Graduate Resource Guide Resources for New Students

The Graduate Student Center is here to help you throughout your graduate experience at Penn. The resources on this page are intended to help make your transition to life at Penn as seamless as possible. Please refer to our full resource guide for even more resources, services, and opportunities for graduate and professional students.

Getting Started

NEW STUDENT CHECKLIST
Our incoming students' checklist (below) is a list of everything you need to do before you arrive at Penn.

SET UP YOUR PENN ACCOUNTS
Before you get to campus, be sure to sign up for your PennCard and register your PennKey, which gives you access to Penn email and other essential online services. Once you have a PennKey, you can access and update your student information and records on Path@Penn and visit Campus Express to order textbooks, register your property, and purchase discounted transit passes.

New Student Orientation

The Graduate Student Center is excited to welcome you to Philadelphia and help you transition to graduate life at Penn. The Graduate Student Center organizes New Student Orientation activities each summer for incoming graduate and professional students.

Our Graduate and Professional Student Orientation activities are intended to supplement required school-specific programs and introduce you to the broader community at Penn and in Philadelphia. All of our orientation activities are optional and open to all incoming graduate & professional students - pick and choose what's most convenient for you!

GRADUATE STUDENT ORIENTATION HUB

NEW STUDENT ORIENTATION ACTIVITIES

ONLINE SESSIONS FOR INCOMING STUDENTS

Thrive at Penn for Graduate and Professional Students
Graduate Thrive at Penn (or G-TAP) provides information about resources available to support graduate student success. Topics covered include academic integrity; campus engagement, wellness and health; and healthy relationships and sexual violence prevention. G-TAP is available in Canvas throughout students' career at Penn. Students are encouraged to complete the modules at their own pace, and review often.

GRADUATE THRIVE AT PENN (G-TAP)

Moving to Philadelphia

Penn is situated in the University City section of West Philadelphia, just across the river from Center City Philadelphia. The city’s neighborhoods and suburbs offer a wide range of housing choices, nightlife, culture, and recreation. We encourage you to visit Philadelphia and explore its diverse neighborhoods.

Learn more about On-Campus and Off-Campus Housing at Penn and explore additional resources available to students living off-campus. Each spring, the University offers online sessions about housing so that incoming graduate students can get this critical information before arriving on campus.
See options for transportation, parking, & maps of campus and visit Penn Transit Services website and SEPTA public transportation website to learn more about travel to and around Philadelphia.
Arriving from the Airport? Learn more about your transportation options here.
Take some time to get to know campus. You can explore on your own with a virtual or self-guided campus tour - or - join us for a guided tour and meet other new students. We offer a series of guided tours of campus throughout the summer - check our events calendar to sign up for an upcoming tour!
Learn more about visiting and living in Philadelphia and Penn's commitment to maintaining a safe and respectful campus environment for all students.

Visit our Living in Philadelphia page to learn more about visiting and living in Philadelphia.

Transitioning to Graduate School

We are thrilled you are at the University of Pennsylvania, where you will find countless opportunities to strengthen and grow your intellectual and professional skills. Penn prepares graduate students to teach, work, and do research that advances the frontiers of knowledge in their fields, while also providing many benefits and programs that support graduate student life, research, career advancement, and work-life balance across campus.

There are a number of resources and steps you can take to help you integrate into the Penn community, manage your expectation and commitments, and enjoy a successful start to your academic career.

Below are a few suggestions to help you get started.

