Events

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!

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.

Join us for a Virtual Scholars Programs Information Session, featuring some of Penn's specialized academic communities available to you as an incoming first-year student. Programs featured in this session include:

• Benjamin Franklin Scholars (BFS) - open to College, Engineering, Nursing, and Wharton undergraduates

• First Exposure to Research in Biological Sciences (FERBS) - open to College undergraduates

• Vagelos Scholars Program in the Molecular Life Sciences (MLS) - open to College undergraduates

• University Scholars (UScholars) - open to College, Engineering, Nursing, and Wharton undergraduates

Guests will have the opportunity to receive an overview of each program and then join breakout sessions with program staff to address specific questions and learn about application requirements.

Please note: this event is limited to 300 participants. You are encouraged to log-on early to the information session to ensure access. Registrants unable to join the live event will be sent a recording of the information session via email.

***This session is for incoming members of the Class of 2030 ONLY.

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. 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.

Open to juniors, seniors, and young alumni. Sessions meet weekly via Zoom, 60 minutes each. Can't make every session? Although these workshops are designed for live attendance and interaction, recordings and catch-up materials will be provided when possible. Join us for as many as you can.

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In this workshop:

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.

This workshop focuses on navigating research as a disabled student, accessing accommodations, and building confidence in discussing disability in academic spaces. It offers guidance for students seeking to better understand how to approach research opportunities while identifying the support and strategies that can help them participate more fully.

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.

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 Penn nomination for graduating seniors and recent alumni. Join us to learn about the scholarship and application process directly from a McCall MacBain representative!

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 a 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.

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.

This event is a great opportunity to learn more about the Marshall Scholarship, one of the most prestigious awards for graduate study in the United Kingdom. During the summit, you’ll hear about the scholarship’s mission, eligibility, and values, and get clear guidance on each step of the application process. You'll also be joined by Marshall alumni who will share their personal experiences, from applying to living and studying in the UK, and answer your questions about academics, daily life abroad, and making the most of the experience. Whether you’re just starting to explore this opportunity or preparing to apply this year, this session is designed to give you practical insights, helpful tips, and the confidence to take your next steps.

*Please note that this is an external (not CURF-sponsored) event.

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. 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.

Open to juniors, seniors, and young alumni. Sessions meet weekly via Zoom, 60 minutes each. Can't make every session? Although these workshops are designed for live attendance and interaction, recordings and catch-up materials will be provided when possible. Join us for as many as you can.

___________________________

In this workshop:

Knowing what to write is only half the equation. Knowing when and how to submit is the other half. In this final session, you'll map out fellowship timelines and deadlines, create a personalized application plan, and develop a strategy for securing strong letters of recommendation. You'll leave with a clear action plan and everything you need to go from 'prepared' to 'submitted'.