Ph.D. Student Handbook

The University of Pennsylvania

Founded by Benjamin Franklin in 1740 as a charity school for Philadelphia children, the University of Pennsylvania is one of America’s first universities and one of its foremost institutions of higher education. Located in West Philadelphia, Penn offers its students one of the world’s best research faculties and a major metropolis rich in history, tradition, culture and innovation.

Today, Penn is a national leader in interdisciplinary programs that combine academic theory with professional practice. Among the Penn programs that cross the traditional boundaries between academic and professional disciplines is the Institute for Medicine and Engineering and the Institute for Translational Medicine and Therapeutics.

Over 10,000 students are enrolled in Penn’s 12 graduate and professional schools, many of whom are leaders in their fields. Penn is also an integral part of the West Philadelphia community, participating in a number of programs designed to enhance the livability and economic health of the area.