scue's 2011 roadmap to penn

60
THE STUDENT COMMITTEE ON UNDERGRADUATE EDUCATION A Roadmap to Penn The Practical Scholar

Upload: scue

Post on 28-Mar-2015

612 views

Category:

Documents


0 download

DESCRIPTION

First published in the 1990s, SCUE's The Practical Scholar: A Roadmap to Penn remains the only extensive academic knowledge resource made for Penn students, by Penn students. It is a useful handbook that can help you find the answers to some of the most common, and important, questions about Penn. Use the Roadmap as its title implies: as a guide to the numerous academic resources available at Penn. Printed copies of this publication are available in the Office of Student Life, Houston Hall. The next edition will be published in August 2011.

TRANSCRIPT

Page 1: SCUE's 2011 Roadmap to Penn

THE STUDENT COMMITTEE ON UNDERGRADUATE EDUCATION

A Roadmap to PennThe Practical Scholar

Page 2: SCUE's 2011 Roadmap to Penn

The Student Committee on Undergraduate Education

© 2011 The Student Committee on Undergraduate Education. All rights reserved.

Under the copyright laws, A Roadmap to Penn (this publication), may not be copied, in whole or in part, without the written consent of The Student Committee on Undergraduate Education.

Every effort has been made to ensure that the information in this publication is accurate. The Student Committee on Undergraduate Education is not responsible for printing or clerical errors.

An electronic version of this publication has been made available via the World Wide Web. Please visit http://www.scue.org to view this and other SCUE publications.

The views and ideas expressed in this publication are those of The Student Committee on Undergraduate Education. The Trustees of the University of Pennsylvania have neither recommended nor endorsed this publication. This publication does not constitute official academic, administrative and/or judicial policy of the University. The appropriate publications, offices, and agents of the University should be referenced and consulted in conjunction with official academic, administrative, and/or judicial matters of the University.

Congratulations on wading through all the language that makes the lawyers happy. You’ve just found the secret message: Join the Student Committee on Undergraduate Education!

The Student Committee on Undergraduate EducationOffice of Student Life200 Houston HallPhiladelphia, PA 19104-3708E-Mail: [email protected]: http://www.scue.org

The Student Committee on Undergraduate Education seeks bright, articulate, motivated undergraduates who wish to have a greater say in the educational decisions which define their experience at Penn. Applications for membership are accepted from freshmen and sophomores in both the fall and the spring semesters.

The University of Pennsylvania values diversity and seeks talented students, faculty and staff from diverse backgrounds. The University of Pennsylvania does not discriminate on the basis of race, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, color, national or ethnic origin, age, disability, or status as a Vietnam Era Veteran or disabled veteran in the administration of educational policies, programs or activities; admissions policies; scholarship and loan awards; athletic, or other University administered programs or employment. Questions or complaints regarding this policy should be directed to: Executive Director, Office of Affirmative Action and Equal Opportunity Programs, Sansom Place East, 3600 Chestnut Street, Suite 228, Philadelphia, PA 19104-6106 or by phone at (215) 898-6993

Page 3: SCUE's 2011 Roadmap to Penn

The Steering CommitteeChair: Joyce Greenbaum

Vice Chair: Scott Dzialo

Treasurer: Sami Braun

Secretary: Harrison Lieberfarb

At-Large: Katy Fitzpatrick

At-Large: Robert Gianchetti

Arthur Argall

Elise Argall

Genevieve Barnard

George Brighten

Wendy Cai

Cortney Charleston

Sophie Domanski

Matt Eldridge

Serena Ghanshani

Shreyans Goenka

Charles Gray

Jaclyn Greenblatt

Aditi Gupta

Michelle Ho

Elizabeth Hutnick

Vikram Iyer

Elena Madan

Michael-David Mangini

Kelsey Matevish

Mili Mehta

Jennifer Mindrum

Anand Muthusamy

Rick Oxenhandler

Michelle Perlin

Justin Rand

Pooja Rameesh

Jessica Riegel

Sejal Shah

Kevin Shia

Cristina Sorice

Lauren Springer

Alison Wand

SCUE General Body:

Page 4: SCUE's 2011 Roadmap to Penn

Introduction .........................................................................................2

CHAPTER 1: COURSE OPTIONS

Seminars .............................................................................................. 5Penn Course Review ............................................................................ 6Requirements ....................................................................................... 7Book Purchasing ................................................................................ 10Succeeding in Courses ........................................................................ 10Sample Schedules For the Four Undergraduate Schools ..................... 11

CHAPTER 2: ADVISING

Residential Advisors ........................................................................... 15Peer Advisors ...................................................................................... 15Faculty Advisors ................................................................................. 15Major Advising Program .................................................................... 18Other Advisors ................................................................................... 18

CHAPTER 3: REGISTRATION

Scheduling ......................................................................................... 21Grading Options ................................................................................ 23

CHAPTER 4: CURRICULAR OPTIONS

Declaring Your Major or Concentration ............................................ 27Community Involvement ................................................................... 30

CHAPTER 5: ACADEMIC OPTIONS

Academic Enrichment ........................................................................ 33Honor Code and Academic Integrity ................................................. 35Research ............................................................................................. 35

Table of Contentsiv

Table of Contents

Page 5: SCUE's 2011 Roadmap to Penn

Table of Contents

CHAPTER 6: SERVICES AND RESOURCESStudy Spots ........................................................................................ 40Culture on Campus ........................................................................... 42

CHAPTER 7: STUDY OPPORTUNITIES

The Quaker Consortium.................................................................... 45Study Abroad ..................................................................................... 45

CHAPTER 8: LIFE BEYOND PENN

During the Summer ........................................................................... 48Career Services ................................................................................... 48Things to Remember ......................................................................... 49Honors Programs and Honors Theses ................................................ 50Graduation ......................................................................................... 51

APPENDIX

Advising Resources Chart ................................................................... 53

CAMPUS MAP

v

Page 6: SCUE's 2011 Roadmap to Penn

ABCS Academically Based Community Service

CCP Netter Center for Community Partnership

CHAS College Houses and Academic Services

CPCW Center for Programs in Contemporary Writing

CURF Center for Undergraduate Research and Fellowships

CwiC Communication Within the Curriculum

DAB Dean’s Advisory Board (College)

EDAB Engineering Undergraduate Advisory Board

ITA Information Technology Assistant

LPS School of Liberal and Professional Studies

MAP Major Advising Program

NEC Nominations and Elections Committee

OIP Office of International Programs

OSL Office of Student Life

PCR Penn Course Review

PRP Penn Reading Project

SAC Student Activities Council

SCUE Student Committee on Undergraduate Education

SNAP Student Nurses At Penn

SPEC Social Planning and Events Committee

UA Undergraduate Assembly

UAB Undergraduate Advisory Boards

VPUL Vice-Provost of University Life

WAB Wharton’s Dean Advisory Board

A Roadmap to Penn1

Acronyms

Page 7: SCUE's 2011 Roadmap to Penn

Introduction

Dear Class of 2015,

With all the official mailings, swirling rumors, and Locust Walk flyers for you to sift through, the last thing you may want is another publication purporting to advise you on all things Penn. But before you throw this atop your heaping pile of resources (or the recycling bin), take a moment to skim through it. SCUE’s The Practical Scholar: A Roadmap to Penn stands out in several ways and is a valuable handbook for those inevitable questions that arise during your freshman year and beyond. Now in its nineteenth year of publication, the Roadmap remains the only resource for academic advice made for Penn students, by Penn students. It is a useful handbook that can help you find the answers to some of the most frequently asked questions about Penn, as well as open exciting new avenues, like undergraduate research or academically-based community service. Use the Roadmap as its title implies: you’ll need it if you’re lost, but you might also discover the road less traveled. Beyond familiarizing yourself with the contents of this handbook, the best advice is, of course, to go out and talk to people! Peer advisors, faculty members, your RA or GA, and upperclassmen are all excellent resources. There’s no “right” way to navigate Penn, and everyone will have a different story to tell. Find out what people like, what they dislike, and how they have become involved in the Penn community. SCUE is the academic policy branch of student government, and we work to make Penn the best it can be for undergraduates. We know that Penn is rich in resources and centers, but they often remain invisible and under-utilized. To that end, we hope the Roadmap will help you find your own path. And if you think that path may include becoming involved in academic policy, we encourage you to visit our website www.scue.org to learn more about us and find our application for membership. Good luck! Joyce Greenbaum SCUE Chair

2

Introduction

Page 8: SCUE's 2011 Roadmap to Penn

A Roadmap to Penn3

Page 9: SCUE's 2011 Roadmap to Penn

Chapter

1

COURSE OPTIONS

Page 10: SCUE's 2011 Roadmap to Penn

It’s my first semester at Penn, what courses should I take?

As you sort through the stacks of paperwork that Penn can inundate you with, just take a step back and relax. At first the

system may seem overwhelming, but in due time you will be able to navigate it like a pro. In this section, we’ll outline some general strategies for shaping your education.

First, some advice: Penn offers thousands of courses, almost all of which are accessible to undergraduates. This fact has its ups and downs. Although it means that you can take courses ranging from Greek Vase Painting to The Medical Anthropology of Alcohol Use, it also means that there will be more interesting courses each semester than you could possibly take. So, when picking your courses, keep these two concepts in mind: breadth and depth.

One of Penn’s greatest assets is its twelve schools. As an undergrad, you can take courses in any of the schools, which gives you a tremendous opportunity to explore new areas of inquiry and to meet new people who share your interests. We encourage you to expose yourself to many areas of knowledge and ways of thinking about the world. The various school requirements and the general structure of Penn’s curriculum are thus designed to meet this goal of breadth. At the same time, Penn students have the opportunity to achieve great depth in a specific area of interest through the major/minor programs.

SEMINARS

We strongly recommend that you take one seminar every semester. The smaller environment of seminars provides you with a chance to interact with a professor and participate actively in discussions while also enjoying an enriching bonding experience with other students. Penn has a variety of seminars available including Benjamin Franklin, Freshman, Writing, Academically-Based Community Service (ABCS) and Graduate seminars. As a freshman, you should definitely consult the Freshman Seminar Handbook because, after all, it was designed for you! You can find a complete listing of the Freshman seminars available each semester at http://www.college.upenn.edu/courses/seminars/freshman.php.

