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New Student Resources

The Graduate Student Center organizes New Student Orientation each summer for incoming graduate and professional students.

We've included the presentations, handouts, and other resources from this summer's orientation on this page to help you plan a seamless transition to Penn and Philadelphia.

Resources

• Ready for Penn helps you prepare to move here
• Presentations
• Penn Resources
• Philadelphia Resources
• For International Students
• Here is an article about having a successful graduate experience written by Penn Associate Professor Marybeth Gasman

Presentations

Each presentation has a significant load time, and we recommend using Mozilla Firefox for faster viewing. You do not need a Google account to view the presentations.

• Living Safely at Penn
• Transportation
• SEPTA handout
• Penn's Health Insurance Plan
• Philly Fun (PDF)
• Campus Tour (campus map)
• Philadelphia Tour

Penn Resources

Here are some links that you might find useful as a new student. This list is not comprehensive by any means, and we encourage you to explore all the resources available to you at Penn!

• Campus Resource Guide
• Top 7 Ways to Connect to the Penn Community
• Schools & Programs
• Student Health Services
• Housing
  • On-Campus
  • Off-Campus
• Penn Transit
• Penn Safety Tips
• GAPSA: Graduate and Professional Student Assembly

Philly Resources

Looking to find out more about what to do in and around Philadelphia? Here are some websites that will help you find your way and your fun.

The Gnome's Picks offers a selection of upcoming Philadelphia events especially suited for a grad student budget!

The Official Visitor Site for Greater Philadelphia offers all things Philadelphia, including places to stay, places to eat, places to see, and more!

The Philly Fun Guide provides a comprehensive list of all things happening in the Philadelphia region. It also includes free and cheap stuff to do. Sign-up for the weekly FunSavers email for exclusive discounts and specials on everything from museum exhibits, theater tickets, and concert tickets.

The Philadelphia City Pass is a great way to see a bunch of area attractions on one discounted ticket. Attractions include the Philadelphia Museum of Art, the Philadelphia Zoo, the Franklin Institute Science Museum, the National Constitution Center, and much more!

This is just the beginning! See our "Philadelphia for Less" page for a full listing of arts & culture opportunities for graduate students on a budget.

For International Students

We hope that as an international student, you will participate in the Grad Center's general orientation, as well as your school's specific orientation. However, as an international student you must register with International Student & Scholar Services. The ISSS website also provides a variety of resources for new international students.

Common Room Hours

Monday - Thursday:
9:00 AM - 9:00 PM
Friday: 9:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Sat & Sun: 12 Noon - 6:00 PM

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