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How to Get Into UPenn: Essays and Strategies that Worked

How hard is it to get into the university of pennsylvania learn the upenn acceptance rate, admissions requirements, and read upenn essays that worked.

LEARN HOW TO GET INTO UPENN

Part 1: Introduction

Part 2: upenn requirements for admission, part 3: applying to upenn early decision vs. regular decision, part 4: 2023–2024 upenn supplemental essays.

If your child is a highly competitive student with an appetite for a rigorous course load and a robust thirst for learning, chances are they’re looking into attending one of the prestigious Ivy League universities . If they also happen to be interested in interdisciplinary thinking and attending college in a historic, thriving city, they should consider applying to the nation’s first university, the University of Pennsylvania.

But before you start asking how to get into UPenn, take a moment to learn as much as possible about the spirit of the school that calls itself “the Ivy League without the ivory tower.”

Penn was established in 1740 by founding father Benjamin Franklin, who envisioned an institution of higher education that pushed the boundaries of knowledge and contributed to furthering society. At Penn, that lofty mission manifests in integrated studies in the liberal arts and sciences and pre-professional training at both the undergrad and graduate levels, along with several extremely unique interdisciplinary undergrad programs like the Huntsman Program in International Studies and Business.

Penn’s four undergraduate schools include a college of arts and sciences, a business school, an engineering school, and a school of nursing. No matter which school or major students are enrolled in, Penn emphasizes that all undergraduate students receive a thorough foundation in the liberal arts. Many students take courses across all four undergraduate schools and choose from countless interdisciplinary minors and dual degrees.

Your child might spend their summer traveling with the Penn-in-Cannes abroad course to attend the Cannes International Film Festival and study international business, or hiking the Swiss and Italian Alps to gain direct field experience in their studies of geography. They might be invited by a top professor of physics to research supernovas in the Andes Mountains and aid in the discovery of a new planet by the start of the fall semester. Or they could spend their days training as an oncology nurse at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania and their nights reading their poems to an audience of literary giants at the Kelly Writers’ House.

Penn prides itself on a tradition of firsts—the nation’s first university founded by its first statesman, in the nation’s first capital of Philadelphia—and it has a long tradition of producing the world’s foremost innovators and thinkers. Your child might follow in the footsteps of some of Penn’s greatest alumni—launch a private space exploration company like Elon Musk, become the chief NBC Nightly News correspondent like Andrea Mitchell, change the landscape of political thought like Noam Chomsky, or entertain the world through performance like John Legend.

As is the case for any Ivy League school, the competition to gain admission is fierce. Fortunately, our team has helped many UPenn applicants achieve admissions success and we routinely receive messages like these:

"Thank you so much for all of your support for [name removed]! UPENN CAS 2025!!!!! Thanks again!!!!!!" STUDENT ACCEPTED TO UPENN VIA EARLY DECISION

"Just wanted to send over a note that I just recently received an invitation to join the UPenn class of 2026! Thanks for everything—it's certainly paid off!" STUDENT ACCEPTED OFF OF UPENN WAITLIST

Read on to learn the UPenn acceptance rate, admissions requirements, and our recommendations to help your child maximize their chances of receiving a UPenn acceptance.

UPenn ranking

Penn sits firmly among the top 15 schools in the nation.

U.S. News & World Report: 7

Wall Street Journal/Times Higher Education: 10

(Suggested reading: Ivy League Rankings: The Definit ive Guide)

Where is UPenn?

UPenn is located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. This walkable, unpretentious, historic Mid-Atlantic metropolis is nestled in the corridor between Washington D.C. and New York City.

Philadelphia was named a UNESCO World Heritage City in 2015, the first city in the United States given this distinction. It’s also the ninth-largest metropolitan economy in the U.S. and home to five Fortune 1000 companies, meaning your child might have a chance to intern or network with alumni and local Penn affiliates at the telecommunications giant Comcast or the food technology corporation FMC.  

UPenn setting

Penn’s urban campus is located in the University City neighborhood of Philadelphia. While Penn is right in the heart of the city, the campus itself is abundantly green—so much so that it was officially declared an arboretum in 2017.

University City is a safe, affordable section of Philly easily accessible to the rest of the city and the greater Northeast corridor region through public transit. Your child might roll out of bed in their dorm room at Penn and be at their internship at JP Morgan Chase & Co or Facebook an hour later.

UPenn student population

Undergraduate students: 10,412

Graduate and professional students: 13,147

UPenn acceptance rate

Here’s the UPenn admissions data pertaining to the class of 2027 :

Applications: 59,463

Acceptances: ~3,300

Matriculants: 2,420

Acceptance rate: ~5%

(Suggested reading: Ivy League Acceptance Rates )

UPenn tuition and scholarships

The 2023–2024 cost of attendance at UPenn (i.e., tuition, room, board, and fees) is $89,028.

UPenn meets 100 percent of demonstrated need without student loans, allowing students to graduate debt-free. In 2020-2021, 46 percent of undergrads received grant-based financial aid, and the average award was $56,095.

Who gets into UPenn?

In order to assess your child’s odds of gaining acceptance to UPenn, we’ve provided a profile of successful applicants:

96% of students are in the top 10 percent of their high school graduating class.

UPenn average GPA: 3.9

UPenn average ACT score: 35

25th percentile: 34

75th percentile: 36

UPenn average SAT score: 1535

25th percentile: 1510

75th percentile: 1560

International students: 13% (Class of 2026)

First-generation college students: 19% (Class of 2027)

In Fall 2021, the largest racial demographic of UPenn undergrads was white students (34%), followed by Asian-American/Pacific Islander (26%), Hispanic/Latine (10%), and African American/Black (8%).

Over 90% of our students get into one or more of their top 3 schools

Get our free 110-page guide for strategies to become the kind of applicant that selective colleges love to admit: How to Get Into America’s Elite Colleges: The Ultimate Guide

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Thank you! Your guide is on its way. In the meantime, please let us know how we can help you crack the the college admissions code . You can also learn more about our 1-on-1 college admissions support here .

UPenn academic requirements

Similar to its Ivy League and Ivy+ counterparts, Penn seeks intellectually curious, well-rounded students who will continue that Franklinian philosophy of applying knowledge in service to society—the Penn community, the city of Philadelphia, and the world.

There are no specific course requirements to get into UPenn but the university expects your child to have taken challenging classes in the core academic areas (English, social studies, math, science, and foreign language) based on the courses available to them at their specific high school. They also want to see how your child challenges themselves with extracurricular activities .

It's worth noting that Penn, unlike Harvard, Yale, or Stanford, but like Cornell, does ask students to apply to one of the four specific colleges within the university. Again, those undergraduate schools are: The College of Arts and Sciences, the School of Nursing, Penn Engineering, and the Wharton School of Business.

Revisiting coursework for a moment, admission suggestions for each of the four undergraduate colleges are slightly different. The College of Arts and Sciences expects your child to have had a balanced and advanced college prep curriculum, while both Penn Engineering and the Wharton School expect particularly strong preparation in mathematics, with coursework in calculus of possible. The School of Nursing likes to see strong science prep, particularly in chemistry.   

Choosing one of the four colleges also means that, to apply to Penn, your child may need a little more information about their future academic plan than they might at another school. However, while identifying an intended major gives the admissions committee an idea of what your child might pursue at Penn, it has no impact on their studies once they enroll in one the undergraduate colleges.

Over half of students who indicate an intended major end up majoring in a different subject once they are studying at Penn. If your child is undecided, they can check that box, like over half of students admitted to the College of Arts and Science.

One difference to consider: If your child is admitted to one school and decides they’d rather study in another (for example—they are admitted to the College of Arts and Sciences but decide after their first year they’d rather study business at Wharton), their internal transfer is not normally considered until after their sophomore year. 

UPenn application requirements

Here’s the lowdown on what your child will need. Penn accepts both the Common Application and the Coalition Application.

Common App essay

Two Penn-specific essays and possibly several more essays tailored to the undergraduate school to which your child intends to apply

Optional in 2023–2024: ACT or SAT test scores

Optional: IB, AP, or AICE test results

3 letters of recommendation , following one of the options below:

1 counselor recommendation and 2 teacher recommendations

1 counselor recommendation, 1 teacher recommendation, and 1 other recommendation (e.g. a letter from a supervisor, mentor, coach, arts or music teacher, spiritual leader, or cultural leader)

School report, transcript, and midyear senior report (plus a final report required in June for matriculating students)

Optional: Additional letters of recommendation, art or music samples, or an expanded resume or research abstract in addition to the activities section of the application

Your child can apply to Penn via a binding early decision agreement by November 1st. They’ll receive an answer of accepted, deferred to the regular decision pool, or denied by mid-December. Penn admits roughly half of their incoming class through early decision, but the UPenn early decision acceptance rate is still low, around 15 percent.

Your child can also apply regular decision to Penn, by January 5th. 

How do you know if your child should apply to UPenn early decision?

If Penn is absolutely your child’s first choice (i.e. they will 100 percent attend UPenn if admitted and your family can pay, regardless of the financial aid package offered), and their application is ready by November 1st, then applying early is right for them.

If your child needs the fall semester of their senior year to improve their test scores, GPA, or activities profile, then they should wait for regular decision

Since Penn has different undergraduate schools, you might be asking yourself, are your child’s admissions odds affected by which school they apply to? The answer: Not particularly. Admissions rates to the College of Arts and Sciences, Wharton, and Penn Engineering are all typically under 10 percent. Only the School of Nursing is slightly higher—about 25 percent in recent years.

(Suggested reading: Early Action vs. Early Decision: Pros and Cons and What Your Child Should Do )

Part 4: 2023–2024 UPenn supplemental essays (examples included)

Penn will evaluate your child based on their Common App personal statement, but it is equally important that they have exceptional Penn-specific supplemental essays . Some individual undergraduate schools and specialty programs require additional written supplements, so make sure your child is aware of all Penn-specific essays required for their chosen program. 

For all undergraduate admissions, Penn requires two supplements, both of which are shorter than the Common App essay: a 350–400-word essay that focuses on academic pursuits and a 150–200-word mini-essay that focuses on life outside of school.

Like other Ivy League essays , these supplements help the admissions team get a more holistic picture of your child’s drive, leadership, passions, intellect, and background. These essays allow the admissions committee to imagine how your child might contribute to Penn’s culture.

First, let’s meet a few students closely based on Penn applicants we’ve worked with previously:

Jean is a first-generation college student interested in the Science, Technology, and Society major at Penn as a foundation for law school. She has been captain of the debate team since her sophomore year, and she’s a self-declared history buff. Jean writes a history of technology column for her school newspaper and serves as its web developer—last year, she even created an app for the paper.

Aashish is applying to the Nursing and Health Care Management Dual Degree Program. He loves statistics, chemistry, and working with kids, and spent his summer volunteering at the children’s cancer ward at his local hospital. Since his freshman year in high school, Aashish has held a part-time job as a dishwasher at a restaurant owned by his uncle.

Alice grew up between Minneapolis and Mexico City. She volunteered at a women’s prison in Mexico City during her last two years of high school and made a documentary with her IB Film class that profiled some of the prisoners and their lives there. She doesn’t know exactly what she wants to major in but feels strongly about the intersection of art and public policy. She also writes poetry but doesn’t have any coursework or achievements that show her talent.  

Learn how to write outstanding Ivy League essays

Get our free 110-page guide to help you with every single one: How to Get Into America’s Elite Colleges: The Ultimate Guide

Question 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!) (150-200 words)

This short prompt offers students a chance to talk about their support system and what’s important to them on a personal level. Penn students come from many walks of life with many different academic goals in mind. Considering a student’s character is an important aspect of the admissions process.

The kind of letter you write will depend on your own experiences, but keep in mind that this question is specifically asking you to acknowledge other people who have contributed to your success. This can be a teacher, parent, coach, community leader, or any other person who has made a difference in your life.

Here’s how Jean answered this prompt:

Dear Mom & Dad,

Thank you so much for always placing the highest value on curiosity and exploration. It’s really been a huge influence on my positive nature and optimistic outlook. I’m often the only one in class smiling while working on a perplexing coding error, asking my genetics teachers for extra lab work, or laughing at the science puns my robotics teacher put on the back of our tests. That’s all thanks to the playful, intellectual atmosphere you both gave me. 

When I first became interested in STEM, you balanced the cold facts with warm jokes. When I talked endlessly about the history of salt, you listened closely, even though you definitely didn’t care about the basic seasoning as much as me or Kurlansky. You gave me a confidence that helped me write about tech with authority and carried me through every debate over the past two years. I love who you have helped me become: a light-hearted, academically driven young woman, reflective of her supremely supportive family.

What makes this a great response?

Jean combines her appreciation for her parents with a closer look at her current academic experiences.

Jean recognizes the importance of balancing academics with passion, marking it as a defining familial trait.

Jean acknowledges how her support system is at least partially responsible for her success, allowing her to sound confident yet humble.

Question 2: How will you explore community at Penn? Consider how Penn will help shape your perspective and identity, and how your identity and perspective will help shape Penn. (150-200 words)

Question 3: 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)

Question 4: Penn Engineering prepares its students to become leaders in technology, by combining a strong foundation in the natural sciences and mathematics, exploration in the liberal arts, and depth of study in focused disciplinary majors. Please share how you hope to explore your engineering interests at Penn. (150-200 words)

Question 5: Penn Nursing intends to meet the health needs of society in a global and multicultural world by preparing its students to impact healthcare by advancing science and promoting equity. What do you think this means for the future of nursing, and how do you see yourself contributing to our mission of promoting equity in healthcare? (150-200 words)

Question 6: 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)

Gain instant access to essay examples for every supplemental essay prompt from the top universities and BS/MD programs in the United States.

(Suggested reading: Successful College Essay Examples From Top-25 Universities )

Final thoughts

The University of Pennsylvania is a top contender for any ambitious high school student with a penchant for intersecting scholarship with practical knowledge. Here, your child will have every opportunity to access a first-rate education for their intellectual life and career paths. Penn’s identity is very specific, so as you think about how to get into UPenn, your child should get to know the school. It’ll help them articulate how they fit perfectly into Penn’s unique intellectual culture.

About the Author

Dr. Shirag Shemmassian is the Founder of Shemmassian Academic Consulting and one of the world's foremost experts on college admissions. For nearly 20 years, he and his team have helped thousands of students get into top programs like Harvard, Stanford, and MIT using his exclusive approach.

THERE'S NO REASON TO STRUGGLE THROUGH THE COLLEGE ADMISSIONS PROCESS ALONE, ESPECIALLY WITH SO MUCH ON THE LINE. SCHEDULE YOUR COMPLIMENTARY CONSULTATION TO ENSURE YOU LEAVE NOTHING TO CHANCE.

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The Penn application process includes a personal essay as well as supplemental short answer prompts. We read your words carefully, as they are yet another window into how you think, what you value, and how you see the world. Through your writing, we get a glimpse of what you might bring to our community, including  your voice and creativity.

• Apply for Admission
• International Applicants
• Transfer Admission
• Comprehensive Review
• Extracurricular-Activities
• High School Preparation
• Alumni Conversations
• Letters of Recommendation
• Supplementary Materials
• Incoming Class Profile

Before you begin writing:

• Review the prompt thoroughly. Be sure you’re answering the question or prompt being asked. T opics are chosen because the Admissions Committee wants to know specific things about you. If you don’t address the them directly, we are left to make decisions regarding your application with incomplete information.
• Consider your response carefully. We understand that you may be writing responses for different schools and you may want to reuse material, but read through your response to make sure the content is relevant to the prompt.
• Double check your writing. Give yourself time to revisit your response. Do not rush your writing process; create space in your schedule to revise your work. Ultimately, it is up to you to polish your response before you submit.

In your Penn supplemental short answers, be precise when explaining both why you are applying to Penn and why you have chosen to apply to that specific undergraduate school. Some of our specialized programs will have additional essays to complete, but the Penn supplemental prompts should address the single-degree or single-school choice.

2023-24 Short Answer & Essay Prompts

Penn Supplemental Short Answer Prompts (Required)

• 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)
• 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)
• The school-specific prompt will now be 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.

Transfer Essay  (required for all transfer applicants): Please explain your reasons for transferring from your current institution and what you hope to gain by transferring to another institution. (4150 characters)

Penn Nursing intends to meet the health needs of society in a global and multicultural world by preparing its students to impact healthcare by advancing science and promoting equity. What do you think this means for the future of nursing, and how do you see yourself contributing to our mission of promoting equity in healthcare? (150-200 words)

To help inform your response, applicants are encouraged to learn more about Penn Nursing’s mission and how we promote equity in healthcare . This information will help you develop a stronger understanding of our values and how they align with your own goals and aspirations.

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)

To help inform your response, applicants are encouraged to learn more about the academic offerings within the College of Arts and Sciences .  This information will help you develop a stronger understanding of how the study of the liberal arts aligns with your own goals and aspirations.

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)

To help inform your response, applicants are encouraged to learn more about the foundations of a Wharton education . This information will help you better understand what you could learn by studying at Wharton and what you could do afterward.

Penn Engineering prepares its students to become leaders in technology, by combining a strong foundation in the natural sciences and mathematics, exploration in the liberal arts, and depth of study in focused disciplinary majors. Please share how you hope to explore your engineering interests at Penn. (150-200 words)

To help inform your response, applicants are encouraged to learn more about Penn Engineering and its mission to prepare students for global leadership in technology . This information will help you develop a stronger understanding of academic pathways within Penn Engineering and how they align with your goals and interests.

Coordinated Dual Degree and Specialized Programs Short Answer Prompts

For students applying to the coordinated dual-degree and specialized programs, please answer the program-specific essay below.

** Character count that only applies to transfer students applying through Common App.

Why are you interested in the Digital Media Design (DMD) program at the University of Pennsylvania? (400-650 words / 3575 characters**)

The Huntsman Program supports the development of globally minded scholars who become engaged citizens, creative innovators, and ethical leaders in the public, private, and non-profit sectors in the United States and internationally. What draws you to a dual-degree program in business and international studies, and how would you use what you learn to contribute to a global issue where business and international affairs intersect? (400-650 words)

The LSM program aims to provide students with a fundamental understanding of the life sciences and their management with an eye to identifying, advancing, and implementing innovations. What issues would you want to address using the understanding gained from such a program? Note that this essay should be distinct from your single degree essay. (400-650 words)

• Explain how you will use the M&T program to explore your interest in business, engineering, and the intersection of the two. (400-650 words)
• Describe a problem that you solved that showed leadership and creativity. (250 words)

Describe your interests in modern networked information systems and technologies, such as the internet, and their impact on society, whether in terms of economics, communication, or the creation of beneficial content for society. Feel free to draw on examples from your own experiences as a user, developer, or student of technology. (400-650 words / 3575 characters**)

Discuss your interest in nursing and health care management. How might Penn's coordinated dual-degree program in nursing and business help you meet your goals? (400-650 words)

• Please list any predental or premedical experience. This experience can include but is not limited to observation in a private practice, dental clinic, or hospital setting; dental assisting; dental laboratory work; dental or medical research; etc. Please include time allotted to each activity, dates of attendance, location, and a description of your experience. If you do not have any predental or premedical experience, please indicate what you have done or plan to do in order to explore dentistry as a career.
• Do you have relatives who are dentists or are in dental school? If so, indicate the name of each relative, his/her relationship to you, the school attended, and the dates attended.
• Describe any activities which demonstrate your ability to work with your hands.
• What activities have you performed that demonstrate your ability to work effectively with people?
• Please explain your reasons for selecting dentistry. Please include what interests you the most about dentistry as well as what interests you least.

How do you envision your participation in the Vagelos Integrated Program in Energy Research (VIPER) furthering your interests in energy science and technology? Please include any past experiences (ex. academic, research, or extracurricular) that have led to your interest in the program. Additionally, please indicate why you are interested in pursuing dual degrees in science and engineering and which VIPER majors are most interesting to you at this time. (400-650 words)

How to Write the University of Pennsylvania Supplemental Essays: Examples + Guide 2023/2024

TABLE OF CONTENTS

What are the upenn supplemental essay prompts.

• How to write each supplemental essay prompt for UPenn
• Prompt #1: "Thank you note" essay
• Prompt #2: Community contribution essay
• Prompt #3: Specialized/dual-degree program prompts

UPenn has a long history (as in, older than the US itself) as a strong academic institution. Founded by Ben Franklin, the university prides itself on helping to educate leaders in both academia and public service.

UPenn’s supplemental essays have for a long time primarily focused on some variation of “Why us?,” offering you a chance to show the school who you are through linking your skills/qualities/values/interests to the awesome things UPenn offers. In other words, how do you and the school fit together?

Additionally, UPenn has several possible prompts for students applying to dual-major or specialized programs.

If you want to get a clearer sense of all that UPenn is looking for, you can explore an extensive, by-the-numbers look at their offerings, from enrollment and tuition statistics to student life and financial aid information, on its Common Data Set . And for insights into how the university envisions itself and its role, and how it wants to grow and evolve, read its strategic plan . Reading through this will give you a strong idea of what UPenn values.

UPenn Supplemental Essay Prompt #1

All Undergraduate Applicants: 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)

UPenn Supplemental Essay Prompt #2

All Undergraduate Applicants: 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)

College of Arts and Sciences Essay Prompt

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)

School of Engineering & Applied Science Essay Prompt

Penn Engineering prepares its students to become leaders in technology, by combining a strong foundation in the natural sciences and mathematics, exploration in the liberal arts, and depth of study in focused disciplinary majors. Please share how you hope to explore your engineering interests at Penn. (150-200 words)

School of Nursing Essay Prompt

Penn Nursing intends to meet the health needs of society in a global and multicultural world by preparing its students to impact healthcare by advancing science and promoting equity. What do you think this means for the future of nursing, and how do you see yourself contributing to our mission of promoting equity in healthcare? (150-200 words)

The Wharton School Essay Prompt

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)

Seven Year Bio-Dental Program (Bio-Dent) Essay Prompts

Please list any predental or premedical experience. This experience can include but is not limited to observation in a private practice, dental clinic, or hospital setting; dental assisting; dental laboratory work; dental or medical research; etc. Please include time allotted to each activity, dates of attendance, location, and a description of your experience. If you do not have any predental or premedical experience, please indicate what you have done or plan to do in order to explore dentistry as a career. (250 word limit)* Do you have relatives who are dentists or are in dental school? If so, indicate the name of each relative, his/her relationship to you, the school attended, and the dates attended. (250 word limit)* Describe any activities which demonstrate your ability to work with your hands. (250 word limit) What activities have you performed that demonstrate your ability to work effectively with people? (250 word limit) Please explain your reasons for selecting dentistry. Please include what interests you the most about dentistry as well as what interests you least. (250 word limit)

Digital Media Design Program (DMD) Essay Prompt

Why are you interested in the Digital Media Design (DMD) program at the University of Pennsylvania? (400-650 words)

The Huntsman Program in International Studies Essay Prompt

The Huntsman Program supports the development of globally-minded scholars who become engaged citizens, creative innovators, and ethical leaders in the public, private, and non-profit sectors in the United States and internationally. What draws you to a dual-degree in business and international studies, and how would you use what you learn to make a contribution to a global issue where business and international affairs intersect? (400-650 words)

The Roy and Diana Vagelos Program in Life Sciences & Management (LSM) Essay Prompt

The LSM program aims to provide students with a fundamental understanding of the life sciences and their management with an eye to identifying, advancing and implementing innovations. What issues would you want to address using the understanding gained from such a program? Note that this essay should be distinct from your single degree essay. (400-650 words)

The Jerome Fisher Program in Management & Technology (M&T) Essay Prompts

Explain how you will use the M&T program to explore your interest in business, engineering, and the intersection of the two. (400-650 words) Describe a problem that you solved that showed leadership and creativity. (250 words maximum)

The Rajendra and Neera Singh Program in Networked and Social Systems Engineering (NETS) Essay Prompt

Describe your interests in modern networked information systems and technologies, such as the Internet, and their impact on society, whether in terms of economics, communication, or the creation of beneficial content for society. Feel free to draw on examples from your own experiences as a user, developer, or student of technology. (400-650 words)

Nursing and Health Care Management (NHCM) Essay Prompt

Discuss your interest in nursing and health care management. How might Penn's coordinated dual-degree program in nursing and business help you meet your goals? (400-650 words)

The Roy and Diana Vagelos Integrated Program in Energy Research (VIPER) Essay Prompt

How do you envision your participation in the Vagelos Integrated Program in Energy Research (VIPER) furthering your interests in energy science and technology? Please include any past experiences (ex. academic, research, or extracurricular) that have led to your interest in the program. Additionally, please indicate why you are interested in pursuing dual degrees in science and engineering and which VIPER majors are most interesting to you at this time. (400-650 words)

How to Write each Supplemental Essay for UPenn

We’re not positive, but we suspect that UPenn was inspired to create this prompt by one of its more famous professors, Dr. Martin Seligman , who founded and has popularized the field of  Positive Psychology.

Specifically, one tool Seligman created to help people increase their sense of well-being is the Gratitude Visit. Here’s how he describes it:

Close your eyes. Call up the face of someone still alive who years ago did something or said something that changed your life for the better. Someone who you never properly thanked; someone you could meet face-to-face next week. Got a face? Gratitude can make your life happier and more satisfying. When we feel gratitude, we benefit from the pleasant memory of a positive event in our life. Also, when we express our gratitude to others, we strengthen our relationship with them. But sometimes our thank you is said so casually or quickly that it is nearly meaningless. In this exercise … you will have the opportunity to experience what it is like to express your gratitude in a thoughtful, purposeful manner. Your task is to write a letter of gratitude to this individual and deliver it in person. The letter should be concrete and about three hundred words: be specific about what she did for you and how it affected your life. Let her know what you are doing now, and mention how you often remember what she did. Make it sing! Once you have written the testimonial, call the person and tell her you’d like to visit her, but be vague about the purpose of the meeting; this exercise is much more fun when it is a surprise. When you meet her, take your time reading your letter.

We’d recommend approaching UPenn’s prompt using Seligman’s guidance and advice.

Your tone here can be more informal/conversational. Write this as though you’re actually going to give it to the person you’re grateful to. Then, ideally, give it to them.

Some gratitude steps:

Find a quiet space (we’d recommend something like a mountain top or the beach or just climbing a tree, if possible, but you get the idea). 

Grab a pen or pencil and some paper. 

Close your eyes. 

Think about gratitude . Spend some time reflecting on what in your life you’re grateful for.

That last step might be more nebulous for some than others, so for a more concrete way to think about gratitude, just to get your mind in the right space, you can play with a version of a Stoic meditation often called “The Last Time”—it’s easier to feel gratitude for things (even stuff like chores) when we think about the fact that there’ll be a last time we get to experience them, and we probably don’t know it at the time. For example, for a parent, there’s a last time they’ll get to pick up their child and carry them to bed. (Unless your parents are insanely strong and continue doing so into your teens and 20s. In which case, amazing.) 

Think about something you used to do with someone—it can be as simple as playing hide ’n seek with a friend or relative—that you’ve maybe done for the last time (though we’d recommend never giving up hide ’n seek). Visualize that experience with them. Let the gratitude for what they brought to your life wash over you. Then keep following that flavor.

Side note: If you want to explore more tools Seligman and others have built around the science of happiness, head here .

Teacher Karen, I felt like an outsider in programming classes before you arrived. I remember sharing my dream to create an immersive 3D Harry Potter game and receiving laughter and indifference from teachers and peers. Maybe I was the outsider. After all, I was the only girl in the room. I felt lonely and threatened by the overflowing testosterone in class. Amongst hostile comments and harassment from teachers who complimented my appearance but underestimated my ideas, hearing “What is a girl doing here?” became my routine. It all changed when you first walked into class. Quickly, you showed me that STEM could be inclusive, and we became partners, the only two women in the room fighting for themselves and, most importantly, for each other. We stuck together, and you pushed me to improve intellectually and achieve things I had never expected. Thus, thank you for helping me create flying staircases and magical stones and finish my so-dreamed game. Thanks for turning me into a sorceress storyteller who used codes as spells to bring the unimaginable to life. Thank you for showing me that through grit and determination, we can break gender barriers and excel. With love, Juju (197 words) — — —

Tips + Analysis

Be specific. Reading this letter, we get a clear picture of the relationship between these two people, the context in which they interacted, and the specific ways the teacher impacted the student’s life. Think of this letter as a piece of storytelling, eulogizing an experience that’s had a lasting effect on you. Descriptive details like “immersive 3D Harry Potter game,” “overflowing testosterone in class,” and “flying staircases and magical stones” bring the reader into the story in a way that lets them feel the significance of that time. Such details also reveal something unique about this applicant, which helps her stand out.

Show your values and skills. Juju cares about inclusivity and gender equity in the STEM world, and she’s used this essay to show that. She’s also managed to convey some of her coding experience. When choosing your topic, consider what the vignette might demonstrate about what matters to you—ideally something you haven’t shared elsewhere in your application.

Write the letter you’d want to receive. Doesn’t this one make you go, “Awww”? It’s tender, intimate, and honest. The author speaks from her heart, plainly sharing her feelings of not belonging and how it felt to team up with her teacher and fight for each other and themselves. At CEG, we believe that this kind of vulnerability is a key quality that can help set some essays apart from others. Take up Penn’s invitation to be bold and open up—because that’s where the good stuff lies.

You can approach this as a “how will you contribute” prompt.

Essentially, a way to think of this kind of prompt is that it’s a combo of “community” and “why us” prompts: use some of your response to show how you’ve become who you are through the community/ies you’ve been part of, and then show how those experiences shape what you will bring to the college through linking to specific opportunities/groups/details. Connect your unique upbringing, in a very broad sense of the word, with what the school offers and how you will make a great team.

For a full guide to “community” essays , head there, but here’s the short version, plus how to add “how will you contribute” elements:

STEP 1: DECIDE WHAT COMMUNITY YOU WANT TO WRITE ABOUT

Create a “communities” chart by listing all the communities you’re a part of. Keep in mind that communities can be defined by...

Place: groups of people who live/work/play near one another

Action: groups of people who create change in the world by building, doing, or solving something together (Examples: Black Lives Matter, Girls Who Code, March for Our Lives)

Interest: groups of people coming together based on shared interest, experience, or expertise

Circumstance: groups of people brought together either by chance or external events/situations

STEP 2: USE THE BEABIES EXERCISE TO GENERATE YOUR ESSAY CONTENT

You’ll find detail on the BEABIES Exercise + a chart you can use at that link.

STEP 3: DO SOME “HOW WILL YOU CONTRIBUTE” RESEARCH

You’ll want to offer a few specific ways that show how the experience/s you’re discussing in your essay will allow you to contribute to the college. The easiest way to do this is to do some “Why Us”-like research and find ways you’ll engage with and contribute to the school’s community. 

STEP 4: PICK A STRUCTURE (NARRATIVE OR MONTAGE)

STEP 5: WRITE A FIRST DRAFT!

Here’s an example essay to illustrate the above approach:

Herding sheep at Washington Crossing Historic Park was my first window into the effects of climate change. Extreme summers forced the sheep to lay lethargically in an 18th century barn as their pastures wilted. Driven to make a difference in climate change awareness at my school, I joined the environmental club, EnAct, and organized a state-wide climate change conference. I tended to the school’s hens after joining the Garden Apprenticeship Program, and I organized book drives, beach sweeps, and trail cleanups while leading the Service Learning committee.  But, I yearn to impact the community beyond one-time initiatives.  At Penn, I want to make long-term, institutional change that will resonate for future generations. As a member of the Penn Environmental Group, I will campaign for the elimination of #6 plastics on campus and help organize GreenFest. I will learn the art of sustainable design through projects like the student-led Climate Action Plan. My experiences leading the Service Learning Committee and EnAct give me the unique perspective of environmentalism through a community lens. Collaborating with a diverse group of peers with unique interests, I will work towards making a dent in what I feel is the largest obstacle facing our generation. — — —

Use clear, direct structural elements. The hook gets us curious both about the student (you’ve been herding sheep?), and about how this connects to UPenn (we have faith she’ll get to the link, provided it doesn’t take too long).

Show how you’ll engage in the future through how you’ve engaged before. The first paragraph shows some nice elements of previous community engagement—driven by some of the student’s core values—that then link to how the student plans to continue that engagement within the Penn community. This shows she’s spent time researching the school and contemplating how she and the school fit together. The connection to core values also increases the reader’s confidence that the student will actually follow through on this at Penn.

Show parts of who you are through showing your values. As mentioned above, the author shows elements of identity through the values that have driven past engagement and will drive future engagement.

Here’s another example:

My friends who attend Wharton don’t talk primarily about the classes or clubs. They talk about the people, specifically how vastly different they are. A term one friend used was anti-me, a person with whom we share so little in common that even casual conversation becomes learning.  That concept of an unknown anti-me excites me. If my dorm neighbor studies at SEAS, perhaps I’ll find myself at PennApps with them, learning to code for the first time. If a classmate writes for Penn Appétit, I’d love to learn about food and tour Philadelphia restaurants with them.  I’m also excited to be someone else’s anti-self. Since Wharton clubs are open to all Penn students, I hope to convince my roommates to join Social Impact Consulting with me (after all, social responsibility transcends major).  As a family business entrepreneur, I’ll bring a client-side perspective to Consult for America. I imagine perpetual mutual learning and PPI Student Group discussions that spill over into late night talks in the Quad. Maybe I’ll even spread my love for R&B music by dragging my friends to a Spring Fling concert. I hope I’ll be a fun anti-self to chat with. — — — 

Take a minute to think about who you think this student is based on the above Community “Why us?” example. 

Like, actually pause and get a picture in your mind.

The “anti-me” idea offers a good window into the student and shows he’s ready for college, as colleges generally see themselves as places that serve to challenge our preconceived notions and cherished ideas. This is something that many people find uncomfortable, as it’s generally more pleasant to feel as though the ways we conceive of ourselves and the world are correct. But learning to ask uncomfortable questions and to have calm but complex dialogue is key to intellectual and emotional maturity. This essay shows a student who seems ready to continue taking steps down that path.

Additionally, he does a nice job weaving in a few different aspects of the Penn community he hopes to engage with, to shape, and to be shaped by.

UPENN College/program-specific supplemental essay prompts

Every UPenn applicant needs to write the essay above, but what other writing you need to do depends on which college/program you’re applying to.

We’ll offer some guidance for each below.

College of Arts and Sciences

This is a standard “Why us?” prompt. You’ll want to be sure to think of this not simply as “Why them?” but as “Why us?”—as in you + the school—and why you’d be a great fit together. One way we sometimes joke about this is to think about the essay as though you’re helping the school understand why your online dating profile and its online dating profile are perfect for each other, and how you’d probably make great partners. 

Always be sure to answer the question the prompt asks—link to specific elements of Penn that will allow you to continue exploring what you believe in and care about, what has shaped you academically and intellectually.

Penn’s website offers many videos charting different Penn students’ experiences. Exploring them may give you a clearer sense of what elements specific to Penn excite or intrigue you.

For a complete guide to the “Why us?” essays, click here . Here’s a condensed version:

Step #1: Do your research.

Spend 1 hr+ researching 10+ reasons why UPenn might be a great fit for you (ideally 3-5 of the reasons will be close to unique to UPenn AND connect back to you).

Step #2: Use this chart to map out your research.

Step #3: Decide on your approach.

Approach #1: The Basic, Solid “Why us?” Essay That Includes a Bunch of Reasons

Here’s an outline for a basic, solid “Why us?” essay:

Clear thesis that names the academic area(s) you want to pursue and maybe charts the path of the essay

Main reason #1 and 3-4 specific details

Main reason #2 and 3-4 specific details

Main reason #3 and 3-4 specific details

An ending that maybe discusses what you’ll give back

Approach #2: The “3-5 Unique Offerings” Strategy

Find 3-5 opportunities that are particular to the school (i.e., available at no other school or no other school you’re applying to), and connect each one back to you.

Approach #3: The “One Value” Strategy

How it works: Identify one core value that links you to the school and tell a story.

Find a way in which you and the school are deeply aligned.

Take your time crafting the essay.

Find a way to be vulnerable.

Could I create a hybrid approach by focusing on a central theme, but still listing a few reasons?

Here are a few example essays, with analysis.

Note that this example was written for when the prompt was 450 words, but the approach and specificity of content is what you want to focus on here. With some cuts, this would work great for the new word count.

Whether proving the Pythagorean theorem or delving into a 13th century Spanish poem, I revel in patterns. I look beneath the numbers and words on the page to understand their history: millennia of mathematical genius that contributed to a formula, contact of two cultures that forever altered the structure of a language, or an economic graph that really represents a mocha fad in Philadelphia. The presence of patterns in language has always fascinated me. Every word we speak bears the burden of ancient wars, socioeconomic disparity, and lost traditions, and continues to affect the lives of citizens today. In the Venezuelan refugee crisis, independence protests in Cataluña, and indigenous inequality in Mexico, language poses a barrier to international productivity. Language has also posed a barrier in my own life, in my relationship with my grandmother. While at Wharton, I want to take advantage of the fact that Penn is one of the only institutions to offer classes in Gujarati. I hope to learn my family’s heritage language and gain a deeper understanding of global linguistic diversity.  The summer before senior year, I had a window into linguistic studies at Penn while interning at the Cultural Evolution of Language Lab. I was exposed to psychology and cognitive linguistics by researching thematic relationships formed in the brain, and in a project about  bilingual code-switching, I had the opportunity to design my own artificial language. I was able to create the language patterns that had intrigued me for years.  After studying linguistic theory and the origins of Hispanic dialects around the world, I have come to realize that my interests lie in the applications of language. That’s where Wharton comes in. By using my knowledge of Spanish and Portuguese culture to analyze economic case studies in Latin America, I hope to merge my language skills with my fascination for economic policy.  The interdisciplinary nature of the Wharton curriculum epitomizes that combination. By studying international negotiations and participating in simulations to derive economic theory, I hope to develop the problem solving and critical thinking skills necessary to understand the deep complexities of societies around the world. I plan to follow the Business Economics Track in the Business Economics & Public Policy concentration, and pursue a secondary concentration in Global Analysis. In classes like Nations, Politics and Markets and Consumers, Firms & Markets in Developing Countries, I will gain a political and cultural perspective of international economics.  I also plan to continue my high school experiences studying Spanish by pursuing a minor in Latin American Studies from the College. I look forward to the course Diplomacy in the Americas in the Penn Model OAS Program, where I will get to combine my interests in Latin American culture, community service, and contemporary politics. At Wharton, a linguist-geek like myself will find a home where students work together to make a change in a complicated world. — — —

Again: clear, direct structural elements. The hook, particularly the 13th-century Spanish poetry reference, gets us curious about who this student is and how her brain works. It also immediately sets up a focus of the essay—patterns and language. There’s a clear thesis in the fifth paragraph that directly links the elements of discovery in the previous paragraphs with UPenn and how it’ll allow her to continue to enhance her exploration. Each paragraph has a clear topic sentence, so even if the reader is reading quickly or skimming, they’ll have a clear sense of where she’s heading. And it closes with a quick conclusion.

Show you’ve done your research. The latter part of the body discusses specific classes and programs the school offers and how they connect to what the student wants to pursue. We get the feeling that she isn’t applying simply because the school is on a ranking list somewhere or that she just skimmed some basic information, but rather that she has taken the time to think about what UPenn offers and how that fits what she wants in an education.

Connect details about the school to your values. We often call this the “so what” element of the essay—don’t just tell UPenn admission officers how great their school is (they know). Get into why those details connect to some of your core values by reflecting on what they will allow you to pursue or explore, and why those things matter to you. Bonus points if you can link details that excite you about the school to things you’ve already done, as the student above does by the Cultural Evolution of Language Lab.

Show us your intellect through your exploration and curiosity. Lines like, “Every word we speak bears the burden of ancient wars, socioeconomic disparity, and lost traditions, and continues to affect the lives of citizens today,” show us that this student has spent time exploring this on a much deeper level than most people tend to.

Here’s another example essay, also written for Penn’s old larger word count:

At heart, I’m both regulatory bureaucrat and capitalistic entrepreneur.  Coming from a small business-owning family, I’ve grown up finding ways to one-up the competition, from boosting website search ranking with unconventional SEO to negotiating with book suppliers to cut costs. After all, our rent depends on our profits.  However, I also hold enormous respect for regulation. I vividly remember seeing my second grade classmate Nelson sprawled on the asphalt in front of the Chinese school we both attended, accidentally run over by his teacher. I later discovered that afterschool was unlicensed: no safety training, no inspections, nothing. Years later, when my mother opened her own afterschool business, I filed the licensing documents and installed government-mandated guardrails. Nelson reminds me that, though burdensome, regulation is crucial.  The afterschool industry taught me the inseparability of business and policy, but also sparked my curiosity concerning how political economics can leverage that relationship for maximal social benefit. In my Democratic Party internship, I examined how to incentivize below-market-rate housing construction without reducing overall supply. At FBLA Nationals, I delivered a presentation on management practices to reduce oil spills, increasing profits while meeting environmental standards. Penn strikes me as a school surprisingly similar to the afterschool industry: an environment where practical learning occurs through doing and where business and policy can be explored in tandem. Penn’s interdisciplinary nature allows me to dive deep into politics while applying business to civics through the Wharton BEPP concentration. As State Chair of CAYPA, I’ve struggled with effectively lobbying businesses, so I’m eager to research Corporate Reputational Dynamics under Professor Abito, investigating the impact of different social activism strategies on business self-regulation. I haven’t seen such research anywhere outside Wharton. Further, Penn’s one-university system would allow me to take non-Wharton classes like Free Speech & Censorship. I’m looking forward to discussions amid the 2020 election, especially debating whether social media hate speech deserves First Amendment protections.  I’m drawn to Penn as a school which will challenge me to apply concepts to current events, as even foundational classes like ACCT102 are taught through case studies and simulations. I saw Penn’s emphasis on practical application during a dialogue with Professor van Bethem, who has already altered my stance on compliance credit trading by contextualizing in terms of environmental policy. I’m excited to merge my FBLA business management background with my CAYPA social advocacy experience through Wharton Impact Venture Associates, a practical, social-impact focused marriage of business and civics (though I believe activism regarding when not to invest is equally effective to compel social progress). Whether I become a leader in the afterschool industry or an elected official regulating it, I know Penn will enable this Capitalist Bureaucrat to catalyze purposeful impact.  — — —

And again (because they’re super helpful), use clear, direct structural elements. Notice how the first line performs a few functions here: It pulls us in—we’re curious what exactly the student means by this claim, plus it shows some of his personality—and there’s a slight wry humor to the juxtaposition. Again, this essay has clear topic sentences, a clear focus in each paragraph, and a clear conclusion, which bookends the essay succinctly and effectively.

Show you’ve done your research. The latter part of the body discusses specific classes and programs that the school offers and how they connect to what the student wants to pursue. We get the feeling that the student isn’t applying simply because the school is on a ranking list somewhere or that he just skimmed some basic information, but rather has taken the time to think about what UPenn offers and how that fits what the student wants in an education.

Show the development of your interest through moments that connect to core values. Each paragraph provides details that show both intellectual and emotional links to his chosen field, and that link to his core values (community involvement, integrity, etc.). And he does a nice job of increasing the degree of his interest and involvement (e.g., internship, FBLA Nationals), illustrating his dedication. Bonus points here for raising the stakes by mentioning his family’s rent in part depends on his work. 

School of Engineering & Applied Science

This is a standard “Why us?” prompt, focused on engineering. You’ll want to be sure to think of this not simply as “Why them?” but as “Why us?”—as in you + the school—and why you’d be a great fit together. One way we sometimes joke about this is to think about the essay as though you’re helping the school understand why your online dating profile and its online dating profile are perfect for each other, and how you’d probably make great partners. 

Here’s an essay example written for when Penn’s word count was much larger, but it’ll give you a clear idea of the direction to head in.

I paddle like there’s a Great White behind me. The wave catches me and I ride it to shore. When I get there, I see a dead baby sea lion, with two more dying further down the beach. Not the work of a shark, but climate change. Fish migrations caused by increasing water temperatures have forced sea lion mothers to venture farther for food, leaving sea lion pups stranded to die. Our world’s amazing creatures and ecosystems are in jeopardy due to humans’ abuse of the environment.  At heart, I’m an environmentalist and an engineer, and an education from UPenn will let me combine my passions and work towards addressing the most pressing problems facing the world. My work with Heal the Bay and Marine Protected Area Watch has been rewarding, but long-term, large scale solutions can only be accomplished through the scientific miracles of engineering. That’s where Penn comes in. At Penn, I want to study materials engineering with a minor in Energy and Sustainability (ENSU) to address global sustainability issues.  Over my last two summers, I have been able to pursue my passion for global solutions by working with the Laboratory for the Chemistry of Construction Materials at UCLA. I studied the crevice corrosion of Ti-6Al-4V, a titanium-aluminium-vanadium alloy, which has applications from medical implants to pipelines and the dissolution kinetics of calcite in cement to sequester CO2. At Penn, I want to continue research with practical and impactful applications. Professor David Pope’s research on the deformation of intermetallic compounds caused by intergranular boundaries, including titanium-aluminium alloys, will allow me to continue my rewarding work on metal defects. Additionally, Professor Cherie Kagan’s research on low-cost solar potovoltolics would let me explore energy technology and its widespread applications.  Penn’s courses will let me expand and adapt my interests. Penn’s Structure of Materials course, which focuses on the structure and bonding properties of various crystalline materials would let me develop and apply the work I have done. At UCLA, I scratched the surface of the nano properties of crystals and bonding with calcite and chelating agents, and it would be interesting to put my work into the greater context of crystalline behavior and characteristics. The Materials for Energy and Environmental Sustainability course sounds absolutely awesome! The class covers new sustainable energy technologies from fuel cells to photovoltaics to wind energy. It will teach me about breakthroughs in sustainable energy and prepare me to one day contribute to the field.  I’m excited to become part of Penn’s larger engineering community. With my fellow engineers, I want to tackle pressing humanitarian issues around the globe through Penn Engineers Without Borders. In 2013, the group worked to improve water quality by building a water distribution system in Cameroon. I’ve previously worked on a water quality project with my Environmental Club at Malibu High, where we replaced corroded drinking fountains with filtration stations that have provided safe water for the community while saving over 30,000 plastic bottles, and the Engineers Without Borders program will give me a greater understanding of the processes of water purification and its uses for humanitarian purposes.  Most importantly, Penn will teach me how to think, approach problems, and look to engineering for solutions. While the classes, programs, and research opportunities available at Penn will give me invaluable insight into engineering and its applications, I believe the most important thing that Penn will give me is the ability to work with equally passionate peers and to combine our critical thinking skills to address the issues we see in the world around us.  I am confident that an education from Penn will develop my ability to think critically and hone my tools to solve problems that I care about. Hopefully, my future work will make a positive difference in protecting the environment, and maybe one day, I’ll sea the sea lions in my hometown circle around my surfboard again. (649 words) — — —

Consider starting with a hook. Even in a much shorter essay, you can spare a sentence or two to rouse your reader from their essay-reviewing stupor. An evocative image or description, a surprising fact, a tiny anecdote can all get the reader’s attention and make them want to keep reading. Check out our guide to writing hooks for some possible ideas. Here, the author plunges us into an intriguing moment and then a saddening sea lion death, palpably demonstrating their engagement in environmental protection and leading perfectly into the theme of the essay–their plan to address sustainability with engineering. 

Link your experiences to Penn’s offerings. This person describes their research on metal defects at UCLA and then explains how they’d like to continue it by joining Professor David Pope’s research on deformation of intermetallic compounds. They detail the water quality project they worked on with their high school environmental club, and then their desire to join the water purification efforts of Penn Engineers Without Borders. This is the “Me + You” art of the “Why Us?” Essay. Connect your experiences (yep, it’s a kind of bragging, that’s fine) to related opportunities you plan to pursue at Penn. This author does it beautifully here by showing how they’ve engaged on environmental issues and now need Penn’s programs in materials engineering and energy and sustainability to address global sustainability issues.

Show you know your stuff. You really get what this person is into when they talk about “crevice corrosion of Ti-6Al-4V, a titanium-aluminium-vanadium alloy, which has applications from medical implants to pipelines and the dissolution kinetics of calcite in cement to sequester CO2.” You don’t have to get that jargon-y, but if you know some stuff about some stuff, show us. It’s the specific details in essays that make one stand out from another—and thus help you stand out from other applicants.

Cover the territory. This student doesn’t just mention academic opportunities, but also the larger engineering community they want to take part in and engage with, by joining the student org Penn Engineers Without Borders. As you research Penn Engineering, consider all that it has to offer–in academics, research, internships, initiatives, campus clubs and social life. That’s where that “Why Us?” Essay research chart can really come in handy.

School of Nursing

Equity in healthcare is an ever more pressing issue, and Penn is signaling its prominence in the nursing school’s mission. What are your opinions on and interaction with equity in the healthcare field? How have you engaged and/or how do  you hope to engage?

You could address this prompt from a personal perspective–have you or someone you’re close to encountered disparities while attempting to access medical care? If so, share that experience and the perspective on the system you’ve gained from it. Or you could spotlight a particular community that is affected or an aspect of the system where you notice and are concerned about inequity. Perhaps you’ve taken action to address this issue—in healthcare or elsewhere. Describe your efforts and how they promote fairness.

Finally, share how you plan to contribute to a more just healthcare system with the help of a Penn Nursing degree. What specific issues do you wish to tackle, and what will be your role? Give concrete examples that demonstrate your values and intentions to take action–while at Penn and beyond. 

The Wharton School

This is a short “Why Us?” essay that asks how you’ll use a Wharton education in business methods and economic theory to address a real-world issue. 

Think about an economic, political or social issue that most concerns you—ideally, one that you’ve already taken some action to address. It may be unequal access to education within underserved communities, disparate impact of climate change on countries of the global south, or a local issue that affects you or  your community. 

How can you bring business principles and resources to move the needle on that issue? And how will you take advantage of all that Wharton has to offer to make an impact?

It’s linked up top, but here’s the “Why us?” essay guide again and the research chart to gather info on specific opportunities available at Wharton you can discuss in your essay.

Here’s an example written for a past version of this prompt with a larger word count, but it can give you a clear idea of the direction to head with your essay:

The presence of patterns in language has always fascinated me. Every word we speak bears the burden of ancient wars, socioeconomic disparity, and lost traditions, and continues to affect the lives of citizens today. In the Venezuelan refugee crisis, independence protests in Cataluña, and indigenous inequality in Mexico, language poses a barrier to international productivity. The summer before senior year, I had a window into linguistic studies at Penn while interning at the Cultural Evolution of Language Lab. I was exposed to psychology and cognitive linguistics by researching thematic relationships formed in the brain, and in a project about  bilingual code-switching, I had the opportunity to design my own artificial language. I was able to create the language patterns that had intrigued me for years.  After studying linguistic theory and the origins of Hispanic dialects around the world, I have come to realize that my interests lie in the applications of language. That’s where Wharton comes in. By using my knowledge of Spanish and Portuguese culture to analyze economic case studies in Latin America, I hope to merge my language skills with my fascination for economic policy.  The interdisciplinary nature of the Wharton curriculum epitomizes that combination. By studying international negotiations and participating in simulations to derive economic theory, I hope to develop the problem solving and critical thinking skills necessary to understand the deep complexities of societies around the world. I plan to follow the Business Economics Track in the Business Economics & Public Policy concentration, and pursue a secondary concentration in Global Analysis. In classes like Nations, Politics and Markets and Consumers, Firms & Markets in Developing Countries, I will gain a political and cultural perspective of international economics.  I also plan to continue my high school experiences studying Spanish by pursuing a minor in Latin American Studies from the College. I look forward to the course Diplomacy in the Americas in the Penn Model OAS Program, where I will get to combine my interests in Latin American culture, community service, and contemporary politics. At Wharton, a linguist-geek like myself will find a home where students work together to make a change in a complicated world. — — —

Tips + analysis  

Narrow your niche. The more you hone in on a particular problem that concerns you, the stronger your response will be. This student details an atypical interest in bringing language to bear on economic policy, and names specific situations where that could come into play—the Venezuelan refugee crisis, independence protests in Cataluña, and indigenous inequality in Mexico. Make the issue concrete for your reader.

