FAQs

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I won't graduate from my undergraduate program until the summer. Can I still apply for fall enrollment?

Yes, if you will graduate before any required summer programming and/or the fall semester starts, you can apply while in the final year of your undergraduate degree. If you are admitted and enroll, you will need to submit a final transcript (or course-by-course evaluation) from your undergraduate school showing your final courses, grades, and proof of degree conferral.

Are your programs considered STEM fields of study?

The following programs have STEM designation:

• Master of Architecture
• Master of City Planning
• Master in Environmental Building Design
• Master of Landscape Architecture
• Master of Science in Design: Advanced Architectural Design
• Master of Science in Design: Environmental Building Design
• Master of Science in Design: Historic Preservation
• Master of Science in Design: Robotics and Autonomous Systems
• Master of Science in Historic Preservation
• Master of Urban Spatial Analytics
• PhD in City and Regional Planning

Do I need a background in architecture to apply to the Master of Architecture or Master of Science in Design (AAD, EBD, RAS) programs? Do I need a background in landscape architecture to apply to the Master of Landscape Architecture program?

Our Master of Architecture (both 3-year and 3.5-year) and 3-year Master of Landscape Architecture (first professional degree) programs do not require a previous background in those fields, although you must hold a four-year bachelor's degree (or equivalent) before entering either program.

M.Arch candidates who have not completed the necessary design studio prerequisites or who need the additional design experience will be admitted to the 3.5-year program, which includes required summer programming starting in early June.

Master of Science in Design (Advanced Architectural Design, Environmental Building Design, Robotics and Autonomous Systems) candidates must hold a professional architecture degree such as a 5-year Bachelor of Architecture (B.Arch) or Master of Architecture (M.Arch).

Candidates to the 2-year Master of Landscape Architecture (second professional degree) program must hold a professional degree such as a Bachelor of Landscape Architecture (BLA), Master of Landscape Architecture (MLA), Bachelor of Architecture (B.Arch), or Master of Architecture (M.Arch).

If you are unsure if you are qualified for a certain program, please email admissions@design.upenn.edu.

Do I need to take specific undergraduate courses before entering my degree program? Can I apply for admission if I haven't yet taken these courses?

The Master of Architecture, Master of Science in Historic Preservation, and Master of Science in Design: Historic Preservation programs have required prerequisites. Please visit our How to Apply page for requirements.

Will the AP classes I took in high school fulfill the above prerequisites?

If you received college credit for prerequisite courses (scored a 4 or 5 on the AP exam) and the credits appear on your undergraduate transcript, your AP classes will fulfill the prerequisites.

Will COVID-19 issues be considered?

Recognizing the challenges of teaching, learning, and assessing academic performance during the global COVID-19 pandemic, Penn’s admissions committees for graduate and professional programs will take the significant disruptions of the COVID-19 outbreak in 2020 into account when reviewing students’ transcripts and other admissions materials as part of their regular practice of performing individualized, holistic reviews of each applicant. In particular, as we review applications, we will respect decisions regarding the adoption of Pass/Fail and other grading options during the period of COVID-19 disruptions. An applicant will not be adversely affected in the admissions process if their academic institution implemented a mandatory pass/fail (or similar) system for the term or if the applicant chose to participate in an optional pass/fail (or similar) system for the term. Penn’s longstanding commitment remains to admit graduate and professional student cohorts composed of outstanding individuals who demonstrate the resilience and aptitude to succeed in their academic pursuits.

When do the programs start?

It is important to consider your program’s start dates; some programs have required summer programming that may start as early as the first week of June.

The following programs have required, in-person summer programming:

• Master of Architecture
• Master in Environmental Building Design
• Master of Landscape Architecture
• Master of Science in Design: Advanced Architectural Design
• Master of Science in Design: Environmental Building Design
• Master of Science in Design: Robotics and Autonomous Systems
• Master of Science in Historic Preservation

The following programs have required, virtual summer programming:

• Master of City Planning
• Master of Urban Spatial Analytics

Incoming students to all programs are required to attend New Student Orientation, which typically takes place the Friday before the first day of classes.

Our admitted students website lists last year’s summer programming dates. If admitted, your admissions letter will provide the current year’s dates.

Can I apply for spring enrollment?

Our master’s and doctoral degree programs begin in the summer or fall. There is no spring admission.

