International Programs

International Student & Scholar Services

International Programs

Frequently Asked Questions International Student Orientation

Is International Student Orientation(ISO) mandatory?
Yes. ISO is required for new F-1 and J-1 students, including freshman, graduate, professional, transfer and exchange students.

  • Advance Online iOffice Check-in and
  • attendance at one of the Immigration Document Review and Presentation Sessions are mandatory. All other events are optional but recommended. Students who choose to participate in the earlier optional events should make their own housing arrangements.

How far in advance can I do the Advance Online iOffice Check-in?
You must complete it after your arrival in the United States and before the Immigration Document Review. Please see link for detailed instructions.


When is the required Immigration Document Review and Presentation Session for F-1 and J-1 students?
The Immigration Document Review and Presentation Session will be held 30 times throughout the summer and the week of Monday, August 31 - Friday, September 4, with two sessions each day at 10:00 AM and 2:00 PM. Students will register their immigration documents, and meet with ISO leaders (current Penn students) during these sessions. A session also will be offered on Tuesday, September 8 for those whose arrivals are delayed. Attendance at one of the 30 sessions is mandatory.


What documents do I need to bring to the Immigration Document Review and Presentation Session?
F-1 and J-1 students must bring their passport, I-94 card (small white departure card in passport) and I-20 (F-1 students) or DS-2019 (J-1 students) to the Immigration Document Review and Presentation session. Immigration regulations require ISSS to review these documents in order to register your arrival with the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS) of the US Department of Homeland Security.


I am a transfer student. Do I still need to attend ISO?
Yes. Transfer students must also attend one of the Immigration Document Review and Presentation sessions within 15 days from the program start date listed on the I-20/ DS2019 to register their immigration documents. In addition, students transferring their F-1 or J-1 sponsorship from another US institution to the University of Pennsylvania must also apply to ISSS for a new I-20 or DS-2019 and complete the F-1 or J-1 transfer procedures through ISO.


I am participating in a pre-orientation program, such PENNacle, PENNarts, PennCORP or PennQuest. Do I still need to attend ISO?
Students participating in these pre-orientation programs must register their immigration documents and attend one of the Immigration Document Review and Presentation sessions at a time that does not conflict with their pre-orientation program. (They may also attend any ISO activities that do not conflict with their pre-orientation program.)


Can my parents come to ISO?
Your parents or guardians will be invited to participate in orientation activities designed especially for them by the Parents Program. Visit the Penn Parents web site for more information: http://www.pennparents.org/New-Parents/International-parents.shtml. Parents are especially encouraged to attend the Penn Museum Tour and International Parent's Luncheon from 11:00 AM - 1:30 PM and the Provost's Welcome Reception for Students and Families from 5:00 - 6:00 PM on Wednesday, September 2. Parents are also welcome to attend the Information Session: Staying Healthy in the US from 9:00 - 10:30 AM on Wednesday, September 2.


Do I need to sign up for ISO?
Students do not need to sign up for ISO, but certain events require advance registration or ticket purchase. Space is limited for these events, so sign up early (starting August 31) in the International Reception Center (IRC) located in the South America Room on the 2nd floor of International House, 3701 Chestnut Street. IRC will be open for sign-up and ticket sales between 10:00 AM to 3:00 PM (except 11:00 AM - 12:00 PM).


When can I move into my on-campus housing assignment?
All College Houses with the exception of Harrison and Harnwell will open for early move-in at 8:00 am on Sunday, August 30. Harrison and Harnwell open at 2:00 pm on August 30. No registration or notification is necessary to move in early *unless* you will be living in Harrison or Harnwell College House or have been notified of a requirement to do so by a University organization. Due to summer occupancy, residents of Harrison and Harnwell College Houses who wish to arrive early will need to register online to ensure their room is ready. The registration website will be available at the end of July. Please check http://www.upenn.edu/housing/movein.html#early and your University email account regularly for updates.

