A coordinated dual degree
A BA from the College in one of four science fields and a BSE from Engineering in one of six engineering fields.
Undergraduate · Penn
Penn VIPER: a science and engineering dual degree focused on energy
Penn's Roy and Diana Vagelos Integrated Program in Energy Research (VIPER) is a coordinated dual degree: a BA from the College of Arts and Sciences in physics and astronomy, chemistry, mathematics or earth and environmental science, plus a BSE from the School of Engineering and Applied Science. Penn Admissions lists it as a specialised program that can be applied for in the first-year application with two additional essays, and VIPER's own pages describe how applicants select it as their intended primary program. For an A-level or IB applicant, the decision is whether an energy-focused, two-school degree fits, and how to show STEM preparation. This guide claims nothing about odds.
Official information · read 31 October 2026, no entry-year label
What Penn says about Penn VIPER
Taken from Penn Admissions' Four Schools, Specialized Degree Programs, International Applicants and Testing pages and the VIPER program's own pages, 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.
Apply at first-year admission, or transfer in
Penn says students may apply through the first-year application or as internal transfers, space permitting; two additional essays are required.
Select VIPER as the intended primary program
VIPER says applicants submit a Penn application by the Early or Regular Decision deadlines and select it as the intended primary program of study.
STEM preparation, not prior energy experience
VIPER encourages STEM preparation such as AP, IB or higher level exams where available, and says prior research or energy experience is not required.
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 Admissions: Specialized Degree Programsadmissions.upenn.edu
- Penn VIPER: Home and How to Applyviper.upenn.edu
- Penn Admissions: International Applicantsadmissions.upenn.edu
- Penn Admissions: Testingadmissions.upenn.edu
Read on 31 October 2026 on Penn Admissions' Four Schools, Specialized Degree Programs, International Applicants and Testing pages and the VIPER program's own pages, which describes 2027 entry. The pages carry no entry-year label. Penn's VIPER curriculum and research pages, the transfer page, deadlines and financial aid were not read and are not stated.
The programme
What Penn and VIPER say it is
Penn Admissions describes VIPER as a coordinated dual degree. Students earn a BA from the College in Physics and Astronomy, Chemistry, Mathematics or Earth and Environmental Science, and a BSE from Engineering in Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Materials Science and Engineering, Mechanical Engineering and Applied Mechanics, Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering or Computer and Information Science. VIPER's own page describes a program that trains students to become energy leaders through interdisciplinary approaches and research experience. This guide did not read the curriculum or research pages.
Is it the right route?
VIPER, a single science or engineering degree, or another dual degree
Penn describes each as a separate route. Avandy's comparison is general.
VIPER fits if
you want a science degree and an engineering degree together, built around energy.
A single degree fits if
you prefer one school's curriculum. Avandy's Penn College and Penn Engineering guides cover those routes.
Another dual degree fits if
your interest is business combined with science or technology. Avandy's Penn Management and Technology guide covers one.
Admission and testing
SAT or ACT, predicted scores and STEM preparation
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. VIPER encourages demonstrating STEM preparation, for example through AP, IB or higher level exams where available, and says external exam credit meeting Penn's requirements can count toward the dual degrees. This guide states no score.
A decision framework
Three questions before you commit
This is Avandy's own framework, not Penn's.
Which science and engineering pairing interests you?
VIPER lists four science and six engineering fields.
Can you show STEM preparation?
VIPER encourages it, and says prior energy experience is not required.
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 VIPER's how-to-apply 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
How do I apply to VIPER?
Submit a Penn application by the Early or Regular Decision deadlines and select VIPER as the intended primary program of study; two additional essays are required for the first-year application.
Can I join VIPER after arriving?
Penn says students may apply through the first-year application or as internal transfers, space permitting.
Do I need research or energy experience?
VIPER says prior experience in research or energy is not a requirement.
Does VIPER mention the IB?
Yes. It encourages demonstrating STEM preparation, for example through AP, IB or higher level exams where resources are available.
Do I need the SAT or ACT?
Penn's testing page says applicants are required to submit scores, with a waiver for hardship.
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 VIPER
Tell us about the student's curriculum, their science and mathematics, which pairing of science and engineering interests them 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.