Current Penn students may apply for spring enrollment to a certificate program. Please visit our Certificates page for more information. https://www.design.upenn.edu/applications-certificates-dual-degrees

What are the application deadlines and fees?

Application deadlines vary by program. Applications must be submitted by 11:59 PM eastern time.

• November 1, 2024: Certificate applications for spring 2025 enrollment
• December 12, 2024: MS in Architecture, PhD in Architecture, and PhD in City and Regional Planning
• January 3, 2025: Master of Architecture (M.Arch), MSD in Robotics and Autonomous Systems (MSD-RAS), MSD in Advanced Architectural Design (MSD-AAD), MSD in Environmental Building Design (MSD-EBD), and Master in Environmental Building Design (MEBD)
• January 8, 2025: Master of City Planning (MCP), Master of Landscape Architecture (MLA), Master of Urban Spatial Analytics (MUSA), Master of Fine Arts (MFA), MSD in Historic Preservation (MSD-HP), and MS in Historic Preservation (MSHP)
• February 3, 2025: Certificate applications for fall 2025 enrollment (Application will open January 1, 2025.)

The application fee is $80 USD. The application fee is non-refundable.

Is there a different application for international students?

There is not a different application for international students. US citizens, Permanent Residents, and international applicants submit the same application.

What standardized tests are required? When should I take these tests?

Please visit our How to Apply page for standardized test requirements.  Scores must be received on or before the deadline for the program to which you are applying. We recommend taking any required standardized tests at least one month before the application deadline.

Where should my standardized test scores be sent?

Your test scores should be sent directly to the University of Pennsylvania Weitzman School of Design. Please ensure you are sending your scores to the Weitzman School of Design; we are unable to retrieve scores sent to other Penn schools. Please visit our How to Apply page for instructions on how to send test scores.

Is there a cut-off for GPA or standardized test scores?

We do not have a cut-off score for GPA or the GRE. For your GPA, we prefer a 3.3 (out of a 4.0 scale) or above. For the GRE, we prefer a 160 or above for the verbal section, 148 or above for the quantitative section, and 4.5 or above for the analytical writing section.

We require the following minimum scores for English proficiency tests:

• TOEFL: 100 total and a minimum of 25 in each section
• IELTS: 7 overall band score and a minimum of 7 on each section
• Duolingo: 135 total

I don’t have a GPA from my institution(s) OR my institution doesn’t calculate GPAs. What should I enter as my GPA?

We will look at your transcripts and/or course-by-course evaluations individually to assess your performance. You do not need to fill in the GPA if your institution doesn’t list or calculate a GPA. If you are submitting a course-by-course evaluation from WES or Educational Perspectives, they will provide a GPA.

I can’t upload documents such as my transcripts, essays, portfolio, etc. I keep receiving error messages or they are uploaded incorrectly.

Your file may be encrypted or password protected. Please remove any encryptions or protections before uploading.

You may need to reduce the file size or change the document type. The upload limit for all documents except the portfolio is 10 MB and you can only upload Word documents or PDFs.

The portfolio upload limit is 20 MB. Please visit our How to Apply page for specific portfolio requirements.

Please preview your documents before you submit your application. What you see in your preview is what the admissions committee will see.

Do you require official transcripts for the application?

For the purposes of submitting your application, you may submit unofficial transcripts. Please submit a transcript; we do not accept academic planning worksheets. All transcripts must be in English. We only require official transcripts and/or course-by-course evaluations if you are admitted and choose to enroll. Please visit our How to Apply page for more information on transcript requirements.

Can my recommender mail their letter of recommendation?

All letters of recommendation must be submitted electronically through the application system. We do not accept paper recommendations or emailed recommendations.

Can I request more than three letters of recommendation?

You can request up to four letters of recommendation. We only require three letters of recommendation.

Can my recommender use their personal email address?

We strongly recommend your recommender use their institutional or professional email address. Submissions from personal email addresses (Gmail, Hotmail, Yahoo) may be subject to additional review.

Your recommender should submit their recommendation on their institutional or professional letterhead and include their institutional or professional email in their signature, especially if they are using their personal email address.

I submitted a test score, but it is not showing up as received on my application checklist.

Our application system matches test scores by personal information entered on your test and application. If there are any discrepancies in this information, it may result in delays in matching.

Test scores must be sent directly to the Weitzman School of Design. We are unable to retrieve test scores sent to other Penn schools. Please visit our How to Apply page for instructions on how to send test scores. Test scores sent to the incorrect institution must be sent to the Weitzman School of Design at the applicant’s expense.

