GUIDEBOOK GUIDEBOOK
Guidebook created by Rachel Dozier, Priya Sivakumar, and Yuna Dai andcreditstosomephotos/contentfromEdPolicyguidebook
Anotetogsestudents,
Firstoff,CONGRATS!Youhaveaccomplishedan incrediblegoalofbeingadmittedintoPennGSE! Thisguidebookismeanttobeyourgo-toresource throughoutyourjourneyhereatPennGSE. Whetherthatbeunderstandingwherethingsare, whototalkto,orhowtomakethemostofyour timehere,thisguidebookwillintroduceyouto somekeytopicsthatareworthknowing.Youwill alsofindmanyQRcodesthatwillleadyouto differentsourcesandcontent. Throughoutyourjourney,neverforget,youcan makethisanincredibleexperienceifyouseekout theresourcesandopportunities!Youareherefora reasonanddeservetobehere!Andremembertogive yourselfgrace,thisisahardjourney,butaworthy one. WelcometoPennGSE!
A B L E O
PennKey Setup
Penn Email Setup
Penn Card
Penn Wifi
Canvas
OnePennGSE
Student Records & Financial Aid
Path@Penn (Course Registration, etc)
Academic calendar
Fall 2024 Event/Deadline
August 19 - 23 New Student Orientation
August 27 Fall Term Classes Begin
Eligibility Requirements
September 2 Labor Day (NO CLASSES)
You must have been lawfully enrolled on a full-time basis for one academic year before being eligible for CPT.
September 10 LAST DAY to add or drop w/out financial penalty via Path @ Penn
October 7
DAY to drop course (NO REFUND)
EXCEPTION: for graduate students whose programs require immediate participation in an internship, a practicum, or other employment.
Advanced Registeration for Spring 2025 via Path@Penn
It is available only while you are in valid F-1 status and before the completion of your program.
October 25 LAST DAY to request course grade type change
October 30 Opening of December 2024 Graduation Application
Students in English Language Programs (ELP) are not eligible for CPT.
November 4
DAY to withdraw November 4
If you had a gap in study or a status violation, the one academic year waiting period may need to be recalculated once the student has again obtained valid F-1 status.
December 16 Last Day of Fall Semester ClassesAll Coursework DUE!
January 3
Submission - Grades DUE
Academic calendar
Spring 2025
January 15
Event/Deadline
Spring Term Classes Begin
January 20 Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day (NO CLASSES)
Eligibility Requirements
January 28
LAST DAY to add or drop w/out financial penalty via Path @ Penn
You must have been lawfully enrolled on a full-time basis for one academic year before being eligible for CPT.
February 4 Opening of May 2025 Graduation Application
February 24
EXCEPTION: for graduate students whose programs require immediate participation in an internship, a practicum, or other employment.
LAST DAY to drop course (NO REFUND)
March 8-16 Spring Break (NO CLASSES)
It is available only while you are in valid F-1 status and before the completion of your program.
March 21 LAST DAY to request course grade type change
March 24
Advanced Registeration for Summer & Fall 2025 via Path@Penn
Students in English Language Programs (ELP) are not eligible for CPT.
March 31
DAY to withdraw
If you had a gap in study or a status violation, the one academic year waiting period may need to be recalculated once the student has again obtained valid F-1 status.
April 4
May 7
LAST DAY doctoral students may submit dissertation for review by the Associate Dean for May 2025 degree
Last Day of Spring Semester ClassesAll Coursework DUE!
May 12 Faculty Submission - Grades DUE
19
Commencement Ceremony
The Office of Student Success
The Office of Student Success’ (OSS) mission is built on a foundation of core values that guide our work and interactions with students:
Empowering Academic & Personal Success
Building a Versatile Skillset
Fostering and Accepting and Inclusive Community
Providing Services in Times of Need
Eligibility Requirements
What does OSS do?
You must have been lawfully enrolled on a full-time basis for one academic year before being eligible for CPT.
Academic Support:
Advising & classroom support
EXCEPTION: for graduate students whose programs require immediate participation in an internship, a practicum, or other employment.
Guidance through the accommodation process
Time management &. learning strategies support
Student Advocacy
It is available only while you are in valid F-1 status and before the completion of your program.
Student Wellness Support:
1:1 support meetings
Students in English Language Programs (ELP) are not eligible for CPT.
Wellness programming
Guidance on Student Health & Counseling (SHaC)
Support with administrative processes like leaves of absences, returns, etc.
If you had a gap in study or a status violation, the one academic year waiting period may need to be recalculated once the student has again obtained valid F-1 status.
Student Programming & Events:
Orientation
Commencement
Student Support Programs on topics like DEIB, Wellness, Academics, and Social Engagement
Writing Commons
Penn Experience
settingupyourpennkey
what is a pennkey?
Your PennKey is the key to nearly all digital resources and other vital websites during your time at Penn. The name you choose for your Pennkey is also your email address, so choose wisely!!
where can i set it up?
Eligibility Requirements
You must have been lawfully enrolled on a full-time basis for one academic year before being eligible for CPT.
Once you have accepted your acceptance to Penn, you will receive an email from the school about setting up your PennKey. It is highly recommended that you complete this setup before arriving at Penn, it will make everything easier.
EXCEPTION: for graduate students whose programs require immediate participation in an internship, a practicum, or other employment.
If
wa
The email (displayed above) will give you a temporary PennKey and your ID number. Check out these FAQ’s about the PennKey for more info!
PennEmailSetup
In order to set up your Penn email address, you will first need to set up your PennKey. After a few business days, your PennKey will be active and you can set up your email account.
Here are instructions from the OnePenn GSE site
As the instructions say, if after 3 business days you still don’t have access to your email, submit a ticket with IT.
gettingyourpenncard
what is a penncard?
Much like your PennKey gives you access to Penn’s digital resources, your Penn ID card is vital for accessing Penn’s physical spaces! All buildings on campus require a PennCard to access, either showing yours to a guard or tapping it for entry.
where can i get it?
Eligibility Requirements
You must have been lawfully enrolled on a full-time basis for one d i b f b i g eligible for CPT.
The PennCard Center is located on the 2nd floor of the Penn Bookstore on 3601 Walnut Street. You can make an appointment to get your card here
e programs require immediate icum, or other employment.
id F-1 status and before the program.
(ELP) are not eligible for CPT.
If you had a gap in study or a status violation, the one academic year waiting period may need to be recalculated once the student has again obtained valid F-1 status.
what do i need to bring to get my penncard?
Make sure you have proper identification when you make your appointment. You will need to bring a valid passport OR a valid photo ID issued by a U.S. state, territory, or the U.S. Federal Government (driver's license, state-issued photo ID card, U.S. military ID, etc.).
You can also load PennCash onto your card, which functions as a prepaid debit feature that can be used at different locations around campus.
gettingonpenn’swifi
how can i connect to the wifi at Penn?
Getting on the Penn wifi is a little complicated, that is why we ’ re here to help you!
Go to the OnePenn GSE Information Technology page You will need your PennKey. If you don’t have a PennKey yet, time to set yours up!
2. Follow the steps on the screen, also shown here:
Eligibility Requirements
If you had a gap in study or a status violation, the one academic year waiting period may need to be recalculated once the student has again obtained valid F-1 status.
If you run into any issues, check out these FAQ’s or submit a ticket to IT
canvas
where can i find all my course details and assignments?
Canvas is the primary platform for managing your courses at Penn GSE.
Here's a step-by-step guide to help you get started and navigate the platform efficiently:
Go to canvas.upenn.edu and sign in with your PennKey and password.
Eligibility Requirements
You must have been lawfully enrolled on a full-time basis for one academic year before being eligible for CPT.
