Apply to the Masters Program

Key Dates

Application Materials

• Two Letters of Recommendation: Please submit no more than two letters from individuals who are familiar with your academic abilities and/or professional work. Annenberg’s online application system will generate a request for a recommendation letter. It will be sent from your email address to your recommender. Please have each recommender's contact information (including email address and phone number) ready when you log on to begin your application. Interfolio users should email the dossier to admissions@asc.upenn.edu. Please ask each recommender to submit your letter as a Microsoft Word or Adobe PDF document. 
• Personal statement: Three short essays are required as part of your application. Please respond to each of the following prompts:
  • Why are you interested in the media and communication industries? (150 words)

  • Which specific areas within the media and communication industries most intrigue you professionally, and why? Feel free to discuss themes, trends, or challenges that capture your attention. (200 words)

  • How have your personal experiences, academic background, and professional journey prepared you for graduate study at the Annenberg School for Communication and the University of Pennsylvania? (150-200 words)

• Professional CV or Resume: The file should be attached to the online application as a Word or Adobe PDF file.  
• Graduate Record Examination (GRE) — Optional: The GRE is optional and your file will be reviewed with or without GRE scores. GRE scores are valid and reportable only for five years from the test date. The ETS code for the Annenberg School at the University of Pennsylvania is (2926) on the request form. We do not use department codes, but anything you choose will get to us. Applicants should allow at least six weeks for GRE scores to be processed and received. If you are submitting scores, please arrange for us to receive an official report of your general GRE test scores before the application deadline.
• Test for Non-Native Speakers of English (TOEFL/IELTS): Applicants from non-English speaking countries must submit the results of their TOEFL/IELTS exam unless they have obtained a degree from a university or college in an English speaking nation or were taught entirely in English. TOEFL/IELTS exam results can be sent electronically to:
  Annenberg School for Communication Admissions Office
  University of Pennsylvania
  3620 Walnut Street
  Philadelphia, PA 19104-6220
  Exams should be completed at least one month prior to the application deadline to ensure they are received on time.
• Transcripts: Applicants may submit unofficial academic transcripts with the application. If you are currently taking classes, you may send us an updated transcript once your grades are submitted. One official transcript of all undergraduate and graduate work will be required if you are offered admission to the program. An offer of admission will be contingent upon verification of student records with official transcripts from your institutions. Only graduates of a college or university will be admitted to the Annenberg School graduate program.
• $90 Application Fee: Payment is made in the application portal. Fee waivers are available only for U.S. citizens or permanent residents. For more information about fee waivers, including the request form, please visit the application portal.
• Writing Sample — Optional: You may submit whatever you feel best displays your writing ability. The sample must not exceed 10 pages (not including references), double-spaced, and may be an excerpt from a larger work. Please upload the writing sample using the online application. 

An application is considered complete and ready for review when we have received all of the above required items. Incomplete applications will not be reviewed.

Please note that all application materials become property of the University of Pennsylvania and will not be returned. Remember to retain a personal copy of your application.

Questions:

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