Welcome to Penn,

Class of 2030!

Once again, congratulations on starting your new journey at Penn!

New Student Orientation (NSO) is just around the corner, from Wednesday, August 19 to Monday, August 24, and our staff wants to provide you with some important information and tasks that need to be completed before you arrive on campus.

Over the next few weeks, you’ll need to complete Phase One of Thrive at Penn (TAP), your mandatory online orientation program.

Below, you'll find more information about TAP and more.

• Thrive At Penn (TAP)
• Specific Accommodation Requests
• NSO Schedule is Live!
• Health Reminders
• Penn Dining Announcement
• Working on Campus

Thrive at Penn (TAP)

Phase I: Live TODAY, Monday, August 3; Completion required by Monday, August 17
Phase II: Goes live Wednesday, August 19; Completion required by Monday, August 24
Phase III: Goes live Tuesday, August 25; Completion required by Monday, August 31

Thrive at Penn (TAP) is a mandatory online program on Canvas that assists students with their Penn experience. Canvas is the online learning management platform that Penn students use. Learn more about Canvas and how you can get help and support with the platform by visiting Canvas Info@Penn.

TAP prepares students to make healthy choices during their university experience and provides information about resources available to support student success. Topics covered include thriving at a research university; wellness and health; the risks associated with alcohol and other drugs; healthy relationships and sexual violence prevention; safe living on campus; and resources specific to your needs during all of your years at Penn.

Throughout your undergraduate career, TAP will be available through Canvas. At your own pace, you’ll be asked to complete each phase of this mandatory program before the respective deadlines.

How do I know if I completed all the requirements of TAP?

• During Phase One, you must:

1. Complete the video assignment: Penn’s Equal Opportunity, Nondiscrimination and Anti-Harassment Policies: An Introduction to Title VI.
2. Complete the reading assignment: Penn Reading Project.
3. Pass the TAP Phase One Quiz: Your grade must be 80% or higher (which breaks down to a minimum score of 24 out of 30).

• During Phase Two: Your attendance is required at the mandatory NSO events.
• During Phase Three: Your completion of the NSO Survey.

What happens if I don't finish TAP? 
A registration hold is put on your student record and you'll be unable to register for your Spring 2027 courses.

Specific Accommodation Requests

If you would like to request any specific accommodations including fully accessible transportation to any NSO event, please contact Penn’s Disability Services by phone 215-573-9235, or email at disabilityservices@vpul.upenn.edu.

If you have dietary restrictions or questions about nutrition and healthy eating habits, please reach out to Penn’s Registered Dietitian Nutritionist, Sarah Goff at sarah.goff@cafebonappetit.com.

NSO Schedule is Live!

The 2026 New Student Orientation (NSO) schedule includes academic programs as well as cultural and social events that explore Penn, Philadelphia, and much more. NSO will run from Wednesday, August 19 to Monday, August 24. The specific population programming for International, Transfer, and Exchange at Penn (EAP)/IGSP students will occur from Monday, August 17 through Wednesday, August 19.

You can now view the full NSO Events Calendar on our website. It will have the most updated information on events, times, locations, and more, so make sure to reference it throughout the week!

Health Reminders

We are thrilled that you are embarking on your next adventure as a Quaker. Wellness at Penn is dedicated to caring for students during their academic journey while creating a campus-wide community of care.

Before your arrival to campus, all full- and part-time students should do the following:

• Complete immunization requirements

• Enroll in or waive health insurance annually

To ensure the health and safety of all students, the University requires all full- and part-time students to have adequate health insurance and remain up-to-date on their immunizations.

You should upload all immunization documentation through your Wellness Portal if you have not already done so. For more information about Penn's immunization and insurance requirements, visit the Wellness at Penn website.

Penn Dining Announcement

Penn Dining is happy to welcome families and guests of incoming first year students to dine with us during New Student Orientation on Monday, August 17, Tuesday, August 18 and Wednesday, August 19 for lunch and/or dinner.

You must register your family members and/or guests by Tuesday, August 11 via MyHomeAtPenn, including the number of guests you wish to join you at each meal on each date.

When arriving at the cafés, you will use your PennCard for meal swipes that have been pre-loaded onto your ecard.  Families/guests will be asked to show a copy of their pre-registration to the cashiers.  You and your guests will then be able to enjoy all-you-care-to-eat during that meal period. (Please note families/guests must be with their student when visiting the cafés.)

Locations and hours for each meal period will be posted on the dining website.

Thinking About Working On Campus? 

Part of getting hired to work on campus involves completing a Form I-9, which requires you to present original and unexpired identity and employment authorization documents, including your Social Security Card and a driver’s license or passport. The full list of acceptable documents can be found on the USCIS Form I-9 Acceptable Documents page. Be sure to bring these with you to avoid delays in getting paid! 

Learn more about the Onboarding Process and Documents at Onboard@Penn.