Use Dashboard to view upcoming deadlines, recent announcements, and assignments.
Click on Courses in the global navigation menu to access your course list. View the Dashboard to see upcoming assignments
EXCEPTION: for graduate students whose programs require immediate participation in an internship, a practicum, or other employment.
Welcome to OnePennGSE, your central resource for all things PennGSE. Here, you can reserve rooms, find contact information for staff and faculty, access necessary forms (Leaves of Absence, etc), and discover much more!
To access all the forms required: Go to onepenngseupennedu 1
If you had a gap in study or a status violation, the one academic year waiting period may need to be recalculated once the student has again obtained valid F-1 status.
Click on Student Records Office from the Navigation Bar 2
Click on Student Forms Library from the Side Menu 3
path penn
Path@Penn is the hub for your academic planning and has some important Financial Services links as well. This is the site where you will search and register for classes, can access Canvas, and check any holds on your account The landing page for Path@Penn is shown below:
obtained valid F-1 status.
Possibly the single most important link on this page for you is the “Add/Drop/Swap classes” link under Academic Planning & Registration (underlined in the screenshot). On the next few pages we’ll go over what you’ll find there.
path penn: Selecting Courses
The landing page for Add/Drop/Swap classes is shown below. This is where you will make all the changes to your class schedule for each semester.
If you had a gap in study or a status violation, the one academic year waiting period may need to be recalculated once the student has again obtained valid F-1 status.
how do i know which classes to look for?
When looking for classes, be sure to refer to your prorgam ’ s planned Program of Study (reach out to your program manager for this) which tells you all the requirements for completing the program.
On the next slide we’ll go over tricks for finding elective classes in other Penn schools, your primary vs. alternative carts, and other search options.
path penn: Advanced Search & Primary Carts
i want to take classes from other schools what do i d0?
If you want to take classes in another school, you’ll want to use the Advanced Search option.
Eligibility Requirements
n lawfully enrolled on a full-time basis for one year before being eligible for CPT.
The two most important filters are “School” and “Level:” school lets you choose which school you want to search (e.g. Wharton, Penn Carey Law, etc.), and level allows you to filter for only graduate level courses.
E ate students whose programs require immediate nternship, a practicum, or other employment.
Use “Exclude Times” to search put classes in your Primary Cart or your Alternatives Cart.
It is available only while you are in valid F-1 status and before the completion of your program.
what do the different carts mean?
Students in English Language Programs (ELP) are not eligible for CPT.
If you had a gap in study or a status violation, the one academic year waiting period may need to be re ain obtained v
When you are building your schedule you can put classes in your Primary Cart or your Alternatives Cart. The Primary Cart is where you are building your ideal class schedule.
The Alternatives Cart is exactly what it sounds like –alternative classes in case one of your first choices is full.
path penn: Requesting Permission for Courses
what do you mean by requesting permission?
Sometimes the class you want is already full or has restrictions on who can enroll. When this is the case, you need to request permission, either to enroll in the course or to be added to the waitlist for a class.
Eligibility Requirements
To do this, you click “Request permission for this course ” when you are adding it to your cart, and a box will appear to type your request.
You must have been lawfully enrolled on a full-time basis for one academic year before being eligible for CPT.
Some courses with registration restrictions may tell you to explain why you want to register for the course or give some explanation of how it fits into your educational goals. If you are simply asking to be added to the waitlist, that is usually all you need to put in the box.
**Waitlist requests must go through Path@Penn, not the instructor for the course! Do not email instructors asking to be added to a waitlist!
Health, Wellness, and Recreation
Penn offers A TON of resources around health, wellness, and recreation. Here we’ll give a quick overview of some of those resources and other crucial information for you as you begin at Penn.
Recreation at Penn:
Eligibility Requirements
This site covers the Penn gym (hours, facilities, and memberships), intramural sports, personal training, and more.
You must have been lawfully enrolled on a full-time basis for one academic year before being eligible for CPT.
wellness at penn:
EXCEPTION: for graduate students whose programs require immediate participation in an internship, a practicum, or other employment.
This site gives you access to your student health portal, medical and mental health resources, hours of operation for those services, and many other resources.
It is available only while you are in valid F-1 status and before the completion of your program.
Students in English Language Programs (ELP) are not eligible for CPT.
Immunization & Insurance Requirements
If you had a gap in study or a status violation, the one academic year waiting period may need to be recalculated once the student has again obtained valid F-1 status. Make sure you have documentation for all required vaccinations and meet the insurance requirements! Student health insurance is also available through Penn. *Failure to meet immunization requirements will result in a hold on your account!! Don’t let this happen to you!
Counseling Services
Penn offers many counseling services, including drop-in hours, one-on-one appointments, and prescription services.
Division of Public Safety
Penn offers robust safety resources to students.
Here are a few key resources for students while studying at Penn:
All Penn students can download PennTransit to plan their rides. The app provides the current location and estimated arrival times of all buses and shuttles. It also allows you to schedule a ride on our evening shuttles Available on Android and iOS
uirements lled on a full-time basis for one eing eligible for CPT.
EXC hose programs require immediate acticum, or other employment.
24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year you can request a walking (or biking) escort for the area surrounding campus. Call 215-898-WALK(9255) to request a walking escort!
valid F-1 status and before the our program.
St ams (ELP) are not eligible for CPT.
If violation, the one academic year wai ulated once the student has again F-1 status.
Evening shuttle service is offered (free!) to and from campus pick-up locations to any address within the shuttle’s boundaries. You can book these on the PennTransit App!
reserving study spaces at gse
The GSE building has so many great places to curl up and study between classes! Many are open and available on a first-come, firstserved basis If you'd like to reserve one of the group study rooms, you can do so using this website.
HOW DO I MAKE RESERVATIONS FOR STUDY SPACES AT GSE?
Eligibility Requirements
You must have been lawfully enrolled on a full-time basis for one academic year before being eligible for CPT.
Go to onepenn.gse.upenn.edu -> Then click Facility Services from the Menu -> Then click on “Room Reservations” from menu on the lefthand side -> Then click on “Hoteling Group Study Room Reservations”. The page should look like this:
EXCEPTION: for graduate students whose programs require immediate ti i ti i i t hi ti th l t
Make sure that you select "Hoteling Group Study Room Reservations," otherwise you will be taken to room reservations for faculty!
If your browser is not connected to your PennKey single sign-on, you will be asked to use this to login to your account in order to reserve a room
reserving study spaces at gse
HOW DO I MAKE RESERVATIONS FOR STUDY SPACES AT GSE?
Students in English Language Programs (ELP) are not eligible for CPT.
From there, you will need to select the "Office" option at the top left of the screen. This will show you the four group-study rooms available in GSE (all located on the first floor).
If you had a gap in study or a status violation, the one academic year waiting period may need to be recalculated once the student has again obtained valid F-1 status.
Rooms can be reserved for two-hour blocks at a time. Make sure to adjust the hours at the top of the screen to reflect what time you would like to reserve the room. The default times are 7:00am to 10:00pm, which will prevent you from being able to see what's available (because of the two hour limit).
If you got this far, Congratulations! Thank you so much for reading this. We’re sure you ’ re going to great things at GSE! Bring this book to the office to claim a free prize!
Printing at GSE
how do i print at gse?
You must ha basis for one ac T. EXCEPTION: for uire immediate participation employment.
It is available only while you are in valid F-1 status and before the completion of your program.
Locate the printers to the right of the lobby in the GSE building 1. Follow the instructions on the QR code (you will need to download a software to your laptop in order to print directly from there)
Students in English Language Programs (ELP) are not eligible for CPT.
