<p>For my common application essay, I wrote about my first experience road biking, which has become a pretty big part of my life. I noticed that on the Penn specific application, only two essays are required (the why penn and then the choice of first experience/page217/taking a risk), and on the common app, the second essay is optional. I know that schools usually prefer applicants to do the extra work, but since my common app essay fulfills one of the three options of the other essay, would it be alright if left it blank on the common app? Or should I write the essay? Or should I just do the Penn specific essay and put my essay in there? Thanks for your help.</p>
<p>And does Penn recommend their own application over the common app? Because that itself would answer my question.</p>
<p>Penn told me they dont prefer one or the other, she said that if they did, then they would simply offer the one they prefer.</p>
<p>I went ahead and did the Penn app because its nice to know that everything is being satisfied and u dont have to worry about things like u are right now. just call and ask them.</p>
<p>id go with the common app if you want that opportunity to submit an extra essay that the penn app doesn't provide. with the common app you can submit the common app essay + why penn + one of their 3 prompts (optional).</p>
<p>I did the common app... one personal statement, the page 217, and a why penn.</p>
<p>ya i did the common app too so i did all three essays</p>
<p>Will it hurt me at all if I use the common app, but do not write an additional essay? I feel like writing an additional will not really help me, as my writing is not phenomenal, but all of my teacher recommendations and school forms and whatnot are all common app, so I would not want to send the main penn part in, and then all of the extras in with the common app.</p>
<p>one big plus on penn app, you can post your picture. and I look great in my picture. hehe
i'm sure they take into account the appearance of the applicant</p>
<p>lol ^ you look great in ur pic? thats what you think...</p>
<p>only joking =)</p>