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:
- Check your Penn email regularly for updates from SAS Graduate Division, your Graduate Group, Wellness at Penn, and more.
- Check out the full list of graduate student resources and activities at the Graduate Student Center.
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.
Office of the Chaplain & The Spiritual and Religious Life Center (SPARC)
The Chaplain supports the academic mission of the University by facilitating and encouraging initiatives concerned with the moral, ethical, and spiritual dimensions of university life. SPARC provides space for regular prayer, scripture study and meditation sessions for individuals and groups.
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