<p>my son's first choice is Upenn. His common app essay is done and I think it really reflects his personality and approach to situations. His teacher who reviewed it thinks it needs references to literature or movies or something. What is everyone's opinion? Should it be just his "voice" /personality or does he need to show that he can equate his voice to profound pieces of literature etc. I mean how do you really include all that in 500 words without the essay feeling choppy with references just awkwardly inserted.</p>