personal essay upenn

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.

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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)

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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!

Hayley Milliman is a former teacher turned writer who blogs about education, history, and technology. When she was a teacher, Hayley's students regularly scored in the 99th percentile thanks to her passion for making topics digestible and accessible. In addition to her work for PrepScholar, Hayley is the author of Museum Hack's Guide to History's Fiercest Females.

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• College Application

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!

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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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University of Pennsylvania | UPenn’s 2023-24 Essay Prompts

Gratitude short response.

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!)

Diversity Short Response

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.

College of Arts and Sciences Short Response

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?

Penn Engineering Short Response

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.

Penn Nursing Short Response

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?

Wharton Short Response

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.

Huntsman Program Essay

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?

Digital Media Design Program Essay

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

Life Sciences and Management Program Essay

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.

Jerome Fisher Management and Technology Program Essay 1

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

Jerome Fisher Management and Technology Program Essay 2

Describe a problem that you solved that showed leadership and creativity.

NETS Engineering Program Essay

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.

Nursing and Healthcare Management Program Essay

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?

VIPER Program Essay

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.

Bio-Dental Program Short Response 1

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.

Bio-Dental Program Short Response 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.

Bio-Dental Program Short Response 3

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

Bio-Dental Program Short Response 4

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

Bio-Dental Program Short Response 5

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.

Common App Personal Essay

The essay demonstrates your ability to write clearly and concisely on a selected topic and helps you distinguish yourself in your own voice. What do you want the readers of your application to know about you apart from courses, grades, and test scores? Choose the option that best helps you answer that question and write an essay of no more than 650 words, using the prompt to inspire and structure your response. Remember: 650 words is your limit, not your goal. Use the full range if you need it, but don‘t feel obligated to do so.

Some students have a background, identity, interest, or talent that is so meaningful they believe their application would be incomplete without it. If this sounds like you, then please share your story.

The lessons we take from obstacles we encounter can be fundamental to later success. Recount a time when you faced a challenge, setback, or failure. How did it affect you, and what did you learn from the experience?

Reflect on a time when you questioned or challenged a belief or idea. What prompted your thinking? What was the outcome?

Reflect on something that someone has done for you that has made you happy or thankful in a surprising way. How has this gratitude affected or motivated you?

Discuss an accomplishment, event, or realization that sparked a period of personal growth and a new understanding of yourself or others.

Describe a topic, idea, or concept you find so engaging that it makes you lose all track of time. Why does it captivate you? What or who do you turn to when you want to learn more?

Share an essay on any topic of your choice. It can be one you‘ve already written, one that responds to a different prompt, or one of your own design.

What will first-time readers think of your college essay?

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Upenn law personal statement | how to write + examples.

Reviewed by:

David Merson

Former Head of Pre-Law Office, Northeastern University, & Admissions Officer, Brown University

Reviewed: 03/03/23

A well-crafted and polished personal statement can be the icing on the cake that gets you into your top law school! To learn more about how to write a winning UPenn Law personal statement, read on!

Figuring out an opening hook for your personal statement can be difficult. You want to catch the admissions committee’s attention and urge them to read on, but you still want it to be relevant to the rest of your personal statement. 

Consider this hook for a UPenn Law personal statement: “Fish don’t have feelings, what are you crying for?” 

Would you be intrigued to continue reading this statement? Do you want to know what fish have to do with going to law school? 

You’ll find out in this guide! In it, we’ll break down how to write your own compelling personal statements, delve into UPenn’s specific statement requirements, and share two personal statement samples for you to draw inspo from!

UPenn Law School Personal Statement Requirements

UPenn does not have strict personal statement requirements, but suggests students use their essay to share information they deem important to their candidacy. Students may describe aspects of their backgrounds and interests, academic or non-academic, and how they can uniquely contribute to the UPenn Law community and legal field.

UPenn asks that students try to limit their statement to two pages, double-spaced.

How to Write the UPenn Law Personal Statement

Writing your UPenn Law personal statement can be overwhelming, so we’ve broken it down for you into easy to follow steps:

Begin With Brainstorming

Give yourself at least a few days just for the brainstorming process. Inspiration comes at random times, so don’t force yourself to write your entire statement within a limited timeframe. Ask yourself what you’re passionate about, what experiences have shaped you into who you are today, and what you hope to achieve in the future.

Think about what you’re known for amongst your families and peers, and what unique stories you can share to convince the committee you’re an excellent candidate for law school. At this stage, there are no wrong ideas! Write them all out so you can sort through them in the next step.

Narrow Your Experiences

You should begin your story with an engaging anecdote that gives the committee a glimpse into your personality and life. While it can be tempting to jam several meaningful stories into your personal statement, doing so can make it appear unfocused. 

Choose the experience that is the most intriguing and most likely to have never been heard by the committee. This will be your focal point! Then, choose a few experiences to share to provide context for this story. If your story explains how your interest in law began, share how you developed this interest further. 

What did you learn through your pursuits? Which ones had the most impact on you? Remember, you will already have to submit a resume detailing all of your work , volunteer, and extracurricular activities , so you don’t have to reshare all of these. 

Begin Writing

Your first draft should be rough—it might be a little all over the place, have several run-ons, and may even go past the page-limit. That’s okay! Don’t limit yourself during your first draft. Get out all of your ideas, so you can refine them and can feel confident you’re sharing everything you want to.

Be Descriptive

As you write your first draft, be descriptive! Use sensory details and vivid language to bring your experiences to life and immerse your readers. 

Focus on Your Passion for Law and Your Future Goals

While you’ll want to talk about your past and present experiences, you need to also spend some time discussing your future. Most students spend their last paragraph or so providing the committee with specific aspirations to illustrate their commitment to law and their desire to make a real difference in it!

Refine Your Draft

Once you’ve written your first draft, it’s time to revise it. Give yourself some time between your first and second draft, and review it with a fine-tooth comb. Get rid of any redundancies, vague statements, or clichés. Cut down on your word count if necessary, and ensure you aren’t sharing any irrelevant information.

Your second draft should be cohesive and concise. Revise it as many times as necessary before you feel confident enough to move to the next step.

Seek Feedback

The best way to judge the efficacy and accuracy of your personal statement is to have others read it. They can bring new perspectives to your essay and confirm if it paints the best picture of you. Your friends and family can also offer you suggestions on how to increase the clarity of your statement. 

Final Touches

Once you’ve gotten at least one other person to review your statement, you can make the finishing touches for your final draft. Go over it several times to ensure there are no errors, and only submit it when you’re absolutely confident you’ve improved it as much as possible and are happy with it!

By following these tips and putting in the time and effort to write a strong personal statement, you can increase your chances of being accepted to UPenn Law School.

UPenn Law School Personal Statement Examples

Knowing the steps involved in writing your UPenn Law personal statement is a great place to start, but seeing how these steps come together can increase your confidence and help you write a compelling personal statement!

Example One

Fish don’t have feelings, what are you crying for?

That’s what my father said to me when I was six years old and refused to go fishing with him, as I told him I did not share his same enthusiasm for killing animals. It was a sentiment I heard often coming from a family that fished every chance they got. 

It was an Easter tradition to wake up at 5 am Sunday morning and head to Lake St. Clair, hoping to catch an early bite. But, as my family partook in this tradition that always seemed barbaric in my eyes, I sat home with a babysitter, thinking about all the fish that would lose their lives that morning.

I have always felt a deep connection to animals and their wellbeing, regardless of their size. It was why I went vegan in middle school and rescued three cats and two dogs in high school. 

It was also this love for animals that led me to volunteer at local animal shelters throughout high school and college and join local animal advocacy groups throughout my junior and senior years at UMichigan.

In one of these groups, our mission was to defund lab and animal testing programs. What I learned and saw through this organization was horrific: animals kept in cages so small that they could not lie down, lethargic mice that had given up after so many pokes and prods, and dozens of shaking and scabbed rabbits. 

I will never forget the stench of antiseptic mixed with animal feces, and the sense of hopelessness that engulfed some of these laboratories. This experience was eye-opening for me and shaped by desire to pursue a career in animal law. 

Our organization continues its mission in hopes of one day succeeding, but we know it will be a long battle with little support and slow progress. This has taught me about how complex the legal issues that arise in animal welfare are, and just how few animal advocates exist within the legal system to aid these efforts. 

Driven by a passion for justice and animals, and a deep interest in animal law, I will bring a unique perspective to UPenn Law School. 

Through my experience working with and advocating for animals I have developed a deep understanding of the emotional and ethical dilemmas of animal welfare, and am eager to learn more about the legal frameworks that govern them.

I am particularly interested in UPenn’s Animal Law and Policy program, which will provide me with the knowledge and skills necessary to become an effective animal law advocate and ensure no animal is overlooked or considered too small to be advocated for. 

Why This Works

This personal statement hits all the marks it’s supposed to: it describes the students background, experiences, unique interests, and how they plan on contributing to the legal profession and UPenn! 

It also starts with an interesting hook (no pun intended) that will catch the readers’ attention and urge them to read on, which is what you'll want to do considering the admissions committee reviews thousands of applications each year!

Example Two

The Killer Clown—a deranged man who tortured and killed at least 33 young men in a six-year-long killing spree. 

John Wayne Gacy’s story was first introduced to me at the age of 10, which not only ruined clowns for me but ignited a profound curiosity within me regarding the intricacies of the criminal psyche and the underlying motivations that drive these monstrous actions. 

By the time I was 11, I had researched and learned about all of the most notorious serial killers—Jack the Ripper, Ted Bundy, Ed Gein, Harold Shipman, Albert Fish, you name them. A rather macabre hobby, as my mother put it.

But, this interest continued to develop as I grew up. Throughout my undergraduate years, I studied criminal law and policy with fervor, immersing myself in the legal system. 

I volunteered with the California Innocence Project in my freshman year at UC Berkeley, providing assistance to individuals caught in the web of the criminal justice system, which was one of the most profound experiences I had.

 As I listened to stories of wrongful conviction and imprisonment, I was filled with a sense of rage and indignation. In all my research and passion work, I learned about criminals that committed heinous crimes and were justly convicted for them.

Learning about wrongful convictions, I was struck by the fact that the criminal justice system can be flawed, condemning the innocent while letting the guilty walk free. I knew then that I wanted to dedicate my life to fighting for justice for those who have been wronged by the system. 

The more I learned about the ways in which the criminal justice system operates, the more committed I became to advocating for change. As I look ahead to law school, I know that I want to focus my studies on criminal law. 

I am particularly interested in learning about the ways in which the legal system impacts the most vulnerable members of society. I want to understand the psychology behind criminal behavior, and the role that society plays in shaping it. 

I want to be equipped with the knowledge and skills necessary to advocate for my clients, to push for reform, and to make a real difference in the lives of those who have been touched by the criminal justice system. UPenn Law School is the perfect place for me to pursue these goals. 

I hope to participate in the school's Criminal Justice Law Project, as well as its pro bono legal clinics. I also plan to get involved with local advocacy groups, working to raise awareness about the ways in which the criminal justice system can be reformed to better serve the needs of all members of society. 

I am excited to continue my journey of discovery and advocacy at UPenn, and hope to use my education to help create a more equitable society.

Again, this personal statement follows UPenn’s guidelines by explaining the student’s unique experiences and passions and sharing their specific goals for the future. The student avoids making vague generalizations, and provides concrete examples to back up all of their claims.

Like the first example, it also uses an intriguing hook as its opening!

FAQs: Personal Statement for UPenn Law School

We’ve gone into depth about how to write the UPenn Law personal statement, and provided you with step-by-step instructions on how to tackle your own essay. For any remaining questions about this application component, read on to find your answers!

1. Does UPenn Require a Personal Statement?

Yes, UPenn requires a personal statement from all of their applicants, so that they can gain more insight into their unique experiences, personalities, and career goals.

2. How Long Should the UPenn Law School Personal Statement Be?

The suggested length for the UPenn Law personal statement is around two pages, double-spaced. 

3. How Important Is the Personal Statement for UPenn Law School?

Your UPenn personal statement isn’t the only factor that admissions committees consider when evaluating your application, but it can play a significant role in the decision-making process. It allows the admissions committee to see beyond the numbers and transcripts and get to know you on a personal level. 

An average or poorly written personal statement can weaken an otherwise strong application, and a strong personal statement can set an applicant apart from other candidates with similar academic scores and backgrounds.

Therefore, applicants should take the time to craft a compelling and well-written personal statement that showcases their strengths and unique perspectives.

Final Thoughts

Your UPenn Law personal statement can be a crucial factor in the admissions decision. Strive to make the most of this opportunity and use it to make a strong case for your candidacy to join this top-ranking law school . 

Remember to be honest, thoughtful, and reflective in your writing, and let your distinct voice shine through!

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University of Pennsylvania Essay Examples (And Why They Worked)

The following University of Pennsylvania essay examples were written by several different authors who were admitted to UPenn. All names have been redacted for anonymity. Please note that CollegeAdvisor.com has shared these essays with admissions officers at University of Pennsylvania in order to deter potential plagiarism.

For more help with your UPenn supplemental essays, check out our 2020-2021 University of Pennsylvania Essay Guide ! For more guidance on personal essays and the college application process in general, sign up for a monthly plan to work with an admissions coach 1-on-1.

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. (300-450 words)

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.

Make no mistake—in my family, Saturday night Scrabble is no slight affair. For the better part of my childhood, I struggled to get the upper hand against my parents’ eloquent lexicon. Eventually, I found the solution in a paper by Dutch economist Jacques Polack, the architect of the International Monetary Fund: in it, he outlined how to best leverage the scarcity of the tiles involved, applying economic principles to optimize the otherwise-mundane game. Aside from revamping my Scrabble skills, his research taught me that business economics govern everything from the global economy to a board game.

Gradually, economics also became a cornerstone of my day-to-day life. Now, when my 6:35 AM alarm rings, I consider the Law of Diminishing Marginal Utility before slapping the snooze button — will my nine minutes of fragmented slumber garner more utility than the alternative (a cup of freshly brewed coffee)? In debate rounds, I’ve found that the root cause of political and social problems can be found by delving into interest rates, quantitative easing, or volatility indices. However, only after working with Congressman DeSaulnier did I realize the far-sweeping effects of economic legislation. One of my most memorable projects — preparing a brief scrutinizing the social, political, and economic effects of H.R. 4674 (the College Affordability Act) — showed that even minor decreases to college tuition tackled cyclical poverty through education, with the resulting butterfly effect benefitting millions. I was hooked. After convincing the Congressman to become a co-author, I aspired to one day use economic and political principles to author similarly innovative policy.

The Business Economics and Public Policy concentration at the Wharton School offers the perfect opportunity to intertwine those passions. I appreciate Wharton’s holistic approach to teaching the global economy: courses like Nations, Politics, and Markets cover the big picture of the international markets, while Housing Markets dissects the minutiae of a single industry, isolating areas that need improvement. I also look forward to courses like Professor Eisenhower’s Communication and the Presidency — effective communication is still the bridge that turns effective ideas into tangible social change. I hope to put those lessons to use by brainstorming legislation at the Wharton Public Policy Initiative, where I’ll have the opportunity to collaborate with a uniquely diverse student body, challenge my preconceptions, and catalyze novel ideas. Clubs like the Penn International Impact Consulting offer the opportunity to collaborate with NGOs an ocean away, simultaneously letting me have a tangible social impact and helping me develop an international network. These four years at Penn will leave me with more than just a degree. From mastering the economics of Scrabble to pioneering solutions to society’s most pressing problems, they’re the first step to having a global impact.

Why this University of Pennsylvania essay worked, according to an ex admissions officer

This essay is playfully clever. The author begins with a simple game of scrabble but quickly we are transported into economic theory, which they begin to apply to all their daily happenings. The author brings us into a parallel world where everything can be analysed, and potentially solved, in economic terms. They are specific and cite actual laws and cases. We realize that this student lives, eats, and breaths in this economically obsessive universe. This is when the author brings us back to our own campus.

They speak about their own achievements and how they will translate to the community at UPenn. They refers to specific classes, professors, and clubs that are offered at University of Pennsylvania. We can visualize this person on our campus, but they do not leave it there. They wrap up their 4 years at Penn, and by doing this we see a graduate. They then reference how, with these Penn experiences, they can impact the world. It all began with a scrabble game and we are returned to the scrabble table with a clear image of what this student can accomplish with an offer from University of Pennsylvania. Remember, beyond writing a great essay, students must be prepared to ace every part of the admissions process. Take our quiz below to find out just how much you know about college admissions!

I was eight when my first business idea struck. Each day, classmates would approach me with a string of questions about homework: Is Russia in Europe or Asia? What’s the commutative property? How do you spell ‘satisfied’? One day, my third-grade self thought, Why not charge a quarter for each answer?

After hearing my proposition, my dad laughed so hard he could barely repeat it to my mom. “She’s born for business!” he exclaimed.

His words stuck with me. Years later, those words propelled me to take Wharton’s Coursera Marketing class, which left me fascinated by the psychology behind marketing: Why do all the girls at school wear Lululemon leggings when Nike’s are cheaper? Why is SmartWorld Coffee right next to Starbucks? Even calculus problems on price optimization made me wonder, How do businesses price their products? As I explored, I uncovered the answers to many of these questions, even making my own findings in product-pricing last year. “Born for business” or not, I realized that I had discovered something I truly loved.

Last July, at Leadership in the Business World (LBW), I not only nurtured my burgeoning passion for business, I also experienced a glimpse of what attending Wharton would be like.

Between case studies, site visits, and discussion-based lectures, LBW embodied the interactive learning culture I thrive in. Analyzing the merits of Google’s growing power with Professor McCaffrey challenged my preconceptions of monopolies, and discussions about customer centricity with Professor Fader left me with a new perspective on equity versus efficiency. Everything I learned was both thought-provoking and engaging; I was eager for more.

And I did get more — in the form of hands-on learning. In the first week, I made investments as a venture capitalist in the Startup Game simulation; by the last week, I was pitching a startup to a panel of investors. No matter what it was, I could practice what I had learned in context. I was excited to discover that this reflects Wharton as a whole. When my Teaching Assistant, Mona, described her Management 100 project, I felt a sense of déjà vu: the desire for practical application that motivated her to help local immigrants grow their businesses also guides my own endeavors. For example, after LBW, I applied my knowledge of customer segmentation while establishing a service organization to partner with Key Club. Recognizing that the key psychographic was stay-at-home/team-mom type parents, I quickly attracted 30 dedicated members. In essence, Penn students engage with their education in a way that’s directly relevant to the world — a practice that matches my own learning style perfectly.

Furthermore, at Wharton, I can unify my core interests in business and civic engagement. Behavioral Economics — a concentration rarely offered by undergraduate business programs — would deepen my understanding of the human decision-making process, helping me answer questions about everything from athletic wear to coffee. Meanwhile, a secondary concentration in Social Impact and Responsibility would help me approach business problems through a social impact lens. Together, both concentrations would teach me to apply my business acumen toward my love of service.

Beyond the classroom, I hope to join the Social Impact Consulting Group (SIC), where I plan to implement both my Wharton education and my past involvement with nonprofits to help local communities. Over the last few years, I’ve worked intimately with the local Big Brother/Big Sister chapter, and I would love to use that experience to help the Philadelphia chapter that Penn’s SIC Group counsels.

