The Engineering Summer Academy at Penn (ESAP) is a pre-college program for talented high school students to further explore engineering, computer science, or biology at the college level. Offered through the University of Pennsylvania’s Engineering Department, ESAP combines an intensive, hands-on learning experiences taught by leading researchers with the unique opportunity to live on an Ivy League campus.
Over three weeks, students have the opportunity to learn about topics in a vast array of STEM fields, such as nanotechnology, artificial intelligence, biotechnology, as well as interdisciplinary studies, such as AI x Bio, providing an introduction to cutting edge research not typically explored within a high school setting.
ESAP is a selective program that welcomes highly motivated students from around the world. This guide will explore the specifics of the program, including the content covered, course structure, and the benefits of participation. It will also review the enrollment process and detail a student’s experience in this pre-college program.
Generally, ESAP is open to talented students in high school from around the world. This section provides detailed information on eligibility requirements for this program, as outlined on ESAP’s website.
Here are the minimum eligibility requirements for the Engineering Summer Academy at Penn:
High school students can attend ESAP by following their online application process. This section provides a step-by-step guide on how to apply, including necessary materials and submission guidelines.
To begin the application process, prospective applicants should begin their online application by creating an account in this portal. The application consists of the following materials:
If you are an international student, you may also need to submit the following materials on your application:
The important dates for the ESAP application are as follows:
The 2026 Engineering Summer Academy at Penn’s program fee is $9,250 dollars, including a $1,500 non-refundable deposit upon acceptance. After the initial placement deposit, the remaining $7,750 will be due at a time determined by your course enrollment date.
This program fee covers all tuition, room/ board, meals, course materials, and program-related trips. However, it does not include travel costs to or from the program.
ESAP offers limited financial aid support for those who demonstrate sufficient need. If you are interested in applying for such aid, ESAP invites you to complete this form.
Additionally, there is a non-refundable application fee of $90, payable online with a credit card.
In 2026, ESAP runs from July 12th to July 31st. It is a three-week program held in-person at the University of Pennsylvania’s main campus, allowing those attending to explore the surrounding Philadelphia area.
The Engineering Summer Academy at Penn is a selective program, as there is a minimum selection criteria for admission to ensure students can sustain the academy’s intensive coursework. While the program does not post official admission statistics, ESAP is a respected program through its affiliation with the University of Pennsylvania. According to online sources, ESAP accepted 230 out of 650 applicants in 2019.
In 2026, ESAP offers 321 open spots spread across its seven classes.
The 2026 Engineering Summer Academy at Penn offers courses in seven topics: Artificial Intelligence, Biotechnology, Computer Graphics, Computer Science, AI x Bio, Nanotechnology, and Robotics. Within these courses, students have the opportunity to cover topics, such as imaging nanostructures, molecular biology, machine learning, and biological design. Each course follows the same daily format: lecture-based instruction in the morning taught by faculty and graduate assistants, a lunch break, then lab-based instruction in the afternoon.
Each course has their previous year’s syllabus available for reference on their website; here is a sample course load based on ESAP’s 2025 Artificial Intelligence syllabus:
In the first week, students learn the fundamental concepts of generative AI. They start with the foundational aspects of generative AI and explore the uses and shortfalls of several major LLMs (ChatGPT, Claude, Gemini, etc).
This week, students will learn tangible skills like prompt engineering, how to customize an AI model, and how to create AI-driven applications.
The second week focuses on how AI actually works, with students learning more about the mathematical processes behind artificial intelligence and the different types of mathematical AI models. Students will also receive an introduction to neural networks, learning about their training, optimization, and other concepts.
This week, students will apply techniques from higher-level mathematics to understand the concepts and processes that serve as the building blocks of AI.
In the final week, students apply their knowledge in team projects, creating their own AI applications based on the concepts learned in the previous two weeks.
The projects are in small teams, emphasizing collaboration throughout brainstorming, design, and implementation process. Students experience project development firsthand, solving problems and communicating findings throughout the way, culminating in a final class presentation.
The Engineering Summer Academy at Penn is a residential pre-college experience spanning three weeks in July. Students dive into a vast array of topics taught by expert faculty, while getting insight into college life on an Ivy League campus.
ESAP classes typically are three weeks in total: two weeks of heavy instruction, followed by one week of class projects and presentations, where students transfer their instruction to real life applications. Here are some example final projects from ESAP’s Artificial Intelligence class:
In addition to ESAP’s curriculum, students also get to experience life within Penn’s historic campus and the surrounding Philadelphia area. Students have ample amounts of free time throughout the day to explore the campus and surrounding areas, as well as socialize outside of the classroom with program colleagues. Program staff will also have planned activities for socializing throughout the week as well as optional weekend excursions, providing ample opportunity to meet new friends and foster new connections.
According to ESAP’s website, the following is a typical schedule for students during the week:
Here is a typical weekend schedule:
Students’ schedule will be a mix of curricular and extracurricular activities, with events to bolster community engagement interwoven with academic instruction.
The Engineering Summer Academy at Penn (ESAP) would be a good fit for those who enjoy exploring new technologies, working on hands-on projects, and are excited by new academic challenges in STEM disciplines.
According to their website, ESAP welcomes highly motivated applicants who posses the following qualities:
ESAP is most suitable to high school students that possess a strong academic foundation in STEM and the personal resilience to succeed within the academy’s intensive programming. Those interested should also possess maturity, personal responsibility, and problem solving skills. This program would fit talented students wanting to further explore engineering, computer science, robotics, math, biology, and graphic design.
As a pre-college program at a top university, attending the Engineering Summer Academy at Penn would reflect your commitment to exploring and engaging in rigorous summer learning.
ESAP mentions on their website that students in their program can earn college credit, but it is unclear how much credit is offered and by whom it is accredited. The program offers hands-on experience, exposure to university-level coursework, and reinforces collaborative skills with instruction at the college level. Participating demonstrates a proactive approach to education and a strong passion for learning, making a positive impression on college admissions. One’s experiences at ESAP could also be a springboard for a college essay asking about academic interest.
The Engineering Summer Academy at Penn (ESAP) provides high school students with a comprehensive introduction to STEM fields not typically explored within a high-school curriculum, fostering academic and personal growth.
Within this selective program, students gain valuable skills and experience that prepare them for future academic pursuits. This program is beneficial for those interested in engineering and related fields, offering practical knowledge and a chance to explore new technologies at the college level.
As participants form a community on Penn’s historic campus, enhance their technical skills, and tackle real-world challenges, they are also enriching their own intellectual curiosities, as well as learning new disciplines that could ignite future academic interests.
Based on a recent survey from Pioneer Academics alumni, 71 percent of Pioneer Research scholars’ college admissions records were to the top 20 US colleges and universities. Six percent of Pioneer’s alumni attended university-affiliated summer programs.
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