Since my son’s on a gap year and we know he’ll be on campus in August, I am trying to plan ahead as far as hotel, airfare for orientation in order to get decent rates. According to this calendar, move in will be Aug. 24-25.
http://www.upenn.edu/almanac/3yearcal.html
Is it ok to arrive on the 24th?
Thanks.
I would definitely call Res life office to be certain… but from the link you provided it does say move in for first year and transfer students Aug 24-25, with the orientation happening on the 25th…
They were a little nebulous because apparently, they don’t assign a day and time of move in until June or July, which is probably too late to book affordable/convenient hotel and flights, so we’ll be safe and just come a day early even if he’s not slated to move in until the 25th.
Thanks for the suggestion.
It shouldn’t be a problem. They won’t block you from moving in if you arrive early, but they may charge you a day of rent (not sure).
Some kids do pre-orientation programs so they move in about 4-5 days early. I think internationals also move in early. I was told that boxes could be shipped and held at Penn one week before move-in. During the days prior to move-in, DS kept getting a lot of annoying emails saying his boxes would be returned to sender in x days. Very smart booking your arrangements now. Family weekend is another time that books up early.
It may depend whether the return after the gap year is as a First Year student or a Sophomore or higher standing. Aug 24 is fine for first year (with or without a gap year), but note that upperclass students (with sophomore or higher standing) come back the days after the First Year Students, so your returning student’s dorm may not be available until Aug 26th.
Early arrivals may be possible with an additional daily fee, so if you have not already done so, you will want to contact housing. Of course, since dorm assignments are not known until February, Penn may not be able to know the answer for sure. Sophomores are not even guaranteed on-campus housing, although if they are flexible, usually a room can be found somewhere for those who really want to be on campus.
Wow, I had no idea that housing was so scarce. My son is diabetic, and I think living on campus will be important.
I guess we’ll talk with housing.
They’ll post the move in time when he gets his room assignment (usually in April) but you can pretty much ignore the move in time and move in on the first day and as a freshman (assuming he took a gap year right after high school) they are guaranteed housing. I’d say you could wait to book your flights but if you want to stay at like the Inn at Penn or the Sheraton in University City you could book them in advance. If he decides he wants to do a pre orientation program which you apply late june and they send out notifications for in late july then he’ll move in earlier depending on the program.
I did go ahead and book a hotel room for 3 days. I’ll wait on the flights.
Thanks for all the help. I appreciate it!