Writing

When you apply to Penn through the Common App, Coalition App, or Questbridge, you will submit a personal statement which is sent to most schools you apply to. You’ll also submit a few Penn-specific short answer prompts. The writing section is one place in your application where you get to decide what you tell us, so we read your words carefully. Your writing is a window into how you think, what you value, and how you see the world.

We use your personal statement to learn more about you in your own words. It is not specific to any one school. Instead, it is an opportunity to help an admissions committee better understand you.  Remember, you are the expert on your journey so far. You have the agency to choose the information you want to share. This is your story: your experiences, your ideas, your perspective.

Penn’s short answer prompts are designed to provide our committee with information we find valuable in understanding how you consider others, how you think about community, what motivates your academic aspirations, and what draws you to Penn. They allow us to get to know you in a way that we might not otherwise from other parts of the application. And they give us additional context about you as a whole person.

Be sure to read and fully answer each question. We're letting you know what’s important to us through the questions we choose!

We won’t tell you what to write, but here’s what we’re hoping to learn about you, and ways you can help us understand what makes you uniquely you.

  • We want to get to know you better, understand what you will bring to the Penn community. Stories can often be a good way to share this information!
  • What motivates you, inspires you, and how does it connect to Penn?
  • What do you hope to gain at Penn? What impact do you want to have? What do you care about? How do you like to learn?
  • Why are you interested in Penn specifically? What about Penn will make it feel like a new home to you?

Your responses don’t each need to answer all these questions, but ideally, your entire application will help us paint this picture.

What makes a good Supplemental Short Answer Question? We like to say, if someone who knows you came across your writing without your name on it, would they know you wrote it? That’s how you know your Short Answer will help us get to know you.

Pro tip? We don’t need you to summarize the rest of your application in your statement or short answers. Instead, think about what we might not get to know about you through the other parts of your application that you want us to know! This is your chance to tell your story in your own words.

You choose what to share!

2026-27 Short Answer and Essay Prompts

There are two prompts we ask every Penn applicant to complete. Additionally, there is a school-specific prompt based on the undergraduate school or dual-degree program to which you are applying. When answering these prompts, 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 short answer prompts should address your single-degree or single-school choice.  

Prompts for All Applicants 

  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!) (50-200 words)
  1. 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. (50-200 words)  

Transfer Essay 

This essay is required for all transfer applicants, in addition to the two listed above.
Please explain your reasons for transferring from your current institution and what you hope to gain by transferring to another institution. (50-400 words/up to 2,000 characters)

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.” Considering the undergraduate school you have selected for your single-degree option, please respond to your school-specific prompt below.

Applying to coordinated dual-degree or specialized programs? Please answer this question about your single-degree school choice; your interest in the coordinated dual-degree or specialized program may be addressed through the program-specific essay.

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. Why are you applying to Nursing, where do you see yourself professionally in the future, and how will you contribute to our mission of promoting equity in healthcare? (50-200 words)

To help inform your response, we encourage you to review Penn Nursing's mission and approach to equity in healthcare. Reviewing this may help you connect your own professional goals to the specific ways Penn Nursing works to advance equity in healthcare. 

The College of Arts and Sciences is designed to foster discovery and connection. Describe something you are curious about—something you'd like to learn more about or find a new approach to—and how you might pursue that curiosity in the College. (50 to 200 words)

To help inform your response, we encourage you to look at the College's curriculum and academic offerings. Reviewing the College's departments and areas of study may help you identify where your curiosity could take shape. 

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. Discuss a current issue of importance to you and how you hope a Wharton education would help you explore it. (50-200 words)

To help inform your response, we encourage you to review the foundations of a Wharton education. Reviewing this may help you see how a Wharton education could connect to the issue you choose to write about.

Penn Engineering prepares its students to become leaders in technology by combining a strong foundation in the natural sciences and mathematics with depth of study in focused disciplinary majors. Describe how you plan to pursue your engineering interests at Penn, particularly within the intended major you selected. (50-200 words)

To help inform your response, we encourage you to learn more about Penn Engineering and its mission to prepare students for global leadership in technology. Reviewing the curriculum for your intended major may help you identify specific courses, labs, or research opportunities that connect to your engineering interests. 

Coordinated Dual-Degree and Specialized Program Essay Prompts 

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

** Numbers marked with double asterisks indicate a character count that only applies to transfer students applying through Common App. 

Applicants to The Huntsman Program in International Studies and Business are required to submit three Huntsman-specific responses, in addition to the two prompts for all applicants.

  1. Applicants to the Huntsman Program in International Studies and Business must choose one of eleven target languages. Please select your target language.
     
