Penn Clubs is your central hub for discovering student organizations, joining clubs, and participating in campus activities at the University of Pennsylvania. This guide will help you make the most of the platform as a student.
Discovering Clubs
Searching and Filtering
The Penn Clubs homepage features a powerful search system to help you find organizations that match your interests.
Access the Browse Page
Navigate to the Browse page to see all available student organizations.
Use the Search Bar
Enter keywords in the search bar to find clubs by name, description, or tags. Results update automatically as you type.
Apply Filters
Refine your search using filters:
Tags : Filter by interest areas (e.g., Arts, Sports, Technology)
Affiliations : View clubs with specific institutional affiliations
Size : Find clubs by membership size (under 20, 20-50, 50-100, 100+)
Membership Process : Filter by application requirements (Open, Tryout, Audition, Application)
Recruiting Cycle : See when clubs are actively recruiting (Fall, Spring, Year-round)
Student Level : Filter by undergraduate or graduate level
Sort Results
Sort clubs by:
Featured (default)
Alphabetical order
Most bookmarked
Viewing Club Pages
Each club has a dedicated page with detailed information:
Club description and mission statement
Contact information (email, website, social media)
Membership details (size, application requirements, recruiting cycle)
Events calendar showing upcoming activities
FAQ section with questions from other students
Members list showing current officers and members
How to get involved section with participation details
Bookmarking and Subscribing
Bookmarking Clubs
Bookmark clubs you’re interested in to save them for later.
Bookmark from Club Page
Click the bookmark (heart) icon on any club page to add it to your favorites.
View Your Bookmarks
Access all your bookmarked clubs from the Settings page under the “Bookmarks” tab.
Remove Bookmarks
Click the bookmark icon again to remove a club from your favorites.
Subscribing to Clubs
Subscribe to clubs to receive updates about their activities and events.
Subscribe from Club Page
Click the “Subscribe” button on a club page to receive notifications.
Manage Subscriptions
View all your subscriptions in Settings under the “Subscriptions” tab.
Unsubscribe
Remove subscriptions by clicking “Unsubscribe” on the club page or from your Subscriptions list.
Joining Clubs
Requesting Membership
For clubs with open membership:
Visit the Club Page
Navigate to the page of the club you want to join.
Click Request Membership
If the club has open membership and is accepting new members, click the “Request Membership” button.
Wait for Approval
Club officers will review your request. You’ll receive a notification when your membership is approved.
Track Your Requests
View pending membership requests in Settings under the “Requests” tab.
Applying to Clubs
For clubs that require applications:
Check Application Status
On the club page, check if applications are currently open and note any deadlines.
Click Apply
Click the “Apply” button on the club page to access the application.
Review Requirements
Read the application requirements carefully, including:
Application type (written application, interview, audition, tryout)
Recruiting cycle (when they recruit new members)
Any specific eligibility requirements
Submit Application
Complete and submit your application through the provided external link or platform.
Track Your Submission
Monitor your application status in Settings under the “Submissions” tab.
Asking Questions
The FAQ feature allows you to ask questions directly to club officers.
Navigate to FAQ Section
Scroll to the FAQ section on any club page.
Browse Existing Questions
Review questions other students have asked. You can:
Sort by most recent or most liked
Like helpful answers
Ask a New Question
Click “Ask a Question” to submit your own question to club officers.
Get Notified
You’ll receive a notification when club officers respond to your question.
Attending Events
Finding Events
Visit the Events Page
Navigate to the Events page to see all upcoming activities.
Browse by Date
Filter events by date range to find activities that fit your schedule.
View Event Details
Click any event to see:
Date, time, and location
Event description
Host club information
Ticket availability (if applicable)
Event Tickets
For ticketed events:
Register for Tickets
Click “Get Tickets” on the event page when tickets become available.
Complete Registration
Fill out any required information and submit your ticket request.
View Your Tickets
Access your tickets in Settings under the “Tickets” tab.
Transfer or Cancel
If needed, you can transfer tickets to other students or cancel your registration (if the event allows it).
Managing Your Profile
Keep your profile updated to receive relevant club recommendations.
Access Settings
Click on your profile icon and select “Settings.”
Update Profile Information
Under the “Profile” tab, update:
Your school and major
Graduation year
Student type
Interests and preferences
Manage Notifications
Configure how you want to receive updates from clubs and the platform.
Participating in Club Fairs
Penn Clubs hosts virtual and in-person club fairs throughout the year.
Visit the Fair Page
Navigate to the Club Fair page when a fair is active.
Browse Participating Clubs
Explore clubs registered for the fair, often organized by category.
Join Virtual Meetings
For virtual fairs, click on club Zoom links to join live information sessions.
Subscribe During the Fair
Easily bookmark or subscribe to clubs directly from the fair interface.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I know if a club is accepting new members?
Check the club page for an “Accepting Members” indicator. Clubs can mark whether they’re currently recruiting, and you can filter for clubs accepting members on the Browse page.
What's the difference between bookmarking and subscribing?
Bookmarking saves a club to your favorites list for easy access. Subscribing means you’ll receive updates and notifications about the club’s activities and events.
Can I see which clubs my friends are in?
Yes! Visit a friend’s profile to see their club memberships (if they’ve made this information public).
How do I find clubs specific to my school or major?
Use the “School Specific” and “Student Type” filters on the Browse page to find clubs targeted to your academic background.
What does 'ghost club' or 'pending approval' mean?
This indicates the club has recent changes awaiting approval from the university administration. The club page may show pending updates.
How do I contact a club if they don't respond to my question?
Visit the club page and use the contact information in the “Contact” section (email, social media, or website) to reach out directly.
Can I request ownership of an inactive club?
Yes! If you find an inactive club you’d like to revive, click the “Request Ownership” button on the club page (if available).
Getting Help
If you encounter any issues or have questions not covered in this guide:
Check the FAQ section on individual club pages
Contact the club directly using their provided contact information
Reach out to Penn Clubs support for technical issues with the platform
Visit the main Penn Clubs page for additional resources and documentation