PhD Students

Note: If you have a PennKey from a previous Penn affiliation (i.e. Knowledge Link at UPHS), you do not need to create a new PennKey.

* University of Pennsylvania is currently transition to a new records system. PennKey codes should be sent out by April 1st. 

All students are required to open a Penn Nursing email account. Please do so immediately, and plan to access it daily. Email setup can be found online here. You will note in the instructions that you can set up your email to be read from your home computer. You can also visit the ITS website for more information about the technology resources available to students at the School of Nursing. 

*PennKey required.

You will receive the required payroll forms from your funding department. If you have any questions please contact the SON Director of Financial Aid.

International students will need to complete additional forms as detailed on the ISSS website.

Antoinette Oteri, Director of Financial Aid
oteri@nursing.upenn.edu

 4. Enroll in or waive health insurance

The University of Pennsylvania requires full-time students to meet certain health requirements, including carrying comprehensive health insurance coverage and immunization against diseases. The Penn Student Insurance Plan (PSIP) is available for students who do not have insurance, whose plans do not provide coverage in the Philadelphia area, or whose plans do not meet our criteria for alternative insurance. You can enroll in the PSIP or request an insurance waiver on the Student Health Services website.

Full-time students must meet University immunization requirements. More information can be found here.

The Graduate Student Center (GSC) will be hosting an online information session for incoming students to gain a better understanding of the health insurance options and immunizations requirements at Penn. You can register for one of the sessions on the GSC website.

 5. Register for courses

Incoming PhD students will receive a welcome letter via email from the School Registrar with detailed instructions on registering for Fall coursework.

After activating your PennKey, and once you have received the welcome email, you must register for classes through Penn InTouch. Doctoral students should consult with their faculty advisors to tailor their plan of study to their respective interests.

• Registration Instructions

6. Explore housing options

The University offers Penn Off-Campus Services to assist in your Philadelphia housing search. A number of our PhD students have also worked as Graduate Associates in the College House system. 

This spring, the Graduate Student Center (GSC) will be hosting several webinars and events for incoming students.

 8. Update your personal information

Update your address information, emergency contacts, and profile. Carefully review your billing, local, and permanent addresses so that communication from the school will be sent to the correct address. Periodically review your profile to make sure everything is correct.  

*PennKey required.

9. Pick up your Penn Card

PennCard is the official identification care of the University of Pennsylvania and is required for all students. The PennCard gives you access to many University facilities. You do not need to have a PennCard prior to orientation or the start of classes, but please get one as soon as possible after your arrival on campus. The PennCard center is located on the second floor of the Penn Bookstore (located at 3601 Walnut). 

*PennKey required.