Penn dates its founding to 1740, when a plan emerged to build a Philadelphia charity school that would double as a house of worship. After construction was underway, however, the cost was seen to be much greater than the available resources, and the project went unfinished for a decade.
Penn’s academics are boosted by its inherent culture and ecosystem of innovation. You name it, if it’s cutting-edge, the University’s faculty—and students—have their hands in it. Grounded in the liberal arts and sciences and enriched by the integrated resources of four undergraduate and 12 graduate schools, Penn offers students an unparalleled education informed by inclusivity, intellectual rigor, research, and the impetus to create new knowledge to the benefit of individuals and communities around the world.
With more than $1.02 billion in annual R&D expenditures, Penn is one of the nation’s top research universities, not only generating important new knowledge in the fields of medicine, technology, business, science, and beyond, but applying this knowledge to improve the lives of individuals and communities at home and around the world.
OGCA manages relationships with government and community leaders, advocates for policies and legislation consistent with the University’s goals, and shapes local engagement initiatives.
The Netter Center is Penn’s central administrative office for community partnership programs, including academically based community service, direct traditional service, and community development.
Penn’s residential system is comprised of twelve undergraduate College Houses and Sansom Place. Approximately 5,500 undergraduates live on campus. The College Houses offer distinct room types, amenities, and communities – making it easy to find what’s right for you. For our graduate students, we offer housing in Sansom Place, which is home to 500 graduate students.
ISC works and collaborates with IT professionals in Penn’s Schools and Centers to deliver key systems, services, and products that will help transform how the University works, educates, and conducts research.
To this day, Penn’s 299-acre West Philadelphia campus reflects its rich heritage—a heritage closely bound with the birth of the United States—boasting more than 180 buildings and many notable landmarks, including the nation’s first student union and first double-decker college football stadium.
The 190 research centers and institutes on campus also reflect the University’s innovative, civic-minded, and pragmatic creator: More than 250 years after Ben Franklin broke new ground in founding Penn, its faculty, students, and alumni continue to make breakthroughs in research, scholarship, and education.
A proud member of the Ivy League, Penn offers many unique and exciting opportunities for students, faculty, and staff to cheer on the mighty Quakers, participate in competitive team sports, and stay physically fit at state-of-the-art, world-class training centers.
Student Clubs and Organizations
Search student groups, register an organization, and view upcoming campus events.
Learn about Greek life at Penn and resources available through the Office of Student Affairs/Fraternity Sorority Life. Find information tailored to the needs of students, parents, and alumni.
Deliberative and representative bodies for undergraduate, graduate, and professional students.
The University of Pennsylvania is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE).
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