When you apply for the program, you will have the opportunity to indicate if you qualify for financial aid through Penn. After acceptances are sent out, PennGreen staff will work with the financial aid office to determine your level of aid, and you will receive discounted tuition to the program accordingly.  

Applications for preorientation programs open each summer for the incoming class, and are hosted on the Pre-Orientation Program website. Students can apply to multiple pre-orientation programs, but will only be offered a place in one. Participants will be selected based upon a careful review of all applications. Each application is reviewed by student leaders and staff of the program, and a consensus is reached.  

Those invited to participate will need to promptly complete registration forms and submit payment. After submitting your application, you will see a confirmation page. If you do not see a confirmation page, please contact Matina Granieri at matinag@upenn.edu to check and see if your application was received. 

PennGreen usually runs during the 5 days before Penn’s New Student Orientation begins –often in the last two weeks of August. The exact dates of the program will be shared here for each incoming class when the application opens.  

Accepted students will receive more details on the day-to-day schedule after submitting their acceptance packet and payment. Participants are expected to attend all programming to the best of their ability. 

Meals are provided for the duration of the program. Meals are primarily sourced from local, sustainable vendors. Dietary restrictions are accommodated. 

All PennGreen participants receive early move-in privileges to their dormitory room at Penn, meaning that you get to move in 5 days before all incoming students. You will stay in your own dorm room for the duration of the PennGreen program, with the exception of an over-night camping trip (weather permitting). More details on early move-in will be provided to incoming participants.

All participants will be provided a packing list upon acceptance to the program. For additional information, please contact Matina Granieri, Sustainability Program Coordinator at Penn Sustainability, at matinag@upenn.edu. 

The schedule changes year to year, but the example schedule below can give you a sense of what programming may look like. Accepted student will be provided more details before the program start date.

Sample Schedule

Day One:

• Meet & Greet BBQ
• Fun and games

Day Two:

• Campus sustainability scavenger hunt
• Visit Morris Arboretum
• Rooftop park dinner

Day Three:

• Morning Outdoor Yoga
• Trip to Philadelphia food markets or Delaware river kayaking
• Group dinner and environmental movie screening

Day Four:

• Volunteer at Penn Park Farm
• West Philly Park lunch
• Camping at Ridley Creek State Park

Day Five:

• Group send-off breakfast
• Penn New Student Orientation Begins