University of Pennsylvania (Penn)

Black Pinpoint 1 College Hall | Philadelphia, PA | 19104

01. Overview

What the school is known for:

At the University of Pennsylvania, students share an intellectual curiosity and top-notch resources but don't "buy into the stigma of being an Ivy League school." Students here are "very passionate about what they do outside the classroom" and the "flexible core requirements." The university is composed of four undergraduate schools (and "a library for pretty much any topic"). "You can take courses in any of the schools, including graduatelevel courses." Luckily, there's a vast variety of disciplines available to students: "I can take a course in old Icelandic and even another one about the politics of food," says a student. Wharton, Penn's highly regarded, "highly competitive undergraduate business school" attracts "career-oriented" students who don't mind a "strenuous course load." There are "more than enough" resources, funding, and opportunity here and "Penn encourages students to truly take advantage of it all!" Professors can "sometimes seem to be caught up more in their research than their classes," but all "are incredibly well-versed in their subject (as well as their audience)." If you're willing to put in the time and effort, your professors "will be happy to reciprocate." In general, the instructors here are "very challenging academically" and are "always willing to offer their more than relevant life experience in class discussion."

02. Rankings

Rankings and Lists

03. Admissions & Acceptance Rate

Applicants Icon
Applicants
59,465
Acceptance Icon
Acceptance Rate
6%
GPA Icon
Average HS GPA
3.90

Deadlines

Early Decision
November 1
Regular
January 5

SAT & ACT Test Scores

SAT Evidence-Based Reading and Writing

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25th-75th percentile (enrolled students)
730 - 770

SAT Math

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25th-75th percentile (enrolled students)
770 - 800

ACT Composite Scores

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25th-75th percentile (enrolled students)
34 - 35

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Testing Policies

Other Admission Factors Academic

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Rigor of Secondary School Record
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Academic GPA
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Application Essay
Recommendation(s)

Non-Academic

Character / Personal Qualities Icon
Character / Personal Qualities

Selectivity

4. Cost, Tuition, Expenses

Expenses per Academic Year

Tuition
$60,920
Tuition / Fees Vary by Year of Study
No
Approximate Expenses per year
$60,920

Students Also View These Schools

05. Academics

Student Faculty Icon
Student/Faculty
8 : 1
Acceptance Icon
Total Faculty
1,913
Terminal Degree Icon
Terminal Degree
1,708

Gender

Men
1,052
Women
861
Minority
537
International
83

Class/Lab sizes

Most frequent class size
10-19
Most frequent lab/sub section size
10-19

Rating

Graduation Rates

Graduate in 4 years
88%
Graduate in 5 years
95%
Graduate in 6 years
96%

University Degrees

Bachelor's
Doctoral
Doctoral Other
Doctoral/Professional
Doctoral/Research
Master's
Post-Bachelor's certificate
Post-Master's certificate

06. Student Body

What students say:

This "determined" bunch "is either focused on one specific interest, or very well-rounded." Pretty much everyone "was an overachiever ('that kid') in high school," and some students "are off-the-charts brilliant," making everyone here "sort of fascinated by everyone else." Everyone has "a strong sense of personal style and his or her own credo," but no group deviates too far from the more mainstream stereotypes. You may run across "the careerdriven Wharton kid who will stab you in the back to get your interview slot," but on the whole, Penn is full of great people and there's tremendous diversity, with "people from all over the world of all kinds of experiences of all perspectives."