Play on your strengths. It’s evident this student has deeply engaged in linguistics study and its applications, and they take the chance to tout their specialized ability by “geeking out”–discussing bilingual code-switching, language patterns, origin of Hispanic dialects, and designing their own artificial language. Share the expertise or experience you bring to bear to your chosen situation.

Identify Wharton offerings that will help you achieve your goal. Research specific courses, majors, and other campus opportunities. This student named first and second concentrations, course titles, areas of study and minors that would support their further language and business exploration. You’ll probably have room for 2-3 in your shorter essay (maybe 4-5 if you squeeze).

Specialized/dual-degree program supplemental essay prompts

These programs are highly competitive (even more so than admission to UPenn itself). Notice that almost all of them have a word count limit of 650—the same length as your personal statement. They’re expecting you to get into some solid depth and detail regarding how and why you want to pursue this path. Read the prompt carefully, and be sure to respond to all elements of it.

A sample essay for one of the programs (Huntsman) appears below. Though the focus of each prompt is different, the approach is largely the same for many of them—some discussion of how you came to have the interests you do (see “ Why Major ”), then shift into how the program at UPenn specifically fits you and your interests (“ Why us? ” elements), and how you’ll be able to use your education to address specific issues or concerns in the field. 

The sample below focuses mostly on what personal connections and insights have drawn the student to this area.

During a family barbecue that crowds my house with a hundred hungry relatives, getting a prized lamb chop can be warfare. At one barbecue, my uncle ate every lamb chop straight off the grill. As part of the eldest generation--those who worked in Newark plastic factories to build a life for his children--he could take advantage of the vulnerable without repercussions. The younger generations went hungry and their protests did not survive his public condemnation.  Though this is perhaps a simplification, I’ve come to see this annual family dilemma as a microcosm of oppression. Around the world, the voices of the weakest populations are suppressed by the elite. In the Suprema Corte de Justicia de la Nación, corrupt judges are a barrier to checking the Mexican president’s power. Centralized government in London prevents educational development in Scotland. And right at home, wealthy organizations like the NRA finance campaigns so the interests of the public are undervalued in policy. The lack of representation halts political progress and economic development worldwide. The voices of the people go unheard.  The Brazilian empire once thrived on democratic institutions, but two-hundred years of centralization and corporatism diminished the voices of the people, especially that of minorities. Meanwhile, industrialization and agribusiness led to inequality between the developed south and the rural north. Today, indigenous communities in the northeast rainforests lack the resources to be represented in policy. Illegal loggers ravage the Amazon, desperate for agricultural land, while indigenous communities suffer violent displacement.  In response to recent inflation and fiscal crisis, the President reduced funding for the government environmental organization, IBAMA, which serves to impede exploitation of the Amazon. But this backfired. International companies like H&M have stopped buying Brazilian resources like leather, and European countries have become reluctant to carry out the planned Mercosur Treaty.  The reduced funding for IBAMA also revealed a deeper issue: inequality and underdevelopment. Loggers and miners are forced to work illegally on protected land just to make a living. Indigenous communities are belittled by the elite, and lack the support of local police. Low literacy rates in these regions inhibit political participation. Loggers and indigenous communities alike need a voice.   My interest in understanding policy and society through the perspective of citizens, rather than governments, draws me to the Huntsman Program. Values entrenched over thousands of years shape a nation’s political culture and economic behavior. After studying the history and governments of six countries in AP Comparative Government and Politics and researching the qualitative impacts of economic policy and foreign relations while at a wealth management firm, I have come to understand that economic and political success is shaped by the people. My passion for Spanish opened my eyes to the religious beliefs, historical inequality, and cultural values that define the changing identities of Latin America. By learning the language, I got to know the people behind the figures. At Huntsman, I’ll expand my knowledge of Latin America by studying Portuguese as my target language. My desire to understand how people's perspectives contribute to Latin American economics and politics leads me to a Wharton concentration in Behavioral Economics, and a second College major in Latin American Studies.  At Huntsman, I hope to gain a global understanding of culture, history, and perspectives, and use that knowledge to effectively give people a voice. As a global political economist, the knowledge I gain at Huntsman will allow me to tailor educational and economic policy to the cultural values and political beliefs entrenched in Brazilian society. A few hours without lamb chops inspired me to listen to people’s voices. To learn about the culture, history, and voices that, ideally, would shape the policy that affects citizens’ lives. There is more to policy than men in suits sitting at a mahogany table. Whether at the micro level of a greedy uncle, or the macro level of the Brazilian government, the voices of the people define success. — — —

Hook your reader. A larger word count means you can use a few lines to entice your reader—and insert some of your personal story. A barbecue family feud, you say? Tell me more. Not only that, these details give a window into where this student comes from, which differentiates them from other candidates. An anecdote, alluring facts, a bold statement can all work as engaging introductions. Check out our guide to writing a solid hook . It also works well to “bookend” your essay by returning to the hook in the conclusion, as this writer did, linking their family rib battle to the global issue of giving voice to the people. Or see our guide for other great ways to end an essay .

Get specific about your issue. This student names oppression of vulnerable communities as a concern, and then illuminates the point with specific examples: corrupt judges in Mexico, British limitations on Scottish education, NRA funding in US politics, and indigenous suffering in the Amazon. Whatever issue you choose, make it concrete by identifying real-world instances so your reader can see what you mean.

Recount your experiences. A successful “Why Us?” Essay links your interests and accomplishments with facets of the Huntsman experience. This student explains how their AP courses and research at a wealth management firm stimulated their desire to understand policy through the perspective of citizens and drew them toward the Huntsman Program. Take the opportunity to share some of your relevant experience.

Research your path at Penn Huntsman. What specific components of a Huntsman education do you plan to avail yourself of to be able to address your issue? Give your reader a clear vision of your plans by naming the particular components that interest you. Here, the student plans to study Portuguese as a target language and pursue a concentration in Behavioral Economics and a second major in Latin American Studies. Tap into courses, professors, programs, research and internship opportunities, and campus groups that will help you achieve your goals.

Here are all the special degree programs and their additional prompts:

Bio-Dent: Seven Year Bio-Dental Program

Bio-Dent Prompt 1: Please list any predental or premedical experience. This experience can include but is not limited to observation in a private practice, dental clinic, or hospital setting; dental assisting; dental laboratory work; dental or medical research; etc. Please include time allotted to each activity, dates of attendance, location, and a description of your experience. If you do not have any predental or premedical experience, please indicate what you have done or plan to do in order to explore dentistry as a career. (250 word limit)*

Bio-Dent Prompt 2: Do you have relatives who are dentists or are in dental school? If so, indicate the name of each relative, his/her relationship to you, the school attended, and the dates attended. (250 word limit)*

Bio-Dent Prompt 3: Describe any activities which demonstrate your ability to work with your hands. (250 word limit)

Bio-Dent Prompt 4: What activities have you performed that demonstrate your ability to work effectively with people? (250 word limit)

Bio-Dent Prompt 5: Please explain your reasons for selecting dentistry. Please include what interests you the most about dentistry as well as what interests you least. (250 word limit)

DMD: Digital Media Design Program

DMD Prompt: Why are you interested in the Digital Media Design (DMD) program at the University of Pennsylvania? (400-650 words)

Huntsman: The Huntsman Program in International Studies and Business

Huntsman Prompt: The Huntsman Program supports the development of globally-minded scholars who become engaged citizens, creative innovators, and ethical leaders in the public, private, and non-profit sectors in the United States and internationally. What draws you to a dual-degree in business and international studies, and how would you use what you learn to make a contribution to a global issue where business and international affairs intersect? (400-650 words)

LSM: The Roy and Diana Vagelos Program in Life Sciences and Management

LSM Prompt: The LSM program aims to provide students with a fundamental understanding of the life sciences and their management with an eye to identifying, advancing and implementing innovations. What issues would you want to address using the understanding gained from such a program? Note that this essay should be distinct from your single degree essay. (400-650 words)

M&T: The Jerome Fisher Program in Management and Technology

M&T Prompt 1: Explain how you will use the M&T program to explore your interest in business, engineering, and the intersection of the two. (400-650 words)

M&T Prompt 2: Describe a problem that you solved that showed leadership and creativity. (250 words maximum)

NETS: The Rajendra and Neera Singh Program in Networked and Social Systems Engineering

NETS Prompt: Describe your interests in modern networked information systems and technologies, such as the Internet, and their impact on society, whether in terms of economics, communication, or the creation of beneficial content for society. Feel free to draw on examples from your own experiences as a user, developer, or student of technology. (400-650 words)

NHCM: Nursing and Health Care Management

NHCM Prompt: Discuss your interest in nursing and health care management. How might Penn's coordinated dual-degree program in nursing and business help you meet your goals? (400-650 words)

VIPER: The Roy and Diana Vagelos Integrated Program in Energy Research

VIPER Prompt: How do you envision your participation in the Vagelos Integrated Program in Energy Research (VIPER) furthering your interests in energy science and technology? Please include any past experiences (ex. academic, research, or extracurricular) that have led to your interest in the program. Additionally, please indicate why you are interested in pursuing dual degrees in science and engineering and which VIPER majors are most interesting to you at this time. (400-650 words)

Special thanks to Andy for writing this blog post.

Andrew has worked as an educator, consultant, and curriculum writer for the past 15 years, and attended Stanford and Oxford, earning degrees in Political Science and Drama. He feels most at home on mountain tops.

Top Values:  Insight/Growth | Truth | Integrity

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Sat / act prep online guides and tips, 5 tips for writing a great upenn essay.

College Essays

The University of Pennsylvania requires all first year applicants to submit a personal essay as well as a Penn-specific essay. If you're hoping to be one of the 6% of students admitted to Penn every year, your UPenn essay is an important part of your application. You'll need to make sure your essays are strong to increase your chances of admission.

In this article, we'll go over the UPenn essay logistics—covering exactly what you need to write for each college you're applying to at UPenn. Then, we'll break down each prompt, offering suggestions for what to write about. Finally, we'll give tips on how to write an amazing UPenn essay that'll help you get into your dream school.

What Are the UPenn Essay Prompts?

If you're applying to UPenn, you must submit your application to one of UPenn's four undergraduate schools. Depending on which undergraduate program you're applying to, you'll need to answer UPenn's specific statements as well as an additional essay for that school.

There are three required short answer prompts for this year’s UPenn application. The first is:

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)

UPenn's second essay prompt for all students is:

How will you explore community at Penn? Consider how Penn will help shape your perspective and identity, and how your identity and perspective will help shape Penn. (150-200 words)

And, finally, the third prompt:

Considering the specific undergraduate school you have selected, describe how you intend to explore your academic and intellectual interests at the University of Pennsylvania. (150-200 words)

Depending on the undergraduate program you're applying to, you may have to write an additional essay as part of your application. Here are those additional essay prompts and the program for which they apply:

• Please list pre-dental or pre-medical experience. This experience can include but is not limited to observation in a private practice, dental clinic, or hospital setting; dental assisting; dental laboratory work; dental or medical research, etc. Please include time allotted to each activity, dates of attendance, location, and description of your experience. If you do not have any pre-dental or pre-medical experience, please indicate what you have done that led you to your decision to enter dentistry.
• List any activities which demonstrate your ability to work with your hands.
• What activities have you performed that demonstrate your ability to work cooperatively with people?
• Please explain your reasons for selecting a career in dentistry. Please include what interests you the most in dentistry as well as what interests you the least.
• Do you have relatives who are dentists or are in dental school? If so, indicate the name of each relative, his/her relationship to you, the school attended, and the dates attended.
• Digital Media Design Program: Why are you interested in the Digital Media Design (DMD) program at the University of Pennsylvania? (400-650 words)
• The Huntsman Program in International Studies and Business: The Huntsman Program supports the development of globally-minded scholars who become engaged citizens, creative innovators, and ethical leaders in the public, private, and non-profit sectors in the United States and internationally. What draws you to a dual-degree program in business and international studies, and how would you use what you learn to make a contribution to a global issue where business and international affairs intersect? (400-650 words)
• The Roy and Diana Vagelos Program in Life Science and Management: The LSM program aims to provide students with a fundamental understanding of the life sciences and their management with an eye to identifying, advancing and implementing innovations. What issues would you want to address using the understanding gained from such a program? Note that this essay should be distinct from your single degree essay. (400-650 words)
• The Jerome Fisher Program in Management and Technology: Please complete both prompts.
• Explain how you will use the M&T program to explore your interest in business, engineering, and the intersection of the two. (400-650 words)
• Describe a problem that you solved that showed leadership and creativity. (250 words maximum)
• The Rejendra and Neera Singh Program in Networked and Social Systems Engineering: Describe your interests in modern networked information systems and technologies, such as the internet, and their impact on society, whether in terms of economics, communication, or the creation of beneficial content for society. Feel free to draw on examples from your own experiences as a user, developer, or student of technology. (400-650 words)
• Nursing and Healthcare Management: Discuss your interest in nursing and health care management. How might Penn's coordinated dual-degree program in nursing and business help you meet your goals? (400-650 words)
• The Roy and Diana Vagelos Integrated Program in Energy Research: How do you envision your participation in the Vagelos Integrated Program in Energy Research (VIPER) furthering your interests in energy science and technology? Please include any past experiences (ex. academic, research, or extracurricular) that have led to your interest in the program. Additionally, please indicate why you are interested in pursuing dual degrees in science and engineering and which VIPER majors are most interesting to you at this time. (400-650 words)

UPenn Essay Prompts, Analyzed

In this section, we'll analyze each of the UPenn supplement essay prompts and offer suggestions for what you should talk about (and avoid) for each.

Penn-Specific Essays

Let's take a look at how to tackle the essays all students will have to answer.

This rather charming prompt is a great opportunity to show the UPenn admissions counselors what you value and what you’re grateful for .

Consider making a list of all the things people have done for you, and narrow it down to those that have made the biggest impact. Has a family member or your best friend has gone the extra mile for you, and you haven’t quite found a way to truly thank them? Maybe someone you’re not friends with stood up for you in an academic or social situation. Maybe your Model UN nemesis did you a solid. Is there something you may have taken for granted?

Once you’ve narrowed down your topic, remember to focus on the "so what" part of the answer. Why is it important to thank this person? What did they do, and how did it affect you? Why have you not yet been able to thank them (there are plenty of good reasons for this—don’t panic if you feel like you’ve been rude!).

Remember to be as specific and sincere as possible—you have 200 words, tops, to tell a genuine story that reveals part of your character.

How will you explore the community at Penn? Consider how this community will help shape your perspective and identity, and how your identity and perspective will help shape this community. (150-200 words)

The first prompt was largely focused on academic interests. The second is where you can think more about community.

Going to college isn't just about what you'll learn in class. It's also about forming life-long friendships and exploring different communities to find out who you are and what you like to do.

Of course, you can't predict exactly what your social life is going to look like before you even get accepted. You may end up in clubs you never expected, with friends you never anticipated. But that's okay—UPenn isn't asking you to lay out, step-by-step, how you'll participate in college communities. They just want to know that you're thinking about it!

To answer this question, consider looking into UPenn's many student-run clubs and activities and find some that match your interests. Think about how these clubs and activities will contribute to the vision you have of your future. What impact do you expect them to have on you?

But don't forget the second half of the question! UPenn also wants to know how you will shape the community, not just how it will shape you . What unique perspectives do you bring? What can you do that nobody else can?

This question is a pretty typical "why you?" essay prompt that's focused on community rather than academics. Think about how you fit into your social groups; what makes you unique? Are you the token caregiver friend? Or maybe you're always pursuing a new weird hobby, and your friends love hearing about what your new niche interest is. These are just two traits that you could use to explain what you'll bring to the UPenn community— get a little creative, think about how you participate in your friend groups, and plan how you're going to bring those thoughts into your new school!

Considering the specific undergraduate school you have selected, describe how you intend to explore your academic and intellectual interests at the University of Pennsylvania. (150-200 words) 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.

The third prompt is a traditional Why UPenn essay. It asks you to explain why you want to attend UPenn, and what you’ll do while you’re there.

While these types of prompts are common, the Why UPenn essay prompt focuses specifically on academics—it's not concerned with your interest in UPenn's extracurriculars or campus life. Your answer, then, needs to be specifically focused on your academic pursuits and how UPenn will help you achieve your goals.

You'll need to talk about how the undergraduate school you're applying to affects your academic interests, so do your research on the school. You don't want to talk about a class that you won't have access to because it's in another undergraduate school. All of your answers should be reflective of the courses you'll be able to take if admitted to the undergraduate school of your choice.

You should have a good sense of the classes offered by your program. It's a good idea to name specific classes or professors you'd like to study with. Similarly, if there are any specific opportunities available to students in your field, such as internships or study abroad programs, this essay is the place to talk about it.

The next prompts are for specific programs at UPenn. Channel your inner snowflake and show how you're a unique, one-of-a-kind candidate! 

Bio-Dental Program

Please list pre-dental or pre-medical experience. This experience can include but is not limited to observation in a private practice, dental clinic, or hospital setting; dental assisting; dental laboratory work; dental or medical research, etc. Please include time allotted to each activity, dates of attendance, location, and description of your experience. If you do not have any pre-dental or pre-medical experience, please indicate what you have done that led you to your decision to enter dentistry. (250 words maximum)

List any activities which demonstrate your ability to work with your hands. (250 words maximum)

What activities have you performed that demonstrate your ability to work cooperatively with people? (250 words maximum)

Please explain your reasons for selecting a career in dentistry. Please include what interests you the most in dentistry as well as what interests you the least. (250 words maximum)

Do you have relatives who are dentists or are in dental school? If so, indicate the name of each relative, his/her relationship to you, the school attended, and the dates attended. (250 words maximum)

The prompt for the Bio-Dental program is extensive. Attack it in pieces, being as specific as possible when answering each question.

Don't feel that you need to make up any specific experience. If you haven't interned at a dentist's office, don't invent that experience. You should stick to reality. If you haven't observed at a dentist's office, you can set up a time to visit a local dentist so that you're writing about your real experience, not something you've invented.

When listing your activities, be sure to indicate how each is relevant to dental skill. Maybe you do a lot of needlepoint, which shows that you're able to carry out complex patterns. Again, you don't want to make anything up. Not only will your essay read as inauthentic, you won't have the experience you need to enter into the program.

Take your time and work through this prompt in pieces if you have to. Be thorough, honest, and accurate.

Digital Media Design Program

Just like the Artificial Intelligence essay prompt, in this essay you'll want to explain exactly why the Digital Media Design program at UPenn appeals to you. There are a few important components to an answer for this prompt: specificity, personality, and genuine interest.

To tackle the first important feature, you'll want to do some research into the program you're applying to. Find the unique things about this program in comparison to others; that can mean the professors who teach in it, the classes that are offered, what former students are up to, or anything else that you can tie specifically to UPenn. The reason for this is that the college wants to know that you're not just applying there as a fallback choice. UPenn wants students who are driven and passionate about what college will help them achieve, and putting specifics into your essay is a great way to show that you care about attending.

Next, be sure that your essay has personality. You want your essay to read as if only you could have written it. Having specifics will help with that, but you should also make it a point to let your own unique voice and interests shine through. If Digital Media Design draws your interest because you've always been drawn to the unique storytelling potential of animation after growing up on Pixar films, that's worth mentioning! Remember, your college application is all about getting the college invested in you as a student; let your personality shine through.

And lastly, demonstrate genuine interest. UPenn is a great school, and you should use your essay to show that you're not just applying there because you needed to fill another slot on your college list. Express your passion for attending UPenn, and specifically the Digital Media Design program. What brought you here over every other school? Even if UPenn isn't your top choice, remember all the things that made you put the school on your college list in the first place, and keep them in mind as you write.

The Huntsman Program in International Studies and Business

The Huntsman Program supports the development of globally-minded scholars who become engaged citizens, creative innovators, and ethical leaders in the public, private, and non-profit sectors in the United States and internationally. What draws you to a dual-degree program in business and international studies, and how would you use what you learn to make a contribution to a global issue where business and international affairs intersect? (400-650 words)

For the Huntsman essay, you'll need to explain exactly what draws you to UPenn's International Studies and Business program. This is a dual-degree program, so you'll be studying at the intersection of these two fields. A working understanding of each will be important to writing this essay.

To start, make a short list of reasons why this degree appeals to you. What international issues interest you? Why take a business approach rather than a sociological or political one? You don't have to put the answers to these questions in your essay, but if you know the answers to them, you'll be better prepared to answer the prompt with confidence.

The question specifically asks for how you'll use what you learn in this program to make an impact on a global issue. That requires some familiarity with global issues; think about causes that matter to you and how you can use business to approach them. How will attending UPenn help you toward your career goals?

You can cite specific classes, instructors, or other features of UPenn to help make your point. Your essay should feature not just how you want to make an impact on the world, but also why you're seeking a dual degree, and specifically a dual degree from UPenn.

The Roy and Diana Vagelos Program in Life Science and Management

The LSM program aims to provide students with a fundamental understanding of the life sciences and their management with an eye to identifying, advancing and implementing innovations. What issues would you want to address using the understanding gained from such a program? Note that this essay should be distinct from your single degree essay. (400-650 words)

The LSM essay prompt has been recently updated. Instead of being a general "why this program" style prompt, this essay wants to dig deeper into why you're interested in Life Sciences and Management and understand more about whether your personality is a fit for the program.

This essay is all about the bigger picture. The LSM program is all about innovation, so this essay wants you to pick a big issue and explain how what you learn as an LSM student will help you solve it. The best way to answer this prompt is through a combination of research and specificity. First, research the LSM program. You definitely want to pick an issue that you'll actually learn about as a UPENN student. It's also a good idea to call out specific classes, professors, and research opportunities in your response! (Keep in mind that this program is a joint venture between the College of Arts and Sciences and the Wharton School of Business, so be sure to research both schools.)

Once you have all that information pulled together, you can get specific. Admissions counselors don't expect you to solve the world's biggest problems. But they do want to see that you're thinking critically about issues in your future field, and that you can break the problem down into pieces. For instance, instead of saying you want to solve climate change, narrow that topic down into something doable, like developing new plant-based plastics that can be used in the medical field.

The Jerome Fisher Program in Management and Technology

Please complete both prompts.

Question 1: Explain how you will use the M&T program to explore your interest in business, engineering, and the intersection of the two. (400-650 words)

Question 2: Describe a problem that you solved that showed leadership and creativity. (250 words maximum)

You'll need to complete two additional essays if you're applying to the Jerome Fisher Program in Management and Technology.

Like many UPenn programs, this school combines two different fields—management and technology . To answer this question effectively, you'll need to know exactly how the two can work together. Think about why you've chosen this particular program—what can you gain from it that you wouldn't from a program in either management or technology? How will a degree in this program help you reach your personal and career goals? This prompt asks for how you'll use it to explore your interests, so don't be afraid to get specific!

The second question is also concerned with your problem-solving ability. This classic prompt wants to know about a time when you faced adversity and either overcame it or learned from it. Don't be afraid to show yourself tackling a real challenge here—your ability to persevere is more important than showing that you never make mistakes.

The Rejendra and Neera Singh Program in Networked and Social Systems Engineering

Describe your interests in modern networked information systems and technologies, such as the internet, and their impact on society, whether in terms of economics, communication, or the creation of beneficial content for society. Feel free to draw on examples from your own experiences as a user, developer, or student of technology. (400-650 words)

The easiest way to answer this prompt is with a story. Tell the admissions committee how you became interested in this line of study.

You should be as specific as possible in your answer. After all, the prompt calls for examples from your own experience. You should be able to clearly articulate where your interest stemmed from. Don't feel like you have to talk about everything that interests you within this field—focusing on one or two clear examples that you have a lot of interest in will go further than trying to talk about everything related to networked information systems and technologies.

Nursing and Healthcare Management

Discuss your interest in nursing and health care management. How might Penn's coordinated dual-degree program in nursing and business help you meet your goals? (400-650 words)

You have plenty of space in this prompt (up to 650 words), so you should make sure to address both parts of the question—why you're interested in Penn's nursing and healthcare management program and how the program will help you achieve your future goals.

Key to answering the second part of the prompt is to have some future goals thought out—have a specific idea of what you want to do with your degree. Then, tie that back to things you can study at UPenn. It would be helpful for this prompt to familiarize yourself with aspects of UPenn's program—courses, professors, learning and employment opportunities. The more you can show why UPenn is the right school for you to achieve your goals, the better your essay will be.

The Roy and Diana Vagelos Integrated Program in Energy Research

How do you envision your participation in the Vagelos Integrated Program in Energy Research (VIPER) furthering your interests in energy science and technology? Please include any past experiences (ex. academic, research, or extracurricular) that have led to your interest in the program. Additionally, please indicate why you are interested in pursuing dual degrees in science and engineering and which VIPER majors are most interesting to you at this time. (400-650 words)

This prompt wants to know exactly how you think the VIPER program will help you reach your future goals. You also need to touch on why you want to get a dual-degree. You have plenty of space in this prompt, so make sure you answer each aspect thoroughly. Don't invent previous experience if you don't have it—be honest and authentic in your answer.

You should have a clear idea about which VIPER majors you're interested in. Be prepared to name specific UPenn majors and provide reasoning, in the form of classes you'd like to take or professors you'd like to study with.

5 Tips for Acing the UPenn Supplement

Hoping to write amazing UPenn supplement essays? Follow these key tips to do so!

#1: Use Your Own Voice

The point of a college essay is for the admissions committee to have the chance to get to know you beyond what's featured in other parts of your application. Your admissions essays are your chance to become more than just a collection of statistics—to really come alive for your application readers.

Make sure that the person you're presenting in your college essays is yourself. Don't just write what you think the committee wants to hear or try to act like someone you're not—it will be really easy for the committee to tell you're lying.

If you lie or exaggerate, your essay will come across as insincere, which will at best diminish its effectiveness and at worst make the admissions committee think twice on accepting you. Stick to telling real stories about the person you really are, not who you think UPenn wants you to be.

#2: Be UPenn-Specific

All of your UPenn essays should be UPenn-specific. Don't be generic in your answers—the admissions committee should get the idea that you know about UPenn and that your answer is specific to that school, not about college in general.

Don't waste your time telling the admissions committee that UPenn has a world-class faculty—first of all, the admissions committee knows that and second, many universities do. Talk about why UPenn is the right school for you and be prepared to give real, concrete examples.

#3: Do Your Research

You can make your essay UPenn-specific by doing your research. Look into the course catalogue, visit your prospective major's website. Schedule a meeting with a professor or current student if you can. The more specific information you have, the better.

#4: Avoid Clichés and Overused Phrases

When writing your UPenn essays, don't use clichés or overused quotes or phrases. The college admissions committee has probably seen numerous essays that state, "Be the change you want to see in the world." You can write something more original than that!

Each of the UPenn essays asks you something specific about your experience or background. Your essay should be 100% you —you don't want the admissions committee to think, "Anyone could have written this essay."

#5: Check Your Work

Your UPenn essays should be the strongest example of your work possible. Before you turn in your UPenn application, edit and proofread your essays.

Run your essays through a spelling and grammar check before you submit and ask someone else to read your essays. You can seek a second opinion on your work from a parent, teacher, or friend. Ask them whether your work represents you as a student and person. Have them check and make sure you haven't missed any small writing errors. Having a second opinion will help your work be the best it possibly can be.

#6: Have a Spike

What's a spike, you ask?

In short, a spike is something that makes you stand out. Something that no (or very few) other applicants have.

When you're applying to college, it's tempting to seem well-rounded and interested in all the things.

Don't do that.

Your application won't stand out if you're mediocre in band, on the track team, and on student council. It will stand out if you travel to Japan to perform with a world-class performance ensemble or qualify for the Olympic trials in shot put.

When your focus is on one thing, you'll be better at it than if you have to split your time and attention. It will also be more impressive on your resume.

Final Thoughts

Your UPenn essay is an important part of your application. Depending on the specific school you're applying to, you may have to write three or more essays.

No matter which school at UPenn you're applying to, keep in mind:

• Be authentic.
• Highlight your best qualities.
• Use specific examples of UPenn courses and professors you want to study.
• Be generic.
• Make anything up about yourself.
• Split your focus by talking about too many different ideas.

What's Next?

If you're applying to UPenn, you're likely applying to other colleges on the East Coast, too. Check out our expert guides to the Williams essay , the Tufts essays , and the Harvard essay .

Need help writing your Common App essay? Our tips will show you how to write a Common App essay guaranteed to make you stand out from other applicants!

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UPenn Essays: The Best Examples

Writing UPenn essays needs careful consideration and you can start bylearning from our supplemental essay examples . You should also learn how to write a college essay to increase your chance of getting acceptaed. Your cahnces of admission to the University of Pennsylvania are certainly affected by your essays.

The University of Pennsylvania supplemental essays  include fairly standard prompts, such as the “Why this college?” essay and “What do you bring to the community?” essay. But it’s up to you to make these common essay topics your own! Read on to learn how you can stand out in your UPenn essays!

>> Want us to help you get accepted? Schedule a free strategy call here . <<

Article Contents 7 min read

Upenn essays prompt 1.

Considering the specific undergraduate school you have selected, how will you explore your academic and intellectual interests at The University of Pennsylvania? (300-450 words)

Your goal in writing this essay is to convey why you are perfect for UPenn and why UPenn is perfect for you and your academic and professional goals.

The idea here is to write an essay that will show the admissions committee how you are going to benefit from their academic environment and how it will help you grow as an academic and a professional.

I have always excelled academically. I loved school, I enjoyed my lessons, and my teachers were my idols. Apart from sucking in the knowledge my teachers bestowed on me, I always did independent afterschool research to deepen my understanding of new subjects.

From a young age, I knew I would join the “knowledge” business. The best way I knew to go about it would be to create my brand of self-help e-books.I started selling these books – and, to my surprise, they were soon being printed in hard copies.

I soon realized that as “knowledgeable” as I considered myself, I had no idea how to run a business. As my publishing business scaled quickly, I soon realized that I needed more than a degree to run my business efficiently if I wanted to continue to grow.

I started my research and soon found that UPenn was the undergraduate business school for me.  The Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania is where I want to learn, especially focusing on programs like Entrepreneurship & Innovation Concentration and Entrepreneurship Acceleration Program: Scaling Your Business.

I also intend to share my personal and professional experience with the UPenn community. I hope to join the Penn Social Entrepreneurship Movement (PennSEM) , where I plan to implement both my Wharton education and my past involvement in the business field to help local communities build new social enterprises. In the past, I’ve worked closely with my local Big Sister chapter and would love to use that experience to help PennSEM reach new boundaries in the broader community – beyond campus walls. I can bring my experience in organizing and leading workshops and networking events and help the club reach a wider audience. Most importantly, I can learn about how to lead such organizations from the other members of the club.

At UPenn, I hope to learn how to effectively interact with my peers and fellow entrepreneurship enthusiasts as my journey in the business world has been solo for the most part. When I leave Wharton with my business degree, I know I will become an accomplished business leader who has truly mastered both the theory and practical aspects of entrepreneurship. (442 words)

I apply to UPenn with the blessings and the support of my community on a small island in the Pacific Ocean. My family runs a small hotel on one of the most beautiful beaches in the world. We have owned the hotel for three generations – and it continues to provide a livelihood for 20 families who have become part of our family.

When I graduated from the only high school on the island, it was these families that came together to pay for my college tuition, which I hope to use at UPenn. They gave me the responsibility of becoming an efficient business leader who can transform that small hotel into a world-class resort.

I intend to deliver on their expectations by studying in the Business, Energy, Environment, and Sustainability program, which will help me grow the business with consideration for the environment and my community as a whole.

Apart from being one of the top universities in the world, UPenn also has the best research and development facilities. This attracted me because I want to learn in an institution that has a long history as well as the latest innovations in the business field. We also decided that it would be best because we loved that it is a place where I could feel at home with over 130 nationalities on campus. This is the first time I will be traveling far from home. I hope to learn about various cultures and meet as many people as I can by participating in on-campus communities. I aim to join the Penn Environmental Group as I know how important nature is to both the hotel industry as well as humanity as a whole. Living on a small island in the middle of an ocean also gives me a unique perspective on global warming and rising sea levels. I hope to create awareness via workshops and conferences and perhaps even work towards a solution that prevents an irreversible calamity.

I have also set my eyes on the Penn Club Swim. I aim to participate in activities like being a lifeguard and teaching about safety in the water.

I hope to give back to the UPenn community by sharing the personal experiences of my rich culture. We have traditions that are built on the need to rely on one another and I hope to build this sense of closeness and connection with my classmates (439 words)

At Penn, learning and growth happen outside of the classroom, too. How will you explore the community at Penn? Consider how this community will help shape your perspective and identity, and how your identity and perspective will help shape this community. (150-200 words)

This prompt is meant to test how well you will fit in the university’s community as a whole and what kind of knowledge and experience you can bring to the incoming class. The campus hosts thousands of students and they all bring their backgrounds, experiences, cultures, and traditions with them. The question is, how will you contribute to that melting pot, and what will you take from it?

Perhaps, the best advice here would be to delve deep within yourself and consider unique experiences and circumstances that shaped you into who you are today.

By day I am a businessman, and by night, a writer. Well, at least that is the dream I hope to realize at UPenn – that of being a successful, innovative businessman and a writer at the same time.

Although I started writing in high school, I have never really developed that passion because, like every child growing up in a middle-class family, writing wasn’t exactly as encouraged as becoming a doctor, an engineer, or a lawyer. So, I had to put that “hobby” – as my parents called it – on the back burner as I went through school.

I look forward to attending UPenn because it gives me the chance to earn my business degree as well as pursue my writing via clubs like Curiouser, where I can explore the surreal fiction writing sphere, and Penn Innovators in Business , where I will learn to guide the next generation of business leaders with my writing.

 I also get to make my parents happy by becoming a successful businessman with my business degree – two birds one stone, as the saying goes. (186 words)

UPenn essays – example 2.2

I love singing and The Inspiration A Cappella is the UPenn club for me.

Ever since I found out about this club, I have been following the group’s YouTube channel. I’ve enjoyed every single video and dream of being among them. Anyone that has watched the club perform – or even watched their videos – can see how much they work to achieve that harmony. And that is something that can’t be done without a bond being formed among the members.

I want to be a part of that camaraderie. The beauty of acapella is that everyone needs to do their part or it won’t work – I can see how they “sync” and hope that my voice can enrich this already established group in the future. I bring over four years of singing) experience – several high school awards testify to my “prowess” – but, more importantly, I bring my passion for singing. Being an African, music is an inherent part of our culture, and it would be my pleasure to share my experiences and knowledge of our endemic music traditions. I even have ideas of weaving these beats into a work that appeals to the younger generation – in the hopes that they will also want to discover more about the “foreign-yet-familiar” sounds they experience. (200 words)

Writing college application essays is an art that can be mastered with time and practice. Don’t rush the process, take time to understand the question, and formulate your answers with care. Keep improving your draft until you are happy with the final essay. And, don’t forget to use a spell-check or grammar tool.

If at all you find this to be a daunting task, you can go through some sample college essays . They might help spark a few ideas that you can build on to create your admission essays when the time comes.

Alternatively, you can also look for college essay review services to make sure you have the best essay you can submit.

Want more tips for writing?

Do not exceed the word count. You can certainly write less that the required word count, but not more.

The most important thing here is that you address the prompt. Your answer should be built around the prompt and include your unique input, the values you bring to the community, and what you expect to gain when you leave the campus.

You should also include the tangible (technology and facilities) and intangible (school spirit and ethics) assets of the college, as well as the traditions it upholds.

If you can put all these together, then you will have a well-balanced essay.

You have to remember that supplemental essays are just one part of your entire college application packet. Instead of thinking of the essays as a single entity that can boost (or thwart) your chances, you should think of creating a whole application package that will combine to increase your chances.

So, focus on writing good supplemental essays and combine them with a good application package.

UPenn requires two supplemental essays for new students. But, there are several more that are required by students who seek admission to programs like Digital Media Design, Nursing and Health Care Management (400-650 words), and Seven-Year Bio-Dental Program (250 words). There is also an essay prompt for transfer students about why they transferred from their previous colleges (4510 characters ). More details can be found on the UPenn admissions page .

UPenn also requires potential candidates to write personal essays.

UPenn has set its goal to admit some of the top students by setting its admission GPA to 3.9. That means you will need to have scored almost all A’s to get in. But, you can find out how to get into college with a low GPA if you don’t have that near-perfect score.

The general rule of thumb is to avoid controversy at all costs. While it is good that you have your thoughts and views, your UPenn college admission essay is not exactly the place to express them. Why rattle the cage that will be your home for the coming 4 years?

Yes. Topics to avoid are political and social hot topics that are provocative to anyone on any side of the aisle. In short, if it is in the news and debates and clashes are going on about it, it is a topic best avoided. Again, here too – while it is admirable that you have a stance, your college admission essay is not the platform to express it.

Essays are your chance to explain how you and the university will co-exist for the next few years. While your essay needs to reflect you, there is a limit to how personal you can get. There is a difference between personality – which you should write about – and personal – which you should be careful with.

Your essay should tread lightly on personal topics like romance, trauma, sexual content, and radically offensive topics.

In short, use common sense and ask: would I tell this to a stranger? If the answer is, “no” you should skip the topic.

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UPenn Supplemental Essays 2023-24 – Prompts and Advice

August 11, 2023

The University of Pennsylvania accepted 40% of applicants back in 1980—as of 2023, that figure had plummeted to 7.4%. Those wanting to join the Quaker campus a generation ago could gain acceptance simply by producing strong grades and test scores. Today, applicants find themselves in a hyper-competitive admissions process. In 2023-24, they need to find ways to separate themselves from tens of thousands of similarly-accomplished peers. This brings us to the topic of this blog: the UPenn supplemental essays.

(Want to learn more about How to Get Into UPenn? Visit our blog entitled:  How to Get Into Penn/Wharton: Admissions Data and Strategies. Here, you’ll find all of the most recent admissions data as well as tips for gaining acceptance.)

The UPenn supplemental essays present applicants with just the opportunity they need to showcase their unique personality, writing ability, passions, and talents. Further, those who generate responses that are authentic, honest, and compelling can truly capture the attention of a Penn admissions reader.

Below are UPenn’s two general essay prompts for the 2023-24 admissions cycle. The College Transitions team also offers accompanying advice about how to tackle each one.

UPenn Supplemental Essays – Prompt #1

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!) (150-200 words)  

In essence, this one is about how you express gratitude. A mature young person realizes that their success was not achieved in a vacuum. Rather, it was likely aided by many adults and peers. The target of your letter could be a parent, other relative, teacher, coach, spiritual leader, friend, classmate, fellow team member, or boss. This prompt, which debuted last year, is an excellent opportunity for highly-decorated applicants to display their appreciative and humble side. We recommend taking their advice and actually sharing the letter in real life. This will likely make the essay more authentic and from the heart. The more sincere your essay turns out, the better it will likely be received by UPenn (and its intended IRL target!).

UPenn Supplemental Essays – Prompt #2

2) How will you explore community at Penn? Consider how Penn will help shape your perspective and identity, and how your identity and perspective will help shape Penn. (150-200 words)  

Keep in mind that Penn has already seen the President’s Volunteer Service Award and the impressive number of hours you volunteered at multiple nonprofit organizations. They know that you have been an active member of your high school/local community. The admissions committee now desires to understand precisely how you will contribute to  their  community of almost 10,000 undergraduate students. Highlighting the link between your past efforts and future aims is critical here. For example, if you dedicated many hours working with people with Alzheimer’s Disease throughout high school, it will be more impactful when you now express your commitment to joining Penn’s Alzheimer’s Buddies organization.

The strongest Penn community essays show evidence of meaningful school-specific research. This research process will actually give you a better idea of how you would sincerely like to become engaged at each prospective school on your list. Admissions officers will appreciate a Penn-centric answer far more than a generic (often recycled from app to app) response. Moreover, given the word count, you’ll be able to produce the strongest response if you focus on just one or two specific aspects of your identity and perspective.

UPenn Supplemental Essays – School & Program-Specific Prompts

In addition to the above, you’ll also need to write an essay that is specific to the undergraduate school or coordinated dual-degree program you’re applying to. Below, we’ve covered how to approach the most popular choices:

1) The College of Arts and Sciences

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) 

To help inform your response, applicants are encouraged to learn more about academic offerings within the College of Arts and Sciences at  college.upenn.edu/prospective . This information will help you develop a stronger understanding of how the study of the liberal arts aligns with your own goals and aspirations.

UPenn Supplemental Essays (Continued)

In this essay, admissions officers want to see evidence of your drive, passion, and intellectual ambition. Further, they want to learn your specific plans for continuing to be academically engaged while at the University of Pennsylvania. Great things to highlight here include:

• Firstly, Specific courses offered in your discipline of interest at UPenn.
• Next,  Penn professors  whose work/research/writings you find fascinating and how you would ideally like to connect with them as an undergraduate.
• Additionally, academically-focused student organizations  at Penn.
• Undergraduate research opportunities  in the summer or during the school year as well as independent research you would like to conduct under faculty supervision.
• Lastly,  Study abroad  opportunities.

In addition to Penn-specific offerings that you are dying to take advantage of, you can also cite past experiences which will ideally be tied into future ventures. For example, if you were captain of the robotics team in high school—and hope to continue robotics in college—you might note why you’re interested in joining the UPennalizers, Penn’s student-run robotic soccer team.

2) School of Engineering and Applied Science

Penn Engineering prepares its students to become leaders in technology, by combining a strong foundation in the natural sciences and mathematics, exploration in the liberal arts, and depth of study in focused disciplinary majors. Please share how you hope to explore your engineering interests at Penn. (150-200 words) 

To help inform your response, applicants are encouraged to learn more about Penn Engineering and its mission to prepare students for global leadership in technology  here . This information will help you develop a stronger understanding of academic pathways within Penn Engineering and how they align with your goals and interests.

Similar to the prompt for the College of Arts and Sciences, you’ll want to research Penn’s engineering offerings. You’ll want to pay particularl attention to those related to your primary major of interest. You can discuss several that you find most compelling. Great things to highlight here include:

• Specific courses  offered in your discipline of interest at UPenn.
• Penn professors  whose work/research/writings you find fascinating and how you would ideally like to connect with them as an undergraduate.
• Academically-focused  student organizations  at Penn.
• Undergraduate research opportunities  in the summer or during the school year. Also, independent research you would like to conduct under faculty supervision.

3) School of Nursing

Penn Nursing intends to meet the health needs of society in a global and multicultural world by preparing its students to impact healthcare by advancing science and promoting equity. What do you think this means for the future of nursing, and how do you see yourself contributing to our mission of promoting equity in healthcare? (150-200 words)   

To help inform your response, applicants are encouraged to learn more about Penn Nursing’s mission and how we promote equity in healthcare  here .  This information will help you develop a stronger understanding of our values and how they align with your own goals and aspirations.

There are two prongs to this prompt. First, the admissions committee wants to understand how you think scientific advancements and increased equity will impact nursing as a profession. Since you’re applying to this program, it’s likely that you believe in the benefit of both objectives. Therefore, you don’t need to spend time convincing the admissions committee that you’re on board. Instead, and based on what you understand about the nursing field consider discussing what types of positive impact nurses who are prepared for the profession in such a way can have on patient outcomes and/or healthcare in general. Lastly, if you don’t know much about the current landscape, be sure to do some research,

Second, Penn wants to understand how you—as a nursing student—will contribute to the mission of promoting equity in particular. Based on what you know about Penn’s nursing programs and initiatives (which, again, will require some research) how do you see yourself getting involved?

4) The Wharton School

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)  

To help inform your response, applicants are encouraged to learn more about the foundations of a Wharton education  here . This information will help you better understand what you could learn by studying at Wharton and what you could do afterward.

To craft a strong response to this prompt, you’ll first need to choose an issue that is important to you. The issue can be on either a global, regional, or community scale. If you pick something general (and popular), like climate change or AI, consider choosing a specific angle that relates to you personally. For example, while “climate change” in general is an absolutely massive undertaking that will be difficult to differentiate, discussing the impact of flooding on your city’s downtown businesses could be far more specific and accessible.

After choosing an issue and sharing why it’s important to you, you’ll then need to discuss how Wharton’s specific offerings will help you explore it. Excellent possibilities include:

5)  DMD: Digital Media Design Program

Why are you interested in the Digital Media Design (DMD) program at the University of Pennsylvania? (400-650 words)

6) Huntsman: The Huntsman Program in International Studies and Business

The Huntsman Program supports the development of globally-minded scholars who become engaged citizens, creative innovators, and ethical leaders in the public, private, and non-profit sectors in the United States and internationally. What draws you to a dual-degree program in business and international studies, and how would you use what you learn to make a contribution to a global issue where business and international affairs intersect? (400-650 words)

7) LSM: The Roy and Diana Vagelos Program in Life Sciences and Management

The LSM program aims to provide students with a fundamental understanding of the life sciences and their management with an eye to identifying, advancing and implementing innovations. What issues would you want to address using the understanding gained from such a program? Note that this essay should be distinct from your single degree essay. (400-650 words)

8) M&T: The Jerome Fisher Program in Management and Technology

• Explain how you will use the M&T program to explore your interest in business, engineering, and the intersection of the two. (400-650 words)
• Describe a problem that you solved that showed leadership and creativity. (250 words)

9) NETS: The Rajendra and Neera Singh Program in Networked and Social Systems Engineering

Describe your interests in modern networked information systems and technologies, such as the internet, and their impact on society, whether in terms of economics, communication, or the creation of beneficial content for society. Feel free to draw on examples from your own experiences as a user, developer, or student of technology. (400-650 words)

10) NHCM: Nursing and Healthcare Management

Discuss your interest in nursing and health care management. How might Penn’s coordinated dual-degree program in nursing and business help you meet your goals? (400-650 words)

11) BIO-DENT: Seven-Year Bio-Dental Program

• Please list pre-dental or pre-medical experience. This experience can include but is not limited to observation in a private practice, dental clinic, or hospital setting; dental assisting; dental laboratory work; dental or medical research, etc. Please include time allotted to each activity, dates of attendance, location, and description of your experience. If you do not have any pre-dental or pre-medical experience, please indicate what you have done or plan to do in order to explore dentistry as a career. (250 words)
• Describe any activities which demonstrate your ability to work with your hands. (250 words)
• What activities have you performed that demonstrate your ability to work effectively with people? (250 words)
• Please explain your reasons for selecting a career in dentistry. Please include what interests you the most in dentistry as well as what interests you the least. (250 words)
• Do you have relatives who are dentists or are in dental school? If so, indicate the name of each relative, his/her relationship to you, the school attended, and the dates attended.(250 words)

12) VIPER: The Roy and Diana Vagelos Integrated Program in Energy Research

How do you envision your participation in the Vagelos Integrated Program in Energy Research (VIPER) furthering your interests in energy science and technology? Please include any past experiences (ex. academic, research, or extracurricular) that have led to your interest in the program. Additionally, please indicate why you are interested in pursuing dual degrees in science and engineering and which VIPER majors are most interesting to you at this time. (400-650 words)

How important are the UPenn supplemental essays?

There are six factors that UPenn considers “very important” in evaluating a candidate and the essays are among them. In addition to the essays, UPenn gives the greatest consideration to the rigor of an applicant’s secondary school record. Of equal consideration are GPA, standardized test scores, recommendations, and character/personal qualities.

UPenn Supplemental Essays – Want Personalized Essay Assistance?

In conclusion, if you are interested in working with one of College Transitions’ experienced and knowledgeable essay coaches as you craft your UPenn supplemental essays, we encourage you to get a quote  today.

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A licensed counselor and published researcher, Andrew's experience in the field of college admissions and transition spans two decades. He has previously served as a high school counselor, consultant and author for Kaplan Test Prep, and advisor to U.S. Congress, reporting on issues related to college admissions and financial aid.

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University of Pennsylvania (UPenn) Supplemental Essays Guide: 2021-2022

Not sure how to approach the UPenn essay prompts? CollegeAdvisor.com’s guide to the UPenn supplemental essays will show you exactly how to write engaging UPenn essays and maximize your chances of admission. Need help crafting your UPenn supplemental essays? Create your free  account  or  schedule a free advising consultation  by calling (844) 343-6272.

UPenn  Essay Guide Quick Facts:

• UPenn has an acceptance rate of 5.7%— U.S. News  ranks UPenn as a  highly competitive  school.
• We recommend answering all UPenn supplemental essays comprehensively and thoughtfully.

Does UPenn Have Supplemental Essays?

Yes. In addition to the main essay prompt that you’ll encounter in the  Common App  or  Coalition App , you’ll also have to answer additional UPenn essays. Both of the required UPenn essays can make a critical difference in admissions.

Need some help writing your Common App essay? Get great tips from our Common App essay  guide .

What are the UPenn Supplemental Essays?

The UPenn supplemental essays 2021-2022 are on the  Common App site . However, you can also visit the  UPenn admissions page  to view the UPenn essay prompts and other application requirements.

How Many Essays does UPenn Require?

There are  two  required UPenn essay prompts on the 2021-2022 Common App. All applicants must complete both UPenn application essays in order to be considered for admission. In addition to the UPenn supplemental essays that all applications must complete, there are additional program-specific essays that we’ll cover below.

As you look at the UPenn essays, however, you’ll also notice that there are several special degree programs with additional UPenn application essays. If you intend to apply to one of these programs, make sure you complete the specific UPenn essays referenced on the UPenn supplemental  essays page .

This guide to the UPenn essay prompts will primarily cover the general UPenn supplemental essays. However, we will walk through the prompts for the program-specific UPenn essays to help you approach them with confidence. You can also use the tips we provide in this guide to help craft your program-specific UPenn application essays.

What does UPenn Look For in Essays?

The point of UPenn supplemental essays is for the admissions officers to get a picture of how you’d fit into UPenn, both academically and socially. Simply put, the UPenn essay prompts are designed to help you show the admissions team who you would be at UPenn.

At the end of the day, the admissions team wants to build a college class full of interesting students from a variety of backgrounds. If your reader can envision how you would fit into this class, your UPenn essays have done their job.

Want to view examples of successful UPenn supplemental essays? Check out our sample UPenn application  essays  written by our advisors who were admitted to UPenn.

How to Write the UPenn Essays:

We have provided the prompts for the 2021-2022 UPenn supplemental essays below. You’ll find a breakdown of how to approach each of the UPenn essays as well as tips for creating an application narrative that will stand out in admissions.

UPenn Supplemental Essays – Question 1 (Required):

Considering the specific undergraduate school you have selected, how will you explore your academic and intellectual interests at the University of Pennsylvania?  For students applying to the coordinated dual-degree and specialized programs, please answer these questions 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. (300-450 words)

At first glance, the prompt for the first of the UPenn supplemental essays may seem long and elaborate. Of the two required UPenn essay prompts, however, this one is arguably more straightforward. Much of the prompt itself clarifies how students applying to a dual-degree or specialized program should approach the question.

With the fluff removed, your first UPenn essay should answer the much simpler question, “How will you explore your academic and intellectual interests at the University of Pennsylvania?” Looking at this simplified prompt for the UPenn supplemental essays, the key elements stand out. The university wants to know more about your academic and personal interests and how UPenn will help you explore them.

Academic vs. intellectual

Remember, this UPenn essay prompt breaks interests down into two components: academic and intellectual. It may be tempting to conflate these categories. However, this separation gives us insight into how to write the UPenn essays. In evaluating your UPenn supplemental essays, the admissions team wants to see that you prioritize intellectual engagement both inside and outside of the classroom.

As you approach this UPenn essay, compile a list of your interests. Sort out the interests which best show your curiosity, and then categorize them into academic and non-academic. Familiarize yourself with UPenn’s  degrees  and  course  offerings, and then see when your interests—academic and intellectual—accord with UPenn’s resources.

For example, you may plan to study music but have always had a passion for forensics. Use this space to talk about how you’d like to take UPenn’s forensic analysis course.  You may be an American history buff who awaits opportunities for exploration offered by the school’s location in Philadelphia. If there’s a course that will also deepen your understanding of American history, even better! Essentially, this UPenn essay prompt asks you to demonstrate that you’ve done your research and can articulate concrete examples of how UPenn will help you pursue your interests. Remember to draw your readers in with an opening anecdote or story. In fact, when approaching UPenn supplemental essays, remember that how you write about your topic is nearly as important as what you’re writing about.

Be specific

UPenn application essays value quality over quantity and specificity over generality. For example, don’t simply state that you want to take a political science course. Instead, describe a specific course and professor from UPenn’s class roster. Then, include an explanation of how you see yourself learning better in this situation than anywhere else. This prompt grants a generous 450 words, so you have room to be descriptive.

Finally, keep in mind that the prompt asks you to “[consider] the specific undergraduate school you have selected.” While a student applying to the  School of Engineering and Applied Science  (also known as Penn Engineering) and one applying to the  Wharton School  will both describe their passions in their UPenn supplemental essays, the passions that they illustrate should almost certainly be different. That is, make sure your prospective major accords with the rest of your application.

“Why Upenn”

In your UPenn application essay, you essentially want to determine what makes your target school right for you and communicate this to your readers. After completing the UPenn essay prompts, perform a simple test to ensure your essay meets its goals. If you can replace “UPenn” with another school and your essay still makes sense, then you haven’t been specific enough. UPenn supplemental essays should be highly specific to the school. Demonstrated interest, or your ability to show how interested you are in attending the school you’re apply to, is a key part of the application process.

UPenn Essay Draft Key Questions:

• Does your essay distinguish between academic and intellectual interests?
• Do you tailor your response to the specific undergraduate school you are applying to?
• Does your essay mention specific courses, regional attractions, professors, etc. only available at UPenn?

UPenn Supplemental Essays – Question 2 (Required):

At Penn, learning and growth happen outside of the classrooms, too. How will you explore the community at Penn? Consider how this community will help shape your perspective and identity, and how your identity and perspective will help shape this community. (150-200 words)

Of the two required UPenn supplemental essays, this is the shorter–both in delivery and word limit. However, the lower word limit doesn’t make this UPenn essay prompt less consequential. This UPenn essay is just as important as the other UPenn application essays, if not more.

While the first of the UPenn supplemental essays evaluates each prospective student’s intellectual life, the second one gauges each student’s community involvement. Like the other Ivy League institutions, UPenn prioritizes collective learning and engagement with peers. The admissions team hopes that each student will build a sense of community at UPenn–whether that be by joining or creating a club, participating in  school traditions , or otherwise engaging in UPenn’s various offerings. To that end, this UPenn essay serves as an opportunity for you to convey your identities in relation to the UPenn community.

Define community

Like the first UPenn essay, you can approach this UPenn essay prompt in a variety of ways. For instance, you could focus on the school’s location by speaking about the unique culture and history that Philadelphia offers. Successful UPenn supplemental essays may also discuss the school itself, focusing on specific organizations on campus.

Be sure to thoroughly research your UPenn application essays. Don’t just say you hope to join a theater organization. Instead, mention the name of the school’s thespian club (in UPenn’s case,  Quadramics Theatre Co. ). Look at UPenn’s  listings of groups and organizations  before writing, and highlight any organizations that you find appealing.

While you should use your UPenn essay prompts to tell a story about yourself, you should also use these UPenn application essays to discuss interests that don’t appear elsewhere in your application. After all, there are only so many ways to say, “I have a burning love for every possible form of mathematics.” If you’ve already addressed your primary interest in one of the other UPenn supplemental essays, you might choose to focus on a secondary passion in the second essay. In general, UPenn application essays should present a cohesive picture of you as a student and person, not a repetitive one.

Note that this UPenn essay asks how you will grow at UPenn as well as how you will influence the community around you. UPenn does not want a static student. Instead, they want you to actively contribute to your circles while learning from others around you.

Show growth

In your UPenn essay, showcase specific opportunities to learn and grow at UPenn and specify why those opportunities would promote your development. For example, one student might say, “Through Asians for Justice, I can explore my intersectional identity as an Asian American woman and further advocate for social justice initiatives.” This response shows how you hope to be informed by your peers while also clarifying how you hope to make a change in your community. The admissions officers reading UPenn supplemental essays are looking for strong and unique perspectives. Thinking about your definition of community, and how that may evolve during your four years at UPenn can be a helpful place to start.

• Does this essay cover new ground from your first essay?
• Do you reference specific facets of the UPenn community that you hope to participate in?
• Do you explain how you will learn and grow at UPenn?

Program-Specific UPenn Supplemental Essays (Required, if applying to a specialized program):

Dmd: digital media design program.

Why are you interested in the Digital Media Design (DMD) program at the University of Pennsylvania? (400-650 words / 3575 characters)

Huntsman: The Huntsman Program in International Studies and Business

The Huntsman Program supports the development of globally-minded scholars who become engaged citizens, creative innovators, and ethical leaders in the public, private, and non-profit sectors in the United States and internationally. What draws you to a dual-degree program in business and international studies, and how would you use what you learn to make a contribution to a global issue where business and international affairs intersect? (400-650 words)

Interested in applying to the Huntsman Program? This extremely competitive program only admits about 50 students each year. Consequently, the admissions officers are on the lookout for UPenn supplemental essays that stand out from the crowd. Our CollegeAdvisor guide for the Huntsman Program includes tips and an essay example breakdown from an Admissions Expert who was admitted to the program!

LSM: The Roy and Diana Vagelos Program in Life Sciences and Management

The LSM program aims to provide students with a fundamental understanding of the life sciences and their management with an eye to identifying, advancing and implementing innovations. What issues would you want to address using the understanding gained from such a program? Note that this essay should be distinct from your single degree essay. (400-650 words)

M&T: The Jerome Fisher Program in Management and Technology

Explain how you will use the M&T program to explore your interest in business, engineering, and the intersection of the two. (400-650 words)

Describe a problem that you solved that showed leadership and creativity. (250 words)

NETS: The Rajendra and Neera Singh Program in Networked and Social Systems Engineering

Describe your interests in modern networked information systems and technologies, such as the internet, and their impact on society, whether in terms of economics, communication, or the creation of beneficial content for society. Feel free to draw on examples from your own experiences as a user, developer, or student of technology. (400-650 words / 3575 characters)

NHCM: Nursing and Healthcare Management

Discuss your interest in nursing and health care management. How might Penn’s coordinated dual-degree program in nursing and business help you meet your goals? (400-650 words)

Seven-Year Bio-Dental Program

Please list pre-dental or pre-medical experience. This experience can include, but is not limited to, observation in a private practice, dental clinic, or hospital setting, dental assisting, dental laboratory work, dental or medical research, etc. Please include time allotted to each activity, dates of attendance, location, and description of your experience. If you do not have any pre-dental or pre-medical experience, please indicate what you have done that led you to your decision to enter dentistry.

List any activities which demonstrate your ability to work with your hands.

What activities have you performed that demonstrate your ability to work cooperatively with people?

Please explain your reasons for selecting a career in dentistry. Please include what interests you the most in dentistry as well as what interests you the least.

Do you have relatives who are dentists or are in dental school? If so, indicate the name of each relative, his/her relationship to you, the school attended, and the dates attended.

Please note that there is a 250 word limit for the Bio-Dental Program supplemental essays.

VIPER: The Roy and Diana Vagelos Integrated Program in Energy Research

How do you envision your participation in the Vagelos Integrated Program in Energy Research (VIPER) furthering your interests in energy science and technology? Please include any past experiences (ex. academic, research, or extracurricular) that have led to your interest in the program. Additionally, please indicate why you are interested in pursuing dual degrees in science and engineering and which VIPER majors are most interesting to you at this time. (400-650 words)

If you choose to apply for one of the specialized programs above, you must respond to the aforementioned UPenn application essays along with the additional, program-specific UPenn essay.

For these UPenn essay prompts, make sure you reference internships, research programs, clubs, or other experiences that specifically drew you to your chosen program. These programs are highly selective, so demonstrated interest is important.

These UPenn essay prompts are not unlike the ones you’ve already completed! Essentially, all of the program-specific UPenn essay prompts ask you to describe why you’re drawn to the program to which you are applying.

Answering these UPenn application essays requires a two-step approach. Firstly, explain why you’re interested in the program. Take Huntsman, for example, you’ll want to begin your response by describing how your involvement in Future Business Leaders of America has sparked your interest in business and international affairs. Secondly, the best answers to these program-specific UPenn supplemental essays will illustrate how the student’s program program of interest will help them develop personally and professionally. Do your research  —  whether it’s by speaking to students, reading The Daily Pennsylvanian, or simply browsing through the site  —  and highlight specific facets of your chosen program that will allow you to develop your interests.

Program-specific UPenn Essay Draft Key Questions:

• Have you referenced internships, research programs, clubs, or other past experiences?
• Do you extensively convey your expertise and interest in your chosen program?
• Does your essay draft show that you’ve done your research on your chosen program?

UPenn Supplemental Essays – Final Thoughts:

Completing the UPenn supplemental essays can seem daunting, but don’t let them discourage you from applying. Instead, view these UPenn essays as an opportunity to introduce yourself to the admissions team.

For more information on UPenn’s application and the UPenn supplemental essays, you can view this video from their admissions team:

In fact, this  UPenn YouTube  playlist on admissions should be bookmarked by any students looking to attend. Hearing tips, straight from the university on how to approach elements of the application is a great way to clear up confusion and provide guidance if you’re stumped.

You can also check out our free webinar on UPenn, which was led by two current UPenn students. In this webinar, they discuss the ins and outs of attending the University of Pennsylvania, as well as an in-depth look at the admissions process.

When approaching the UPenn supplemental essays, remember to give them the time and attention that they deserve. A well-written set of UPenn essay prompts can work in your favor. Use this UPenn supplemental essays guide, as well as our UPenn essay examples to help you approach each of the UPenn application essays with a solid strategy and enough time to draft and revise each of your answers to the UPenn essay prompts. Good luck!

This 2021-2022 essay guide was written by  Juliana Furigay , Columbia ‘23. For more CollegeAdvisor.com resources on UPenn, click  here . Want help crafting your UPenn supplemental essays? Create your free  account  or  schedule a no-cost advising consultation  by calling (844) 343-6272.

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How to Respond to the 2023-2024 UPenn Supplemental Essay Prompts

Ginny Howey is a former content writer at Scholarships360. Ginny graduated from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in May 2022 with a degree in Media and Journalism (Advertising/PR focus) and minors in Entrepreneurship and Spanish. Ginny’s professional experience includes two summers as a writer intern at global creative consultancy BCG BrightHouse. More recently, Ginny worked as a content marketing intern for Durham-based software engineering bootcamp Momentum, where she gained SEO skills. She has also written freelance articles on emerging tech for A.I. startup Resultid.

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Most students who apply to schools as prestigious as the University of Pennsylvania have impressive academic and extracurricular records. If you want your application to shine above the rest, the UPenn supplemental essays are your opportunity! 

UPenn has three required prompts. Each ask students to share how UPenn will fulfill their goals, in and out of the classroom. The challenge is crafting a sincere yet differentiated answer to these “Why UPenn” essays.  Let’s discuss how to ace each prompt. Our tips include questions that will help you draw upon the best examples from your own experiences.  

Also see: How to answer the Common App essay prompts

“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)”

This prompt asks you something that many colleges do not– they want to know about your relationships. This is great because it shows the admissions committee a glimpse into what type of person you are, and what you care about. Gratitude tells a lot about a person, so whoever you decide to write to, make sure that it is sincere and truthful. 

This prompt is to be written with between 150 and 200 words. Depending on how you feel about writing, this can be seen as a whole lot of writing or not enough space to say how you really feel. Either way, if you just write from your heart with this prompt, you can always go back and edit it to get the word count correct. 

Questions to consider: 

• Who has helped you the most in your life?
• What are you grateful for?
• Have you experienced something big that a family member or friend helped you through?

“How will you explore community at Penn? Consider how Penn will help shape your perspective and identity, and how your identity and perspective will help shape Penn. (150-200 words)”

This prompt acknowledges the social aspect of attending a college or university. One of the big things that many higher education institutions look for in a student is that they are more than just their academics. Penn is big on community, so this prompt is asking you how you will benefit from the community that the school offers, and also how the community will benefit from your involvement. 

For many students, the most difficult part about writing college supplemental essays is writing about themselves. For this prompt, UPenn wants to know about your positive attributes. It is okay to hype yourself up– actually, that is what they want to hear! So although it may seem awkward at first to talk about what you have to offer in their community, it is important that you start to get comfortable writing in that way about yourself. 

Here are some questions you could ask yourself: 

• Are you a part of a community at home?
• What are you looking for in a college when it comes to community?
• What do you feel are the most important parts of your identity that you can see in the community around you?

“Considering the specific undergraduate school you have selected, describe how you intend to explore your academic and intellectual interests at the University of Pennsylvania. (150-200 words)”

For this prompt, you do not want to just repeat what is already on your transcript, resume, or application. This is a place that you can deep dive into the parts of your academics, where you may not have been able to elaborate in your application. It will be important to connect your previous academic experiences to what you want your future academics to look like at UPenn.

In addition to your previous academics, you will want to talk about your goals and aspirations academically and intellectually in college. This does not necessarily have to be specific to UPenn, but it can be. If you want to catch the reader’s attention, you can connect it to things that are specific to UPenn, such as specific professors you are looking forward to working with, research opportunities that UPenn offers that other schools don’t, or classes that you are excited about. 

• What major are you interested in?
• Do you plan to study abroad?
• What topics are you interested in researching?
• What excites you academically?

See Also:   How to write an essay about yourself

Transfer Essay

“Please explain your reasons for transferring from your current institution and what you hope to gain by transferring to another institution. (4150 characters) ”

Also see : How to transfer colleges

This prompt is specifically for students who are wanting to transfer to UPenn from another institution. Although 4150 characters may seem like a great deal of words, remember that this is your opportunity to share your story and tell the university about who you are as a student, as a person, as a community member, and as a friend. 

It is a great idea to lean in on the second half of this prompt. What do you hope to gain from transferring to another college? Usually, when a person transfers to another university, it is because they were not getting everything they wanted out of the college that they started at. One thing that you need to remember is that you do not want to speak badly about your previous institution– this can be a bad look, depending on who is reading the essay. Be sure that you are focusing on yourself, and try to remain positive.

• If you had a bad experience at your previous institution, how can you turn that around to be positive?
• What are you looking forward to academically with UPenn?
• What are you looking forward to in the community with UPenn?

Specialized and dual degree program prompts

Upenn offers seven special (and particularly competitive) programs . They each require a separate essay, with a bit longer word limit of 400-650. If you are interested in one of these tracks, be sure to get very specific in your answers. Make a list of concrete examples for how your chosen program satisfies your academic and personal aspirations. Given that these are such unique paths, showcase what you have been exposed to that has led you to develop this niche interest. Outline exactly how you envision this program setting you up for professional success. This is not the time to downplay your enthusiasm for the subject matter and confidence that you are a great candidate! 

Also see:  How to write a 500 word essay

Final thoughts

After reading the above pointers, you should be ready to tackle the UPenn supplemental essays! Don’t shy away from injecting your personality into the prompts. Also know that you can never do too much research in finding examples to reference. Because these prompts are pretty open-ended, trimming your answers to 250 words is sometimes the trickiest part. Get all of your initial thoughts down, and then revise. You got this! 

Additional resources

As you complete the UPenn supplemental essays, you’ve probably got a lot on your plate. Luckily, we can help you navigate it. Check out our guides on when to apply to college , how many colleges to apply to , and how to plan a college tour . We can also provide you with vetted, custom-matched scholarship opportunities which automatically update every day – make sure to try out our scholarship search tool . Best of luck with your admissions process!

Other colleges to consider

• Columbia University (New York, NY)
• University of Chicago (Chicago, IL)
• Duke University (Durham, NC)
• Princeton University (Princeton, NJ)
• Dartmouth College (Hanover, NH)

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How To Answer UPenn's 2023/24 Supplemental Essays: Tips & Insights

What's New in 23/24?

What Are UPenn's 2023/24 Essay Prompts?

Short Answer Questions

School Specific Questions

Dual Degree & Specialized Programs Qs

The University of Pennsylvania's supplemental essays for the 2023/24 admissions cycle delve into applicants' gratitude, community perspectives, and alignment with specific schools and specialized programs within the university. With new school-specific prompts and detailed questions for coordinated dual-degree and specialized programs, UPenn seeks to understand applicants' unique stories, motivations, and fit with their chosen academic paths. Applicants must navigate through these meticulously crafted prompts, ensuring authentic, insightful, and well-researched responses highlighting their fit, contributions, and aspirations within UPenn's diverse and dynamic community. Explore our detailed guide and examples to craft compelling essays that resonate with UPenn’s ethos and your personal narrative.

What did Upenn students write their Common App essays about?

UPenn's 2023/24 Supplemental Essay Updates: What's Changed?

Achieving admission to the University of Pennsylvania , with its selective acceptance rate of around 4% , is a remarkable feat. In the nuanced arena of college admissions, your supplemental essays are crucial in illustrating your unique story and alignment with UPenn's values.

Prestigious institutions like UPenn meticulously refine their application processes each academic year to ensure they acquire a thorough understanding of their prospective students.

For the 2023/24 admissions cycle, UPenn has instituted several key changes to its supplemental essay questions:

• Introduction of School-Specific Prompts: Each undergraduate school within UPenn now presents a unique question, reflecting its educational ethos and mission. This change underscores the university's emphasis on ensuring applicants have a deep understanding and alignment with the specific values and focus of the school to which they apply.
• The School of Nursing is emphasizing its commitment to addressing global health needs and promoting healthcare equity.
• The College of Arts and Sciences is highlighting its flexible curriculum that encourages exploration and the creation of interdisciplinary connections.
• The Wharton School focuses on the practical application of business strategies and economic theories to address real-world challenges.
• The School of Engineering and Applied Science is spotlighting its integrative approach to technology education, blending natural sciences, mathematics, and liberal arts.
• Introduction of Coordinated Dual Degree and Specialized Programs Short Answer Prompts: For students applying to the coordinated dual-degree and specialized programs, U Penn has introduced specific essay prompts to gain deeper insights into the applicants' specific interests and motivations in these specialized areas.

DMD: Digital Media Design Program

Huntsman: the huntsman program in international studies and business, lsm: the roy and diana vagelos program in life sciences and management.

• M&T: The Jerome Fisher Program in Management and Technology

NETS: The Rajendra and Neera Singh Program in Networked and Social Systems Engineering

Nhcm: nursing and healthcare management.

• Seven-Year Bio-Dental Program

VIPER: The Roy and Diana Vagelos Integrated Program in Energy Research

• New Essay Requirement for Transfer Students: A new essay question has been introduced specifically for transfer students, seeking to understand their motivations for transferring and their aspirations in changing their educational institution.

These updates indicate UPenn's evolving admissions approach, emphasizing a heightened emphasis on ensuring a mutual fit and understanding between the applicant and the specific school within the university they seek to attend. It reflects a commitment to fostering a student body that is deeply aligned with the values, focus, and mission of their respective schools and the university.

What Are UPenn's Supplemental Essay Prompts for 2023/24?

Embarking on the application journey to the University of Pennsylvania necessitates a thorough understanding of its supplemental essay prompts, which are meticulously designed to gain a deeper insight into the applicants’ profiles. These prompts are crafted to explore your gratitude, perspectives on community, reasons for transferring (for transfer students), and your alignment with the ethos of the specific school within UPenn to which you are applying.

Penn Supplemental Short Answer Prompts (Required)

• Thank-You Note: Write a short thank-you note to someone unthanked and reflect on the experience. (150-200 words)
• Exploring Community: Discuss how you will explore community at Penn and how your experiences and perspectives will shape it. (150-200 words)

Transfer Essay (Required for Transfer Applicants)

• Detail your reasons for transferring and what you hope to gain by changing institutions. (4150 characters)

School-Specific Prompts

• School of Nursing: Reflect on the future of nursing concerning global health needs and promoting equity, and how you see yourself contributing to promoting equity in healthcare. (150-200 words)
• College of Arts and Sciences: Describe your curiosities and how you would leverage the flexible curriculum of The College of Arts and Sciences to explore them. (150-200 words)
• The Wharton School: Reflect on a current issue of importance to you and how a Wharton education would help you explore it. (150-200 words)
• School of Engineering and Applied Science: Share how you hope to explore your engineering interests at Penn, considering its mission to prepare students for global leadership in technology. (150-200 words)

Coordinated Dual Degree and Specialized Programs Short Answer Prompts

For students applying to the coordinated dual-degree and specialized programs, UPenn has introduced specific essay prompts to gain deeper insights into the applicants' specific interests and motivations in these specialized areas.

• DMD: Digital Media Design Program: Why are you interested in the Digital Media Design (DMD) program at the University of Pennsylvania? (400-650 words)
• Huntsman: The Huntsman Program in International Studies and Business: What draws you to a dual-degree program in business and international studies, and how would you use what you learn to contribute to a global issue where business and international affairs intersect? (400-650 words)
• LSM: The Roy and Diana Vagelos Program in Life Sciences and Management: What issues would you want to address using the understanding gained from such a program? Note that this essay should be distinct from your single degree essay. (400-650 words)
• M&T: The Jerome Fisher Program in Management and Technology: Explain how you will use the M&T program to explore your interest in business, engineering, and the intersection of the two. (400-650 words) Describe a problem that you solved that showed leadership and creativity. (250 words)
• NETS: The Rajendra and Neera Singh Program in Networked and Social Systems Engineering: Describe your interests in modern networked information systems and technologies, such as the internet, and their impact on society, whether in terms of economics, communication, or the creation of beneficial content for society. (400-650 words)
• NHCM: Nursing and Healthcare Management: Discuss your interest in nursing and health care management. How might Penn's coordinated dual-degree program in nursing and business help you meet your goals? (400-650 words)
• Seven-Year Bio-Dental Program: Please list any predental or premedical experience. This experience can include but is not limited to observation in a private practice, dental clinic, or hospital setting; dental assisting; dental laboratory work; dental or medical research; etc. Please include time allotted to each activity, dates of attendance, location, and a description of your experience. If you do not have any predental or premedical experience, please indicate what you have done or plan to do in order to explore dentistry as a career.
• VIPER: The Roy and Diana Vagelos Integrated Program in Energy Research: How do you envision your participation in the Vagelos Integrated Program in Energy Research (VIPER) furthering your interests in energy science and technology? (400-650 words)

UPenn’s application process is notably competitive, and these prompts offer a unique opportunity to showcase your gratitude, community perspective, and the distinct perspectives you'll bring to the UPenn community.

Explore these UPenn essay examples for further inspiration to see what successful applications entail!

How Talia Got Into Penn with Crimson

How to Answer UPenn’s Short Answer Questions?

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 to 200 words.

This prompt invites you to express gratitude and reflect on the impact of kindness, support, or mentorship. It provides a glimpse into your values, relationships, and ability to acknowledge and appreciate the people around you .

Express Genuine Gratitude

Ensure that your thank-you note emanates sincerity and genuine appreciation. Choose someone whose impact or gesture truly made a difference in your life, and express your gratitude authentically and heartfeltly.

Be Specific

Detail the specific act, gesture, or support you are thankful for. Clearly articulate what it meant to you and how it impacted you. Specificity conveys sincerity and provides a clearer picture of your relationship and the context.

Reflect on the Experience

Don’t just stop at the thank-you note. Dive deeper into reflection, exploring how expressing this overdue gratitude felt and what it taught you about appreciation, relationships, and acknowledgment.

Connect to Personal Growth

If possible, link the act of gratitude to your personal development or perspective. How did this act of kindness or support shape you, and how does it inspire you to act moving forward?

Example Response

Dear Mrs. Anderson, I am writing to express my heartfelt gratitude for your unwavering support during my high school journey. Your encouragement to explore my interest in environmental science, even facilitating my independent project on local ecosystems, has been pivotal in shaping my academic path and personal growth. Your belief in my potential has not only bolstered my confidence but also inspired me to advocate for environmental causes. I have not only learned about science from you but also about the impact of kindness, mentorship, and belief in someone’s potential. Thank you for being a remarkable educator and mentor. Reflecting on this, I realize the power of expressing gratitude and acknowledging the impactful gestures of others. Sharing this note with you has been a heartwarming and enlightening experience, reminding me of the importance of appreciating and vocalizing our thankfulness. It has inspired me to be more vocal in expressing gratitude and to pay forward the kindness and support I have received. Warm regards, [Your Name]

UPenn's first prompt is an invitation to expressing genuine gratitude and sincere reflective insight. It allows you to showcase your appreciation for impactful relationships and gestures while providing a window into your values, emotional intelligence, and interpersonal relationships . Ensure your response is genuine, specific, and reflective, offering a glimpse into your character and personal growth.

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.

This prompt seeks to understand your perspective on community, past experiences with community involvement , and how you plan to engage with and contribute to the Penn community.

Integrate Past and Future Community Involvement

Reflect on your community involvement and how those experiences have shaped your perspective and values. Then, consider how you will transfer these experiences and values into your future involvement at Penn.

Explore Specific Opportunities at Penn

Research and identify specific communities, groups, or opportunities at Penn that align with your interests and past experiences. Be specific about how you plan to engage with these communities and what you hope to contribute and learn.

Reflect on Mutual Growth

Consider how being a part of the Penn community will shape your perspective and experiences and vice versa. How will you grow from being a part of Penn, and how will Penn grow from having you as a part of its community?

In my neighborhood, I initiated a project, "Tech for Seniors," where we assisted elderly individuals in navigating digital platforms, bridging a generational and technological divide. This experience taught me the power of inclusivity, empathy, and the impact of collective efforts in community building. At Penn, I am drawn to the Penn Aging Research Center, where I aspire to merge my interest in technology and community service to enhance the quality of life for the elderly population. Furthermore, I am excited to engage with the Civic House, utilizing its resources to extend my community involvement, particularly in addressing technological disparities in local communities. I envision contributing to Penn by bringing my passion for technological literacy and community service, fostering a spirit of inclusivity and collaborative impact. Simultaneously, being immersed in Penn’s diverse and socially active environment will undoubtedly broaden my understanding of community needs and innovative service, shaping a mutually enriching journey.

UPenn's second prompt is a canvas for you to illustrate your understanding and commitment to community involvement. By revealing how your past experiences, values, and future aspirations will intertwine with the Penn community, you can effectively communicate your potential contributions to academic and campus life at Penn while spotlighting how’ll you’ll benefit as well . Ensure your response is genuine, specific, and reflective, demonstrating a clear vision of your community-engaged journey at Penn.

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School Specific Prompts

School of nursing, penn nursing intends to meet the health needs of society in a global and multicultural world by preparing its students to impact healthcare by advancing science and promoting equity. what do you think this means for the future of nursing, and how do you see yourself contributing to our mission of promoting equity in healthcare.

This prompt seeks to understand your perspective on the future of nursing , particularly in the context of global health needs and promoting equity, and how you envision contributing to this future through Penn Nursing.

Understand and Align with Penn Nursing’s Mission

Before crafting your response, delve into Penn Nursing’s mission and initiatives toward promoting healthcare equity. Understand how they integrate science and social equity in their curriculum and community involvement. Aligning your response with their values and initiatives demonstrates a strong fit and genuine interest in Penn Nursing.

Reflect on the Future of Nursing

Consider the evolving needs of global and multicultural societies in healthcare. Think about how advancements in science and a focus on equity can shape the future of nursing, addressing disparities and enhancing healthcare outcomes.

Personal Contribution towards Equity in Healthcare

Reflect on your experiences, aspirations, and the skills you hope to gain from Penn Nursing. How will these enable you to contribute to advancing science and promoting equity in healthcare in the future?

Penn Nursing's mission resonates with my experiences volunteering in underserved communities, where I witnessed stark healthcare disparities. The integration of advanced science and a staunch commitment to equity at Penn Nursing signifies a future where healthcare transcends barriers, ensuring accessible and quality care for all demographics, irrespective of socio-economic and cultural divides. I interpret this as a call to mold nursing professionals who are not only proficient in medical science but also champions of social equity. My aspiration is to specialize in pediatric care with a focus on mental health, an often-neglected facet in multicultural societies. Leveraging Penn Nursing’s robust curriculum and its emphasis on equitable healthcare, I aim to develop programs that address mental health in children from marginalized communities, ensuring they receive adept care and support. My commitment is to ensure that advancements in healthcare science and practices are accessible and beneficial to all layers of society, aligning with Penn Nursing’s mission to promote healthcare equity on a global scale.

UPenn's School of Nursing prompt provides a platform to showcase your understanding of the intricate balance between scientific advancement and social equity in healthcare. By aligning your experiences, aspirations, and the skills you hope to acquire from Penn Nursing, you can effectively communicate your potential role in shaping a future in nursing that is scientifically advanced and equitably accessible. Ensure your response is well-researched, genuine and demonstrates how you and Penn Nursing can mutually contribute to each other and the broader healthcare landscape.

College of Arts and Sciences

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 .

This prompt invites you to explore your academic curiosity and how you plan to navigate through the College of Arts and Sciences flexible curriculum to forge your educational and career path.

Deep Dive into the College of Arts and Sciences

Ensure you thoroughly understand the College of Arts and Sciences offerings and structure . Explore the general education courses, majors, and any unique programs or opportunities that pique your interest. Demonstrating knowledge about specific aspects of the college’s curriculum and how they align with your aspirations will underscore your genuine interest and fit.

Express Your Curiosity

Identify and articulate the areas within arts and sciences that you are eager to explore. This could be a specific field of study, interdisciplinary interests, or particular courses and programs. Ensure your curiosity is genuine and resonates with your experiences and aspirations.

Leverage Opportunities

Discuss how you plan to utilize the flexible structure of the curriculum to explore your interests, make connections between different fields, and carve out your unique academic and career path. Mention specific courses, professors, research opportunities, or extracurricular activities with which you plan to engage.

My curiosity lies at the intersection of psychology and visual arts, exploring how art can be utilized as a therapeutic tool. The College of Arts and Sciences at UPenn, with its flexible curriculum, provides a fertile ground to explore this interdisciplinary interest. I am particularly drawn to the “Visual Studies” major, which allows an exploration of perception and representation through various lenses, including psychological. I aim to leverage the “Independent Study” option to delve into art therapy, under the mentorship of professors who specialize in related fields, such as Professor [Professor's Name], whose work in [specific area] resonates with my interests. Furthermore, engaging with organizations like the “Penn Art & Culture Collective” will allow me to practically apply my learnings and contribute to the community. My goal is to weave a path that intertwines psychological theories with art practices, developing therapeutic modules that can be utilized in mental health interventions, thereby navigating through the rich and flexible curriculum that the College of Arts and Sciences offers to forge a career that amalgamates art and psychology.

The College of Arts and Sciences prompt seeks to understand your academic curiosity and how you plan to navigate and leverage their flexible curriculum to explore your interests and carve your path. Ensure your response is informed, genuine, and demonstrates how the College of Arts and Sciences will facilitate your academic and career journey in the arts and sciences . Your response should reflect a well-thought-out plan that aligns with your interests and the college's offerings.

The Wharton School

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. .

This prompt seeks to understand your awareness of global issues, your perspective on them, and how you envision utilizing a Wharton education to address these challenges.

Identify a Pertinent Issue

Choose a current issue that genuinely concerns you. This could be related to economics, social justice, environmental sustainability, or any other domain that intersects with business practices and economic theories.

Understand Wharton’s Offerings

Ensure you have a deep understanding of what Wharton offers . Explore specific courses, professors, research initiatives, and clubs that align with your interest in the chosen issue. Demonstrating a clear understanding of how Wharton can help you explore and address the issue will underline your genuine interest and fit.

Connect Issue, Education, and Future Impact

Articulate how a Wharton education will equip you with the knowledge, skills, and network to positively impact the issue you've identified. Be specific about how certain aspects of Wharton’s offerings will facilitate your exploration and solution-building related to the issue.

The growing wealth gap, exacerbated by the pandemic, is a pressing issue that intertwines economics and social justice. Wharton’s emphasis on applying economic theory to real-world problems aligns seamlessly with my aspiration to develop scalable solutions for income disparity. The “Business Economics and Public Policy” major, with courses like “Business in the Global Political Environment,” directly speaks to my interest in understanding and navigating the intersection of economics, business, and policy to address socio-economic disparities. Engaging with initiatives like the “Penn Wharton Public Policy Initiative” will provide a platform to explore practical policy implications of economic theories. Moreover, participating in the “Wharton Social Impact Initiative” will allow me to explore sustainable business practices that can drive social change. I envision leveraging Wharton’s rigorous education, research initiatives, and practical platforms to develop and implement business practices and policies that mitigate wealth disparities, driving equitable economic growth.

Wharton’s prompt invites you to showcase your awareness of global issues, your perspective, and how you plan to utilize their offerings to explore and address these issues in the future . Ensure your response is informed, genuine, and demonstrates a clear pathway from the issue, through Wharton’s education, to future impact. Your response should reflect a well-thought-out understanding of the issue and Wharton’s offerings and articulate a clear vision of how you plan to bridge the two during and after your education at Wharton.

How Ken Got Into UPenn Wharton with Crimson

School of Engineering & Applied Science

Penn engineering prepares its students to become leaders in technology, by combining a strong foundation in the natural sciences and mathematics, exploration in the liberal arts, and depth of study in focused disciplinary majors. please share how you hope to explore your engineering interests at penn..

This prompt seeks to understand your passion for engineering, your career aspirations in the field , and how you plan to leverage Penn Engineering’s unique curriculum to further your interests and goals.

Articulate Your Engineering Interests

Clearly define what aspects of engineering fascinate you. Be explicit about your interests, whether it's a particular field (like biomedical engineering or computer science) or a specific topic (like artificial intelligence or sustainable design).

Understand Penn Engineering’s Offerings

Deeply explore Penn Engineering’s curriculum, resources, and extracurricular opportunities. Identify specific aspects that align with your interests, such as courses, professors, research labs, clubs, or initiatives.

Connect Interests, Education, and Future Aspirations

Demonstrate how Penn Engineering’s offerings will facilitate your exploration and advancement in your areas of interest. Connect the curriculum and opportunities at Penn Engineering directly to your career aspirations and explain how they will help you achieve your goals.

The intersection of robotics and healthcare has always fascinated me, especially in developing assistive technologies for individuals with mobility impairments. Penn Engineering, with its robust curriculum and the GRASP Laboratory, provides a perfect environment to delve deeper into this intersection. The “Robotics” major, offering courses like “Medical Robotics” and “Introduction to Robotics,” directly aligns with my interest in developing healthcare solutions through technology. Engaging with the GRASP Lab will provide hands-on experience in robotics research, while the “Penn Health-Tech” initiative will offer insights into healthcare needs and facilitate the translation of technical solutions into practical healthcare applications. I envision utilizing Penn Engineering’s interdisciplinary approach, combining technical knowledge with liberal arts exploration, to develop assistive technologies that are not only functionally effective but also accessible and user-friendly. By integrating technical expertise with an understanding of user needs and healthcare challenges, I aspire to create technologies that enhance mobility and independence for individuals with impairments, contributing to more inclusive and accessible healthcare solutions.

Penn Engineering’s prompt invites you to showcase your engineering interests and how you plan to explore them at Penn . Ensure your response demonstrates a clear understanding of your interests, how Penn Engineering’s offerings align with them, and how you plan to leverage these opportunities to further your career aspirations in engineering. Your response should reflect a genuine interest in a particular engineering domain and a well-thought-out plan for utilizing Penn Engineering’s resources to explore and advance in this domain.

Dual Degree & Specialized Program Prompts

Why are you interested in the digital media design (dmd) program at the university of pennsylvania, - 400 to 650 words.

The DMD program at UPenn is a unique blend of engineering, computer graphics, fine arts, and design, aiming to prepare students for a plethora of careers in the digital media domain . Your essay should reflect a clear understanding of the program and a well-articulated reason for your interest.

Understand the DMD Program

Ensure you have a deep understanding of what the DMD program entails. Explore the curriculum, the faculty, the projects students work on, and the careers it leads to. Mention specific aspects of the program that appeal to you and are aligned with your career aspirations.

Articulate Your Interest in Digital Media Design

Clearly define your interest in digital media design. Discuss any experiences you have had in the field, such as projects, internships, or courses, and how they have shaped your interest and prepared you for the DMD program.

Connect Your Interests, the DMD Program, and Future Aspirations

Demonstrate a clear path that connects your past experiences, your interest in the DMD program, and your future career aspirations. Explain how the DMD program is the perfect next step for you and how it will help you achieve your career goals.

Highlight Your Fit and Contribution

Discuss how you will contribute to the DMD community and how your unique perspective and experiences will add value to it. Mention any specific ways in which you plan to get involved and contribute to ongoing projects or initiatives.

Ever since I designed my first mobile app as a high school sophomore, the amalgamation of design, technology, and user experience has captivated me. The Digital Media Design (DMD) program at UPenn stands out as a unique program that perfectly intertwines engineering, computer graphics, and design, offering a comprehensive approach to digital media that aligns seamlessly with my interests and aspirations. My journey in digital media design began with [Specific Project/Experience], where I explored [Specific Elements/Technologies]. This experience illuminated the profound impact of integrating aesthetic design with robust technology to create user-centric digital solutions. What excites me about the DMD program at UPenn is its interdisciplinary approach, combining courses like [Specific Course 1] and [Specific Course 2], which will equip me with the technical prowess and design thinking necessary to innovate in the digital media space. Moreover, the DMD program’s emphasis on collaborative projects and its connection with the [Specific Lab/Research Group] will provide a platform to apply theoretical knowledge to real-world problems, furthering my skills in practical applications of digital media design. I am particularly drawn to [Specific Project/Research] being conducted at [Specific Lab/Research Group] and am excited about the prospect of contributing to this work with my skills in [Specific Skills/Technologies]. In the future, I aspire to [Specific Career/Project Aspirations], creating digital solutions that [Specific Impact/Outcome]. The DMD program, with its robust curriculum, hands-on projects, and a vibrant community of innovators, is the ideal environment for me to hone my skills and work towards this aspiration. I am particularly excited about [Specific Element of DMD Program] and look forward to contributing to the DMD community through [Specific Contributions].

Your essay should demonstrate a clear understanding of the DMD program, a well-articulated path that connects your past experiences, your interest in the program, your future aspirations, and a genuine enthusiasm for the program and the field of digital media design. Ensure your response is specific, detailed, and authentic, reflecting a true interest and understanding of the DMD program and how it will help you achieve your career goals .

The Huntsman Program supports the development of globally minded scholars who become engaged citizens, creative innovators, and ethical leaders in the public, private, and non-profit sectors in the United States and internationally. What draws you to a dual-degree program in business and international studies, and how would you use what you learn to contribute to a global issue where business and international affairs intersect?

The Huntsman Program is a unique intersection of business and international studies, aiming to cultivate leaders who can navigate the global business landscape with a deep understanding of international affairs. Your essay should reflect a clear understanding of the program and a well-articulated vision for how you will leverage it to address global issues .

Understand the Huntsman Program

Ensure you have a deep understanding of the Huntsman Program, including its curriculum, philosophy, and outcomes. Mention specific aspects of the program that appeal to you and how they align with your career aspirations.

Articulate Your Interest in Business and International Studies

Clearly define your interest in the intersection of business and international studies. Discuss any experiences you have had in these fields, such as projects, internships, or courses, and how they have shaped your interest and prepared you for the Huntsman Program.

Identify a Global Issue

Choose a global issue where business and international affairs intersect and discuss why it is of importance to you. Ensure that the issue is something you are genuinely passionate about and that it has enough depth to explore in your essay.

Connect Your Interests, the Huntsman Program, and the Global Issue

Demonstrate a clear path that connects your past experiences, your interest in the Huntsman Program, and your future aspirations to address the global issue you have identified. Explain how the Huntsman Program is the perfect next step for you and how it will help you achieve your goals related to the global issue.

Discuss how you will contribute to the Huntsman community and how your unique perspective and experiences will add value to it. Mention any specific ways in which you plan to get involved and contribute to ongoing projects or initiatives.

Navigating through the complex tapestry of international markets and geopolitical climates has always fascinated me, particularly in the realm of sustainable business practices. The Huntsman Program, with its dual-degree in business and international studies, presents a unique and compelling pathway to delve deeper into this intersection, enabling scholars like me to devise solutions that are both economically viable and globally sustainable. My interest in this intersection was sparked by [Specific Project/Experience], where I witnessed firsthand the impact of [Specific Aspect of Business/International Affairs]. This experience underscored the necessity of intertwining robust business strategies with a nuanced understanding of international relations to forge sustainable global solutions. One pressing global issue that captivates my interest is [Specific Global Issue], particularly how [Specific Business and International Affairs Elements] intersect. This issue not only has profound implications for [Specific Outcomes/Challenges] but also presents opportunities to [Specific Solutions/Opportunities]. The Huntsman Program, with its rigorous curriculum encompassing [Specific Courses/Aspects], and its vibrant, globally-minded community, provides an unparalleled platform to explore this issue in depth. I am particularly drawn to [Specific Element of the Huntsman Program] and see it as a pivotal enabler in devising innovative solutions for [Specific Global Issue]. In the future, I aspire to [Specific Career/Project Aspirations], leveraging the knowledge and skills garnered from the Huntsman Program to [Specific Impact/Outcome]. I am excited about the prospect of collaborating with like-minded peers within the Huntsman community and contributing to [Specific Projects/Initiatives] during my time at UPenn.

Your essay should demonstrate a clear understanding of the Huntsman Program, a genuine interest in the intersection of business and international studies, and a well-articulated vision for how you will leverage the program to address a specific global issue. Ensure your response is specific, detailed, and authentic, reflecting a true interest and understanding of the program and the global issue you have chosen to discuss.

The LSM program aims to provide students with a fundamental understanding of the life sciences and their management with an eye to identifying, advancing, and implementing innovations. What issues would you want to address using the understanding gained from such a program? Note that this essay should be distinct from your single degree essay.

The LSM Program is designed to equip students with a robust understanding of both life sciences and management, enabling them to drive innovation in these fields. Your essay should reflect a clear understanding of the program and a well-articulated vision for how you will leverage it to address specific issues in the life sciences .

Understand the LSM Program

Ensure you have a thorough understanding of the LSM Program, including its curriculum, philosophy, and outcomes. Mention specific aspects of the program that appeal to you and how they align with your career aspirations.

Identify a Relevant Issue

Choose an issue in the life sciences that you are passionate about and discuss why it is of importance to you. Ensure that the issue is something you are genuinely interested in and that it has enough depth to explore in your essay.

Connect Your Interests, the LSM Program, and the Issue

Demonstrate a clear path that connects your past experiences, your interest in the LSM Program, and your future aspirations to address the issue you have identified. Explain how the LSM Program is the perfect next step for you and how it will help you achieve your goals related to the issue.

Discuss how you will contribute to the LSM community and how your unique perspective and experiences will add value to it. Mention any specific ways in which you plan to get involved and contribute to ongoing projects or initiatives.

The intersection of life sciences and management, particularly in the realm of biotechnological innovations, has always captivated my interest. The LSM Program, with its interdisciplinary approach, offers a unique platform to delve into this intersection, enabling scholars to drive innovations that can address pressing issues in the life sciences. My interest in this field was sparked by [Specific Project/Experience], where I witnessed the profound impact of [Specific Aspect of Life Sciences/Management]. This experience underscored the necessity of intertwining robust scientific research with strategic management to bring innovations from the lab to the market. One issue that I am particularly passionate about is [Specific Issue in Life Sciences], especially considering its implications for [Specific Outcomes/Challenges]. This issue presents opportunities to [Specific Solutions/Opportunities], which can be explored and implemented through the integration of life sciences and management. The LSM Program, with its robust curriculum encompassing [Specific Courses/Aspects], and its vibrant community of innovators, provides an unparalleled platform to explore this issue in depth. I am particularly drawn to [Specific Element of the LSM Program] and see it as a pivotal enabler in devising innovative solutions for [Specific Issue in Life Sciences]. In the future, I aspire to [Specific Career/Project Aspirations], leveraging the knowledge and skills garnered from the LSM Program to [Specific Impact/Outcome]. I am excited about the prospect of collaborating with the LSM community and contributing to [Specific Projects/Initiatives] during my time at UPenn.

Your essay should demonstrate a clear understanding of the LSM Program, a genuine interest in the intersection of life sciences and management, and a well-articulated vision for how you will leverage the program to address a specific issue in the life sciences. Ensure your response is specific, detailed, and authentic, reflecting a true interest and understanding of the program and the issue you have chosen to discuss.

M&T: The Jerome Fisher Program in Management and Technology: Prompt 1

Explain how you will use the m&t program to explore your interest in business, engineering, and the intersection of the two..

The Jerome Fisher Program in Management and Technology (M&T) is designed for students who have a keen interest in both engineering and business. Your essay should reflect a clear understanding of the program and a well-articulated vision for how you will leverage it to explore the intersection of business and engineering.

Understand the M&T Program

Ensure you have a thorough understanding of the M&T Program, including its curriculum, philosophy, and outcomes. Mention specific aspects of the program that appeal to you and how they align with your career aspirations.

Articulate Your Interest

Clearly articulate your interest in both business and engineering, providing examples from your past experiences that demonstrate your passion and aptitude in these areas.

Explore the Intersection

Discuss the intersection of business and engineering, providing specific examples of issues or opportunities that lie at this intersection that you are interested in exploring further through the M&T Program.

Connect Your Interests, the M&T Program, and Your Future Aspirations

Demonstrate a clear path that connects your past experiences, your interest in the M&T Program, and your future aspirations. Explain how the M&T Program is the perfect next step for you and how it will help you achieve your goals.

Discuss how you will contribute to the M&T community and how your unique perspective and experiences will add value to it. Mention any specific ways in which you plan to get involved and contribute to ongoing projects or initiatives.

Navigating through the realms of business and engineering has always been a focal point of my academic and extracurricular pursuits. My involvement in [Specific Project/Experience] illuminated the profound impact that can be achieved at the intersection of these two disciplines, particularly in the realm of [Specific Aspect of Business/Engineering]. A pressing issue that captivates my interest is [Specific Issue at the Intersection of Business and Engineering]. This issue presents a myriad of challenges and opportunities, such as [Specific Challenges/Opportunities], which can be navigated effectively through a robust understanding of both business and engineering. The M&T Program, with its interdisciplinary curriculum and vibrant community, provides an unparalleled platform to delve deeper into this intersection. I am particularly drawn to [Specific Element of the M&T Program] as it aligns perfectly with my interests and aspirations in [Specific Issue/Area]. In the future, I aspire to [Specific Career/Project Aspirations], leveraging the knowledge and skills garnered from the M&T Program to navigate the complex landscape of [Specific Issue/Area]. I am excited about the prospect of collaborating with the M&T community, contributing to [Specific Projects/Initiatives], and exploring innovative solutions at the intersection of business and engineering.

Your essay should demonstrate a clear understanding of the M&T Program, a genuine interest in both business and engineering, and a well-articulated vision for how you will leverage the program to explore specific issues or opportunities at the intersection of these two disciplines. Ensure your response is specific, detailed, and authentic, reflecting a true interest and understanding of the program and the issues you have chosen to discuss.

M&T: The Jerome Fisher Program in Management and Technology: Prompt 2

Describe a problem that you solved that showed leadership and creativity., - 250 words.

This prompt seeks to understand your problem-solving, leadership, and creative thinking skills through a specific example. Your response should succinctly narrate a situation, your actions, and the outcomes, showcasing your abilities in a compelling manner.

Identify a Relevant Problem

Choose a problem that allowed you to demonstrate both leadership and creativity in your solution. Ensure that the problem and your role in solving it are significant enough to showcase your abilities.

Structure Your Response

Given the word limit, structure your response to clearly outline the situation, your actions, and the outcomes. Ensure each aspect is clearly communicated and that your leadership and creativity are evident.

Highlight Your Leadership

Discuss how you took charge of the situation, the decisions you made, and how you motivated and coordinated with others. Highlight any specific challenges you overcame and how you navigated through them.

Showcase Your Creativity

Demonstrate how you thought outside the box to come up with innovative solutions. Highlight how your creative approach was instrumental in solving the problem.

Reflect on the Impact

Briefly discuss the impact of your solution, providing specific outcomes where possible. This could include the immediate outcomes as well as any longer-term impact that your solution may have had.

When our school’s annual event faced abrupt cancellation due to unforeseen circumstances, I spearheaded a team to transition it into a virtual format, ensuring continuity of a cherished tradition. The challenge lay in replicating the interactive and engaging aspects of the in-person event in a virtual environment. My creative approach involved leveraging various online platforms to create a multi-dimensional virtual experience. I coordinated with tech teams to integrate virtual reality (VR) environments, enabling participants to navigate through a simulated version of our school, attending different activities and sessions. Leadership was crucial in coordinating diverse teams, managing resources, and ensuring effective communication. I facilitated collaborations between the tech team, event organizers, and participants, ensuring a seamless transition to the virtual format. The event not only witnessed a record participation but also opened avenues for inclusive participation from international students, enhancing global engagement. This solution not only addressed the immediate problem but also introduced a new, inclusive format for future events.

Your response should succinctly and effectively communicate a problem, your leadership and creative approach to solving it, and the impact of your solution. Ensure that your abilities are clearly showcased through your actions and that the outcomes reflect positively on your problem-solving skills.

Describe your interests in modern networked information systems and technologies, such as the internet, and their impact on society, whether in terms of economics, communication, or the creation of beneficial content for society. Feel free to draw on examples from your own experiences as a user, developer, or student of technology.

This prompt invites you to explore your interests and experiences related to networked information systems and technologies, and their societal impact. It's an opportunity to showcase your understanding, passion, and vision regarding the intersection of technology and society.

Express Your Interest

Begin by articulating your interests in networked information systems and technologies. Discuss any specific aspects or technologies that particularly captivate you and why.

Highlight Personal Experiences

Share specific experiences as a user, developer, or student of technology that have shaped your interests and understanding. This could include projects you’ve worked on, courses you’ve taken, or personal experiences that have influenced your perspective.

Discuss Societal Impact

Explore the impact of networked information systems on society, considering various dimensions such as economics, communication, and content creation. Provide your insights into both the positive and negative implications, showcasing your nuanced understanding of the topic.

Incorporate Real-world Examples

Use real-world examples to illustrate your points, whether they are drawn from your personal experiences or from notable developments in the field. Ensure that these examples effectively support your discussion and showcase your knowledge and engagement with the topic.

Envision Future Possibilities

Consider discussing where you see these technologies heading in the future and any potential innovations or developments that you find particularly exciting or concerning. This is an opportunity to showcase your forward-thinking and visionary mindset.

Connect to the NETS Program

Towards the end, weave in how the NETS program at Penn aligns with your interests and how you envision leveraging the program to further explore and impact the field. Be specific about aspects of the program that resonate with you and how you see yourself contributing to and benefiting from it.

My fascination with networked information systems, particularly blockchain technology, stems from its revolutionary potential to democratize finance and enhance data security. My journey began with developing a decentralized voting system for our school elections, ensuring secure and transparent processes. This project not only fortified my technical skills but also illuminated the profound societal impact of secure and transparent networked systems. Blockchain, with its decentralized and immutable nature, has the potential to redefine economic structures, enhance data integrity, and democratize access to financial systems, especially in underbanked regions. However, it also poses challenges, such as energy consumption and regulatory dilemmas, reflecting the multifaceted impact of networked technologies on society. My experiences as a developer and user have underscored the importance of ethical considerations and user-centric design in developing technologies that are equitable, accessible, and beneficial to society. The NETS program, with its interdisciplinary approach and focus on the societal implications of networked systems, presents the ideal platform to deepen my understanding, engage in innovative projects, and develop solutions that positively impact society.

Your response should weave together your interests, experiences, understanding, and vision related to networked information systems and technologies, effectively showcasing your passion, expertise, and potential to contribute to the field. Ensure that your discussion is supported by specific examples and that your connection to the NETS program is clear and compelling.

Discuss your interest in nursing and health care management. How might Penn's coordinated dual-degree program in nursing and business help you meet your goals?

The NHCM program at Penn uniquely intertwines nursing and healthcare management, offering a comprehensive perspective on patient care and healthcare administration. Your essay should reflect your passion and rationale for intertwining these fields and how the NHCM program aligns with your aspirations.

Express Your Dual Interest

Begin by elucidating your interest in both nursing and healthcare management. Discuss why you believe these fields are interconnected and vital to your career aspirations. Ensure that your passion for both fields is evident and balanced throughout the essay.

Personal and Professional Motivations

Share experiences, observations, or learnings that have shaped your interest in nursing and healthcare management. This could include personal experiences, interactions with healthcare professionals, or insights gained through academic or extracurricular activities.

Highlight the Significance

Discuss the importance of integrating nursing with healthcare management, considering aspects like patient care, healthcare administration, policy-making, and healthcare innovation. Your insights into why a dual understanding is crucial in contemporary healthcare will underscore your informed interest.

Articulate Your Goals

Clearly define your short-term and long-term goals within the realms of nursing and healthcare management. Be specific about the impact you wish to make, the roles you aspire to undertake, and the advancements you wish to contribute to.

Connect to the NHCM Program

Detail how the NHCM program at Penn will facilitate your journey towards your goals. Discuss specific aspects of the program, such as courses, faculty, resources, or opportunities, that resonate with your interests and aspirations. Ensure that your connection to the program is specific, genuine, and well-researched.

Contribute and Gain

Reflect on what you will bring to the NHCM community and how you will leverage the program. Consider how your unique experiences and perspectives will enrich the community and how you plan to utilize the knowledge and experiences gained through the program in your future endeavors.

My journey through volunteering in a local hospital illuminated the intricate dance between empathetic patient care and meticulous healthcare management. Observing nurses who seamlessly integrated clinical expertise with administrative acumen highlighted the pivotal role of dual expertise in enhancing healthcare outcomes. My goal is to innovate healthcare delivery by intertwining clinical excellence with strategic management, ensuring equitable, efficient, and empathetic healthcare solutions. My experience developing a community health initiative for underprivileged neighborhoods underscored the importance of strategic management in amplifying the impact of nursing interventions. It is this symbiosis between nursing and management that I am eager to explore and deepen through the NHCM program. Penn’s NHCM program, with its rigorous curriculum, esteemed faculty, and myriad opportunities for practical application, presents the ideal platform to forge my path in healthcare. Courses like “Healthcare Management” and “Nursing in the Community” directly align with my interests, while the opportunities for internships and global experiences will facilitate practical application of theoretical knowledge. I bring with me a fervent passion for community healthcare, experiences in grassroots health initiatives, and a perspective shaped by on-ground realities. At NHCM, I aim to deepen my expertise, engage in collaborative learning, and contribute to the community, ultimately driving forward my vision for an integrated, innovative, and inclusive healthcare future.

Your essay should weave together your interests, experiences, goals, and connection to the NHCM program, showcasing a genuine, informed, and passionate commitment to nursing and healthcare management. Ensure that your essay is well-structured, specific, and reflective, effectively conveying your unique journey, vision, and fit for the NHCM program.

Seven-Year Bio-Dental Program: Prompt 1

Please list any predental or premedical experience. this experience can include but is not limited to observation in a private practice, dental clinic, or hospital setting; dental assisting; dental laboratory work; dental or medical research; etc. please include time allotted to each activity, dates of attendance, location, and a description of your experience. if you do not have any predental or premedical experience, please indicate what you have done or plan to do in order to explore dentistry as a career..

This prompt seeks a detailed account of your experiences and future plans related to the dental field. It’s crucial to provide a comprehensive, clear, and structured response.

For Those With Predental/Premedical Experience

Detail your experiences.

• Description: Clearly describe each experience, ensuring to highlight your role, responsibilities, and learnings.
• Time and Duration: Mention the total hours and the timeframe during which you gained this experience.
• Location: Specify where the experience took place.
• Reflection: Briefly reflect on what each experience taught you about the field and your career aspirations.

Variety and Depth

• Ensure to showcase a range of experiences, if possible, to demonstrate a well-rounded exploration of the field.
• Highlight experiences that had a significant impact on your decision to pursue dentistry.

Connect to Your Aspirations

• Subtly weave in how these experiences have shaped your understanding of dentistry and affirmed your career choice.

Example Entry

• Experience: Dental Assisting at [Clinic/Hospital Name]
• Duration: June 2022 - August 2022, 150 hours
• Location: [City, State]
• Description: Assisted with dental procedures, sterilized equipment, and engaged in patient care. This hands-on experience underscored the importance of precision and patient rapport in dental practice, solidifying my commitment to pursuing dentistry.

For Those Without Predental/Premedical Experience

Express genuine interest.

• Clearly articulate why you are interested in dentistry even without direct experience.

Alternative Experiences

• Discuss any experiences that, while not directly related to dentistry, have helped shape your career aspirations and transferable skills.

Future Plans

• Detail specific, actionable plans to gain experience and explore the dental field in the future.
• Mention any scheduled experiences, planned shadowing, or courses you intend to take.

Demonstrating Commitment

• Highlight how your actions, even without direct experience, showcase your commitment to pursuing dentistry.

While I have not yet gained direct predental experience, my engagement in [related experience] has honed my [specific skills] and affirmed my interest in healthcare. I have enrolled in a dental shadowing program scheduled for [month, year] and plan to volunteer at [specific location] to gain hands-on insight into dental practice. My commitment to exploring dentistry is underscored by [specific actions/qualities], and I am eager to deepen my understanding through continued experiences and education.

Ensure your response is clear, detailed, and reflective. Whether detailing past experiences or outlining future plans, showcase a genuine, informed commitment to exploring and contributing to the field of dentistry. Your experiences and plans should collectively convey your enthusiasm, understanding, and dedication towards a career in dentistry.

Seven-Year Bio-Dental Program: Prompt 2

Describe any activities which demonstrate your ability to work with your hands..

Dentistry is a profession that demands precision, dexterity, and adept manual skills. This prompt seeks to understand your foundational experiences that demonstrate your ability to work with your hands and potentially correlate to the manual skills required in dentistry.

Highlight Varied Experiences

• Artistic Pursuits: If you’ve engaged in painting, sculpture, or any other form of art, discuss how you’ve honed your hand-eye coordination and attention to detail.
• Craftsmanship: Activities like woodworking, sewing, or mechanics showcase your ability to manipulate tools and create detailed work.
• Musical Instruments: Playing instruments, especially those that require intricate hand movements like the piano or violin, can illustrate dexterity.
• Cooking or Baking: These activities often require precise measurements and manual skills, which can be relevant.

Detail Your Involvement

• Clearly describe your role and involvement in each activity.
• Mention the duration and level of commitment to each activity.

Reflect on Skills Developed

• Discuss specific skills developed through these activities, such as fine motor skills, precision, patience, and creativity.
• Reflect on how these skills might be transferable to a dental career.

Connect to Dentistry

• Subtly draw parallels between the manual skills utilized in these activities and those required in dentistry.
• If possible, relate it to any experiences or observations of dental practices.
• Activity: Pottery Crafting
• Duration: 3 years, weekly classes
• Description: Engaging in pottery has honed my manual dexterity and spatial awareness. Molding clay into detailed shapes and creating symmetrical, aesthetically pleasing pieces requires a steady hand and attention to detail. These skills, akin to those utilized in dental procedures, have not only enhanced my appreciation for meticulous handwork but also underscored the importance of precision and artistic understanding in creating functional, visually appealing structures.

Your response should provide a clear, detailed, and reflective account of your experiences that demonstrate manual dexterity and how these skills might translate into a dental career. Ensure to convey a genuine appreciation for activities that require hand skills and a thoughtful understanding of how these skills are relevant to dentistry. This will showcase your preparedness and intrinsic alignment with the skillset required in the dental profession.

Seven-Year Bio-Dental Program: Prompt 3

What activities have you performed that demonstrate your ability to work effectively with people.

Dentistry is not only about technical skills but also about interpersonal skills, as dentists work with diverse groups of people, including patients, staff, and other healthcare professionals. This prompt seeks to understand your experiences and skills in working with others.

Highlight Diverse Interactions

• Team Projects or Group Work: Discuss any collaborative projects or activities where you worked in a team, focusing on your role and contributions.
• Volunteer Work: Share experiences where you worked with people in a service capacity, such as volunteering at community centers, hospitals, or events.
• Leadership Roles: If you’ve held leadership positions in clubs, sports, or other organizations, discuss how you managed and worked with your team.
• Customer Service Roles: Jobs or roles in retail, restaurants, or any customer-facing position can showcase your ability to manage and interact with people effectively.

Demonstrate Key Skills

• Communication: Highlight instances where effective communication was key to success or resolving issues.
• Empathy: Share experiences that required understanding and empathizing with others’ perspectives or emotions.
• Conflict Resolution: Discuss any situations where you played a role in resolving conflicts or facilitating smooth interactions.
• Collaboration: Provide examples of how you worked cohesively with others to achieve common goals.

Reflect on Learnings and Growth

• Discuss what you learned from these experiences and how they shaped your interpersonal skills.
• Reflect on how these experiences have prepared you for interactions in a healthcare setting.

Relate to Dentistry

• Draw connections between the skills developed through these experiences and the interpersonal skills required in dentistry.
• Mention any interactions or observations in dental settings that further inspired or informed your understanding of patient-doctor interactions.
• Activity: Volunteering at a Local Community Center
• Duration: 2 years, bi-weekly involvement
• Description: My role involved organizing and facilitating community events, where I interacted with individuals from varied age groups and backgrounds. This experience enhanced my communication and organizational skills, as I coordinated with team members and engaged with community members to ensure successful events. I learned the importance of empathy and active listening, especially when interacting with elderly individuals who often shared personal stories and experiences. These skills are crucial in dentistry, where understanding and addressing patients’ concerns and anxieties is pivotal.

Your response should weave through your experiences, skills, reflections, and their relevance to dentistry in a cohesive manner. Ensure to provide specific examples and insights from your experiences, demonstrating a deep understanding of interpersonal skills and their application in a dental career. This will showcase your preparedness for the people-oriented aspects of a career in dentistry.

Seven-Year Bio-Dental Program: Prompt 4

Please explain your reasons for selecting dentistry. please include what interests you the most about dentistry as well as what interests you least..

Navigating through this prompt requires a balanced reflection on your passion and pragmatism towards a career in dentistry. It's essential to showcase genuine interest and understanding of the field while also acknowledging its challenges or less appealing aspects.

What Interests You Most

1. personal experiences:.

• Reflect on any personal experiences that drew you towards dentistry, such as dental visits, braces, etc.
• Discuss any interactions or observations with dentists that left a positive impact.

2. Impact and Service:

• Highlight the aspect of service and impact in dentistry — helping people improve their oral health, confidence, and quality of life.
• Mention the satisfaction derived from immediate results and direct impact in healthcare.

3. Interdisciplinary Nature:

• Discuss how dentistry combines various fields — healthcare, biology, engineering (prosthetics, orthodontics), and even art (aesthetics, restoration).

4. Patient Interaction:

• Mention the appeal of continuous patient interaction and building relationships over time.

5. Technological Advancements:

• Express interest in the evolving technology in dentistry, such as laser treatments, 3D printing, etc.

What Interests You Least

1. be honest but tactful:.

• Choose an aspect that is genuine but ensure it is not central to the profession.
• Avoid cliches like “there’s nothing I dislike” – authenticity is key.

2. Challenges in Patient Management:

• Discuss challenges like managing anxious or non-cooperative patients while maintaining empathy and professionalism.

3. Administrative Aspects:

• Mention the potential tedium of administrative tasks, paperwork, and management aspects of running a practice.

4. Continuous Learning Curve:

• Acknowledge the demanding aspect of continuous learning and adaptation due to evolving dental technologies and methods.

5. Ethical Dilemmas:

• Discuss navigating through ethical dilemmas, such as treatment refusals or non-adherence to advice.

I was drawn towards dentistry during my orthodontic treatment in high school, witnessing the profound impact it had on my confidence and oral health. The multifaceted nature of dentistry, intertwining healthcare, engineering, and aesthetic artistry, fascinates me. Particularly, the ability to alleviate pain, enhance aesthetics, and consequently, uplift an individual’s self-esteem and quality of life is profoundly impactful. However, the administrative aspects, such as managing paperwork and insurance claims, seem less engaging to me. While they are crucial for practice management, I find them to be a diversion from the core clinical and patient-care aspects that primarily draw me to dentistry. Nonetheless, I perceive them as a necessary component to facilitate the smooth functioning of a dental practice, ensuring that the clinical aspects can be executed effectively.

Your response should offer a well-rounded view of your perception of dentistry, reflecting both your passion and realistic understanding of the profession. Ensure to convey how the positives outweigh the negatives for you and how you are prepared to navigate through the less appealing aspects, showcasing a mature and informed perspective towards a career in dentistry.

How do you envision your participation in the Vagelos Integrated Program in Energy Research (VIPER) furthering your interests in energy science and technology? Please include any past experiences (ex. academic, research, or extracurricular) that have led to your interest in the program. Additionally, please indicate why you are interested in pursuing dual degrees in science and engineering and which VIPER majors are most interesting to you at this time.

Envisioning participation in viper, 1. interdisciplinary approach:.

• Highlight the appeal of VIPER’s interdisciplinary approach to energy research.
• Discuss how the blend of science and engineering will enable you to explore innovative solutions to energy challenges.

2. Research Opportunities:

• Mention specific research labs, projects, or professors in VIPER that align with your interests.
• Discuss how engaging in research from early on will deepen your understanding and skills in energy science.

3. Real-world Impact:

• Express your desire to contribute to tangible solutions for global energy challenges.
• Mention how VIPER’s focus on translating research into practical applications resonates with you.

Past Experiences

1. academic:.

• Mention any coursework or projects related to energy science, physics, chemistry, or engineering that piqued your interest in the field.

2. Research:

• Discuss any prior research experiences, especially those related to energy, and what you learned from them.

3. Extracurricular:

• Highlight participation in science clubs, competitions, or projects related to energy solutions.

Pursuing Dual Degrees

1. bridging theory and application:.

• Discuss how pursuing dual degrees will equip you with the theoretical knowledge and practical skills to innovate in energy solutions.

2. Comprehensive Understanding:

• Mention how the dual degrees will provide a comprehensive understanding of energy from both a scientific and engineering perspective.

3. Career Goals:

• Relate the dual degrees to your career aspirations in energy research, policy, or technology development.

VIPER Majors of Interest

1. specific interests:.

• Mention the VIPER majors that align with your interests and why they appeal to you.
• Be specific about the aspects of the major that excite you, such as particular courses or facets of the curriculum.

2. Future Applications:

• Discuss how the majors will equip you for your future career or research aspirations in the energy sector.

My fascination with energy science was ignited during a high school project on photovoltaic cells, where I explored the intricacies of converting sunlight into electricity. This interest was further fueled by my internship at [XYZ Lab], where I delved into research on enhancing the efficiency of solar panels using nanotechnology. VIPER, with its robust interdisciplinary approach, stands out as the epitome of energy research education, offering a unique blend of theoretical knowledge and practical application through its dual-degree program. Engaging in cutting-edge research under Dr. [ABC], particularly in [specific project or lab], aligns seamlessly with my aspirations to innovate in renewable energy technologies. The dual degrees in [specific majors] will not only deepen my understanding of energy science but also equip me with the engineering prowess to translate theories into tangible technologies. My goal is to contribute to developing scalable and sustainable energy solutions, and VIPER is the quintessential program to catalyze my journey in navigating the complexities and challenges of the energy landscape.

Ensure your essay reflects a genuine interest and understanding of energy science and the VIPER program. Connect your past experiences, current interests, and future aspirations cohesively, showcasing a clear pathway of how VIPER will be instrumental in furthering your career in energy research and technology.

General Guidelines for Answering UPenn's Supplemental Essay Questions

1. immerse yourself in upenn’s culture:.

• Understand UPenn’s Programs: Dive deep into the specifics of UPenn's programs, courses, and faculty to demonstrate a genuine interest and understanding of what the university offers.
• Align with UPenn’s Values: Ensure your responses resonate with UPenn’s ethos, particularly its emphasis on interdisciplinary learning, innovation, and impactful leadership.

2. Showcase Your Individuality:

• Highlight Unique Experiences: Your unique experiences, challenges, and perspectives are valuable—ensure they shine through in your essays.
• Your Contribution to UPenn: Clearly articulate how your uniqueness will contribute to the UPenn community and its diverse tapestry of cultures and ideas.

3. Articulate Clear Goals and Aspirations:

• Career and Academic Goals: Be clear about your academic and career aspirations and how UPenn’s specific offerings align with them.
• Interdisciplinary Interests: UPenn values interdisciplinary studies. Showcase your varied interests and how you plan to intertwine them during your time at UPenn.

4. Authenticity and Sincerity:

• Be Genuine: Authenticity in your responses will resonate more than trying to present an image you think the admissions committee wants to see.
• Reflect True Interests: Discuss programs, courses, and opportunities that genuinely excite you, not just those that seem impressive.

5. Precision and Clarity:

• Concise Writing: With stringent word limits, ensure your responses are concise, clear, and to the point without sacrificing depth or meaning.
• Prioritize Information: Choose the most impactful experiences and insights to share, ensuring they provide new information beyond your Common App essay.

6. Engage with Engaging Narratives:

• Storytelling: Weave your experiences and insights into a compelling narrative that provides a window into your world and aspirations.
• Relatable Experiences: Choose relatable stories and experiences and provide tangible evidence of your qualities and interests.

7. Flawless Presentation:

• Proofread Thoroughly: Ensure your essays are meticulously proofread and free from grammatical or syntactical errors.
• Seek Feedback: Obtain feedback from mentors, peers, or teachers to ensure clarity and impact in your writing.

8. Connect to the UPenn Experience:

• Visualize Your UPenn Journey: Ensure your essays provide a clear picture of how you envision your time at UPenn, both academically and personally.
• Community Involvement: Discuss how you plan to engage with and contribute to the UPenn community, both on and off campus.

9. Embrace the Opportunity:

• More Than an Application: View these essays as an opportunity to genuinely present who you are and articulate your fit and enthusiasm for UPenn.
• Showcase Your Journey: Use this platform to provide a holistic view of your journey, your aspirations, and why UPenn is the ideal place for you to realize them.

10. Stay Informed:

• Keep Updated: Ensure you’re aware of any recent developments, new programs, or initiatives at UPenn that might align with your interests and aspirations.
• Showcase Current Relevance: Relate your interests and experiences to current global or social contexts, showcasing your awareness and engagement with the world.

Navigating UPenn’s supplemental essays requires a blend of authenticity, clarity, and a deep understanding of what UPenn offers and values. By intertwining your unique journey, aspirations, and experiences with UPenn’s offerings and ethos, you can compellingly convey your fit and potential contributions to the UPenn community.

For further insights and examples, exploring the U Penn essay examples might provide additional perspectives on crafting standout applications.

Final Thoughts

Embarking on your journey towards the University of Pennsylvania is about more than academic achievements; it's about crafting a narrative that intertwines your unique journey, aspirations, and potential contributions with UPenn’s rich legacy and vibrant community. Your supplemental essays provide a pivotal platform to showcase your character, aspirations, and the distinctive value you would bring to the UPenn community.

Every UPenn aspirant brings a unique story and perspective. This is your opportunity to eloquently articulate yours, ensuring it resonates with UPenn’s ethos and offerings. Approach your essays with authenticity, depth, and a palpable passion for your narrative and future aspirations.

If you find yourself questioning whether your essay genuinely encapsulates your essence or stands out amidst a sea of applications, our essay review service is here to assist you. Our seasoned experts will provide comprehensive reviews and feedback, ensuring your essay resonates powerfully with UPenn’s admissions officers. For additional insights and inspiration, our ebook , featuring essays from students who secured spots at top-tier institutions, can be a valuable resource. Moreover, our compilation of successful UPenn essay examples will offer invaluable perspectives and inspiration.

For those embarking on their college application journey, consider scheduling a free consultation with our experienced college counselors. We are committed to assisting you in crafting an application that enhances your chances of becoming a part of UPenn’s vibrant community. Your dream of joining the ranks of UPenn’s Quakers is within reach, and we are here to support you at every step of your journey.

What Makes Crimson Different

Key Resources & Further Reading

• Everything you need to know about US Application Supplemental Essays
• Acing your College Application Essay: 5 Expert Tips to Make it Stand Out from the Rest
• How to Tackle Every Type of Supplemental Essay
• 2023-24 Common App Essay Prompts
• What are the Most Unusual US College Supplemental Essay Prompts?

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15 UPenn Essay Samples That Worked

Updated for the 2024-2025 admissions cycle.

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The University of Pennsylvania, also known as UPenn, is an Ivy League university that provides students from all over the world with a world-class education. With over 4,700 courses, 150 majors, and 500 clubs and organizations, there is truly something for everyone. The school offers over eight specialized programs. This includes the Bio-Dent Seven Year Bio-Dental Program, which allows students to earn an undergraduate degree in biology and a DMD degree from the school of dentistry in only seven years. Undergraduate students can also take classes at Wharton, which is among the most prestigious business schools in the world. Ultimately, the University of Pennsylvania is an outstanding choice for students to create their future, with exceptional academics, cultural events, landmark buildings, and a bustling campus life.

Unique traditions at UPenn

1. The Naked Quad Run: Every year on the night before the last exam, Penn students take off all their clothes except for shoes and sprint around the school's quad. The tradition began in 1997 as a way to celebrunte the end of the semester in a fun and rally way. 2. The Button Game: Penn's button game is an indoor scavenger hunt that takes place during the Spring semester. The game includes making designs out of buttons and other clues located around campus. 3. Senior Tree Planting: For the class of 1996 and beyond, Penn seniors are invited to plant a tree in West Philadelphia in a ceremony. The tree planting ceremony symbolizes the students' commitment to Penn and to the community. 4. The Red Cross Fire Companies: Penn's oldest student-run organizations date back to the 1800s when students formed the Fire Companies. The Fire Companies fought small fires on campus, performed drills to maintain their skill and performed service activities for the local community. 5. Homecoming Heroes: Penn celebrates their student and alumni achievements by designating a select group of Homecoming Heroes. The Heroes were chosen for their exceptional contributions to the University and their dedication to Penn's mission.

Programs at UPenn

1. Wharton Global Ambassadors: A student-run organization that works to establish relationships with like-minded business professionals from all over the world. 2. Penn Community Garden: An organization dedicated to providing fresh produce to individuals and families in need in the nearby community. 3. Penn Program for Public Service: An organization providing a platform for interdisciplinary service projects that promotes meaningful community engagement. 4. Engineering Without Borders: A student-run organization that links engineering technology and knowledge to empower people in developing countries. 5. PennSocial Justice: A student-led organization fostering social activism to create a just and sustainable world.

At a glance…

Acceptance Rate

Average Cost

Average SAT

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Philadelphia, PA

Real Essays from UPenn Admits

Prompt: considering the specific undergraduate school you have selected, describe how you intend to explore your academic and intellectual interests at the university of pennsylvania..

Storytelling has always played a leading role in my life. My childhood was spent obsessing over the fantastical stories of others, losing myself in the escapism of J.K. Rowling’s Wizarding World and Rick Riordan’s Camp Half- Blood. Amidst the turmoil of adolescence, I found solace in writing stories of my own. This love of creative writing continued into high school, with hours spent typing late into the night, racing to get all of my ideas on the page before exhaustion hits. Pride fills me when I at last conclude a draft. Even as I stumble through numerous rewrites, I never stop returning to that feeling.

