EDUCATORS, FAMILY & FRIENDS

Penn offers other summer programs for high school programs. What is unique about the ESAP program?	ESAP is offered through the School of Engineering and Applied Science at Penn, with each of the seven programs modified from actual first and second-year engineering courses. If your student is interested in engineering, the practical applications of science, or would like to explore a subfield (e.g. biotechnology) within engineering before applying to college, ESAP may be a great opportunity to do so.
Is admission selective?	Yes, admittance to the ESAP program is highly competitive. In 2019 we received over 650 applications from around the world for approximately 230 seats in the program.
What are the requirements?	Online application: including Personal Essay/ Short Answers Official high school transcript: submitted directly from your school via mail, fax, or email 2 Letters of Recommendation: Contact information for your recommenders must be submitted on the online application (name, phone number, and email address). They will then be emailed instructions for submitting their letter online. $85 non-refundable application fee Test scores: PSAT, SAT I, II, ACT, TOEFL, IELTS, AP (optional)
When will the ESAP application be available? Is there a deadline?	The online application for the upcoming summer program opens January 2, 2024. Please visit our Fast Facts page for specific program dates. We continue to accept applications after the priority deadline on a rolling basis (if space is available) up to the general deadline.
How does the waitlist and rolling admissions process work?	Please see the Admissions section of our FAQ for more information about the waitlist.
How much does it cost to attend the ESAP program? Is financial aid available? What are the deadlines?	Please see the Financial Information page and Financial Information section of our FAQ page.
Do participants of the ESAP program receive college credit?	Yes, participants who successfully complete ESAP receive Penn credit. However, it is the decision of the institution, whether the credit is accepted or not. At Penn Engineering, the credit can be used to satisfy a free elective.
What will a typical weekday be like for my student?	Schedules vary from course to course, but students will typically spend mornings attending lecture, and afternoons working in the lab (or vice versa), for a total of 40 hours of in-class and lab time. Industry site visits, as well as tours of facilities and an admissions workshop, are all scheduled into the program to round out the student experience. Please see the specific course pages for more detailed information about the academic components of ESAP.
Are parents allowed to visit the students during the program?	Parents are welcome to visit students when on campus. However, please bear in mind that students participating in ESAP are generally in class or lab during the weekday and attend off-campus program activities on weekends. Please email us at esap@seas.upenn.edu to inform us of the date and time of arrival, as well as your relationship to the student. You will need to register at the dorm office and with campus security when you arrive. Only parents and relatives may visit the dorm rooms with the student.
Are students allowed to leave the campus during evenings and weekends?	Students are not permitted off campus for non-program activities. ESAP is a rigorous academic program with a significant amount of group activities and projects in the evenings and on weekends, and to be fair to group members all ESAP participants agree to remain on campus and available to take equal part. Additionally, for security reasons, please do not put us in a difficult position by sending siblings, relatives or friends to take students off campus.
What security measures will be taken for student safety? Where will students live, eat, attend classes?	Yes. ESAP students are housed in one of the high-rises on Penn’s 285-acre urban campus. All entrances are monitored 24/7 by Penn Public Safety, and students must swipe their ID and enter a secure, private key code to enter the buildings. Residential Teaching Assistants (RTAs), supervised by a full-time Residential Director in the dorms and instructors in the classrooms, are current Penn undergraduates who live in the dorms with the students and serve as TAs in the classrooms. Meals are provided at either 1920s Commons or Houston Market, and all classes take place in the Engineering Quad.
Do you provide health insurance coverage during the program?	No. ESAP does not provide health insurance coverage. Students and their families are responsible for acquiring appropriate health care coverage for the duration of the 3-week program.
I understand there is a Graduation Ceremony at the conclusion of the program. Can family attend?	Each ESAP participant may bring up to 2 guests to the Graduation Ceremony on the last day of classes. Depending on the course, guests may attend the final presentations in the morning and/or afternoon as well. Scheduling details will become available as the Graduation Ceremony date nears.
Are ESAP courses graded? When and where are grades posted? How can students request an official transcript showing the ESAP grade?	Yes, ESAP courses are treated as college courses, and all of the work is evaluated and graded. Grades are usually available by mid-August. Students can view their grades on their unofficial transcript through Path. Students may order official transcripts online through Student Registration & Financial Services for a fee. If you have additional questions about ordering transcripts, please visit http://www.upenn.edu/registrar/contact.html or contact the Registrar’s office directly at 215-898-6636.
My student loved ESAP, and I wish to contribute to making it possible for other students to attend. Can I make a donation to the scholarship fund?	Yes! Please visit our Online Giving page to give now! You may also contact us directly at esap@seas.upenn.edu for more information on how to give to ESAP.