Admissions

The application for Fall 2024 entry is now closed. Please check back for when Fall 2025 entry applications open. 

The application system allows for electronic submission of all supplemental documents (unofficial transcripts, personal statement, CV/resume), and your reference letters to be uploaded through the system. All requirement details, addresses, codes for ETS, and deadlines can also be found on the application website.

The biotechnology industry is very interdisciplinary so our program is as well. While successful completion of a bachelor’s degree is required, it does not have to be in a particular discipline. It can be very helpful to have had a previous course in molecular biology and a year of college level calculus prior to starting the program. For those who would like to ‘brush up’ on relevant subject matter prior to enrollment in the program, here is a list of suitable texts.

Decisions: Your application is looked at as a whole portfolio and admission is based on a variety of factors. Once a decision is made you will receive an email notifying you that your decision is ready to be viewed online via the application site. We will not provide decision information over the phone or via email.

Please view our Biotechnology Admission’s FAQ page to answer questions you may have including financial aid, tuition costs, length of the program, etc. The Engineering Graduate Admission’s FAQ page is also helpful with questions pertaining to the application and requirements. If you have any questions regarding the program or admissions, please email us at biotech@seas.upenn.edu.

Get the inside scoop! Are you thinking of applying but unsure if Penn’s Biotechnology Masters Program is right for you? Check out our Student Testimonial page to see what our biotechnology students and recent alumni are saying! Penn Engineering also has Medium.com, a blog that features various articles along with “the Voices of Penn Engineering Master’s Alumni” featuring different alumni from various Master’s Programs in Penn Engineering. You can also view the Penn Engineering Masters Student Profile Instagram account to get an overlook at what other engineering masters students at Penn do as well as the University’s Flickr Account to see general pictures from Penn and events.

If you have any questions regarding the application or details about our program, please email us at biotech@seas.upenn.edu.

Additional links:

Tuition & Fees for Engineering

General Tours of the University of Pennsylvania

Penn Engineering Ambassador Program visits with Penn Engineering Advisory Board (EMAB)

Information on University City and Philadelphia


Accelerated Master’s Program

All Accelerated Master’s students must have a minimum of a 3.5 GPA to be considered.

Internal: University of Pennsylvania Undergraduates
Qualified Penn undergraduates may apply for the Accelerated Master’s Program through the online application. In addition to the basic documents required for all SEAS AC applications, the MB program online AC application also requires a personal statement and three letters of recommendation (one letter being from the faculty advisor). Furthermore, applicants must provide an intentional academic plan showing how they will complete their Penn Engineering undergraduate degree in eight semesters for single degree students, and ten semesters for coordinated dual-degree students.  This plan is completed through the Accelerated Master’s Course Planning Form.

Uncoordinated dual degree students are not eligible for the AM program but remain eligible for the traditional Masters. Undeclared students, namely Curriculum Deferred (CD), must declare a major before applying to the AM.  Please refer to this page for more details about eligibility and how to apply.  Please email biotech@seas.upenn.edu for further questions about the program or application process.

External: Undergraduates from Select Colleges ONLY – See more at this link