UPenn Resources for Current Students
Student Handbook
Each incoming class receives a student handbook containing information, schedules, policies and procedures for both the MSGC program and the University. The handbook serves as a contract between the program and the students.
Click here to see the student handbook for the Class of 2023.
Click here to see the student handbook for the Class of 2024.
The Mentorship Program
The Penn MSGC Program values mentorship and assigns all incoming students with student mentors (Penn Pals) from the second-year class as well as genetic counselors practicing in the Penn and CHOP genetics community. These mentor relationships are in addition to regular mentoring from the program leadership, clinical supervisors, and thesis advisors.
Students work with the same dedicated mentor throughout their time in the MSGC program and through regular meetings, students learn about the Penn and CHOP genetic counseling community, career development, scholarly activities, and genetic counseling practice.
Graduate Student Center
3615 Locust Walk
Philadelphia PA 19104
215-746-6868
Connect for:
- Free coffee and tea all day every day for graduate students in the Welfer Common Room. BYOM (bring your own mug)
The Welfer Common Room, located on the main floor, is the Grad Center's primary space for hanging out. Whether you come for relaxation or work, its comfortable couches, large tables, Andy Wu fireplace, coffee service, and signature French doors overlooking Locust Walk make it the perfect place to connect with Penn's graduate community.
- The Gnome's Café, in back of the Welfer Common Room, where you can purchase other yummy items, such as sushi, salads, sandwiches, snacks and drinks
- New student resources to help you transition to Penn
- A weekly newsletter highlighting events and resources. Sign up at https://gsc.upenn.edu/newsletter
- News about current graduate students
- Social activities and opportunities for campus and community volunteer engagement
- Links to social activities, wellness and campus resources
Biotech Commons
Johnson Pavilion
36th & Hamilton Walk
Philadelphia, PA 19104
215-898-5815
https://guides.library.upenn.edu/aboutbiomed
Formerly called the Biomedical Library, the building has undergone extensive renovation and reopened in September 2021 with fresh new space and reserveable rooms of varying sizes for individual and group study, meetings and group discussions.
This is where you can find current MSGC textbooks on reserve. They also offer Interlibrary Loan, printing and more. Expert librarians can provide one on one assistance with research.
For information on resources available at other Penn libraries visit: https://www.library.upenn.edu/
Career Services
McNeil Building, Suite 20
3718 Locust Walk
Philadelphia, PA 19104
(215) 898-7531
Email: careerservices@vpul.upenn.edu
http://www.upenn.edu/careerservices
Penn Career Services provides workshops and tips on networking and interviewing, connections with alumni, and career resources for both students and alumni.
Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS)
3624 Market Street, 1st Floor West
Philadelphia, PA 19104
http://www.vpul.upenn.edu/caps/
CAPS is committed to creating an environment based on values of multicultural, multi-disciplinary and inclusive practices focused on providing care to our diverse student body. A wide range of services is available to meet students’ varied needs. CAPS also provides training for those interested in learning techniques to support their peers.
Call CAPS if you need support, do not wait. Someone is always available. Wherever you are, simply dial 215-898-7021 and press 1 to talk to a clinician 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
If you would like to schedule an appointment, please call: 215-898-7021 (press 2).
DART (Digital Academic Research Transformation)
1300 Blockley Hall
Phone: 215-573-9185
http://www.med.upenn.edu/infotech/
DART is the Computing and Information Services for the Perelman School of Medicine.
For help with PennKey issues: https://www.med.upenn.edu/dart/psompennkey.html
For help with PennMedicine email accounts: medhelp@pennmedicine.upenn.edu
Division of Public Safety
4040 Chestnut Street
Philadelphia, PA 19104
General Information - 215.898.7297
https://www.publicsafety.upenn.edu/
Emergency Aid:
- Emergencies - 215.573.3333
- From Campus Phones - 511
24/7 Walking Escort Service:
Uniformed Allied Universal Public Safety Officers provide walking escorts to all campus locations. Officers are dispatched by radio and will accompany you from one campus location to another, to your parked vehicle, to a Penn Transit Stop or to an on-campus SEPTA regional transit stop.
Available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, between 30th to 43rd Streets and Market Street to Baltimore Avenue.
Escorts also extends west to 50th Street, and north/south from Spring Garden to Woodland Avenue, between 10 a.m. and 12 a.m. via the University’s partnership with the University District Ambassador Program.
How to Request a Walking Escort:
- Ask any Public Safety Officer on patrol or inside a building
- Call 215-898-WALK(9255) or 511 (from campus phone)
- Use one of the many building and blue-light ephones located on and off Penn’s Campus.
