The University of Pennsylvania Huntsman Program is a dual-degree undergraduate program that confers a Bachelor of Arts in International Studies from the College of Arts & Sciences and a Bachelor of Science in Economics from the Wharton School. Considering the level of prestige and competition associated with this program, is it any surprise that it’s incredibly difficult to gain admission? But just how difficult is it, and what can prospective Huntsman applicants do to prepare?

What Is the University of Pennsylvania Huntsman Program?

UPenn has a student body of approximately 10,000 undergraduates, but the dual-degree Huntsman program comprises only about 200 students, or roughly 2% of the student body. Specific admissions and student body information for Huntsman, in particular, is a bit hard to come by, but it’s well known that around 50 applicants are admitted to Huntsman each year.

UPenn Admissions Requirements

Earning admission to the Huntsman program is not for the faint of heart. The vast majority of those who apply are rejected. But by reviewing the characteristics of competitive applicants and the strategies they use to gain admission, a clearer picture of how to get in emerges.

UPenn Huntsman GPA Requirements

There is no minimum GPA or standardized test score required for admission to Huntsman, per se, as academic performance is just one of several factors evaluated. However, Huntsman still values students who have challenged themselves by taking the most rigorous coursework available, and a closer look at the data reveals a few de facto academic requirements that prospective applicants should keep in mind. 

For example, Huntsman students are expected to have “intermediate language proficiency” in one of 11 Target Languages (Arabic, Chinese (Mandarin), French, German, Hindi, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Portuguese, Russian, and Spanish) by the time they submit their application. The mandatory semester-abroad requirement at Huntsman is intended to help students develop fluency, so students who do not demonstrate foreign language proficiency on their applications will not be considered.

Does UPenn Huntsman Look at Class Rank?

According to the Common Data Set, 92% of matriculants to the University of Pennsylvania as a whole graduated in the top tenth of their high school class, and 98% graduated in the top quarter. However, this data should be taken with a grain of salt, as only 23% of admits submitted their rank (although remember that many of America’s top academic talent attend elite high schools that don’t compute class rank). 

Is a 4.0 (or higher) necessary to be admitted to UPenn Huntsman? Not necessarily, but it sure does help!

UPenn Huntsman SAT/ACT Score Requirements

Students applying to UPenn Huntsman are required to submit either an SAT or an ACT score, in line with the university’s overall admission criteria.

Amongst members of the UPenn Class of 2028 as a whole (the most recent data we have available covering standardized testing), 51% submitted SAT scores, and 19% submitted ACT scores. 

	SAT	ACT
Median	1,540	35
Mid 50% Range	1,500 — 1,570	34 — 35

Does UPenn Huntsman Superscore Students’ SAT or ACT Scores?

A superscore combines the highest section scores from each individual test sitting for admissions evaluation. Huntsman admissions officers do superscore test results. However, they note that self-reported superscores must be supported by an official score report. 

At Ivy Coach, we caution against submitting more than one test administration for admissions evaluation. It shows Huntsman that you had to work harder than many others to achieve your highest scores and that your test performance is inconsistent. That said, while it’s not ideal, sometimes students have no choice but to superscore.

What High School Courses Does The Huntsman Program Require?

Admissions officers at Penn recommend that high schoolers with their sights set on Penn “consistently take classes in core academic areas — English, social studies, math, science, and foreign language — throughout your four years of high school.”

We at Ivy Coach would like to add that it’s never advisable to take a core subject class (English, history/social studies, science, math, or a foreign language) for fewer than four years. Moreover, due to the de facto foreign-language requirement for Huntsman admission outlined above, any student who has not taken foreign languages throughout high school (with instruction preferably starting in middle school, at the latest) will be at a disadvantage in the Huntsman admissions process. 

What Extracurriculars Does UPenn Look For in Applicants?

There is no silver bullet extracurricular activity that will automatically wow UPenn admissions officers. Applicants should focus their efforts on pursuing their one passion or specialty to the fullest extent possible, which we at Ivy Coach would call a “singular hook.” For Huntsman applicants, this hook should focus on international studies and/or economics. 

