U Penn page 217 essay..past or present?

Applying to College Common and Coalition Application
1

<p>I am not sure how to approach the essay. The prompt is: "You have just complete you 300 page autobiography. Please submit page 217."
I wrote an essay about my sophomore/junior years, but my counselor told me that Penn wanted the essay about your future life, since page 217 would be one's 50's or 60's. I, however, think that it could be either my life up until now, or my future life. I only think that it is NOW because they say "You have JUST completed...".</p>

<p>Anyone want to share what they did or what they think?</p>

2

<p>Yeah..someone please share..</p>

3

<p>There are many other boards about this, maybe try and google?</p>

4

<p>honestly, i think there's no one way you should approach it. everyone's autobiography is going to be different. im sure if they want clarity, theyd ask for it. do what you think is right. stop frettin.</p>

5

<p>it cant be future. it makes the most sense to do up till now... like you said, it says "just completed"</p>

6

<p>Not necessarily. The prompt could be asking a question of your future self. In any case, the main common application essay should have been about your life up till the very moment you clicked Submit... why not indulge in a little stargazing and communicate your view of a possible future?</p>

7

<p>It depends on how long your autobiography is and how old you are when you write. For example, Wayne Rooney is 23 (or so) and he already has a contract for a multi-part autobiography.</p>

<p>Just write what you want. Having a unique approach isn't always a bad thing.</p>

8

<p>Write it either way. It's ambiguous on purpose.</p>

9

<p>Do you think it really is optional? Would it help out A LOT or a little or not at all (if it does not reveal anything new)?</p>

10

<p>I think it's implied to do it or you're probably not getting in.</p>

<p>You could do your reincarnated self...? lol</p>

11

<p>If I were to write it, I would write about age 60ish. I can't think of anything so I'm going to skip it. And don't worry it is optional (as indicated by the truly)</p>

12

<p>It is deliberately designed to be open for interpretation.</p>

13

<p>I always assumed they were asking where you saw yourself in the future... </p>

<p>Page 217 out of 300 in life is about when you are the most successful in society... :)</p>

14

<p>I would write it about the future.</p>