Get Oriented. Attend New Graduate Student Orientation programs and explore other activities and resources to help new students learn more about the campus, community, and their academic programs. Important resources include:
- Thrive at Penn (TAP) is an online program for incoming graduate and professional students that provides information about resources available to support student success. TAP is available in Canvas throughout students' career at Penn.
- Our New Student Checklist and FAQ cover cover the key things you need to do before you arrive on campus and once you've arrived.
Find your footing. Graduate school requires navigating a complex set of academic, professional and social experiences. Remember to pace yourself in a realistic manner, and remind yourself that you don’t have to know and do everything right now. If you're feeling lost or need help connecting with the right resources on campus, the Graduate Student Center brings together all the campus resources that help our graduate students be successful and healthy at Penn.
Get to know University staff. From organizing orientations, providing a supportive ear to students, or ensuring that you fulfill your degree requirements, graduate program coordinators and advisors are often your first point of contact into graduate school. Professional and administrative staff members are a vital part of the resource network you will need to be successful throughout your graduate education.
Attend department events. Whether they are faculty or peer presentations, departmental meetings, working committees, or peer pub nights, there are numerous opportunities to connect with peers, staff, and faculty throughout the year.
Set yourself up for academic success. It's completely natural to feel excited and anxious about attending your first graduate course or starting a new graduate program. Fortunately, there are some steps you can take now to be sure you are well prepared for the academic challenges and experiences ahead.
- Learn about Academic Policies and Support and review other relevant policies and handbooks set forth in the Pennbook. For information about required classes and course registration, be sure to contact your individual School & Program.
- The Weingarten Center provides academic support and disability services to help graduate and professional students succeed at Penn. Each fall, the Weingarten Center and the Graduate Student Center co-sponsor a "Strategies for Success in Graduate Studies" workshop series focused on proactive planning, academic reading and writing, communication with faculty and peers, and accessing campus resources. Check our events calendar for upcoming sessions.
Find your community. The University of Pennsylvania is a large and complex institution, and we know that a feeling of belonging on campus is critical to your success and well-being. It makes a difference to find and connect with people who can support your whole self and not just your role as a graduate or professional student.
- Find ways to connect with others and get involved on campus and beyond in the Campus and Community Engagement section of our resource guide. Join one of the many graduate student organizations at Penn or get involved in campus activities and student centers that interest you.
- Connect with your Graduate Program Advisor for referrals to student organizations, affinity groups, or additional campus resources. You can also reach out to the Graduate Center for assistance by emailing gradcenter@upenn.edu.
- International students: to prepare before you arrive on campus, you can view a recording of one of our webinars for incoming international students. All incoming international students MUST register with International Student & Scholar Services (ISSS), which provides a variety of resources for new international students.
- New Students with Children: learn more about Resources & Benefits for Penn Students with Children.
Learn more about recent initiatives to support a vibrant graduate student community and enhance work-life balance for graduate students on the University's Valuing Graduate Students website. We encourage you to tap into resources that can help you thrive as you navigate graduate student life.

Please refer to the Graduate Center's resource guide. for even more resources, services, and opportunities for graduate and professional students at Penn.

New Student Checklists & FAQ

Before You Arrive

Accept your offer of admission
Follow the directions in your decision letter or notification for how to officially accept your offer of admission.

Set up your Penn Key
Your PennKey gives you access to a Penn email account and many other essential online services, including many on this checklist. You will receive a Penn Key set-up code via email at a time determined by your school or program. Register your PennKey as soon as you receive the code. For help with PennKey registration, visit isc.upenn.edu/pennkey/contact and click "Contact Us" to reach Information Systems & Computing staff.

Set up your Penn Accounts
Once you have your PennKey, you can sign up for other Penn accounts and services. See available services and additional information on our Accounts & IT page.

Find a place to live
Housing around Penn (and in Philadelphia, in general) is at a premium, so get started early. We recommend starting your housing search at least 90 days before your target move-in date. We strongly encourage students to take advantage of the housing search tools available from Penn’s Off-Campus Services to help you find privately managed housing on- and off-campus. Check our New Student Events Calendar for upcoming housing information sessions to learn more about your options and searching for housing in and around Philadelphia.

Review Your Cost of Attendance and Set a Budget
Your cost of attendance includes both direct costs that appear on your student bill such as tuition and fees, and indirect costs such as living expenses, books and supplies, transportation, and an allowance for personal expenses. Students should review their estimated cost of attendance when budgeting for each academic year. Financial Wellness @ Penn provides resources and advising to help students with financial planning and budgeting.

Apply for Financial Aid
Contact your school's Financial Aid office or University Student Registration & Financial Services for assistance with your financial aid; there are different deadlines depending on the school to which you have been accepted. Most deadlines fall between March 1 and May 1.

Set up Penn.Pay for student bills and refunds
Your first bill will arrive after you have registered for classes (according to this schedule), so be sure to set up Penn.Pay by the end of June. Go to Path@Penn and select "Penn.Pay" in the Financial Services box.

Log into Campus Express
Campus Express provides a convenient portal for accessing a number of Penn services, including your PennCard (school ID), dining, transportation and parking, ordering books and technology, registering property, and more. You can also learn about discounts for Penn students!

Apply for your PennCard
A PennCard is the official identification card for Penn and gives you access to University buildings and services. PennCards also come with a pre-paid debit card feature called PennCash, which reduces the need to carry cash, debit cards, and credit cards on campus.

New students apply for their PennCard at Campus Express Online. Consult with your program to see whether your card will be provided at school orientation or if you need to make an appointment to pick up your card upon arrival to campus.

Spouses/domestic partners and children of current students can also obtain a PennCard to access many campus services, visit the PennCard website to learn more.

International Students
Be sure you complete all the necessary tasks before you arrive; see the International Student & Scholars Services (ISSS) Pre-Arrival Checklist and learn more about how to Prepare for Penn as a new international student. You can also participate in an Online Information Session for Incoming International Graduate Students before you arrive!

Complete Immunization and Health Information Requirements
All new and incoming students must complete certain health requirements. Health requirements for new and incoming students Complete the necessary immunization requirements by June 1 if you are attending summer session classes, or by July 1 if you are attending fall semester classes.

