Applying RD...questions about the app!

Colleges and Universities A-Z University of Pennsylvania
1

<p>Hey! I have a few questions about the application if you guys dont mind :D</p>

<p>~Basically when I have to list my activities, I filled out everything fully. Everything from my activity list shows up fine on the HTML preview. However when i go to see the PDF format preview, all the activities names are cut off!!
Which format do the admissions officers see- the PDF? Should I shorten everything so it shows up fine on the PDF?</p>

<p>~Also, I was wondering if there is any specific word limit for the Why Penn and the actual essay…My first experience essay is over 700 words! Is this too long?</p>

<p>Congrats to EDers…and Thank you everyone for your help! :D</p>

2

<p>Okay. I'm doing RD too..and here's my impression.</p>

<p>If you go into print preview, that is what the AdCom will see of your app. So if stuff is cut off...you need to shorten it</p>

<p>And the general rule for essays is one page. Make the font small, make your margins non-existant, but make those 700 words fit on one page.</p>

3

<p>You don't want the font too small or they'll have problems reading it -- especially if you don't have margins, though margins should be at least 0.5 inches, if not more.</p>

4

<p>Ok thanks.
I put my margins at 1 inch all sides, and my font was Arial size 10 - thats fine right? </p>

<p>Also...is there any way for me to send/attach a resume or activity list?
If I plan to MAIL a resume..should I say I am sending in supplementary materials??</p>

5

<p>Haha, I called about that TOO. They said its fine to mail a resume, and you dont have to put it down as supplementary. Just put it in the mail with your transcript and anything else.</p>

6

<p>magnetique, 700 words is fine. In fact, my essay 4 was 1000+ words long while my essay 5b was 1500+ words. Just try to squeeze them in and try not to go below font 9 for TIMES NEW ROMAN or it gets pretty small.
For the application, correct me if im wrong, but the admissions officers will see it in a PDF format. I found all this format conversion too troublesome so I sent the entire application as a hard copy.
And for the resume, I think it was stated not to add a resume in the application. BUT, what you can do - and this is what many of my friends do - is to give the resume to your college counsellor or teacher and ask them to send it in together with their recommendation. It'll look more professional that way.</p>

7

<p>Melt, on the international application (which I believe you did, since your location is singapore?) I was told it specifically says not to attach a resume</p>

<p>On the domestic application, however, it says attaching a resume in the mail is perfectly okay, just so long as you are sure to also fill out the 'honors and activities' section on the application as well.</p>

<p>I spoke with the admissions office on the topic also, and they said it was fine.</p>

8

<p>Thanks guys for your help!
I can't exactly give the resume to my guidance counselor, as I think she has mailed it already...so I'll just send an additional mail with my resume in it. I hope it is fine.</p>

9

<p>Magnetique, I also had the same problem with my online application. The PDF format had cut off a few things in the activity list and my courses. I contacted the technical group and they said that the Admission Committee understands that the online application isn't perfect, so they will look at both the PDF version and what you actually filled out on the online application.</p>