In short, I’ve fallen in love with Penn in its entirety. Between the strong theme of practical application and the 6AM runs along Spruce Street, the eclectic atmosphere of the Kelly Writers House and the Greek Lady French Toast, Penn is the perfect blend of vitality, collaboration, and interdisciplinary learning. It is this community that I hope to make my home for the next four years.

My first visit to Philadelphia was a unique one. With car keys for the second time, the world at my disposal, and a desire to try a cheesesteak for the first time, I took the two-hour drive to Philly. While I dispensed my entire paycheck throughout the duration of the trip, my only regret remains trying Pat’s and Geno’s and perhaps also losing my car privilege for three months. In all seriousness, knowing I’d only have time to visit 1-2 places, I decided to do a self-guided tour of Penn, a school I had already researched extensively. Nestled in a bastion of intellectualism, culture, and history in a city I dared to learn so much from stood this behemoth of a school, and it was after this tour that I decided to apply to UPenn’s School of Engineering and Applied Sciences.

My experience with engineering began with taking apart my dad’s Dell Inspiron desktop. Fascinated by the complex arrangement of the parts and the intricate designs that lined the parts themselves, I was too young to understand what the term “engineering” even encompassed. Engineering to me was not just about building computers, which I’d eventually pursue, but optimization. I was obsessed with choosing graphics cards and CPU’s, always pursuing maximum efficiency in terms of size, speed, and price of the final product. Naturally, this kickstarted my journey into circuitry; I still remember by first series circuit. The logic behind the placement of the wires excited me. The troubleshooting required when I wasn’t met with success filled me with purpose. Later, the power to utilize my Arduino to power code into my projects rendered my options limitless.

Indeed, my rather bizarre voyage to campus affirmed my intuition that UPenn was the school for me, but it was the substance of my research that confirmed that the SEAS, in particular, was compatible with my academic goals and interests. To my delight, I discovered that as stringent as an electrical engineering degree at Penn would be, I could also apply to earn a minor in Energy and Sustainability. Beginning with the Engineering Probability course (ESE 301), I’d start off learning what I love, combinatorics and advanced topics such as the Bernoulli schema that I am already studying outside of school now. Even more exciting would be the culmination of my entire Penn education during my senior year, when I’d partake in the Senior Design competition. Through this project competition, I’d have the privilege of applying real-world knowledge obtained at Penn by presenting my work to expert judges in my field.

In addition to my passion for electricity and circuitry, I am deeply interested in biomimicry, a field that became the cornerstone of my studies outside of school because of a simple realization: all around me lies genius. Thus biomimicry, the practice of applying designs and process from nature to engineering, one that I’m determined to develop with an Energy and Sustainability minor by applying energy-storing processes of leaves to solar cells—a longstanding point of research outside of school—constantly motivates me. While this aspect of engineering is one that I haven’t tangibly sought out in high school through formal clubs or competitions because of my work commitments, my extensive personal studies through books and online resources have instilled in me a desire to explore it further in college. Fascinatingly enough, I’d find a home to do this at Penn, where the engineering blog even has a hashtag for coverage of biomimicry. A few weeks ago, I even bookmarked an article about a student researcher developing a method to render the production of biofuel more efficient by mimicking giant clams, only to later discover that the article was published by UPenn. Ultimately, attending Penn would mean an opportunity to not only learn from the best, but also access resources to better the world around me, following in the footsteps of so many other Penn innovators.

What I like about this essay is that the author begins with a casual air. We envision a typical high school senior who grabs the car keys and has a day-trip adventure. They are a tourist exploring the very specific cultural highlights of Philly and entering the University of Pennsylvania campus. Almost with this student’s first step into the gates, we realize this “typical high school senior” is completely immersed in the world of engineering. They take us from an endearing story of taking apart a family computer as a child to discussions of circuitry, logic, wires, and powercodes.

For most of us, this conversation would go over our heads. However, the story remains clear, and the student’s pure love of engineering is unmistakable. This student speaks the engineering language. The author then explains where this passion for engineering will lead them. They let us know what principles they hope to discover next. They mention their goals, their minor, what they will take as a senior (bringing us four years in), and they finish by creating a place for themselves amongst the collection of UPenn innovators that have come before.

There is an energy to this person’s essay that suggests pure progression. They will take advantage of every minute on campus. This essay embodies the transformation of a kid with a Philly Cheesesteak to a veritable scholar, and I would be excited to have this transformation evolve on the University of Pennsylvania campus.

3:31 PM: Notebook and camera clutched in each arm, I prowl the streets of Detroit.

3:54 PM: As I find myself hunting along a line of apartments encased by steel-frame construction, I figure it might make for a story. What is going on here?

3:55 PM: I ask an African-American woman who slumps against the charred-brick wall, surrounded by a sea of translucent trash bags. She tells me, and I am horrified.

Horrified to know she was kicked out. Horrified to learn that the developers had doubled the rent, cut the power, harassed her and threatened to burn down her apartment when she fought to stay. Horrified to hear that she hated her dark skin, hated the way she was born.

Horrified , that the Webster Dictionary taught me gentrification means positive change.

While the woman I had encountered was in dire straits, her undoing was the making of me. In talking with her, my eyes were opened to the atrocities that ordinary people live through, and I could no longer sit back and allow them to go unnoticed. As a journalist, I have the ability to give voice to the silenced, to take someone’s story and broadcast it over an intercom. That day, I wrote her story in hopes that even one more person might understand her story and learn of the ugly in a word disguised by the good.

Since then, I have strived to reach larger audiences. Through writing articles and meeting with legislators through The Borgen Project, I have continued to immerse myself in poverty matters and deepened my interest in the intersection of Sociology and Economics while growing as a writer. While researching, I find myself investigating urban sprawl or income disparity, and hundreds of questions flood my mind. At Penn, the possibility of pursuing my curiosities are embedded in both the school’s academics and geography.

With twofold interests in urban matters, I seek The College’s Urban Sociology concentration with an Economic Policy minor; this, I find conducive to exploring both the socio-political and economic nuances of poverty alleviation. Additionally, I am concerned about gentrification, and educating myself on the matter in one of the most gentrified cities in America provides the natural setting for first-hand observation and research. Fairmount, located only two miles outside of Penn, is a neighborhood undergoing excessive black gentrification in Philadelphia. One day, I hope to work alongside mentors such as Dr. Grazian–whose expertise spans both the economic and social dynamics of Philadelphia neighborhoods–and direct a case study detailing effects of Fairmount gentrification. In developing a multifaceted worldview, it is my ideal to pursue my intellectual interests at the University of Pennsylvania, in a place itself as culturally rich as Philadelphia.

The University of Pennsylvania, with its strong emphasis on pre-professional learning is ideal as a learning environment. That focus is what drives many students with an eye to the future. We hope to apply our learning, impact the real world in ways that inspire change.

I find the Cognitive Science program, specifically its concentration in Language and Mind most appealing. As someone who places great emphasis in words, the idea of analyzing the cognitive aspects behind linguistics, whether philosophically, psychologically, or computationally draws upon various fields that showcase various perspectives on the meanings of language. It’s fascinating that despite the various languages and cultures there can be a biological scientific breakdown explaining the complex processes underlying syntax and semantics.

I am fascinated with the study of semantics, especially as it relates to both personality and gender. Because the World Well-Being Project touches on the topic of extroversion versus introversion, I would hope to be involved. This topic has interested me since reading Quiet by Susan Cain, which I also wrote about for Teen Line’s blogs. The language of both gender and personality are particularly intriguing; research suggests that for males, possessive pronouns are strongly associated with relationships like girlfriend and husband while for females, the nouns existed primarily on their own. List of most used words also differ along personality traits. I wonder why researchers persist in correlating the language to the Big Five Traits (which carry their own significant connotations) rather than to other classificatory systems.

Two other UPenn labs offer me routes to follow my current interests: The Cultural Evolution of Language lab under Dr. Roberts and the Cognition and Development Lab under Dr. Weisberg.

In the last decade, texting lingo has changed the way many speak. I find myself wondering whether spoken language will lose its richness as common vocabulary shortens and simplifies. The idea of experimental semiotics that Dr. Roberts utilizes is fascinating in that we can watch how a newly-created language progresses, thrives, or decays.

The Cognition and Development Lab under Dr. Weisberg, on the other hand, focuses primarily on development, interviewing children and exploring what exactly is going on when they enact pretend stories. I still remember one instance of my five-year-old self playing pretend princess at an after school program; a fifth grader had snapped at me in annoyance to stop using the word “pretend” in our play activity. The next five minutes had me tripping over my own words, finally giving up in frustration when for some reason, I couldn’t avoid saying pretend in my games. The rest of the day was spent sitting in a huff in the corner, hugging a pillow. Thinking back, I can’t fathom why I enjoyed living in a fantasy. It seems out of character to the Katie today. Discovering how play helps with growth is one of the major questions surrounding the study of children; its effects on cognition could be impactful in parenting theories because fantasy play probably has a significant role in the development of the brain.

While not an academic interest, acapella singing remains intellectually stimulating to me. Joining groups like Pennyo or Pennsori will allow me to practice singing and speaking in Mandarin or Korean. These include musical genres that I have been exploring for several years, allowing me to learn about culturally embedded vehicles for aesthetic language. They will provide me with another way to explore language and culture.

The differences between the word clouds can be read into farther than simply, girls say “I love you” more and guys talk about video games – rather, there are small details that are indicative, whether of true gender differences or cultural norm commonalities. The language of personality, on the other hand brings up questions – why use the Big Five standard over others? The traits are often associated with a strongly positive or negative implication in society – which directly correlates to the words found in the clouds. It would be interesting to analyze social media aspects on neutral traits as well, as shown with the introversion/extroversion in order to find correlations between how language is use and how differently it is processed by personality categorizations like the more detail-oriented versus big idea thinkers.

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)

Philadelphia is known as the City of Brotherly Love, and Penn lives up to that ethos. The community there is uniquely supportive, diverse, and vibrant. Having competed as a member of the USA Debate Team, I look forward to bringing my experience to the Penn Debate Society, and hopefully, representing the school at the World University Debating Championships., Beyond competing at tournaments, I appreciate last year’s collaboration debate with The Economist and the Bard Prison Initiative; to broaden the team’s horizons, I’d love to arrange similar events with other think tanks, nonprofits, or community organizations.

After four years of pick-up basketball at Sycamore Valley Park, I look forward to joining the intramural team, where I’d connect with the Penn community on the court while getting some much-needed practice on my jump shot. To preserve my tradition of attending Friday prayers, I’ll join the Muslim Student Association. Both through social gatherings or community work at the Masjid al-Jamia, I’m excited to work with a community of Muslims from around the world. Finally, I hope to join the Penn Student Government–it’d be both a new experience and help me gain experience advocating for the interests of the student body.

Too often, I have found myself walled-in by hard lines and expectations. At school, I belong to multiple circles, but I find myself contributing only a portion of my personality to each. In my community, there is just no all-encompassing space.

Penn makes a family out of us multipotentialites. Penn students refuse to be defined by one thing, a unique culture through which I can thrive as a liberal-arts-focused student enthusiastic about STEM. As a creative writer, I’ve gravitated towards writing science-fiction, imagining futuristic worlds where people online-shop for faces, or where simulation technology has allowed us to learn history by experiencing it. By writing for t-art, I am afforded the possibility of acting as a liaison between the Humanities and STEM worlds through innovative creative expression. On other days, I see myself merging my skills as an urban sociologist and journalist to report about the surrounding city through The Daily Pennsylvanian . On Mondays and Thursdays, I might find myself playing Mahler with the Penn Symphony Orchestra. Above all, I envision myself strolling through Locust Walk each day, tracing the footsteps of Andrea Mitchell to Elizabeth Banks, chatting with friends about the first presidential debate to the origin of “irregardless.”

This essay is successful because the author clearly starts in a place that is limiting their potential. They are excited and curious to spread their proverbial wings. The author has carefully researched opportunities at UPenn and seamlessly interwoven their own accomplishments and talents, with cited academic and extracurricular UPenn opportunities.

This author creates a very clear image of what type of contributor they will be on our campus. Their interests are diverse and limitless, or so it seems. The author’s specificity in mentioning the days the Orchestra plays, the Locust Walk, and past UPenn scholars shows their love for the school. This essay describes a person who is ready to blossom, has intellectual and cultural curiosity, and will add to the community at University of Pennsylvania.

These University of Pennsylvania essay examples were compiled by the advising team at CollegeAdvisor.com . If you want to get help writing your University of Pennsylvania essay supplements from CollegeAdvisor.com Admissions Experts , register with CollegeAdvisor.com today.

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Personal Statement

All applicants must include a personal statement that addresses the following question:

Please describe how your background and academic experiences have influenced your decision to pursue a graduate degree and led you to apply to Penn. Your essay should detail your specific research interests and intellectual goals within  your chosen field. Please provide information about your educational trajectory, intellectual curiosity and academic ambitions. If you have overcome adversity and/or experienced limited access to resources or opportunities in your field of study, please feel free to share how that has affected the course of your education. We are interested in your lived experiences and how your particular perspective might contribute to the inclusive and dynamic learning community that Penn values and strives to create.

The personal statement helps us evaluate the fit between your interests and skills and the Penn Psychology program. It should describe why you want to pursue a PhD in Psychology, why Penn is the right place for you to do it, what sorts of skills and experiences make you qualified to pursue a PhD in a research-intensive Psychology program like Penn’s, what kinds of questions you are interested in studying, and who on the faculty you would like to work with. Applicants are strongly encouraged to contact potential advisors in advance of writing the personal statement, to ensure that the research questions the applicant hopes to pursue are a good fit with research topics Penn faculty are working on. If you hope to study a question that members of our Psychology Graduate Group are not interested in pursuing, then Penn would not be a good fit for you. Please also look at the websites of faculty members whose labs you would like to join; they might have additional instructions for information they would like you to include in the personal statement. The personal statement is typically around two pages, single-spaced.

14 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.

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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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Law School Personal Statement

An effective personal statement.

Personal statements should provide a reader with a sense of who you are beyond your test scores and transcript, and demonstrate that you have a distinct voice to contribute to the incoming class. In the same way that each individual is unique, there is no one-size-fits-all approach to writing an effective personal statement. Your content will be driven by your life experiences, your perspective, and the reasons you chose to apply to law school. Remember, however, that you typically will not interview with an admissions committee before receiving a decision on your candidacy. You should, therefore, aim to provide the reader with a window into who you are as a person through your personal statement.

The information provided on this page is meant to help you think about, and then write, an effective personal statement. Having an interesting story to tell is not enough; the presentation of your information is just as important.

Do You have any tips before I write?

You should be the subject of your personal statement. To ensure that your writing has an appropriate focus:

• First, consider your defining qualities and strengths. Specifically, what would your family, colleagues, or friends say about you? Think in terms of adjectives.
• Second, consider the experiences through which your qualities have been developed and/or demonstrated. For example, do you love to tutor, work with kids, solve computer problems for your friends, or run marathons?
• Finally, tell a story through a cohesive narrative. Your most difficult task, and the most important task, in writing your personal statement is tying your abstract qualities with instances that demonstrate them.

Remember, you should connect your experiences logically to your interest in applying to law school, but do not dedicate your entire personal statement to this information. There are thousands of applicants with a similar interest in law school, but there is only one of you.

What should I write about?

While there is a broad range of topics that can be discussed in an effective personal statement, below are some common examples that are appropriate and relevant:

How do I know my topic is on track?

Don’t write your resume in paragraph form. As you select your topic, take special care to avoid speaking about information that is already described on your resume. Your personal statement is not meant to merely reiterate your resume in narrative form.

Focus on the present and the recent past. Admissions Committees are inerested in the adult version of you, as opposed to the child you once were, even if you had formative childhood experiences. With that in mind, prioritize relatively recent activities or experiences.

Find the appropriate depth and breadth. Although it is tempting, try to avoid writing a mini-autobiography or a chronological narrative of your life. Describing the event, activity or experience that you ultimately choose should take no more than one-half (usually about one-third) of your personal statement. The remaining portion should demonstrate how your anecdote(s) impacted you and shaped the person you are today.

Things to Do for an Effective Personal Statement:

Revise and reflect: Do not rush to finish your personal statement without taking the time to understand yourself. Personal statements are about critical self-examination, and Admissions Committees know when essays only begin to scratch the surface. Reflecting on your first draft is just as important as the self-reflection you did in considering your topic.

Focus on yourself: Use the first-person “I” when discussing yourself throughout the essay.

Ensure that your narrative is cohesive: The ideas you present in your personal statement are connected by a common thread (or threads). For example, your conclusion should refer back to your introductory paragraph and restate your main thesis in a slightly different way.

Proofread carefully: Edit and spell-check your personal statement multiple times, with the caveat that the spell-check tool is not perfect. You typically have only two double-spaced pages to make the strongest case possible for your candidacy. Do not let the small details distract from your big picture.  Sometimes it helps to have someone you trust proof-read your finished product.

Check each law school’s requirements and instructions: While most law schools ask for an open-ended essay, the prompt may differ by school. You should also check each law school’s page length or word/character specifications. Generally, a two-page, double-spaced essay is the standard.

Things to Avoid for an Effective Personal Statement:

Try to sound like a lawyer: You should not include legalese or complex language in your statement because you are applying to law school! Avoid rhetorical flourishes and language that you think sounds sophisticated. Clarity and concision of presentation are valued in both your personal statement and in the practice of law.

Forget that you’re applying to a professional school: Try to avoid cliches or overly colloquial phrasing. Law school admissions committees will be put off by informal language in your application materials. You should consider this as one of your first professional exercises in your law school career.

Include direct quotations: Avoid using other people’s quotations (and direct quotes in general).  As stated, the purpose of your personal statement is to demonstrate your own voice. Instead of quoting, try to paraphrase using explanatory details. Even when quoting yourself, you probably will not remember the exact words or phrasing you used.

Title your personal statement: The theme of your narrative should be apparent to the reader through the content of your statement. Including a title is distracting and a waste of valuable space.

Use your personal statement to justify your other application materials: The personal statement is not an appropriate place to provide context for a poor GPA or standardized test score. If you are concerned about your “numbers,” and if you believe that additional information would help the reader to understand your performance, include a separate “supplemental statement” or addendum. This information is important to the Admissions Committees, but it should not be the focus of your personal statement.

Remember: be yourself, tell your story, and let the best version of you be reflected on the pages!

Please visit the Scheduling page to review the guidelines for requesting a document review.

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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.

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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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Application Insights: Make the Most of Your Personal Statement

As part of your admissions application to Penn Engineering’s MCIT Online program, you’ll need to write a personal statement—an essay designed to help us get to know the real person behind your grades and test scores. A strong personal statement can tip the scales in your favor, so we encourage you to give it your best effort.

What is the personal statement?

The personal statement is a 1,000-1,500 word essay that answers the following questions:

• What makes you interested in the MCIT Online program?
• How will you benefit from the program?
• Why will you succeed in the program?
• How will you contribute to the MCIT Online community?
• How do you plan to incorporate an average of 15 hours per week per course of studies into your lifestyle?
• Please describe your career goals and how the MCIT Online curriculum will help to achieve them.
• Given that the program is designed for people without a CS background, if you feel that your resume could be perceived as overqualified, please explain why MCIT Online is right for you.

We encourage you to include detailed, specific examples from your academic, research or industry work if possible.

How can I make my personal statement stand out?

Write authentically, from the heart. Express your passion for computer science and explain why you are a good fit for the program. We won’t have the opportunity to interview you, so the personal statement is your chance to showcase your strengths and explain discrepancies.

• Address potential weaknesses in your application. Are there gaps or inconsistent grades in your academic history, particularly in quantitative ability ? Use the personal statement to provide context—and to give examples of how you will do better. It’s also an opportunity to explain why you’re a good fit for the program even if you appear to be overqualified.
• Read the questions carefully. A personal statement that doesn’t fully address the questions could hurt your chances of admittance.
• Explain how you will manage your time during the program . Each course in MCIT Online requires a commitment of about 15 hours a week. How will you juggle that with your other commitments, especially if you are currently enrolled in another degree program?
• Share your accomplishments. Have you done any online learning or earned a certificate in CS and mathematics? The personal statement is an opportunity to highlight those achievements.
• Get a second opinion. Once you’ve written a draft, ask someone who knows you well to read it. An extra set of eyes is essential to help you avoid typos and make a clear and compelling case for your candidacy.

Do I follow a different process if I applied to MCIT Online in the past?

As a reapplicant, you’ll have an additional 250 words to tell us about any changes in your circumstances since you last applied. Have you taken additional coursework to prepare for the program? Tell us about it. Did you take on a new professional role or volunteer engagement that could help you succeed in MCIT Online? We want to know—and it could make a significant difference in your chances of acceptance.

Get more tips on the application process by watching this Admissions Webinar , checking our Application Deadlines , or contacting us . Or apply now !

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My Climate Story: Philly students take science from abstract to personal

A climate education and storytelling project helps students and teachers learn about climate change’s impact "in everybody’s backyards.".

• Vicky Diaz-Camacho

The idea for “My Climate Story,” a University of Pennsylvania public storytelling project in which students relate to climate change personally, is credited to public research intern Maria Villarreal, who started producing similar videos independently in 2022. (WHYY News)

@ppeh_lab Jarelis’ Climate Story at Interamerican University Arecibo Campus in Puerto Rico. Thank you Keithlyn (MCS Climate Correspondent) for sharing their story with My Climate Story. How are YOU sensing climate change? Share your story using #myclimatestory #fyp #foryou #penn #upenn #ppeh #climatechange #climatechangeisreal #climatechangeawareness #puertorico #puertorico🇵🇷 ♬ original sound - My Climate Story

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My Climate Story: Philadelphia students present environmental problems and solutions at WHYY

Inside WHYY, students from eight area schools listened as their peers shared presentations, spoken word, and projects about the climate in Greater Philadelphia and beyond.

12 months ago

How the program evolved

On an 83-degree day in April, teachers and their students reflected on how the program taught them how to make climate change more personal. The program is part of a grant that gives schools in the region tools from which educators in any subject can benefit.

Courses are embedded into classrooms across subjects, even if they are not science or climate-specific. Educators apply and, if accepted, are given material to guide their classes. Mariaeloisa Carambo, a former high school history teacher and current PhD candidate at Drexel University, was one of the educators selected.

“There was a gap in the type of social justice I was teaching,” Carambo said. “We need to organize at the grassroots level, reminding government and agencies that people exist at the end of these bills and laws. How do we want to sustain life on this planet? And what kind of life do we want, too? I think the important thing is also quality of life.”

Each participant had a personal story to tell about how the world was changing before their eyes.

Carambo, a daughter of immigrants, recalled the wildfires from this past summer and not being able to travel to the woods she frequented as a child. It was “jarring,” Carambo said.

Carambo also has two young children, ages three and five. She has wrestled with the tension of caring for the earth to sustain human lives versus the history of extraction.

“As a mother, thinking about what my kids are going to experience when they’re my age, I’m getting emotional,” she said. “How do we also teach our children not only survival skills but the ability to … reposition yourself in society? So you can survive as these environmental justice issues get worse?”

Joni Woods, an English teacher at Academy at Palumbo, wanted the chance to teach how issues overlap. Woods was surprised at how little climate education is taught in Philly’s schools.

Her application posed this question:

“Why should English be an island of thought when stormwaters from the Schuylkill can cause our schools to pivot to remote learning?”

In her classroom, Woods’ taught how historical figures and movements addressed climate issues in the past.

“We did a little research on the Dust Bowl, the ozone layer, or just EPA regulations after the 1970s,” Woods said. “It was really fun to see how hopeful students were when they realized that we actually have a history of addressing climate change. It’s really important to leave students with tools, not just spread awareness. They have to know what actions they can take.”

The program allowed her to network with other educators, like Carambo, in the 2022 cohort who care about teaching about this topic.

“If this gets people thinking about climate change curriculum, then this will have done the job,” Woods said.

Student impact

Students like Hager Alsekaf, an 11th grader at Robeson School, felt more confident talking about the topic with friends and family. But Alsekaf suggests keeping it simple.

“Trying to understand what they already know and what they don’t know so that you don’t overwhelm them or make them feel like they’re like any less for not knowing,” she said.

Other students, like Isabella Smith-Santos, said learning about climate change gave her confidence to make small changes in the day-to-day. Smith-Santos’ personal story juxtaposes her grandmother smoking on her porch with a plume of smoke trails behind a bus driving by.

She shared a message.

“Try to help the world in your own way,” Santos said. “Take responsibility, but also maintain a sense of empathy for all others. Don’t worry about what others will think of what you do for the world, just worry about what you’re doing for the world.”

Philly teens are sharing their climate change stories

High schoolers from around the city are talking about hot classrooms, devastating storms, and the convergence of climate change and inequity.

2 years ago

Climate connection in three words

Q: What three words come to mind when you think about climate change and your community?

• Mariaeloisa Carambo: Organizing, future and life
• Joni Woods: Collaborative, equitable and all-hands-on-deck
• Hager Alsekaf: Heat, snow and community
• Isabella Smith-Santos: Responsibility, action and empathy
• Aster Chau, Academy at Palumbo, 9th grade: Community, intergenerational and people-power
• Maria Villarreal: Environmental injustice, exploitation and unity.

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Why I’ll Be Observing Passover Differently This Year 

“This is the bread of affliction that our ancestors ate in the land of Egypt. All who are hungry should come and eat, anyone who is in need should come and partake of the Pesach sacrifice.” So begins the Ha Lachma Anya , the declaration that is recited at the beginning of the storytelling section of the Passover Seder. These simple words encapsulate Passover’s biggest messages of justice, hospitality, and memory. They have been said by Jews around the world for millennia. But what do they mean this year?

I was raised in a deeply culturally Jewish home. However, my hippie parents practiced every kind of spirituality but Judaism. When I was seven years old, my family celebrated Passover for the first time. I was enthralled by the tiny bowls of salt water, as well as the strange array of bitter and sweet foods. Then my father stood up and began to tell the Passover story with the words: “All who are hungry come and eat.”

At that moment, I fell in love with Judaism. I loved the drama, sure—but also the underlying message of fairness. My parents never celebrated Passover again, but this one time was enough to form a core memory. Now, every year of my adult life, I lead my own seder. I have been proud to hold up a bumpy square of unleavened bread to symbolically welcome the hungry . With joy, I have taught my child that this is the heart of both Passover and Judaism.

Read More: How to Wish Someone a ‘Happy Passover’

This year is different. Right now, over 1 million Palestinians are facing starvation and the U.N. has asserted that the Israeli military is intentionally causing this hunger. In the face of this horror, how can I possibly say the words that so inspired me as a child, or teach them to my own child?

“In every generation,” we read at the beginning of the Passover seder, “one is obligated to see oneself as someone who personally went out of slavery in Egypt.” But what does this mean now? After all, the story of the Exodus is thousands of years old. The Hebrew word for Egypt is “ Mitzrayim ,” a narrow place, giving us a clue that the story can be understood as a universal parable for the human experience of oppression. In fact, the 19th century mystic Rabbi Nachman of Bretslav once said : “The Exodus from Mitzrayim occurs in every human being, in every era.” In other words, the seder teaches us how to empathize with human struggles for justice and autonomy in every generation.

Since October 7, the Israeli military has killed over 34,000 Palestinians, including more than 13,000 children. At the same time, approximately 19,000 children have been left orphaned . And more than 1,000 children have lost limbs , leading to the largest cohort of child amputees in history. Meanwhile, more than 100 Israeli hostages may still be left in Gaza, leading their family members to protest on the eve of Passover for the government to prioritize ceasefire negotiations that would bring them home safely.

This horror must end.

As Jews, we have experienced genocide, displacement, and ethnic cleansing, and our own traditions teach us how to protect against it. In the Passover story, the Pharaoh orders all Egyptians to kill first-born Hebrew sons, but the Egyptian midwives engage in an act of civil disobedience and refuse these orders. They risk their own lives to save the Jewish babies. It is this powerful act of solidarity that begins to defeat the Pharoah’s rule.

Solidarity is not just a pretty word, but a powerful tool we need to leverage in this time. As Gazan writer Mohammed El-Kurd says: “Gaza cannot fight the empire on its own. Or, to use an embittered proverb my grandmother used to mutter at the evening news, “They asked the Pharaoh, ‘Who made you a pharaoh?’ He replied, ’No one stopped me.’”

Perhaps most importantly, the story of Passover resistance is told through questions, through curiosity. And throughout the seder, many things are done differently than usual to stimulate this curiosity. My ancestors understood that critical thinking is the enemy of dehumanizing atrocities. It’s not accidental that right now, pro-Palestinian protesters asking crucial questions are being silenced at U.S. campuses across the country , most recently at Columbia where administrators suspended protesting on April 19 and had them arrested. Questioning is what we could not do while we were enslaved under Pharaoh. It’s how we imagine freedom.

This year, when my family gathers for Passover, we will not be celebrating as usual. This year, Passover will be about freedom in Palestine. When it comes time for the meal, instead of handing out gefilte fish, I will be offering my guests the Shulchan Orech pledge; this includes asking them to donate the cost of the meal to UNWRA to help feed people in Gaza, reading writing by Gazan Palestinians, and sending letters to President Joe Biden and congress demanding that they take action to fund UNWRA once again and achieve a permanent ceasefire. This would mean an end to U.S. financial support to the Israeli military, and an end to U.S. support for regional war.

We won’t be saying the words “May all who are hungry come and eat” this year. Instead, we will take time to talk about the harsh realities of enforced starvation with even our youngest guests. And, of course, we will make time for lots of questions.

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Francis Collins: Why I’m going public with my prostate cancer diagnosis

I served medical research. now it’s serving me. and i don’t want to waste time..

Over my 40 years as a physician-scientist, I’ve had the privilege of advising many patients facing serious medical diagnoses. I’ve seen them go through the excruciating experience of waiting for the results of a critical blood test, biopsy or scan that could dramatically affect their future hopes and dreams.

But this time, I was the one lying in the PET scanner as it searched for possible evidence of spread of my aggressive prostate cancer . I spent those 30 minutes in quiet prayer. If that cancer had already spread to my lymph nodes, bones, lungs or brain, it could still be treated — but it would no longer be curable.

Why am I going public about this cancer that many men are uncomfortable talking about? Because I want to lift the veil and share lifesaving information, and I want all men to benefit from the medical research to which I’ve devoted my career and that is now guiding my care.

Five years before that fateful PET scan, my doctor had noted a slow rise in my PSA, the blood test for prostate-specific antigen. To contribute to knowledge and receive expert care, I enrolled in a clinical trial at the National Institutes of Health, the agency I led from 2009 through late 2021.

At first, there wasn’t much to worry about — targeted biopsies identified a slow-growing grade of prostate cancer that doesn’t require treatment and can be tracked via regular checkups, referred to as “active surveillance.” This initial diagnosis was not particularly surprising. Prostate cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer in men in the United States, and about 40 percent of men over age 65 — I’m 73 — have low-grade prostate cancer . Many of them never know it, and very few of them develop advanced disease.

Why am I going public about this cancer that many men are uncomfortable talking about? Because I want to lift the veil and share lifesaving information.

But in my case, things took a turn about a month ago when my PSA rose sharply to 22 — normal at my age is less than 5. An MRI scan showed that the tumor had significantly enlarged and might have even breached the capsule that surrounds the prostate, posing a significant risk that the cancer cells might have spread to other parts of the body.

New biopsies taken from the mass showed transformation into a much more aggressive cancer. When I heard the diagnosis was now a 9 on a cancer-grading scale that goes only to 10, I knew that everything had changed.

Thus, that PET scan, which was ordered to determine if the cancer had spread beyond the prostate, carried high significance. Would a cure still be possible, or would it be time to get my affairs in order? A few hours later, when my doctors showed me the scan results, I felt a rush of profound relief and gratitude. There was no detectable evidence of cancer outside of the primary tumor.

Later this month, I will undergo a radical prostatectomy — a procedure that will remove my entire prostate gland. This will be part of the same NIH research protocol — I want as much information as possible to be learned from my case, to help others in the future.

While there are no guarantees, my doctors believe I have a high likelihood of being cured by the surgery.

My situation is far better than my father’s when he was diagnosed with prostate cancer four decades ago. He was about the same age that I am now, but it wasn’t possible back then to assess how advanced the cancer might be. He was treated with a hormonal therapy that might not have been necessary and had a significant negative impact on his quality of life.

Because of research supported by NIH, along with highly effective collaborations with the private sector, prostate cancer can now be treated with individualized precision and improved outcomes.

As in my case, high-resolution MRI scans can now be used to delineate the precise location of a tumor. When combined with real-time ultrasound, this allows pinpoint targeting of the prostate biopsies. My surgeon will be assisted by a sophisticated robot named for Leonardo da Vinci that employs a less invasive surgical approach than previous techniques, requiring just a few small incisions.

Advances in clinical treatments have been informed by large-scale, rigorously designed trials that have assessed the risks and benefits and were possible because of the willingness of cancer patients to enroll in such trials.

I feel compelled to tell this story openly. I hope it helps someone. I don’t want to waste time.

If my cancer recurs, the DNA analysis that has been carried out on my tumor will guide the precise choice of therapies. As a researcher who had the privilege of leading the Human Genome Project , it is truly gratifying to see how these advances in genomics have transformed the diagnosis and treatment of cancer.

I want all men to have the same opportunity that I did. Prostate cancer is still the No. 2 cancer killer among men. I want the goals of the Cancer Moonshot to be met — to end cancer as we know it. Early detection really matters, and when combined with active surveillance can identify the risky cancers like mine, and leave the rest alone. The five-year relative survival rate for prostate cancer is 97 percent, according to the American Cancer Society , but it’s only 34 percent if the cancer has spread to distant areas of the body.

But lack of information and confusion about the best approach to prostate cancer screening have impeded progress. Currently, the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force recommends that all men age 55 to 69 discuss PSA screening with their primary-care physician, but it recommends against starting PSA screening after age 70.

Other groups, like the American Urological Association , suggest that screening should start earlier, especially for men with a family history — like me — and for African American men, who have a higher risk of prostate cancer. But these recommendations are not consistently being followed.

Our health-care system is afflicted with health inequities. For example, the image-guided biopsies are not available everywhere and to everyone. Finally, many men are fearful of the surgical approach to prostate cancer because of the risk of incontinence and impotence, but advances in surgical techniques have made those outcomes considerably less troublesome than in the past. Similarly, the alternative therapeutic approaches of radiation and hormonal therapy have seen significant advances.

A little over a year ago, while I was praying for a dying friend, I had the experience of receiving a clear and unmistakable message. This has almost never happened to me. It was just this: “Don’t waste your time, you may not have much left.” Gulp.

Having now received a diagnosis of aggressive prostate cancer and feeling grateful for all the ways I have benefited from research advances, I feel compelled to tell this story openly. I hope it helps someone. I don’t want to waste time.

Francis S. Collins served as director of the National Institutes of Health from 2009 to 2021 and as director of the National Human Genome Research Institute at NIH from 1993 to 2008. He is a physician-geneticist and leads a White House initiative to eliminate hepatitis C in the United States, while also continuing to pursue his research interests as a distinguished NIH investigator.

An earlier version of this article said prostate cancer is the No. 2 killer of men. It is the No. 2 cause of cancer death among men. The article has been updated.

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NPR defends its journalism after senior editor says it has lost the public's trust

David Folkenflik

NPR is defending its journalism and integrity after a senior editor wrote an essay accusing it of losing the public's trust. Saul Loeb/AFP via Getty Images hide caption

NPR is defending its journalism and integrity after a senior editor wrote an essay accusing it of losing the public's trust.

NPR's top news executive defended its journalism and its commitment to reflecting a diverse array of views on Tuesday after a senior NPR editor wrote a broad critique of how the network has covered some of the most important stories of the age.

"An open-minded spirit no longer exists within NPR, and now, predictably, we don't have an audience that reflects America," writes Uri Berliner.

A strategic emphasis on diversity and inclusion on the basis of race, ethnicity and sexual orientation, promoted by NPR's former CEO, John Lansing, has fed "the absence of viewpoint diversity," Berliner writes.

NPR's chief news executive, Edith Chapin, wrote in a memo to staff Tuesday afternoon that she and the news leadership team strongly reject Berliner's assessment.

"We're proud to stand behind the exceptional work that our desks and shows do to cover a wide range of challenging stories," she wrote. "We believe that inclusion — among our staff, with our sourcing, and in our overall coverage — is critical to telling the nuanced stories of this country and our world."

NPR names tech executive Katherine Maher to lead in turbulent era

She added, "None of our work is above scrutiny or critique. We must have vigorous discussions in the newsroom about how we serve the public as a whole."

A spokesperson for NPR said Chapin, who also serves as the network's chief content officer, would have no further comment.

Praised by NPR's critics

Berliner is a senior editor on NPR's Business Desk. (Disclosure: I, too, am part of the Business Desk, and Berliner has edited many of my past stories. He did not see any version of this article or participate in its preparation before it was posted publicly.)

Berliner's essay , titled "I've Been at NPR for 25 years. Here's How We Lost America's Trust," was published by The Free Press, a website that has welcomed journalists who have concluded that mainstream news outlets have become reflexively liberal.

Berliner writes that as a Subaru-driving, Sarah Lawrence College graduate who "was raised by a lesbian peace activist mother ," he fits the mold of a loyal NPR fan.

Yet Berliner says NPR's news coverage has fallen short on some of the most controversial stories of recent years, from the question of whether former President Donald Trump colluded with Russia in the 2016 election, to the origins of the virus that causes COVID-19, to the significance and provenance of emails leaked from a laptop owned by Hunter Biden weeks before the 2020 election. In addition, he blasted NPR's coverage of the Israel-Hamas conflict.

On each of these stories, Berliner asserts, NPR has suffered from groupthink due to too little diversity of viewpoints in the newsroom.

