<p>Common app writing samples - personal essay, short response (150 word limit), what you like to do for fun (1000 character limit), Penn professor (1000 character limit), Why Penn essay, optional essay (autobiography, first experience, taking risk)</p>
<p>Penn app writing samples - what you do for fun (300 character limit), Penn professor (300 character limit), Why Penn essay, other essay (autobiography, first experience, taking risk)</p>
<p>Are those the writing samples we must submit for each application? Also, is there any preference for any of the apps? I remember my regional admissions rep saying that he thought the common app showed more about the applicants.</p>
<p>Officially there is (and should be) no preference between Common App and Penn app. What your regional admissions rep said is his personal opinion--nothing more, nothing less.</p>
<p>I suppose if you think your 150-word short response is particularly strong then go with the common app but it's not going to make a big difference. Also, the common app includes an Additional Information box for further clarification, which I liked a lot.</p>
<p>It doesn't matter. Pick the one that you are the most comfortable. Theoretically, though, the CommonApp would show more about the applicants because you have six writing samples to express yourself with, two more than the with the Penn application. It would also show that you spent more time on your application. Remember, don't let that get to you. Quality over quantity, always. If you can write six quality pieces, then go with the CommonApp.</p>