Effective Altruism at Penn
Weekly Discussion
1 meeting per week with a facilitator and a small group of 4-5 other students
Effective Altruism Fellowship
Apply to learn effective altruism philosophy, explore the world's most pressing problems, and build a life plan for high-impact good.
Applications are closed for the Spring semester. Stay tuned for the Fall 2026 Fellowship.
What to expect?
Short Readings
1 hour of weekly readings on doing the most good (what works best), global health/poverty, and future risks (AI, pandemics, climate)
Practical Next Steps
We help you explore cause areas and opportunities at Penn and beyond
Who is this for?
The fellowship is for students who are curious, open-minded, and want to think seriously about impact. No prior EA experience is expected. Apply if you are:
- New to EA and want a structured intro
- Interested in global problems and how to prioritize
- Or want community and accountability for doing good
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What is the time commitment?
1 meeting + 1 hour reading per week.
Do I need prior knowledge or experience?
No. However, we suggest spending 5-10 minutes reading about EA to see if you want to explore it further. Check out this intro essay or read the Wikipedia page for EA.
Is the fellowship political?
The fellowship content is not inherently political, but political discussion and respectful disagreements are welcome.
Other questions: