Life at Penn
Joining the Penn community means learning—and, for some students, living—in the heart of the vibrant University City district, a neighborhood full of restaurants, shops, parks, cafés, libraries, and museums. Whether you’re commuting to campus, logging on to online programs, or staying in a residence hall for the summer, high school students can experience the best of what Penn has to offer: world-class resources, peers from around the world, and the support of a vibrant academic community.
At the center of campus, you’ll find some of the University’s most historic buildings like the Quadrangle as well as its most popular outdoor space, College Green.
Enjoy the tree-lined streets and parks all around campus as well as a plethora of academic and recreational activities that make life at Penn so exciting.
Right in the heart of Penn’s campus is one of the city’s unique art spaces. The Arthur Ross Gallery is free to all and has new installations throughout the year.
The Fisher Fine Arts Library is your #1 resource for information and research in contemporary and historic art, architecture, city and regional planning, historic preservation, landscape architecture, studio art, and urban design.
Catch the latest exhibitions by up-and-coming artists from around the world at the Institute for Contemporary Art, located just steps away from our bookstore and quad.
From group exercise classes to swimming pools to state-of-the-art fitness centers, Penn has everything you need to stay year-round.
Play a game of flag football, go for a run, or work on your backhand with the city skyline as your background.
All Penn students receive free admission to one of the country’s finest ancient history museums.
Along with being the University of Pennsylvania’s central library, Van Pelt Library is also home to the Kislak Center for Special Collections, Rare Books, and Manuscripts.
The safety and security of our campus are a top priority at the University of Pennsylvania. Our Public Safety program includes the Penn Police Department—the largest private police department in Pennsylvania.
Opportunities on campus
Discover an outstanding array of resources where you can access everything from academic support to recreational facilities: library facilities, fitness centers, galleries and performing arts centers, outdoor art, impressive historic and modern architecture, and the 24-acre Penn Park. While you’re on campus, take advantage of a self-guided campus tour and visit them all.
Campus safety and security
Penn takes student safety seriously and has policies in place to ensure that students are safe day to day—and in the case of an emergency. The Division of Public Safety is a central source for information about police, fire, and emergency services, and security services. They also include assistance like 24/7 walking escorts and special victim services.
Health and wellness
The University of Pennsylvania is an institution dedicated to its community’s health at every level. For residential high school students, after-hours emergency or urgent care is provided nearby at The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, which is consistently ranked as one of the nation’s finest pediatric hospitals.
Shopping and dining
While on campus, students can take explore the SHOP PENN district—10+ blocks of retail dining, shopping, and entertainment. Whether you’re looking for a quick bite on the way to class or to stock up on books and supplies, everything you need is walkable, convenient, and focused on student needs.
