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 exactly 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! 

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.  

2025-26 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!) (150-200 words, only required for first-year applicants)  

  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)   

Transfer Essay 

This essay is 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)  

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” section). 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 have you decided to apply to Nursing? Where do you see yourself professionally in the future and how will you contribute 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 with depth of study in focused disciplinary majors. Please share how you plan to pursue your engineering interests at Penn, particularly within the intended major you selected. (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 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. 

Discuss how your interests align with the Digital Media Design (DMD) program at the University of Pennsylvania? (400-650 words / 3575 characters**)

We encourage you to learn more about the DMD: Digital Media Design Program.

Applicants to the Huntsman Program must choose one of eleven target languages. Please select your target language. 

Tell us about your background and interest in the target language you selected. (50-125 words) 

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? (400-600 words)

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. Reflecting on this intersection, what questions, problems, or opportunities would you hope to explore through LSM? How might the integration of life sciences and management shape your approach to these challenges? 

Your response should go beyond how LSM might advance your career and instead focus on the ideas, values, or issues that animate your interest in the program. Please ensure that this essay is distinct from your single-degree application. (400–650 words) 

  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) 
  2. Describe a problem that you solved that showed leadership and creativity. (250 words) 

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) 

Question 1: If you were to join the Vagelos Integrated Program in Energy Research (VIPER), which science major and which engineering major are most interesting to you at this time? You can learn more about available majors on our website. 

Question 2: How do you envision your participation in 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 the VIPER majors listed above. (400-650 words)* 

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?