Penn Engineering Weekly 03-30-26

Penn Engineering Weekly 03-30-26

Penn Engineering Weekly 03-30-26

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Important Dates:

Date	Event
March 23rd – April 6th	Advance Registration for Fall Term
March 23	Registration for Summer Session Begins
March 30th	Last Day to Withdraw from a Course
April 29th	Last day of Classes
April 30th – May 3rd	Reading Days
May 4th – 12th	Final Exams
May 12th	Spring Term Ends
May 18th	University Commencement Ceremony

Announcements for the week

AIT Budapest Info Session

Interested in studying abroad in Budapest for the Computer and Data Science major. Come to the info session to learn more. Pizza will be provided.

Thursday, April 9th
12:00 pm – 1:00 pm
Towne 217 ALC
Click here to register

Registrar Reminders

–Today, March 30th, is the last day to withdraw from a course.

-Advance Registration for Fall 2026 runs through Monday, April 6. Summer 2026 registration is open.

-The Office of the University Registrar (OUR) will provide standard enrollment verification letters, degree verification letters, and can complete some document verification processing as well. Full details and instructions can be found here. Please allow 5-7 business days for OUR to process your request. (7-10 business days during peak times of the year.) Degree verification letters, including those required for H1-B visa applications, will not be processed until the degree has been awarded. Please review your unofficial transcript to see ‘degree awarded’ before requesting this type of letter.

Events (Engineering)

Undergraduate Class of 2026’s First Destination Survey

Hi Seniors,

We are looking forward to your responses for the Class of 2026 Career Plans Survey. Click here to access the survey.

2026 Engineering Summer Academy at Penn (ESAP)

The Penn Engineering OAS office would like to invite you to reapply to work as a Teaching Assistant for one of our courses in the ESAP 2026 program. The expected start date is Wednesday, July 8th, with a 2-hour training, with the expected last date being Friday, July 31st. TAs are paid $3000, or $25 per hour, over the course of this period. Please review and complete the 2026 ESAP TA Application for more details on this opportunity. For more information about ESAP, please visit our new ESAP site. Please complete this form as soon as possible. The deadline to apply is April 24th. If you have any questions, please contact esap@seas.upenn.edu. We look forward to potentially working with you.

Advancing Women in Engineering (AWE) Undergraduate Summer Research Opportunity at Penn Engineering

AWE is pleased to offer an initiative that supports undergraduate students pursuing summer research experiences. Applicants are required to submit a personal statement, a resume, and a faculty recommendation letter. The deadline to submit all application materials has been extended to March 30, 2026. For additional details or questions, interested students should contact Nita Guzman Del Vecchio at ngdv@seas.upenn.edu

Orientation Peer Advisor Applications Open

Applications are now open to become an Orientation Peer Advisor (OPA).

OPAs are a group of engineering upperclassmen who volunteer to guide incoming students over the summer, during NSO, and their first semester to help them get acclimated to Penn. OPAs understand the concerns of incoming students and provide advice and referrals to various campus departments. They are excellent resources for campus organizations, majors, and campus life.

This is a volunteer (unpaid) position. However, perks include exclusive OPA merch, sponsored early move-in, and enhanced leadership skills.

Application link: https://upenn.co1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_4MmwIJluK72KVi6

Applications close on Monday, March 30th, 2026. For questions, please contact Marina Ceneviva at mceneviv@seas.upenn.edu.

Events (Penn)

Sexual Assault Awareness Month (SAAM)

Coming up next month, April is Sexual Assault Awareness Month (SAAM). Join us at our events and collaborations throughout the month to spread awareness about interpersonal violence and honor survivors. Learn more about each event on the University Life Calendar.

Cracking the Case Interview Workshop with the CEO of CaseBasix

Please join PGCC for our next seminar, Cracking the Case Interview Workshop with the CEO of CaseBasix, on April 1st at 5:30 pm. Cracking a case interview can feel overwhelming—but it doesn’t have to be. Join us for an interactive, hands-on workshop where we break down exactly how to approach and solve a case from start to finish.
You’ll learn how to:

Ask strong clarifying questions
Build clear, effective frameworks
Request and interpret data
Think through both qualitative and quantitative problems

Participants will then work through a full case in real time, with guided questions and personalized feedback throughout from industry expert Mayank Gupta, CEO of CaseBasix!We’ll wrap up with an open Q&A to address your specific questions and strategies. Whether you’re new to casing or looking to refine your approach, this session will give you the tools and confidence to succeed.

Wednesday, April 1st
Start at 5:30pm
Zoom
Click here to register

Please, don’t hesitate to contact VP of Career Development Nick (nontko@seas.upenn.edu) if you have any questions regarding PGCC or consulting opportunities at Penn!

Articulating Your Leadership (The Fellowships Compass Session 2)

The Fellowships Compass: Crafting Competitive Applications is a four-session workshop series designed to help you go from curiosity to competitiveness. Over four weeks, you’ll identify your fellowship fit, articulate your leadership story, draft a compelling personal statement, and develop a realistic application plan through structured activities, feedback, and guided facilitation.

In this workshop:

Leadership has many facets. Fellowship committees focus on qualities rather than titles. They look for agency, impact, and demonstrated values. In this session, you’ll discover how fellowship programs define leadership, use the STAR framework to create a leadership story inventory, and practice a 90-second elevator pitch with feedback. You’ll leave with solid leadership narratives and the language to present them confidently.

Monday, March 30th
4:00 pm – 5:00 pm
Zoom
Click here to register

Communicating Research Workshop

Presenting your research this semester or looking to strengthen how you communicate your work? Join us for a Communicating Research Workshop led by Research Peer Advisors (RPAs). This workshop will focus on how to clearly and compellingly present your research through posters and brief presentations. Participants will learn practical strategies for explaining complex ideas, structuring an effective poster, and engaging diverse audiences. Whether you’re preparing for the CURF Spring Research Symposium, a conference, or a lab meeting presentation, this session will provide tips to help you present your work with clarity and confidence. Click here to learn more.

Tuesday, March 31st
3:30 pm -4:30 pm
College Hall G08/09
Just Show Up at the Event (No Action Needed)

CURF Faculty Research Panel

Hear from faculty members across the university to learn more about what research looks like in different fields, how and when to get involved with research as an undergraduate, and the types of skills you can learn from participating in undergraduate research. Panelists include Dr. Xue (Sherry) Gao, Presidential Penn Compact Associate Professor of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering; Dr. Joseph Devietti, Associate Professor of Computer and Information Science; and Dr. Simon Richter, Class of 1965 Endowed Term Professor of German and Chair of the Department of Francophone, Italian, and Germanic Studies. We will be discussing research in fields ranging from precision genome editing and computer architecture to the environmental humanities. The panel will be followed by a Q&A session. This event is open to all Penn students, and refreshments will be provided! Click here to learn more.

Thursday, April 2nd
4:00 pm – 5:00 pm
College Hall G08/09
Just Show Up at the Event (No Action Needed)

Penn Carey Law International Arbitration Conference

The Penn Carey Law International Arbitration Association (PCLIAA) will be hosting the 8th Annual Penn Carey Law International Arbitration Conference on Friday, April 3, 2026, at the University of Pennsylvania Carey Law School, Levy Conference Center. The conference, titled “Arbitration in an Evolving Geopolitical Environment,” will explore how global geopolitical and economic developments are reshaping international dispute resolution.

As sanctions regimes expand, global M&A markets face geopolitical uncertainty, and third-party funding continues to influence access to justice, international arbitration is adapting in real time. The conference will bring together leading practitioners, academics, and arbitration specialists to discuss these developments through four thematic panels:

Third-Party Funding in International Arbitration
Arbitration at the Front Lines of Sanctions
M&A Arbitrations and Geopolitical Risk
Enforcement and Sovereign Immunity

The keynote address will be delivered by Professor George A. Bermann of Columbia Law School, Director of the Center for International Commercial and Investment Arbitration. Our speakers include leading arbitrators, academics, and practitioners from across the United States and internationally.

Friday, April 3, 2026
Time: 9:00 am – 5:30 pm
Levy Conference Center, University of Pennsylvania Carey Law School
Click here to register

CURF RPA Grad Student Panel

Are you curious about life as a graduate student? Want to learn about the path to graduate school? CURF welcomes students of all disciplines who are curious about graduate school to attend the Graduate Student Panel. Join the CURF RPAs in getting to know three excellent graduate students from a variety of disciplines and asking them questions about navigating their graduate studies.

Monday, April 6th
4:00 pm – 5:00 pm
College Hall G08/09
Just Show Up at the Event (No Action Needed)

Personal Statement Writing Workshop (The Fellowships Compass Session 3)

Are you curious about nationally competitive postgraduate fellowships, but not sure where to start? The Fellowships Compass: Crafting Competitive Applications is a four-session workshop series designed to help you go from curiosity to competitiveness.

The personal statement is where most applications are won or lost. In this interactive session, you’ll analyze the components of a strong statement, draft an opening paragraph, and receive structured feedback using a session rubric. You’ll also leave with practical revision strategies you can use for every draft moving forward.

Tuesday, April 7th
4:00 pm – 5:00 pm
Zoom
Click here to register

McCall MacBain Scholarship Information Session

The McCall MacBain Scholarship offers fully funded master’s or professional degrees alongside an interdisciplinary leadership curriculum at McGill University in Montreal, with selection criteria including exceptional character, leadership potential, and entrepreneurial spirit. This program is open to domestic and international students and requires a Penn nomination for graduating seniors and recent alumni. Join us to learn about the scholarship and application process directly from a McCall MacBain representative! Click here to learn more.

