Welcome Penn Class of 2026!

Congratulations on starting your new journey at Penn!

Here at the Office of New Student Orientation & Academic Initiatives, we are already planning for your arrival in August. Although New Student Orientation (NSO) is months away, occurring from August 24-29, our staff wants to provide you with pivotal information and tasks that need to be completed before you step foot on campus. Throughout the summer, we will send several email reminders so you're always aware of what's coming up.

We hope you will check out the Penn10 that provides ten key action items, such as creating your Penn email, so you’ll be on top of everything to start your Penn experience. Be sure to check out move-in details as well.

To get you thinking about the upcoming months, we’ve spotlighted some initiatives that you’ll need know about.

We look forward to meeting you in August!

- NSO Staff

Thrive at Penn (TAP) 

TAP modules will go live on August 1; completion of TAP Phase 1 required by August 19

TAP is a mandatory online pre-orientation program that readies incoming students for their Penn experience. TAP prepares students to make healthy choices as they begin 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, and other resources for first-year students.

Throughout your undergraduate career, TAP will be available through Canvas, Penn’s learning management system. At your own pace, you’ll be asked to complete this mandatory program before arriving on campus. As you continue on your path to graduation, TAP will be updated with additional resources specific to your needs during your sophomore, junior, and senior years.

When TAP goes live in early August, you will have an opportunity to virtually connect with your PHINS Orientation Group (POG) which will be led by a PHINS (Peers Helping Integrate New Students) Orientation Leader, who is a fellow undergraduate student in their second, third, or fourth year at Penn. You will then be able to meet your group in person during NSO! Stay tuned for updates and details in the coming weeks.

Specific Population Programming

Prior to the start of traditional NSO, we host specific population programming for First-Generation Lower-Income (FGLI), Transfer, International, and Exchange/IGSP students. This programming will occur from Monday, August 22 through Wednesday, August 24, 2022. More information regarding these programs will be available shortly.

Provost's Academic Theme: Civic Engagement (2022-23)

Beginning in 2020, Penn introduced the Provost’s Academic Theme of Civic Engagement, recognizing the University’s on-going commitment to interaction with our local community and the world at large, and affirming the importance of civic engagement as a core value in education. This year’s Penn Engagement Presentation during NSO will be a gateway event for first-years to meet some Penn students who have contributed significantly to civic engagement projects on- and off-campus.

Still have questions?

We’re happy to help with any questions you might have. Please feel free to contact us at provost-nso-ai@pobox.upenn.edu. Good luck, and we look forward to seeing you on campus in August!