How to Apply to Computer Science at the University of Pennsylvania: The Computer Science BSE and BAS in Penn Engineering, Concentrations and Second Majors, with Requirements and Timeline for Chinese and Canadian High School Students and Transfer Students

At the University of Pennsylvania (Penn), undergraduate computer science is taught by the Department of Computer and Information Science (CIS) in the School of Engineering and Applied Science (Penn Engineering, or SEAS). Here is what you need to know for fall 2027 entry, based on Penn’s website, for students at high schools in China, students at Canadian high schools (including BC and Vancouver students), and transfer students.

1. Degrees and majors

• Two degree types:
  • BSE in Computer Science: the department’s flagship degree, a traditional engineering degree for students seeking technical depth, research or software engineering careers, covering algorithms, systems, AI, software engineering and the mathematical foundations of computing, plus math, science and liberal arts;
  • BAS in Computer Science: a strong computing foundation with the flexibility to combine the humanities, social sciences, business or communications; Penn describes it as designed for students who do not plan to work as professional engineers.
• Other majors in the department: Artificial Intelligence (BSE), Computer Engineering, Digital Media Design (DMD, a small program with one or two summers of industry experience) and Visual and Interactive Computing (VIC, combining computer science and fine arts).
• Concentrations: only for the CSCI degree; optional, one per degree, typically four related courses. Listed concentrations include Computer Vision, Systems, Artificial Intelligence, Software Foundations, Data Science, Cognitive Science and Computational Biology.
• Combinations: dual majors within Engineering (two BSE curricula; BAS students cannot dual major within Engineering); dual degrees with another Penn school, such as Engineering and Wharton; a College of Arts and Sciences second major for Engineering students; and a CS second major for College students.
• Accelerated master’s: Engineering undergraduates apply to submatriculate by 1 June of junior year and may take up to three graduate courses that count toward both degrees.
• Detailed course requirements: these are in the Penn catalog, which this guide could not access; check the catalog for students entering fall 2020 or later.

2. How to apply

• Apply to a school: Penn applicants choose one of four undergraduate schools (or a coordinated dual-degree program); for computer science, apply to the School of Engineering and Applied Science. VIC is listed separately by Admissions as a specialized Engineering program; review its workload before applying.
• What Admissions wants to see: an ability to innovate, design and apply scientific discoveries; clear reasons for pursuing engineering; and strong preparation in physics and mathematics, particularly calculus.
• Choosing the CS major when applying, and changing majors within Engineering or between schools: the Admissions and CIS pages do not say. Check with Penn Engineering undergraduate advising.

3. Dates and materials

• Early Decision (binding): 1 November 2026, decisions in December; the applicant, a parent and the counselor sign the ED agreement.
• Regular Decision: 5 January 2027, decisions in April.
• Platform: Common App or Coalition Application, USD 75 fee.
• Recommendations: one counselor and one core-subject teacher, plus one optional.
• Transcripts: official transcripts for all high school years, a School Report, and a mid-year report after the first semester of grade 12.
• SAT or ACT (required): no minimum; Penn superscores and does not require ACT science; for ED the last accepted tests are the October 2026 ACT or November 2026 SAT. If testing is genuinely not possible, you can request a waiver in the application; scores you already have must be submitted.

4. Students at high schools in China

• Same process: Penn reads applications by the region of your high school, not nationality, with holistic review and no fixed course requirements or minimum scores. Engineering applicants should build strong physics and math, especially calculus.
• Transcripts: all high school years; no third-party evaluation or GPA conversion needed.
• A-levels and IB: Penn’s decisions usually come before national exam results, so submit predicted grades and send final results before enrolling.
• English: exempt if English is your first language or you will have studied in English for three years by enrollment. Otherwise, competitive scores are TOEFL 5+ on the new scale (100+ on the old scale), IELTS 7+ and Duolingo 130+; for 2026-2027 only tests from 1 April 2025, sent by the testing agency, are accepted.

5. Students at Canadian high schools

• Materials and deadlines are the same; Penn does not list requirements for Canadian provinces, including BC.
• Three years of English-medium high school usually means no English test.
• Financial aid: Canadian citizens and permanent residents use Penn’s Canadian aid application and Canadian tax returns; Penn’s “international” aid policy applies to students outside the U.S., Canada and Mexico.

6. Transfer students

• Timeline: the fall 2027 transfer application opens on 5 January 2027 and closes on 15 March; fall entry only.
• Penn Engineering: typically admits only students with one year of credit, as second-year students; you must select a major when you apply (a specific BSE or BAS program).
• Coursework Engineering expects: one chemistry, one calculus-based physics, one computer programming and two calculus courses, plus two social sciences or humanities courses if possible. Computer Engineering also needs a second physics course.
• Penn-wide rules: at least one full year of transferable coursework (8 semester courses or equivalent); no prior bachelor’s degree; at least half of all courses and half of major courses taken at Penn; final credit decided by departments after enrollment.

7. Costs and financial aid

• 2026-2027 cost of attendance (on campus, USD): tuition 65,670, fees 8,308, housing 13,644, dining 6,960, books 1,412, transport 1,080, personal 2,008, total 99,082. First- and second-year students must live on campus with a dining plan.
• International aid: for students who are not U.S., Canadian or Mexican citizens or permanent residents, admission is need-aware; admitted aid applicants have 100% of need met; you must apply for aid when you apply for admission, by 6 November 2026 (ED) or 1 February 2027 (RD); Penn offers need-based aid only, with no merit scholarships.

Checklist

Students at high schools in China:

• Apply to the School of Engineering and Applied Science; build strong physics and math, especially calculus
• SAT or ACT required; TOEFL 5 / IELTS 7 / Duolingo 130 or higher
• ED 1 November, RD 5 January; apply for aid at the same time if needed

Students at Canadian high schools (including BC and Vancouver):

• Same deadlines and testing; three years of English-medium school usually waives English tests; use the Canadian aid application

Transfer students:

• Complete chemistry, calculus-based physics, programming and two calculus courses; apply by 15 March and choose your major

Sources: University of Pennsylvania, CIS undergraduate program; Computer Science BSE and BAS; Program options; CSCI concentrations; Admissions: Penn Engineering; First-year applicants; Application requirements; Testing; International applicants; Transfer requirements and deadlines; Transfer eligibility and credit; Penn Engineering transfer; International aid; Cost of attendance. The course catalog (catalog.upenn.edu) could not be accessed; check it for detailed degree requirements. Check Penn for the latest details.