Gender

54% female46% male

Out of State

81% are out
of state
19% are
in-state

Students

100% are
full time
0% are
part time

Student Body Profile

Total Undergraduate Enrollment
9,995
Foreign Countries Represented
126

Student Body Demographics

American Indian or Alaskan Native
0.12%
Asian
29.28%
Black
8.45%
Hispanic
11.13%
Caucasian
28.03%
Unknown
4.52%
International
13.00%

07. Mental Health

08. Campus Life

What students say:

Penn students don't mind getting into intellectual conversations during dinner-"Politics and religion come up often, but so does baseball, types of wine, and restaurants"-but some "partying is a much higher priority here than it is at other Ivy League schools." "Campus is split between the downtown club scene and the frat/bar scene, depending on your preference." However, when it comes down to midterms and finals, "people get really serious and...buckle down and study." There's easy access to downtown Philadelphia, yet "still the comfortable feeling of having our own campus," giving students plenty of access to restaurants (BYO restaurants in Philly are "a huge hit"), shopping, concerts, and sports games, as well as plain old "hanging out with hallmates playing Mario Kart." "It's the perfect mix between an urban setting a traditional college campus." The school provides plenty of guest speakers, cultural events, clubs, and organizations for students to channel their energies (all of which "makes the campus feel smaller"), and seniors can even attend "Feb Club" in the month of February, which is essentially an event every night. The weekend buses to/from New York and D.C. "are always packed." It's a busy life at Penn, and "people are constantly trying to think about how they can balance getting good grades academically and their weekend plans."

Students
55%
First-Year Students
100%
Campus Environment
Large Urban
Help finding off-campus housing
Yes

9. Campus Visits

Campus Visits Contact

Location Icon
Admissions Office 1 College Hall Philadelphia, PA 19104-6376
Phone icon
218-898-7507

Campus Tours

Campus Visiting Center

Monday-Friday; Saturday

Calendar icon
9am-5pm; 10am-2pm
Phone icon
218-898-7507

Campus Tours

Appointment Required:
No
Dates:
Year-round
Times:
Varies
Average Length:
Varies

Visits

CLASS VISITS

Dates/Times Available
Year-round
Arrangements
Contact Admissions Office

FACULTY AND COACH VISITS

Dates/Times Available
Year-round
Arrangements
Contact Admissions Office
Advance Notice
2 weeks
 

On Campus Interview

Campus Interviews:
No
Information Sessions:
Available
Times:
offer year round in conjunction with tou

Overnight Dorm Stays

Overnight Dorm Stays
Available
Arrangements
Contact Admissions Office
Limitations
1 night only; Oct, Nov, Feb; Mon - Wed n

Campus Tours


TYPES OF TRANSPORTATION AVAILABLE TO CAMPUS

Philadelphia International Airport is five miles from campus (see driving instructions below). Airport shuttle trains leave every half hour and stop at 30th St. Station, a 15-minute walk from campus. Amtrak train service is available to 30th St. Station in Philadelphia, which is a 15-minute walk or short taxi or bus ride from campus.


