High school students who have completed their first year can learn in advanced summer courses in subjects like computer graphics, computer science, and networks. Admission is very competitive, but selected students study with university faculty, live on campus, and earn college credit.
Summer Academy at Penn is designed to allow exceptional math and science high school students to study engineering before applying to college. Students learn on the historic University of Pennsylvania campus and have full access to this Ivy League school's academic and social resources.
The University of Pennsylvania is a private Ivy League university in Philadelphia. It was founded in 1740 and is one of nine US colleges that predate the Declaration of Independence.
Engineering Summer Academy at Penn (ESAP) allows gifted high school students to explore Engineering at the college level. Their three-week, intensive programs teach theory alongside a hands-on practical approach. Students have the opportunity to work with Ivy League faculty, earn college credit, and live on U Penn’s historic campus.
All of ESAP’s courses are taught on the University of Pennsylvania’s historic campus in Philadelphia.
ESAP focuses on allowing high school students to explore college-level engineering courses before graduation. ESAP currently offers six courses for students to choose from.
Summer Academy offers courses in biotechnology, complex networks, computer graphics, computer science, nanotechnology, robotics.
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ESAP accepts applications from high school students who are rising sophomores through seniors. Applicants must be 15 years or older when the course starts.
All admissions are competitive, but especially for rising sophomores. Summer Academy admits rising sophomores who can demonstrate academic excellence and the maturity to succeed in the rigorous coursework and social programs.
ESAP currently offers six courses for admitted students to choose from.
Biotechnology teaches students the fundamentals of molecular biology and allows them to carry out molecular cloning experience in the lab. Students will also participate in a group research proposal which gives them a chance to develop their interests more in-depth. Applicants should have already completed at least one year’s coursework in biology and chemistry.
Students who enroll in Complex Networks will study the critical role networks play in our lives, from social networks such as Facebook or TikTok to energy networks that fuel our power grid. This course teaches essential tools, methods, and algorithms for network systems. Applicants should have prior coursework in physics and math.
Computer Graphics is a pipeline course for high school students interested in games and animation. It includes lessons in design, modeling, programming, and character modeling. Students will visit U Penn’s Human Modeling and Simulation Center on a field trip. Prior experience in Photoshop, Maya, or other modeling tools is recommended but not required.
Computer Science offers students training in programming languages and fundamentals, such as abstraction, modularity, objects, loops, arrays, classes, and object-oriented programming. This course is geared toward beginners to programming but still rigorous enough for students who have already taken an AP computer science course.
Nanotechnology teaches students applications in life sciences, medicine, and engineering. This course combines a lecture with a lab and group projects to provide hands-on instruction. Prior coursework in chemistry or physics is preferred but not required.
Students in Robotics learn about the design, manufacturing, and automation used in robotics. Each student will build a robot to compete in a final day of demonstrations. Applicants should have prior coursework in physics, math, and C programming or AutoCAD.
UPenn’s Summer Academy is only available as a residence program on the UPenn campus. Students stay in Penn’s high-rise residence halls that feature multi-occupancy suites furnished with a bed, a desk and chair, a lamp, and a dresser. Residential Teaching Assistants will provide supervision. Students dine at UPenn’s 1920s Commons and Houston Market dining halls.
Since attending Summer Academy requires students to live in UPenn dorms, all applicants must be fully vaccinated to participate in the program.
Admissions to the Summer Academy at UPenn are highly-competitive. ESAP typically receives over 700 applications for 230 available spots. Applicants will be assessed based on academic interests, abilities, past achievements, and potential to contribute to their peers in the program.
Application materials include an application, an official high school transcript submitted directly by the school, two letters of recommendation, and a non-refundable $85 application fee. Students may also choose to submit standardized test scores, though they are optional.
The cost of Summer Academy is $7700, which includes tuition, room/board, course materials, meals, and any program-related trips. Summer Academy does not cover transportation to or from the program.
A non-refundable deposit of $1000 is due upon enrollment. UPenn also offers financial aid options for talented students.
Talented high school students receive the opportunity to explore an engineering career while earning college credits. Students study with Ivy League faculty and enjoy full access to the history UPenn campus.
Online reviews of UPenn’s Summer Academy are mixed.
Some students found the program to be a great introduction to rigorous college study. “During ESAP, I didn't only get to witness what Penn engineering had to offer firsthand but also got to interact with the faculty and students to realize why UPenn was [a] great fit for me. In those 2 or 3 weeks that you spend at the campus, you get to know a lot more about the school than the students who have simply taken a college tour...In the meantime, if you are truly exceptional, you might as well get an almighty recommendation letter from a faculty member that might be a future professor.”
Others found the academic experience lacking, but really valued living on the UPenn campus: “You don't really do your own research with a mentor or anything, but it's more geared towards anatomy and basic biology lab procedures. It's totally worth going to, though! It's the dorm experience that I loved--not that I didn't love the actual content of the program. I definitely recommend it.”
Several students felt that the information wasn’t rigorous enough to warrant the nearly $8000 price tag: “Frankly, it was a HUGE waste of time. I mean, ok, the campus was beautiful and the summer discovery people were great, but I feel that I really didn't get a lot out of it, especially since it was 10k.”
One former student writes, “....ooh the memories. Very stupid and boring, completely JUST based on anatomy, and the teacher was JUST PLAIN BORING. I literally fell asleep 85% of the time, and really, there was nothing to be learned.”
Learn more at esap.seas.upenn.edu
Young learners in this course discover the fundamentals of computer science and programming. Students work with algorithms, data models, and object-oriented programming.
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