Adrianne is a Senior Admissions Counselor and TV/film director, producer, writer, and actress currently based in LA. She uses her experience in multiple disciplines to help students achieve their personal and academic goals.
Working on your UPenn application? Here’s how to write the supplemental essays you need to complete in addition to your Common Application.
Welcome to the Penn supplemental essays for the 2025-2026 application cycle! Unlike many other Ivy League schools, Penn doesn’t ask you a zillion questions. In fact, they only ask you two (unless you’re applying to a more specific program or school): a thank-you note to someone significant in your life and a community-focused question. You may have written one or two of these already, but Penn has its own way of phrasing these questions, which means you can’t just recycle the essays you’ve written for other schools. You’ve got to write a Penn-specific essay. Here’s how.
1. Write a short thank-you note to someone you have not yet thanked and would like to acknowledge. (We encourage you to share this note with that person, if possible, and reflect on the experience!) (150-200 words, only required for first-year applicants)
According to Penn’s Dean of Admissions, this question has been added to the application as a “feel-good exercise” in what is an otherwise stressful experience. They say that the thing to focus on here is gratitude and not to use this as a way to present yourself to the admissions committee in another way. So, don’t focus on your accomplishments and aspirations; focus on someone else. They explicitly ask you to focus on someone else’s influence rather than your own
However, writing about someone else can be very tricky (check out this blog post for more tips on this specific topic)—it’s still your application after all, so even if you’re not highlighting your own achievements, you’re still showcasing a part of you and what has made you who you are. Don’t try to be too “clever” when selecting the person you’ll write to. Choose someone who has made an actual impact on your life, and spend the essay recounting the memories that have been particularly special to you. Be as authentic as possible, and let your unique voice shine through. Write it as if you actually might share this note, as they suggest. What would you really want to say to them?
2. How will you explore community at Penn? Consider how Penn will help shape your perspective, and how your experiences and perspective will help shape Penn. (150-200 words)
First of all, remember that the word “community” can mean just about anything you want it to — your community is for you to define. Maybe you’re looking forward to joining a cultural group at Penn, or maybe you’re excited about joining an intellectual community through participation in a student group. You can find a list of student organizations at Penn here.
When it comes to clubs, once again, make sure you’re reinforcing your narrative — something that fits with what you’ve already done. Not all the clubs you mention have to be directly related to your major, but they shouldn’t cause admissions officers to raise their eyebrows. They should be related to interests you’ve already pursued in meaningful and demonstrable ways.
Writing about your past experiences is also how you answer the second part of this question: “…how Penn will help shape your perspective, and how your experiences and perspective will help shape Penn.” No general statements or platitudes here. Discuss how your past experiences have helped shape your identity and perspective, how you’ve done the same for the community or communities you’ve belonged to, and show us the foundation that will support your work at Penn outside of the classroom.
Undergraduate School-Specific Short Answer Prompts
The school-specific prompt is unique to the school to which you are applying. (For example, all applicants applying to the College of Arts and Sciences will respond to the prompt under the “College of Arts and Sciences.”)
We won’t be breaking down each school-specific or dual degree program essay prompt, just the essay for the most popular option for undergraduate applicants: The College of Arts & Sciences.
College of Arts & Sciences: The flexible structure of The College of Arts and Sciences’ curriculum is designed to inspire exploration, foster connections, and help you create a path of study through general education courses and a major. What are you curious about, and how would you take advantage of opportunities in the arts and sciences? (150-200 words)
This is a pretty typical mix of the “Why School” and “Why Major” essay format, but now you’re not talking about the entirety of UPenn, you’re just focused on The College of Arts and Sciences. Even though you don’t have much room, you’re going to want to show off your research as much as possible—look into your desired department, and find classes, professors, and research opportunities (if applicable) that interest you.
But you also don’t want to just throw a bunch of information into the essay and call it a day! Add in a hook and some creative flair if it feels right. You can frame it as imagining a day in your life on campus, walking through all the resources you’d be taking advantage of during your time as a UPenn undergrad. Whatever you do, just put your own spin on this well-known essay format.
As always, our Ivy League admission consultants are here to help. Don’t hesitate to reach out.