If you had a gap in study or a status violation, the one academic year waiting period may need to be recalculated once the student has again obtained valid F-1 status.
2. There are two desktop computers next to the printer if you want to print from those instead a. Every GSE student automatically has $35 for printing loaded to their account, this is the printing fund you'll use when you print at GSE
3. Select "GSE Lab Xerox" as your printer (*hint- printing doublesided costs 7¢ per page, rather than single-sided, which costs 10¢)
4. Type your PennKey name into the pop-up box on your screen 5. Swipe your ID card at the printer
6. Choose the print jobs to release 7.
*If you want to print at the library, you will need to add money to a separate fund in your account!
PROJECT management
Eligibility
Requirements
You must have been lawfully enrolled on a full-time basis for one academic year before being eligible for CPT.
Have you ever heard of the phrase, “there is only one way to eat an elephant: one bite at a time”? A weird phrase, yes, but it essentially means that any task, no matter how challenging, can be tackled bit by bit. With that projects can be overwhelming - and the deadlines can sneak up on you! Learning how to breakdown projects will become an essential skill in managing your time and tasks as a GSE student. Here are some tips for managing projects:
EXCEPTION: for graduate students whose programs require immediate participation in an internship, a practicum, or other employment.
breaking down a project:
It is available only while you are in valid F-1 status and before the completion of your program.
Students in English Language Programs (ELP) are not eligible for CPT.
STEPS: What are all the steps you need to take to complete the project? Check the rubric to ensure you understand all the pieces of the project and the due date, then work backwards to break it down into manageable pieces.
If you had a gap in study or a status violation, the one academic year waiting period may need to be recalculated once the student has again obtained valid F-1 status.
RESOURCES: Think of the resources you will need to complete each step. Do you need to meet with your professor? Read and review articles? Meet with team members? Write it all down.
SET TIME ASIDE: Set aside dedicated time to work on each of the steps. Write down when you will work on each step and block off time on your calendar.
other tips:
Time yourself! We often underestimate how long it takes to complete tasks. Time how long it takes you to complete a step or task, that way you can plan realistically (and not procrastinate!)
Learn how YOU learn! Start to notice how you learn best. In a quiet room? Re-writing class notes? Drawing concepts?
Learning through teaching? Notice and adapt your process to work for you!
Eligibility Requirements
You must have been lawfully enrolled on a full-time basis for one academic year before being eligible for CPT.
How can I break up this project into bitesize pieces?
questions to ask yourself
EXCEPTION: for graduate students whose programs require immediate participation in an internship, a practicum, or other employment.
What resources do I need to help me successfully complete this project?
It is available only while you are in valid F-1 status and before the completion of your program.
What timeline will keep be accountable but be realistic?
Students in English Language Programs (ELP) are not eligible for CPT.
Who can I ask for help?
If you had a gap in study or a status violation, the one academic year waiting period may need to be recalculated once the student has again obtained valid F-1 status.
weingarten center
Weingarten is a fantastic center to help you with all things learning. They offer academic and learning support through personalized coaching, workshops, and peer tutoring, alongside services for students with disabilities, including accommodations and assistive technology.
Make QR for Weingarten resources
writing resources
As a student at Penn's Graduate School of Education, you have access to a variety of resources to support your academic writing These resources are designed to help you develop and refine your writing skills, which are essential for your success in graduate school.
Writing Support Services
The Writing Commons provides GSE specific writing support including:
Eligibility Requirem
Writing Common Grounds: typically on
You must have been lawfully enrolled o academic year before being
Fridays, but a dedicated space to just come sit and write. Faculty will be available to consult and food provided
Workshops on specific topics
EXCEPTION: for graduate students whose p g q participation in an internship, a practicum, or other employment.
Writers Coaching: 1-on-1 consultation sessions
Canvas Course will have all the information and resources related to WC
It is available only while you are in valid F-1 status and before the completion of your program.