My love of storytelling has since expanded to other areas and disciplines. In theater, stage management, directing, and arts management have been exciting ways to tell stories collaboratively. Since founding my school’s literary magazine, literary editing has engaged me as a way to further my bibliophilia with more active engagement with the text and its author. From my IB Business Management course, marketing has appealed to me as a more pragmatic form of storytelling. 

As a student at the University of Pennsylvania's College of Arts & Sciences, I could pursue every avenue of storytelling that interests me. The English Department would be a perfect fit for me academically, as it emphasizes exploring a wide array of media. Fascinating seminars from “Writing Women” to “Television and New Media” would give me excellent grounding in the craft of storytelling. The Creative Writing Concentration would hone my abilities as a writer in fiction, nonfiction, playwriting, and screenwriting. During summers, a RealArts@Penn internship in publishing would empower me to learn more about literary editing; the Penn Summer Abroad in London program would expose me to literature and theater in one of the world’s greatest urban centers.

Outside of my major, I would explore storytelling across the College of Arts & Sciences. Within the Theater Arts Department, courses in dramaturgy, theater management, and technical theater would provide theoretical understanding; hands-on experience stage managing productions would add practical training – and of course, the joy of live theater – to my learning. The Consumer Psychology minor would be the ideal program to further my interest in marketing. This minor would give me an excellent basis in marketing strategy, advertising, and creativity in business, enabling me to explore the fascinating intersection of business and storytelling.

By fully embracing the academic and extracurricular opportunities, I know I would thrive as a student and storyteller at the University of Pennsylvania.

Essay by Abby

English major interested in creative writing, theater, & film

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)

To my beloved Lita (short for grandmother in Spanish), you inspire me daily. I exist because of you, but better yet, I can write this letter today because of you. To come to this country from Colombia with a child in hand, not knowing any English, and starting a successful business is a task I know only someone as strong as you could accomplish. The difficulties I encounter and persevere through pale compared to the sacrifices you made for your family. Your tenacity to achieve a better life for you and your family is with me in every major decision. Your love reminds me of the warmth we should all show each other. Your food, of what joy is to me. I love our late-night tea sessions, conversations about the politicians we despise, and your stories about your life in Colombia. I’ve learned to fight when it gets hard, support those who support me, and never worry about the odds, all from your life and journey to this country. But, most importantly, I’ve learned to make peace with my identity and celebrate it alongside you, Colombian food, and Spanish music.

Your eternal admirer, Anthony

Essay by Anthony Busatta

Yale '27 | SWFL native who hates the heat but loves everything else about it.

Prompt: How will you explore community at Penn? Consider how Penn will help shape your perspective and identity, and how your identity and perspective will help shape Penn. (150-200 words)

Boyle Heights, East LA: Navidad festivities with my extended family enliven my abuelita’s house. Piñatas and singing Las Posadas mixed with American Football and Christmas carols. My family is bicultural: Mexican-American.

Background:

My mom’s ancestry is predominantly Iberian, while my dad’s is largely indigenous and African. I began reading about Afro-Latine history to understand my past and, when I visited Mexico, my cousins encouraged me to study and participate in Mesoamerican culture to combat centuries of erasure of our heritage. Our festivities follow the firmament as we celebrate our ancestors' legacy.

When histories intermix, they germinate into a new, beautiful and dynamic whole, despite rigid societal categorizations. Being mixed defines me: globally minded and curious to discover what makes us, us.

When I visited the Penn Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology, I was amazed by the extent of the collection. At Penn, I’d take full advantage of these cultural opportunities, including the Cultural Resource Centers, to continue learning about and advocating with others while also sharing aspects about my heritage. I’m particularly interested in studying the intersection of my identity and the built environment, such as in the course Latinx Environmental Justice. My heritage empowers my future.

Essay by Víctor

i love cities <3

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Someone with the same interests, stats, and background as you

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How to Write the UPenn Supplemental Essays 2019-2020

Check out our updated post for 2020-21 prompts 

Founded in 1740 by Benjamin Franklin, the University of Pennsylvania is one of America’s eight Ivy League institutions. Known for its premier academics and thriving student life, UPenn also enjoys the benefits of being situated in the heart of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

Undergraduate education is separated into four distinct schools: the School of Arts & Sciences, Wharton School of Business, the School of Engineering & Applied Sciences, and the School of Nursing. In its most recent admissions cycle, UPenn accepted 3,740 of its 44,491 undergraduate applicants, an admissions rate of 8.4%. Want to know your chances at UPenn? Calculate your chances for free right now.

Want to learn what University of Pennsylvania will actually cost you based on your income? And how long your application to the school should take? Here’s what every student considering University of Pennsylvania needs to know.

How to Write the UPenn Essays 

To apply, you must write a couple university-wide essays. Additionally, individual schools and special programs may require additional written statements. Be sure to respond to all prompts for the academic program you want to pursue. 

Required for All Applicants

How did you discover your intellectual and academic interests, and how will you explore them at the university of pennsylvania please respond considering the specific undergraduate school you have selected. for students applying to the coordinated dual-degree and specialized programs, please answer these questions 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. (300-450 words).

Unlike some other school prompts, the UPenn essay questions are trying to figure out what drives your intellect. Notice how much emphasis this prompt puts on your academic life, from your intellectual interests generally to the specific school or program to which you are applying. Use this space to flesh out what makes you excited to learn.

If possible with college essays, you want to give your essay a narrative arc. Think: “first I was A, then B happened. So now I’m C. In the future, I hope to be D.” This narrative structure matters less for this essay because it is more based on your intellect than on your personality. However, if you can manage to plot your intellectual interests onto that kind of timeline, it will make your essay more captivating.

Example: Let’s say Sam wants to study History at UPenn. The question Sam is really trying to answer is: “How can I show UPenn what it is about History that I love so much?”

Sam thinks back to the first time he played Civilization, a history-based video game. That was when he knew he was hooked on the subject. Every decision set off a chain reaction, and the choices of individuals could radically change the course of history. By reaching back to Sam’s first meaningful contact with history, he’s found a great beginning for his essay.

A lot of students just stop here. They think all they need to say is, “Wow! This subject is fascinating!” But if Sam only described his first impression of history from playing Civilization, he would not seem as though he had thought very deeply about his passion. Instead, Sam needs to demonstrate how he has developed his interest over the past four years.

In Sam’s case, he has been his school’s history specialist on the Quiz Bowl team. He also co-hosts a history podcast with a friend of his. They record in the school’s basement and have 500 regular listeners. Sam should spend at least a paragraph fleshing out how these extracurriculars relate to his broader interest in history.

He can also point out any lessons about history he learned from his activities. For example, maybe researching for the podcast showed him that a lot of what he knows about history was discovered by archaeologists. In the essay, he could point out that his love of history evolved to include a love of physical artifacts.

At this point in the narrative, Sam can start looking ahead. By reading the course catalogue at UPenn, he can identify specific History classes that will allow him to deepen his newfound love of artifacts. Sam should write a few sentences about professors, events, or courses available at UPenn that would let him learn more about history.

Finally, Sam concludes by looking ahead. College is only four years of Sam’s life, and—truth be told—he has no idea what he wants to do after he graduates. That’s okay. UPenn still wants to see that he’s looking ahead.

So Sam talks about the things he does know. Sam does know studying history will give him a much better perspective on what has made modern society into what it is today. It will prepare him to analyze evidence of many different kinds, including written and physical records.

And that’s it. If he can write a brief conclusion that ties back to the earlier themes of his essay, that’s especially great. For instance, “The generals in my Civilization game and I have one thing in common—we both have only a short time to make a difference. By learning to think deeply and evaluate evidence, I will use my love of history to have an impact wherever the future takes me.”

To review, here’s what Sam did right and what you can do:

• Identify what sparked your interest in this subject
• Highlight ways you have built on your interest (g ive examples from extracurriculars, classes, and side projects)
• Discuss how UPenn gives you the chance to deepen your interest; b e specific with course offerings, professors, events, etc.
• Zoom out—talk about how you will pursue this interest after college

Keep in mind that all of this applies for single-school programs only. If your dream program is dual-degree, you still need to write this essay about your back-up single school program of choice.

At Penn, learning and growth happen outside of the classrooms, too. How will you explore the community at Penn? Consider how this community will help shape your perspective and identity, and how your identity and perspective will help shape this community. (150-200 words)

If the first essay was all about your academic interests, this essay is the opposite. UPenn wants to make sure you are more than a brain in a jar. With that in mind, use this short essay to showcase the best parts of yourself outside of the classroom.

The frame of the essay prompt is community, but you do not have to be a social butterfly to write a good answer. What UPenn means to ask is, “How will you fit into the community we are creating?” 

Maybe you bring musical talents and want to join the student orchestra. Or perhaps your servant leadership style is what you have to offer, and you want to join the student government. Perhaps you are a Hispanic student who wants to revitalize others’ awareness of their cultural heritage. The essay can be about any part of who you are as long as it’s something you can share with the broader UPenn community.

As always, if you can use past accomplishments or experiences to illustrate your point, it will be more powerful. For instance, if you have led your soccer team’s community outreach efforts, talk about how the skills you learned on the team will make you better at building a relationship between UPenn and the city of Philadelphia.

If you’re having trouble coming up with ideas. Ask yourself these questions:

• When have I been a leader? What did I accomplish?
• When have I grown as an individual? How did I change?
• What clubs, groups, or cultural communities might I want to participate in at UPenn?

Specialized Program Prompts

Computer and cognitive science: artificial intelligence program, why are you interested in the computer & cognitive science: artificial intelligence program at the university of pennsylvania (400-650 words).

We have now moved into the prompts for special programs. If you are applying to Computer and Cognitive Science: Artificial Intelligence, that suggests your interests lie right at the crux of these two fields. Students who apply to special programs like this one have the added burden of proving that they have a deep knowledge or interest in artificial intelligence.

The easiest way to answer this prompt is to reference previous work you have done in the field of Artificial Intelligence. If you have demonstrated interest through extracurricular endeavors or academics, build your essay around that past experience.

If, however, you do not have extensive past experience with Artificial Intelligence, there are other ways to write a strong essay. First, look for pursuits that are adjacent to AI. For instance, if you have a lot of experience with computer science, talk about that experience and then identify why pursuing just computer science would not satisfy your intellectual curiosity.

Maybe you don’t have experience in an adjacent field. That is okay too! You’ll want to focus on the intellectual journey you have been on to arrive at AI as your main interest. What books have you read? What movies have you seen? What artificial intelligence has shaped the way you interact with the world?

If you’re having trouble thinking of reasons why you want to pursue AI, that might be a sign that this dual degree program is not for you. Lots of people think AI is interesting in theory, but this essay offers a chance for applicants to test just how committed they are to this niche field. If this essay keeps coming up short, consider applying to one of UPenn’s traditional majors instead.

If you can successfully focus on past experiences in the field, past experiences in a related field, or how your interest formed, congratulations! Your essay is well on its way to being a great one.

Next, address how you hope to use the resources this program offers. Maybe it’s the interdisciplinary approach of the curriculum. Or you might love the work of one of the professors. Perhaps simply the time this degree gives you to focus on your passion without interruption is the draw.

Overall, you want to do all of the following:

• Address why you want to pursue AI
• Highlight your past experience in AI
• If applicable, discuss your experience in related fields. Why did those fields point you to AI?
• Discuss how your thinking on AI has evolved over time, if applicable
• Point to opportunities that the UPenn program gives you to deepen your interest in AI further

Bio-Dental Program

250 words each:, please list pre-dental or pre-medical experience. this experience can include but is not limited to observation in a private practice, dental clinic, or hospital setting; dental assisting; dental laboratory work; dental or medical research, etc. please include time allotted to each activity, dates of attendance, location, and description of your experience. if you do not have any predental or premedical experience, please indicate what you have done that led you to your decision to enter dentistry., list any activities which demonstrate your ability to work with your hands., what activities have you performed that demonstrate your ability to work cooperatively with people, please explain your reasons for selecting a career in dentistry. please include what interests you the most in dentistry as well as what interests you the least, do you have relatives who are dentists or are in dental school if so, indicate the name of each relative, his/her relationship to you, the school attended, and the dates attended..

250 words may not sound like a lot, but try writing five of these essays in rapid succession. That is exactly what the bio-dental program application requests of you. With so much information being asked of you, it is important to step back and prioritize which aspects of yourself you want to highlight.

First, read all of the prompts. Star the one to which you think you have the strongest answer. For example, maybe you are great at cooperating with others. Or, maybe your reason for practicing dentistry makes for a great story. 

Write your answer to the starred question first, then spend the most time revising it. It’s good to lead with your strength.

For the rest of your responses, frame your answers as stories whenever possible. This won’t apply for the prompt about other dentists in your family, but otherwise it’s a good rule of thumb.

Feel free to get a little creative. Admissions officers know that you will not have performed any dental surgery yet, so draw from what experiences you do have. Maybe it’s your love of knitting that actually attracts you to a career in dentistry. It really does not matter how off the wall your experiences are as long as you can tie them back to what you will be studying.

Digital Media Design Program

Why are you interested in the digital media design (dmd) program at the university of pennsylvania (400-650 words).

This emerging field has generated a lot of interest in the past few years, and UPenn is one of only a few schools that offers a specialized curriculum for a career in digital media design.

However, because the program is so rare, it has become pretty competitive. In this essay, you want to show your interest in digital media design is sustained rather than temporary.

For a good essay structure, you can scroll up to the example of Sam, the History major, provided in response to the first UPenn prompt. If you were to write your essay in a similar way, just about DMD, that would be a strong approach.

Since this is a design program, convey your design preferences and unique style as much as possible. A successful essay not only convinces admissions officers that you are passionate about design but gives them a sense of the digital media designs you may create in the future. It shows what your designs will prioritize.

It is not enough just to show that you have an interest in design. You have to connect your passion specifically to digital content.

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Our chancing engine factors in extracurricular activities, demographic, and other holistic details.

Our chancing engine factors in extracurricular activities, demographic, and other holistic details. We’ll let you know what your chances are at your dream schools — and how to improve your chances!

The Huntsman Program

The huntsman program supports the development of globally-minded scholars who become engaged citizens, creative innovators, and ethical leaders in the public, private, and non-profit sectors in the united states and internationally. what draws you to a dual-degree in business and international studies, and how would you use what you learn to make a contribution to a global issue where business and international affairs intersect (400-650 words), lsm seeks students who are enthusiastic about combining science with management. what excites you about this combination what advantages and opportunities does the combination provide, and what issues could it address  be as specific and original as possible in addressing these questions. it is important that you share your thoughts written in your own words because that is what we are interested in reading. (400-650 words), explain how you will use the m&t program to explore your interest in business, engineering, and the intersection of the two. (400-650 words), describe a problem that you solved that showed leadership and creativity. (250 words), describe your interests in modern networked information systems and technologies, such as the internet, and their impact on society, whether in terms of economics, communication, or the creation of beneficial content for society. feel free to draw on examples from your own experiences as a user, developer, or student of technology. (400-650 words), discuss your interest in nursing and health care management. how might penn’s coordinated dual-degree program in nursing and business help you meet your goals (400-650 words), describe your interests in energy science and technology drawing on your previous academic, research, and extracurricular experiences that allow you to appreciate the scientific or engineering challenges related to energy and sustainability. if you have previous experience with research, describe your research project (outlining the goals, hypotheses, approach, results, and conclusions). describe how your experiences have shaped your research and interests, and identify how the viper program will help you achieve your goals. also, please indicate which viper majors in both science and engineering are most interesting to you at this time. (400-650 words), related collegevine blog posts.

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Michael Myers at 50: Essays on the Halloween Franchise

Editor: Shane H. Weathers, Bowling Green State University

Editors Introduction:

John Carpenter’s Halloween is arguably the most iconic slasher film of all time. While taking inspiration from Alfred Hitchcock’s Psycho , Michael Powell’s Peeping Tom , Bob Clark’s Black Christmas , and Tobe Hooper’s The Texas Chain Saw Massacre , Halloween is the film responsible for the rise of the slasher craze of the late 1970s and early 1980s, spawning further hits like Sean Cunningham’s Friday the 13th , Wes Craven’s A Nightmare on Elm Street , and more. Without Halloween , it is possible that the slasher subgenre as we know it today would either be entirely different or not exist at all. From the iconic Final Girl of Laurie Strode, to Michael Myers (recognizable to even non-horror fans), and to Dr. Loomis, the series has created some of the most memorable characters within the horror genre, and pioneered the tropes and conventions that were satirized by Wes Craven’s Scream .

However, the legacy of Halloween cannot be properly discussed without taking into account its direct successors. From Halloween II in 1981 to Halloween Ends in 2022, the original film has spawned twelve subsequent entries with five distinct timelines, making it the most prolific slasher franchise in cinema. Each of these films has contributed to building upon the legacy of Michael Myers that John Carpenter began in 1978. Unfortunately, most of the scholarship done on the series tends to focus on the original and perhaps one or two of the sequels.

Therefore, the goal of this edited collection is to address EVERY aspect of the Halloween franchise in anticipation of its fiftieth anniversary in October of 2028. As such, we are looking for essays addressing each individual film, including the original and one final essay that contextualizes the entire franchise. While the impact of the original Halloween cannot be understated, we contend that to truly understand its impact, the franchise needs to be given equal attention. This collection aims to be an integral contribution to the emerging field of film franchise studies.  Scholars are encouraged to take any fresh direction they want to for their chosen film; however, some possible topics are listed below:

• Comparisons between Halloween (1978) and Halloween (2007)
• The producer’s cut of Halloween: The Curse of Michael Myers
• Jamie Lee Curtis and the Franchise/individual films (except original)
• Danielle Harris in Halloween 4 & 5 versus Rob Zombie duology
• Corey Cunningham in Halloween Ends
• The personality shift of Dr. Loomis in Halloween II (2009)
• The genre shift and lack of Michael Myers/meta Myers in Halloween 3
• Auteur study of Rick Rosenthal and Halloween II (1981) and Resurrection
• Comparisons between Halloween H20 and Scream
• Fan reception to specific films
• Final Girls (other than Laurie) – Sara in Resurrection , Kara in Curse , Allyson in the David Gordon Green trilogy

The films are listed below (three essays will be chosen for the original film, one for each sequel, and one final essay contextualizing the entire series for a total of 16 essays)

• Halloween (1978)
• Halloween II (1981)
• Halloween III: Season of the Witch (1982)
• Halloween 4: The Return of Michael Myers (1988)
• Halloween 5: The Revenge of Michael Myers (1989)
• Halloween: The Curse of Michael Myers (1995)
• Halloween H20: Twenty Years Later (1998)
• Halloween: Resurrection (2002)
• Halloween (2007)
• Halloween II (2009)
• Halloween (2018)
• Halloween Kills (2021)
• Halloween Ends (2022)

Queries and Submissions:

Please send queries and abstracts (around 300 words) for proposed chapter-length original work to [email protected] . Proposals should be submitted no later than September 10, 2024 . Selected contributors will be notified by October 1, 2024 . Initial drafts of 5750-7250 words (MLA 9, further style details will be given upon selection) will be due February 25, 2025 . Please provide in a separate document or in the body of the email a brief author biography. I am currently discussing the book proposal with a university publisher who is very interested in the collection, and, in advance of the original film’s fiftieth anniversary in October of 2028, am aiming for an early 2028 release date.

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Guest Essay

The Supreme Court Got It Wrong: Abortion Is Not Settled Law

By Melissa Murray and Kate Shaw

Ms. Murray is a law professor at New York University. Ms. Shaw is a contributing Opinion writer.

In his majority opinion in the case overturning Roe v. Wade, Justice Samuel Alito insisted that the high court was finally settling the vexed abortion debate by returning the “authority to regulate abortion” to the “people and their elected representatives.”

Despite these assurances, less than two years after Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization, abortion is back at the Supreme Court. In the next month, the justices will hear arguments in two high-stakes cases that may shape the future of access to medication abortion and to lifesaving care for pregnancy emergencies. These cases make clear that Dobbs did not settle the question of abortion in America — instead, it generated a new slate of questions. One of those questions involves the interaction of existing legal rules with the concept of fetal personhood — the view, held by many in the anti-abortion movement, that a fetus is a person entitled to the same rights and protections as any other person.

The first case , scheduled for argument on Tuesday, F.D.A. v. Alliance for Hippocratic Medicine, is a challenge to the Food and Drug Administration’s protocols for approving and regulating mifepristone, one of the two drugs used for medication abortions. An anti-abortion physicians’ group argues that the F.D.A. acted unlawfully when it relaxed existing restrictions on the use and distribution of mifepristone in 2016 and 2021. In 2016, the agency implemented changes that allowed the use of mifepristone up to 10 weeks of pregnancy, rather than seven; reduced the number of required in-person visits for dispensing the drug from three to one; and allowed the drug to be prescribed by individuals like nurse practitioners. In 2021, it eliminated the in-person visit requirement, clearing the way for the drug to be dispensed by mail. The physicians’ group has urged the court to throw out those regulations and reinstate the previous, more restrictive regulations surrounding the drug — a ruling that could affect access to the drug in every state, regardless of the state’s abortion politics.

The second case, scheduled for argument on April 24, involves the Emergency Medical Treatment and Labor Act (known by doctors and health policymakers as EMTALA ), which requires federally funded hospitals to provide patients, including pregnant patients, with stabilizing care or transfer to a hospital that can provide such care. At issue is the law’s interaction with state laws that severely restrict abortion, like an Idaho law that bans abortion except in cases of rape or incest and circumstances where abortion is “necessary to prevent the death of the pregnant woman.”

Although the Idaho law limits the provision of abortion care to circumstances where death is imminent, the federal government argues that under EMTALA and basic principles of federal supremacy, pregnant patients experiencing emergencies at federally funded hospitals in Idaho are entitled to abortion care, even if they are not in danger of imminent death.

These cases may be framed in the technical jargon of administrative law and federal pre-emption doctrine, but both cases involve incredibly high-stakes issues for the lives and health of pregnant persons — and offer the court an opportunity to shape the landscape of abortion access in the post-Roe era.

These two cases may also give the court a chance to seed new ground for fetal personhood. Woven throughout both cases are arguments that gesture toward the view that a fetus is a person.

If that is the case, the legal rules that would typically hold sway in these cases might not apply. If these questions must account for the rights and entitlements of the fetus, the entire calculus is upended.

In this new scenario, the issue is not simply whether EMTALA’s protections for pregnant patients pre-empt Idaho’s abortion ban, but rather which set of interests — the patient’s or the fetus’s — should be prioritized in the contest between state and federal law. Likewise, the analysis of F.D.A. regulatory protocols is entirely different if one of the arguments is that the drug to be regulated may be used to end a life.

Neither case presents the justices with a clear opportunity to endorse the notion of fetal personhood — but such claims are lurking beneath the surface. The Idaho abortion ban is called the Defense of Life Act, and in its first bill introduced in 2024, the Idaho Legislature proposed replacing the term “fetus” with “preborn child” in existing Idaho law. In its briefs before the court, Idaho continues to beat the drum of fetal personhood, insisting that EMTALA protects the unborn — rather than pregnant women who need abortions during health emergencies.

According to the state, nothing in EMTALA imposes an obligation to provide stabilizing abortion care for pregnant women. Rather, the law “actually requires stabilizing treatment for the unborn children of pregnant women.” In the mifepristone case, advocates referred to fetuses as “unborn children,” while the district judge in Texas who invalidated F.D.A. approval of the drug described it as one that “starves the unborn human until death.”

Fetal personhood language is in ascent throughout the country. In a recent decision , the Alabama Supreme Court allowed a wrongful-death suit for the destruction of frozen embryos intended for in vitro fertilization, or I.V.F. — embryos that the court characterized as “extrauterine children.”

Less discussed but as worrisome is a recent oral argument at the Florida Supreme Court concerning a proposed ballot initiative intended to enshrine a right to reproductive freedom in the state’s Constitution. In considering the proposed initiative, the chief justice of the state Supreme Court repeatedly peppered Nathan Forrester, the senior deputy solicitor general who was representing the state, with questions about whether the state recognized the fetus as a person under the Florida Constitution. The point was plain: If the fetus was a person, then the proposed ballot initiative, and its protections for reproductive rights, would change the fetus’s rights under the law, raising constitutional questions.

As these cases make clear, the drive toward fetal personhood goes beyond simply recasting abortion as homicide. If the fetus is a person, any act that involves reproduction may implicate fetal rights. Fetal personhood thus has strong potential to raise questions about access to abortion, contraception and various forms of assisted reproductive technology, including I.V.F.

In response to the shifting landscape of reproductive rights, President Biden has pledged to “restore Roe v. Wade as the law of the land.” Roe and its successor, Planned Parenthood v. Casey, were far from perfect; they afforded states significant leeway to impose onerous restrictions on abortion, making meaningful access an empty promise for many women and families of limited means. But the two decisions reflected a constitutional vision that, at least in theory, protected the liberty to make certain intimate choices — including choices surrounding if, when and how to become a parent.

Under the logic of Roe and Casey, the enforceability of EMTALA, the F.D.A.’s power to regulate mifepristone and access to I.V.F. weren’t in question. But in the post-Dobbs landscape, all bets are off. We no longer live in a world in which a shared conception of constitutional liberty makes a ban on I.V.F. or certain forms of contraception beyond the pale.

Melissa Murray, a law professor at New York University and a host of the Supreme Court podcast “ Strict Scrutiny ,” is a co-author of “ The Trump Indictments : The Historic Charging Documents With Commentary.”

Kate Shaw is a contributing Opinion writer, a professor of law at the University of Pennsylvania Carey Law School and a host of the Supreme Court podcast “Strict Scrutiny.” She served as a law clerk to Justice John Paul Stevens and Judge Richard Posner.