DRIVING INSTRUCTIONS TO CAMPUS

The Office of Undergraduate Admissions is located in 1 College Hall (between 34th/36th Streets and Walnut/Spruce Streets). As you enter campus at 34th and Walnut Streets, you will see the main thoroughfare, Locust Walk. Proceed southwest on Locust Walk and you will spot "The Button" to your right and a statue of Ben Franklin to your left. College Hall is the building to your left behind the statue of Ben Franklin. The Office of Undergraduate Admissions is located on the ground floor of College Hall. WALKING FROM 30th STREET STATION: Take a right (head west) onto Market Street. At 34th Street, turn left. Proceed down 34th Street to the intersection of 34th and Walnut Streets. Follow directions listed above to reach Undergraduate Admissions. Estimated walking time: 15 minutes. PARKING: There are several parking facilities located on or near campus, as well as metered street parking. Recommended garages and lots: 38th and Walnut Street; 34th and Chestnut Street; Penn Tower Hotel (34th and Civic Center Boulevard); Sheraton Hotel (36th and Chestnut Streets); South Street and Convention Avenue; 32nd and Walnut Street; 40th and Walnut Street. FROM THE NORTH VIA NJ TURNPIKE: Take the New Jersey Turnpike South. Use Exit 4. Bear right out of the toll and follow signs to Philadelphia and the Ben Franklin Bridge. After crossing the bridge, take I-676 West to I-76 East. Follow I-76 East to Exit 346A, a left lane exit marked South Street. Turn right onto South Street to enter campus. To find parking, turn right at the 2nd light onto 33rd Street. Take the first left onto Walnut Street and there will be a lot on the right at 38th and Walnut. FROM THE WEST VIA PA TURNPIKE: On the PA turnpike, use Exit 326, the Valley Forge Interchange. Take I-76 East for approximately 17 miles until Exit 346A, a left lane exit marked South Street. Turn right onto South Street to enter campus. To find parking, turn right at the 2nd light onto 33rd Street. Take the first left onto Walnut Street and there will be a lot on the right at 38th and Walnut. FROM THE NORTH VIA PA TURNPIKE: Follow signs for I-476. Follow I-476 South to the I-76/Philadelphia exit. Take I-76 East for approximately 12 miles to Exit 346A, a left lane exit marked South Street. Turn right onto South Street to enter campus. To find parking, turn right at the 2nd light onto 33rd Street. Take the first left onto Walnut Street and there will be a lot on the right at 38 th and Walnut. FROM THE NORTH VIA 95 SOUTH: Taking I-95 South, use the 676/Central Philadelphia Exit. Follow signs to I-676 West, and follow 676 West until 76 East. Follow I-76 East until Exit 346A, a left lane exit marked South Street. Turn right onto South Street to enter campus. To find parking, turn right at the 2nd light onto 33rd Street. Take the first left onto Walnut Street and there will be a lot on the right at 38th and Walnut. FROM THE SOUTH VIA 95 NORTH: Taking I-95 North, use the I-676/Central Philadelphia Exit which is approximately 7 miles north of the airport. Follow 676 West until I-76 East. Follow I-76 East until Exit 346A, a left lane exit marked South Street. Turn right onto South Street to enter campus. To find parking, turn right at the 2nd light onto 33rd Street. Take the first left onto Walnut Street and there will be a lot on the right at 38 th and Walnut. FROM THE AIRPORT: Take I-95 North to the I-676/Central Philadelphia exit, which is approximately 7 miles north of the airport. Follow I-676 West until I-76 East. Follow 76 East until exit 346A, a left lane exit marked South Street. Turn right onto South Street to enter campus. To find parking, turn right at the 2nd light onto 33rd Street. Take the first left onto Walnut Street and there will be a lot at 38th Street.

LOCAL ACCOMMODATIONS

Sheraton-University City Hotel $129-159/night 36th and Chestnut Streets Philadelphia, PA 215-387-8000, 800-325-3535 www.sheraton.com/universitycity The Hilton Inn at Penn $149-169/night 3600 Sansom Street Philadelphia, PA 215-222-0200, 800-HILTONS www.theinnatpenn.com


10. Sports & Athletics

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Athletic Division I

Men's Sports (Quakers, Red and Blue)

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Basketball
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Cross Country
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Diving
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Fencing
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Football
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Golf
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Lacrosse
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Soccer
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Swimming
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Tennis
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Track Field Indoor
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Track Field Outdoor
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Wrestling

Women's Sports (Quakers, Red and Blue)

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Basketball
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Cross Country
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Diving
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Fencing
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Golf
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Lacrosse
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Soccer
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Softball
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Swimming
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Tennis
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Track Field Indoor
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Track Field Outdoor
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Volleyball

11. Housing & Activities

Hosting Features

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Apartment Single
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Disabled Student
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Dorms Coed
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Frat Sorority
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Theme Housing

Special Needs Admissions

College Entrance Tests Required
No
Interview Required
No

Student Activities

Registered Student Organizations
350
Number of Honor Societies
9
Number of Social Sororities
13
Number of Religious Organizations
18
Join a fraternity
20%
Join a sorority
21%

12. Student Services

Military

Army ROTC Offered at cooperating institutions: Drexel University
Navy ROTC Offered on-campus
Air Force ROTC Offered at cooperating institutions: St. Joseph's University

Sustainability

School Has Formal Sustainability Committee
Yes
Sustainability-focused degree available
Yes
School employs a sustainability officer
Yes
Public GHG inventory plan
Yes

Green rating

96%

Food budget spent on local/organic food

31%

Available Transportation Alternatives

Bike Share
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Car Sharing Program
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Incentives Or Programs To Encourage Employees To Live Close To Campus
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School Adopted A Policy Prohibiting Idling
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School Developed Bicycle Plan
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CAMPUS SECURITY REPORT

The Jeanne Clery Act requires colleges and universities to disclose their security policies, keep a public crime log, publish an annual crime report and provide timely warnings to students and campus employees about a crime posing an immediate or ongoing threat to students and campus employees.