Kelly Writers House at Penn is a hub for writers and creative thinkers, offering a vibrant space for literary events, workshops, and collaboration. It serves as a welcoming community where students, faculty, and the public can engage in various forms of writing and artistic expression.
S Language Programs (ELP) are not eligible for CPT.
I study or a status violation, the one academic year waiting period may need to be recalculated once the student has again obtained valid F-1 status.
Weingarten Center: Offers individual writing consultations, workshops, and group sessions focused on various aspects of academic writing, including structure, argumentation, and style.
Penn Libraries: Provides access to a vast array of academic resources, including databases, citation tools, and research guides. Librarians are available for one-on-one consultations to assist with research and writing.
Writing Workshops and Programs
Graduate Center Resources:
Dissertation Boot Camp: A bi-annual, two-week writing retreat providing a focused environment to advance through the dissertation process.
Writing Accountability Groups: Join or form groups with peers to provide mutual accountability and support for writing projects.
Pro Tip! For each class create a reading group. This was you can split up readings, share thoughts and ideas, and have group accountability
Eligibility Requirements
Eligibility Requirements
Writers Retreats & Graduate Writers Rooms: Dedicated spaces and structured environments to help graduate students make progress on major writing projects.
You must have been lawfully enrolled on a full-time basis for one academic year before being eligible for CPT.
You have been lawfully enrolled on a full-time basis for one academic year before being eligible for CPT.
online writing tools
EXCEPTION: for graduate students whose programs require immediate participation in an internship, a practicum, or other employment.
EXCEPTION: for graduate students whose programs require immediate participation in an internship, a practicum, or other employment.
Purdue OWL: An excellent online resource offering guidance on general writing practices, citation styles (APA, MLA, Chicago), and grammar
It is available only while you are in valid F-1 status and before the completion of your program.
It is available only while you are in valid F-1 and before the completion of your program.
Grammarly: Penn students have access to Grammarly, a tool that helps with grammar, punctuation, and style issues.
Students in English Language Programs (ELP) are not eligible for CPT.
Students in English Language Programs (ELP) are not eligible for CPT.
Zotero: A free reference management tool that assists with organizing research, creating bibliographies, and managing citations.
If you had a gap in study or a status violation, the one academic year waiting period may need to be recalculated once the student has again obtained valid F-1 status.
If you had a gap in study or a status violation, the one academic waiting period may need to be recalculated once the student has again obtained valid F-1 status.
Pro Tip! In grad school, one of the top ways to be successful is to find a knowledge management system that works for you Using one like Zotero allows you to download research articles, organize them into categories and folders, take notes (if you have an iPad you can take handwritten notes on Zotero), and have easy access to citations.
the ugly draft letter
How to Start Thinking About That Thing You Need to Write by Linda Pheng
Theadviceinthis[whatisthis?] pieceisforhowtostartthinking abouta writing piece.Think of thisasanexerciseof thinking donethroughwriting thatwill help you toputsomewordsdownontoadocument My aim isto help folksgettothevery first"ugly draft"orbrainstorming orfreewriting donebeforeanot-so-ugly draftyou mightshare.
Eligibility Requirements
You must have been lawfully enrolled on a full-time basis for one academic year before being eligible for CPT.
Now,all of my ugly draftsarealetter.Theselettersdocumentmy initial ideas,feelingsaboutmy ideas,and(often,many) feelingsabouthaving ideas.Theugly draftisunfilteredandreadslikeastream of consciousness.NOEDITS.Beforewriting,pick anaudienceorreader.A smartpersonwhowill notjudgeyou whenyou sounddumb.Ioftenwrite tomy Brother.
EXCEPTION: for graduate students whose programs require immediate participation in an internship, a practicum, or other employment.
*Tip:Choosesomeoneyou trustasthatwill makeiteasiertowordvomit ontothedocument Laterversionscanbeaddressedtoahaterif you feel you needtodefendyourideas.Hey,somewritebetterwhenangry ::shrugs::You doyou!
It is available only while you are in valid F-1 status and before the completion of your program.
Students in English Language Programs (ELP) are not eligible for CPT.
Okay,afterIhavemy person,Ithenask myself aseriesof questions:
The questions you should answer honestly… What the questions are trying to identify...
If you had a gap in study or a status violation, the one academic year waiting period may need to be recalculated once the student has again obtained valid F-1 status.the ugly letter
1. What do you think you are going to do? Argument
2. Why can't you do it? Potential blocks
3. What have other smart people written? Relevant literature
4. What do you think about that? Feelings, thoughts or concerns? Analysis, potential gaps
5. How do you know what you know? Evidence? Findings
6. How will what you know help others? If it remains unknown, what are the consequences? Implications, contributions
I try to answer all of these questions and rarely answer them in order. I write according to whatever mood my brain is in because trying to fight against her often ends in my defeat and endless guilt So, sometimes I'm free flowing all over the place. Other times, I treat the questions like prompts in a diary. Try both ways or some combination to figure out which style works for you.
Oh! I never finish ugly drafting in one sitting and it can take about three to five days. I try not to draft for longer than that because I end up procrastinating or editing. You don't need to write beautiful sentences or spell correctly! Remember, this is just the very first ugly draft of your vague ideas, feelings, and random thoughts on a topic.
Eligibility Requirements
You must have been lawfully enrolled on a full-time basis for one academic year before being eligible for CPT.
So, how ugly are these ugly drafts exactly? I have attached a QR Code with an extremely condensed example of an ugly draft that was written for a chapter of my dissertation (lol). Don't judge! Of course, this is not the true ugly UGLY draft I need to keep my dignity intact after all. Moreover, the real draft was 15 single-spaced pages.
EXCEPTION: for graduate students whose programs require immediate participation in an internship, a practicum, or other employment.
It is available only while you are in valid F-1 status and before the completion of your program.
Students in English Language Programs (ELP) are not eligible for CPT.
Context: When I started thinking about writing my dissertation, I thought it would be about the political development of Southeast Asian American (SEAA) high school students in a co-ethnic community-based educational space (CBES). Well, it is that…and then some other things many other things. Normal for a dissertation, really. But I initially just could not figure out how to begin that story and that meant that I could not begin writing. Starting is friggin' hard and scary!
If you had a gap in study or a status violation, the one academic year waiting period may need to be recalculated once the student has again obtained valid F-1 status.
Note on process: I wrote the ugly draft letter first. Then, I highlighted sections that address each of the guiding questions. At this stage, I also like to write notes to myself related to literature/relevant scholars or things I need to remember to do later. I do not engage in literature at the start because it interrupts my writing flow
apa style
Eligibility Requirements
You must have been lawfully enrolled on a full-time basis for one academic year before being eligible for CPT.
EXCEPTION: for graduate students whose programs require immediate participation in an internship, a practicum, or other employment.
APA Style is a widely adopted format for writing and citing research papers in the social and behavioral sciences. It provides a standardized framework that ensures clarity of communication, consistency in presentation, and proper attribution of sources. The key components of APA Style include in-text citations, which give brief details about the sources within the body of the paper, and a reference list at the end, which provides full details of all sources cited. This style also emphasizes specific guidelines for formatting, including font, margins, and headings, to create a uniform and professional appearance. APA Style is the standard used at Penn GSE for all academic writing.
It is available only while you are in valid F-1 status and before the completion of your program.
Tips for APA Style:
Students in English Language Programs (ELP) are not eligible for CPT.
Consistent Formatting: Use 12-pt Times New Roman font, double-space your text, and set 1-inch margins on all sides to maintain a professional look.
If you had a gap in study or a status violation, the one academic year waiting period may need to be recalculated once the student has again obtained valid F-1 status.
