn will automatically consider you in the Regular Decision process. Please contact us if you wish to withdraw your application. If I am a Finalist but did not list Penn as one of my eight choices, will Penn consider my application for Regular Decision? Yes. You must contact QuestBridge to request that they forward your application to Penn. In addition, please note that you must also submit the Common or Universal Application and the Penn Supplement, as well as all supporting financial documents. What if I am a Finalist but I chose not to participate in the Match process, will Penn consider me? If you are a QuestBridge Finalist and you are participating in the Match Process you are not permitted to apply Early Decision to The University of Pennsylvania. QuestBridge applicants going through the Match Process must apply under the Regular Decision process. However, if you withdraw from the Match Process, you may apply directly to Penn under the Early Decision or Regular Decision plan. If applying Early Decision, you must submit your application by November 1; if applying Regular Decision, submit all materials by January 1. Early Decision and Regular Decision candidates should follow all the standard guidelines for an applicant to Penn: http://www.admissions.upenn.edu/applying/incoming.php. What if I apply to QuestBridge but am not named a Finalist; will Penn consider my application? Yes. You may apply either Early Decision or Regular Decision and you should follow all the standard guidelines for an applicant to Penn: http://www.admissions.upenn.edu/applying/incoming.php. If I am admitted to Penn, but not through the National College Match Program, what kind of financial aid will I be offered? Financial aid at Penn is need-based, and Penn is committed to meet 100% of your determined need. In addition, Penn will not expect dependent students to borrow student loans to meet their academic year financial need, regardless of the family income level. Student Financial Services (SFS) considers each student and his or her family's financial situation individually. For more information on financial aid, please see SFS's website: http://www.sfs.upenn.edu/paying/paying-pro.htm.
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