<p>Did anyone else get the email from Penn today saying that the supplementary essay will be the same for this application as it was for the last one? Getting that email kind of freaked me out because this is getting real. HS class of 2015! We're about to start applying to colleges. Sorry that this is kind of stream of consciousness, but I'm just really nervous and excited.... I just really want to go to Penn, so my essays have to be perfect. I am going to start on that essay as soon as I calm down (I don't want to be all over the place during my actual essay). Does anyone have any advice for writing these essays?</p>
<p>I was just thinking the same thing! I got the email while with a friend and it just kind of surprised me. It doesn’t feel like this should be happening yet, but I guess it is! </p>
<p>I’m so scared because this literally is my dream school! It doesn’t help that I’m getting my SAT scores on Thursday, and I’m taking two IB exams later this week. Everything college is just happening at the same time! I just want to be super successful on all of it and have the time of my life at Penn as the class of 2019, but it’s so hard to get in! I’m kind of freaking out but in a good way I guess…</p>
<p>Advice for essays…start early, giving yourself plenty of time for several drafts. Write one, leave it a couple of days, then go back to it and see how it sounds, edit…and repeat. Until you’re satisfied. Then ask your English teacher to review it, which will probably lead to a couple more drafts before its done!</p>
<p>That’s great advice about the essays from overseasmom! The essays are really a very important part of the application. It’s the one part of the application where you really do have an opportunity to show who YOU are and how you’re different from all the other students applying with similar stats and ECs. </p>
<p>Now, take a deep breath and relax. You’ve got enough time to do a great job! Take the IBs and then take the summer to work on your essays. If your SAT scores aren’t what you were hoping for - there’s still time to take them again before the deadlines. Take some time to think about your CA essay (I’m pretty sure those are staying the same as well) and your supplemental essays and then write, revise, rewrite, and revise. </p>
<p>Thank you for the advice! I was kind of freaking out last night…, but know that I am calmer, I am being a little bit more levelheaded. I’ll definitely start my essays early and will try to keep calm!</p>
<p>You’ll be fine. Take your time to find your voice and your ‘story’. There is a lot of advice out there about writing the essay. The most important thing to do is to write about something that really has meaning to you. Don’t worry about what you THINK the admissions committee wants to read - focus on what you want to tell them.</p>