Please visit The Princeton Review's page on campus safety for additional resources:

Visit Page
Warning Icon

The Princeton Review publishes links directly to each school's Campus Security Reports where available. Applicants can also access all school-specific campus safety information using the Campus Safety and Security Data Analysis Cutting Tool provided by the Office of Postsecondary Education of the U.S. Department of Education: https://ope.ed.gov/campussafety/#/

Other Information

Campus-wide Internet Network
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Fee for Network Use
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Partnerships with Technology Companies
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Personal computer included in tuition for each student
X Mark icon
Discounts Available with Hardware Vendors
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Description We have agreements with Dell, Apple, IBM, Sun, and Lenovo

13. Financial Aid

Dates

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Notification DateMar 31

Required Forms

FAFSA
Forms CSSProfile
Forms Divorced Parent
School

Financial Aid Statistics

Average Freshman Total Need-Based Gift Aid
$63,395
Average Undergraduate Total Need-Based Gift Aid
$60,986
Average Need-Based Loan
$4,146
Undergraduates who have borrowed through any loan program
17%
Average amount of loan debt per graduate
$28,497
Average amount of each freshman scholarship/grant package
$33,460
Financial aid provided to international students
Yes

Available Aid

Financial Aid Methodology
Scholarships and Grants

Need-Based Aid

01 - Need-Based College/University Scholarship or Grant Aid from Institutional Funds
02 - Need-Based Federal Pell
03 - Need-Based Private Scholarships
04 - Need-Based SEOG
05 - Need-Based State Scholarships

Federal Direct Student Loan Programs

01 - Direct PLUS Loans
02 - Direct Subsidized Stafford Loans
03 - Direct Unsubsidized Stafford Loans

Federal Family Education Loan Programs (FFEL):

01 - College/university loans from institutional funds
02 - Federal Nursing Loans
Is Institutional Employment Available (other than Federal Work Study)
Yes

14. Career Services & Jobs

Graduation Rates

Graduate in 4 years
88%
Graduate in 5 years
95%
Graduate in 6 years
96%

Career Services

01 - Alumni Network
02 - Alumni Services
03 - Interest Inventory
04 - Internships
05 - Regional Alumni

Opportunities at School

01 - Internship

15. Majors

Down Arrow Icon

01 ARCHITECTURE AND RELATED SERVICES.

  • Environmental Design/Architecture.
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02 AREA, ETHNIC, CULTURAL, GENDER, AND GROUP STUDIES.

  • African Studies.
  • African-American/Black Studies.
  • American/United States Studies/Civilization.
  • East Asian Studies.
  • Latin American Studies.
  • South Asian Studies.
  • Women's Studies.
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03 BIOLOGICAL AND BIOMEDICAL SCIENCES.

  • Biochemistry.
  • Bioinformatics.
  • Biological and Biomedical Sciences, Other.
  • Biology/Biological Sciences, General.
  • Biomedical Sciences, General.
  • Biophysics.
  • Neuroscience.
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04 BUSINESS, MANAGEMENT, MARKETING, AND RELATED SUPPORT SERVICES.

