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Frequently Asked Questions
1. Do incoming students need to bring a computer to campus? If so, what kind should it be?
Penn is a computing- and networking-intensive environment. Word processing, electronic mail and the Internet are used extensively and are nearly universal; thus we strongly urge students to bring a computer to campus. However, having a personal computer is not essential. Many public computers are available in labs located in the libraries, academic buildings and residence halls.
Early this summer, you will receive a mailing about Penn’s Fall Truckload Sale which makes hardware and software available at a greatly reduced price. Students planning to buy a computer may wish to wait for this mailing. Additional resources are available online or by phone at 215.473.4052.
2. Why do freshmen select courses in the summer before coming to Penn?
Most freshmen prefer to come to campus in the fall with a selection of courses in place, even though that selection may be tentative. Upon arrival on campus, students meet with advisors, have an opportunity to discuss educational goals and course selection and, if appropriate, make adjustments in their fall term program.
3. Should students attempt to complete the College requirements in the first year or two of study?
Students should take courses to satisfy the General Education Requirements during their first few semesters, but these courses should be ones in which there is genuine interest, and should include a course or two in areas of potential major. Most students spread their requirements over all four years of study and, in so doing, explore more advanced topics in a variety of academic disciplines.
The Language Requirement can be fulfilled by continuing with the same language(s) studied in high school, or by developing the required proficiency in a new language. In any event, students are encouraged to enroll in a language course in their first semester. Students should also try to take a writing seminar to satisfy the Writing Requirement during their freshman year.
4. How do students get help with courses?
Students needing help with a course should first go to the teaching assistant or the instructor. In addition, a wide variety of academic support programs are available on campus. Several departments offer special help sessions for introductory-level courses, and in many cases teaching assistants are assigned to work with students, either individually or in small groups. The Tutoring Center and the Weingarten Learning Resources Center provide individual tutoring, exam review workshops, and professional instruction focusing on reading, critical thinking, studying and time management.
5. How can students improve their writing skills?
The Critical Writing Program is designed to provide students with several avenues for developing their writing skills. Students can work on their writing with Senior Tutors at The Penn Writing Center. Senior Tutors are advanced graduate students trained to offer constructive criticism across the disciplines. Students can also get feedback on their writing assignments and papers from Peer Tutors, advanced undergraduates who have been extensively trained in peer review and writing strategies. Peer Tutors also provide 24-hour online help with writing.
6. What is the difference between dropping a course and withdrawing from a course?
Students may drop a course any time before the end of the fifth week of the semester without creating a permanent record of having been in the course. They can do so through Penn InTouch. After the fifth week of classes, and up to the end of the tenth week, students may, with the permission of the instructor, withdraw from a class. The grade point average will not be affected, but a W will appear on the transcript. One or two withdrawals during a college career are acceptable, but students should avoid a pattern. In any event, students should always consult with an advisor before dropping or withdrawing below 4 credit units, as this may affect athletic eligibility, financial aid or visa status for international students.
7. What are the requirements for the Dean’s List?
Students who achieve a grade point average of 3.7 or better over two semesters during one academic year, have no grade lower than a C, complete six or more courses for letter grades, have no Incompletes, and have no disciplinary action taken against them, are placed on the Dean’s List with a notation on their transcript.
8. What is the difference between a double major and a dual degree?
A student who decides to major in two different departments within the College—History and English, for example, or Biology and Philosophy—is completing a double major. A student who is fulfilling the requirements of two different schools within the University—the College and Wharton, for example, or the College and the School of Engineering—is completing a dual degree program. Students must apply for the dual degree program.
9. When should students declare a major? What is the procedure for doing so?
Students are expected to declare a major before the Advance Registration period in the spring semester (late March to early April) of their sophomore year. The procedure involves collecting and reading information about the major(s) under consideration, meeting with their pre-major advisor to discuss plans and fill out a major worksheet, then meeting with the undergraduate chair for the major to discuss plans and obtain approval.
10. What is University policy concerning classes on religious holidays?
In setting the academic calendar for each year, the University tries to avoid obvious conflicts with any holidays (such as New Year’s Day, July 4th, Thanksgiving Day, Christmas) that involve most University students, faculty and staff. For other holidays affecting large numbers of University community members, no examinations may be given and no assigned work may be required on these days. Students who observe these holidays will be given an opportunity to make up missed work. (For more details see the University's policy on secular and religious holidays)
11. Can Penn credit be obtained for summer school courses taken at another college or university?
Students may earn college credit for completing pre-college coursework if: the course was taught on a college campus by a regular member of the faculty; the course was open to enrollment by, and graded in direct competition with, regularly matriculated undergraduates at the college; and the course was part of the normal curriculum published in the college’s catalogue. Before credit is accepted, the student must provide an official transcript and letter from the registrar of the college where the courses were taken, verifying that the above criteria were met and providing a description of the coursework completed.
