Academic Timeline

Academic Timeline

All the steps you need to take for academic advising and planning can be found on Compass, the primary guide for incoming students throughout the summer.

Summer Timeline

  • Early June: First email from the College to incoming students
  • Mid-June: Second email from the College to incoming students with advisor information
  • Advance Registration: Mid-June to Early July

In early June, incoming first-year students receive the first of two emails from the College Office. In this email, they will be given a link to Compass, the primary guide for incoming students throughout the summer. Parents are welcome to view Compass as well, though students will use their PennKey to log in for specific activities.

The more thoughtful—and thorough—students are when working with Compass, the more they will be prepared to think strategically about their first semester and beyond. This is particularly true of the Advising Questionnaire, which will help students focus their preparation and help their pre-major advisor suggest appropriate courses and academic options.

A second email from the College Office in mid-June will provide contact information for the student's peer and pre-major advisors. Students will meet with their pre-major advisor during the summer to craft an course schedule for the fall. The advisor will then clear the student to advance register for fall.

Students should:

  • Have a discussion with their pre-major advisor during the first few weeks of the semester and again during Advance Registration in October and November, to discuss course selection for the upcoming semester. First-year students will be on registration hold, which keeps them from being able to participate in Advance Registration, until they meet with their advisor.
  • Let their pre-major advisor know of any problems they are having that are affecting their academic work.
  • Investigate study abroad, research and other academic options.
  • Apply to become a peer advisor and help a new student entering Penn.

Students should:

  • See their pre-major advisor before Advance Registration in March and April to discuss courses for the fall semester. First-year students are on registration hold until they have an advising discussion with their advisor.
  • Investigate majors of interest. Start talking to faculty and students in their prospective majors. Attend classes in the major.
  • Investigate study abroad, research and other academic options.

Students should:

  • Meet with their pre-major advisor to discuss progress toward finding and declaring a major and meeting the degree requirements during Advance Registration in October and November. This meeting is also an opportunity to explore options such as minors, research and study abroad. Until meeting with their advisor, Sophomores will be on registration hold which keeps them from being able to participate in Advance Registration.
  • Become completely familiar with the rules and requirements for their potential major. These are available on the department websites.
  • Investigate study abroad, research and other academic options.
  • Apply to become a peer advisor and help the next incoming class.

Students should:

Students should:

Students should:

Students should:

  • Meet with their major advisor to make sure all requirements for the major will be completed and to discuss future plans.
  • Review the degree audit in Path@Penn to check their progress toward fulfilling requirements before the end of the Course Selection period.
  • Confirm that their intended graduation date and local address are correct on Path@Penn.
  • Visit the Center for Undergraduate Research and Fellowships (CURF) for information on post-graduate fellowships and scholarships.
  • Consider applying for Senior Awards.
  • Check with Career Services for information about graduate study and applying for jobs.

Students should: