Event Details
Event Date
Event Date: Monday, August 24, 2026
Event Time
Event Time: 9:30 AM - to 3:30 PM
Event Description
| College of Arts & Sciences | School of Engineering | School of Nursing | Wharton School |
| 10:30am-12:30pm ACADEMIC FAIR Explore the unique majors, minors, and programs the College has to offer, meet our advising team, and pick up a special edition College t-shirt. Timed entry; check with your peer advisor. Location: Bodek Lounge, Houston Hall | 9:30am-9:45am MEET YOUR OPA! Check in with your OPA at the designated spot and walk over together to the Dean’s Welcome. Location: Check with your OPA or Canvas | 10:30am REGISTRATION OPENS Check in and pick up your swag bags! Location: Carol E. Ware Lobby, Claire M. Fagin Hall | 9:30am-11:15am MEET YOUR STEP COHORT & CIRCLE REFLECTION Students meet with their STEP Cohort Directors and fellow cohort members. Cohort Directors will guide students in a reflective “circles” discussion about their Values Bridge assessments Location: Various locations as specified below. Dinar – Academic Research Building (ARB) Room 140 Dollar – Academic Research Building (ARB) Room 240 Euro – Steinberg Hall-Dietrich Hall (SHDH) Room 211 Peso – Steinberg Hall-Dietrich Hall (SHDH) Room 1206 Rand – Jon M. Huntsmann Hall (JMHH) Room 240 Rupee – Jon M. Huntsmann Hall (JMHH) Room 245 Shekel – Jon M. Huntsmann Hall (JMHH) Room 250 Yen – Jon M. Huntsmann Hall (JMHH) Room 255 Yuan – Jon M. Huntsmann Hall (JMHH) Room 260 |
| 11am-1pm LUNCH Location: Hall of Flags, Houston Hall | 10am-10:30am PENN ENGINEERING DEAN’S WELCOME Meet the Dean and administrators from the Office of Academic Services as you are welcomed to Penn Engineering. This informational meeting will introduce you to Penn Engineering and provide you with an overview of the School. Location: Harold L. Zellerbach Theatre, Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts | 11am-11:30am DEAN’S WELCOME Dean Antonia Villarruel and Penn Nursing staff welcome the BSN Class of 2030 & Nursing and Healthcare Management Class of 2031, and provide an overview of the School, support services, and student life. Location: Claire M. Fagin Hall Auditorium | 11:15am-12pm WHARTON WELCOME Dean Erika James and Vice Dean Cait Lamberton will formally welcome the Class of 2030 and transfer students. A panel will provide insights on how to make the most of the Wharton experience. Location: Harold L. Zellerbach Theatre, Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts |
| 11am-4pm THIRD SPACE Join fellow class members for relaxing, fun activities in between sessions. Location: Game Room, Houston Hall | 10:30am-11:15am COHORT ACTIVITY Enjoy some downtime and a fun activity with your cohort in the Engineering quad. Location: Check with your OPA | 11:30am-12pm SETTING THE STAGE FOR YOUR LEARNING Meet Dr. Selena Gilles, Associate Dean for School and Community Engagement. Location: Claire M. Fagin Hall Auditorium | 12pm-1:15pm STEP COHORT LUNCH Have lunch and learn about STEP and ways to get involved. Location: Same as “Meet your STEP Cohort” |
| 11:30am-1pm MEET DEAN STRUCK Stop by and say hello to Dean Struck at the first of his monthly Dean’s Treats events, and add your “why college” note to the Class of 2030 banner. Location: Game Room, Houston Hall | 11:30am-12pm PENN ENGINEERING DEPARTMENTAL MEETINGS Meet the departmental faculty and staff in the major/program you plan to pursue at Penn. Locations will be announced at the Dean’s Welcome, or you can ask your OPA. Location: Check the Dean’s Welcome Schedule, Canvas, or your OPA | 12pm-1pm IF I KNEW THEN, WHAT I KNOW NOW… Current Nursing students share helpful hints for being successful and making the most of your Penn Nursing experience. After the panel, there will be time for Q&A. Location: Claire M. Fagin Hall Auditorium | 1:15pm-1:45pm THE WHARTON ACADEMIC EXPERIENCE An Academic Advisor and a Wharton Peer Advisor will share guidance on approaching your first days of class to help you feel ready to begin your academic career at Wharton and Penn and know how to access resources from the start. Location: Same as “Meet your STEP Cohort” |
| 12pm, 1pm, 2pm, & 3pm INSIDER TIPS FOR NAVIGATING THE COLLEGE Hear from current students about their experiences, how to survive common first-year courses, and tips for navigating all the College has to offer. Location: Ben Franklin Room, Houston Hall | 12pm-1pm LUNCH WITH OPAS AND ACADEMIC DEPARTMENTS Get to know faculty, staff, and fellow students in your department with boxed lunches. Location: Check the Dean’s Welcome Schedule, Canvas, or your OPA | 1pm-2pm RESOURCE FAIR AND WELCOME LUNCH Get to know your classmates and the Penn Nursing Peer Advisors during this lunch celebrating the Class of 2030 & 2031! Location: Claire M. Fagin Hall Auditorium | 1:45pm-3pm WHARTON NEW STUDENT FESTIVAL Enjoy games, great food, and giveaways. Make connections with your classmates, student leaders, and staff and learn about various Wharton centers and initiatives. Optional: Meet your Cohort Director at 2:40pm for a tour of Wharton buildings. Location: Tannenbaum Quad and Hoover Lounge, Dinan Hall |
| 2pm & 3pm COLLEGE IN THE AGE OF AI Hear from current students about how Penn faculty are using AI in their courses, when AI is not useful in coursework or studying, and what tools are available to you as a student. Location: Hall of Flags, Houston Hall | 1pm-3pm FACULTY ADVISING MEETINGS Faculty Advisors will be assigned to you at the beginning of NSO. Meet with your Faculty Advisor at the designated meeting times. Location: Faculty Offices – Check Canvas | 2pm-3pm ICE CREAM & CAMPUS TOURS Join the Nursing Peer Advisors for a tour of campus and tips on their Penn and Philly favorites. Before heading out on your campus tour, be sure to grab a sweet treat! Location: Carol E. Ware Lobby, Claire M. Fagin Hall, & Beyond! | |
| 2pm & 3pm WORK STUDY AND RESEARCH Hear from current students about what research and work study looks like here at Penn. Panelists will talk about how to get involved in undergraduate research as a volunteer, for pay, or for course credit. Others will discuss finding a work study or non-work study job that could be research service in the community, or administrative roles on campus. Location: Bodek Lounge, Houston Hall | 2:30pm-3:30pm CURRICULUM DEFERRED ADVISING MEETING Get to know the Curriculum Deferred (CD) advisors in the Office of Academic Services (OAS) and learn more about different majors within Engineering. Location: Raisler Lounge, Towne 225 | NOTE FOR DUAL-DEGREE PROGRAMS Students in Huntsman, LSM, M&T, and Nursing Healthcare Management will attend a mix of both School’s events. Please speak with your Cohort Director and/or your Peer Advisor for more information about your program’s specific NSO schedule. |

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