The essay ricocheted Tuesday around conservative media , with some labeling Berliner a whistleblower . Others picked it up on social media, including Elon Musk, who has lambasted NPR for leaving his social media site, X. (Musk emailed another NPR reporter a link to Berliner's article with a gibe that the reporter was a "quisling" — a World War II reference to someone who collaborates with the enemy.)

When asked for further comment late Tuesday, Berliner declined, saying the essay spoke for itself.

The arguments he raises — and counters — have percolated across U.S. newsrooms in recent years. The #MeToo sexual harassment scandals of 2016 and 2017 forced newsrooms to listen to and heed more junior colleagues. The social justice movement prompted by the killing of George Floyd in 2020 inspired a reckoning in many places. Newsroom leaders often appeared to stand on shaky ground.

Leaders at many newsrooms, including top editors at The New York Times and the Los Angeles Times , lost their jobs. Legendary Washington Post Executive Editor Martin Baron wrote in his memoir that he feared his bonds with the staff were "frayed beyond repair," especially over the degree of self-expression his journalists expected to exert on social media, before he decided to step down in early 2021.

Since then, Baron and others — including leaders of some of these newsrooms — have suggested that the pendulum has swung too far.

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Legendary editor marty baron describes his 'collision of power' with trump and bezos.

New York Times publisher A.G. Sulzberger warned last year against journalists embracing a stance of what he calls "one-side-ism": "where journalists are demonstrating that they're on the side of the righteous."

"I really think that that can create blind spots and echo chambers," he said.

Internal arguments at The Times over the strength of its reporting on accusations that Hamas engaged in sexual assaults as part of a strategy for its Oct. 7 attack on Israel erupted publicly . The paper conducted an investigation to determine the source of a leak over a planned episode of the paper's podcast The Daily on the subject, which months later has not been released. The newsroom guild accused the paper of "targeted interrogation" of journalists of Middle Eastern descent.

Heated pushback in NPR's newsroom

Given Berliner's account of private conversations, several NPR journalists question whether they can now trust him with unguarded assessments about stories in real time. Others express frustration that he had not sought out comment in advance of publication. Berliner acknowledged to me that for this story, he did not seek NPR's approval to publish the piece, nor did he give the network advance notice.

Some of Berliner's NPR colleagues are responding heatedly. Fernando Alfonso, a senior supervising editor for digital news, wrote that he wholeheartedly rejected Berliner's critique of the coverage of the Israel-Hamas conflict, for which NPR's journalists, like their peers, periodically put themselves at risk.

Alfonso also took issue with Berliner's concern over the focus on diversity at NPR.

"As a person of color who has often worked in newsrooms with little to no people who look like me, the efforts NPR has made to diversify its workforce and its sources are unique and appropriate given the news industry's long-standing lack of diversity," Alfonso says. "These efforts should be celebrated and not denigrated as Uri has done."

After this story was first published, Berliner contested Alfonso's characterization, saying his criticism of NPR is about the lack of diversity of viewpoints, not its diversity itself.

"I never criticized NPR's priority of achieving a more diverse workforce in terms of race, ethnicity and sexual orientation. I have not 'denigrated' NPR's newsroom diversity goals," Berliner said. "That's wrong."

Questions of diversity

Under former CEO John Lansing, NPR made increasing diversity, both of its staff and its audience, its "North Star" mission. Berliner says in the essay that NPR failed to consider broader diversity of viewpoint, noting, "In D.C., where NPR is headquartered and many of us live, I found 87 registered Democrats working in editorial positions and zero Republicans."

Berliner cited audience estimates that suggested a concurrent falloff in listening by Republicans. (The number of people listening to NPR broadcasts and terrestrial radio broadly has declined since the start of the pandemic.)

Former NPR vice president for news and ombudsman Jeffrey Dvorkin tweeted , "I know Uri. He's not wrong."

Others questioned Berliner's logic. "This probably gets causality somewhat backward," tweeted Semafor Washington editor Jordan Weissmann . "I'd guess that a lot of NPR listeners who voted for [Mitt] Romney have changed how they identify politically."

Similarly, Nieman Lab founder Joshua Benton suggested the rise of Trump alienated many NPR-appreciating Republicans from the GOP.

In recent years, NPR has greatly enhanced the percentage of people of color in its workforce and its executive ranks. Four out of 10 staffers are people of color; nearly half of NPR's leadership team identifies as Black, Asian or Latino.

"The philosophy is: Do you want to serve all of America and make sure it sounds like all of America, or not?" Lansing, who stepped down last month, says in response to Berliner's piece. "I'd welcome the argument against that."

"On radio, we were really lagging in our representation of an audience that makes us look like what America looks like today," Lansing says. The U.S. looks and sounds a lot different than it did in 1971, when NPR's first show was broadcast, Lansing says.

A network spokesperson says new NPR CEO Katherine Maher supports Chapin and her response to Berliner's critique.

The spokesperson says that Maher "believes that it's a healthy thing for a public service newsroom to engage in rigorous consideration of the needs of our audiences, including where we serve our mission well and where we can serve it better."

Disclosure: This story was reported and written by NPR Media Correspondent David Folkenflik and edited by Deputy Business Editor Emily Kopp and Managing Editor Gerry Holmes. Under NPR's protocol for reporting on itself, no NPR corporate official or news executive reviewed this story before it was posted publicly.

What are your chances of acceptance?

Calculate for all schools, your chance of acceptance.

Your chancing factors

Extracurriculars.

How to Get Into UPenn: Admission Stats + Tips

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What’s Covered:

• How Hard Is It to Get Into UPenn

Average Academic Profile of Accepted UPenn Students

• What is UPenn Looking for
• How to Improve Your Chances of Getting into UPenn
• How to Apply to UPenn

The University of Pennsylvania (or, more simply, UPenn) is best known as one of the eight schools in the Ivy League, a collection of elite, extremely selective schools in the Northeast. Like the other institutions of the Ivy League, UPenn is also known for its long, rich history—founded by Benjamin Franklin in 1740, it is one of the oldest institutions in the country.

How Hard Is It to Get Into UPenn?

UPenn is exceedingly difficult to get into, and only getting more challenging. Only 3,202 students were offered admission from a record-setting pool of 56,333 applicants for the class of 2025—resulting in an all-time low acceptance rate of 5.68% .

Of the 7,962 students who applied through UPenn’s early decision program, just 1,194 were accepted, setting a record-low 15% early decision acceptance rate . Although UPenn’s early decision acceptance rate hit an all-time low, it’s still significantly higher than its overall acceptance rate.   

While UPenn’s acceptance rate is incredibly low, your personal chances of acceptance may actually be higher or lower, depending on the strength of your profile. CollegeVine can help you better understand how you stack up against other applicants with our free admissions calculator , which uses your grades, test scores, and extracurriculars to estimate your odds of acceptance and give you tips on improving your profile!

The average high school GPA of UPenn’s class of 2025 is 3.90 and 96% of students graduated high school in the top 10% of their class. 

The middle 50% SAT score is 1460-1570 for UPenn’s class of 2025, and its middle 50% ACT composite score is 33-35. Of the admitted students who submitted standardized test scores, 65% took the SAT and 35% took the ACT. 

UPenn doesn’t report the class rank of admitted students. However, 96% of the class of 2025 graduated in the top 10% of their high school class.  

What is UPenn Looking for?

Simply having great grades and superb standardized test scores is not enough to earn admission to a highly selective school such as UPenn, since nearly every applicant is academically qualified. In addition to excellent academics, UPenn subjects applications to a comprehensive review, looking for students who are inspired to emulate its founder Benjamin Franklin by serving society—including the university’s community, the city of Philadelphia, and the broader world.

What UPenn is looking for in a student and the competitiveness of admission is dependent on which program you are applying to. UPenn’s College of Arts and Sciences (CAS) is less academically competitive than HYPSM and places an emphasis on extracurricular activities and admitting well-rounded students. 

Other programs at UPenn are looking for particular attributes in a student. For example:

• The Wharton School : You don’t need extensive business experience to increase your odds of admission at UPenn’s renowned Wharton business school, but demonstrated leadership is a desirable attribute.
• Huntsman Program : A multicultural college profile and experience with other languages will help catch the eye of admissions officers for entry into UPenn’s dual-degree program for business and international relations.
• The Jerome Fisher Program : Competitive applicants to this engineering and business dual-degree program will have MIT-level STEM experience.
• The Vagelos Program : Applicants to this dual-degree program integrating life sciences and businesses will want to have similar patient care experiences as those applying to accelerated medical care programs. 

How UPenn Evaluates Applications

According to their 2020-2021 Common Data Set, UPenn considers the following factors “very important” :

• Course rigor
• Test scores
• Recommendation letters
• Character/personal qualities 

These factors are “important” :

• Talent/ability

These are “considered” :

• First generation
• Alumni/ae relation
• Geographical residence
• State residency 
• Racial/ethnic status
• Volunteer work
• Work experiences 
• Level of interest 

And these are “not considered” :

• Religious affiliation

Discover your chances at hundreds of schools

Our free chancing engine takes into account your history, background, test scores, and extracurricular activities to show you your real chances of admission—and how to improve them.

How to Improve Your Chances of Getting into UPenn 

1. achieve at least a 3.9 gpa while taking the most challenging classes available.

UPenn considers GPA, class rank, and course vigor “very important” when making admissions decisions; consequently, a competitive profile will contain all (or mostly all) As in the most challenging courses available. Applicants to an Ivy League school often have upwards of 12 AP classes on their academic resume .