In-Text Citations: Always include the author's last name and the year of publication when citing sources within your text. For direct quotes, add the page number as well. (Author, Year) or (Author, Year, p.#)
Reference List: Alphabetize your references by the surname of the first author, and use a hanging indent for each entry to ensure clarity and easy readability.
Opportunities at penn & gse
Venture lab
Venture Lab is the entrepreneurship center at the Wharton School that serves all students and alumni across the UPenn who are interested in entrepreneurship and innovation. Free membership to apply for full access to the studio, networking events, guest speeches, and cutting-edge technologies!
Eligibility Requirements
You must have been lawfully enrolled on a full-time basis for one academic year before being eligible for CPT.
Academically Based Community Service (ABCS)
EXCEPTION: for graduate students whose programs require immediate participation in an internship, a practicum, or other employment.
Join to make a difference
It is available only while you are in valid F-1 status and before the completion of your program.
University-Assisted Community Schools (UACS) Educate, engage, empower, and serve not only students but also all other members of the community. The Netter Center provides an organizing framework for bringing programs, including ABCS courses, to West Philadelphia schools.
Philadelphia Writing Project
Students in English Language Programs (ELP) are not eligible for CPT.
The Philadelphia Writing Project (PhilWP) connects leaders from PreK–University and out-of-school-time programs to advance writing education across Philadelphia
If you had a gap in study or a status violation, the one academic year waiting period may need to be recalculated once the student has again obtained valid F-1 status.
The PhilWP offers professional learning opportunities, workshops, and courses for educators, families, and youth throughout the year.
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Maker space & GSE catalyst
Catalyst @ Penn GSE: Center for Global Education Innovation
Connects people and ideas; advances education in novel, meaningful directions; Builds on Penn GSE's legacy of education innovation and leadership; operates at the nexus of education, business, and technology!
WorkAuthorizationinfo
can i work on campus?
Yes. Students are generally permitted to work on campus: At the school that issued his/her valid I-20/DS-2019.
While attending that school AND maintaining F-1/J-1 Status
Eligibility Requirements
Work hours must not exceed 20 hours per week while school is in session. Students may work more than 20 hours per week only in these cases:
You must have been lawfully enrolled on a full-time basis for one academic year before being eligible for CPT.
what is cpt and opt?
EXCEPTION: for graduate students whose programs require immediate participation in an internship, a practicum, or other employment.
CURRICULARPRACTICALTRAINING
It is available only while you are in valid F-1 status and before the completion of your program.
Students in English Language Programs (ELP) are not eligible for CPT.
CurricularPracticalTraining(CPT)isatemporary workauthorizationforinternationalstudentsonF1visasthatallowsthemtoworkoff-campusduring theiracademicprogram.CPTallowsstudentsto participateininternships,co-ops,orpracticums thataredirectlyrelatedtotheirmajorfieldof study
Scan to learn more about CPT
If you had a gap in study or a status violation, the one academic year waiting period may need to be recalculated once the student has again obtained valid F-1 status.
Optional Practical Training
Scan to learn more about OPT
Optional Practical Training (CPT) is a work authorization for F-1 international students in the US, allowing them to work in their field of study for up to 12 months. It can be used before or after graduation, with pre-completion OPT counting against the post-completion period Students can engage in in-person or remote work, including volunteering or unpaid internships
What’s your jam?
Celebrate your unique contributions! Fill up this jar with the values, skills, dreams, and mindsets you bring to your GSE journey, and let's see what's your 'jam'!
Eligibility Requirements
You must have been lawfully enrolled on a full-time basis for one academic year before being eligible for CPT.
EXCEPTION: for graduate students whose programs require immediate participation in an internship, a practicum, or other employment.
It is available only while you are in valid F-1 status and before the completion of your program.
Students in English Language Programs (ELP) are not eligible for CPT.
If you had a gap in study or a status violation, the one academic year waiting period may need to be recalculated once the student has again obtained valid F-1 status.