Orientation Peer Advisors (OPAs) are a group of current engineering upperclassmen who volunteer to guide incoming students throughout the summer and fall. OPAs are students who can offer support from a Penn Engineering student perspective. OPAs understand the concerns of incoming students and provide advice and referrals to various campus departments. They are excellent resources for campus organizations, majors, and campus life.
Perks Include:
- Exclusive OPA merch
- Sponsored early move-in
- Meaningful leadership and mentorship experience
- Direct impact on the incoming Penn Engineering class
- Stronger connections with peers, staff, and campus leaders
Application closes March 30th, 2026
Marissa Teitelbaum
Mechanical Engineering, c/o 2026
“I became an OPA because I genuinely love SEAS and wanted to help new students feel that same excitement from even before they set foot on campus. Getting to connect with the incoming class and support them throughout the year has been the most rewarding part of the experience. Building lasting relationships with students and watching them find their place here is something I’ll always be grateful for.”
Sem Ferid
Applied Science in Computer Science, c/o 2026
“I’ve been an OPA for the past 3 years because I see value in passing down my experience to future Penn Engineers. College is a place of growth, where people come together from different backgrounds, identities, and parts of the world. In this environment, I want to be a friendly face for freshmen who just joined our community to help them get their footing with advice I wish I had known before coming to Penn.”
Saw Nwe
Bioengineering, c/o 2027
“During the overwhelming transition from high school to college, I want to be someone my mentees can always reach out to, whether it’s for advanced registration, pursuing research, joining clubs, or just figuring things out. Especially as no one in my family had attended college in the United States, navigating this transition as an incoming freshman at Penn was extremely challenging, as I had no one to seek help from. My OPA was a tremendous source of guidance, and I remember asking him questions for 2 hours on Zoom during the summer and occasionally during the semester. Now, as an OPA myself, I hope to give that same kind of support to incoming engineering students and help them make the most out of their time at Penn!”
Frequently Asked Questions
Becoming an OPA
Why should I be an OPA?
Being an OPA is an opportunity to grow both as an individual and as a student leader on campus. OPAs will learn more about how to support other students as they transition into the Penn community and will become more familiar with various on-campus resources. Being an OPA is a way to make lasting friendships and connections with incoming students and fellow OPAs.
What does the time commitment look like?
OPAs are expected to be accessible online all summer to answer student questions. The average weekly time commitment leading up to New Student Orientation (NSO) is 3–5 hours. OPAs will also need to be available for one Spring and one Fall semester training session.
Can I be an OPA while also being involved in other campus organizations?
Yes, you can be involved in other campus organizations and be an OPA! We will work around your commitments to other leadership opportunities over the summer. OPAs will need to be available for the Fall OPA Orientation and the day of Engineering NSO.
Some common examples include PHINS (Peers Helping Integrate New Students), Resident Advisor (RA), and Engineering Executive boards
Is this position paid?
No, this is a volunteer position.
Do I need to be on campus over the summer?
All activities over the summer are online. OPAs are expected to return to campus the Friday before NSO.
How do I become an OPA?
Students who are interested in becoming an OPA should submit an application. Applications typically open in mid-February. Students who are selected to be an OPA are notified by the end of April.
OPA Application
The OPA Application for 2026 is now open!
For questions about Orientation Peer Advisors, please contact Marina Ceneviva at mceneviv@seas.upenn.edu.