Penn's subtle hint at their preferred essay choice?

Colleges & Universities A-Z University of Pennsylvania
1

<p>
[quote]
Your intellectual abilities, your sense of imagination and your creativity are important to us. If you would like to further express these qualities, you may include an optional essay on one of the following three prompts. Your essay should not exceed one page.</p>

<p>5a. You have just completed your 300-page autobiography. Please submit page 217.</p>

<p>5b. First experiences can be defining. Cite a first experience that you have had and explain its impact on you.</p>

<p>5c. Recall an occasion when you took a risk that you now know was the right thing to do.

[/quote]
</p>

<p>I can think of no option other than 5a. which allows room at all to express the highlighted qualities. What do you think?</p>

2

<p>In that case your Page 217 Autobiography would also have to be about the FUTURE, in order to express imagination.</p>

<p>But if this is true, then H-E-L-L YEAH!!! That's what I did!</p>

3

<p>A good essay should reveal these characteristics no matter what topic you choose, however I'll agree that 217 probably is the easiest way to reveal these things about you. I don't think Penn really "prefers" one essay over another, I know people there who didn't touch 217.</p>

4

<p>Yep, definitely possible to display your creativity and imagination through a past experience, although harder.</p>

5

<p>Imagination doesn't only mean to create something that never happened. It also means the ability to deal with harsh situations.</p>

6

<p>yea, and it can also apply to your writing style and diction, not just the content</p>

7

<p>imagination can also come through in the way you describe a past event.</p>

8

<p>also if they didn't want you to write about a first experience or a risk... they wouldn't ask.
I am well aware that every inch of your application says something about you but come on...</p>