Penn dates its founding to 1740. Penn’s culture of innovation, entrepreneurship, and interdisciplinary collaboration generates discoveries and applies them to pressing social needs.

The Undergraduate Fine Arts Program combines studio practices, seminar courses, and interactions with visiting artists and professionals in order to provide an open intellectual framework to foster critical awareness and independent methods of artistic research and learning. The Fine Arts program works in conjunction with three interdisciplinary degree programs in Cinema Studies, Digital Media Design and Visual Studies. Fine Arts courses are available to all students at the university to take as electives in order to enhance multidisciplinary learning.

What are the top 3 program features that make your program stand out?

1. The Howard and Patricia Silverstein photography and imaging studios and labs are second to none.  

2. An amazing roster of guest speakers and visitors come through the program to meet with students throughout the year.

3. All instructors are active and highly recognized in their field artists and designers. 

What makes your school’s art & design programs different & unique from other art & design school programs?

The program’s strengths are many.  Firstly, fine arts study is integrated into a humanities-oriented undergraduate program within Pennsylvania’s College of Arts and Sciences.  Graduates in Fine Arts depart as well-rounded students, technically strong in terms of their chosen Fine Arts area but also critically strong in terms of their self-understanding in the world.

Can students take courses in other schools?

Yes. This  is definitely something encouraged by Penn.

What steps do you take to evaluate a student’s candidacy, apart from reviewing their creative portfolio?

They should show interest in exploring the world as a highly interconnected place. They should be able to articulate some sense of what they want to say, why they are interested in Fine Arts and in what ways are what they want to say particular.

What does your program look for most in the creative portfolio during admissions? What do you think makes an A+ portfolio? 


At Penn Fine Arts, students have access to the most advance computers and digital media training.  Course instruction involves to some degree on line distribution of reading assignments, etc. Teaching at Penn is aligned to developments in all forms of technology.

How does your program help graduating students with internships or jobs? Can students expect job placement more at your program than in others? If so, how or why? What kinds of job opportunities have you seen students take once they completed their degrees?

While a student, there are many opportunities to work within a program called Penn Undergraduate Research Mentoring (PURM) in which students work as assistants to art and design Professors and paid to do so. There is a Penn Network upon graduation that is extensive and exists to facilitate job attainment.

Are there any exciting developments for your programs that students should know about?

We are constantly updating our facilities. We are now in the process of converting two large studio rooms to open in 2016 as large-scale image shooting and production spaces.

What is the best advice you have for students entering the art, design & architecture field? What role does the artist play today?

Develop a strong work habit.  Read as much as possible the history and theory of art and design. Connect the dots of what you have read to the at large social world.

Interviewed by Kenneth Lum
Professor and Director of the Fine Arts Undergraduate Program

APPLICATION MATERIALS

Common Application

PORTFOLIO REQUIREMENTS

Min 10 pieces 

WRITING SAMPLE

Common App supplement 
Artist Statement

TRANSCRIPTS

Required

RECOMMENDATION LETTERS

1 Counselor 
2 Teacher

INTERVIEW

Recommended

APPLICATIONS DEADLINES

Early Decision:
Nov 1 (letter)
Nov 10

Regular Application:
Jan 5 (letter)
Jan 15

FOR INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS

TOEFL: Average 112

TIPS

Digital Media: Portfolios should include at least one drawing or painting as well as any other work that highlights your talent. All forms of media are welcomed. Limit your selection to 5-12 pieces.

DID YOU KNOW?

93% of the students admitted for Fall 2014 came from the top 10 percent of their high school graduating class.

ADMISSIONS OFFICE

University of Pennsylvania Office of Admissions
1 College Hall, Room 1
Philadelphia, PA 19104-6376

+1 (215)-898-7507