No, sports, music, mission trips, and other unrelated extracurricular pursuits (such as Key Club or National Honor Society) won’t impress Huntsman admissions officers. On the other hand, a passion for economics or international relations can be presented in unique ways that one might not expect. For example, did you help streamline sales at your local retail job? Or perhaps helped facilitate a community event for immigrants in your region? Or used your language skills to help out an ESL learner? All are examples of potential pursuits that could demonstrate your commitment to the Huntsman ethos (if presented properly in your application).

University of Pennsylvania Huntsman Application Requirements

UPenn Huntsman accepts both The Common Application and the Coalition Application. Students must submit a counselor letter of recommendation, two teacher letters of recommendation, or one letter from a teacher and another from a “non-academic supporter”, their standardized test results, and Huntsman supplemental essay responses. 

Let’s focus on each component and discuss how students should complete it to give themselves the best shot at admission.

Who to Ask For Letters of Recommendation

Applicants to UPenn Huntsman should ask two teachers, ideally two junior-year teachers in core subjects, in addition to their school counselor, for letters of recommendation. We do not recommend asking a “non academic supporter” for a letter.

Does UPenn Huntsman Require an Alumni Interview?

No, interviews conducted with UPenn alumni are intended solely to help applicants learn more about Penn. Should you sit down with an alum for a “conversation” about Penn, it will not significantly impact your odds of admission (provided you don’t say anything outrageous).

What are UPenn Huntsman’s Supplemental Essay Topics?

Essays are one of the most important aspects of a competitive college application. In addition to The Common Application’s Personal Statement or the Coalition essay, UPenn applicants have to complete the UPenn supplemental essay questions, a.k.a. the “Penn Specific Questions.” 

The Penn Specific Questions are as follows:

1. Write a short thank-you note to someone you have not yet thanked and would like to acknowledge. (We encourage you to share this note with that person, if possible, and reflect on the experience!) (150-200 words)

2. How will you explore community at Penn? Consider how Penn will help shape your perspective, and how your experiences and perspective will help shape Penn. (150-200 words)

In addition to these general questions, Huntsman also has a set of specific questions required of applicants that read as follows:

1. Tell us about your background and interest in the target language you selected. (50-125 words) 

2. The Huntsman Program supports the development of globally-minded scholars who become engaged citizens, creative innovators, and ethical leaders in the public, private, and non-profit sectors in the United States and around the world. What draws you to a dual degree in international studies and business, and how would you use what you learn to address a global issue where these two domains intersect? (400-600 words)

Huntsman Application Deadlines

UPenn’s two admissions rounds are termed Early Decision and Regular Decision. These deadlines are the same across all programs, and Huntsman applicants can certainly submit ED applications.

Early Decision applications are due on November 1st of each year. Admission through this round is binding. Regular Decision applications are typically due on January 5th of each year. 

University of Pennsylvania Acceptance Rate and Statistics

UPenn’s admissions competitiveness is notorious worldwide, but just how competitive is the process? While specific admissions data for Huntsman isn’t publicly available, for the Class of 2029 as a whole, 72,544 students applied, and 3,570 were accepted, for an overall acceptance rate of 4.92%.

How Much Does the University of Pennsylvania Cost?

In the 2026-27 academic year, the full cost of attendance for undergraduates at UPenn Huntsman breaks down as follows: 

	Living On Campus	Living Off Campus	Living With Family
Tuition	$65,670	$65,670	$65,670
Fees	$8,308	$8,308	$8,308
Housing	$13,644	12,978	$0
Food	$6,960	$5,988	$2,394
Books and Supplies**	$1,412	$1,412	$1,412
Transportation	$1,080	$1,080	$1,756
Personal Expenses	$2,008	$2,008	$2,008
Total Budget	$99,082	$97,444	$81,548

How Ivy Coach Helps Students Get Into UPenn Huntsman

Ivy Coach’s very own Jayson Weingarten, a former University of Pennsylvania and Wharton admissions officer, has an impeccable track record for helping our students earn admission to this prestigious program for future diplomats, researchers, and world leaders. In fact, 78% of Ivy Coach’s package clients earned admission in UPenn’s Early Decision round over the past five years, and many of these students have applied to Huntsman. 

If you’re interested in Ivy Coach’s assistance in optimizing your child’s case for admission to UPenn Huntsman, fill out our complimentary consultation form, and we’ll be in touch.