<p>I noticed that Penn accepts both its own app as well as the common app and the supplement. Is there a difference between using one or the other, (e.g. is using one or the other more advantageous?) or is it simply a matter of choice?</p>
<p>Penn says that they look at both equally. The common app supplement is basically the Penn app. You will have to write all the essays you would be writing for Penn anyway. Some people will say that the extra essay can help you because it gives you another opportunity to speak directly to the adcom about yourself, but I don't think one essay will make that big of a difference for 90%+ of the applicants. </p>
<p>If Penn is one of a few colleges that you are applying to that does not use the common app, it's just easier to use your personal statement for Penn (217 essay or one of those other prompts) as your common app essay. The only real advantage of doing the common app is that you don't have to rewrite all your basic info, but I mean, it only took me like 5-10 minutes per application...</p>
<p>i kind of agree with venkat, BUT- I'm aware that Penn says that they look at both applications equally, but i really think that if you are applying early decision (or even regular decision) and you wnat to show devotion to teh school, it might look SLIGHTLY better to do the Penn app. and by slight, i mean that it will have no significant effect in ur chances or anything, but its just something little that put them in a LITTLE better mood</p>
<p>A little birdie told me that they slightly prefer the common app because it makes their data mining a little easier. I'd recommend it because it is easier for you. Sounds like a win-win. But really the decision to admit does not hinge on which form you fill out - either one will do. Don't think that because you fill out the Penn app it will give you any advantage in return for the extra work - it won't.</p>
<p>Common app is extra work really. Writing an essay takes a lot more time than mindlessly filling in your social security number.</p>
<p>But you do common app once and you are done for most schools. If you apply using Penn app you will prob. have to fill out common app anyway (unless you get in ED). </p>
<p>Extra essay should be seen as a bonus - one more chance to present yourself. You're right that in most cases it won't make the difference but with a 16% overall accept rate (9% Wharton) people are seeking every little advantage that they can.</p>
<p>interestingly, I called the penn admissions office, and asked this exact question. Their response was interesting. They said that the optional essay is just that - optional...and that if you are effective in writing your common app essays and the penn supplements that should be enough, but the optional ones are there in case you feel constrained by the common app and can't express yourself properly there.</p>
<p>They also said that if you are applying to a dual degree program, then writing all the common app essays, the optional essay, and the form 1c (program essay) - makes three total, and the admissions counselor on the phone ended by saying "given time constraints we have in reading apps, that may mean that you dilute the time we spend looking at the essay they expresses your personality best"</p>
<p>So maybe common app WITHOUT optional essay is viable, in fact even preferred. The guy's tone seemed to be - you should be able to show yourself to us in CA essay, if not then go ahead and write the optional one, but really its a pain for us.</p>
<p>As for penn app showing interest - that isn't true, especially if you apply ED. ED shows interest period - because if you get in you gotta go, there is no question of whether or not you WANT to go to penn.</p>