  2. Describe your experience with the target language you selected. You may wish to share the length of time you’ve studied or used this language, how you’ve learned it, the skills you’ve acquired, and/or the skills you still wish to develop. Please also explain why you are interested in studying this language and the region(s) of the world where it is spoken. (50-200 words)
     
  3. 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 around the world. What draws you to a dual degree in international studies and business, and how would you use what you learn to address a global issue where these two domains intersect? (50-400 words)

    To help inform your response, we encourage you to review the Huntsman Program's curriculum and global focus. Reviewing this may help you connect a specific global issue to the program's approach to international studies and business. 

Applicants to The Roy and Diana Vagelos Program in Life Sciences and Management are required to submit one LSM-specific response, in addition to the two prompts for all applicants.

  1. The Vagelos Life Sciences & Management (LSM) program brings together two powerful modes of understanding—scientific inquiry and strategic thinking—to prepare students to engage thoughtfully and creatively with some of the most complex challenges of our time. What questions, problems, or opportunities would you hope to explore through LSM, and how might the integration of life sciences and management shape your approach to them? Focus on the ideas, values, or questions that draw you to this intersection, rather than how LSM might advance your career, and make sure this essay is distinct from your single-degree application. (50-400 words)

    To help inform your response, we encourage you to review the LSM curriculum. Reviewing this may help you identify specific questions or challenges at the intersection of science and management that you'd want to explore. 

Applicants to The Jerome Fisher Program in Management and Technology are required to submit two M&T-specific responses, in addition to the two prompts for all applicants.

  1. Explain how you will use the M&T program to pursue problems or opportunities that require both engineering and business perspectives. (50-400 words)

    To help inform your response, we encourage you to review the M&T program's curriculum. Reviewing this may help you identify how the program's structure supports problems that span engineering and business.
     
  2. Describe something you created, designed, improved, or built. What motivated you, and what did you learn from the process? (50-200 words)

Applicants to Nursing and Healthcare Management are required to submit one NHCM-specific response, in addition to the two prompts for all applicants.

  1. Describe your interest in nursing and health care management, and how Penn's coordinated dual-degree program in nursing and business would help you meet your goals. Please ensure that this essay is distinct from your single-degree application, if applicable. (50 to 400 words)

    To help inform your response, we encourage you to review the NHCM program's curriculum and structure. Reviewing this may help you see how the program combines nursing and business coursework to support your specific goals. 

Applicants to The Roy and Diana Vagelos Integrated Program in Energy Research are required to submit two VIPER-specific responses, in addition to the two prompts for all applicants.

  1. VIPER students pursue dual degrees in science or math and engineering. Which major combination(s) interest you most right now and why?  Your response to this prompt is not binding; students often shift majors as they learn more through the program.  See available VIPER majors on our website. (50-200 words)  
     
  2. Describe your interest in the VIPER program, including how any past experiences (academic, research, extracurricular, etc.) have shaped your interest in energy science and technology, and how you envision participation in VIPER fitting into your future goals. (50-400 words)

    To help inform your response, we encourage you to review VIPER's research and program structure. Reviewing this may help you connect your past experiences to specific opportunities within the program. 

Applicants to the BSE in Visual and Interactive Computing are required to submit one VIC-specific response, in addition to the two prompts for all applicants.

  1. Discuss how your interests align with the Visual and Interactive Computing (VIC) program at the University of Pennsylvania (400-650 words).

    We encourage you to learn more about the BSE in Visual and Interactive Computing.

A Few Writing Tips

  • Review the prompts thoroughly. Be sure you’re answering the question or prompt being asked. Topics are chosen because the Admissions Committee wants to know specific things about you. If you don’t address 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 be sure to read through your response to make sure it is relevant to the prompt.  
  • Double-check your writing. Give yourself time to revisit your response. Try to avoid rushing your writing process so you have time to revise your work and proofread before you submit.  
  • Show us why you’re applying here. Are there classes you’re eager to take? Research opportunities you’d love to pursue? A group or club you want to be a part of? This kind of specificity helps us understand what motivated you to apply to Penn and have thought about how you’d spend your time here.  

Sharing Additional Information

To be your own best advocate, you may give our Admissions Committee more context about you by sharing additional information in your college application, either through your writing or the additional information section of the application. While this is not required, it can help give admissions officers a fuller picture of who you are if you are concerned about any missing information or context. Consider the following guiding questions as you decide to share any additional information: 

  • Is there additional context about how your time is spent outside of the classroom? 
  • Do you have a long commute to school, or responsibilities within your home or community that may prevent you from engaging in certain activities? 
  • Has there been a big change in your life that has impacted your grades or participation in activities? 
  • Is there additional context about your school or high school trajectory that you want to provide?