The Post-Baccalaureate Studies program (Post-Bacc Studies) is designed for individuals from a variety of backgrounds and requires no specific prerequisite courses. However, applicants must meet all of the eligibility requirements.
Applicants must hold a bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited US institution. Successful applicants to the program should possess at least a 3.0 grade point average in previous academic work.
International students should make sure that their degree is the equivalent of a four-year degree in the US. Students requiring an F-1 visa must study full-time and can be sponsored for a maximum of two years. If you have any additional questions on visa requirements, please contact International Student and Scholar Services at Penn.
The Post-Baccalaureate Studies Admissions Committee considers each program candidate’s application materials holistically, as part of a selective admissions process. In addition to reviewing your academic record and resume, they will evaluate all of your written application materials as a reflection of your academic writing ability.
Post-Baccalaureate Studies program application deadlines
You may apply to begin Post-Baccalaureate Studies during the fall, spring, or summer terms. Note that Penn LPS does not offer an admission deferral option; please be sure to apply to the term for which you plan to begin your studies. Due to recent concerns and potential delays in obtaining visas, admitted students experiencing difficulties are encouraged to contact their program’s staff. Programs are actively working with students to explore available options for beginning their studies.
Your application portfolio, including all transcripts, must be received by the following deadlines:
| Term of Entry | Deadline |
|---|---|
| Fall 2026 | August 1, 2026 |
| Spring 2027 | December 1, 2026 |
| Summer 2027 | May 1, 2027 |
If you are a graduate of the University of Pennsylvania, Bryn Mawr College, Haverford College, or Swarthmore College please apply to the "Penn Alumni Program" within the application.
International applicants should submit their application at least eight weeks before the published deadline to allow time to obtain visas.
Application materials checklist
Since all required supporting documents are submitted through the online application system, hardcopy material other than official transcripts will not be accepted.* 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.
*Unsolicited material will not be used for review.
Applications must contain all of the following in order to be considered complete:
- Completed online application
- Current resume
- Nonrefundable $75 application fee
- Application essays, listed below
- Unofficial transcripts** from each post-secondary school attended uploaded through the online application system
- Standardized test scores, if applicable (details below)
**If you attended an international institution official transcripts are required to review your application. See more information about our transcript policies. If transcripts and diplomas are not issued in English by the institution, both the official record and an authorized English translation must be submitted.
Post-Baccalaureate Studies program application essays
Your application will include essays addressing the topics listed below. The essays are reviewed as a reflection of your writing ability and should be well-thought-out and polished. Responses should not exceed four pages in length for all the questions combined. (Please compile your responses into a single document, but keep them as separate essays.)
- Describe your educational history and background, making sure to address both academic and nonacademic experiences. Please clarify whether your records and transcripts accurately reflect your academic ability. (250-word maximum)
- Explain your goals for participating in the program, some of the coursework you are interested in and campus resources you plan to utilize. Be as specific as you can about your plans upon completing the program and about your eventual career goals. (250-word maximum)
Standardized test scores
Standardized test scores are not required for admission to the Post-Baccalaureate Studies program.
TOEFL or IELTS test scores, if applicable
A strong command of the English language is necessary for successful study at Penn. A TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) or IELTS (International English Language Testing System) is required for applicants whose native language is not English.
TOEFL: ETS introduced a new TOEFL iBT scoring scale on January 21, 2026. During this transition period, score reports may include either the new 1–6 scale or the legacy 0–120 scale.
The minimum TOEFL scores required for admissions consideration are as follows:
- For TOEFL iBT exams taken on or before January 20, 2026, applicants must achieve a minimum overall score of 100.
- For TOEFL iBT exams taken on or after January 21, 2026, applicants must achieve a minimum overall score of 5.0 on the new TOEFL iBT score scale.
To locate a testing site near you or schedule an exam, visit the TOEFL website. Please note the at-home TOEFL is accepted. Official TOEFL scores must be sent electronically from ETS to the University of Pennsylvania’s College of Liberal and Professional Studies (LPS), testing school code: 2986.
IELTS: The minimum score for consideration is a 7.0 composite.
You may upload an official or unofficial copy of your IELTS test to the standardized test score section of your application or email it to lps-admissions@sas.upenn.edu. To locate a testing site near you or schedule an exam, visit the IELTS website.
Please note, the College of Liberal and Professional Studies is accepting at-home GRE and TOEFL test scores. Visit the specific standardized testing websites for exam options in your home country.
Upon review of an applicant's file, the Admissions Committee reserves the right to request TOEFL scores.
International transcripts from institutions outside the United States
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.
The World Education Service will provide instructions for how to request and submit the required academic documents for review, and the process can take several weeks to complete. Transcript evaluations may take 8 to 12 weeks to complete. We encourage you to begin this process at least 3 months in advance of the published application deadline. Your application will not be reviewed by the Admissions Committee until the required official course-by-course evaluation is received.
Please note that WES charges a fee for the evaluation.