Can I reapply to the Weitzman School of Design?

An applicant may apply to a Weitzman program a maximum of three times. If the applicant has been denied admission for the third time, further applications to the same program will not be given consideration.

Reapplicants must submit all new forms and supporting materials. We will accept unexpired test scores, if required.

I'm currently enrolled in another graduate school. Can I transfer credits?

We do not allow degree credits to be counted for work completed at another institution; however, you may be considered for Advanced Standing into the M.Arch program if you have completed the equivalent of our first year of the M.Arch program in another graduate architecture school. All candidates apply to the 3-year M.Arch program; there is no separate Advanced Standing application process. Advanced Standing is determined during the review process by the faculty admissions committee.

Does the Weitzman School have any sample portfolios?

No, we do not have sample portfolios. A wide variety of design work and portfolio styles are submitted; there is no one type of correct or successful portfolio. In the case of architecture and landscape architecture applicants, the portfolio is considered a design project in and of itself.

Are interviews required?

All applicants will receive an email invitation to complete an optional video interview after submission. The video interview must be submitted within one week of your program’s application deadline. While the video interview is optional, it can positively impact your application. All applicants are strongly encouraged to submit the video interview, especially if your native language is not English (even if you attend an English-speaking institution).

The PhD and MFA programs require interviews. The program will contact you directly if your application progresses to the interview stage.

Other programs may contact you for informal interviews to learn more about your interests and skills.

Can I apply for more than one program in the Weitzman School at the same time?

You can submit more than one application for our dual degree programs. Applicants must apply to each program separately. There is no dual degree admissions committee; the two applications will be evaluated and decisioned separately. Once the first application is submitted, you can import the basic application information and uploaded transcripts into the second application. You will need to upload a new resume, personal statement, portfolio (if applicable), and request new letters of recommendation. You will also receive an application fee waiver code to use for the second application once you submit the first application.

Applicants to one of the MSD programs (Advanced Architectural Design, Environmental Building Design, or Robotics and Autonomous Systems) or the Master in Environmental Design (MEBD) program may not apply to another MSD or MEBD program in the same application cycle.

Can I apply to a master's degree and a certificate program at the same time?

You cannot apply to a master’s degree and certificate program at the same time. If you are admitted and enroll in a master’s degree program, you can apply for a certificate program as a current student. Please visit our Certificates page for more information.

May I have my application materials returned to me?

The application and supporting material submitted to the Weitzman School become property of the School and will not be returned to the applicant under any circumstances.

How do I know if you received my application materials?

Once you have submitted your application, you will have access to your application status page to review and monitor your missing materials. If you have applied to multiple programs, use the dropdown menu on the top right of your application status page to toggle between applications. Please note that it may take a few days for materials such as test scores to be noted as received in the checklist.

The Office of Admissions will process your application for missing materials after the application deadline. You will receive an email once your application has been processed. It may take up to two weeks after the application deadline to process your application. Due to the high volume of applications, we cannot answer individual questions regarding your application status.

When will I receive my notification?

Admissions decisions for the fall 2025 application cycle will be available online on March 6, 2024 at 12 noon eastern time. Admitted candidates must let us know if they accept our offer of admission by April 15. If you are declining our offer of admission, we ask that you still let us know by April 15.

Candidates admitted off the waitlist may have a response date later than April 15. Please check your admission letter for your response date.

Is it possible to defer?

You should apply for the year you plan to enroll. Deferrals are not guaranteed and are reviewed on a case-by-case basis by individual departments. Deferrals are only granted for extraordinary personal or professional circumstances. If you have been admitted and would like to discuss the possibility of a deferral, please reach out to your department.

When will I hear about financial aid?

Scholarship awards will be included in your admission decision letter in March. All admitted candidates will receive a tuition and financial planning letter, which details the costs of the first year of your program, federal and private loan information, and other financial resources.

I've been offered a spot on the waitlist. What does this mean?

Every year we receive many more qualified applicants than we can admit. Therefore, you may be offered a spot on our waitlist. Please note the following about the waitlist:

• The waitlist does not follow a specific timeline; you may remain on the waitlist as late as August.
• We cannot predict if and when waitlisted applicants will be admitted from the waitlist.
• There is no rank order to the waitlist.
• We do not accept updated application materials.

