2025 September Grad Newsletter (2)
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Announcement for the Month| Grants, Scholarships, & Fellowships |Events| Career & Networking| Previous Issue
Important Dates: 
| Date | Event |
| September 22nd | Master’s and Certificate December graduation application opens |
| October 6th | Drop period ends: the last day to drop a course |
| October 27th – Nov 10th | Advance Registration for Spring 2026 |
| November 3rd | Last day to withdraw from a course for the Fall term |
| November 14th | Master’s and Certificate December graduation application closes |
| December 1st | PhD December graduation application closes |
| December 8th | Fall term classes end |
| December 9 – 10th | Reading Days |
| December 11th – 18th | Final exams |
| December 18th | Fall term ends |
| December 18th | Degree conferral date |
Fall 2025 Semester Advising Hours
| Day of the week | Time | Location |
| Mondays | 10:00 am – 12:00 pm (EST) | Virtual |
| Tuesdays | 1:00 pm – 3:00 pm (EST) | In-person, Towne 109 |
| Wednesdays | 1:00 pm – 3:00 pm (EST) | In-person, Towne 109 |
| Thursdays | 1:00 pm – 3:00 pm (EST) | Virtual |
| Fridays | No Advising |
* Information with Zoom links for virtual advising days (Monday/Thursday) is emailed to students throughout the semester. If you are unable to attend scheduled advising hours, additional times may be available by appointment only. Please email to request an appointment.
Announcements for the month
Dual Degree Deadline
Dual-degree master’s programs provide students with the breadth of knowledge and the added flexibility needed to meet the demands of a complex and constantly-changing world. Dual degrees are joint programs involving two different degree types. Students receive two diplomas upon completion. Applications must be submitted by December 15, 2025, for spring 2026 admission.
Students in the Master of Science in Engineering degree program can select one of the following majors:
Bioengineering (BE), Chemical & Biomolecular Engineering (CBE), Computer Graphics & Game Technology (CGGT), Computer & Information Science (CIS), Data Science (DATS), Electrical Engineering (EE), Integrated Product Design (IPD), Material Science and Engineering (MSE), Robotics (ROBO), Scientific Computing (SCMP), and Systems Engineering (SE).
Students who are interested in pursuing two of the Master of Science in Engineering majors may apply to expand their program to earn a degree in both majors. These students receive one diploma upon completion.
To apply, students must submit a Dual Major Degree Application.
Applications must be submitted by December 15, 2025, for spring 2026 admission.
Turn Your Ideas Into Reality via the Engineering Studios @ Venture Lab
Bring your ideas to life at the Engineering Studios @ Venture Lab (ESVL)! Powered by Penn Engineering and located in Tangen Hall, the lab is open to all Penn students and faculty, with 3D printing, laser cutting, and expert support to turn projects into reality. Whether you’re building a course project, developing a startup prototype, or exploring new skills – ESVL is where Penn’s creativity meets engineering expertise. Open to all Penn students!
Please contact Taylor Caputo for any follow-up questions: taycap@seas.upenn.edu
Click here to register
Grants, Scholarships & Fellowships
Widjaja Entrepreneurship Fellows Program
The Penn Engineering Widjaja Entrepreneurship Fellows Program offers an immersive tech startup experience like no other. This program provides students with the opportunity to network with startup leadership teams. The Penn Engineering Widjaja Entrepreneurship Fellows Program offers an immersive tech startup experience like no other. This program provides students with the opportunity to network with startup leadership teams. Learn More Here: https://eent.seas.upenn.edu/fellows/
- Duration: January through December
- Eligibility: Juniors, Seniors, First-Year Master’s students
- Deadline to Apply: October 13, 2025
University Research Foundation Award
The University Research Foundation (URF) is an intramural funding program that provides up to $75,000 for research projects and up to $5,000 for conference support. The URF provides seed funding for up to one year for research activities that are expected to lead to external sponsorship and/or peer-reviewed research publications. Conference support grants are faculty-developed events that take place on Penn’s campus.
During Fall 2024, the OVPR reviewed 83 applications (over $4.2 million in requests) from across campus. Four review panels consisting of 33 faculty reviewers assessed proposals in four categories: Humanities, Social Sciences and Management, Natural Sciences and Engineering, and Biomedical Sciences. A total of 56 new projects were recommended for funding, totaling $2,595,003.
The next cycle for the Fall 2025 URF program will open in late August, with a proposal deadline of October 9, 2025.
Internships & Volunteer Work
- Center for Undergraduate Research & Fellowships (CURF) – supports summer research opportunities for undergraduate students
- Center for the Advanced Study of India (CASI) – supports independent research related to contemporary India as well as summer internships in India.
