Master's Preview Day: "New to Philly" Recap

This past Friday, March 30, Penn GSE held their open house for accepted students called Master's Preview Day. The day was full of speakers and festivities. For those of you who were unable to attend, the schedule looked something like this:

9:00am - Registration and Breakfast Begin
9:15am - Optional Session for Those New to Philly
10:30am - Welcome and Overview of the Day
10:45am - Getting to Know Each Other
11:00am - Current Student Panel
12:00pm - Lunch with Faculty & Current Students
1:15pm - Academic Division Break Out Sessions
2:30pm - Concurrent Sessions (Choice of Mock Class, Campus Tour, Alumni & Career Services Panel, and "You've already decided to enroll at Penn GSE, now what?")
4:45pm - Reception with Current Students & Alumni

Unfortunately, I was not able to stay for the entire event because I had to go into my practicum site, but I did participate in the "New to Philly" Presentation and Panel earlier in the day. I'd like to give those of you who weren't there a recap of the presentation as well as questions that were answered.

For those of you who will be new to the Philadelphia area, it is beneficial for you to know that the city is broken up into neighborhoods. There are Penn GSE students living in virtually all of them. Each neighborhood offers a unique environment as well as various types of housing options.
**Note: The housing prices are estimated to be around $700-1400 per person/month depending on the neighborhood/building. I would suggest doing some internet research on your own to get specifics.

 

• University City
• Penn campus is located here
• West of Center City
• Housing: townhomes (1-8 bedrooms), apartment buildings (studios, 1-4 bedrooms)
• West Philadelphia
• West of University City
• Walking distance from campus
•  Housing: townhomes (1-8 bedrooms), apartment buildings (studios, 1-4 bedrooms)
• Art Museum/Fairmount Park
• North of Center City
• 10-15 minute bus ride from campus
• Housing: apartment buildings
• Olde City
• East of Center City
• 15/20 minute subway/bus ride from campus
• Housing: row homes, town homes, apartments
• Bella Vista/Queen Village/South Philadelphia
• South of Center/Olde City
•  20 minute bus ride from campus
• Housing: row homes, town homes, apartments
• Center City (Rittenhouse/Fitler Square)
• Just east of University City
• 10 minute subway/trolley/bus ride from campus
• Walkable (20 minutes)
• Housing: row homes, town homes, apartments
• Graduate Hospital
• South of Center City
• 10-15 minute bus ride from campus
• Walkable (20 minutes)
• Housing: row homes, town homes, apartments
• Northern Liberties
• North of Olde City
• 15-20 minute subway ride from campus
• Housing: town homes, apartments
• Fishtown
•  North of Northern Liberties
• 20 minute subway ride from campus
• Housing: town homes, apartments

The food/bar scene in Philadelphia is pretty much awesome everywhere. I personally head out to University City, Center City, and Olde City when I am in search of a great dining/nightlife experience. I have heard good things about restaurants and bars in South Philly as well. Yelp has been my best friend since I've lived here.

Public tranportation is pretty easy to use in Philly. Penn GSE students frequently use the SEPTA subways, trolleys, and buses to get to and from campus and to various neighborhoods. The fare is a token (<$2) or 2 single dollar bills. You can purchase annual and semester passes online and on the Penn campus as well. Check out the SEPTA website for more info: http://www.septa.org/

Also, Philly is definitely walkable and bikeable!

Hope that might be helpful to those of you thinking about to relocating here. Feel free to comment if you have any additional/more specific questions!

-L