Whether your student is coming to Penn from Croatia, Chile, China, or Conshohocken, families of first-year and international students often have unique needs and questions. Below, we’ve included information and resources to help support your student during this time of transition.
Information for Penn Families
Helpful guidance for families of first-year and international students.
Information for First-Year Families
Your student’s first year at Penn will be filled with change and discovery. On this page, you’ll find resources to help your student as they navigate their first year. We also have a list of FAQs that provide answers to common questions about dining, housing, academics, campus life, and more.
Welcome Receptions for Incoming Classes
This summer’s Welcome Receptions brought together incoming students and families with alumni, current Penn parents, and staff in cities around the world. From Philadelphia to Los Angeles and beyond, these lively events offered new Quakers an early sense of connection and community. Check out highlights from the receptions in the slideshow below.
Boston, MA
Dallas, TX
Greenwich, CT
Los Angeles, CA
New York, NY
Palo Alto, CA
Philadelphia, PA
San Diego, CA
Seattle, WA
Quick Links for First-Year Families
These departments offer resources to support your student during their first year and beyond.
-
Before Arriving
The summer before starting college is filled with mixed emotions. Your student will be excited to start this new chapter, but they might get sentimental as they pack up their belongings and say goodbye to their friends and family.
Your student will become increasingly excited as they make concrete plans for their first year. They will likely speak with their academic advisor throughout the summer as they finalize their class schedule. The housing application for living in Penn’s College Houses will open in late spring, and your student will receive both their housing and roommate assignment in early summer. Your student will also receive their move-in timeslot and it is then time to make travel plans and book hotels!
-
Fall Semester
Fall semester can go by in a blur for students as they acclimate to a completely new lifestyle. They’ll get to know their roommate, campus, and Philadelphia. They may join student groups or clubs, or even find an on-campus job. Despite the many exciting changes in their lives, your student may find themselves missing home. It is important to remind your student that you are there to support them and set expectations on how often you would like to communicate with them. There are also opportunities for you and your student to visit each other during Fall Break, Family Weekend, and Thanksgiving Break!
Joining the long list of “firsts” for your student will be a first round of midterms and finals. As your student learns how they best study, they may seek out academic resources like the Weingarten Center and tutoring services. After finals and the fall semester wrap-up, your student will come home for a well-deserved Winter Break.
-
Spring Semester
With a full semester under their belt, your student will have better footing at the beginning of the spring semester. They may become more independent and rely on you a bit less as they begin to understand the wide variety of resources at the University. They may even take their first big trip without you during Spring Break!
Your student will also begin planning for their summer and next academic year. Room selection for their second year housing will open at the beginning of the spring semester. If your student decides to find an internship or research position for their first summer, they might reach out to Career Services or the Center for Undergraduate Research & Fellowship (CURF). They may also decide to take advantage of Penn Summer’s offerings and take classes on campus, virtually, or even abroad. As their first year at Penn comes to a close, your student will pack up their belongings in the College House, say goodbye to their new friends, and enjoy their summer break.
Information for International Families
International families have a unique place at Penn, and we understand that international students must take extra steps to prepare for their arrival to campus. In addition to the resources below, International Student & Scholar Services (ISSS) supports international families by providing guidance on immigration, informative workshops & events, advising, and more.
Forerunner Program
At Forerunner, a program organized by International Student & Scholar Services, international students and families are invited to connect with each other and engage with current students, alumni, faculty, and administrators before they embark on their journey to Penn’s campus.
-
Paying Tuition Internationally
Penn offers a variety of ways to pay your student’s bill, including international wire transfers and by mail.
-
Opportunities for Practicing English
This may be your student’s first time learning primarily in English. Penn’s English Language Programs (ELP) offer unparalleled opportunities for students to immerse themselves in the language and culture of the United States.
-
Getting to Know Campus from Afar
Even though traveling to campus from abroad isn’t always possible, we still want you to get to know Penn! The Admissions Office offers a virtual tour so you can see the places and classrooms your student visits everyday.
Reminder: Ask Your Student!
Important information is sent directly to your student via the Student Portal.
The Student Experience
Your student’s experience will evolve as they move through their time at Penn. From Convocation to Commencement, get a glimpse of what to expect throughout your student’s four years.
Resources & Support
