collageThe University of Pennsylvania Nursing Acceptance Rate is a highly competitive program that attracts top-tier applicants from around the country. With an acceptance rate of just 25%, gaining admission to Penn Nursing is no easy feat. As one of the oldest and most prestigious nursing schools in the nation, the University of Pennsylvania School of Nursing is known for producing highly skilled and well-trained nurses who go on to make a significant impact in the healthcare industry.
In order to be considered for admission to the University of Pennsylvania School of Nursing, applicants must meet certain basic requirements. These typically include a strong academic record, with a focus on science and math courses, as well as a high GPA and competitive standardized test scores. Additionally, applicants are typically required to submit letters of recommendation, a personal statement, and possibly participate in an interview as part of the admissions process.
The admission process for the University of Pennsylvania School of Nursing is rigorous and selective. Applicants must submit a complete application, including all required materials, by the deadline. Once applications are reviewed, a select group of candidates will be invited for an interview. Final decisions are typically made based on a combination of academic performance, extracurricular activities, personal statements, letters of recommendation, and interview performance. Only the most qualified and motivated applicants are ultimately offered admission to Penn Nursing.
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University of Pennsylvania School of Nursing Overview
The University of Pennsylvania School of Nursing (more commonly referred to as Penn Nursing) is an undergraduate and graduate institution at the University of Pennsylvania, located in Philadelphia. According to U.S. News & World Report, the School of Nursing at Penn is among the top-ranked graduate nursing schools in the United States. The School of Nursing receives approximately $480 million in funding from the National Institutes of Health, making it among the most highly funded nursing schools in the country.
UPENN Nursing Acceptance Rate
While all the different undergraduate schools are competitive, some are more so than others. Wharton (9% acceptance rate) is the most competitive school, while the School of Nursing (25% acceptance rate) is the least competitive of the four. Also, Students in UPenn Nursing School skew female
University of Pennsylvania School of Nursing Facilities
Penn Nursing’s main building, Claire M. Fagin Hall, is located south of the center of campus. Within a block of Fagin Hall are the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania, the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, and buildings of the Perelman School of Medicine.
The Tri-Nursing Education Building (or Tri-NEB), originally built in 1972, was later named for Claire M. Fagin, a former dean of Penn Nursing who later served as Interim President of the university. The building originally housed the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania’s School of Nursing which was a three-year diploma in nursing. Students there also attended classes at UPenn for chemistry, anatomy and physiology, and two electives of their choice. The school was founded in 1886 and graduated its last class in 1978.
When Penn accepted responsibility for HUP in 1973, HUP’s school of nursing was absorbed into Penn Nursing.
University of Pennsylvania School of Nursing Academics
Degree programs
At the undergraduate level, the School of Nursing offers traditional and accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing programs. From October 2014 through September 2015, the NCLEX first-time test-takers pass rate was 93.04%. While Yale University and Columbia University also have nursing programs, Penn is the only Ivy League institution to offer a baccalaureate nursing program.
Penn Nursing has 15 masters programs, including nurse practitioner, clinical nurse specialist, certified nurse-midwife, as well as a doctoral certified registered nurse anesthetist program. The majority of Penn Nursing’s graduate programs are top-ranked in their specialty. Penn Nursing also offers a PhD program.
Students can also earn joint degrees from the School of Nursing and other schools in the University of Pennsylvania. Options include the Nursing and Health Care Management program with the Wharton School, leading to a BSN and a Bachelor of Science in Economics. There are also dual-degree and joint degree options for nursing students of different degree levels and in different schools in the university.
Study abroad
Nursing students have the option to apply to various study abroad programs during the spring or fall semesters or during one of the two summer sessions of Penn’s academic calendar. Sites include Australia, England, Botswana, Hong Kong, Spain, and Thailand.
Penn Nursing BSN Programs
The accelerated BSN program is now 15-months
Accelerated Nursing Programs
The Accelerated BSN nursing (ABSN) program is a full-time program for students who wish to become registered nurses (RNs). Students with a non-nursing bachelor’s degree are eligible for this program.
The accelerated program offers 3 options, BSN Second Degree, BSN/MSN and Hillman BSN-PHD, for students to begin their nursing education, with the ability to continue onto an MSN or PhD. This is a pre-licensure program, where all students begin with the BSN portion and upon completion of the BSN become a Registered Nurse (RN) in as little as 15 months.
Students in the BSN/MSN or Hillman BSN-PHD option will continue to the MSN or PhD.
The accelerated nursing program offers a number of experiences such as state-of-the-art simulation center, student research opportunities, comprehensive mentorship, community engagement and rigorous clinical experiences with prestigious hospital partners, including the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia and the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania.
