University of Pennsylvania Huntsman Acceptance Rate 2023

The Huntsman Program is a dual degree four-year program in international business by the University of Pennsylvania. It’s a program for students who want to gain more knowledge in international business and also want a program that will teach them a language, the liberal arts, and business. 

The program embraces the development of globally-minded thinkers who become engaged citizens, creative innovators, and responsible leaders in private, public, and non-profit sectors across the world.

The flexibility of the Huntsman curriculum allows students to graduate within four years with a Bachelor of Arts in International Studies (from the College of Arts and Sciences) and a Bachelor of Science in Economics (from Wharton).

Students can take foundational courses in the Wharton School and also complete coursework in humanities and social sciences by completing the College’s general education curriculum and completing the International Studies major that includes advanced language.

The acceptance rate of UPenn Huntsman is low. The school is of high standards and therefore doesn’t accept just any student.

In this article, you will know the acceptance rate of the UPenn Huntsman program and the attributes expected of an intending student to have.

University of Pennsylvania Huntsman acceptance rate.

The acceptance rate of the UPenn Huntsman program is 6%.

The Huntsman program is very competitive and only accepts 50 students every year.

GPA required for the University of Pennsylvania Huntsman program 

The average GPA required of every applicant is 3.9.

However, having a higher GPA can help you boost your admission chances.

The University of Pennsylvania Huntsman SAT and ACT requirements.

The University of Pennsylvania Huntsman requires that applicants should have scored between 1460 and 1550 on the SAT or between a 33 and a 35 on the ACT.

University of Pennsylvania Huntsman requirements

The University of Pennsylvania Huntsman program requires the following:

• Strong GPA (usually over 3.9)
• High School rank
• SAT
• ACT
• Letter of recommendation 
• Essay

Why the UPenn Huntsman program?

The Huntsman Program doesn’t only offer a one of its kind education combining language but also, students enjoy the benefits of a supportive community that can be described as a “home away from home”.

In the words of UPenn Huntsman students,  “the sense of community within the program, beginning with the living/learning community in the first year, is one of the most beneficial aspects of the program”. 

Who should apply for the UPenn Huntsman Program?

The Huntsman Program wants applications from students with a profound interest in both business and international affairs.

Applicants are expected to have attained a strong height academically and have achieved average level mastery in their target language. The ideal Huntsman student is well-rounded and exemplifies leadership potential from a global standpoint.

What is the importance of choosing a target language?

When applying to the Huntsman Program an applicant must choose a Target Language.  The Target Language serves as a primary lens from which the student will gain a more deep understanding of the political, economic, and cultural complexities in the evolving world. 

The compulsory semester abroad is an opportunity for students to improve their language knowledge and gain experience in this understanding.

What are the target languages?

The University of Pennsylvania has 11 Target Languages which are:

1. Arabic
2. Chinese (Mandarin)
3. French
4. German
   
5. Hindi
6. Italian
7. Japanese
8. Korean
9. Portuguese
10. Russian
    
11. Spanish

Students should demonstrate intermediate language proficiency when applying to the Huntsman Program.

Benefits and privileges enjoyed by Huntsman students 

• With the UPenn Huntsman Program, you have the opportunity to earn two degrees and gain access to unlimited life-changing opportunities.
• During the compulsory Study Abroad semester, students acquire universal knowledge as they live abroad for a semester and apply their advanced language and area studies training from the classroom to real-life settings.
• Since all freshmen are to live together in their first year, it grants them a living and learning community. They get to learn the culture of other people and probably new languages.
• With devoted academic advisors who work only with Huntsman Students, you have access to the many reserves of a large research University while also enjoying the benefits of a small bonded community.
• During your program, you have access to an outstanding community of alumni, faculty, and staff administrators who are always there to support and put you through.

What is Huntsman’s accommodation like?

All Huntsman freshmen are required to live together on the third floor of Kings Court/English College House. Enabling them to create strong and lifelong bonds with other students from diverse backgrounds, in an environment that encourages them to practice their intercultural and speaking skills daily.

After the first year, they can decide to continue living in or move out of the campus.

What makes the UPenn Huntsman program outstanding?

The Huntsman Program is developed in such a way that students cultivate specialized knowledge in the area of the world in which their target language is spoken and graduate with a subtle understanding of the political, economic, and cultural challenges in a transforming world.

 It is an updated curriculum that encompasses the analysis of international studies through the study of international business perspectives and engagement with the world through advanced language acquisition. 

Does the huntsman program allow students to pursue other academic interests?

Yes, students are allowed to pursue other academic interests and also minors in the College of Arts & Sciences, including Political Science, Philosophy, Comparative Literature, and more.

5 ways to stand out as an applicant.

Write a compelling essay that can impress the admissions officer.

The supplemental essay for the Huntsman program inquires “What draws you to a dual-degree in business and international studies, and how would you use what you learn to contribute to a global issue where business and international affairs intersect?”

Answering this question intelligently is important to boost your chances.

Have a strong understanding of the regional issues associated with your target audience.

Your essay should discuss a potential solution to a global issue/crisis in the region or regions where your target language is spoken. Your essay should be well-researched and exhibit a deep understanding of the issue and region as a whole. 

Apply Early Decision for the UPenn Huntsman Program.

Early decision is a process where a student can apply before the regular decision deadline, but if they are accepted, they are required to attend the university. As a result, the acceptance rate for early decision applications is higher than the acceptance rate for regular decision applications. 

Receiving admission into the Huntsman program in the regular decision round is difficult, but it is not impossible.

With an early decision, you could potentially be rejected from the Huntsman program but accepted to the Wharton program or the College of Arts and Sciences program. If you are not interested in the Wharton program or the College of Arts and Sciences, don’t apply early to the Huntsman program.

Demonstrate knowledge and interest in your target language

Because the program is competitive, the admissions committee does take into consideration your demonstrated language proficiency. For example, if your target language is Spanish, a high score on the Spanish subject SAT or a 5 on the AP Spanish language exam would serve as proof of language proficiency.

However, do not feel restricted by these specific standardized tests. If you have less standardized proof of language acquisition or fluency, feel free to share that with the admissions committee.

You should also show your interest in and connection to your chosen target language.

If you’d like to use your target language for your career or a community project in the future, you are more likely to be considered first.

Choosing an uncommon language can distinguish you from other applicants.

The most common Huntsman target languages are Spanish, Mandarin, and French. Huntsman applicants who apply under these target languages naturally face a more competitive group, and successful students have to demonstrate high mastery in their respective languages.

However, if you have some proficiency in a less common language, such as Korean, Arabic, or Japanese, you can distinguish yourself from other applicants and face a less competitive application pool.

Does the University of Pennsylvania Huntsman program accept transfer students?

No, the Huntsman Program does not currently admit transfer students.

How the University of Pennsylvania Huntsman evaluates an application

UPenn Huntsman considers the following factors:

Very important 

• Course rigor
• GPA
• Class rank
• Test scores
• Essay
• Recommendation letters
• Character/personal qualities
• Language proficiency

Important 

• Class rank
• Interview
• Talent/ability

Considered 

• Geographical residence
• State residency
• Racial/ethnic status
• Volunteer work
• Work experiences
• Level of interest

Conclusion

The University of Pennsylvania Huntsman program is difficult. Therefore, they want students who can meet and also go beyond their requirements.

You can prove yourself by surpassing all requirements, writing a compelling essay, and showing that you know and understand your target language.

You can also find up-to-date acceptance rates for all Universities and Colleges on our study abroad page for international students.