Enroll in Student Health Insurance or submit insurance waiver
You must sign up for Student Health Insurance or submit proof of qualifying comprehensive insurance coverage by the deadline of August 31. If you miss this deadline, you will automatically be enrolled (and billed for) student health insurance. Learn more about health requirements for new and incoming students.

Review Health Insurance and Immunization Compliance information to be sure you meet all requirements. Visit the Wellness at Penn website or view a recording of our Student Health Insurance Webinar to learn more.

When You Arrive to Campus

Pick up your Penn ID Card
A PennCard is the official identification card for members of the Penn Community and gives you access to University buildings and services. New students apply for their PennCard at Campus Express Online. Incoming graduate students should consult with their programs to see whether their cards will be provided at their school orientations or if they need to make an appointment to pick up their cards upon arrival to campus.

Check-in with your department or program
When you arrive on campus make sure you stop by your academic program office and introduce yourself. Ask about program- and school-specific orientation activities.

Thrive at Penn (TAP) on Canvas
The Graduate Thrive at Penn (TAP) will help you begin the orientation process, with videos and materials that introduce you to graduate life at Penn, provide important information and resources, and help you stay well and balanced during your graduate education. You can access the current G-TAP Canvas Course here.

Sign up for Direct Deposit
Direct Deposit is the safest and easiest way to get any funds you may receive.

Penn.Pay e-Refunds: for student account refunds, tuition and financial aid payments
Workday@Penn: for stipend payments, payroll for campus employment, or other payments.

Please note: you may need to submit paperwork through Onboard@Penn before you can receive any payments. Please speak with your department or supervisor if you are unsure of your paperwork and/or employment status.

You will need a U.S. bank account to enroll in direct deposit; see a list of banks close to campus.

Register for courses
In most academic programs, students should consult with an advisor before registering for courses. Once you set up your PennKey and talk to your advisor, visit Path@Penn to register for classes.

Update your personal information
Update your address information, emergency contacts, and profile on Path@Penn. Carefully review your billing, local, and permanent addresses so that communication from your school will be sent to the correct address. Periodically review your profile to make sure everything is correct.

Attend New Graduate & Professional Student Orientation Activities
Your school will provide an academic orientation and the Graduate Student Center offers resources and activities to help you connect with the broader graduate community and University. Be sure to attend both!

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

What do I do if I need a new PennKey Setup Code?
You can obtain a PennKey Setup Code (either because the one they sent expired or you never received one) in person or by postal mail. For security reasons, Setup Codes will not be sent by email or given out over the phone.

By mail: Use the PennKey Setup Code Service and enter your identifying information. A letter containing your Setup Code will be sent via U.S. Mail to your address of record.
In-person: Go to the Registrar’s Office at 150 Franklin Building (3451 Walnut Street). To confirm your identity, bring two forms of photo ID, one of which should be your PennCard. Other acceptable forms of photo ID are government-issued documents such as a passport, state driver's license, state-issued ID card, or national identity card.

How do I get a Penn email account?
First, you must have successfully established and registered your PennKey. Then, go to Campus Express. Log in with your PennKey and select "Create an email account." You will then select your school and be directed to the appropriate information.

What should I do with all of my Health Insurance papers?
Consult the Immunization and Insurance Compliance Office. The online insurance enrollment/waiver system gives information about due dates, filing processes, and contact information. If you want to waive Student Health Insurance, be aware that if you do not submit a waiver by the deadline, you will be automatically enrolled and billed.

How do I know that my financial aid is all set up?
Check with Student Registration & Financial Services and your school Financial Aid Office, if applicable, to make sure that you have completed any and all necessary paperwork and that it has been recorded correctly. Don’t assume that everything is finished until all of your loan and grant information shows up correctly in Path@Penn. You can see your financial information by clicking the "My Financial Aid" and "Penn.Pay" links in the Financial Services box.

How do I register for courses?
Path@Penn contains the course registration area for students. However, each school and department has a different registration process for its students. When in doubt about something you should contact your advisor or department administration.

What do I do if all of my information is being sent to the wrong address?
Go to Path@Penn and click the "update my personal information" link in the "My Profile" box. From there you can change your permanent address.

What's the difference between my school's orientation events and the Graduate Student Center's orientation events?
Your school's orientation will help you learn more about your specific academic program, its requirements, etc. The Grad Center's orientation events are more general and are designed to help you learn about campus and the city. In order to get the most out of your graduate school experience, you really should attend both orientations.

I am an international student. How can I make sure that I have done everything necessary before starting school?
International Student & Scholar Services offers comprehensive resources for new international students. In addition, you can find information pertaining to international graduate and professional student orientation.

What student organizations exist on campus?
I'd like to get involved. There are many cultural, political, service, recreational, religious, and social organizations at Penn, as well as GAPSA, the main graduate student government organization, and student governments in each individual school. Learn more about graduate student organizations at Penn.

What if my question is not answered here or on the New Student Orientation website?
Contact us with any questions or to request assistance.

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