So I have some ideas about courses, but the descriptions in the timetable only narrowed down my 50 choices to 35. What do I do next?

A Roadmap to Penn5

Chapter 1: Course Options

Page 11: SCUE's 2011 Roadmap to Penn

Chapter 1: Course Options

PENN COURSE REVIEW

One of the hardest things about your courses (besides passing them) is choosing them. The Penn Course Review (PCR) is available online (www.PennCourseReview.com) and provides detailed ratings of courses and professors based on past students’ evaluations. Don’t forget that the ratings are very subjective and reflect only the opinions of those students who submitted their online course evaluations.

Here are some quick tips when using PCR:

• Ratings range from 0-4, so most courses are rated as in the 2-3 range. As such, take the numbers with a grain of salt – a course rated as a 2.7 isn’t definitively better than one rated as 2.5. PCR is a great tool for identifying courses that students really loved and ones that they really didn’t care for.

• Look at the professor’s ratings first and the course review rating second. Professors make or break a course; rarely are low ratings a result of the course material.

• Read the reviews posted by students – the numbers don’t necessarily say everything. The PCR editorial staff compiles qualitative reviews after reading student comments. Click on the icon to the right of a professor’s name to view all reviews posted for that professor or on a smaller icon in the table to read the comment posted for a specific semester/course. The review reflects the general student consensus on the course and/or professor.

Another great strategy for learning about specific courses is to check the web. Many professors have personal websites where they post course descriptions and/or syllabi. In the spirit of friendly stalking, feel free to Google professors to check out their accomplishments and to learn more about what they teach. If a course turns out not to be what you thought it would, don’t worry because you’ll be shopping around. Some departments also devote pages to particular courses so be sure to check out department-specific websites.

Once you’ve done all of this, there’s only one thing left to do: talk to everyone you can. People love to talk about themselves and their experiences, so ask lots of questions. Talk to upperclassmen, professors, or your RA/GA about their recommendations. Don’t hesitate to e-mail professors to get more information about their courses or to ask for general advice.

As helpful as these resources are, they are not a substitute for your own best judgment. Don’t be afraid to shop around for courses!

6

Page 12: SCUE's 2011 Roadmap to Penn

Though Penn does not have an official shopping period, you should feel free to attend as many classes as you can handle for the first two weeks of the semester. That way, you’ll be able to make as informed a decision as possible when you narrow down your options to the four or five you’ll actually take. Nothing – not the syllabus, the course description, or other people’s opinions – beats attending a class to see for yourself what it’s all about.

REQUIREMENTS

Each year, the four undergraduate schools tweak and modify their programs to increase the quality of education at Penn. While this is wonderful for all of you, it will make it slightly more challenging for upperclassmen to advise you on the best ways to navigate the requirements for your particular class. Don’t wait until you’re practically done with Penn to realize that you were wrong about a good number of graduation requirements. Consult advisors, fill out the appropriate worksheet on Penn InTouch, and peruse the online resources available from your school and referred to in the sections below.

The Writing Requirement

Many students try to fulfill the writing requirement in their freshman year. You should too. The writing requirement is meant to ensure that Penn students are able to write at a collegiate level. Thus, it is best to satisfy this requirement early on so that you are able to put the skills to work in upper-level courses. Writing courses are not limited to English department courses. “Writing About” courses, typically listed as 009 courses with the registrar, are courses focused on specific content about which you both learn and write for a semester and are offered in most departments across the university. For more information and a list of courses which satisfy the writing requirement, go to http://www.writing.upenn.edu/critical/

The Foreign Language Requirement

You should start fulfilling the language requirement during your freshman year (see your school’s curriculum handbook to determine your school’s specific requirement; Engineering does not have a foreign language requirement). Many Achievement Exams can be used to satisfy the foreign language requirement. See http://www.college.upenn.edu/curriculum/policies/lang_fulfill.php for more information. If you intend to take foreign language courses, you must take a placement exam, unless:

A Roadmap to Penn7

Page 13: SCUE's 2011 Roadmap to Penn

Chapter 1: Course Options

• You wish to take an entirely new foreign language. Penn offers more languages than your high school ever could have and most of them can be used to fulfill the language requirement. If you’re feeling adventurous, consider taking Gujarati or Zulu. If there is a language you would like to take but Penn is not currently offering it, talk to the people at the Penn Language Center or the appropriate department and ask if it would be possible to study, say, Quechua (people have in the past, so just ask – it can’t hurt!). For more information, go to http://www.plc.sas.upenn.edu/.

• You submitted an Achievement Exam score (i.e. AP or SAT II) for a foreign language as part of your application to the University AND you wish to use that score for your placement into the same foreign language. Consult your advisor for more information.

Math Placement

Although you might have thought that you escaped math upon your admission to Penn, you should be aware that all undergraduate schools do have math requirements. Not to worry, the Penn Math Department has something for everyone, whether you discovered a new mathematical theorem in high school or swore to never use your TI-89 again. First, check out the requirements for your school. Also consider taking the internal placement exam given by the Math Department during the beginning of the academic year. See the “Advice for Freshmen” link on the Math Department’s homepage at http://www.math.upenn.edu/ugrad for specifics regarding the placement exam as well as course descriptions.

AP Credits, A Levels, IB Credits, and Other Transfer Credits

Credit for various Advanced Placement exams and pre-college work at other universities is available through the Office of Transfer Credit and Advanced Placement. You should be notified of the credit that you receive during the end of August, prior to the start of your freshman year. If you do not receive notification or have additional questions, contact the Office of Transfer Credit and Advanced Placement directly. Many graduate schools encourage students not to use their AP credits to waive out of introductory courses (contact your advising office for more information). The four schools deal differently with Advance credit; for more information consult the following resources:

College & Nursing – http://www.admissionsug.upenn.edu/applying/advanced.php

Engineering – http://www.seas.upenn.edu/undergraduate/handbook/policy/advanced-placement.php

8

Page 14: SCUE's 2011 Roadmap to Penn

Wharton – http://spike.wharton.upenn.edu/ugrprogram/policies_forms/acad_forms/handbook_2010.pdf

Some Additional Advice on Course Selection

For those of you who still need a little bit of help in choosing your courses, here is some additional advice:

• Shop around for professors and sit in on many courses during the first week of the semester. Advisors and upperclassmen may be able to offer words of wisdom on the courses you should visit.

• The School of Liberal and Professional Studies offers courses during evening hours for those of you with day-jobs or for those who have otherwise busy schedules. As with all other courses, you can sign up for LPS courses through Penn InTouch. However, if you intend to use one to fill a requirement, check with that department to make sure that it will count.

• If you are looking for an extra challenge, a number of graduate courses (identifiable by their 500+ course number), departmental honors courses, or Benjamin Franklin Scholar courses, can be taken with permission from the instructor and/or department. Inquire about these courses during advanced registration or during the course selection period. Don’t be afraid to ask professors for permission to enroll in their courses. You’re only here for 4 years ... so just do it! Once you receive a “permit,” you can enroll through Penn InTouch.

• A final word of advice: Take courses for fun! As a college student, this may be the only time in your life to take a course on The Uses and Abuses of History. By taking a broad range of courses, you might find that you prefer Shakespearean Theater over Chemical Engineering (much to your parents’ horror). Who knows? You might even major in it.

SCUE’s advice for college students: It’s wise to select from a variety of departments – perhaps the ones you might consider majoring or concentrating in. Be realistic and take what you’re interested in. Try to plan ahead but don’t obsess about which courses will look best on your med-school application. If selecting courses is getting you stressed out, just ask for help!

Take a look at classes that seem fun. Study what you have a passion for, not what you want to get a job in. Every day, theater arts majors are accepted to medical school, classical studies majors are accepted to law school, and creative writing majors get jobs in consulting. That is

A Roadmap to Penn9

Page 15: SCUE's 2011 Roadmap to Penn

the beauty of liberal arts education: you receive the skill set needed to succeed in any discipline regardless of your choice of major.

And make sure to check out the College’s website for Freshman Seminars (http://www.college.upenn.edu/courses/seminars/freshman.php). These classes are often about fascinating, quirky topics, and are taught by professors who are interested in teaching freshman. They also provide a great way to fulfill sector requirements rather than taking large, introductory lectures. But you only have access to them as freshmen, so make sure to take them before it’s too late!

BOOK PURCHASING

I’m registered for courses, but where do I get my books?

There is no need to show up the first day of class with your books. In fact, in many cases its best to wait a few classes before committing to the financial investment. The return policies on textbooks are draconian. Furthermore, professors usually place textbooks on reserve in a library. However, it’s often a good idea to own a copy of the books for your courses.

Professors will always make required texts available at a local bookstore. Bookstores commonly used include the Penn Bookstore, Penn Book Center and House of Our Own. These, however, are not your only options. Several websites offer discounted new and used books, including online social network marketplaces and your fellow Penn students’ entrepreneurial initiatives! These are cheap options if you can survive without having your books right away. Some courses don’t have books, but rather use bulkpacks or post readings online. Common locations for bulkpacks are Campus Copy and Wharton Reprographics.

SUCCEEDING IN COURSES

Now that I’m taking these courses, do you have tips for doing well?

Why yes we do. The most important, simplest, and best tip is – GO TO CLASS. While many professors post lecture slides online, that’s not a substitute for going to lecture.

Look at the syllabus! The syllabus outlines the entire semester for you – beware that many courses schedule midterms in the same one or two week span, so make sure to be aware of any conflicts ahead of time. Two midterms on the same day may seem like a lot (and it is!) but if you plan ahead it is manageable.

10Chapter 1: Course Options

Page 16: SCUE's 2011 Roadmap to Penn

Professors love it when students go to office hours, and you will love it too! You don’t need to be having trouble in a course in order to stop by. In fact, we suggest that even if you don’t have any specific questions that you go to office hours anyway. You can discuss the material in general or even learn about research opportunities. You can even just ask for advice on life in general. If you have class during office hours, just email the professor and ask to set up a meeting. Also, you can take a professor to lunch for free. It’s on us! With the support of the Provost’s Office, SCUE sponsors the “Take Your Professor to Lunch” program at the University Club in the Inn at Penn. You just need your Penn Card and your professor. See the SCUE website at www.scue.org for more information.

