Enrollment Checklist

Your checklist for what to do before you respond to your offer of admission.

Attend an Event

The best way to learn about the Weitzman School of Design is to attend an event. Our in-person open house is scheduled for Monday, April 7, 2025. We are also hosting a variety of virtual events. If you would like to visit campus on another day, please reach out to your department.

Respond to your Offer of Admission

To officially accept or decline your offer of admission, please submit the Decision Form (linked in your admissions letter) no later than Tuesday, April 15, 2025. If you are declining the offer, we ask that you still submit the Decision form as soon as possible.

Your checklist for what to do before you arrive on campus.

Submit Official Transcripts and/or Evaluations

If you are admitted and plan to enroll in the Weitzman School of Design, you must have an official transcript (and evaluation, if applicable) from each college or university attended for credit (including institutions where you did not receive a degree) sent directly to the Weitzman School of Design. If you recently finished a degree, wait until degree conferral is reflected on your transcript. Please review the instructions under Transcripts and Evaluations section on our supporting materials page. The Office of Admissions will contact you in June regarding any missing official transcripts and/or evaluations. Official documents should be submitted as soon as possible and no later than the first day of fall classes. Failure to provide this required documentation may prevent you from registering for future coursework at the Weitzman School. Copies of transcripts uploaded to your online admission application are not considered official and do not meet this requirement. Email admissions@design.upenn.edu with any questions.

File the FAFSA (US Citizens and Permanent Residents only)

US citizens and permanent residents who plan to utilize US federal student loans and/or work-study should file the 2025-26 FAFSA by May 31.

Set up your PennKey

A PennKey, a 3-8 character electronic ID, and password are required to access many of the University’s services. Your PennKey will also be the basis of your email account. Please note that once selected, it cannot be changed except under specific circumstances. You should receive a PennKey Set-up Code via email within one week of accepting your admissions offer. 

If you have not received your PennKey Set-up Code, or have having difficulty setting up your PennKey, please visit the PennKey website.

Review Housing Options

Penn graduate students live off-campus. Penn's Off-Campus Services can assist in all stages of the off-campus living experience, including locating appropriate housing, understanding leases, and mediating conflict. Visit the Off-Campus Services website to learn how to plan a successful housing search, view apartment listings in the online database, and sign up for email updates.

Off-Campus Services will be hosting a Virtual Fair from March 27 - July 26, 2025. There will be two live dates on March 27 and April 10, but all information will be available through July 26.

Off-Campus Services also offers a roommate search database and current student sublease database.

On-campus housing for graduate students is no longer available as of spring 2023.

Complete the Student Health Insurance Waiver or Enroll in the Penn Student Insurance Plan (PSIP)

All full-time and dissertation status students are required to have acceptable health insurance coverage for both in-patient and out-patient medical care in the Philadelphia area and to provide information about their insurance coverage each year. As a condition of enrollment in the University, students subject to this requirement are required to either request an insurance waiver online or enroll in the Penn Student Insurance Plan (PSIP). Full-time and dissertation status students who do not file their selection by May 31 (summer enrollment) or August 31 (fall enrollment) will be enrolled in PSIP unless they provide proof of acceptable alternative coverage. Please visit the PSIP website for more information.

Complete Immunization Requirements

The University of Pennsylvania requires all students to be compliant with the immunization requirements. Failure to meet these requirements will result in denial of student registration privileges. The deadline for submission is July 1.

Complete Action Items for All Students in Path@Penn

Please visit Path@Penn and complete the items listed on the left side menu box titled "Action items for all students" which includes emergency contact information, privacy settings, direct deposit setup, etc.

Access your Penn Email Account

This is the main channel of communication between you, your department, and the school administration. Weitzman IT Services will automatically set up a Penn O365 account for any new student enrolled in late April, and you will receive a message to your personal email account provided on your enrollment decision form with instructions and important information.

Read the Weitzman Student Handbook and the PennBook

All students are expected to be familiar with the policies and procedures that govern student life and academic work at Penn and Weitzman.

Lookout for Course Registration Information in June

Departments will send details about registering for summer workshops and fall courses in early June. This information will be sent to your Penn email address, so make sure you follow the instructions above for setting up your account. The only exception is that students admitted to the 3.5 year Master of Architecture program will be registered by the department in May for ARCH 5000, the Summer Studio that begins in June. No action needs to be taken by any incoming students for registration before June.

Connect with Student Disability Services (if applicable)

Student Disability Services works tirelessly to ensure the University is accessible to all students. Students are strongly encouraged to begin the process with Disability Services well before beginning coursework, as it can take several weeks to review documentation and approve accommodations. Please visit their website for more information.

For a full list of resources, visit our Current Students website.

Your checklist for what to do before classes start.

Update your address information via Path@Penn

Update your address information as soon as possible in Path@Penn to avoid a hold being placed on your record. Pay attention to your billing and local address so bills and communication from the school arrives at the correct address. Instructions for updating the required contact information fields can be found here. Please contact des-studentservices@design.upenn.edu with questions.

Get your PennCard

You will receive instructions on how to pick up your PennCard in July.

New Student Check-In for International Students 

International students should complete the New Student Check-In Requirements with International Student and Scholar Services (ISSS) as soon as possible upon arrival to campus. Failure to comply with timely check-in requirements can result in cancellation of your student visa.

Check in with your Department

When you arrive on campus, make sure you stop by your department office and introduce yourself. All department offices are located in Meyerson Hall with the exception of the Graduate Fine Arts office which is located in Stuart Weitzman Hall (formerly the Morgan Building). 

Other Items

Stop by the Graduate Student Center at 3615 Locust Walk. The Graduate Student Center provides services to support graduate and professional students at Penn and in Philadelphia and offers a wide variety of events for new students throughout the spring and summer, everything from walking tours of the city to practical sessions on health insurance at Penn. Sessions are offered online and in-person. You can also visit the New Student Information Kiosk, where you can pick up copies of the Resource Guide, New Student Orientation calendar, and more information to assist in your transition to Penn. And...they offer free coffee!

Check out our Helpful Things to Know page for important information on resources that you may need while you are studying at Penn and living in Philadelphia.