Grade and GPA-Related Policies

Students should consult with their academic advisors about grading and GPA-related policies and procedures.

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Academic Standing

The University of Pennsylvania expects students to maintain a minimum level of academic performance or risk being placed on Academic Probation. The requirements for good academic standing vary by school; students enrolled in more than one undergraduate school are subject to the academic standing policies of both schools.

The requirements for good academic standing are:

Dean's List

Effective July 1, 2023, the University of Pennsylvania no longer awards the Dean’s List citation.

Prior to July 1, 2023, the Dean’s List citation appeared on the transcript and was awarded annually to any student who achieved a combined GPA of 3.7 for the fall and spring semesters, provided that during those two semesters, the student:

  • Completed 6 or more credit units for letter grades
  • Received no grades lower than C
  • Completed all courses on time with no Incompletes, NRs, or GRs

A student who received a sanction of probation or greater for a violation of the Code of Academic Integrity, the Code of Student Conduct, or the Sexual Violence, Relationship Violence, and Stalking Policy was not eligible for Dean’s List in the academic year in which the violation occurred. The Dean’s List citation will be removed from the transcript if the finding occurs after this honor has been posted or if the violation occurs during the summer term following the academic year in which this honor was awarded.

(Source: Almanac – April 20, 2010, Volume 56, No. 30, updated May 3, 2016, Volume 62, No. 33, updated July 1, 2023, see Almanac - March 28, 2023, Volume 69, No. 28)

Grade Grievance Process

Students who wish to have a course grade reviewed must first attempt to resolve the issue with the course instructor. For detailed policies and procedures, students should refer to the policies of the school in which the course was taken.

School specific policies:

  • College of Arts and Sciences
  • School of Engineering and Applied Science
    • Students are advised to discuss the grading discrepancy/grievance directly with the course director/instructor. If the student is not satisfied with the conclusion of that meeting, the student can proceed to speak with the department chairperson about the grievance.
  • School of Nursing
  • The Wharton School

Grades

The grade point average (GPA) is calculated at the end of every term based on the following grading scale:

A+ 4.0
A 4.0
A- 3.7
B+ 3.3
B 3.0
B- 2.7
C+ 2.3
C 2.0
C- 1.7
D+ 1.3
D 1.0
F 0.0

*There is no D-.

Policies regarding grades vary by school.

School specific policies:

Incomplete Grades

The decision to grant an Incomplete is solely that of the instructor teaching the course. Students should request Incompletes rarely if at all; it is far better to plan ahead and use advising and academic support resources to ensure that coursework is finished on time. There are a number of consequences of requesting an Incomplete, and unfinished coursework may result in an F grade or delay of graduation. Generally, students with one Incomplete must finish the work by the fifth week of the next semester.

Students cannot graduate with an Incomplete grade on their Undergraduate record. Specific procedures and policies regarding incomplete grades vary by school.

School specific policies:

Pass Fail

Students may be eligible to take certain courses pass/fail. Policies regarding pass/fail options vary by school and course.

School specific policies: