Thinking about applying to Penn? Here are some things you should consider when working on your supplemental essays: The prompt: Write a short thank-you note to someone you have not yet thanked and would like to acknowledge. (We encourage you to share this note with that person, if possible, and reflect on the experience!) (150-200 words, only required for first-year applicants) What the Prompt is About: Penn is interested in your personal life, too! For this prompt, they are asking you to reveal details about someone in your life who had a meaningful impact on you and why. Tips: Think big picture. You don’t have to thank your friend for lending you her lucky pencil during exam week, but you might want to think about thanking the teacher who taught you how to challenge existing ideas and think outside the box. How have they prepared you to succeed in the future? Be honest. It might be tempting to make up a story about the taxi driver who saved your life, but Penn would rather hear about ordinary yet powerful life experiences that have shaped your character. The prompt: How will you explore community at Penn? Consider how Penn will help shape your perspective, and how your experiences and perspective will help shape Penn. (150-200 words) What the Prompt is About: This is Penn’s “community” prompt. It wants to know how you think you will positively impact Penn, and vice versa. Tips: Define “community.” It’s important to clearly explain, at the beginning of your essay, how you view the word “community” in the context of Penn. Do you mean its academic faculty and staff or student body? What will you do to make the most of your experience? Share details about yourself. In order to “fit in” with Penn, they need to know a little bit more about who you are. So, be sure to explain any family mottos, cultural values, or individual perspectives you think are relevant here. The prompt: The school-specific prompt is unique to the school to which you are applying: What the Prompt is About: This is Penn’s more “academic” prompt that aims to find out exactly how your academic goals and vision align with the specific school you are applying to. Penn Nursing intends to meet the health needs of a global, multicultural world by preparing its students to impact healthcare through advancing science. How will you contribute to our mission of promoting equity in healthcare and how will Penn Nursing contribute to your future nursing goals? (150-200 words) Tips: If you’re applying to Penn Nursing, be sure to share any personal experiences that drew you to your chosen field. Don’t forget to passionately explain how you view the importance of equity and how you plan to incorporate it into your future. You might want to mention specific internships or study abroad opportunities that appeal to you. The flexible structure of The College of Arts and Sciences’ curriculum is designed to inspire exploration, foster connections, and help you create a path of study through general education courses and a major. What are you curious about and how would you take advantage of opportunities in the arts and sciences? (150-200 words) Tips: If you’re applying to the College of Arts and Sciences, this is your chance to prove your passion for the academic area that excites you most. You should be sure to do your research and explain how Penn’s unique courses, research opportunities, or faculty would allow you to expand your understanding of your desired field. Wharton prepares its students to make an impact by applying business methods and economic theory to real-world problems, including economic, political, and social issues. Please reflect on a current issue of importance to you and share how you hope a Wharton education would help you to explore it. (150-200 words) Tips: If you’re applying to Wharton, Penn wants you to prove you know a little something about current events. Be sure to thoroughly research a current economic, political, or social issue you truly care about, and explain how an education at Penn would allow you to take meaningful steps to fix it. Penn Engineering prepares its students to become leaders in technology by combining a strong foundation in the natural sciences and mathematics with depth of study in focused disciplinary majors. Please share how you plan to pursue your engineering interests at Penn. (150-200 words) Tips: If you’re applying to Penn Engineering, you should “nerd out” here, and really explain how your interest in engineering started, why Penn is the best place for it, and where you plan to go from here.
