New Students

Congratulations on your acceptance to the University of Pennsylvania's College of Liberal and Professional Studies (LPS)! We are proud to welcome you to the community of outstanding students dedicated to expanding their intellectual and professional horizons at LPS. If you are a Penn LPS Online student, please visit Information for New Penn LPS Online Students.

Master of Science in Applied Geosciences online students, please follow the instructions below.

The following checklist will guide you through the necessary steps to begin your coursework at LPS. Please be sure to follow each of the steps, in order, for your own convenience. Our staff is available to answer any questions as they arise.

New student checklist

  1. Accept your offer of admission
    To accept our offer of admission, just revisit your online application and answer a few short questions. Once you have submitted your decision form, we will be able to create a student record for you in the Penn system.
  2. Review Pre-Orientation materials
    Pre-Orientation is the gateway to getting started at Penn. You will find a checklist to complete for a successful start at Penn as well as a wealth of helpful resources. Pre-Orientation documents are designed to introduce you to Penn, LPS, policies and procedures, registration, and next steps. This thorough presentation is required of all incoming students, but each program has its own version.
     
  3. Submit all final transcripts
    You will be unable to register for courses until we have received and verified all final official transcripts. Learn more about how to submit transcripts, and about our transcript policy.
  4. Setup PennKey and password 
    The PennKey is your online identity that provides secure access to online billing, registration, and other electronic resources at Penn. Current/past students and Penn employees, you can continue to use your existing PennKey.

    If you don’t already have a PennKey, you will be sent a set-up code to the email you used when applying to Penn in 3-5 business days. If you have not received a PennKey setup code within that time frame, first check your Spam folder. If you do not see an email there visit the PennKey website and click "Contact." 
  5. Complete Penn wellness requirements
    To ensure the health and safety of all students, the University requires all full- and part-time students to have adequate health insurance and remain up-to-date on their immunizations. Review instructions for uploading your immunization records and completing your health information requirements at Penn's Wellness website.
  6. Activate your Penn email address and update directory
    If you do not already have an active Penn email address, then you must create one. Visit the Penn Computing site to get started. Please note that you need to create your PennKey before you can set up an email address, as your address is based on your PennKey.

    You should check your entry in the Penn Directory to verify that the information is correctly listed. Please allow two days for a newly created email address to show up in the Penn Directory. Visit the Penn Directory to check your listing. Click the "Login” button in the upper right corner, then click “My Profile” to see your listing.
  7. Set up an appointment with your advisor
    The next step is to contact your program to set up an advising appointment by calling (215) 898-7326 or emailing lps@sas.upenn.edu.
  8. Register for courses
    Course registration is available online through Path@Penn.
  9. Obtain PennCard
    The PennCard is the official University of Pennsylvania identification card for students, faculty, staff, and other members of the University community. You can use your PennCard to access a myriad of services at Penn. Registration is required to be eligible for a PennCard. Please allow 24 hours after registering before visiting the PennCard Center (Penn employees will not need a new PennCard).
  10. Attend new student orientation
    Visit the Orientation Information page for the dates and location of your on-campus orientation.