- Civic House Community Engagement Internship – funding to support academic year-long undergraduate internships at selected community partner organizations
- Penn Global Research & Internship (GRIP) Award – provides outstanding undergraduate and graduate students opportunity to intern or conduct research abroad over the summer
- Platt Performing Arts Internship Award – provides one Penn undergraduate with funds to support a summer internship in professional performing arts or related entertainment organization
- Real Arts@Penn Internship Prize – offers internship prize specifically designed to help with costs associated with unpaid & underpaid internships in a creative field
- Summer Research & Internship Funding for Highly Aided Students – Highly Aided students are eligible to receive up to $5,000 in funding for unpaid or underfunded opportunities for two summers
- Startup Internship Award – Venture Lab – to support students interning with startups over the summer
- Penn Wharton Innovation Fund – offers funding for students in support creating a new startup venture
- Weingarten Center Scholarships – scholarships for internships or work experience that relate to academics and career goals for students with disabilities
- Annenberg School for Communication –Communication majors interested doing a public service internship this summer have an opportunity to apply to Annenberg in Public Service (AIPS), which provides financial support for students doing un- or under-paid Comm related public service internships up to $5,000.
- Penn Emergency & Opportunity Fund – Students can seek and receive support for needs including, but not limited to: academic or pre-professional opportunity, such as conference participation or travel to reach an internship/job, graduate school exam prep or application fees and more.
Events
Penn Women’s Center Open House
All are welcome to get to know the Penn Women’s Center (PWC) at Fall Open House featuring PWC merch giveaways, fun activities, sweet treats, and more!
Thursday, September 18th
2:00 pm – 5:00 pm
Penn Women Center |3643 Locust Walk
Black, Indigenous, People of Color (BIPOC) Picnic
Join this event, enjoy some food, and great vibes! No registration needed. As always, all are welcome. So come as you are!
Saturday, September 20th
12:00 pm – 2:00 pm
LGBT Center | 3907 Spruce St
Pancake Mondays
GIC hosts the Package Mondays Event. Enjoy fresh pancakes while connecting with fellow students. Let’s chat about how you’re doing, how classes are going, and anything else on your mind.
Bi-weekly on Mondays from September 8th
10:30 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
The GIC Living Room | 3708 Chestnut St
Grad Cafe Series
The Grad Cafe series through the Grad Center, in collaboration with other campus partners, features resources and tips that will help you successfully navigate your academic experiences at Penn. Campus partners share best practices to benefit all graduate and professional students. Healthy snacks, coffee, and tea are provided. We encourage you to BYOM (Bring Your Own Mug)!
Wednesdays, 11:00 am (starting from August 27th)
Click here to register
GRFP Interactive Writing Workshop
Current Penn graduate and professional students applying for the NSF Graduate Research Fellowship Program (GRFP) are invited to participate in this two-hour interactive writing workshop. You will learn basic grant writing skills, information about writing for the GRFP specifically, and have the opportunity to workshop your ideas for your proposal.
Wednesday, September 17th
1:00 pm – 3:00 pm
Click here to register
Fall 2025 Wellness Updates + Resources for Students
We’re excited to share important Wellness at Penn updates, resources, and events for the Fall 2025 semester. Please help us spread the word within your communities. For your convenience, we’ve created a full communications kit with ready-to-use flyers, Instagram posts, and digital screen images, all available here in this Box Folder. Included is information about the following:
Mental Health Support Services
Peer Support: Students can connect with trained peers through Peer Wellness Coaching or join Togetherall, an online, anonymous mental health community.
Let’s Talk: Informal, drop-in conversations with counselors at locations across campus — no appointment needed.
Mantra: Free access to the teletherapy and other mental health resources.
Group Therapy: Specialized groups led by Wellness counseling staff to support shared experiences and foster community.
Asynchronous Health Education Programs
Be Aware: An online program to help the Penn community recognize signs of stress, distress, and crisis, and tools to help out for themselves and others.
Vibe: An email-delivered sexual health education program.
Refresh: An online sleep program to improve rest and recovery.
Key Fall Events and Other Programs
Flu Clinic: October 15-17 – Free flu shots for the Penn community.
SUPER Recovery Community: Meets weekly on Mondays at the Wellness office at 3535 Market Street, Mezzanine.
Health Alert: Increase in Flu Cases
We’ve seen an unexpected rise in flu cases on campus, particularly in the College Houses. To support prevention and care, we’ve included additional flu resources in the communications kit. Please encourage your communities to take precautions, stay home when sick, and take advantage of the upcoming flu clinic. As a reminder, students can call if they’re not feeling well 24/7 for guidance and support at 215-746-WELL (9355).
Get Your Flu Shot!
All Penn students, faculty, postdocs, and staff are welcome to drop in for their free flu shot, and must bring a Penn ID.
Wednesday, October 15: 10 am – 6 pm
Thursday, October 16: 10 am – 6 pm
Friday, October 17: 10 am – 4 pm
Pottruck Health and Fitness Center |3701 Walnut Street
Career & Networking
Virtual All Industries Career Fair
Virtual Event: Friday, September 19, 2025
Click here to register