In order to enter on-campus housing, you will need to know the last 4 digits of your 9-digit ID number, which is usually assigned or confirmed by Admissions.

Please note that there will be a housing charge of $25-$40 per day for each night before official move-in dates which are as follows:

Undergraduates:
Official Freshmen move-in-                September 3    (Thursday)
Official Upperclassmen move-in-       September 5    (Saturday)

Graduates:
Official move-in-                                September 1    (Tuesday)

Early move-in fees will be billed directly to your student account in September; please do not send any payments in advance. For more information about moving into your College House, please visit the Housing Services web site at http://www.upenn.edu/housing/. If you have alternate housing arrangements during ISO (such as staying in a hotel with your parents), you are not required to move into your on-campus housing early.

What if I cannot arrive on time to attend ISO?
If you arrive too late to attend one of the Immigration Document Review and Presentation Sessions, be sure to report to ISSS to register your immigration documents and go over F-1 or J-1 student regulations no later than the first week of classes.


Is there any cost for ISO events?
Events held on-campus such as the information sessions and Provost's Welcome Reception are free of charge. There are some other optional activities where students will be required to pay for their own meals.
While there is no registration fee for ISO, there will be a housing charge for each night before the official move-in dates listed above.


What will I need for my room?
Here are some tips from Housing and Conference Services: http://www.business-services.upenn.edu/housing/movein.html#bring. You can purchase many of these items upon arrival in Philadelphia.


How do I get to campus?
No matter how you plan to arrive, visit Penn's web site for instructions and information on arriving on campus, including public parking facilities, directions from 30th Street Station (trains and Regional Rail) and local transportation, at http://www.facilities.upenn.edu/visitUs/. Be sure to know the address (street number and name) of your destination! The campus is large and taxi or shuttle drivers will not know the name of your on-campus building or College House.

If you plan to arrive by air, it is recommended that you arrive at Philadelphia International Airport.

From the Philadelphia International Airport
The Philadelphia International Airport  is the major airport closest to campus. Airport information centers in baggage claim areas provide details on the various ground transportation options. JFK International Airport or LaGuardia Airport in New York and Newark International Airport in New Jersey also link with services that provide ground transportation to Philadelphia. However, travel to Philadelphia from New York City or Newark is often more expensive than direct arrival into Philadelphia and can be very confusing to those unfamiliar with these cities.

Ground transportation options include the following:

  • Taxi - The easiest way to travel from the airport to Penn is by taxi. Taxis are available 24 hours a day, from Zone 5 of the airport.
  • Shuttle Services will take passengers from the airport to the University of Pennsylvania campus or Center City (downtown Philadelphia).  Advance reservations for these shuttle services are not required. More information on shuttles such as Lady Liberty can be obtained from the Centralized Ground Transportation Counters in the baggage claim areas or the Ground Transportation Hotline at Philadelphia Airport (215-937-6958).  The shuttle service operator will tell passengers when and where to meet the van.
  • Train - The SEPTA R-1 regional rail service runs from the airport to the train stops University City and 30th Street Station. From University City or 30th Street Station, one can then take a taxi to the final destination in Center City or University City. Taxis are most plentiful at 30th Street Station.
  • Shuttles from other airports - Like at the Philadelphia Airport, there are private shuttle companies such as Dave’s Best Limosine Service  that provide door-to-door van transportation from JFK, LaGuardia, and Newark airports to Philadelphia. Be sure to check the cost and destination before using this method of transportation. The shuttle vans typically seat 8-12 persons and may have luggage restrictions.

NB:  Unlicensed individuals may offer rides to Philadelphia for a low fee.  Travelers are strongly cautioned against accepting such offers. Always make sure that the transportation arrangement is with a reputable company, i.e. one accessed from the airport transportation centers.