After matriculation at Penn, students may take up to five credit units at another American university and transfer them back to Penn. Such courses must be taken in a four-year institution (not a community or junior college), and acceptance of the credit is subject to the prior approval of the undergraduate chair of the appropriate Penn department.
12. Why is Penn tuition required for academic year study abroad programs?
Many Penn students choose to study abroad for one or two semesters, usually during their sophomore or junior year, and the University now offers study abroad programs on virtually every continent. These approved programs have been carefully evaluated by faculty and offer academic work of very high quality. Considerable Penn faculty and staff time is involved in coordinating these programs, counseling students prior to their participation and interacting with students while they are abroad; consequently normal Penn tuition is charged. Upon their return, students receive credit as though they were in residence at Penn, their grades are tabulated into the Penn g.p.a. and their work appears in the body of the Penn transcript. Students on financial aid who participate in these Penn-approved programs continue to receive aid during their participation.
13. I have a question about my tuition bill. Whom should I call?
Questions on billing should first be addressed to the Office of Student Financial Services, 215.898.1988. The College Office is often able to assist on billing matters 215.898.6341.
14. What is the procedure for requesting a leave of absence?
Students may take a leave of absence for a semester or a year, with extensions given in special circumstances. The first step in the procedure is to consult with a College advisor in Logan Hall, 215.898.6341, who can provide guidance and assistance with the required paperwork.
15. When is graduation? What is the difference between the College
Graduation Ceremony and the University Commencement?
The College Graduation Ceremony is for students graduating from the College of Arts and Sciences. Families are invited to attend. Each College student will cross the stage as his or her name is read. The University Commencement is for all students graduating from all of the undergraduate colleges, as well as from the various graduate and professional schools. Parents and guests are encouraged to attend. The College Graduation Ceremony generally occurs the evening before University Commencement.
16. What is the procedure for arranging to receive a copy of my son’s/daughter’s grades?
University policy regarding confidentiality of student records reflects current interpretations of the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974 and amendments thereto. This policy allows a student to inspect, review and obtain copies of records (including grades) that are directly related to the student but prevents the University from divulging such records to anyone other than the student (including the student’s parents) without the student’s permission.
Understandably, most parents are very interested in student grades, and we encourage parents and students to talk openly about this matter. All incoming students should go to the “Privacy Settings” page of Penn InTouch and indicate what information, if any, may be divulged and to whom.
17. What is the “four-course rule”?
Some students believe there is a “four-course rule” that limits students’ ability to take courses outside the College of Arts and Sciences. This is not entirely the case. In addition to courses in the major, College students must usually complete a minimum of 20 more c.u. to earn their degree. Many of these courses will count toward the General Education Requirement or the Language Requirement. A minimum of 16 of these units must be taken from offerings in the College, while the remaining 4 c.u. may be taken in the College or in other schools (for example, Engineering, Nursing, Design, Wharton, Graduate School of Education). Many students take more than 4 c.u. in other schools by completing more than the minimum number of required courses.
18. How many courses are required to graduate from the College, and what is the normal course load each semester?
The total number of course units required for graduation varies, depending on the number of credits required in the major. Major requirements range from 12 to 19 c.u. and credits for graduation range from 32 to 36 c.u. Students take 4 c.u. in their first semester; after that the normal load is 4 or 5 c.u. per semester.
19. What are weekends like at Penn?
Although students do not have classes on Saturday and Sunday, these are important days in their lives at Penn. They are not only the time when many key social events occur, but they are also a time when students do reading, homework and paper writing for their classes. For this reason we strongly encourage students to remain on campus over the weekend. Even students who live close enough to go home for the weekend are often better served by staying on campus. Returning home frequently can disrupt adjustment to college life and add to stress.
20. What happens when a student has a question about a grade or has a problem in a class?
If a student has difficulty in a class or questions a grade, he or she should discuss this with the instructor. Students who feel the need for outside advice should consult with their academic advisor. It is sometimes tempting for parents to want to intervene on behalf of the student. However, parents are strongly urged to encourage their son or daughter to attempt to resolve any academic difficulty himself or herself by talking with the instructor and obtaining the guidance of his or her academic advisor. Developing the skills to negotiate appropriately with faculty and staff is an important part of the student’s maturation process as an undergraduate.
21. What should students do if they are unable to attend classes?
In case of emergency, illness, accident or other unforeseen circumstances that necessitate absence from classes or leaving campus, students should call the College Office at 215.898.6341.