Student Guide

Learn how to discover clubs, join organizations, and participate in events on Penn Clubs

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.

1. Access the Browse Page

   Navigate to the Browse page to see all available student organizations.

2. Use the Search Bar

   Enter keywords in the search bar to find clubs by name, description, or tags. Results update automatically as you type.

3. 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
4. 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.

1. Bookmark from Club Page

   Click the bookmark (heart) icon on any club page to add it to your favorites.

2. View Your Bookmarks

   Access all your bookmarked clubs from the Settings page under the “Bookmarks” tab.

3. 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.

1. Subscribe from Club Page

   Click the “Subscribe” button on a club page to receive notifications.

2. Manage Subscriptions

   View all your subscriptions in Settings under the “Subscriptions” tab.

3. Unsubscribe

   Remove subscriptions by clicking “Unsubscribe” on the club page or from your Subscriptions list.

Joining Clubs

Requesting Membership

For clubs with open membership:

1. Visit the Club Page

   Navigate to the page of the club you want to join.

2. Click Request Membership

   If the club has open membership and is accepting new members, click the “Request Membership” button.

3. Wait for Approval

   Club officers will review your request. You’ll receive a notification when your membership is approved.

4. Track Your Requests

   View pending membership requests in Settings under the “Requests” tab.

Applying to Clubs

For clubs that require applications:

1. Check Application Status

   On the club page, check if applications are currently open and note any deadlines.

2. Click Apply

   Click the “Apply” button on the club page to access the application.

3. 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
4. Submit Application

   Complete and submit your application through the provided external link or platform.

5. 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.

1. Navigate to FAQ Section

   Scroll to the FAQ section on any club page.

2. Browse Existing Questions

   Review questions other students have asked. You can:

   • Sort by most recent or most liked
   • Like helpful answers
3. Ask a New Question

   Click “Ask a Question” to submit your own question to club officers.

4. Get Notified

   You’ll receive a notification when club officers respond to your question.

Attending Events

Finding Events

1. Visit the Events Page

   Navigate to the Events page to see all upcoming activities.

2. Browse by Date

   Filter events by date range to find activities that fit your schedule.

3. 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:

1. Register for Tickets

   Click “Get Tickets” on the event page when tickets become available.

2. Complete Registration

   Fill out any required information and submit your ticket request.

3. View Your Tickets

   Access your tickets in Settings under the “Tickets” tab.

4. 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.

1. Access Settings

   Click on your profile icon and select “Settings.”

2. Update Profile Information

   Under the “Profile” tab, update:

   • Your school and major
   • Graduation year
   • Student type
   • Interests and preferences
3. 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.

1. Visit the Fair Page

   Navigate to the Club Fair page when a fair is active.

2. Browse Participating Clubs

   Explore clubs registered for the fair, often organized by category.

3. Join Virtual Meetings

   For virtual fairs, click on club Zoom links to join live information sessions.

4. 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