Essay Question

Colleges and Universities A-Z University of Pennsylvania
1

<p>Hey,
I have a quick question. UPenn's essay question is something along the lines of "which academic and social communities at UPenn attract you the most".
For some reason, I'm having a little bit of trouble understanding this prompt and writing the essay. Is it basically just a "Why UPenn?" essay? Or is it asking something completely different?</p>

<p>Thanks, in advance.</p>

2

<p>I think it is. I know how to write the "how to contriubte to the social communities’ part. But how in the world do you contribute to the academic communities? Are you suppose to just talk about how to utilise Penn’s academic resources?</p>

3

<p>I’m pretty sure there’s no “right way” to answer the question. Someone said they called the admissions officer and they just said “interpret it the way you want to” or something along the lines of that.</p>

<p>So i think the point is, as long as you can back up what you state, then you can interpret it the way you want…there’s no “specific” route/angle you need to take.</p>

<p>Does that make sense?</p>

4

<p>yeah, kind of. thanks shuaishu & miroku.
so…i really need to rewrite this thing now.</p>

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5

<p>^haha don’t worry, i went through SEVERAL drafts before i was happy with my own work. You just gotta keep looking at it every day, if you get stuck, put it aside, look at something else, and then come back to it. Taking a day off and coming back to it in the morning is nice too because you get a fresh new look on the essay.</p>

6

<p>I would just interpret it as you wish. Show why you want to be at Penn and why Penn should want you. Paint a picture of your presence on campus. I think if you can do this… your essay has been successful.</p>

<p>hmmmm… this thread has me thinking about the essay I sent in ED. I still wasn’t happy with it when I hit submit. :frowning: </p>

<p>I think my common app and pg. 217 were far better essays.</p>

7

<p>hopefulunderdog, im sure you did just great. if you wrote the common app and p. 217 essays well, im sure it will show through.
sorry this thread is bummin’ you out…=P
& thanks guys.</p>