We want you to succeed at Penn. Often, that means knowing where to turn when you need academic or personal support.

Principles for Graduate Teaching and Mentorship

Provide guidance on navigating changes caused by COVID-19. For further policy and resource updates, please visit our COVID announcements page.

We are thrilled to welcome you to this vibrant academic community. We highly recommend that you refer to the following resources before and after arriving to Penn:

  • Follow our newsletter which will highlight the new student checklist, upcoming events, and frequently asked questions HERE. (Please note this will be actively updated throughout the summer.)
  • Check out the full list of graduate student resources and activities at the Graduate Student Center.
  • Check your Penn email regularly for updates from SAS Graduate Division, your Graduate Group, Wellness at Penn, and more. 
University Catalog >
 
Code of Academic Integrity >
 
Educational Policies >
 
Academic Resources >
 
PhD Leave of Absence policy >
 
New Parent Accommodation/Family Leave policies >
 
Career Services

Career Services offers an extensive array of services to graduate and professional students including resume reviews, practice interviews, workshops, and on-campus recruiting.

The Center for Teaching and Learning

The Center for Teaching and Learning is available to graduate students interested in improving as teachers, whether they are working as TAs or preparing to become future faculty.

English Language Programs

English Language Programs provide courses in English as a second/foreign language (ESL/EFL) and orientation to life in the United States.

International Student & Scholar Services

International Student & Scholar Services advises international students on F-1 and J-1 nonimmigrant procedures and compliance with immigration laws and regulations.

Penn Travel Registry

Penn Travel Registry is mandatory for students planning to travel for academic, educational, extracurricular, clinical, research, or University business purposes. Registered travelers are pre-authorized to use International SAS and traveler medical insurance, as well as pre-travel preparations.

The Weingarten Learning Resource Center

The Weingarten Learning Resource Center provides professional instruction in skills such as academic reading, writing, and study strategies free of charge to Penn students.

Weingarten’s Office of Student Disabilities Services

Student Disability Services provides comprehensive confidential services and programs for students with disabilities to ensure equal access to all University programs, activities, and services.

 
Health and Wellness Webinar

Please watch this video to learn more about Penn's student health insurance.

Wellness at Penn

Primary Care section offers evaluation, initial treatment and follow-up care for acute injuries and illnesses, provides care for chronic health problems, dispenses selected prescription medication, administers routine and travel immunizations, provides screening and preventative health services, and coordinates outside medical care that students need.

Women's Health provides well-women care, including annual exams, contraceptive management, and treatment and counseling for sexual and reproductive health concerns.

Counseling is part of Wellness at Penn, and is here to support students throughout the Penn experience. They are committed to creating an affirming environment based on values of multicultural, multi-disciplinary and inclusive practices, focused on providing care to Penn's diverse student body.

Campus Health Initiatives

The public health branch of Student Health Services that seeks to improve health and well-being across campus through advocacy, education, programming, and action.

Penn Violence Prevention

Aims to prevent sexual violence, relationship violence, and stalking on campus, by ensuring students have access to resources, and by providing preventative education focused on building healthy relationships, understanding consent, and being an active bystander.

The Department of Recreation

Offers virtual programming, intramural sports, on-campus fitness facilities, informal recreation, sports clubs, group exercise classes, personal training, massage therapy, and outdoor adventure trips. All full-time students who pay general fee have access to on-campus fitness facilities (when open) which include an Olympic sized pool and co-ed sauna, Juice Bar, locker/shower facilities, and classes led by certified Personal Trainers.

Additional Wellness & Engagement Resources
 
Family Center at Penn

Family Center staff remain available to advise and meet with students, postdocs, and campus partners via phone, email, or Skype. Follow the Family Center on social media, sign up for the newsletter, and check their Virtual Resources page for special resources for parents and families.

International Student & Scholar Services (ISSS)

ISSS advisors are available by email or virtual advising appointment. Fellow students created an International Student Resource Handbook to address commonly asked student questions and concerns.

Greenfield Intercultural Center

Greenfield Intercultural Center promotes intercultural awareness and cultural competency workshops to help prepare Penn students to be thoughtful global citizens and leaders.

La Casa Latina

La Casa Latina focuses on building a unified community by working with LaGAPSA, students, faculty, staff, and alumni.

LGBT Center

The LGBT Center offers educational programs and mentoring, and supports student organizations including Lambda Grads.

Makuu

Makuu, the Black Cultural Center, serves as a cultural hub for campus activities, activism, and personal, professional, and academic growth.

Pan-Asian American Community House (PAACH)

PAACH is a hub of academic, personal, and professional growth for students interested in Asian American culture and the Asian American Diaspora.

Penn Women's Center

Penn Women's Center aims to understand and address the continuing and evolving needs of all women at Penn.

My research focuses on philosophical questions about the self, identity, and agency as they relate to disability. Studying disability through the lens of philosophy reveals assumptions philosophers have made about the nature of the self, while also illuminating what it means to navigate the world with an atypical body/mind.

Sara Purinton,
Ph.D. Candidate, Philosophy