Admissions

“‘We understand that veterans not only bring unique perspectives to our undergraduate population, but also that they face unique challenges in navigating the college application process,’ said Penn admissions dean Whitney Soule, noting that they may have different perspectives if they went straight to the military from high school. ’We want them to hear loud and clear that Penn could be an option for them.’”

Dean Whitney Soule of Admissions, Regina Cunningham of the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania, Joan Doyle of Penn Medicine at Home, and alumni Ramune Bartuskaite, Annie Allman, Mary Chan, and Geneva Brown are recognized as 2025 Women of Influence.

Sean Vereen of the Graduate School of Education and Dean of Admissions Whitney Soule comment on the College App Classroom, a free 28-lesson course developed by the University of Pennsylvania.

Penn received 72,544 applications and admitted 4.9% of its applicants for fall 2025, its most selective year in history, according to Dean Whitney Soule of Admissions.

Penn saw more than 65,000 student applicant submissions for the 2023-24 school year.

Dean of Admissions Whitney Soule shares her own daughter’s journey as a high school senior during the college application process.

Dean of Admissions Whitney Soule says that well-meaning editorial interference to polish the writing in a college application essay can take the personal “shine” out of the message.

Penn received more than 65,000 undergraduate applications for the Class of 2028, the most in its history.