Categories: College University AthleticsCollege/University NewsEducation

University of Pennsylvania Hits Record Low Admission Rate

Students engaging in collaborative study at the University of Pennsylvania.

News Summary

The University of Pennsylvania has reached a historic low admission rate of 4.9% for the incoming Class of 2029, with over 72,000 applications received. Despite challenges such as funding cuts and the impact of Supreme Court rulings on admissions policy, the university remains focused on access to education. Efforts to broaden financial aid and the final year of test-optional submissions also mark significant changes in this admission cycle as Penn navigates a complex landscape in higher education.

Philadelphia, PA – The University of Pennsylvania has recorded a historic admission rate of 4.9% for the incoming Class of 2029, making it the most selective year on record. This year, the university received 72,544 applications for fall 2025, a significant interest that underscores the demand for higher education at Penn. In total, 3,530 students were admitted, including 20 from the waitlist, resulting in an incoming class size of 2,420 students.

More than two-thirds of those admitted—68.6%—have committed to enroll at the university. Whitney Soule, the dean of admissions, praised the students for their remarkable accomplishments and ambition during a recent board meeting, which also addressed ongoing challenges in higher education.

The Board of Trustees, during this meeting, reelected Ramanan Raghavendran as chair for a new four-year term and Julie Beren Platt as vice chair. Raghavendran, a member since 2014, holds three degrees from Penn and plays a vital role in guiding the institution amidst evolving educational landscapes.

Amidst record-high application numbers, the university is grappling with multiple challenges. Currently serving as interim president, J. Larry Jameson is overseeing the university after Liz Magill’s resignation, which was prompted by backlash following her testimony on antisemitism. The board also discussed potential impacts of changes in federal funding policies, expressing concern over an estimated $250 million loss in National Institutes of Health funding due to decisions from the federal executive branch.

In response to growing concerns around educational access, the university has raised the income eligibility threshold for full-tuition scholarships to $200,000. Additionally, it plans to exclude primary family homes from asset calculations when determining financial aid eligibility. This admission cycle is also the final opportunity for applicants to submit test-optional applications, as standardized testing will be required again for the 2025-26 admissions cycle.

The ongoing admission cycles have been notably affected by a Supreme Court ruling which prohibits considering race in the admissions process. This is the second full cycle under this limitation, which presents new challenges for the university’s diversity initiatives.

Another significant factor in the university’s future is the reduction of graduate admissions as the Perelman School of Medicine has mandated a 35% reduction in doctoral students for the Fall 2025 term. Faculty members have expressed concerns that such cuts in graduate admissions could ultimately degrade undergraduate education and research standards, jeopardizing the institution’s reputation as a premier research university.

Graduate chairs at the university argue that further funding reductions could be circumvented through increased endowment spending or cuts in administrative salaries. They highlight the importance of maintaining robust graduate education to preserve Penn’s status as a leader in research and higher education.

Furthermore, Penn is currently hosting 200 students from countries impacted by a travel ban initiated under former President Donald Trump’s administration, which continues to create challenges for diversity and global representation within the student body.

The combination of these changes, including federal mandates affecting funding and modifications in admissions policies, presents a complex landscape for the University of Pennsylvania as it navigates the future of education amidst unprecedented challenges.