How to use your Common App essay for Ivy League supplementals: UPenn

Home to Wharton, one of the top business schools on the planet, UPenn also offers world-class research opportunities across several industries that are deeply connected throughout the sprawling city of Philadelphia.

So how do you connect each UPenn prompt to the Common App ideation that you’ve done? Take a look below.

UPenn supplementals (2022-2023)

TOPIC	PROMPT
Write a short thank-you note to someone you have not yet thanked and would like to acknowledge. (We encourage you to share this note with that person, if possible, and reflect on the experience!) (150-200 words)	4
This is a topic that is perfectly made to complement Common App #4; if you spent an entire essay brainstorming and articulating gratitude to a person, then writing a thank-you note to that person will simply be an extension of that planning process.
How will you explore community at Penn? Consider how Penn will help shape your perspective and identity, and how your identity and perspective will help shape Penn. (150-200 words)	1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6
The main thing here is to take the brainstormed ideas that best answer this question for you and to present them with a unique explanation for Penn. Don’t send in an essay that could be sent to any other Ivy.
Considering the specific undergraduate school you have selected, describe how you intend to explore your academic and intellectual interests at the University of Pennsylvania. (150-200 words)	1, 2, 3, 6
One of the strongest ways to persuade an admissions rep that you belong in Penn is to show you’ve spent some time researching why Penn; make sure to reference specific faculty, research, facilities, or other features that were integral in your decision to apply. This logic will apply to any of the “Why us?” questions for other top schools — be aggressively specific.
PROGRAM SPECIFIC PROMPTS: In addition to mentioning your personal interests, the program specific prompts will require you to mention any significant recognitions or accomplishments you have attained in this field. The larger the recognition, the better. Packages with high probability for acceptance will include several national recognitions in one or more fields.
DMD: Digital Media Design Program - Why are you interested in the Digital Media Design (DMD) program at the University of Pennsylvania? (400-650 words/3,575 characters)	6
All students are encouraged to make a website in high school, but future majors in digital media particularly benefit here by referencing their personal website and elaborating on the significance of listed accolades, as well as the process of creating the website and having it grow.
Huntsman: The Huntsman Program in International Studies and Business - The Huntsman Program supports the development of globally-minded scholars who become engaged citizens, creative innovators, and ethical leaders in the public, private, and non-profit sectors in the United States and internationally. What draws you to a dual-degree program in business and international studies, and how would you use what you learn to make a contribution to a global issue where business and international affairs intersect? (400-650 words)	1, 4, 5, 6
Competitive essays here will demonstrate business skills and apply them to real world issues. For example, students who have patents on designs or workings apps/models used to reduce waste will have much to write about, covering aspects in the design and fabrication as well as the projected impact of the student’s goals.
LSM: The Roy and Diana Vagelos Program in Life Sciences and Management - The LSM program aims to provide students with a fundamental understanding of the life sciences and their management with an eye to identifying, advancing and implementing innovations. What issues would you want to address using the understanding gained from such a program? Note that this essay should be distinct from your single degree essay. (400-650 words)	1, 6
There are many different topics that students can discuss here, but strong essays will tie together many pieces to make a statement on the big picture. A student could talk about food scarcity in an ever-increasing population on an ever-hotter planet. A student could discuss benefits and dangers of animal testing.