2026 New Matriculant Checklist
What should you do before and when you arrive
PennKey is your user ID and password that allows access to University of Pennsylvania’s electronic services. Visit PennKey Support if are having difficulty accessing up your PennKey,
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To matriculate into your graduate program, BGS must receive an official transcript directly from your school containing your final semester grades, graduation date, and the degree conferred. If an official transcript has not already been submitted, you can have one sent using the methods below:
- Electronic Transcript
If using Parchment or National Student Clearinghouse: Select " University of Pennsylvania - PSOM PhD Master's and Certificates" as the recipient.
If you're having trouble locating either of the accounts above, you can request that the official transcript be emailed to bgs@pennmedicine.upenn.edu either by your school or the transcript service.
- Physical copy mailed directly from your school to BGS:
Biomedical Graduate Studies
ATTN: Admissions Coordinator
University of Pennsylvania
160 KRB
421 Curie Boulevard
Philadelphia, PA 19104-6064
If your program only sends paper copies, please email an unofficial copy with a note that an official copy is being mailed.
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Sign up for your PennCard via Campus Express and follow their instructions on how and where to pick it up. Your PennCard is required to access all School of Medicine buildings. Explore Campus Express to access a variety of services, including housing, transportation and parking, dining, and much more.
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By July 1, you should receive additional information about setting up your Penn Medicine email. Your Penn e-mail is the main channel of communication between you, your grad group, and the school administration.
Access your e-mail using your UPHS login credentials.
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The University of Pennsylvania requires all incoming students to be immunized against certain diseases and to submit this information before coming to campus. Student Health Services has additional information on immunization requirements and submission instructions.
Please be sure to use the Perelman School of Medicine Immunization Requirements Form.
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Visit the SRFS “Must Do” List to set up Emergency Contact Information, Privacy Setting Options, and other requirements.
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Check out their extensive list of remote resources and activities. Make sure to sign up for their weekly newsletter to learn about upcoming programs and events!
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This summer, you will receive additional communication regarding your student stipend. This will include instructions on submitting any required documentation needed to set up your payroll. Please monitor your email, as some of this information may be time sensitive.
You will be paid on the last working day of every month. The University expects all students to enroll in direct deposit for their stipend checks
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All full-time and dissertation-status students are required to have acceptable health insurance coverage for both inpatient and outpatient medical care in the Philadelphia area and to provide information about their insurance coverage each year. As a condition of enrollment in the University, students subject to this requirement are required to actively enroll in the Penn Student Insurance Plan (PSIP) or request an insurance waiver online.
PSIP enrollment opens July 1, and coverage begins August 1 for the coming academic year. The deadline to enroll in coverage is August 31.
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More information regarding optional dental and vision coverage will be sent later this summer. Plans will start on August 1, with signups beginning in July.
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BGS Orientation is required for all PhD students. Orientation will take place August 10-21. More details will be posted on our New Students site throughout the summer.
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The Provost’s Office has developed a series of videos for new graduate students.
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This fall, you will be REQUIRED to complete the two-part Laboratory Safety Training, as HIPAA training. You will be assigned this online training via Workday Learning.
(Note that training may not be assigned until later this fall.)
Exceptions: Prior students, staff, or trainees who have already attended the “Introduction to Laboratory and Biological Safety” training at Penn within the last year may be exempt from some required trainings. All lab workers using radioactive materials must also do their required training online at the above website
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- Visit ISSS for instructions on mandatory immigration check-in AND the Onboarding Center for instructions on submitting your I9 documentation to be set up in Workday and receive a stipend.
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Note: Foreign nationals must be physically in the US before they can be paid.
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