How to Write the UPenn Admissions Essays

 By Sarah O'Neill, Coatesville, PA, Supreme Editing

UPenn Excerpt
“We’re interested in learning all about you: what you love, your strengths, your challenges, your interests, and how these pieces come together to make you a distinct individual who will actively grow and contribute to the Penn community. 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.”
Penn encourages students to reflect on themselves, their community, and their interests. Your voice matters. They want their campus to reflect the world around them, so they enroll students who come from all corners of the world and a wide range of backgrounds.
According to UPenn admissions (via their website):
“Penn wants to learn about what you love, your strengths, your challenges, your interests, and how these pieces come together to make you a distinct individual who will actively grow and contribute to the Penn Community. Ideal candidates are inspired to emulate our founder Benjamin Franklin by applying their knowledge in ‘service to society’ to our community, the city of Philadelphia, and the wider world.” Essays should reflect the following: Be yourself–let the real you shine through– when explaining how you spend your time extracurricularly. Show how your contributions to your community are uniquely yours. Discuss the depth of your involvement and the impact you have made.
In history, the types of students admitted consisted of people who included stories that clearly connected to commitment to learning and service. Applicants connected past experiences and reflections to growth and contributions to the world around them. Writers use specific imagery, detail, and extended metaphor to draw the reader in and to create a profound message about identity that connects creatively to UPenn’s values. Admitted students organize the essay to flow with clear transitions and connections from one part to the next. All ideas fit without digression and propel the essay to a full-circle conclusion. Students demonstrated what they’re curious about and how UPenn would fit and vice versa.
Supplemental Essay Example:
Prompt:The flexible structure of The College of Arts and Sciences’ curriculum is designed to inspire exploration, foster connections, and help you create a path of study through general education courses and a major. What are you curious about and how would you take advantage of opportunities in the arts and sciences? (150-200 words)
At Penn, I seek to enrich my knowledge of literature and healing through adversity through creative writing classes like “Writing and Borders” with Professor Almallah and “A Slice of Life” with Professor Kitsi Watterson, along with her work on prisoner support organizations. I also hope to join the community of diverse writers at Kelly Writers House, where I will learn the skills to continue building the impact of transforming adversity to art with Beyond Margins.
I want to enroll in Psychology courses like “Language and Thought” and “Visual Neuroscience” to explore the intersection of storytelling, trauma healing, and neurocognition. I am especially drawn to the Paideia program, where I can work with Professor Angela Duckworth on the science of passion, perseverance, and grit. At Penn, I can always be more than one thing. I envision myself branching out to other academic paths, and learning interdisciplinarily through the versatile curriculum. My family experience has not only prompted me to embrace and heal through adversity with writing, but also ignited a passion for democracy, public policy, and civic justice. I see myself taking courses for PPE, Law, or even Criminology across the four different schools.
Sarah ONeill Supreme Editing


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