The Office of Admissions will contact you if we are able to extend an admissions offer. You will remain on the waitlist unless you hear otherwise.

How do I apply for financial aid?

All master’s degree applicants to the Weitzman School are automatically considered for merit scholarships; there is no separate application to be considered for scholarship from the School. The Weitzman School does not offer need-based financial aid, and we do not require nor accept the CSS Profile.

US citizens and Permanent Residents who are eligible for US Federal Student Aid (federal loans and/or work-study) should file the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) by May 31 of the year they enroll.

We are unable to provide US Federal Student Aid eligibility information in admission decision letters regardless of whether you have submitted a FAFSA; only Weitzman scholarship information will be included.

Please visit our Tuition and Aid page for more information.

Do you offer financial aid to international students?

Yes, international students are eligible for Weitzman scholarships.

What types of aid do you offer?

We offer scholarships to our students based on merit, determined by the faculty during the admissions review process. We do not offer need-based scholarships or grants.

Our scholarships are renewable for a student's entire program length, provided full-time status and satisfactory academic progress are maintained in the Weitzman School of Design. For more information about scholarships, visit our Tuition and Aid page.

Will loans cover living expenses in addition to tuition?

If you are eligible for federal loans and you show sufficient need, you can apply for loans to cover your tuition, health insurance, and living expenses. For more information about loans, visit our Tuition and Aid page.

Does tuition increase every year?

The Trustees of the University of Pennsylvania set the tuition for the upcoming academic year in the spring. It typically increases about 4% each year with tuition increases taking effect in the summer term.

How can I get a Teaching Assistantship (TA)?

TA positions are awarded by your department to currently enrolled students. Most TA positions are only awarded to second- or third-year students. TAs are paid wages for their work; TA positions do not provide tuition remission. Please reach out to your department for more information for their TA process.

Who can I contact with federal loan questions?

There are many resources if you have loan questions:

• Penn’s Student Registration and Financial Services (SRFS) Loan FAQs
• Federal Student Aid website
• SRFS Graduate and Professional Student Aid team: graduateaid@pobox.upenn.edu

How do I respond to my offer of admission?

Please submit the decision form by April 15, unless your admissions letter provides a different date. If you are accepting the offer, a non-refundable $500 enrollment deposit is required. If you are declining the offer, we ask that you still submit the decision form.

Where do most students live? Are there dorms?

Penn graduate students live off-campus. There is no on-campus housing for graduate students at the University of Pennsylvania. Most students live in in West Philadelphia (University City) or in downtown Philadelphia (Center City).

Penn's Off-Campus Services can assist in all stages of the off-campus living experience, including locating appropriate housing, understanding leases, and mediating conflict. Visit the Off-Campus Services website to learn how to plan a successful housing search, view apartment listings in the online database, and sign up for email updates.

Penn College Houses and Academic Services (CHAS) hires Graduate Resident Advisors (GRA), graduate students who live in one of Penn’s 13 College Houses and provide counseling, academic support, supervision, and activities for resident students. The priority application is typically April 1. Visit the CHAS website for more information.

What do I need to do before I arrive on campus?

Please review the enrollment checklist for action items to complete before you arrive on campus.

When does my program start?

The following programs have required, in-person summer programming:

• Master of Architecture
• Master in Environmental Building Design
• Master of Landscape Architecture
• Master of Science in Design: Advanced Architectural Design
• Master of Science in Design: Environmental Building Design
• Master of Science in Design: Robotics and Autonomous Systems
• Master of Science in Historic Preservation

The following programs have required, virtual summer programming:

• Master of City Planning
• Master of Urban Spatial Analytics

Incoming students to all programs are required to attend New Student Orientation, which typically takes place the Friday before the first day of classes.

Our admitted students website lists last year’s summer programming dates. If admitted, your admissions letter will provide the current year’s dates.

How do I submit official documents?

If you are admitted and plan to enroll in the Weitzman School of Design, you must have an official transcript (and evaluation, if applicable) from each college or university attended for credit (including institutions where you did not receive a degree) sent directly to the Weitzman School of Design. If you recently finished a degree, wait until degree conferral is reflected on your transcript.

The Office of Admissions will contact you in June regarding any missing official transcripts and/or evaluations. Official documents should be submitted as soon as possible and no later than the first day of fall classes. Failure to provide this required documentation may prevent you from registering for future coursework at the Weitzman School.