You apply to a school, not to Penn
Penn says applicants choose one of four undergraduate schools or a coordinated dual-degree program; AI is a BSE major in Penn Engineering.
Undergraduate · Penn Engineering
Penn Artificial Intelligence BSE: an Engineering major, reached through Engineering
Penn tells applicants that they do not technically apply to Penn but to one of its schools, and Artificial Intelligence is a BSE major in Penn Engineering. The Catalog describes a 12-course-unit structure with at least one unit from each of six categories, optional concentrations built from the AI electives and requirements written for students entering in Fall 2026 and later. For an A-level or IB applicant, the questions are how the major is reached through Engineering, what Penn says about calculus and physics preparation and what it requires, including the SAT or ACT. This guide claims no separate admission to the AI major.
Official information · read 31 October 2026, no entry-year label
What Penn says about Penn Artificial Intelligence
Taken from Penn Admissions' Four Schools, International Applicants and Testing pages and the Penn Catalog's Artificial Intelligence BSE page, read on 31 October 2026. The pages carry no entry-year label, so for a 2028-entry application every statement below is evidence for the previous cycle and may change; check Penn's pages for the 2028-entry details.
Calculus and physics exposure
Penn Admissions says Penn Engineering is looking for exposure to calculus and physics.
Twelve units across six categories
The Catalog requires 12 course units with at least one from each of six categories.
Optional concentrations
Students can build a concentration by selecting 4 of their 6 required AI electives from an approved list.
The SAT or ACT is required
Penn's testing page says applicants are required to submit scores, with a waiver for hardship.
Official sources
- Penn Admissions: The Four Schoolsadmissions.upenn.edu
- Penn Catalog: Artificial Intelligence, BSEcatalog.upenn.edu
- Penn Admissions: Testingadmissions.upenn.edu
Read on 31 October 2026 on Penn Admissions' Four Schools, International Applicants and Testing pages and the Penn Catalog's Artificial Intelligence BSE page, which describes 2027 entry. The pages carry no entry-year label. Penn Engineering's department pages, the SEAS Undergraduate Handbook, the approved AI elective and concentration lists, deadlines and financial aid were not read and are not stated.
The major
What the Catalog says AI is
The Catalog frames artificial intelligence as a field with tremendous research and innovation opportunities and horizontal impact across engineering, computing and many application domains. The requirements displayed are written for students entering in Fall 2026 and later: 12 course units with at least one unit from each of six categories, with notes that the CIS elective must be an engineering course and the Natural Science elective can be met with appropriate AP credit such as AP Physics. This guide did not read the elective lists.
Is it the right major?
AI, Computer Science or another Engineering route
Penn describes each as separate and the school is chosen when applying. Avandy's comparison is general.
The AI BSE fits if
you want an engineering degree focused on artificial intelligence within Penn Engineering.
Other Engineering routes fit if
your interest is broader. Avandy's Penn Engineering guide covers the school.
A dual-degree program fits if
you want business or another school alongside. Avandy's Penn Management and Technology guide covers one.
Admission and testing
SAT or ACT, predicted scores and no fixed A-level or IB scores
Penn's testing page says applicants are required to submit SAT or ACT scores, with a waiver for hardship. Penn says it has no explicit course requirements or minimum test score requirements and accepts predicted scores when final results are not yet available. Penn Engineering looks for exposure to calculus and physics. This guide states no score.
A decision framework
Three questions before you commit
This is Avandy's own framework, not Penn's.
Is AI your core interest, or computing in general?
The BSE is specifically in artificial intelligence.
Do you have calculus and physics exposure?
Penn Engineering says it looks for it.
Can you plan the SAT or ACT with your A levels or IB?
Penn requires one of them, with a hardship waiver.
Planning for 2028 entry
Planning for 2028 entry: what carries over and what is awaiting publication
Penn's pages carry no entry-year label, so nothing on them is confirmed for 2028 entry. Use them to understand the structure of the application, then check Penn's own pages for the 2028-entry details.
The requirements and descriptions on the pages read on 31 October 2026, which carry no entry-year label
These are the best guide to what to prepare. Penn has not confirmed them for 2028 entry.
Deadlines, fees, financial aid and any department prerequisites not quoted here: not stated
This guide has not read them. Check Penn for the values that apply to your application year.
What to do now
Read the Catalog's AI BSE page and plan the SAT or ACT.
Support
Independent support with planning your own application
Avandy provides independent academic and admissions support. It is not affiliated with the University of Pennsylvania or any of its colleges or departments. Preparation sits within the Avandy Trinity Advisory Model: a Strategic Admissions Consultant, a PhD-level Academic Mentor and a Subject-specific Tutor, working to the actual requirements of each course. Support here is limited to understanding the requirements and planning the applicant's own work; Avandy does not write or edit essays, does not submit any materials and has no partnership with the University of Pennsylvania. No outcome is promised.
Questions
Questions applicants ask
Do I apply to the AI major directly?
Penn says you apply to one of its four schools or a coordinated dual-degree program; AI is a BSE major in Penn Engineering.
What preparation does Penn Engineering look for?
Penn Admissions says Penn Engineering is looking for exposure to calculus and physics.
How many course units?
The Catalog requires 12 course units, with at least one from each of six categories.
Do I need the SAT or ACT?
Penn's testing page says applicants are required to submit scores, with a waiver for hardship.
Does Penn set A-level or IB score requirements?
Penn says it has no explicit course requirements or minimum test score requirements for admittance.
Are these the rules for 2028 entry?
No. They are Penn's wording with no entry-year label. Check Penn's pages again when Penn publishes its 2028-entry requirements.
Students and families
Talk to us about Penn Artificial Intelligence
Tell us about the student's curriculum, their mathematics and physics, their interest in artificial intelligence and their SAT or ACT plan, the universities on the list, and the intended year of entry. A senior adviser will review the academic profile before recommending how to prepare.