Resources for New Students
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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.
Our incoming students' checklist is a list of everything you need to do before you arrive at Penn.
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 Penn InTouch and visit Campus Express to order textbooks, buy a new computer, register your property, and purchase discounted transit passes.
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!
New Student Orientation Activities
Graduate Orientation Resource Hub (available August 17-September 30)
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.
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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.
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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.
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Arriving from the Airport? Learn more about your transportation options here.
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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 calendar to sign up for an upcoming tour!
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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.
The Grad Center offers a variety of programs during New Student Orientation and beyond intended to help you integrate into the Penn community, manage your expectation and commitments, and enjoy a successful start to your academic career.
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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.
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Review Health Insurance and Immunization Compliance information to be sure you meet all requirements. Visit the Student Health Service website or view a recording of our Student Health Insurance Webinar to learn more.
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Find ways to connect with others and get involved on campus and beyond. Join one of the many graduate student organizations at Penn or get involved in campus activities and student centers that interest you.
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Set yourself up for academic success by learning 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.
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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.
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New Students with Children: learn more about Resources & Benefits for Penn Students with Children.
