BSE or BAS, with 12 majors
Penn Engineering grants the Bachelor of Science in Engineering and the Bachelor of Applied Science. The BSE is the flagship programme; the BAS offers more flexibility to combine engineering with other interests.
Undergraduate · Penn Engineering
Penn Engineering: one of four schools, with calculus and physics expected
Penn Engineering admits students to its own school, not to a department: applicants choose the School of Engineering and Applied Science at the point of application, and the school grants the Bachelor of Science in Engineering or the Bachelor of Applied Science. It looks for strong preparation in physics and mathematics, particularly calculus, an ability to innovate and design, and reasons for pursuing engineering. For A-level and IB applicants Penn has no explicit course or score requirements, accepts predicted results and requires the SAT or ACT. The decision is how Engineering compares with Wharton, Nursing and the College as a home base.
Official information · last verified for 2027 entry
What Penn says about Penn Engineering
Taken from Penn Admissions' School of Engineering and Applied Science, Four Schools, First-Year Applicants, International Applicants and Testing pages and read on 31 October 2026. For a normal 2028-entry application, made in 2027, every requirement below is last verified for the previous cycle and may change; Penn's 2028-entry requirements and dates are awaiting publication.
Calculus and physics
Penn says Engineering looks for exposure to calculus and physics, which are necessary to complete its degrees, and strong preparation in physics and mathematics.
You apply to a school, not to Penn
Penn says you apply to one of four undergraduate schools or a coordinated dual-degree programme. Programmes with an Engineering degree include M&T, VIPER and VIC.
No explicit A-level or IB course or score rule
Penn says it has no explicit course or minimum score requirements, accepts predicted scores where final results are not yet available, and wants rigorous courses.
The SAT or ACT is required
Penn applicants are required to submit SAT or ACT scores, though a hardship waiver exists. There is no minimum score.
Official sources
- Penn Admissions: The Four Schoolsadmissions.upenn.edu
- Penn Admissions: School of Engineering and Applied Scienceadmissions.upenn.edu
- Penn Admissions: International Applicantsadmissions.upenn.edu
- Penn Admissions: Testingadmissions.upenn.edu
Read on 31 October 2026 on Penn Admissions' School of Engineering and Applied Science, Four Schools, First-Year Applicants, International Applicants and Testing pages, which describes 2027 entry. Penn Engineering's own major and curriculum pages, Penn's English-proficiency scores, deadlines beyond those stated, financial aid and the 2028-entry values were not read and are not stated.
Choosing a school
Engineering against Wharton, Nursing and the College
Penn says each school has its own curriculum and requirements, though students can take classes across schools. The College of Arts and Sciences grants a Bachelor of Arts with 60 or more major-granting departments; Wharton grants a Bachelor of Science in Economics with 20 concentrations; Nursing grants nursing and nutrition science degrees; Engineering grants the BSE or BAS with 12 majors. Penn says to apply to the school that matches both your academic interests and your preparation to date, and that Engineering looks for exposure to calculus and physics. The choice is made at application.
BSE or BAS
Two degrees in one school
Penn says the Bachelor of Science in Engineering is the flagship programme for professional engineers and computer scientists, while the Bachelor of Applied Science offers more flexibility in combining engineering science and technology with interests beyond engineering. Penn also encourages interdisciplinary combinations with business, medicine, law, liberal arts and sciences. Coordinated dual-degree, accelerated and specialised programmes, including M&T, VIPER and VIC, carry a greater workload and their own essays.
A-levels, the IB and testing
Rigorous courses, predicted scores and a required SAT or ACT
Penn's international FAQ says it has no explicit course or minimum score requirements because it reviews your whole context, and likes to see rigorous courses and good preparation for the programme you apply to. If final results are not yet available, your school should provide predicted scores. Penn requires the SAT or ACT, with a hardship waiver, no minimum score and no preference between tests. This guide states no score.
A decision framework
Three questions before you commit
This is Avandy's own framework, not Penn's.
Is Engineering the school you want?
The school grants your degree and your essays should focus on it.
Do you have calculus and physics?
Penn names them as necessary preparation.
BSE or BAS?
The BAS offers more flexibility; the BSE is the flagship professional route.
Planning for 2028 entry
Planning for 2028 entry: what carries over and what is awaiting publication
Applying for 2028 entry means applying in 2027, under rules Penn has not yet published for that cycle. Each item below carries one of two labels. Last verified for 2027 entry means Penn published it for the previous cycle and it may change. Awaiting publication for 2028 entry means Penn has not yet published it.
The school-based application, the calculus and physics expectations, the predicted-scores rule and the SAT or ACT requirement: last verified for 2027 entry
These are the best guide to what to prepare. Penn has not confirmed them for 2028 entry.
Deadlines, test dates and any change to the testing policy for 2028 entry: awaiting publication
Check Penn's pages for the 2028-entry values when they appear.
What to do now
Confirm calculus and physics, decide between BSE and BAS 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 Penn. No outcome is promised.
Questions
Questions applicants ask
Do I apply to Penn or to Penn Engineering?
Penn says you apply to one of its four undergraduate schools or a coordinated dual-degree programme, so you apply to the School of Engineering and Applied Science.
What does Penn Engineering look for?
An ability to innovate, design and practically apply scientific discoveries, expressed reasons for pursuing engineering, and strong preparation in physics and mathematics, particularly calculus.
Are there A-level or IB course or score requirements?
Penn says it has no explicit course requirements or minimum test score requirements.
Do I need the SAT or ACT?
Yes, with a hardship waiver available. There is no minimum score.
What is the difference between BSE and BAS?
The BSE is the flagship programme for professional engineers and computer scientists; the BAS offers more flexibility to combine engineering with other interests.
Are these the rules for 2028 entry?
No. They are Penn's wording for the 2027 application cycle. Check Penn's pages again when Penn publishes its 2028-entry requirements.
Students and families
Talk to us about Penn Engineering
Tell us about the student's curriculum, their calculus and physics, their reasons for engineering and which of the four schools fits, the universities on the list, and the intended year of entry. A senior adviser will review the academic profile before recommending how to prepare.