<p>I know why I want to go to Penn (because it’s simply the best!) however, I don’t know how to write the essay without mentioning everything I’ve heard and read in info sessions and brochures. How do I write this essay creatively without sounding like a suckup/ and without good reasoning?
Please HELP</p>
<p>Same here, I thought it would be easy but once I started writing, I sounded more and more like a brochure lol. Speaking of the essay, do they want us to type our name and social security at the top of our essays? I know some schools require you do that.</p>
<p>I know this probably sounds cliche, but really put yourself on Penn's campus. Show that Penn is the only place for you, the one that will take you directly to your goals and help you achieve them. Make the essay personal, and just imagine what a day at Penn would be like for you. Talk about the little things, the professors, the view from your dorm, etc. Just remember, the beauty is in the details.</p>
<p>Hope this helps:)</p>
<p>Think what makes Penn SPECIAL. Not just a great school, but DIFFERENT from the Ivy League and similar schools.</p>
<p>Things that make Penn GREAT:</p>
<p>Diversity. great, but everyone has it.
Academic excellence. See 'diversity'</p>
<p>Things that make Penn DIFFERENT
+Interdisciplinary. 4 ugrad schools!
+Unique urban campus (Penn/Philly is a different combo than Columbia/NYC or Harvard/Boston). Urban is also different than rural schools. Why?
+School spirit. Penn has this, others don't (some do)
+again, unique campus. what makes penn's campus different? Locust Walk for starters.</p>
<p>I would suggest doing "unusual" research to authenticate your essay.</p>
<p>Personally-,
-----I've been seeking current Upenn students and asking them what makes them want to attend upenn year after year. From that information I pull a more rounded picture of the University, including its imperfections. It helps me to develop weird and unusual details from their statements, that only Upenn extremist, or the average Upenn student would know. Then I form reasons that explain why I want to attend upenn.
From there the essay starts to take on a unique and personalized shape. With a few fancy word manipulations and great imagery, the essay is complete. (+An advanced structure to show that you can write at a descent level.)</p>
<p>And it only took 2 1/2 months of research :p lol</p>
<p>-best of luck</p>
<p>Not to sound to sound skeptical robertson, but I think that may be just a teaspoon over the top. If you have visited Penn there is plenty to talk about. You have to be completely honest with yourself for a moment. Although Penn is an amazing school I'm sure not everyone is applying just because it was amazing. My sophmore year in high school I was interested in Caltech, I went to the school and absolutely hated it. I knew that the school wouldn't be the right environment for me, which is why I didn't even consider applying when I was filling out college apps. Keep that in mind when writing the essay, the essay doesn't have to focus on one thing, but Penn wants kids that are going to get involved in the activities they are offered and take advantage of all the amazing things Penn has to offer.</p>
<p>Robertson, I don't know, that just sounds like WAY TOO MUCH work for a school I probably won't get into. I don't think they expect that either.</p>
<p>yea, I know I went a little over the top...K, way over the top. </p>
<p>I don't know...I read the essay prompt and from there I wanted to see just how far I could push to make my essay standout. I know that the admission officers aren't expecting any of the applicants to do this much work, but in a way, it was enjoyable.</p>
<p>I was insecure about applying early, so searched for some "beyond the brochure" info: which really satisfied my insecurities and cleared up any misconceptions that I had prematurely drawn about the University.</p>
<p>--later </p>
<p>(oh, and there was a major typo...it took 1 1/2 months, not 2 1/2)</p>
<p>lol 1.5 months for ONE WHY THIS UNIV essay is still a lot.</p>
<p>By the way, are there examples of these essays? Particularly some for Penn? I'm struggling with this essay as well. Basically I like Penn because:</p>
<p>-social Ivy
-PLETHORA of research opportunities
-Wharton, just in case I get bored with Premed
-Pennsylvania</p>
<p>But as you can see, it's so cliched. And I don't know what else to say...</p>
<p>yo...1.5 months..my Why penn essay took me 2 hours one night?.. And the rest was just editing. Honestly, anyone can do research..but you want just give different in your essay..something from the heart, and that's MUCH easier to do. I didn't do any research btw, I just knew.</p>