Thursday, April 9th
4:00 pm – 5:00 pm
Zoom
Click here to register

Behind the CV: A Conversation with Prof. Bhuvnesh Jain

Join us for a conversation with Prof. Bhuvnesh Jain, Walter H. and Leonore C. Annenberg Professor in the Natural Sciences and Co-Director for the Center of Particle Cosmology and Co-Director of the Data Driven Discovery Initiative. Prof. Jain’s research extends beyond physics and machine learning to broad interdisciplinary fields like AI. We will discuss the unspoken challenges of life in academia in this edition of Behind the CV. This conversation is open to all students and is highly recommended, even if you are not a STEM major.

Thursday, April 9th
5:00 pm – 6:00 pm
Golkin Room (Houston Hall, 2nd floor)
Just Show Up at the Event (No Action Needed)

CURF Spring Research Symposium

Please join us for an engaging day of undergraduate research! Chat with student researchers from diverse fields during the poster session, 12:00-1:30 pm in the Bistro (Game Room) and 2nd Floor Lobby, and then join us upstairs in the Ben Franklin Room for 5-minute flash talks with students 4:00-5:00 pm and 5:00-6:00 pm.

Monday, April 13th
12:00 pm – 6:00 pm
Houston Hall (Game Room/Bistro and Ben Franklin Room)
Just Show Up at the Event (No Action Needed)

Launch Your Startup the Right Way

Join Venture Lab, ISSS, and Klasko Immigration Law Partners to learn how to grow your startup while staying visa-compliant. Includes a live Q&A with immigration experts.
Thursday, April 9
6:00 pm to 7:30 pm
Tangen Hall 708
Click here to register.

Take Back the Night (TBTN)

Take Back the Night (TBTN) is an international movement to take a stand against sexual violence.

At Penn, this has manifested as a powerful resource fair, rally, march, and survivor speak-out session hosted by Abuse & Sexual Assault Prevention (ASAP). TBTN will be hosted on Thursday, April 9th, 4-9 PM.

Please email asapatpenn@gmail.com if you have any questions or if you are interested in collaborating!

Thursday, April 9th
4:00 pm – 9:00 pm
College Green (Rain Location at Hall of Flags)

Clothing Closet

The LGBT Center’s Clothing Closet provides gently used clothing that is 100% free to all Penn community members. Donate or pick up gently used clothing at the LGBT Center (3907 Spruce Street).

Scholarships & Grants Opportunities

Fulbright U.S. Student Program

Fulbright Grants fund 8-12 months of international experience in over 140 countries. With a long-standing mission of promoting mutual understanding through educational and cultural exchange, Fulbright opportunities can be categorized into two main grant types:

Study/Research grants offer the opportunity to carry out your own international research project in any discipline (or in some countries, to pursue a graduate degree)
English Teaching Assistantships (ETA) grants place Fulbrighters in classrooms abroad to teach English and share American culture

Interested candidates should enroll in CURF’s Canvas site for Fulbright applicants(link is external). Application Deadline – October 7th, 2026. Click here to learn more.

Contact Information:
Walter Lohmann: wlohmann@upenn.edu

Fulbright Information Session

Are you interested in learning about opportunities for U.S. citizens to pursue graduate or professional study, conduct research, or teach English abroad through the Fulbright U.S. Student Program? Join us for a Group Presentation Session (GPS) with Fulbright Staff, Alumni Ambassadors, and Penn’s Fulbright Program Advisor to learn about eligibility, award types, benefits, application tips, and Penn’s Campus Fulbright Process.

Wednesday, April 8th
2:00 pm – 3:00 pm
Virtual
Click here to register

2026 ShanghaiTech Summer Lab Program

This non-credit and tuition-free program is designed exclusively for international undergraduates from our partner institutions. It offers a unique opportunity for participants to join a research lab of their choice, utilizing world-class facilities and national science platforms rarely accessible to external students. Application Deadline: April 30th, 2026. Click here to learn more and apply.

Career & Networking Opportunities

Clubs & Organizations

[NEW] Engineering Syllabus Repository

The Engineering Deans’ Advisory Board is excited to release the Penn Engineering Syllabus Repository.

In collaboration with CETS, we are building a centralized repository of course syllabi to support transparency. Please visit https://syllabi.seas.upenn.edu/ to view syllabi (collection in progress) to help inform your Advanced Registration process.

Engineering Entrepreneurship

More information about Engineering Entrepreneurship

Follow them on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, & X/Twitter.
Tag on these platforms @PennEngEntrep with your own posts.
Join their subscription-based semi-monthly email to notify you of entrepreneurship-related events, competitions, opportunities, and more. If you wish to receive this type of information, please visit https://groups.google.com/a/seas.upenn.edu/g/pennengentrep/ and then click on “ask to join the group” (Image). You have the option to unsubscribe at any time as well, and this is completely optional. Emails will be sent on the second and last Wednesday of every month.