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An important introduction to academic life and advising in the College.

Your first year at Penn is an incredible opportunity to explore!

We encourage you to browse this site for details about academic options like study abroad, research and community service courses. Read about potential majors and the College-sponsored programs available to help you choose the one that's right for you.

Successful Penn students take advantage of the academic advising and support services available to help them do their best work. In addition to subject tutoring and workshops on time-management, preparation for finals and improving study skills, there are workshops on using video for class projects, printing high-quality posters for academic presentations, and much, much more!

You will, of course, be responsible for meeting deadlines and adhering to College policies. Familiarize yourself with the policies governing your academic life at Penn, including the Policies and Procedures .pdf for your class.

There are advisors and mentors to help throughout the next four years. And remember the advisors in the College Office are happy to answer your questions and help you realize your vision of a great undergraduate career.

Freshman Fall
  • Have a discussion with their pre-major advisor during New Student Orientation and again during Advance Registration for the spring, to discuss course selections for the upcoming semester. Freshmen will be on registration hold, which keeps them from being able to advance register, until they meet with their advisor.
  • Let their pre-major advisor know of any problems they are having that are affecting their academic work.
  • If interested, begin to investigate academic research. See the Center for Undergraduate Research and Fellowships (CURF) and the Penn Undergraduate Research Mentoring program (PERM) specifically designed for first-year students interested in a substantial research experience.
Freshman Spring
  • See their pre-major advisor before Advance Registration in March to discuss courses for the fall semester. Freshmen are on registration hold until they have an advising discussion with their advisor.
  • Investigate majors of interest. Start talking to faculty and students in their prospective majors. Attend one or more of the College’s Majors Dinners and More events to learn about programs of interest. Attend classes in the major and get the student’s perspective through the Major Advising Program (MAP).
  • On-campus recruiting for internships begins early in the semester. Contact Career Services for more information.
  • If interested, begin to investigate a dual degree program with Engineering, Nursing or Wharton. Students are eligible to apply at the end of the freshman year or in the middle or end of the sophomore year. Make an appointment with an Assistant Dean in The College Office to discuss.
  • If interested, begin to investigate study abroad programs by by browsing program descriptions on the Penn Abroad site.
  • If interested in taking courses at another university during the summer, begin the process of getting the credits pre-approved (see Credit Away).