Penn Rising Scholar Success Academy (PennRSSA)
PennRSSA-Spring Application Now Open
We are excited to announce that the PennRSSA Spring application is now open! This spring, Students will have the opportunity to participate in two immersive 5-week career exploration courses at the University of Pennsylvania. Guided by Penn’s undergraduate, graduate, and professional students, participants will engage in both virtual and in-person hands-on learning experiences. Seats are limited for each career pathway, so be sure to apply early.
The application deadline is 12/20, and results will be released in early January.
Spring 2025 Prospective Program Schedule:
- Rotation Cycle 1: February 2 – March 7
- Midpoint Check-in (No Programming): March 10 – March 14
- Rotation Cycle 2 (No Programming during SDP Spring break) : March 17 – April 25
- Program Commencement: April 30
About PennRSSA
The Penn Rising Scholar Success Academy (PennRSSA) is a free, college preparatory and career exploration program designed for high school students across Philadelphia. Students enrolled in School District of Philadelphia, public charter, and Archdiocese of Philadelphia high schools are eligible to participate in either of our two programs regardless of their academic record.
Program Mission
PennRSSA launched in July 2020 as the Rising Senior Summer Academy, a direct intervention to address pandemic-related disruptions to education in our city. Today, our goal remains the same—to advance the futures of Philadelphia students by:
- Increasing student access to high-quality learning experiences through engaging, radical pedagogy;
- Creating a supportive program environment which balances high expectations and academic rigor with trauma-informed practices for participant achievement;
- Providing engaged mentorship from undergraduate, graduate, and professional students, staff, and faculty in tailored 1:1 and interactive “pod” settings;
- Equipping students for postsecondary success by expanding their skills, knowledge, confidence, motivation, and preparedness to navigate the postsecondary application and enrollment processes.
To date, more than 6,000 Philadelphia high school students have participated in PennRSSA.
