For a more traditional transition into University life, we offer the first-year House experience. Hill, Kings Court English, Lauder, Riepe, and Ware College Houses are predominantly populated with first-year students, and range in size from 350 to 540 residents: what many consider to be traditional style first-year residence halls. The House architecture varies greatly; however, all offer new students a tremendous opportunity to create new friendships and to engage with the House faculty and staff.

HOUSE SPOTLIGHT: KINGS COURT ENGLISH

While you're looking at options for living on campus next year, don't overlook the small Houses with big character, like Kings Court English College House.  KCECH (KAY-check), as we often call it, has single rooms and double rooms, an intimate atrium dining hall, a large multimedia common space, and a quiet library for students to study. Outside between the buildings there is a House garden which residents keep growing green and beautiful. ​On the rooftop, KCECH hosts one of Penn’s first green roof projects and a cozy café and lounge for students to relax and interact with their peers. KCECH is a well-regarded House with an exciting emphasis on STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math).

In addition to a full schedule of events every week for residents, including Sunday brunches, Tech Times, study breaks, intramural games, and more, along with annual favorites like the Rube Goldberg competition, Penn Author Forum, and the Robotics Fair, KCECH also hosts five remarkable program communities: The Science & Technology Wing (STWing), Biosphere, Perspectives in Humanities (PIH), Huntsman and Women in Computer Science (WICS). These communities have a profound impact on the House identity, drawing some of Penn’s most diverse students.