Make friends in your courses. If you happen to miss a day, you will be able to get notes. Also, some students like to study and work in groups. Just make sure that all expectations from the professor are clear with regard to plagiarism and working on homework and projects in groups.

The most important advice we can give you is take full advantage of all the academic and extracurricular activities Penn offers. These four years provide amazing opportunities for you to study esoteric topics, master a new language, do research with leading professors, stay up late with friends discussing the meaning of life, explore one of America’s great cities, and become a more mature thinker and citizen. Live it up!

SAMPLE SCHEDULES FOR THE FOUR SCHOOLS

The College:

The typical freshman College student will take 4 classes during his or her first semester. SCUE suggests satisfying your writing requirement during either the first or second semester of your freshman year (see our section on this for more info). Additionally, first semester is also a great time to begin satisfying your language requirement. With your two remaining credits, we suggest taking a class in a subject that interests you (possibly your intended major), and also a class for enrichment (for example, a freshman seminar that satisfies a sector requirement).

A Roadmap to Penn11

Page 17: SCUE's 2011 Roadmap to Penn

12

SEAS:

Engineering freshmen schedules differ throughout the various departments within SEAS. To find out more specifics about what each major suggests for freshmen schedules, go to http://www.seas.upenn.edu/undergraduate/degrees/index.php. This website also provides you with the contact information for your Department Coordinator, your primary contact person for all major-related questions. (This information is also provided in the section about Engineering advising.) Once you register for the suggested classes on the above website, SCUE suggests satisfying your writing requirement during your freshman year, and also taking a freshman seminar (see our sections on both of these subjects for more info).

Wharton:

Wharton Freshmen take either 4 or 5 classes in their first semester. Typically, all students take MGMT 100, ECON 010, and a Writing Seminar. Depending on what you already have credit for, the remaining credits may consist of MATH 103/104 or STAT 101, a Foreign Language class, or a General Education Requirement. To see a sample four year outline of the courses you will be taking, or for more information about the Wharton curriculum, check out the Wharton handbook at http://spike.wharton.upenn.edu/ugrprogram/advising/advising/handbook.cfm.

Nursing:

First semester Nursing students usually all take the same courses. As of fall 2011, Nursing is implementing a new curriculum for incoming students. The new fall semester consists of 5 half credit classes: Biologically Based Chemistry, Cellular Biology, Microbiology, Fundamentals of Nutrition, and the Nature of Nursing Practice. Along with these fall Nursing requirements, a typical freshmen may take the required writing seminar and/or a language class.

Nursing courses required for second semester freshmen year include: Cellular and Microbiology Laboratory, Integrated Anatomy, Physiology, and Physical Assessment I, and Situating the Practice of Nursing. This spring schedule also allows room to continue taking language classes and sector courses. Nursing students are encouraged to supplement their Nursing courses with electives in any of the other three undergraduate schools.

Chapter 1: Course Options

Page 18: SCUE's 2011 Roadmap to Penn

A Roadmap to Penn13

Page 19: SCUE's 2011 Roadmap to Penn

Chapter

2

ADVISING

Page 20: SCUE's 2011 Roadmap to Penn

Wowsers, this book is great! But is there a human I can talk to?

When you have questions about your academic options, course planning, or where to get the best Philly cheese steak, the University has a wide range of advisors who are available to guide you.

RESIDENTIAL ADVISORS

Although RAs and GAS are best known for organizing floor events and planning programs that will allow you to meet other students and interact with the city, they are also a wonderful resource for those nagging questions that you have in the middle of the night. An often underutilized resource, your RA or GA can offer advice on topics ranging from course selection to what to do on a Saturday night. They’re here for you!

PEER ADVISORS

If you are a first-year student, you should have a Peer Advisor who contacted you during the summer. The system, however, is not foolproof. If you have not been contacted, or you do not know who your peer advisor is, your school office will be happy to straighten things out for you.

Peer advisors are Sophomores, Juniors, or Seniors who have chosen to volunteer their time to help you transition. They’re enthusiastic about Penn and trained to help you understand the registration process, set up meetings with your pre-major advisor, and assist you with anything else that might come up. Plus, peer advisors are often matched with freshmen advisees based on the information indicated on applications. That means he or she probably shares some of your interests, knows professors in fields you’re pursuing, or may have even taken courses you’re considering. Ask them about their experiences because they’re here to help. And you can call or email your peer advisor throughout the summer and school year if you have any questions or want advice.

Also, if you feel like you’ve mastered the system after a year or two, think about giving peer advising a try for yourself. It’s a great way to help other people learn from your mistakes. If you’re interested in becoming a peer advisor, look out for applications in the spring.

FACULTY ADVISORS

While advising differs from school to school, the overarching goal of all of the school advising offices is for every undergraduate student to have an available human resource who can provide practical

A Roadmap to Penn15

Chapter 2: Advising

Page 21: SCUE's 2011 Roadmap to Penn

Chapter 2: Advising

information. Some students meet with their advisors only when necessary; others develop friendships that last throughout their undergraduate career and beyond. Your relationship with your advisor can be whatever you want it to be, but it’s your right as a Penn student to have a competent, involved advisor. If you feel like you’re not getting the attention or the help you need from your appointed advisor (he/she should at least be able to point you in the right direction, if not answer your questions personally), do not hesitate to go to your school or your department and request a change. You should contact your school directly for questions regarding school-specific advising policies but we’ve condensed the essential information for you here:

Nursing Excited about your nursing program but unsure of how to best tailor it to your needs?

You will be assigned a faculty advisor, who will work with you for the next 4 years. Your advisor can answer questions on topics ranging from course selection to extra-curricular opportunities. If you would like to talk to someone else, stop by the Office of Student Services(Fagin Hall Suite M-18). There you can speak with an academic advisor regarding your plan of study, minors, dual degrees, study abroad, and any curricular pursuits. You will also be assigned a Peer Advisor, an upperclassman who can give you the inside scoop on life as a nursing student. Still unsure and want to explore more options? Attend a meeting of Student Nurses at Penn (SNAP), which holds general body meetings once a month. As a nursing student you are automatically enrolled in SNAP, and it is a great way to meet other nursing faculty and students and learn from their experiences.

Engineering Are you an engineer with questions? Or maybe just wondering who to talk to for advice?

Engineering students, you were probably contacted by your Orientation Peer Adviser (OPA!) the summer before you started Penn! You and your OPA should have talked about courses, the major, and any other questions you had about Penn Engineering in general. When you arrive at Penn, you’ll meet your academic adviser, a professor in your major. You’re required to meet your adviser twice per year to schedule for your courses. You can make an appointment and meet with your adviser to talk about opportunities in your major, research, and anything else, really. Another fantastic resource is your department’s Undergraduate Coordinator, aka resident expert on all

16

Page 22: SCUE's 2011 Roadmap to Penn

things about your major. E-mail him or her with any questions you might have! (Contact information can be found on the department’s website. They are also all listed here: http://www.seas.upenn.edu/undergraduate/degrees/index.php). There are walk-in Engineering advising hours from 2-4 pm every Monday – Thursday in 111 Towne Building. You can always make an appointment if those hours don’t work for you by calling 215-898-7246. These staff advisers are there to guide you in selecting your courses to fulfill your Social Science and Humanities requirements or in choosing Free Elective courses. They can also help you explore other academic options such as study abroad, dual degrees, minors, and submatriculation opportunities in graduate programs across the University.

Also, basics of what you need to know about being a Penn Engineer and lists of frequently asked questions can be found in the “Undergraduate Student Handbook” online at http://www.seas.upenn.edu/undergraduate/handbook/index.php.

Wharton Do you have a question about your business education?

Come to G95 in Huntsman! If you came into Penn as a Wharton student, you should have been assigned a summer advisor. Now, you can feel free to stay with this advisor, find a new advisor in the Wharton Undergraduate Division office (G95), or you can just pop in with questions and talk to anyone who’s available during walk-in hours. As a freshman, you are strongly encouraged to attend Group Advising Sessions that cover a wide range of topics from Study Abroad, to Minors in the College, to research, and even issues like submatriculation. If you are curious about any of these topics, stay tuned for when these informative meetings take place and you will probably learn as much from your peers’ questions as from the advisor who is giving the talk. Also, if you are a student in another school and you are thinking about getting a business degree, attend a Dual-Degree Group Advising Meeting. So what happens when I’ve finished a bunch of requirements and am ready to start exploring a concentration? Go talk to the point person for each concentration, listed on each department’s website or on the Concentration sheets given out in G95.

College Trying to navigate your way through the College?

You are assigned a pre-major advisor to show you the ropes. These faculty and staff members are here to help you make sense of

A Roadmap to Penn17

Page 23: SCUE's 2011 Roadmap to Penn

everything you need to think about while planning your academic program, as well as introduce you to Penn’s rich offerings as you shape your intellectual goals. Your pre-major advisor will help you navigate the course selection process and assist you in identifying resources and support. You’ll meet your advisor during New Student Orientation and are required to meet with him or her during each registration period. For specific question about a major or program, contact the appropriate department’s undergraduate chair. You can find links on the “Majors & Minors” section of the College’s website. Some departments also have active Undergraduate Advisory Boards, who you can contact to learn more about specific programs and ways to get involved in the discipline.

If you have a question about course registration, degree requirements, academic support services or University procedures, the College’s website (college.upenn.edu) contains nearly all the information you might need, as does the various literature you’ve received or can pick up at the College Office in 120 Cohen Hall.

For quick questions about academic rules, regulations and procedures, email the Help Desk at [email protected].

