Student Life
Students who come to Penn with high school peers cite initial social advantage
Despite a trend of students from the same high schools consistently being admitted, the Admissions Office maintained that there is no formula to get accepted to Penn.
Penn Student Government launches fund to distribute $150,000 to marginalized student groups
The Social Life Inclusion Fund will distribute $50,000 each year over the next three years starting this semester in a three-year pilot program.
Penn cancels student group social events through 2021 following uptick in COVID-19 cases
Social events include parties, formals, and other spaces where alcohol, food, and dancing are present.
Penn set to host COVID-19 booster vaccine clinic Dec. 15 to 17
The clinic will provide the Pfizer/BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine to all students, faculty, staff, and postdoctoral students.
Quarantine policies discourage international students from going home during winter break
Countries like New Zealand, Vietnam, and Japan are requiring travelers from the United States to quarantine upon arrival even if they are fully vaccinated.
‘Gen Z and Public Service’ event helps students approach public sector internships
Penn students who interned in the public sector discussed the value of building connections and the ability to move between the public and private sectors.
Students say ‘sauna’-like rooms are disrupting their sleep and studying
When the University switched the air conditioning systems to heating systems in mid-October, students living in high rises and New College House West experienced temperatures reaching what they said felt too warm.
Students talk immigration, hazing, and climate change at virtual Penn Paideia event
Students said they enjoyed the ability to have an open conversation with others who hold different viewpoints.
Penn Dining extends hours, expands meal exchange opportunities and breakfast options
The changes were made based on feedback submitted by students as well as discussions with the Dining Advisory Board and the Undergraduate Assembly.
Penn senior named one of 12 Mitchell Scholars to receive funding for study in Ireland
Wragan, who majors in neuroscience at Penn, plans to continue studying neuroscience and chronic pain at Trinity College Dublin in Ireland.
MERT expands available medical services as calls return to pre-pandemic levels
MERT, a student-run organization that responds to medical emergencies in the Penn community, has responded to more incidents relating to general medical emergencies than student intoxication this semester, in a break from previous years.
Two Penn students named 2022 Rhodes Scholars
College senior Nicholas Thomas-Lewis from Kimball, Nebraska and Wharton and Engineering senior Raveen Kariyawasam from Colombo, Sri Lanka bring Penn’s total number of Rhodes Scholars to 33.
Two graduate students win $50,000 scholarships at 2021 Weitzman School of Design Awards
The awards are given to recognize the achievements of innovative Weitzman students, faculty, and alumni, as well as leaders in architecture and planning outside of the Penn community.
Study abroad participation for Spring 2022 semester nears pre-pandemic levels
For spring 2022, 191 Penn students have been accepted to study abroad in 45 different programs across 18 countries — a significant jump from the 39 students currently studying abroad in just seven countries.
Student leaders meet with Penn administrators about adding more all-gender bathrooms
The University is adding multi-stall, all-gender bathrooms for future buildings on campus, but student groups are still advocating for renovations to existing buildings that are popular among community members.
Penn COVID-19 positivity rate stays low, as local rate rises
Chief Wellness Officer Benoit Dubé said the majority of the cases were linked to either travel to areas with lower vaccination rates or transmission by unvaccinated family members.
Vast majority of spring 2022 courses will be held in person
The University's emphasis on in-person instruction for spring 2022 applies to all four undergraduate schools.
Special election fills four Undergraduate Assembly seats after resignations
The election was held to fill four seats made vacant when elected UA members stepped down from their roles.
Penn’s COVID-19 case count remains low, but many students still at risk of testing noncompliance
While the overall case count remains low, thousands of students — including 2,856 undergraduates in the College of Arts and Sciences — are at risk of receiving noncompliance red PennOpen Passes on Nov. 16 due to testing noncompliance.