How will you explore your intellectual and academic interests at the University of Pennsylvania? Please answer this question given the specific undergraduate school to which you are applying. (400-650 words)
I know why I want to study my chosen major (math), but there is no particular reason why I would like to go to UPenn, other than the fact that it has a top math program. According to sources online, I am supposed to convince the reader why Penn is the “only” school for me, which to me sounds ridiculous, because its not even my top choice. Why should it be the “only” school for anyone - math is the same at any of the top universities (and UPenn is not even the best, comapred to Princeton or MIT, etc)?
Am I really supposed to be an a$$ licker and tell the admissions comittee why their school is so great, when they already know why? Do I actually have to dig through their website and find specific facts, like the names of professors who I would like to work with, or special programs I would like to do? And why should I know any of that before going to the school? All I want to do is take math classes, I can do that anywhere really, but its nice to be surrounded by smart people.
Basically I can’t think of anything that UPenn college of arts and sciences math program offers that any other top university does not.
Long: Although you’re only applying to Penn as one of many other colleges, Penn still wants to know why their college is a fit for you. They want students who are willing to come to the university and take advantage of all resources that the college has to offer. One thing to mention (very important) is their interdisciplinary program. Penn just loves to hear about it. Listing the professors is somewhat of an overkill, but do talk about the programs they have to offer and the clubs/programs they offer that you are willing to use to your “intellectual” benefit.
You’re not trying to flatter the school; you’re trying to explain why they should accept you, and why you find their school so attractive. Of course Penn offers similar programs to other major university -> Penn is an world-class research university too + an Ivy League. But if that’s all you found, you haven’t done enough research into the school. See what well known graduates have done with a Penn education and what paths they took. Look for blogs or articles done by current Penn students.
@alwadiya Obviously Penn isn’t a good fit for you if this is how you feel. Take my advice and go to those other schools you speak of, as there are plenty of kids that would spend days scouring every corner of Penn’s website filling pages of Why Penn specifically. Save the application fee.
If you do decide to apply anyway, chances are your lack of passion for the school will reflect in your essay. Ask yourself if you want to go to Penn for something more than just its name/reputation.
If you haven’t seen it already, the link below is extremely helpful for writing the supplement. It’s from the blog of the Dean of Penn Admissions. Don’t let it drive you crazy like it did me, just take a few principles from it (it’s impossible to incorporate everything it says). http://page217.org/?p=1652
My lack of passion for the school should not be a factor in whether or not I get admitted. I don’t see how they’re remotely related.
There are only two other schools which I think are truly special. You suggest I only apply there???
My point remains: UPenn is nothing special among the top 15 universities of the country, but if I got in there and not into the other places, I would totally go. I can’t think of one thing that makes studying math at UPenn unique? Ideas?
It sounds like you really just need to do more research on Penn. Below are some ideas to get the gears turning from the blog I posted above.
"Write with a degree of specificity. Tell us the major or majors you wish to pursue. Let us know which classes and labs support your academic interest(s). If there are professors you hope to work with, tell us why. This is a space to focus on specific connections between your mind and Penn’s intellectual offerings.
Get excited about academic possibilities (there are many at Penn) and map out potential courses you might take given your current intellectual interests.
Connect newfound interests to opportunities at Penn.
In your writing, convey your enthusiasm for Penn’s community of thinkers. As we read your essays, we share your excitement for the resources, libraries, classes and, most importantly, people on campus."
@alwadiya You act like Penn deserves to have you. Get off your high horse and do more research. Either way, your lack of interest is going to show up in the interview too.
@alwadiya If an admissions rep read your posts you would NOT be admitted to Penn. (BTW Adm read CC too…you have been warned) your arrogance isn’t respected here …
You obviously don’t want to attend Penn - from previous posts are afraid of the work involved in humanities and gen ed courses of which Penn is famous for their interdisciplinary approach so spare us the drama and don’t apply … seek out a school of which you truly feel a fit. There are plenty of engineering math and technical schools out there that would be much better suited to your needs IMO.
Of course interest in a school especially as prestigious as an Ivy League is crucial in the admissions process. It only makes sense when they have such low acceptance rates and have many competitive applicants to choose from.
Like previous individuals said if you seem to detest writing such a supplement for Penn that in itself answers your question of why the essay exists: to gauge your interest/fit with Penn in comparison to all the other applicants who are just as qualified/ if not more than you.
But there are only 2 schools in the entire world that I am especially interested in going to. What you people seem to suggest is that I don’t deserve to go to any of the other elite universities because I’m not over the moon about them.
@runswimyoga: “There are plenty of engineering math and technical schools out there that would be much better suited to your needs IMO.”
@alwadiya You’re way too obnoxious to realize that you haven’t even been guaranteed acceptance. If I were an admissions officer, I would reject your stuck-up character who thinks he is entitled to every elite university. If you have no reason to go to Penn, don’t bother applying. It’s your own application, not ours. We helped you as best as we could.
You act extremely obnoxious and entitled throughout your posts. The worse part is that it sounds like you believe what you’re saying doesn’t make you come across as a jerk.
“My lack of passion for the school should not be a factor in whether or not I get admitted. I don’t see how they’re remotely related.”
Are you joking? Yes, obviously when kids apply to fifteen schools they might not love them all equally. But they still feel something towards each school they apply to, and they can reflect this feeling in their supplements. Plus, if you don’t even have enough decency to make an effort to scroll through the website or come up with something worthwhile. Not saying that everybody who gets into Penn is passionate about it, but there’s definitely a correlation.
Whatever. Sounds like you just came on this forum to sound like you’re above Penn, and I really don’t know what you expected to get from this post. If your essay is even a tad bit as obnoxious as your comments above Penn, I wouldn’t worry about acceptance.
@alwadiya Maybe you do not intent to come off as obnxious or think you are better than Penn, but what it comes down is not whether you are qualified to handle the rigors of an elite institution or deserve to attend to it. Writing such essays shows interest of course to the college, but more so it shows a fit with the college. If your aspirations in life do not even remotely fit with what UPenn offers to the point that you are struggling to write such an essay, then you obviously do not fit well with the university and can not contribute to it. Two things every one knows about elite universities these days is that a) grades/test scores only get your foot in the door and b) such universities really look to see whether you can contribute to their school (which they figure out through your fit with them via the essays).
Why Penn essay is not designed for showing how great they are. I am sure adcom does not want to hear why Penn is great from you. They want to know who you are through your essay. So just be yourself as @Falcon1 said.
@Computerage: I’m really taken aback when you say I’m acting obnoxiously. I haven’t expressed any dislike of Penn. Why would you think that I beleive I’m “above Penn”? I said it was nothing special among the elite universities, which is a fact. It is not ranked #1 or #2 in math/science. It does not have the same reputation as some other schools.
There’s no need to get butthurt if I didn’t express overflowing enthusiam for your school. And yes, applying to 10+ schools where each one asks you why you want to go there, is ridiculous. Perhaps we can be like the British or the French and just accept people based on qualifications, and not their desire to go to the school.