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 submitted to Penn's Admissions
Office by November 2nd, 2009:
- Official high school transcript
- Official score reports. You may 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, when it becomes available.
- Please note: you do not need to resubmit your Secondary School Report form or your two Teacher Recommendations.
The following information must be submitted to Student Financial Services by November 2nd,
2009:
- 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 QuestBridge Application and Penn Supplement.
- Parent tax return (all pages and schedules) and W-2's for 2008
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 you are using
the Common Application during Regular or Early Decision, 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 2009. For the ACT with Writing,
the last date is October 24th, 2009. 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. If you’re matched, congratulations! 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!
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?
There is no set target number of QuestBridge students with which Penn hopes to match; rather, all admissions decisions will be made based on the strength and financial need of individual applicants. 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. You do not need to submit any further materials. 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. Please make sure to notify both Penn and QuestBridge of the change in your status. 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.
