First-Generation Students

Penn First Plus

An initiative we’re immensely proud of at Penn is Penn First Plus, our hub of university efforts to enhance the academic experiences of students who are the first in their families to pursue a four-year baccalaureate degree or come from modest financial circumstances. Penn First Plus helps students navigate college and provides a variety of resources to help those who are less familiar with a higher education environment, including mentorship, pre-first year programs, and guidance. This is in addition to the many supportive services Penn offers to all students, like academic advising, financial aid counseling, tutoring, and more. So don’t worry – we’re here to support your student as much as they need. 

The Penn Academic Year

Penn is a four-year University, meaning our students typically engage in four years of study, beginning as first years, then sophomores, then juniors, and finally, seniors. 97% of our students graduate in six years or less. 

Upon completing their studies, students will receive an Undergraduate Degree in their field of study. Some may choose to continue their studies and pursue a Master’s Degree or Doctorate, but for many careers, an Undergraduate Degree is sufficient for entering the workforce. 

Our school calendar is broken up into two semesters: courses begin in what is called the “Fall” semester, running from August-December, and are followed by the “Spring” semester which covers January-May. Some students choose to dedicate their summers to research, internships, work, or additional studies, but the school year officially runs from August-May. 

Housing

Penn students must live on campus for their first two years. It’s a great way to get to know other students, while adjusting to college life. Typically, first-year students share rooms with a roommate and use communal bathrooms. Rooms come furnished with beds, desks, and dressers or closets, and students provide their own bed linens, towels, and decorations. Many of our College Houses also have amenities like laundry rooms, fitness centers, study rooms, lounges, cafes, and music rooms that students can enjoy. 

Later in their time at Penn, students may opt to live off-campus. ISSS provides guidance around living arrangements, as well as where to stay when visiting Penn on their website.  

Between mid-December and mid-January, classes are suspended and students are on Winter Break. Students typically return home during this time. Those who wish to remain on campus during winter break may request special housing for that period through winter break registration. 

Students also enjoy time off during Spring Break, which occurs for a week in March. While many students opt to travel or return home during this time, campus housing remains open and students are welcome to remain on campus for the duration of Spring Break. 

Safety

Penn has been ranked one of the safest campuses in the country year after year. Penn’s Division of Public Safety is active 24/7 to ensure the safety and well-being of all students. All academic and residential buildings require key-card access for entry at Penn, and walking escorts are available to students at all times. We care deeply about your student’s safety here! 

Staying Connected to Your Student

When students enroll at Penn, they are immersed in a world of study, meeting new friends, and discovering a new place. Penn’s rigorous liberal arts curriculum will expose students to new ways of thinking and interacting with the world, as well as make significant demands of their time. 

Some supporters find that the transition to college is also marked by an unexpected distance between them and their student. Perhaps the loved one you saw and spoke to regularly no longer has as much time to stay in touch, or has new interests you don’t share. 

This is a normal part of going to college, but it can be emotional to navigate, nonetheless. We recommend loved ones consider some of our tips to stay connected to their student and ease this transition. 

• Agree to regular check-ins that work for both your schedules! Unlike high school, a student’s schedule can vary from day-to-day, and they may have classes at times you don’t expect. Work with your loved one to find a day and time where you can commit to checking in and catching up on each other’s lives. 
• Plan visits. Depending on where you live, traveling can be a challenge. Check in with your student on their plans for their breaks – especially winter break – and see if it’s possible to get together. If they qualify for a highly aided financial aid package, travel expenses may be something their financial aid can be used towards. 
• Talk honestly about finances. Whether or not your student is receiving financial aid, it’s a good idea to talk openly about finances. Check in about budgeting, payments, and whether their expenses are matching what they expected. 
• Consider sending a care package! You may have shown love to your student by bringing them food and snacks when they were nearby. If you’re missing this ritual, you could consider sending  “care packages” to a student’s dorm. These can contain things like snacks a student loves, letters from family and friends, photos, gift cards, self-care items, or something they may be homesick for. These are especially appreciated a couple of weeks into the school year when students might be missing home, or around midterms and finals, when students might be experiencing extra stress. If cost is a concern, even just receiving a hand-written letter can be a nice surprise to help your student feel connected to you!  
• Check the academic calendar. Wondering when your student has breaks, registration deadlines, and final exams? Penn’s academic calendar is available online, and checking it can help you get a sense of what they have going on. While it won’t show you your student’s particular class schedule, it may help you plan for breaks, or to plan around particularly busy periods.  
• Remember, this isn’t high school. Your student’s schedule will be different than it was in high school, and so will a lot of things. Now that they are an adult, you will not be receiving report cards and won’t be in direct contact with their professors. Your student may or may not choose to share their grades and class details with you. If they do, remember that this is likely the most challenging academic environment they have ever been in, and it’s not unusual for their grades to be slightly lower than their grades in the past as they adjust to this new level of rigor. Your student will also be experiencing a new level of autonomy, and you likely won’t know exactly where they are at all times. The good news is Penn’s campus is exceptionally safe, and we are always looking out for our students. 
• Don’t take it personally. It can be difficult to suddenly feel less connected to your loved one. Your student is meeting new people every day, keeping up with assignments, going to class, joining clubs – they’re busy! As much as they may love and miss you, they might not always be great about staying in touch. As they’re exposed to new subjects and people, they may also start showing an interest in topics you haven’t heard them discuss before. Remember, this is normal! Communicate how you feel and make efforts to stay in touch, but as much as you can, remember this is not a reflection of your relationship, just a new phase in your loved one’s life.