MAJOR ADVISING PROGRAM

The Major Advising Program (MAP) allows you to get a spoonful of a number of majors by attending upper-level courses with MAP advisors, who are student volunteers from those majors. Don’t stick to something familiar just because you feel overwhelmed by the possibilities. Get your questions answered by someone who has the experience to give you the information that you really need. Take advantage of this resource to find out what satisfies your intellectual palate! Check out the MAP website at http://www.college.upenn.edu/admissions/advisingmajor.php . Some major Undergraduate Advisory Boards also have major mentoring programs. Consult department websites for more information.

OTHER ADVISORS

If you are an athlete or participate in PENNCAP, ROTC, the Benjamin Franklin Scholars Program (BFS), Joseph Wharton Scholars Program (JWS), and/or the University Scholars Program (US), you have another advisor assigned to you as well. Many times these advisors know a great deal more about your particular needs than any of the other aforementioned advisors. They can serve as your primary advisor or as a supplemental one. Word to the wise: SEE THEM! It can do you a lot of good. Finally, many of the cultural centers

18Chapter 2: Advising

Page 24: SCUE's 2011 Roadmap to Penn

A Roadmap to Penn19

throughout campus are a great resource for support and advising. For more information, consult the websites for the individual centers.

Keep in mind that advising at Penn is a multi-faceted program and that no one person will have all the answers to all your questions. Much as you might want someone to tell you what to do with your life, there are some things you just have to figure out on your own. For less esoteric or philosophical questions, make sure you’re asking the right people your questions. Want to know about the requirements for a major? Go to the department’s office or check out its website. Curious about how to improve your Econ grade? Visit the Penn Tutoring Center or the Weingarten Learning Resources Center. If it’s information on fellowships and research opportunities you seek, make an appointment with the Center for Undergraduate Research and Fellowships (CURF). Looking for a summer internship or a life plan? Career Services will be happy to help. And, of course, sometimes the best advisors are the ones you find on your own: a professor whose class you liked, an upperclassman who always knows what’s up, or a mentor you meet along the way.

Upperclassmen are great resources for advice on courses, teachers and ways to get involved outside the classroom. That kid sitting next to you in class, at a club meeting or on the sports field has a unique perspective to share. Don’t be afraid to ask a question or strike up a conversation; they’ve been through it all, so learn from their mistakes.

Appreciate and take advantage of the resources offered at a place like Penn. If you’re enjoying a class, stop by the professor’s office hours to chat. SCUE Lunchroom (http://www.scue.org/initiatives/scue-lunchroom/) is a program that lets you take a professor out to lunch for free. Many departments and student groups also sponsor special events and discussions that let you interact more closely with faculty. Those relationships can blossom into advising and research opportunities as well as friendships

Need an abridged version of the resources that are out there? See the back appendix for a comprehensive chart.

Page 25: SCUE's 2011 Roadmap to Penn

Chapter

3

REGISTRATION

Page 26: SCUE's 2011 Roadmap to Penn

SCHEDULING

Keep course times in mind when planning your schedule and take courses that match your personal routine. If you are a morning person, embrace 9 AM recitations. Many students prefer not to have class on Fridays – but be realistic. Don’t write off a course simply because of when it meets.

Classes do not last the entire time allotted. The university allows ten minutes for students to walk to their next class. Thus, a one hour class that starts at 1:00 PM actually ends at 1:50 PM. A one and a half hour class that begins at 10:30 AM would end at 11:50, and so on and so forth! Therefore, it is possible to take classes back to back to back (if you so desire). Though some people like to have a block of classes as opposed to spacing them throughout the day, watch out that you don’t get stuck running from one side of campus (aka DRLB) to the other (aka Huntsman).

Penn InTouch

During advance registration you will have two weeks to enter your requests for courses through the Penn InTouch system. This can be accessed through Penn Portal or directly at https://medley.isc-seo.upenn.edu/penn_portal/intouch/splash.html. Rest assured however, that the system allows you to enter your courses at any point during advance registration. Therefore, signing into Penn InTouch at 7:01 AM on the first day of Advance Registration will not increase your chances of getting into that Freshman Seminar on Music theory that you really want to take. It is usually best to sign up after some planning but before the last minute, just in case you still want to make some changes later. Also keep in mind that Penn InTouch has a limit to the number of students who can be logged in at once. If you wait until the last minute, you might not be able to log in.

Course Search Tool

In the Dark Ages (a couple years ago), students had to keep roughly seven web browsers and an Excel Spreadsheet open in order to choose their classes for the following semester. Thankfully, the new Course Search Tool consolidates the University’s many course selection resources into one, user-friendly web application. After you log into Penn InTouch, it will be in the list of tools on the left side of the sign-in page.

A Roadmap to Penn21

Chapter 3: Registration

Page 27: SCUE's 2011 Roadmap to Penn

Chapter 3: Registration

You can search by simple search parameters such as the course code (the four letter, three digit identifier of any course at Penn, e.g. BIOL101) or instructor. Or, if you’ve narrowed your interests down a bit, you can search by what requirement a class fulfills, the type of activity (lab, recitation, seminar, etc.), or what audience the class is geared towards (check out Freshman-Friendly courses).

Hit the “Find Courses” button and a list of classes that fit your search terms will appear. You can click on any of them to find out more information about them, including the official description, and each course’s respective syllabus. Once you click “Add To Cart” for a number of classes, you can click on “Mock Schedules” in the blue column on the left to open a spreadsheet showing all the classes you were interested in taking in nice pastel time blocks, allowing you to iron out the conflicts in your schedule. You can test potential class combinations by adding or removing them from the list on the right.

Some additional important resources that are not included in the summaries for each class can be found in the blue column under “Other Links”, including Penn Course Review (see chapter 1).

Ok, I know what courses I want to take and, by the graces of the Registrar, they don’t conflict either. But how do I register?

Although registration and add/drop can seem very confusing at first, you’ll become a pro in no time. Follow these tips to complete advance registration quickly and painlessly.

It is important to prioritize your course selections. You should sign up for seminars, recitations, popular professors, and smaller courses first (i.e. as your first and second course choices) because they fill up very quickly. Large lectures should be saved as your final selection because they are open to many students.

Don’t forget to register for recitations or labs when you are required to. You won’t get into a course if you are not registered for all of the components.

If advance registration does not work out so well for you, don’t freak out. You will have plenty of time to add and drop different courses to your schedule. When possible, add a course before you drop one. It’s better to have too many courses than too few. You can always get rid of a course later, but once you drop one, you might not be able to get back into it. A good way to do this is to raise your “desired course load” (one of the Penn InTouch options) as high as your school allows. For example, even if you intend to take four courses, enter your

22

Page 28: SCUE's 2011 Roadmap to Penn

credit load as 5 credit units and sign up for 5 courses. Then, after you check them all out during the first week of the semester, drop the one you like the least.

If you do not get into that course you just had to take, don’t panic. Professors are usually very accommodating, and after an email or a visit during office hours, they will most likely help you out if they can. For the most part, if you keep trying to add the course, eventually you will find that a space has opened for you.

If you should find yourself “blocked” by Penn InTouch and get the big red stop sign, chances are you’re in one of the following situations:

• You are a College Freshman and you have not seen your advisor before advance registration in November and April.

• You are a Nursing and/or Engineering student and you haven’t spoken to your advisor before advance registration. (This applies at all times during your undergraduate career.)

• You have an outstanding balance on your bursar bill. If this is the case, go to the first floor of the Franklin Building at 3451 Walnut Street.

• You do not have up-to-date insurance or insurance records. If you have problems, contact the Student Health Insurance Office located at 3535 Market Street.

• You forgot to fill out your immunization forms. See Student Health to solve this problem.

• You are a second semester sophomore in the College and haven’t declared your major. If you have this problem, get a clue… and if you want, an advisor in the College office (120 Cohen Hall) to help you out.

In cases where you are planning on taking fewer than four credits in one semester, you don’t need special permission. However, be sure to confirm that your change in course load will not jeopardize your financial aid, visa, or athletic eligibility status.

GRADING OPTIONS

You may be surprised to find that unlike your high school grading scheme, the letters you will receive on your Penn transcript are not limited to that A through F range. You may receive a P, I, S, U, or W.

A Roadmap to Penn23

Page 29: SCUE's 2011 Roadmap to Penn

Chapter 3: Registration

Pass/Fail

Most of your major-related and General Requirement courses must be taken for a grade; however, you have the option to take some courses pass/fail. When you exercise this option, the professor will issue a letter grade for you but the computer will convert the grade to a “P” (or an “F” as the case may be). This may be extremely advantageous when you are interested in taking an elective outside your school in a subject with which you are not familiar (e.g. you’re in Wharton with a Finance concentration and you want to give Environmental Studies a whirl). The number of pass/fail courses that you can take depends on your school, so refer to your school’s handbook for your exact requirement.

As a general rule, it is impossible to open up a grade and change it to the grade you would have received had you not taken it pass/fail. However, there is one case when this can be done: if you took a course pass/fail before declaring a major that requires that the course be taken for a grade. Remember that this procedure is rare, but if you think you have an exceptional case, inquire at your school’s office.

Auditing

If you are interested in a course for which you don’t need any credit, think about auditing. Audited courses do not appear on your transcript; it’s all about learning for learning’s sake. However, each school has a different policy governing audits so be sure to check your home school’s policy before auditing any courses.

Incomplete

If you find yourself in a little jam after it’s too late to drop a course, you can ask for an incomplete and finish it the next semester. Remember, merely asking for an incomplete does not require that the professor grant you one. You should also be aware that after the first four weeks of the next semester, your “I” will be changed to an “F” unless you have finished the incomplete coursework and allowed the professor enough time to grade your work by the end of the fourth week. Upon completion, the “I” will revert to a letter grade.

Each department has scheduled make-up exams during the beginning of the next semester. The schedule is available online. It would be advisable to mark this down in your calendar for the next year because some departments aren’t very lenient when it comes to making up make-up exams. If you have any further questions or need clarification, your school’s handbook has additional details.

24

Page 30: SCUE's 2011 Roadmap to Penn

Satisfactory/Unsatisfactory

In certain situations where you get one grade for two semesters worth of work (for example, if you are writing an honors thesis), you can take an S for satisfactory work (or a U for unsatisfactory work, as the case may be) until you finish it up the following semester. When you receive your final grade, it will replace the S/U on your transcript.

