Penn Graduate Student Center

Graduate & Professional New Student Orientation

About New Student Orientation

The Graduate Student Center is here to make sure you experience a seamless transition to Penn. The Grad Center will also be your home base at Penn long after orientation is over. So become part of the community right away!

Penn offers several orientation programs for incoming graduate and professional students. Take advantage of your school-specific orientation for academic information, then register below to get acquainted with Penn and Philly through the Grad Center's orientation activities.

We know you'll be busy, so we've organized our events à la carte. Pick and choose what's most convenient for you! Arriving right before classes start? Take advantage of our One-Day Orientation Extravanganza!

If you're an undergraduate new student, please visit the Undergraduate New Student Orientation website.

Events

Philly Walking Tours

Want to explore Philly but not sure where to start? Don't worry, we've got you covered. Enjoy a walking tour of our fabulous city while getting to know fellow new students!

If you're a returning student and would like to volunteer to lead a group of new students, please register for this event and select Volunteer from the Penn Status drop down menu.


Register

First Friday Walking Tour of Philadelphia

Friday, September 5, 2008, 4:00 PM - 7:00 PM
Meet at the Grad Center, 3615 Locust Walk
Enjoy the sights and sounds of Philly on this walking tour of the city. At the conclusion of the tour, take advantage of Philly's unique 'First Fridays' to explore the vibrant arts community of historic Old City, where the neighborhood's 40+ galleries will be open late. SEPTA tokens for transport to and from downtown Philly will be provided for this event.

Itinerary: Meet at the Grad Center, 3615 Locust Walk, at 4 pm, end in Old City
Register

Schuylkill River Walking Tour

Saturday, September 13, 2008, 10:30 AM - 12:00 PM
Meet at the Grad Center, 3615 Locust Walk
Take a break from studying and see the tranquil side of the city! A recently developed park-like setting along the river, the Schuylkill River Banks offers a change of pace, whether you walk, run, or bike it.

Itinerary: Meet at the Grad Center, 3615 Locust Walk, at 10 am, end at the Philadelphia Museum of Art

New Student Activities and Events

Join the Graduate Student Center for fun activities and events we are holding in August and September that can assist new graduate and professional students in acclimating to Penn and Philadelphia!

Register

LGBT Grad Mixer

Friday, September 19, 2008, 5:00 PM - 8:00 PM
LGBT Center, 3907 Spruce Street
Lambda Grads, the LGBT Center, and the Graduate Student Center invite new and returning graduate and professional students to attend this event. Please bring your PennCard to be admitted.

Register

Wine and Cheese Reception
for new and current African-American Graduate & Professional Students

Friday, September 19, 2008, 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM
Grad Center Common Room
The Black Graduate & Professional Student Assembly (BGAPSA) and the Graduate Student Center invite new and returning African-American grad and professional students to a Wine and Cheese Reception. Please bring your PennCard to be admitted.
Register

Welcome Reception
for New & Returning Latino/a Graduate & Professional Students

Friday, September 26, 2008, 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM
Graduate Student Center, 3615 Locust Walk
La Casa Latina, LaGAPSA, and the Graduate Student Center welcome new and returning Latino/a grad students. Please bring your PennCard to be admitted.

Campus Events

The Grad Center has a variety of events happening all the time. Also, a number of campus organizations provide programming for graduate and professional students. We provide a list of their calendars.

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

Graduate Student Center

3615 Locust Walk
University of Pennsylvania
Philadelphia PA 19104-6221
215-746-6868
gsc@pobox.upenn.edu