Introduction to the eight interdisciplinary dual degree programs at the University of Pennsylvania (UPenn)

1. Introduction to Eight Interdisciplinary Double Degree Programs

In recent years, several students from the Greater Vancouver area have been admitted to Penn's dual-degree programs each year. Our Hillhouse students have also entered the most competitive M&T and LSM programs. What are the characteristics and admission requirements of these programs?

The University of Pennsylvania (UPenn) is renowned for its rich and diverse interdisciplinary undergraduate programs, dedicated to breaking down barriers between colleges and disciplines and cultivating elite talents with innovative and interdisciplinary abilities. These programs primarily include the following eight interdisciplinary double degree, accelerated, and specialty programs, covering multiple fields such as business, STEM, life sciences, media, and the arts:

Colleges: Wharton School of Business + School of Engineering and Applied Science

Content: This program combines business and engineering, awarding graduates a double degree in Economics (Business) and Engineering. It is one of UPenn's most prestigious and highly selective programs.

Colleges: College of Arts and Sciences + Wharton School

Content: Combining international relations, regional languages, and business studies, this program emphasizes global leadership and graduates will receive a Bachelor of International Studies and a Bachelor of Economics degree. Overseas study experience is required.

Colleges: College of Arts and Sciences + Wharton School

Content: This program combines biology, life sciences, and business management, graduating students with a double degree in life sciences and economics, and cultivating future leaders in biomedical or healthcare management.

College: College of Engineering and Applied Science

Content: Covering courses in computer graphics, animation, interactive technology, fine arts, and media, this program is suitable for students interested in the integration of programming and the creative industries. Graduates receive a Bachelor of Engineering degree.

College: College of Engineering and Applied Science

Content: Combining computer science, economics, social networks, and human behavior, this research explores digital humanities, social networks, and big data analytics.

Colleges: College of Arts and Sciences + College of Engineering and Applied Science

Content: Focusing on energy science, engineering and sustainable development, graduates receive a double degree of Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Science in Engineering.

Colleges: School of Nursing + Wharton School

Content: To cultivate well-rounded talents with advanced nursing, medical and management skills, and graduates will receive a double degree in nursing and economics.

Colleges: Wharton School of Business + School of Engineering and Applied Science

Content: Students must meet the main course requirements of both colleges (such as Wharton's major, engineering, etc.), and will also take M&T-specific collaborative courses, such as first-year seminars, management and technology specialization courses, and senior-level integrated projects (such as the M&T Integration Lab). Flexible cross-departmental study is available, suitable for students who prefer a combination of STEM and business studies.

2. Application Requirements

The application requirements for the undergraduate interdisciplinary programs at the University of Pennsylvania (UPenn) are very stringent, reflecting high standards for selecting well-rounded individuals and academic innovation. The main requirements are as follows:

Applicants need to have outstanding academic performance, with a GPA usually among the top in their class.

It is recommended to take a large number of AP/IB courses (10 or more, including STEM and humanities and social sciences). If applying for interdisciplinary programs related to business, a background in economics, statistics, calculus, etc. is required.

Students need to have basic knowledge in related interdisciplinary fields to improve their ability to adapt to and understand project courses.

Although Test-Optional, a minimum SAT score of 1560+ (780+ for reading and writing, and 790+ for math) or ACT score of 34+ is recommended. The standardized test scores of the admitted students are all at an extremely high level.

Applicants must submit a personal statement highlighting their academic interests, interdisciplinary skills, and career plans, demonstrating why they are well-suited for the interdisciplinary program and their unique insights into the future development of the field.

Recommendation letters should ideally be issued by teachers, research or social activity mentors who can demonstrate your cross-disciplinary leadership/innovative practices, highlighting your academic abilities and interdisciplinary potential.

Top interdisciplinary programs such as M&T, Huntsman, and LSM require applicants to submit additional supplemental essays along with their initial undergraduate application to UPenn, specifically addressing questions about their motivation and abilities related to the program. External transfer students are generally not eligible to apply, although some programs allow internal transfers within Penn.

Applicants should have cross-disciplinary achievements such as competition awards, scientific research projects, or innovation and entrepreneurship, such as subject Olympiads, "subject + entrepreneurship" integration practices, and social innovation activities, which can demonstrate their ability to integrate different knowledge and solve practical problems.

The activity list should highlight a "cross-disciplinary matrix"—such as projects that deeply integrate biology with business, engineering with economics, and technology with humanities.

International students are required to provide proof of English proficiency, which typically requires a TOEFL score of 100+ (with no section score ≥ 23) or an IELTS score of 7.0+ (with no section score ≥ 6.5).

Other supplementary information:

Certain interdisciplinary programs, such as Master's and Education, may require a relevant academic background and a higher GPA (e.g., 3.5+/4.0), and generally do not accept applications from students who have completely changed their major.

Some projects, such as Digital Media Design (DMD), additionally assess cross-disciplinary skills such as programming and art, as well as portfolios.

Overview
UPenn aims to select "innovative and interdisciplinary talents who can stimulate chemistry within their disciplines," and rigorously selects applicants based on a comprehensive evaluation of multiple criteria, including academic ability, innovation, leadership, and language skills.

3. Dual degree programs have the following significant advantages

Students can study systematically in two different colleges (such as the Wharton School of Business and the College of Engineering, or the College of Arts and Sciences), greatly expanding their professional background and horizons. For example, the M&T program allows students to obtain a Bachelor of Economics (Wharton) and a Bachelor of Engineering (College of Engineering) simultaneously, integrating technological and business thinking.

Graduates with two independent degrees are considered top-tier, multi-skilled talents, capable of taking on cross-disciplinary and cross-industry positions, and possessing stronger market competitiveness in multiple fields such as finance, technology, consulting, healthcare, law, and public administration.

These programs typically integrate top faculty, research platforms, and alumni networks from both departments. Some dual-degree programs also include internships, entrepreneurship and innovation opportunities, or international exchange programs, providing students with abundant practical and career development opportunities.

Compared to pursuing two degrees separately, UPenn's dual degree program has a reasonable credit structure, can be completed within the prescribed period (usually four to five years), and some courses can share credits, saving high tuition fees and time, and leaving more room for future advanced studies.

Students can freely customize various combinations based on their interests, such as management and technology, international relations and business, nursing and health management, music and liberal arts, to meet diverse life and career planning needs.

These programs are highly prestigious and extremely competitive, often admitting only a very small number of students each year (e.g., the M&T program admits only 50 students globally). They are highly regarded and are considered top-tier talent development platforms by leading global companies and academic institutions.

Overall, the University of Pennsylvania's dual-degree program enables students to maximize their knowledge accumulation and ability enhancement, becoming well-rounded leaders with cross-disciplinary innovation capabilities and broad career prospects .