Withdraw

Dropping a course by the drop deadline will result in no record of the course appearing on your transcript. If for some reason it is necessary for you to drop a course after this date, you will get a “W” which will remain on your transcript even if you retake the course for a grade during a different semester. We recommend that you carefully weigh your decision to withdraw from courses and that you utilize this option only under extenuating circumstances.

A Roadmap to Penn25

Page 31: SCUE's 2011 Roadmap to Penn

Chapter

4

CURRICULAR OPTIONS

Page 32: SCUE's 2011 Roadmap to Penn

Ok, so I’m taking all these courses, but don’t I need a major/concentration?

The University requires all students to have an academic focus, concentrated in at least one curricular area. So, yes, you do need a major. But don’t stress out about it too early. Planning ahead can be helpful, though you don’t need to map out your entire four years at once. You have lots of options and lots of flexibility. A number of resources are available to help you narrow your academic focus and to help you choose from the multitude of options available to you.

The SCUE College Course and Majors Fair

Sponsored by SCUE, the Course and Majors Fair takes place in Houston Hall every semester during advance registration. A great way to check out your options early on, the Course and Majors Fair brings together all the majors, departments and other available academic programs to answer your questions.

Other Resources

There are course major dinners in Hill House throughout the year. Also many departments hold receptions periodically, where you can meet professors and learn about their upcoming courses. Undergraduate Advisory Boards (UABs) are also a great resource and many hold major-related functions. See your department for information on how to join its UAB.

DECLARING YOUR MAJOR OR CONCENTRATION

Though it may seem daunting, declaring a major or concentration in any of the schools is a simple and painless process.

The office of your home school should have brochures, newsletters, or websites describing the various majors or concentrations available. You can also consult the individual departments, their newsletters, or their websites for additional information. Before declaring a major you need to meet with your advisor to complete a worksheet found on Penn InTouch. This worksheet will outline what courses you have taken and what courses still need to be taken to fulfill your school and major requirements. Your advisor will make your worksheet official. Some majors have a GPA requirement in order to apply, so check the department’s website before you decide. The broad range of courses which you have taken up to this point should also help you decide what major or concentration to choose.

A Roadmap to Penn27

Chapter 4: Curricular Options

Page 33: SCUE's 2011 Roadmap to Penn

Chapter 4: Curricular Options

The College – You must declare before advance registration ends in the spring of your sophomore year. Contact the office of the department in which you are interested and make an appointment. They should lead you from there (we hope). Do keep in mind that there are some majors that require you to fulfill prerequisites before you can apply (i.e. Communications and International Relations). Check the department website for more information. If you get stuck at any point during this procedure, go to an advisor in the College office (120 Cohen Hall).

Engineering – You must declare a major by fall semester of your sophomore year. You can do this by filling out the appropriate form in the undergraduate office of the School of Engineering.

Nursing – Simply by matriculating, you’ve “declared” a major in Nursing.

Wharton – Concentrations must be declared before graduation; however, priority during registration for courses is given to those who have declared a concentration. Thus, declaring your concentration sooner rather than later can only benefit you. Besides, if you’re sick of Finance and decide that Health Care Management is more to your liking, you can change at any time. You can declare your concentration by filling out the appropriate form in the Wharton Undergraduate Division.

Majors Across SEAS and the College

This year, students enrolled in either SEAS or the College can pursue a second major across either of these schools without satisfying many of the additional requirements that a degree from one of these schools requires. For College students interested in majoring in SEAS, check out http://www.college.upenn.edu/majors/engineering/index.php. For SEAS students interested in pursuing a College major, contact 111 Towne for more information.

Double Majors/Concentrations

If your interests truly span two different schools, and you are looking for a very challenging curriculum with relatively few elective opportunities, a dual degree might be for you. Keep in mind that your school does allow you to take a certain number of courses in the other three schools, so it certainly is not necessary to be dual degree to follow this path. If you make a decision to do this, we recommend that you inquire about it ASAP because it is a competitive process, sometimes with prerequisites, and you need as much time as possible

28

Page 34: SCUE's 2011 Roadmap to Penn

to begin your second degree. You should seek advice from advisors in both schools to help in planning both degrees.

Dual Degrees

If your interests truly span two different schools, and you are looking for a very challenging curriculum with few elective opportunities, a dual degree might be for you. Keep in mind that your school does allow you to take a certain number of courses in the other three schools, so it certainly is not necessary to be dual degree to follow this path. If you make a decision to do this, we recommend that you inquire about it ASAP because it is a competitive process, sometimes with prerequisites, and you need as much time as possible to begin your second degree. You should seek advice from advisors in both schools to help in planning both degrees.

Switching Schools

Since all four undergraduate schools at Penn are part of the “One University” concept, it is possible to transfer from one school to another. You should be careful though as different transfers may have different requirements and GPA application minimums.

Individualized Major/Concentration

While Penn prides itself on its individualized major and individualized concentration options, you must be prepared to confront the rigorous challenges you will face in getting your major or concentration approved.

For those of you who wish to create your own major/concentration or who feel that the majors or concentrations currently available do not adequately represent your interests, the option of the individualized major or concentration exists for you. If this is something that interests you, consult one of the advisors in your school’s undergraduate advising office.

Minors

If a dual degree or double major/concentration sounds too intense, but you have a significant interest in a second discipline, pursuing a minor may be ideal for you. Some schools even allow you to minor in one of the other three undergraduate schools. Through programs known as “Interschool Minors,” you can also pursue a minor that involves interdisciplinary study between two of Penn’s Colleges or Schools. When your minor interest resides in another school, things become more complicated; check with your school office for more

A Roadmap to Penn29

Page 35: SCUE's 2011 Roadmap to Penn

Chapter 4: Curricular Options

information. For a list of minors, go to http://www.college.upenn.edu/minors/index.php.

Switching Majors/Concentrations

Just because you’ve selected a major/concentration does not mean that it is etched in stone. You may switch majors or concentrations at any point, granted that you have enough time to complete the requirements of the new major or concentration. If you are unhappy with your initial choice, by all means do not be discouraged from altering your academic path.

COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT

I want to get involved in the community. Are there any opportunities for me to do this within the curriculum?

We’re so glad that you asked! In fact, many consider Penn to be the “civic Ivy,” and Penn continues to stay on the cutting edge of urban university community relations. Service learning courses, known as Academically Based Community Service Courses (ABCS), are sponsored through the Center for Community Partnerships (CCP). These courses integrate theory learned in the classroom with practice and application out in the field. There are ABCS courses offered in most departments, and many are generously cross-listed. The program is constantly growing, so watch out for new and experimental ABCS courses being developed in all departments and schools of the university. This style of learning develops real-world problem-solving skills, while allowing students to take their learning outside the lecture halls. These classes tend to center around a universal problem manifested locally. The group, usually less than 25 students, works collaboratively to understand and wrestle with the problem.

ABCS courses involve a wide variety of community activities centered on societal issues such as health, environment, the arts, and education. Penn’s unique position as an urban university has allowed for the continual advancement of this program through the numerous opportunities presented in the West Philadelphia community. So if you’re wondering what really lies beyond 40th Street, Market Street, or Baltimore Avenue, you may want to take an ABCS course! As Ben Franklin, the founder of Penn, stated, “The great aim and end of all learning is to serve mankind.”

A list of current ABCS courses may be found on the CCP website at http://www.upenn.edu/ccp.

30

Page 36: SCUE's 2011 Roadmap to Penn

Civic House

Of course, there are many ways to get involved with civic engagement and community service outside of the classroom, as well. Civic House is the University’s hub for student-led community service and social advocacy work. Civic House promotes mutually beneficial collaborations between the Penn and West Philadelphia communities and beyond. Penn students have numerous opportunities to get involved! The Civic House Associates Coalition is comprised of many groups; you’re sure to find something to match your interests. Through education, community connections, and other resources, Civic House will prepare you for responsible and effective civic engagement and leadership. As Gandhi said, “Be the change you wish to see in the world.” Stop by Civic House at 3914 Locust Walk and get involved!

Dean’s Advisory Boards (DABs) and Undergraduate Advisory Boards (UABs)

Dean’s Advisory Boards and Undergraduate Advisory Boards within the individual schools and departments have also worked to initiate and implement various academic reforms. Each DAB serves as a council of students in frequent touch with the Undergraduate Dean of its school. The College, Engineering, Wharton, and Nursing schools have their own DABs. The UABs do everything from tackling departmental or school specific curricular issues to organizing events that are important to specific majors and student interests. Together, DABs, UABs, and SCUE make sure that Penn will continue to improve and cater to students’ needs. Check out our website at http://www.scue.org/ for information on how to get involved in these student groups.

A Roadmap to Penn31

Page 37: SCUE's 2011 Roadmap to Penn

Chapter

5

ACADEMIC OPTIONS

Page 38: SCUE's 2011 Roadmap to Penn

ACADEMIC ENRICHMENT

Remember all those “academic options” listed in the Penn admissions brochure? You know … the ones you described in your college application essay as “manifold and diverse, while providing a challenging academic experience.” Well truth is, they really do exist. Students in every one of the programs below carry a trend of performing highly in many ultra-competitive post-graduate fellowships, such as the Rhodes, Marshall, and Fulbright scholarships, among others. Here are the programs:

The Benjamin Franklin Scholars (BFS) programs

If you’re a Penn student interested in classes which are academically challenging and different, yet esoteric and altogether interesting, then you should look into the Benjamin Franklin Scholars (BFS) program. BFS offers deeply intellectual courses in almost all departments which are open to all undergraduates, even non-BFS students. Taught in seminar format, BFS classes provide a unique academic experience.

The Benjamin Franklin Scholars Program is an extraordinary program tailored to those students really looking for an academic challenge. BFS offers three unique academic resources: direct admission to BFS courses, specialized academic advising, and research opportunities for interested students. The program also hosts various research talks or afternoon teas led by students and/or faculty. These events take place in the ARCH building at Locust Walk and 36th street. While some Penn students are admitted into the program as incoming freshmen, interested students can apply during their first two years at Penn. For additional information on the program, see the BFS home page at http://www.upenn.edu/curf/scholars/scholars_bfs.htm.

