FAQs for Penn Parents and Families

The Weingarten Center is Penn’s home for academic support. They offer learning consultations, tutoring, and interactive programs that support students as they develop learning strategies and further their academic and professional goals. Students can set up an appointment through MyWeingartenCenter, or they can drop in during office hours to get a quick answer to a question they may have. Learn more about the Weingarten Center’s offerings.

Each school has their own advising office with a network of academic advisors available to assist students. The structure of the advising varies by school. Learn more here.

Many students opt for shortened study abroad experiences to participate in academic research or internships. Penn Abroad provides a great starting point for your student to explore different programs and experiences, including summer study abroad opportunities and international internships. They can also consider a Penn Global Seminar, which combines intensive semester-long study with a short-term travel component that deepens students’ understanding of concepts discussed in the classroom.

For a semester abroad, the cost of the program will be equivalent to Penn tuition plus a study abroad fee. Housing, airfare, and personal expenses are separate from this amount. Each program has a budget sheet that your student can reference when planning for their time abroad. For more information regarding cost and financial aid, see Penn Abroad’s Financial Information page.

Housing varies based on the program your student participates in. Three common living scenarios are in a dormitory with other international students, with a host family, or in apartment-style housing. Your student should carefully read the information from their program of interest to understand the available housing arrangements.

Penn’s College House system integrates living spaces with opportunities for learning and connecting with faculty and peers from all class years. The College Houses provide academic support, leadership opportunities, and a connection to intellectual life at Penn. For more information about this system, please visit the College Houses and Academic Services website.

Different College Houses have varying furnishings, depending on how many students will be living in the room. Residential Services has information about room furnishings in your student’s College House in addition to a helpful packing list.

A list of campus dining locations and their hours of operation is available here. Whether your student needs an on-the-go option or wants to take a study break in a café, there are plenty of options available.

When your student registers for a dining plan, they will be prompted to notify Penn Dining about any special dietary needs. Dining’s Registered Dietitian Nutritionist will then reach out to each of those students, establishing critical one-on-one interaction and offering additional support in navigating meals in the dining locations.

Unused meal swipes do not carry over between fall and spring semesters; however, Dining Dollars do! All dining funds expire at the end of the academic year.

To send mail to your student’s campus address, you will need to know the name of their College House and room number. You can find proper mailing formats here.

Special Deliveries, a Penn Student Agency, connects Penn students with friends and families throughout the year. Their hand-delivered cakes and care packages are a great way to let your student know you’re thinking of them. Learn more and place your order here.

If using a storage company, your student can place an order online to arrange pickup and drop off of their items at a convenient time and location. Residential Services has tips and information on storing and shipping items here.

There are plenty of options to get around Philadelphia offered by both Penn and SEPTA regional transit. You can find a list of stops and schedules for Penn’s buses and shuttles here. Additionally, SEPTA runs regional trains to the Airport for easy commuting before and after breaks, as well as the LUCY bus system around University City.

Wellness at Penn is dedicated to supporting students during their academic journey while creating a campus-wide community of care. They offer a wide range of opportunities for students to access clinical resources, education, and practical tools to meaningfully engage with their health and wellbeing. Wellness at Penn oversees Student Health, Counseling, Penn Cares, immunization and health insurance compliance, and more.

Student Health and Counseling is the primary care and psychological care division of Wellness at Penn. They provide care for acute and chronic health problems, preventative health services, as well as mental health and counseling, crisis management, and consultations. Students can call (215) 746-WELL (9355) to schedule an appointment or speak with an on-call provider.

Insurance and immunization requirements, as well as a list of frequently asked questions, are available on the Wellness website. Students may need additional immunizations before studying or traveling abroad; Student Health provides comprehensive pre- and post-travel consultations to ensure students stay safe and healthy during their experiences abroad. Your student can find more information and make a consultation appointment here.

Students can request appointments online through Handshake, the Career Services portal. Students can also take advantage of same-day advising options and virtual check-ins. Hours and more information about available services can be found here.

Students can find a full list of On-Campus Interviewing dates, workshops, and information sessions on the Career Services calendar of events. For information specifically about On-Campus Interviewing, visit the OCI website.

In order to be eligible to participate in Greek life, a student must:

1. Be a full-time student in good standing at the University
2. Have at least 4.0 course units completed on their transcript at Penn
3. Have a cumulative GPA of at least 2.50
4. Register on Campus Director or complete the Aspirant Grade Verification Form within respective timelines

Learn more about eligibility requirements and organizations on campus.

The Office of Student Affairs is a central provider of resources and experiences designed to supplement students’ classroom learning and to contribute significantly to their personal development. Through programs, advising resources and services, and various forms of advocacy, OSA supports students in their growth as leaders and builders of a strong Penn community.

Learn more about the Office of Student Affairs and review their list of clubs and organizations.

University Life is home to the Cultural Resource Centers (CRCs) that enrich the campus environment through academic engagement, cultural celebration, and community building. These community hubs are critical to providing a sense of belonging while promoting intercultural understanding. Built on a rich history of social advocacy, the centers work collaboratively to create welcoming and affirming spaces for students to learn about themselves and their communities. Learn more here.

Penn Violence Prevention (PVP) engages the Penn community in the prevention of sexual violence, relationship violence, stalking, and sexual harassment. They foster collaborative relationships across campus to ensure a survivor-centered, multi-faceted approach to support services and primary prevention. Learn more here.

Penn Public Safety offers a myriad of resources to keep Penn and its surrounding communities safe. One of these resources is Penn Guardian, an app that allows students to contact Public Safety via phone or text message. You can reach more about emergency preparedness and other safety resources on the Public Safety website.

As early as possible! Once your student has accepted their admission and sets up their PennKey, they can access the MyWeingartenCenter portal to begin the self-identification process. Starting this process in the summer helps ensure your student has the appropriate accommodations for their needs. Learn more about the Weingarten Center’s offerings here.

Residential Services offers a comprehensive overview of the process on their website. You can also check the Weingarten Center website for guidance about the process.

Penn Dining makes every effort to ensure students with dietary restrictions are accommodated in the dining locations. You can reach more about their offerings here. If your student needs to consult with Disability Services on their dietary needs, they can request a meeting with a specialist through the MyWeingartenCenter portal.

The Weingarten Center works with students in all 12 schools at Penn. First-year students are encouraged to attend academic workshops, such as Mastering the Ivy League. Other workshop topics include time management, handling the college reading load, and exam prep strategies. Students can also set up a one-time or recurring meeting with a Learning Specialist.

Students can consult with their academic advisor to receive guidance on how to handle differences related to a professor’s teaching style. The Weingarten Center is another resource to help students become comfortable handling the academic requirements of the course.

Penn offers a wide variety of resources to support students at every step of their academic journey. The Weingarten Center offers learning consultations, tutoring, peer-to-peer support, workshops, and resources for online learning. The Penn Libraries also offer a wide range of academic services to help students make the most of Penn’s extensive library system. Academic Advisors are another great resource, and students may find value in connecting with peers or Teaching Assistants to help them thrive in a course.