  • Accounting.
  • Actuarial Science.
  • Business Administration and Management, General.
  • Business Administration, Management and Operations, Other.
  • Business/Commerce, General.
  • E-Commerce/Electronic Commerce.
  • Finance, General.
  • Human Resources Management/Personnel Administration, General.
  • Insurance.
  • International Business/Trade/Commerce.
  • Management Information Systems, General.
  • Management Sciences and Quantitative Methods, Other.
  • Marketing/Marketing Management, General.
  • Operations Management and Supervision.
  • Real Estate.
  • Retailing and Retail Operations.
  • Sales, Distribution, and Marketing Operations, General.
  • Transportation/Mobility Management.
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06 COMPUTER AND INFORMATION SCIENCES AND SUPPORT SERVICES.

  • Computer Graphics.
  • Computer Systems Networking and Telecommunications.
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07 EDUCATION.

  • Elementary Education and Teaching.
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09 ENGINEERING.

  • Bioengineering and Biomedical Engineering.
  • Chemical Engineering.
  • Civil Engineering, General.
  • Computer Engineering, General.
  • Electrical and Electronics Engineering
  • Engineering, Other.
  • Environmental/Environmental Health Engineering.
  • Materials Engineering.
  • Mechanical Engineering.
  • Systems Engineering.
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10 ENGLISH LANGUAGE AND LITERATURE/LETTERS.

  • English Language and Literature, General.
  • English Language and Literature/Letters, Other.
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11 FOREIGN LANGUAGES, LITERATURES, AND LINGUISTICS.

  • Classics and Classical Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics, General.
  • Classics and Classical Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics.
  • Comparative Literature.
  • East Asian Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics, General.
  • East Asian Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics.
  • French Language and Literature.
  • German Language and Literature.
  • Italian Language and Literature.
  • Linguistics.
  • Middle/Near Eastern and Semitic Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics, General.
  • Middle/Near Eastern and Semitic Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics.
  • Romance Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics, Other.
  • Russian Language and Literature.
  • Spanish Language and Literature.
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12 HEALTH PROFESSIONS AND RELATED PROGRAMS.

  • Adult Health Nurse/Nursing.
  • Clinical Nurse Specialist.
  • Community Health Services/Liaison/Counseling.
  • Family Practice Nurse/Nursing.
  • Geriatric Nurse/Nursing.
  • Health/Health Care Administration/Management.
  • Maternal/Child Health and Neonatal Nurse/Nursing.
  • Nurse Anesthetist.
  • Nurse Midwife/Nursing Midwifery.
  • Nursing Administration.
  • Occupational and Environmental Health Nursing.
  • Pediatric Nurse/Nursing.
  • Psychiatric/Mental Health Nurse/Nursing.
  • Registered Nursing/Registered Nurse.
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13 HISTORY.

  • History and Philosophy of Science and Technology.
  • History, General.
  • History, Other.
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14 LEGAL PROFESSIONS AND STUDIES.

  • Legal Professions and Studies, Other.
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15 LIBERAL ARTS AND SCIENCES, GENERAL STUDIES AND HUMANITIES.

  • Liberal Arts and Sciences/Liberal Studies.
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16 MATHEMATICS AND STATISTICS.

  • Mathematics, General.
  • Statistics, General.
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17 MULTI/INTERDISCIPLINARY STUDIES.

  • Cognitive Science.
  • International/Global Studies.
  • Natural Sciences.
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19 PHILOSOPHY AND RELIGIOUS STUDIES.

  • Jewish/Judaic Studies.
  • Logic.
  • Philosophy, Other.
  • Philosophy.
  • Religion/Religious Studies.
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20 PHYSICAL SCIENCES.

  • Chemistry, General.
  • Geology/Earth Science, General.
  • Physics, General.
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22 SOCIAL SCIENCES.

  • Anthropology.
  • Applied Economics.
  • Criminology.
  • Economics, General.
  • International Relations and Affairs.
  • Political Science and Government, General.
  • Sociology.
  • Urban Studies/Affairs.
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23 VISUAL AND PERFORMING ARTS.

  • Art History, Criticism and Conservation.
  • Drama and Dramatics/Theatre Arts, General.
  • Film/Cinema/Video Studies.
  • Fine/Studio Arts, General.
  • Music, General.
  • Visual and Performing Arts, General.

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