Remember, non BFS students can still take BFS courses, though spots are limited.

The Joseph Wharton Scholars (JWS) programs

Joseph Wharton Scholars is a BFS-like community specific to Wharton undergraduates who are interested in being part of a program that emphasizes the importance of research, liberal arts and science education as elements to a well-rounded business education. The JWS curriculum includes honors sections of typical Wharton courses as well as honors courses in the College. Students in the JWS program often have access to the large variety of BFS courses. For more information, go to http://spike.wharton.upenn.edu/ugrprogram/research/jws.cfm.

A Roadmap to Penn33

Chapter 5: Academic Options

Page 39: SCUE's 2011 Roadmap to Penn

Chapter 5: Academic Options

The University Scholars (U. Scholars) Program

University Scholars receive special academic advising and support in sponsoring and funding research. As a U. Scholar, you are provided with an academic advisor in the Center for Undergraduate Research and Fellowships (CURF) and an additional research advisor in the research field of your choice. Also, there are weekly lunches and teas where students present their own research. These are fantastic opportunities to learn about what undergraduate research actually means and to interact with faculty who work with undergraduate researchers. You should consider the U. Scholars Program if you have specifically-defined intellectual and research goals. Consult the University Scholars homepage at http://www.college.upenn.edu/honors/univscholars.php for more information. All undergraduate students, not just U. Scholars, are encouraged to explore the incredible research opportunities through CURF.

The Nursing Undergraduate Honors Program

http://www.nursing.upenn.edu/students/nuhp/pages/default.aspx

Submatriculation

Many of the University graduate schools offer undergraduates the opportunity to earn both a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in four or five years. This is an excellent opportunity to accelerate your studies. Besides, is four years in West Philadelphia really enough?

Submatriculation allows you to save time and money while earning a graduate degree. Although you still need to fulfill all of the standard admissions requirements for the particular graduate school in which you are interested, submatriculation often simplifies the process of applying to a particular graduate school within Penn. Many students also find it more convenient to continue their education with familiar faculty members. If this is your intention, it is highly suggested to begin planning early because some courses may be counted towards both your Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees. This is the ultimate double-counting experience!

Independent Study

Are you tired of depending on your professor for things like determining curricula, preparing syllabi, and giving lectures? Then maybe you should break free and enroll in an independent study. This is an excellent way to pursue individual interests that do not fit into formal courses.

34

Page 40: SCUE's 2011 Roadmap to Penn

Independent study is allowed and encouraged within all four schools. The schools have different procedures for approving such projects, but credit (in-major and elective) is generally awarded for those that are supported by a faculty sponsor. Faculty members will sometimes lead an intimate reading group for students with a particular interest. Check with your respective academic offices and faculty advisors for additional information.

THE HONOR CODE AND ACADEMIC INTEGRITY

In fostering an environment where scholarly work is taken very seriously, Penn developed a Code of Academic Integrity which preserves and promotes the highest levels of ethical conduct amongst its scholars (which includes you!). Violations of this code, including cheating, plagiarizing, or the falsification of records are treated very seriously; if you are found guilty of violating this code, Penn may act to suspend or even expel you. The consequences of such an act are far reaching: academic integrity violations are entered onto your transcript and cannot be removed. There is a very good chance that prospective graduate schools or employers will reconsider your application upon discovering any violations.

If you are unsure about your responsibilities, the University Honor Council can clarify any issues for you. These undergraduates are here to help you and answer any questions you may have. Remember, it’s your personal responsibility to abide by the Code of Academic Integrity, which can be found at http://www.vpul.upenn.edu/osl/acadint.html.

RESEARCH

Everyone keeps telling me that Penn is a research University. How can I get involved?

First and foremost, research does not just mean lab coats. Research is not only for science majors, but for those in the humanities and social sciences as well. There is a huge variety of roles that an undergraduate can have in a research project, and most of those do not require you to discover the “next big idea.” Furthermore, the research a student engages in does not necessarily have to be restricted to a subject matter within his/her major.

The best way to get involved with research is to speak with professors whose work interests you. Essentially, almost all of the professors on campus are doing research, and many would love some help. They may not be able to pay you, but any research experience will

A Roadmap to Penn35

Page 41: SCUE's 2011 Roadmap to Penn

Chapter 5: Academic Options

be well worth the time you put in. Don’t forget about the professors in the graduate and professional schools as well, and the numerous interdisciplinary centers on campus also offer potential research opportunities.

You may be asking, “No, really, where do I begin?” First, make a list of the courses you have taken and the names of professors that you have either met or that sound familiar. Think about the different fields that you have enjoyed learning about, even if it was just from a one hour lecture. Then, send out an individual email to each professor to explain your preliminary interests and find out his or her office hours. Ask for names of authors, books, and other professors to investigate. That’s just one of the many ways that you can begin figuring out what you would like to research.

If you have a work-study grant, then the Student Employment Services office located in the Franklin Building may be able to help. Students who have an interest in research might be able to land a work-study position that’s a little more interesting than a typical campus work-study job. You can check the Student Employment Office’s website at http://www.sfs.upenn.edu/seo/ for a list of available research focused positions in all sorts of departments.

So why would you do research anyway? We think the question might be more like, “why wouldn’t you?” For many students it is one of the most rewarding experiences they have at Penn. It allows you to pursue your interests outside the classroom and work closely with professors. When you think research on campus, one acronym should come to mind – CURF.

Center for Undergraduate Research and Fellowships (CURF)

CURF is the hub for undergraduate research on campus. Located on the 2nd Floor of the Arts and Culture House (ARCH) at the corner of 36th and Locust, CURF also serves the home for the Benjamin Franklin Scholars and University Scholars communities. Students can call (215) 746-6488 to set up an appointment for a research consultation, to talk about their particular research interests and solicit advice and mentorship. In addition to the physical center, CURF also maintains a website at http://www.upenn.edu/curf/. This site provides additional research and fellowship help, a list of funding opportunities, and other information.

36

Page 42: SCUE's 2011 Roadmap to Penn

Provost’s Undergraduate Research Mentoring Program

Started in 2007, the Office of the Provost and CURF launched the Provost’s Undergraduate Research Mentoring Program. Faculty members submit ideas for research projects with which they would like freshmen to assist. Then, interested freshman (and sophomores) can peruse these proposals and apply through CURF to work with professors whose work they find intriguing. Selected students will be matched with professors and will conduct research with them for the summer after their freshman year. As if the opportunities to engage in original research, develop a relationship with a faculty member, and pursue an interest weren’t enough, this program offers funding for the freshmen and faculty members as well! Find out more, including information about the application processes and deadlines online at http://www.upenn.edu/curf/research/grants/purm.

CURF UAB Research Fair

Similar to the Course and Majors Fair, SCUE offers a yearly fair dedicated to research. Professors, graduate students, and undergrads involved in research on campus make themselves available to speak with interested students. Those at the fair are generally in search of undergrads to assist with research. This year’s fair is scheduled for Thursday, Febraury 3, 2011 from 6:30pm-8:30pm in the Hall of Flags in Houston Hall.

SPUR and SIRE

Wharton also offers research programs. SPUR is available to Wharton students during their freshman and sophomore summers, while SIRE focuses on international research. To learn more, visit their websites.

A Roadmap to Penn37

Page 43: SCUE's 2011 Roadmap to Penn

Chapter

6

SERVICES & RESOURCES

Page 44: SCUE's 2011 Roadmap to Penn

I’ve used all your tips, and I am still having trouble in some courses. What resources are available to me?

Weigle Information Commons

Doubling as a tremendous resource for academic collaboration (lots of group study rooms and state-of-the-art technology) and a place to seek academic support services, this addition to the Van Pelt library is one you should be sure to check out. The Weigle staff conducts workshops and individual sessions on research skills, time/project management, and writing and communication skills. There’s even a computer lab filled with software especially for digital music and video editing. For more information see http://thecommons.library.upenn.edu/.

Writing Center

If never you learned to right good in skool, you’re not a loan. The Writing Center is available to help with all of your writing deficiencies. It is staffed by undergraduate and graduate students who can answer questions, revise content, and assist you with stylistic problems. Writing advisors have evening walk-in hours at many on-campus locations. You can also set up an appointment online at http://www.writing.upenn.edu/critical/help/about_tutorials.html.

If your interests in writing go beyond your assigned research papers, check out the Kelly Writer’s House across from the Class of 1920 Commons for creative writing courses, literary clubs, publications, and speaker series. For a complete list of programs and services provided at the Kelly Writer’s House go to http://www.writing.upenn.edu/~wh/.

Tutoring Center

Drop by the tutoring center’s exam files to see if your professor has placed prior exams on file. Believe it or not, some of the exam questions are the same semester after semester, alas, in which case he/she probably didn’t take the effort to submit them. Almost all departments (but not all courses) have exams on file for students to access. You can also sign up for a personal tutor if you’re having trouble with a specific subject. (You may even be eligible for financial assistance to help pay for your tutor.) Requests for tutors are usually answered within 48 hours. Details regarding tutoring services can be found through the Tutoring Center’s website at http://www.vpul.upenn.edu/tutoring/index.php.

A Roadmap to Penn39

Chapter 6: Services & Resources

Page 45: SCUE's 2011 Roadmap to Penn

Chapter 6: Services and Resources

Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS)

Everyone needs someone to talk to, and CAPS is a great place to be heard. A lot of students use the services of the professional psychologists and psychiatrists due to a host of social, emotional, academic and career issues. So if you feel that your slump needs some talking about and your best friend’s advice just isn’t cutting it, see if a counselor can help. For more information, see http://www.vpul.upenn.edu/caps/.

Weingarten Learning Resource Center

Located on the third floor of Stouffer Commons, the Weingarten Learning Resources Center provides workshops on note-taking and study skills and gives one-on-one, individualized help as well. If you’re struggling with the adjustment to college, having trouble with a particular course, or just want some advice, be sure to pay the center a visit. For upcoming events listings and more information, check out http://www.vpul.upenn.edu/lrc/.

