University of PennsylvaniaMove-In Guide
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
🏫 Private UniversityEst. 1740🔗 www.upenn.edu
Penn's West Philadelphia campus centers on the green-stone College Hall, the school's first West Philadelphia building since 1873, with first-year students required to live on campus for two years in one of six First-Year College Houses, including Hill, Kings Court English, and Riepe.
Enrollment
25,000
Total Students
Freshman Class
6,250
Approx.
Move-In Dates
Aug 18-19, 2026
Fall 2026
Acceptance Rate
6%
Most recent cycle
Move-In
Fall 2026 Move-In Details
Spruce Street is closed to all but Move-In traffic from 34th to 38th streets, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., on your move-in day - a Move-In team member will direct you to your unloading spot as you turn off 38th Street. Pick up your PennCard at your building's Information Center, where carts are also available to sign out. Free meals for students and pre-registered guests are available at select dining locations through Aug. 24 as part of the New Student Orientation experience. You'll only have a two-hour window to move in, so bring no more than two suitcases and consider shipping bigger essential items to campus ahead of your arrival.
Check your assignment in the housing portal for your specific date and time - your exact move-in date is shown above in the Overview.
Move-in day logistics
- Arrival window
- Select your two-hour arrival timeslot starting June 26 via MyHomeAtPenn - the window covers unloading and settling in, after which you'll need to return your moving cart promptly.
- Check-in location
- Check in via the RHS Portal before you enter your building - PennCards are available for pickup at the Move-In tent or your building's Information Center.
- Parking
- After unloading, you'll be able to move your car to an off-site parking facility where you can park until 10 p.m. at no cost.
- What you'll receive
- Your PennCard at the Move-In tent or Information Center - most College Houses provide a free microfridge (mini-fridge/freezer and microwave) in every room or suite without a kitchen; apartments with kitchens receive a microwave instead. A short list of College Houses (including Radian, Fisher Hassenfeld, Riepe, Ware, Hill, Kings Court English, and Stouffer) don't include a microfridge.
- Vehicle restrictions
- Free street parking is available for only 2 hours during move-in - check the campus map in advance for parking garage locations and street directions if you haven't been to campus before.
Move-in day tips
- Arrive during your assigned move-in window - arriving early may mean waiting until your time slot.
- Bring a rolling cart or hand truck - campus carts can run out quickly during busy move-in periods.
- Have a parking backup plan - spaces near residence halls can fill up quickly, so know where you can unload if your preferred area is full.
- Watch the loading-zone time limit - many campuses require you to move your vehicle to longer-term parking after unloading.
Housing & Dorms
- Photo coming soon
Hill College House
Traditional · Coed
First-year only - Photo coming soon
Kings Court English College House
Traditional · Coed
First-year only - Photo coming soon
Riepe College House
Traditional · Coed
First-year only
Housing Links
Each available link goes directly to University of Pennsylvania's own specific page, not just its general homepage.
Orientation
New Student Orientation (required)
All new students are required to attend one orientation session.
August 19 - August 24, 2026
Orientation tips
- Register as early as your class allows - popular session dates fill up first.
- Bring a parent/guardian if separate family programming is offered.
- Check whether placement testing or advising sign-ups happen the same day.
Costs
Room & Board
$20,144
Estimated / Year
Nearby Essentials
- CVS Pharmacy1.1 miles
- Walgreens1.2 miles
- Target1.3 miles
- Walmart3.2 miles
More Links
Checklists
Get the Ultimate College Move-In Checklist
A free, printable packing checklist covering everything from bedding to important documents - built for any freshman, including yours at University of Pennsylvania.
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