Transitioning to Graduate School at Penn

We are thrilled you are at the University of  Pennsylvania, where you will have a new year of opportunities to strengthen and grow your intellectual and professional skills. 

Penn prepares graduate students to teach, work, and do research that advances the frontiers of knowledge in their fields, while also providing many benefits and programs that support graduate student life, research, career advancement, and work-life balance across campus. Learn more about recent initiatives to support a vibrant graduate student community and enhance work-life balance for graduate students on the University's Valuing Graduate Students website. We encourage you to tap into resources that can help you thrive as you navigate graduate student life. 

Below are a few suggestions to help you get started. 

• Prepare in advance
  There are several things you can do (and a few that are required!) before orientation to prepare yourself for a successful time at Penn, including completing health & wellness requirements, setting up your Penn Accounts, and, for those moving to Philadelphia, finding a place to live! Review the incoming students' checklist for list of key steps to take before you arrive at Penn.
  
  
• Attend Graduate New Student Orientation programs
  
  • School and program orientation Links to an external site. 
  • University-wide orientation 
  • International student check in and orientation 
    
    
• Find your footing. Graduate school requires navigating a complex set of academic, professional and social experiences.  Remember to pace yourself in a realistic manner, and remind yourself that you don’t have to know and do everything right now. If you're feeling lost or need help connecting with the right resources on campus,  the Graduate Student Center brings together all the campus resources that help our graduate students be successful and healthy at Penn.
  
  
• Get to know University staff. From organizing orientations, providing a supportive ear to students, or ensuring that you fulfill your degree requirements, graduate program coordinators and advisors are often your first point of contact into graduate school. Professional and administrative staff members are a vital part of the resource network you will need to be successful throughout your graduate education. 
  
  
• Attend department events. Whether they are faculty or peer presentations, departmental meetings, working committees, or informal gatherings and happy hours, there are numerous opportunities to connect with peers, staff, and faculty throughout the year.  
  
  
• Prepare for graduate seminars and lectures. It’s totally natural to feel excited and anxious about attending your first graduate seminar – especially if you don’t know what to expect or are the first person in your family to attend graduate school. Fortunately, the Weingarten Center provides resources, tools, and advising to help you succeed in graduate courses.
  
  
• Find your community. The University of Pennsylvania is a large and complex institution, and we know that a feeling of belonging on campus is critical to your success and well-being. It makes a difference to find and connect with people who can support your whole self and not just your role as a graduate or professional student. Check out the Campus & Community Engagement page below and connect with your Graduate Program Advisor for referrals to student organizations, affinity groups, or additional campus resources. You can also reach out to the Graduate Center for assistance by emailing gradcenter@upenn.edu.  

Please refer to the Graduate Center's resource guide. for even more resources, services, and opportunities for graduate and professional students at Penn.