STUDY SPOTS

Now that I have the tools needed for studying, where should I study?

Some of our favorite places on campus to study are:

1. Van Pelt – Rosengarten: Penn’s most socially correct study area, this is the place to go when your five-page paper is preventing you from going out, but you still want to see and be seen. You can always go to the stacks on the upper floors for quiet time.

Good Points: Open 24 hours a day, computer lab, Mark’s Café

Bad Points: In Rosengarten, a.k.a. Van Party, a.k.a. Rosenparty, don’t plan on getting too much work done (unless you can work with an iPod turned up all the way).

2. Fisher Fine Arts Library: Made from sandstone and very beautiful. Really, really quiet (and often cold...or warm, depending on the day).

Good Points: Shakespearean mottos etched in glass windows. Good chance of running into Tom Hanks during the filming of Philadelphia II.

Bad Points: Sometimes too quiet. Have to trek to Starbucks or Houston Hall for closest snack. Closes somewhat early. Watch out if you sneeze…seriously...

40

Page 46: SCUE's 2011 Roadmap to Penn

3. The Rare Book Room (6th Floor. Van Pelt): Decor similar to Fisher Fine Arts. Also really quiet.

Good Points: No one knows about it (at least until now).

Bad Points: Closes at 5 PM and during most weekends. Definitely no food.

4. Silfen Study Center: Located on the first floor of Williams, it’s quiet and near the Café.

Good Points: Open late on weeknights. Close to the Quad, but not in the Quad!

Bad Points: Can be a bit nippy.

5. Bio-Med: Looking to marry a med-student? Here’s where to get your head-start. With moveable stacks eight floors below ground, you can explore the very bowels of Penn!

Good Points: Bonus for nearby Quad-dwellers. Learn about interesting medical information years before you have to.

Bad Points: Not in the center of campus. Hypochondria?

6. Huntsman: 24/7 and professional.

Good points: Amazing amount of study room (all classrooms, the Forum, 1st and 2nd floor lounges can all be used for studying). For study breaks and snacks, Huntsman contains two Au Bon Pain’s (1st and 2nd floor) and is close to Wawa.

Bad Points: Many computers and private study rooms require Wharton login to access. Sporadic cell phone service.

7. Penn Bookstore: Great location. A place to get away from crowds of undergrads.

Good points: Nice for talking and group work, café, still has a lot of textbooks (shhh!)

Bad Points: Tough to find tables near outlets.

Alternative Study Sites:

• Towne Building – Open 24/7. Lots of computers. Lots of engineers.

• Houston Hall – You don’t have to go far for food breaks. The Hall of Flags is open all night during finals with free coffee. A good group-study environment.

A Roadmap to Penn41

Page 47: SCUE's 2011 Roadmap to Penn

Chapter 6: Services and Resources

• Coffee Houses – Cosi, Green Line 1&2, Starbucks, Saxby’s, Lovers and Madmen, Borders (downtown).

• The University Museum – A great place to study, especially on warm days when you can sit in one of the internal courtyards.

• Other libraries: Annenberg, Biddle Law, Chemistry, Math-Physics-Astronomy, and the Vet School. If you’re interested in learning the wonders of electronic research, the Library of Congress Classification System, or the Inter-Library Lend-Lease Act, check each individual library for scheduled tours/info sessions.

• Weingarten Learning Resources Center – especially convenient for Quad dwellers, this study space located in Stouffer Commons is a great escape.

• All three high-rises have beautiful rooftop lounges.

• Your room (duh!).

CULTURE ON CAMPUS

Archives

Is College Hall actually the Adams Family House? What happened at the very first meeting of the Board of Trustees? How radical were Penn students in 1960s? Check out the University Archives! The Archives retains information on both active and inactive University records. You can find information about all aspects of University life, especially those of historical significance, University activities and achievements of members of the University community. Take a peek! It’s located at 3402 Market Street, or online at http://www.archives.upenn.edu/.

The University Museum

Haven’t had a chance to visit cultural sites downtown? Not to worry, you can hobnob with art lovers and historians without leaving Penn’s campus. The University Museum is world renowned not only for its vast displays of archeological artifacts, but for its research into the culture and history of humankind. Included in your visit are mummies, a sphinx, Chinese weapons, and Sumerian stone tablets. Exhibits are ever changing, as is the museum’s calendar of performances, lectures, and special events. Your admission is free with your PennCard. Check out http://www.museum.upenn.edu/ for a calendar of events and a complete listing of exhibits.

42

Page 48: SCUE's 2011 Roadmap to Penn

The Institute of Contemporary Art (ICA)

The Institute of Contemporary Art is a museum on campus that offers a forum for innovation and investigation in contemporary visual arts including photography, painting, sculpture, performance, film and more. Many exhibits are designed to challenge the public’s understanding and interests through innovative art of the present and recent past. The ICA is located on 36th Street between Sansom and Chestnut, and admission is free with your PennCard. Check out http://www.icaphila.org/ for a calendar of events and a complete listing of exhibits.

A Roadmap to Penn43

Page 49: SCUE's 2011 Roadmap to Penn

Chapter

7

STUDY OPPORTUNITIES

Page 50: SCUE's 2011 Roadmap to Penn

THE QUAKER CONSORTIUM Just because you study at Penn doesn’t mean you have to limit your courses to those that are being offered in West Philadelphia. Students at dear Ol’ Penn also have the opportunity to take courses at any of the three other schools that are members of the Quaker Consortium: Bryn Mawr, Haverford, and Swarthmore. The TriCollege Course Guide (http://www.trico.haverford.edu/cgi-bin/courseguide/cgi-bin/search.cgi) is an online catalog of courses offered by the three schools. If this option sounds interesting to you, make an appointment to meet with an advisor.

I love politics, and the Penn Democrat and College Republican debates aren’t enough for me. Where can I get my fix?

As it turns out, Penn has a program for a semester in Washington, DC. If you are a budding politician and spending some time in Washington is right up your alley, then the Washington Semester is for you. In addition to taking courses with Penn professors, you’ll have the opportunity to work at a government organization or private agency in the nation’s capital! For more information, contact the Fels Institute of Government or visit the Penn in Washington website at http://piw.sas.upenn.edu/.

STUDY ABROAD

America’s okay, but I really like other countries. Does Penn offer study abroad options?

Does it ever! Penn has a number of different programs just for you. So, you want to get out of Philadelphia? Have you been smitten by a case of wanderlust? Then prepare yourself for what just may be your best semester at Penn: your semester away from Penn. That’s right, studying abroad can be one of the highlights of your undergraduate education. It will give you a chance to see a new part of the world, perfect your Swahili, learn Vietnamese history, and eat croissants … though maybe not all at the same time.

Interested? Make your life easier and start planning now! You may think that the first semester of freshman year seems early to think about junior year, which is when most students go abroad, but then you’d be wrong. If you don’t speak Italian but want to study in Florence, you can prepare yourself if you start studying freshman year. But if you’re a junior and your Italian is limited to what you’ve learned from the Olive Garden menu…well then, “Ciao, Roma.”

A Roadmap to Penn45

Chapter 7: Study Opportunities

Page 51: SCUE's 2011 Roadmap to Penn

Chapter 7: Study Opportunities

Also important: make friends with the Office of International Programs (OIP). Located at 37th & Chestnut, OIP is responsible for administering study abroad programs and processing your application. Find the advisor responsible for the countries that interest you.

The OIP website (http://www.upenn.edu/oip/) lists Penn-sponsored study abroad sites by country. The website has a great step-by-step guide which can be found at http://sa.oip.upenn.edu/ under the “Getting Started” section.

There are literally hundreds of options to choose from, but thinking about your major, your language skills, and which areas of the world interest you will narrow your choices. Your time abroad should enhance your studies, so place and course offerings should be your primary considerations. If you are worried about your less-than-fluent foreign language skills, don’t fret because there are many abroad programs that don’t require you speak a foreign language when you arrive but will teach you one while you’re there.

Semester/Year vs. Summer

Penn offers international programs during the regular school year (semester or a full year) as well as shorter programs over the summer. Choose whichever option is best for you. This decision may depend on your major and ability to earn major-credit abroad, your language skills, extra-curricular activities you participate in, and in which country you would like to study. In general, if you participate in a Penn Summer Abroad program you will be studying with other Penn students and taking some of your courses from Penn professors. Plus, these courses will automatically show up on your transcript – you don’t have to go through the process of getting courses approved (as you will likely have to do with credit from other institutions). Also, consider how life in your country may be different in each season of the year due to weather, holidays, etc.

46

Page 52: SCUE's 2011 Roadmap to Penn

Chapter

8

LIFE BEYOND PENN

Page 53: SCUE's 2011 Roadmap to Penn

48

DURING THE SUMMER

I have to leave my college house in early May. Where will I go?

Many students take courses at Penn over the summer. The University has two 6-week sessions over the summer, starting the week after graduation. Course offerings vary from summer to summer. A catalog of summer courses is available during the spring semester, though some departments list their summer offerings on their website beginning in the fall. Registration for summer courses is the same as regular registration, and generally is concurrent with advance registration for the fall semester. Tuition is charged on a per-course basis and varies according to the school offering the course.

Many students also pursue research or internships during the summer. Look to CURF for research opportunities. Career Services can help you find an internship or job. Be wary that recruiting, which comes to campus for summer internships, is not geared toward freshmen. Don’t feel that an internship is necessary – many students pursue other options. Travel abroad during this time is also popular.

If you enjoyed that first day of spring when the idyllic campus was filled with Frisbees flying and students reading on every green inch of campus, then you will love the summer at Penn. Penn in the summer can open your life to a new world of Philadelphia. Walks down to Rittenhouse Square and even Old City will never feel so quick!

Once I earn my fancy diploma, what can I do with it?

CAREER SERVICES

Career Services (http://www.vpul.upenn.edu/careerservices/) has a library that contains references on job descriptions/listings and graduate schools organized by geography or field of study respectively. You may not remove these materials, but a copy machine is available for your use (hint: bring lots of change). But, as of recently, many of the resources that you need are on their website; it’s worthwhile to check it out before going over.

