University of Pennsylvania

Summer Discovery students will live in one of the upperclassman high-rise residence halls, which are only a short walk from the 1920 Dining Commons, academic buildings, and the Pottruck Health and Fitness Center.

Check out Penn Summer!

Living together at Penn

You will be a part of a dynamic community of students and staff, living together in one residence hall. 

Whether you’re watching a movie or working on a group project, it’s great to live with your friends. And if you have any questions, your Residence Counselor (RC) lives down the hall and is there for you 24/7.

Here's Our Set-Up:

• Live in an apartment style suite with single or double rooms and private bathrooms.
• Every air-conditioned room includes a bed, study desk, closet, and Wi-Fi.
• Lounges, game rooms, laundry facilities, and the Summer Discovery office are all in our residence hall.
• The residence hall is fully secured by 24-hour campus security and is only accessible with campus ID.

Delicious All-You-Can-Eat Dining on Campus

Enjoy all-you-can-eat dining at the 1920 Dining Commons for breakfast and dinner. When on campus, enjoy two meals a day.  Are you a vegetarian? Do you have food allergies? Special diets are not a problem. 

Your Health + Safety are our Primary Concern

Our RCs are committed to the support and supervision of Summer Discovery students. Daily sign-ins and room checks are mandated for your safety. You are free to walk around campus and University City (our ‘home areas’) in small groups. If you have a question, RCs are on duty to help.

Not feeling well? Summer Discovery staff make all the medical appointments, accompany students to medical facilities, obtain prescription medications, and notify parents after medical visits. Appointments are made with the Student Health Services or the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia. 

So many ways to play at University of Pennsylvania

There are many great opportunities on campus to help you stay fit and have fun this summer. From taking a study break and enjoying the extraordinary athletics to spending time at our recreational facilities, Penn offers you a host of opportunities to make the most of your summer. And you have access to them all.

University of Pennsylvania's State-of-the-Art Facilities Include

• David Pottruck Health and Fitness Center (only open to students age 15 and older)
• Sheerr Pool
• Franklin Field
• Hamlin Tennis Center
• Penn Park

There are Many Ways to be Active This Summer

• Do it your way. Organize pick-up games, work out at the Pottruck Health and Fitness Center, go for a swim, or play tennis with a friend.
• Join a tournament. We coordinate games of kickball, Frisbee, soccer, and more.

Discover University of Pennsylvania and the East Coast

The University of Pennsylvania is located in the University City neighborhood of Philadelphia – a great college town with nearby coffee shops, bookstores and shopping. You can hop on the trolley with friends to Center City to experience great dining and shopping, or take a day trip to visit exciting East Coast cities including New York City, Washington, D.C. or the Jersey Shore. Spend your summer discovering all that Philadelphia and the East Coast have to offer.

This Weekend, Let's...

• Soak up the sun on the beautiful beaches at the Jersey Shore
• Ride the rollercoasters at Hershey Park
• Tour Times Square and Rockefeller Plaza during our day in New York City
• Cheer for the Philadelphia Phillies at a major league baseball game
• Visit the monuments and the Smithsonian in Washington, D.C., our nation’s capital

After Class, Let's...

• Explore the history of Philadelphia at Independence Hall and the Liberty Bell in Society Hill
• Shop over 400 stores at King of Prussia Mall, the East Coast’s premier shopping destination
• See great works of art at the Philadelphia Museum of Art or the Institute of Contemporary Art
• Relax with friends and listen to music at Penn’s Landing riverside park
• Test your skills at detecting counterfeit bills at the Federal Reserve Bank of Philadelphia
• Work out or play a pick-up game at the Pottruck Health and Fitness Center

Tonight, Let's...

• Try the city’s authentic cheesesteaks at Steve's Prince of Steaks
• Sing your heart out to your favorite songs at “Karaoke Night”
• Master the art of miniature golf in Franklin Square
• Test your knowledge at our weekly “Trivia Night”
• Play Monopoly, Chess, Trivial Pursuit and more on “Game Night”

2 and 3 week students participate in many but not all activities listed.