Embark Penn State: Supporting the Transition to College for Students on the Autism Spectrum
Welcome to Embark:
Embark Penn State is a summer transition program designed to support incoming first-year University Park students on the autism spectrum as they prepare to begin their Penn State journey. The program offers students an opportunity to become familiar with the campus, build connections with peers, and develop the academic, campus life, and social skills that support a successful start to college.
During this one-week residential experience, students explore campus life while participating in structured activities, guided campus exploration, and skill-building sessions focused on navigating both the academic and social aspects of university life. Participants will also begin developing plans and identifying supports that can help them thrive throughout their university journey at Penn State.
Embark Penn State will be offered June 7–12, 2026.
Learn more about Embark Penn State here: https://ed.psu.edu/embark-penn-state/embark-experience.
What we will explore at Embark:
Navigating Penn State
You will become familiar with the systems and structures that shape daily life at Penn State. Some of these include living in the dorms, dining, campus resources, and general university processes. The goal is to help you feel confident understanding how things work before the semester begins.
Building Your Community
Embark helps you begin forming meaningful connections with peers, mentors, and campus professionals. You will get the opportunity to start building a support network that can help you feel a sense of belonging and connection as you begin your Penn State journey.
Preparing for College Academics
You will explore what it means to transition from high school learning to college-level coursework. These sessions will focus on academic expectations, study strategies, time management, and other skills needed to succeed in a university environment.
Strengthening Self-Advocacy
You will reflect on your strengths, needs, and goals and develop the skills to advocate for yourself effectively.
Who Can Participate:
Embark is open to incoming first year students who have been accepted to Penn State and identify as being on the autism spectrum.
While a formal diagnosis of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is not required to participate in the Embark program, students must meet specific documentation requirements to receive accommodations through Student Disability Resources.
More information about accommodation eligibility and documentation requirements can be found on the Student Disability Resources website: https://equity.psu.edu/offices/student-disability-resources/apply
Dates: June 7th-June 12th, 2026
Cost: $2,500
Application Deadline: May 4th
Registration Steps:
- To register, fill out this form.
- You will receive an email confirmation after registering.
- We will email you in April with more details about arriving, housing, and the daily schedules.
- Email us with any questions throughout the process: [email protected]
FAQs
Embark is a one-week, residential summer program designed to help you prepare for your transition to Penn State. You will live in the residence halls, eat in the dining commons, explore campus, build connections, and develop skills that support your success before the semester begins.
Embark is designed for incoming first-year Penn State students on the autism spectrum. You do not need a formal diagnosis to participate. If you are looking for structured support, community, and preparation for college life, Embark may be a good fit for you.
No. All incoming University Park Students need to attend the NSO experience and Embark participants should plan to also attend NSO. You can learn more about NSO here: https://orientation.psu.edu/nso. During Embark, we will discuss aspects of the NSO experience and how to prepare for it, so, if possible, it can be helpful to schedule your NSO for after Embark if possible.
No. You do not need to be registered with SDR to participate in Embark. Embark is a transition program designed to help you prepare for college. You will learn about SDR and other resources during the program.
Embark is designed as a small, supportive program with a limited number of participants. This allows for meaningful connections, individualized support, and a strong sense of community throughout the week. There will be approximately 35 students in the program and the spots will be offered on a first-come, first-served basis.
You will participate in a mix of structured sessions, small group conversations, campus exploration, and optional social activities. You will learn how to navigate campus, connect with others, prepare for college academics, and advocate for yourself. There is also built-in downtime so you can recharge.
You will live in a Penn State residence hall and eat in the dining commons. This gives you the opportunity to learn about what daily life will be like in the fall, with support available throughout the week. Dorm rooms at Penn State are primarily double occupancy, so you will be a roommate to another Embark participant throughout the week. Special housing accommodations may be available based on individual needs identified through the application process. Learning about living on campus is part of the Embark experience. We will also explore some of the spaces and opportunities available at University Park and in State College that may be helpful or fun for you.
The cost of Embark is $2,500. This includes housing, meals, all programming, and scheduled activities for the full week. Once you are enrolled, you will not need to pay for additional program-related expenses.
Yes. Need-based scholarships are available.
You will have the opportunity to share information related to financial need in your application. Please complete these questions to the best of your ability, and we will follow up with you regarding scholarship options.
You can request a full refund if you cancel your registration by May 8th. Due to program capacity and planning, refunds are not available after this date.
You will complete an application that helps us get to know you and see if Embark is a good fit. Submitting an application does not guarantee enrollment. After acceptance, you will complete a registration form where we learn more about your goals and experiences. This helps us tailor the Embark experience to the students who participate.
You will be supported by a team that includes Penn State professionals who specialize in supporting members of the autism community in educational settings, trained peer coaches, and current Penn State students who are members of the autism community. The program is designed with flexibility in mind, including different ways to participate, sensory considerations, and opportunities for both group and individual engagement.
Your parents or caregivers are welcome to attend sessions on the first day of the program. These sessions are designed to help them understand their own transition to being the parents and caregivers of a college student and the resources available at Penn State.
You will leave Embark with a clearer understanding of how to navigate Penn State, who to connect with, what resources are available to you, and an individually designed success plan for how you want to start your Penn State experience. You will also have relationships with peers and staff that you can continue to build on during your Penn State journey.
You will have the opportunity to share your needs during the application process. This may include academic, social, sensory, or housing considerations. The program team will use this information to plan and provide support throughout your experience. We are excited to learn how we can best support you at Embark and throughout your Penn State journey.
Embark takes place June 7through June 12 on the University Park campus. The program begins with an opening lunch on June 7th and concludes the morning of June 12th with a final lunch.