Faculty can help you find the graduate program suited to your needs and interests; talk to faculty members about what departments and graduate programs they respect. For those of you interested in obtaining a Ph.D., sophomore year isn’t too early to start preparing, though many a senior have also started a successful process as well.

Chapter 8: Life Beyond Penn

Page 54: SCUE's 2011 Roadmap to Penn

Applying to Graduate School

There are a number of options for those going to graduate school – MD, MSN, MA, PhD, MBA, JD, etc – none of which you should lose sleep over as a freshman, but all of which you should keep in mind. A good place to start for any graduate school search is Career Services. Ask yourself why you want to continue your studies. Is it to avoid finding a job? Is it to delay loan repayments? If so, these are not good reasons. You should go to graduate school because you really want to continue your education. As always, talk to professors you admire, your advisor, your RA or GA, upperclassmen, and other mentors. Take a professor to lunch in the SCUE Lunchroom (a free lunch for you both at the Inn at Penn) and discuss your grand life plans.

Fellowships

I’ve been hearing about fellowships recently. What are they and who can apply?

You have probably heard about some of the major fellowships such as Rhodes and Fulbright, but there are many additional fellowship opportunities for study, travel and research. Each fellowship has specific requirements and some you even apply for as a sophomore or junior. Just because you don’t have a 4.0 or haven’t cured cancer, doesn’t mean you can’t win fellowships – but you definitely cannot win one without applying. The best resource for learning about fellowships is through CURF. The website, http://www.upenn.edu/curf/fellowships/fellowships-directory lists many of the common fellowships as well as deadlines for applying. If you’re considering a fellowship, you should go to CURF and speak with one of the advisors.

THINGS TO REMEMBER

The Résumé

When you graduate from Penn you should have at least three pieces of paper: your diploma, your transcript, and your résumé. Not everything that you did at Penn will appear on your transcript (and almost nothing will appear on your diploma); that’s why you need to write a résumé. Even if you are going to grad school, having a résumé is a good idea to try to encapsulate your four years at Penn onto one sheet of paper. Five years from the time you graduate, you might not remember that you were the rugby team’s social chair and that you were a subject for medical testing. If you’re having trouble, Career Services has examples to help you along the way. They also have individuals who can assist you by critiquing your résumé and offering friendly suggestions; check them out for additional information.

A Roadmap to Penn49

Page 55: SCUE's 2011 Roadmap to Penn

Chapter 8: Life Beyond Penn 50

Sample resumes, organized by school, can be found at http://www.vpul.upenn.edu/careerservices/schoolmenus_undergrad.html.

Career Workshops/Seminars

Career workshops and seminars are offered for students interested in any sort of career or field of study including law school, business school, and med school. Check out one or two during the spring of your junior or fall of your senior years, but don’t worry about going to too many – you’ll soon realize that an uncanny resemblance exists between them.

Credentials File

A credentials file is a useful resource for anyone who will need letters of recommendation in his/her life, whether they are for grad school, summer internships, or a full-time job. Career Services will send your letters to potential employers and schools, so that you won’t have to worry about it. Career Services will keep an unlimited number of letters on file (confidentially) for as long as you want.

Academic Honors

Opportunities abound for students interested in some of the honors programs, honors societies, and awards which distinguish and recognize the most accomplished scholars around campus. Listed below are just a few of the many options available to you!

HONORS PROGRAMS AND HONORS THESES

Various departments in the College offer those who are seeking an extra challenge the opportunity to participate in the department’s honors program. Typically, these programs require a GPA of 3.5 or better in the major and an honors thesis during one’s senior year. Though it may seem daunting, these departmental honors programs offer a unique challenge to study your major at a level of far greater breadth and depth than typically experienced during the regular course of study in a major. However, each department has a different program, so be sure to check with your major advisor for honors programs within your department.

Page 56: SCUE's 2011 Roadmap to Penn

Dean’s List

Dean’s List is awarded automatically if, during the academic year:

• A GPA of 3.7 is maintained for the academic year

• Six or more credit units were completed during the academic year

• You received no grades lower than a C

• No incompletes during the two semesters were acquired

• You were not subjected to disciplinary action

Phi Beta Kappa and Tau Beta Pi

Phi Beta Kappa, arguably the nation’s most prestigious academic honor society, recognizes students who have distinguished themselves in the liberal arts. Though one can not apply for membership in Phi Beta Kappa, juniors with GPAs of 3.85 or better and seniors with GPAs of 3.7 or better are considered. No more than ten percent of the graduating class are elected as members.

The full list of eligibility requirements for membership in Phi Beta Kappa can be found at http://www.college.upenn.edu/honors/pbk.

Tau Beta Pi is the oldest national engineering honor society recognizing engineering students who demonstrate academic excellence and exemplary character. Juniors in the upper eighth of their class and seniors in the upper fifth of their class from all engineering disciplines are considered for membership. .

Graduation Honors

Graduation honors are awarded to graduating seniors who have taken at least 16 credits and have a minimum of the following GPAs:

3.8 Summa Cum Laude 3.6 Magna Cum Laude 3.4 Cum Laude

GRADUATION

I’ve finished all my requirements, is there anything else I have to do to graduate?

Do you want to be a senior at Penn for the rest of your life? No? Well then make sure you’ve filled out the required graduation forms that the registrar sends you in the fall of your senior year. In other words, don’t throw out any mail! You will also be notified of when and where

A Roadmap to Penn51

Page 57: SCUE's 2011 Roadmap to Penn

Chapter 8: Life Beyond Penn 52

to attend sittings for your senior photographs and how to order your cap and gown. You have to keep your eyes open for this important information!

Preparing for the big day

A few things you have to remember about graduation day (and some of them, a year in advance). Turn in your graduation worksheets on time. If you don’t, penalties range from monetary fines to not being able to graduate (depending on how long you go without filling them out). Paperwork for The College is due in November of your senior year. The other schools’ deadlines follow shortly thereafter. Rent your cap and gown at the Bookstore during the first week of March. Your school will send you details, so keep your eyes open.

If you are graduating with a GPA of 3.4 or above or if you are graduating from the College, don’t expect to keep your diploma for more than an hour. You’ll need to return it so that the appropriate accolades and annotations can be printed on it. You’ll receive your diploma in the mail shortly thereafter as long as you’ve paid all your bills to the University.

Page 58: SCUE's 2011 Roadmap to Penn

53 A Roadmap to Penn

Advising Resources

• Ask your advisor and upperclassmen for recommendations.

• You might also want to check department websites for lists of offered courses and posted syllabi.

• Check course times and descriptions using the course search tool on Penn In Touch and see course evaluations on Penn Course Review.

• Speak to your advisor or check the list of which courses fulfill requirements on your school’s website.

• Be sure to check out the Student Activities Fair in the Fall and Spring.

• The Office of Student Life website links to other organization websites where you can get more information.

• The Center for Undergraduate Research and Fellowships (CURF) provides up-to-date information on various research opportunities, grants and fellowships.

• The Weingarten Learning Center can help you budget your time more efficiently.

• The Tutoring Center offers private tutoring, workshops, review sessions and other special events.

• The Office of International Programs website has information on what study abroad options are available.

I don’t know what classes to take next semester?

I don’t know how to fulfill my requirements?

I don’t know which activities to get involved in?

I want to pursue research opportunities?

I find myself falling behind?

I am thinking about studying abroad?

Where do I go if:

(continued next page)

Page 59: SCUE's 2011 Roadmap to Penn

Appendix 54

• The Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS) offers: Individual and group counseling and therapy, crisis intervention, structured workshops, psychological testing, medication reviews and consultations.

• Career Services has tons of resources available to start your internship search. Advisors are always available to review documents or schedule appointments to discuss career plans.

• SCUE’s “Roadmap to Penn” offers a comprehensive overview of the Penn Undergraduate experience, as well as useful links.

I am really stressed and my roommate just doesn’t understand?

I need help with my resume, cover letter or internship search?

I am completely lost or am unsure of where to look?

Where do I go if:

Page 60: SCUE's 2011 Roadmap to Penn

Notes55

COLL

EGE

GRE

EN

Clau

dia

Cohe

nH

all

Hill

Co

llege

Hou

se

1920 Commons

MA

RK

ET S

TREE

T

Uni

vers

ity o

f Pen

nsyl

vani

a

Penn

Sch

ool o

f Law

Penn

Sch

ool o

f Med

icin

ean

dth

e H

ospi

tal o

f the

U

nive

rsity

of P

enns

ylva

nia

Scho

ol In

form

atio

n Se

ssio

ns:

Colle

ge o

f Art

s and

Sci

ence

s . .

. . .

. . .

. . .D

RL, R

oom

A2 Pe

nn E

ngin

eerin

g . .

. . .

. . .

.Tow

ne B

uild

ing,

Roo

m

111

The

Wha

rton

Sch

ool .

. . .

. . .

. . .

. . .

. . .

. .H

unts

man

Hun

tsm

an

Hal

l

Inn

at

Penn

Uni

vers

ityBo

okst

ore

Sher

aton

Van

Pelt

- Die

tric

hLi

brar

y Ce

nter

Colle

ge H

all

ARCH

Hou

ston

Hal

lIr

vine

Au

dito

rium

Tow

neBu

ildin

g

Fran

klin

Fi

eld

Mus

eum

of A

rcha

eolo

gy

and

Anth

ropo

logy

The

Qua

d

Penn

To

wer

Fagi

n H

all

36th STREET

34th STREET

33rd STREET

37th STREET

38th STREET

Kelly

W

riter

s H

ouse

Fran

klin

Bu

ildin

g

The

Pale

stra

32rd STREET

Libe

ral a

nd

Prof

es-

sion

al

Stud

ies

Uni

vers

ity C

itySc

ienc

e Ce

nter

Dre

xel

Uni

vers

ity

40th STREET

Civi

c H

ouse

Stei

nber

g H

all-

Die

tric

h H

all

Kask

ey G

arde

n

(”Bi

oPon

d”)

Davi

dRi

ttenh

ouse

Labo

rato

ry(D

RL)