Competitive colleges that receive an enormous amount of applications, like UPenn, often use the Academic Index (a distillation of an applicant’s academic credentials into a single number) to cull under-qualified applicants. A high GPA is a very important step to having a strong Academic Index. If your grades are low and you’re early in your high school career, check out our tips for increasing your GPA . If you’re a junior or senior, it’s harder to increase your GPA—the easiest way to improve your Academic Index is to get higher test scores.

2. Aim for a 1570 SAT and 35 ACT 

The middle 50% SAT score at UPenn is 1460-1570 and the middle 50% ACT score is 33-35. Any score in the middle 50% is acceptable, but the higher on these ranges you score, the better your odds of admission become. 

UPenn instituted a test-optional policy for the 2020-2021 admissions cycle due to the disruption caused by COVID-19 and has extended that policy for 2021-2022. It’s recommended that you take either the SAT or ACT if you can do so safely. Students who submit test scores have higher acceptance rates than those that don’t. Wondering if your score is UPenn worthy? CollegeVine suggests submitting a score if it’s above the 25th percentile for accepted students. Students can get recommendations on whether or not they should apply test-optional using our free chancing engine . 

UPenn will combine your highest Evidenced-Based Reading and Writing SAT score with your highest Math SAT score across multiple tests to calculate a super score. For the ACT, they will use your highest individual English, Math, Reading, and Science scores across multiple tests to calculate a super score composite. Taking either test multiple times is an excellent way to improve your score and odds at UPenn. 

To improve your SAT/ACT score, check out these free CollegeVine resources:

• How to Get a Perfect 1600 Score on the SAT
• How to Get a Perfect 36 Score on the ACT
• More SAT Info and Tips
• More ACT Info and Tips

3. Write engaging essays

UPenn considers both application essays and character/personal qualities “very important” when making admissions decisions. The two factors are easily linked, as essays provide the perfect platform for highlighting your unique traits and how they’ll benefit UPenn’s campus. 

In addition to a personal essay, UPenn applicants are prompted to answer two UPenn-specific essays: 

• 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)
• 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)

The UPenn essay is a place to separate yourself from the competition. In general, make sure you write in an authentic voice and highlight how you’ll fit in on campus when writing your essays. For more UPenn-specific essay advice, check out our article, “ How to Write the UPenn Supplemental Essays 2021-2022 .”

4. Get great recommendations

Recommendations are an integral part of the UPenn application and are considered “very important.” UPenn requires that you submit a high school counselor/advisor letter as well as two letters of recommendation from your teachers—ideally, they’re instructors you know well, from your junior or senior year, in core academic subjects. 

UPenn also accepts an optional recommendation letter from someone other than a teacher, such as an athletic coach, internship or research supervisor, boss at a part-time job, or local clergy member. These letters are only impactful if the writer knows you personally, can write specifically about you, and can offer insight about you not found in teacher recommendations. 

Asking a teacher to write a recommendation letter is a big request; teachers don’t get paid to write them and likely have been asked by more than one student. Ensure you get a compelling letter by following the nine rules for requesting a letter of recommendation .

5. Apply Early Decision

The overall acceptance at UPenn is just 5.68%, which is substantially lower than the 15% acceptance rate for students applying through the school’s early decision program. Simply applying early decision at UPenn provides a big boost to your odds of admission. 

Applicants are accepted at a higher rate through the early decision (ED) program at UPenn, but early decision isn’t without its challenges . Early decision is binding, and students accepted via ED are committed to attending. If you’re considering applying for ED at UPenn, make sure you’re certain it’s the school you want to attend and that it’s within your budget—because of ED’s binding nature, you’re unable to compare financial offers from other schools. 

6. Cultivate at least one or two Tier 1-2 extracurriculars (find your “spike”)

UPenn only considers extracurricular activities and talent/ability as “important” to admissions decisions, but they’re great ways to differentiate yourself from other applicants. Not all extracurriculars are equal in the admissions process and the best way to understand the differences between them is through the 4 Tiers of Extracurriculars .

• Tier 1 are super-rare activities that demonstrate enormous talent or achievement. Examples include winning a prestigious competition like Microsoft Imagine Cup or attending a distinguished summer program such as PROMYS .  
• Tier 2 activities demonstrate high levels of talent or achievement but are more common than Tier 1 extracurriculars. Tier 2 activities include playing a sport or instrument at an all-state level or serving as president of a well-known club, like Model UN. 
• Tier 3 extracurriculars are less distinguished activities than those found in the higher tiers. Examples include playing a varsity sport or holding a leadership position in a club. 
• Tier 4 are the most common (and least impressive) extracurricular activities. These include taking part in a club but not holding a leadership position or playing a sport or instrument but without distinction.  

 A competitive application to an Ivy League school like UPenn will feature at least one or two activities that fall into the top two tiers of extracurriculars. The idea of colleges looking for well-rounded students is a myth—the most competitive applicants have a highly-developed interest, known as a “ spike ,” rather than a collection of unrelated interests. 

How to Apply to UPenn  

Application requirements.

UPenn accepts both the Common Application and the Coalition Application—and both applications also require the applicant to submit UPenn’s two supplemental essays. Other requirements include:

• Official high school transcript
• School report 
• Counselor recommendation 
• Teacher evaluations (2)
• Mid-year report
• Final report 

Optional and additional materials:

• SAT/ACT scores
• Additional letter of recommendation
• Art/music supplement

Learn more about UPenn

Interested in learning more about UPenn? Check these other awesome posts:

• What is UPenn Known For?
• UPenn Diversity Statistics: An In-Depth Look
• How to Get Into UPenn
• UPenn vs. Penn State: 7 Main Differences

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After Reports About Trump Jurors, Judge Demands Restraint From the Press

Some news reports have included details about jurors that had been aired in open court. One was excused after she developed concerns about being identified.

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By Jesse McKinley ,  Kate Christobek and Matthew Haag

• April 18, 2024

The judge in former President Donald J. Trump’s criminal trial ordered reporters to not disclose employment information about potential jurors after he excused a woman who said she was worried about her identity becoming known.

The woman, who had been seated on the jury on Tuesday, told the judge that her friends and colleagues had warned her that she had been identified as a juror in the high-profile case. Although the judge has kept prospective jurors’ names private, some have disclosed their employers and other identifying information in court.

She also said that she did not believe she could be impartial.

The judge, Juan M. Merchan, promptly dismissed her.

Moments later, Justice Merchan ordered the press to not report the answer to two queries on a lengthy questionnaire for prospective jurors: “Who is your current employer?” and “Who was your prior employer?”

The judge conceded that the information about employers was necessary for lawyers to know. But he directed that those two answers be redacted from the transcript.

Justice Merchan also said that he was concerned about news outlets publishing physical descriptions of prospective or seated jurors, asking reporters to “simply apply common sense.”

“It serves no purpose,” Justice Merchan said about publishing physical descriptions, adding that he was directing the press to “refrain from writing about anything you observe with your eyes.”

William P. Marshall, a professor at the University of North Carolina School of Law in Chapel Hill, said that Justice Merchan’s order appeared “constitutionally suspect.” Professor Marshall said that a landmark Supreme Court ruling in a 1976 case, Nebraska Press Association v. Stuart, struck down a trial judge’s ruling barring the news media from reporting information introduced in open court.

“The presumption against prior restraint is incredibly high in First Amendment law,” Professor Marshall said. “It’s even higher when it’s publishing something that is already a matter of public record.”

Lawyers for news outlets, including The New York Times, were expected to seek clarification on the order.

With the loss of the female juror on Thursday morning, six seated jurors remain.

In early March, Justice Merchan issued an order prohibiting publicly disclosing the names of jurors, while allowing legal teams and the defendant to know their identities.

But before the trial, Mr. Trump’s lawyers requested that potential jurors not be told that the jury would be anonymous unless he or she expressed concerns. Justice Merchan told the parties that he’d “make every effort to not unnecessarily alert the jurors” to this secrecy, merely telling jurors that they would be identified in court by a number.

On Thursday, Justice Merchan seemed frustrated by news reports that included identifying characteristics of potential jurors that had been aired in open court. He said: “There’s a reason why this is an anonymous jury, and we’ve taken the measures we have taken.”

“It kind of defeats the purpose of that when so much information is put out there,” he said.

He added that “the press can write about anything the attorney and the courts discuss and anything you observe us do.”

But he also said he had the legal authority to prevent reporters from relaying employer information on prospective jurors. He added that “if you can’t stick to that, we’re going to have to see if there is anything else we can do to keep the jurors safe.”

Jesse McKinley is a Times reporter covering upstate New York, courts and politics. More about Jesse McKinley

Kate Christobek is a reporter covering the civil and criminal cases against former president Donald J. Trump for The Times. More about Kate Christobek

Matthew Haag writes about the intersection of real estate and politics in the New York region. He has been a journalist for two decades. More about Matthew Haag

Our Coverage of the Trump Hush-Money Trial

News and Analysis

As the final jurors  for Donald Trump’s criminal trial were selected and lawyers finalized their opening statements,  a man set himself aflame  outside the courthouse .

Fame creates its own gravity and Trump, who for decades sought to project an image of power, is usually at the center of it, but the mundanity of the courtroom  has all but swallowed him. And in his courtroom, Justice Juan Merchan also has pull .

Two prospective jurors who were excused  contacted The New York Times to describe their experience  in the fraught environment  of an unprecedented trial.

More on Trump’s Legal Troubles

Key Inquiries: Trump faces several investigations  at both the state and the federal levels, into matters related to his business and political careers.

Case Tracker:  Keep track of the developments in the criminal cases  involving the former president.

What if Trump Is Convicted?: Will any of the proceedings hinder Trump’s presidential campaign? Here is what we know , and what we don’t know .

Trump on Trial Newsletter: Sign up here  to get the latest news and analysis  on the cases in New York, Florida, Georgia and Washington, D.C.