Depending on your home country, you may need to apply for a visa to enter the United States. When doing so please apply for a tourist or visitor’s visa, not a student visa. It is important that you indicate that you will be attending a “summer camp” in the United States. 

You will be provided with a suggested packing list prior to the start of the program. There are 2-3 instances where you would wear business casual clothing, but most class days at Penn Med are casual, but always respectful. (i.e. no overly short or revealing attire)

The amount of spending money you will need is at your discretion. We suggest that you bring approximately $150 per week for: 4 off-campus meals per week, coffee shops, food trucks, bookstore purchases, snacks, waters and personal items. It is preferable to use a debit or credit card versus all cash. Keeping your cash safe will be your own responsibility. need financial assistance will receive tuition assistance, since the amount we can disperse is limited.

All students should provide proof of health insurance prior to arriving to campus. Students living outside of the USA should purchase health/travel insurance through an independent company by contacting them directly.

A medical team including a nurse and general doctor are always on call. Urgent Care sites and walk-in Clinics are also used, and are close by. For more serious emergencies, injuries or incidents after hours, the Children’s Hospital and the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania are on campus, and a short walk from the dorms. All students must have health insurance in place or have the ability to pay in full for services in order to be seen by most medical professionals.

If a health condition would negatively affect a roommate’s experience or sleep, we suggest you request a single room. If you have prescription medicines to take on a regular schedule, it will be your responsibility to keep taking those medicines, and keep them safely stored in your dorm room.

We have a zero-tolerance policy for the possession and/or use of alcohol, tobacco, e-cigarettes, vapor devices, drugs and/or weapons of any kind. Use or possession will result in immediate expulsion and any travel costs associated will be at your expense.

Penn’s campus is very safe. The residences are staffed by Penn Security, and our directors and residential advisors are also trained by Penn Public Safety. UPenn has 24/7 Campus Security in place. Only program residents will have access to the dorms and academic spaces.

Students will live in one of the air-conditioned dormitory-style residence halls on the University of Pennsylvania campus. Students will walk from the residence to the dining halls and then continue walking to Penn Medicine each day. Most dorm rooms are double rooms. Single rooms can be requested for medical/health reasons.

Our goal is to have students develop new friendships and become part of a broader learning community. Rooming requests will be considered if submitted early enough, but are not guaranteed. Penn’s Hospitality Services assigns the rooms, and changes cannot be made after June 1st.

You will need to provide credit card information when making payment for the program. The credit card on file will be charged if you lose your key, your access card, or cause damage to your room or campus property. supplemental forms after you submit the initial application.

There are laundry machines in the dorm buildings and are free to use until floor curfew time. Laundry should not be left for extended periods of time in the machines. Students will need to provide their own laundry detergent and a bag/basket to carry their laundry to the laundry room.

No. Please provide your own sheets, blanket, pillow and towels. If you are unable to bring your own, we can order a rented linen package for you. This includes: 1 fitted sheet, 1 flat sheet, 2 bath towels, 1 washcloth, 1 pillow, 1 pillowcase and 1 blanket. Select this option when completing your pre-summer forms after registering. The cost of this package is approximately $110 – $120.

BOLD Summers hires highly qualified team members for our residential staff. We look for people with strong leadership and communication skills, the ability to create a positive an inclusive community and have a background and interest in education and mentorship. All of our staff arrive to campus a week (or more) earlier than the program start date and participates in an intentional and thorough training. Additionally, on average, more than 50% of our staff return the following year.

There is no correlation between participation in the program and favorable admission to the University of Pennsylvania. However, you will have the opportunity to write about your experience in the program in your essay, include it as one of your extracurriculars or to prove your interest in attending the University of Pennsylvania.

We offer transportation to and from Philadelphia International Airport or Philadelphia’s 30th Street Amtrak Train Station for a fee of $70 one way. If you arrive to JFK or any other airport or location, you will need to hire a driver or shuttle service. An example of a professional driver our clients have used in the past is Robert Folz 1.610.636.4530. An example of a shuttle service from JFK is Dave’s Best Limousine 1.215.288.1000.

While cell phone use is permitted, please notify the residential director or your residential counselor immediately, rather than calling home with a problem that might arise. Problems can be resolved efficiently and in the most professional manner, when brought to our attention as quickly as possible.

Email us at info@boldsummers.com