Overview:
| BSN Second Degree |
| The option is for those who would like to work in the profession as an RN before specializing or pursuing an advanced practice degree.BSN Second degree student are also offered the option to begin graduate-level coursework at Penn while finishing the BSN through our submatriculation program. Eligible students may apply to submatriculate in Spring semester of the BSN into one of our 11 master’s specialties, as well as dual degrees in public health, bioethics, and law. |
| BSN/MSN |
| The BSN/MSN option is for students who know they are interested in an advanced practice nursing role and who can confidently identify an area of specialization they’d like to pursue.This program offers quite a bit of flexibility to students who are pursing multiple degrees. Some of our students take time off from school to gain work experience and then return to the MSN program, while others work full-time as an RN as they complete their MSN program coursework part-time. We only ask that students complete their MSN degree within five (5) years of their BSN graduation date.Once a student is admitted into a particular MSN program, they may apply to change programs if their interests change. |
| Hillman BSN-PhD |
| The Hillman Scholars Program in Nursing Innovation is an accelerated integrated BSN-to-PhD program designed to produce the next generation of nurse innovators dedicated to making health care more effective, patient-centered, and equitable. |
Applying to Penn Nursing: The nursing school is an integral part of Penn’s close-knit campus.
High schoolers/First time bachelor’s applicants
High school students interested in the Penn Nursing BSN program apply through Penn’s central undergraduate admissions office . If possible, we suggest you schedule a campus visit to experience first-hand the opportunities available at Penn.
Transfer students
If you are interested in transferring to Penn Nursing , we’ll need some additional information from you beyond Penn’s transfer process. You can also visit our Transfer FAQs page for for frequently asked questions.
Penn University Master of Science in Nursing (MSN)
Minimum qualifications
All applicants must have completed a BSN at an accredited college or university and a statistics course. Generally speaking, competitive applicants have a minimum GPA of 3.0 in their BSN program. As of July 1, 2021, the GRE is no longer required for the MSN program.
All students at Penn Nursing must fulfill our immunization requirements as well as CPR certification, drug screen and background checks, licensure requirements, and other program-specific qualifications.
Required RN experience
The following programs require RN experience:
- Adult Gerontology Acute Care NP — A minimum of one year full-time RN experience (post-orientation) in an adult acute care setting within the last 3-5 years.
- Neonatal NP — A minimum of two years full-time RN experience (post-orientation) in a level III-IV NICU within the last 3-5 years. Delivery room experience is encouraged but not required.
- Pediatric Acute NP, Acute/Chronic Care Concentration — A minimum of one year full-time RN experience (post-orientation) in pediatric acute care within the last 3-5 years. Two or more years recommended. Neonatal ICU (Level III-IV NICU) experience will be considered for this requirement.
- Pediatric Acute NP, Critical Care Concentration — A minimum of one year full-time RN experience (post-orientation) in a pediatric ICU or pediatric cardiac ICU. Two or more years recommended. Neonatal ICU, progressive care units, ICU flex or float pools, and pediatric/neonatal transport experience do not meet this requirement.
- Pediatric Acute NP, Pediatric Oncology Concentration — A minimum of one year full-time RN experience (post-orientation) in a pediatric acute care oncology setting within the last 3-5 years. Two or more years recommended.
Prospective applicants may email admissions@nursing.upenn.edu to confirm their work experience meets these requirements.
RN experience must be met prior to the start of the clinical sequence. In all programs except Nurse Anesthesia, non-clinical courses may be taken part-time while completing the required work experience. Program directors may suggest RN experience at their discretion.
Admissions Requirements
A complete application includes the following:
- $80 non-refundable application fee
- Completed online application
- Applicants must submit all unofficial transcripts from their Nurse Practitioner coursework that include courses taken in Pathophysiology, Pharmacology, and Physical Assessment, to verify the requirements for NP certification. Official transcripts are only required if offered admission and can be sent electronically (from the issuing institution) or sent via postal mail. Note: mailed transcripts can take up to six weeks to arrive at the School of Nursing after the initial request.
- Verification that you’ve completed the required statistics class. If you are applying for the online Streamlined AGACNP Program, this is not required.
- One letter of recommendation: from a direct supervisor
- Responses to essay questions
- Copy of your active RN License
- Copy of your active NP Certification
- Interview: we will contact you if you qualify for this step in the application process.
Tuition & Financial Aid
Tuition for Post-Graduate APRN Certificate programs are based on graduate tuition rates. Certificate programs are not eligible for federal educational loans.
uPenn nursing tuition
Undergraduate program costs are listed below.
Costs for Accelerated, Master’s and Post-Graduate, Post-Master’s DNP, DNP Nurse Anesthesia, and PhD programs are outlined on separate pages.
A Penn education is an investment in your future. These numbers might feel a little overwhelming, but we are here to help: most students receive a financial aid package that fits their needs.
| Undergraduate Cost of Attendance2020-2021 Academic Year | ||
| Budget Items | Living On Campus | Living Off Campus |
| Tuition | $53,166 | $53,166 |
| Fees | $6,876 | $6,876 |
| Housing | $11,014 | $9,632 |
| Dining | $5,770 | $4,870 |
| Books and Supplies | $1,358 | $1,358 |
| Transportation | $922 | $984 |
| Personal Expenses | $2,004 | $2,004 |
| Total Budget | $80,110 | $78,890 |
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