The University of Pennsylvania, or Penn, was established in 1790 and is one of the oldest universities in America. This prestigious Ivy League school is known for its top-notch research as well as its undergraduate programs that focus on practical applications grounded in a strong liberal arts foundation. It accepts both the Common App and the Coalition Application and requires supplemental Penn essays. These supplemental essays help Penn gain a more holistic view of you as a potential student. Penn states, “Our ideal candidates are inspired to emulate our founder Benjamin Franklin by applying their knowledge in ‘service to society.’” Through your Common App, the adcom is aware of your grades and test scores, and understands the level of rigor in your curriculum within the context of your high school environment. Use the supplemental essays to tell them something unique about your life experience. As you share your story, you must demonstrate how you are an ideal match for Penn and how Penn will help you accomplish your life goals. Illustrate how you engage with and think about the world around you. Communicate your thoughts, values, and perspectives so they can understand what is important to you!

Penn offers a binding Early Decision option with a November 1 deadline and a Regular Decision option with a deadline of January 5. Consider the Early Decision option if Penn is your first choice, because the rate of admission is higher during Early Decision. In addition, if Penn is your first choice and you have alumni ties, Early Decision might be the best approach. In the past, alumni affiliation received the most consideration during the Early Decision program. Keep in mind, applying to any school via binding Early Decision will limit when and how you apply to other schools. You are allowed to apply Early Decision to Penn and Early Action to other nonbinding or nonrestrictive Early Action programs. Always check with the specific schools for guidelines. 

Before you sit down to begin writing your essays, do your research to learn as much as possible about Penn’s approach to education. Familiarize yourself with the unique character of the school, go through the website, get a sense of the campus and academic atmosphere, visit the campus (if possible), speak with students, and imagine yourself as a student at Penn. In short, identify what makes the school a good fit for you. 

Penn is located in the city of Philadelphia and offers an exceptional education in a diverse urban setting on a primarily residential campus. Penn provides many opportunities for students to investigate various areas of interest. The availability of learning hubs is an example of how the university fosters an active and dynamic exploration of ideas. Think about how you might embrace this approach and the overall academic climate at Penn.  

It should come as no surprise that Penn is steeped in tradition. Although the school’s curriculum is flexible, it is grounded in a high-quality liberal arts and science foundation. The four undergraduate schools (College of Arts and Science, Penn Engineering, School of Nursing, and The Wharton School) pride themselves on providing an integrated and functional education. Consider how this approach will affect your experience at Penn. 

Penn Supplemental Essay Prompt 1

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!) (50-200 words, only required for first year applicants)

First, consider your overall application to Penn, because you want to shed light on something you have not mentioned in any detail elsewhere. This is an opportunity for you to convey your ability to recognize and genuinely appreciate the behavior of others. The person you write to should be someone who has had a significant and positive impact on you — your life, way of thinking, identity, or interests. How did they influence you? This is a short note, so use concise language to explain what you are thanking them for, how what they did (intentionally or not) affected you, and why you are grateful. 

Penn Supplemental Essay Prompt 2

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. (50-200 words)

This prompt is meant to address the interplay of how you might both contribute to and benefit from the extracurricular atmosphere at Penn. How will you participate in the Penn community and contribute to it in meaningful ways? You have only 200 words in which to express what excites you most about the school’s community, provide some specific examples of how you might engage with it, and reveal how you could enhance and grow from it based on your individual identity and perspective. Among other things, this prompt provides an opportunity to express your cultural background and unique interests. Consider the diverse population of students and their experiences in light of your own identity and perspectives. Also consider the Penn community within the context of the city of Philadelphia. Remember that Penn’s founder Ben Franklin was focused on service to society, and that begins with the dynamic community around you and expands from there. Overlay your individual story with the community at Penn. Your response requires you to look at your identity and perspective and consider ways you mesh with the Penn community and how that might affect you – and likewise, how you might influence those around you. What do you bring with you based on your life experience? What might you gain though your potential interactions/opportunities/exchanges with those in the community at Penn?

School-Specific Essay Prompt 3

The school-specific prompt is unique to the school to which a student is applying. Considering the undergraduate school you have selected, please respond to your school-specific prompt below. (For example, all applicants applying to the College of Arts and Sciences will respond to the prompt under the “College of Arts and Sciences” section).

For students applying to the coordinated dual-degree and specialized programs, please answer this question in regard to your single-degree school choice; your interest in the coordinated dual-degree or specialized program may be addressed through the program-specific essay.

For this response, you will address the school-specific prompt (School of Nursing, College of Arts and Science, The Wharton School, or School of Engineering and Applied Science) in 50-200 words.

Although each prompt is slightly different based on the school to which you are applying, the underlying question is the same: How does Penn support your intellectual and academic interests, and how do your goals align with the specific mission of the school? Do your research into your school of choice. How will it prepare you to achieve your goals? You must demonstrate an understanding of yourself by articulating your personal connection to the program’s mission. Consider why you are a good fit for the undergraduate school you are targeting (College of Arts and Sciences, School of Nursing, The Wharton School, or Penn Engineering). What specific academic, service, and/or research opportunities (available at Penn) might enhance your journey and help you accomplish your goals? Include examples of how your personal experiences make the program at Penn a good fit for you. How will the opportunities at the school expand, nurture, and support your interests and aspirations? In closing, remember to address why you are driven to attend the program at Penn and how a Penn education will help you to effect change in the world.

Students applying to dual-degree and specialized programs should address the prompts above in terms of the single-degree school choice in your response. Your interest in the coordinated or specialized program can be addressed in your program-specific essay/s (50-650 words, depending on the program). 

Note that additional essays are required if you are applying to one of the Coordinated Dual Degree and Specialized Programs offered at Penn. These responses have limits that range from 50 to 650 words. Although we do not address these individual prompts in detail here, keep in mind that each one asks you to share specific examples and experiences that demonstrate your potential for success, along with your enthusiasm for and attraction to the particular program. These programs are a significant commitment, and you need to convey your genuine dedication. The adcom uses your essays to determine whether you will be a good match for the particular dual degree or specialized program to which you seek admission. 

This is a competitive application process, and you are up against an increasingly competitive group of applicants. Effectively communicating the intangibles of your candidacy through your essays is the best way to differentiate yourself in this prestigious crowd. Make certain your essay content addresses each prompt. Use your essay responses to discuss what is meaningful to you, project the value you might add to the campus community and convey how Penn is the ideal place for you to achieve your dreams for the future.

Take a deep breath and try not to be intimidated by this process. Start early to allow yourself enough time to thoroughly research, prepare, and complete all elements of your application. All these components must come together in a compelling way to present you as a highly competitive applicant. Penn is interested in your personal stories, life experiences, hopes, and aspirations. It seeks to attract and foster great thinkers and future leaders who will play constructive roles in society. Take the time and invest the energy to reveal your best self!