Driving
If you are driving, details can be found at http://www.facilities.upenn.edu/visitUs/.
Below is transportation information from other regional airports; however, it is recommended that you fly into Philadelphia International Airport for convenience. Transportation to the Philadelphia area from another airport may be unavailable or very limited at night.

From the Newark Liberty International Airport
Amtrak/Airtrain

  • Get on the AirTrain at Newark Liberty International Airport in New Jersey and go the Newark Liberty International Airport Train Station.
  • When you exit at the station, follow the signs to the Amtrak Trains. (You will go up one level, pass through the fare gates and go down one level to the Amtrak Train Platforms).
  • Take the Amtrak train to 30th Street Station in Philadelphia, PA. (Approximately 1-1.5 hours by train).
  • Prices range from $40 - $80 one-way depending on the time of day.
  • From 30th Street Station, you can walk to the University of Pennsylvania (about 10 minutes) or take a cab (4 minutes).
  • Note, Amtrak can be strict with their luggage limit and, as such, this method of traveling is not recommended for those with more than one piece of luggage.
  • Visit http://www.panynj.gov/airtrainnewark/fromNewark_phila.html for more details.

From Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport in Maryland

  • Take the free airport shuttle to BWI rail station. Purchase an Amtrak ticket to Philadelphia (30th Street Station).
  • From 30th Street Station, you can walk to the University of Pennsylvania (about 10 minutes) or take a cab (4 minutes).
  • Prices range from $40 - $120 one-way depending on the time of day.
  • For assistance on other modes of transportation go to http://www.bwiairport.com/customer_assistance/travel_tips/.

From Kennedy (JFK) Airport
Dave's Best Limousine Service Inc.

  • Door-to-door limousine service from JFK to University of Pennsylvania
  • Prices to JFK start as low as $55 one way and $105 a round trip.
  • 2 pieces of luggage and 1 carry-on per person are allowed without additional charge.
  • Visit http://www.davesbestlimos.com/ for reservations.

 

I want to settle into Penn as quickly as possible. What can I do if I arrive before orientation?
Please Note: All of these items will be discussed in more detail at orientation:

  • Penn ID Cards: Bring your passport (or US state Identification Card or Driver's License, if you already have one) to the PennCard ID Center (Franklin Building, 3451 Walnut Street, Suite 150) to obtain your PennCard. This card identifies you as a university student. You will need it to enter campus buildings (including on-campus housing), use libraries and other university facilities, and to make transactions using Penn Cash: http://www.business-services.upenn.edu/penncard/.
  • PennKey: You will use your PennKey and password to access many of the University’s electronic services. You probably have received a PennKey Setup Code from your academic department. If not, more information and assistance is available at http://www.upenn.edu/computing/pennkey/.
  • Penn Email: Contact your school to create your Penn email account. Each school, as well as ISSS, communicates with students via email, so you should be sure to check your account often.
  • Immigration Documents: Photocopy your immigration documents (passport photo & information page, I-94 card, visa stamp, I-20 or DS-2019 or other immigration documentation) and put them in a safe place in case your documents are ever lost or stolen).
  • Penn InTouch: Be sure to always update your contact and local address information in Penn InTouch within 10 days of moving. This is how ISSS reports your information to the immigration service, as required by F-1 and J-1SEVIS regulations. This will also ensure that you receive important mailings from Penn: https://sentry.isc.upenn.edu/intouch/.
  • Get to know the area by walking around campus and the area and trying the public transportation system (SEPTA) during the day. SEPTA information can be found at http://www.septa.org/.
  • Take a campus tour. An information session and campus tour is offered by the Office of Admissions. For details, visit: http://www.admissions.upenn.edu/visiting/tours.php.
  • Read the section for New Arrivals under International Student and Scholar Services on the ISSS web site: http://www.upenn.edu/oip/iss/new/.
  • Visit the historical sites and other attractions around Philadelphia. See http://www.gophila.com/ for information on things to do in Philadelphia and the surrounding area.

Return to Top
University of Pennsylvania