Brandywine

Check-in Schedule

We are excited to welcome students to Penn State Brandywine.

Room assignment, roommate information, and arrival scheduling is now available in eLiving. Watch your email for arrival reminders and additional instructions.

Friday, August 18

Incoming First-Year Student Arrival
8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
Orchard Hall lobby

Sunday, August 20

Upper-Class Student Arrival
8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
Orchard Hall lobby

If arriving outside of scheduled move-in times, go directly to the Housing and Food Services Office in the Student Union. Students hoping to arrive after-hours must contact Housing and Food Services to confirm arrangements before arriving.

Check-in Information

Before arriving to campus:

  • Beginning 24 hours before your scheduled arrival time, log on to eLiving and complete pre-arrival check-in. This step will initiate card access to the building and help speed up the process at arrival.
  • Set up your mobile id+ card using the instructions at idcard.psu.edu/mobile-id-card.

At check-in:

Bring yourself and your photo ID (Incoming students who haven't already picked up their id+ Card will receive it when they check-in); you may not send a friend or family member to check in for you.

Move-in Tips

  • Members of your family may unload your vehicle while you check in.
  • Please move your vehicle to a designated parking lot as soon as it is unloaded.

Your To Do List

What To Pack
Learn what to bring and what to leave behind.

Pack light when you come for Arrival! Don't bring all your belongings on your first trip to campus. Use our What to Pack list as your guide. You may want to wait to see how much storage space you have and then plan on bringing additional items at another time.

Roommate and Room Assignment
Get to know your roommate.

Once room assignments are available, log on to eLiving to see where you are living. Contact your new roommate and try to talk several times before move-in day. Share academic plans, common interests, and what each of you will contribute to your room’s set-up.

Penn State id+ Card
Load it with LionCash.

Add LionCash funds and set up your mobile credential before you leave home.

Immunization Records
Upload your records.

All incoming students must submit immunization records prior to arrival on campus. Visit University Health Services to upload your records.

Setup Your Devices
Get connected.

University housing offers access to the Penn State Network. Visit Getting Connected to learn how you can get your devices registered before arrival.

Pay Your Bill
with LionPATH.

The Bursar will process your semester bill and post it on your LionPATH account. Bills are generated monthly and specify a bill due date. Room and board charges will be added to your semester bill.

What to Pack

  • Alarm Clock
  • Baskets for toiletries and storage
  • Bed risers
  • Bedding (Twin XL)
  • Cleaning supplies and paper towels
  • Laptop, printer, and cables
  • Desk lamp, desk supplies
  • DVD player and cables
  • Face masks, hand sanitizer
  • Fan (portable), box fan for window
  • Financial items (checking/savings account, credit/debit card, health insurance card, Social Security card, driver's license, etc.)
  • First-Aid kit (band-aids, cotton balls, cotton swabs, cold/cough medicine, COVID at-home tests (4), face masks, pain relievers, thermometer)
  • Food items (can opener, coffee maker with automatic shutoff, one set of dishes and flatware, snacks, dish detergent/towel)
  • Games (cards, board games)
  • Game consoles and cables
  • Hangers
  • Laundry bag/basket and detergent
  • Padlocks for desk, laptop, and bike
  • Reusable water bottle/coffee mug, reusable shopping bag(s)
  • Room decorations^
  • Sewing kit/safety pins
  • Snow shovel to store in your car
  • Smart TV or TV plus streaming device)
  • Toiletry items
  • Towels
  • Umbrella, rain boots

 

 

What to Leave Behind

Please refer to your HFS Contract Terms, Conditions, and Regulations for more detailed information.

  • Air Conditioning units, including portable units and "swamp coolers"
  • Alcohol+
  • Appliances
  • Ashtrays*
  • Candles and incense
  • Ceiling fans
  • Firearms
  • Grills
  • Halogen lamps
  • Heaters
  • Pets (small fish tanks are allowed)
  • Vacuum cleaners (available for use from RA)
  • Waterbeds
  • Window Treatments (blinds, draperies)
  • Wireless Routers

 

What's In Your Room

University housing offers the basic amenities you need to be comfortable and organized in your new home! Then comes the fun part: making it your own.

Room Amenities 

  • Basic cable television service
  • Each student is provided an extra-long twin bed, two two-drawer chests, wardrobe, desk, and chair
  • Microwave/refrigerator unit
  • WiFi, roomgear network for smart devices

Building Amenities 

  • Suite of private bathrooms on each wing
  • Study areas on each floor
  • Full kitchen/ community space
  • Laundry room
  • Learning stations

 

^Posters and photos must be hung with plastic tack.

+ Alcohol is prohibited on campus, regardless of the resident's age

* Smoking is prohibited on campus, including in Orchard Hall and the Blue Apple Café.

During Arrival

Beyond the checking in and moving into your home away from home, you’ll find plenty of on-campus activities as well as areas to explore or grab a tasty bite.
Refer to the following links for What to Do, Where to Eat and Where to Stay as you prepare for Arrival.

What To Do
Engage in the activities.

Check out the Welcome Week schedule to view events and activities happening on campus during and after your arrival. Along with the Welcome Week activities there are many other things to do while visiting Penn State.

Where To Eat
Satisfy your cravings.

Sample our top-notch fare at Blue Apple Cafe during arrival or choose one of the many local restaurants.

Where To Stay
Get rested.

Need to make hotel accommodations? There are local hotels available, some only a few miles from campus.

Beyond Arrival

It's no secret that the transition from living at home to living on campus is fairly monumental. 
The following resources are provided to kick start your on-campus experience with the right information.

Academics 

Academic advising is a key to your success at Penn State. Visit Academic Affairs for more details regarding advising as well as information about the advising portal, StarFish and the student information system, LionPATH.

Housing

Learn about your room, living on campus, contract details, medical accommodations, room and board rates, and more by visiting liveon.psu.edu/brandywine.

Jobs

Job opportunities provide more than a paycheck, they provide vital networking and professional experience that will enrich your time on campus. Take the time to discover some of the exciting places to work on campus.

Residence Life

Residence Life provides students with a safe, comfortable, secure and nurturing living-learning environment that is conducive to students' academic pursuits and personal growth while fostering a sense of community, civic responsibility and an appreciation of diversity.

Student Life

Vibrant is one way to describe student life at Penn State. Discover clubs, organizations, support towards your academic goals, and more about Student Life.

Contact Staff

Housing and Food Services

[email protected]
610-892-1215
104 Student Union Building
25 Yearsley Mill Rd
Media, PA 19063 

Residence Life

[email protected]
610-892-1232 
101 Orchard Hall
25 Yearsley Mill Road
Media, PA 19063