<p>Hi, i have some questions about ED to Upenn
1. There is a supplement essay about p.217 of a 300 page biography- The form says that it is truly optional, but would it affect my chances a great deal by writing it?
2. Name a Penn professor with whom you would like to study under- how would I do this if I don't know any professors at Upenn? Sure I've visited the campus, but I was never told specifically about a professor.
3. How long should the supplement essays (Why penn, Penn professors, p.217 of biography) be?
4. I know Upenn is easier to get into than HYP, but how do Wharton compare with HYP?
Thanks, help would be greatly appreciated</p>
<ol>
<li> From what I hear it wouldn’t affect your chances. They put truly there so there wouldn’t be questions about it. Think about it… everyone applying to such a top-notch school would think “is this really optional? maybe its just a test to see if I would do it…they won’t accept me unless I do it.” It’s just to get a better idea of your personality and such. I’m not doing it personally.</li>
<li> Check the website. Little descriptions of every professor. Also, once I found some professors that interested me I googled their names (most of them have done significant work other than teaching).</li>
<li> There is usually a limit on there. The Penn professors has a limit of approximately 150 words (the common app says). The Why Penn and p. 217 should probably be ~500 words.</li>
<li> I believe wharton is pretty much as hard to get into as HYP…</li>
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<p>thanks. right now I’m researching Upenn professors to see if any of them has written text books that I’ve used- which would help a lot. And I was thinking exactly as you said about the inserted “truly”- that it’s a test to see if I would do it..</p>
<ol>
<li><p>If you want to stack the deck in your favor, write the essay and write it well. Seriously, you are applying to an Ivy and are asking if you should do the optional essay. Tsk tsk.</p></li>
<li><p>Ditto what was said.</p></li>
<li><p>Follow the limits and do not go more than 10% above or below the length.</p></li>
<li><p>Ditto.</p></li>
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