Automobile Lockout and Jumpstart Services:
Penn Security Services offers free 24/7 lockout & jump-start services to anyone on Penn’s campus. Simply call 215-573-3333 (511 from a campus phone) and a Public Safety Officer will be dispatched to your location.
Auto, bicycle and pedestrian safety
Theft Awareness
Self-defense courses
Fisher Fine Arts Library
The Fisher Fine Arts Library is regarded as one of the most important library buildings in the world. It is also one of Philadelphia's great buildings and most important interiors. Every year, the Fisher welcomes visitors from all over the world to explore the space.
Your PennCard gives you access to this beautiful library for those days when you need a different study space, or when you want to pretend you are actually preparing for your final exams in Potions and Defense Against the Dark Arts.
Graduate and Professional Student Assembly (GAPSA)
GAPSA represents UPenn’s graduate students across all schools in conversation with the Administration and advocates for policies and support for the graduate community. They also sponsor social events for graduate students throughout the year. Other highlights include:
Resources and support for students by identity, including:
- Indigenous students
- Students with disabilities
- Black students
- Latinx students
- Asian students
- LGBTQ+ students
- Women
Funding for student research:
GAPSA has many sources of funding available to University of Pennsylvania graduate and professional students for travel, research, initiatives, and events. For more information: http://www.gapsa.upenn.edu/funding-opportunities-1
Discount tickets:
GAPSA purchases tickets to Philadelphia sporting events, local theater, concerts and various local events throughout the year. Tickets can be purchased by graduate and professional students at a heavily subsidized rate.
See more at http://gapsa.upenn.edu/
IDEAL XP
(Inclusion, Diversity, Equity and Learner Experience Program in Medical Education)
Jordan Medical Education Center, 6th floor
3400 Civic Center Boulevard, Bldg. 421
Philadelphia, PA 19104
https://www.med.upenn.edu/idealmed/
With a commitment to reaffirm an inclusive and diverse culture, IDEAL, established in August 2021 at the Perelman School of Medicine, will address the individual and group needs of marginalized students in a deliberate and focused manner. In addition, this program will necessarily engage all learners for the purpose of creating an inclusive and anti-racist climate at PSOM through education and training. In partnership with PSOM’s Office of Inclusion, Diversity, and Education (OIDE), IDEAL will ensure that our curricula are devoid of structural racism, and our teaching faculty and staff have the necessary skills and resources to participate in the creation and maintenance of an inclusive, diverse, and equitable culture for Penn learners.
Student Financial Services
100 Franklin Building
3451 Walnut Street
215.898.1988
https://srfs.upenn.edu/sfs
SFS is your one stop shop for:
- Program Costs & Budgeting
- Billing & Payment
- Financial Aid – both applying for and managing loans
- Student Employment
- Registration, Catalog & Calendar
- Student Records
- Policies & Publications
- Financial Aid Counselors who are available to help you with your questions and concerns.
Student Health Services
Lower Level, Penn Tower Hotel
34th Street and Civic Center Boulevard
Office phone: 215.349.5797
To schedule an appointment call: 215-746-3535. SHS is currently available for in-person and telehealth appointments.
https://shs.wellness.upenn.edu/
The website is an important resource for
- required student health forms
- immunization requirements and records
- health records
- health and wellness education
- referrals for students on the Penn Student Insurance Plan (PSIP)
Weingarten Learning Resources Center
Stouffer Commons, Suite 300
3702 Spruce Street
Philadelphia, PA 19104
215-573-9235
https://wlrc.vpul.upenn.edu/
Student Disability Services: This office works closely with students who self-identify with a disability, in order to ensure equal access to all University programs, activities and services.
Academic workshops and support: Learning specialists support students through individual consultations and group workshops that often address time/project management, organization, academic reading, research and writing, problem-solving, and exam preparation.
Wellness at Penn
Read all about it at https://www.wellnessatpenn.com/
The Wellness at Penn initiative affirms wellness as a core priority and necessary driver of life on campus. It offers opportunities to reflect and engage on issues of wellness, stress, mental health, resilience, happiness, personal and academic goals, and the meaning of success. And it defines wellness as an ongoing holistic process with multiple dimensions.
It is closely integrated with such essential campus wellness resources as Campus Health, Counseling and Psychological Services, the Student Health Service, and the Office of Alcohol and Other Drug Program Initiatives.
Wellness at Penn aims to spotlight, empower, and catalyze the wide range of partners advancing wellness on campus and provide avenues of dialogue and collaboration for them to sustain their essential work.
