Home Services & Support Move-In
Graduate Student Move-In

Move-In Instructions

Tips to make Move-In easier

Please check back for updates throughout the summer months.  Click on the arrows below for full details.


  • Preparing for Move-In
    • Plan your travel:
      • If you live locally, consider making more than one trip.
      • If you are coming from far away, consider shipping items to campus or purchasing them when you get here.
    • Visit Campus Express in late July for maps, directions, and other Move-In essentials.
    • Scroll down to see "What to Bring/Not to Bring".
    • Coordinate with roommates on TVs, fridges, rugs.
    • Save space by purchasing items at the Penn Bookstore when you get here.
    • Check your room diagrams and measurements on Campus Express.
    • Find out about your room's room furnishings when deciding what to bring.
  • Sansom Place Graduate Student Fall 2019 Move-In Date
    • Sansom Place Graduate Students - Saturday, August 24, 2019.
    • Any student can move in beginning on Sunday, August 18 regardless of the reason.
    • Early arrival requests prior to Sunday, August 18 are only considered for academic reasons, i.e. orientation programs and official start of academic programs.
      • To request an early arrival date for an academic reason, please be sure to include the date on your application for housing.
      • If you are informed of an early arrival need from your program after you submit your application for housing, send an email request to living@upenn.edu.
    • Students who move in prior to August 24 will be charged additional daily rent based on their monthly rent rate for each additional night in their room.
  • Dining at Penn
    • Graduate meal plans are available.
    • Please visit Penn Dining for more information about available meal plans and dining options.
    • A small number of retail options will be open during Move-In for purchases with cash or credit.
    • Meal plans begin on Tuesday, August 27.
  • Keys and Check-In
    • You may check in and pick up keys at your building Information Center 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
    • On peak move in days (August 24), check-in may be conducted from outdoor tents - look for check-in and guest pass signage. Residents must present a valid, government-issued photo I.D. to check in, and guests must produce a photo I.D. before their host can obtain guest passes.
  • New Resident and Guest Access to Sansom Place
    • Your security is our most important concern!
    • If you are a new resident and do not yet have a PennCard, your access will be verified at the Information Center of your building. The Information Center staff will provide you with a temporary pass until you obtain a PennCard.
      • Law and Wharton MBA candidates should obtain their PennCards through the process communicated by their Student Affairs office.
      • All other graduate students may obtain their PennCards from the PennCard Center.
        • Important: A valid, government-issued photo I.D. will be required in order to pick up your PennCard.
    • A resident, including a new resident who has a photo ID or a new PennCard, can sign in guests at the Information Center using established guest procedures.
    • Guests are those who are not building residents, or do not possess a valid PennCard.
    • All guests, including family and friends, must present a valid, government-issued photo I.D. to be signed in, and must be accompanied by a building resident host.
      • Minor aged (under 16) guests will be provided access if verified with the resident.
    • In case you get separated from your guests, keep cell phones charged and with you so that you can reconnect.
    • Please make sure that family members know your resident's room assignment and building.
  • What to Bring - the Essentials
    • Lamps
    • Surge protector power strips, not extension cords
    • Electric fan
    • Poster putty for hanging pictures, posters, photos
    • Minifridge (no larger than 4.5 cubic feet) - or rent a combination mini fridge/microwave from www.mymicrofridge.com
      • Please note that the Single Apartment (1BR/LR/Kit) and Double Apartment (2BR/Kit) are already equipped with a refrigerator.
    • Towels, wash clothes, toiletries and cleaning supplies
    • Sheets (Twin XL) and mattress pad/topper/pillows. Twin XL sheets are 39 x 80 inches or 99 x 203 cm and are often sold widely during the summer.
    • Food storage containers
    • Digital thermometer - for measuring your temperature when you feel sick and don't want to get out of bed. If you call Student Health at 215-746-3535 with your temperature reading, they can advise on next steps.
    • Take a look at our "Making Your Home At Penn" Checklist.
    • Most of these items can be purchased at the Penn Bookstore.
  • What NOT to Bring
    • Pets (except fish in a small tank)
    • Candles, incense, anything that burns or creates smoke
    • Multi-plug converters, lightweight extension cords
    • Prohibited appliances (A complete list can be found in the Residential Handbook.)
      • Halogen lamps
      • Black lights
      • Air conditioners
      • Any heavy duty appliances/electrical equipment
    • Take a look at our "Making Your Home At Penn" Checklist.
  • Packing Hints
    • Label boxes, bags, etc. with Name, Building, Room #.
    • Pack in small boxes or containers: they're lighter, easier to carry and take up less space.
    • Use soft goods (towels, sheets) to cushion breakables.
    • Don't use black trash bags, since they can be mistaken for trash.
    • Keep valuables with you, not in packed gear.
    • Bring only what's needed until early Fall. Leave winter things behind...it stays warm in Philadelphia until mid-October!
  • More Tips
    • Ship non-essentials ahead of time.
      • We accept packages up to 5 calendar days ahead of time.
      • Resident mailing addresses are provided on Campus Express.
    • Order items online and ship them to campus or a local store.
    • Purchase items here; there are plenty of options, and help with directions.
    • Packing containers can double as room storage, luggage, under bed boxes, etc.
    • Store food items in tightly sealed containers.
    • Charge your mobile phones.
    • Keep valuables and essentials close at hand, e.g. laptops, tablets, phones, passes and documents, etc.
    • Follow staff directions to your unloading spot.
  • Arriving At Your Building Prior to August 24, 2019
    • The Sansom East Information Center is open 24 hours per day, 7 days per week.
    • Bring a valid, government-issued photo I.D. with you when you arrive to check in.
    • All guests must have a valid, government-issued photo I.D. to enter the building.
    • There will be a limited number of moving carts available for residents to borrow at the Information Center.
    • If you borrow a cart, please be respectful of the needs of other residents by returning it in a timely manner.
      • Charges will be assessed for carts returned late or not returned at all.
    • If you move in prior to August 24, you will be charged pro-rated daily rent for the additional nights in your room.
  • Arriving At Your Building on Full-Service Move-In Day: August 24, 2019
    • There will be posted unloading zones on the streets surrounding Sansom East. You'll be directed by Penn Move-In staff as to where to unload as you approach Sansom East.
    • Be sure to secure the proper unloading pass and display it prominently on the dashboard of your vehicle.
    • Plan to pull up, unload and move immediately to our remote free parking areas. Specific instructions will be provided on site.
    • With so many families arriving within a short period of time, traffic congestion is hard to prevent.
    • The driver must stay with the car so that we can keep traffic moving freely.
    • The student resident will be directed to leave the car and go to the check-in location to sign in and get keys and guest access passes.
      • During peak hours from August 18-25, daytime check-in may be from a check-in tent or table outside of the building.
      • At all other days and times, check-in will take place at the building’s Information Center.
  • Moving Carts
    • A limited number of moving carts will be available for residents to borrow, either from an outside central location, or from the Sansom East Information Center.
    • We suggest that you bring a hand truck or similar item to assist you in moving your belongings.
    • If you borrow a cart, please be respectful of the needs of other residents by returning it in a timely manner.
    • Charges may be assessed for carts returned late or not returned at all.