PFP is an academically rigorous program that invites "at-risk" entering freshmen to participate in 4 weeks of specially designed classes in the month before their first semester at Penn.

Students are introduced to coursework in the most challenging areas they intend to take in their freshman year. They are also acquainted with student support services.

The aim is to ease the transition to the college life by introducing a strong work ethic, peer teamwork, academic skill-building, and academic counseling before the hectic fall semester begins. Participants reside together in university housing along with trained peer advisors chosen from a pool of undergraduate applicants.

Courses in PFP are for credit, but Pass/Fail. No courses are intended to be prerequisites for any course offered in the regular semester.