2013-2014  University of Pennsylvania Writing Supplement

Thanks to Penn’s Dean Furda for the best advice possible for Penn’s supplements specifically and college specific supplements in general. You need to envision your four year path…”what can you build and create” individually and collaboratively with other students, professors, community members ?  You cannot do these essays without spending significant timing not only researching what Penn has to offer but also thinking about what you and Penn can create together?

New Penn Essay

Posted on May 31, 2013 by Dean Furda

The essay question in the Penn Supplement to the Common Application will change for the upcoming admissions cycle. Applicants to the University will be asked to complete one question and, as before, bring thought, creativity, and specificity to their answer. There are a myriad of reasons to come to Penn and we are asking students to hone in on those that are most personally meaningful.

…Drumroll…

Penn Supplement Essay Prompt, 2013-2014: “The Admissions Committee would like to learn why you are a good fit for your undergraduate school choice (College of Arts and Sciences, School of Nursing, The Wharton School, or Penn Engineering). Please tell us about specific academic, service, and/or research opportunities at the University of Pennsylvania that resonate with your background, interests, and goals. 400-650 words”

U Penn

Be mindful of content already conveyed to the Admissions Committee in your application and the opportunity this question offers you to articulate specifically “Why Penn?”  For example, imagine standing at the nexus of Locust Walk and College Green and looking at the path ahead. What are the opportunities you would like to explore in this space? What do you hope to learn about and create in your undergraduate school of choice? Strive to make this piece both uniquely you and uniquely Penn.

And while this text is not binding (you are encouraged to explore, expand, and change in college), it can serve as a blueprint for the mark you make on campus. As inspiration, consider Jake Cohen C’13 who pledged to start a bagpipe band in his freshman application. Jake created Penn Pipes in his senior year and now student pipers can be found at events across campus. The Admissions Office, including Jake’s Regional Director Jordan Pascucci, is proud.

Several months ago, Patrick Bredehoft provided tips on the school-specific supplement essay. Review this piece to jumpstart your writing process. Patrick, a former English teacher and Penn Admissions Regional Director, reminds students to “be an authentic narrator” and to “give yourself time.”

Ask questions, draft, and discuss.  Our office wishes you the best of luck.

– See more at: http://page217.org/?p=806#sthash.Om8NzNts.dpuf