UPenn Supplemental Essay Prompts 2025–2026

by Justin Neiman, Former Admissions Officer
August 2, 2025

UPenn Supplemental Essay Prompts 2025–2026

UPenn Official Supplemental Essay Prompts 2025–2026

The University of Pennsylvania has official released its Supplemental Essay Questions for the 2025-2026 application season (Class of 2030) on the Common App Platform.

UPenn Essay Prompts:

All Applicants (two required essays, 150–200 words each):

  • Write a short thank-you note to someone you have not yet thanked and would like to acknowledge.
  • How will you explore community at Penn? Consider how Penn will shape your perspective and how you’ll help shape Penn.

School-Specific Essay (150–200 words):
Choose one depending on your intended school:

  • College of Arts & Sciences: The flexible structure of The College of Arts and Sciences’ curriculum is designed to inspire exploration, foster connections, and help you create a path of study through general education courses and a major. What are you curious about and how would you take advantage of opportunities in the arts and sciences?
  • School of Engineering & Applied Science: Penn Engineering prepares its students to become leaders in technology by combining a strong foundation in the natural sciences and mathematics with depth of study in focused disciplinary majors. Please share how you plan to pursue your engineering interests at Penn, particularly within the intended major you selected.
  • Wharton School: Wharton prepares its students to make an impact by applying business methods and economic theory to real-world problems, including economic, political, and social issues. Please reflect on a current issue of importance to you and share how you hope a Wharton education would help you to explore it.
  • School of Nursing: Penn Nursing intends to meet the health needs of a global and multicultural society by preparing its students to advance science that impacts healthcare. Why have you decided to apply to Nursing? Where do you see yourself professionally in the future and how will you contribute to our mission of promoting equity in healthcare?

Specialized/Dual-Degree Programs (400–650 words):
If you're applying to programs like DMD, LSM, M&T, NETS, NHCM, or VIPER, you'll write a longer, program-specific essay (e.g., explain why you’re drawn to the program and how it fits your goals).

How to Write UPenn’s Supplemental Essays: Tips and Strategies

If you're applying to the University of Pennsylvania during the 2025–2026 admissions cycle, the supplemental essays will be one of the most important parts of your application. These questions are your chance to show UPenn who you are, what you care about, and why you belong on campus. They're intentionally designed to uncover the qualities, experiences, and perspectives the university values most.

By offering honest and meaningful responses, you'll help the admissions committee imagine what kind of classmate, community member, and contributor you'd be as part of the Class of 2030.

Build a Cohesive Story.

A strong narrative turns your application from a list of accomplishments into a memorable story about what drives you. It helps admissions officers understand not just what you’ve done, but why it matters — and where it’s all heading. Not sure what a narrative looks like?check out this blog post!

Be specific.

Don't just say you're passionate or curious about something. Show it. Use concrete examples and tell real stories—UPenn wants to understand the person behind the achievements.

Make each answer distinct.

Each question is a chance to reveal something new. Remember that your Personal Statement essay from the Common App will also be reviewed together with the UPenn supplement. Try not to repeat themes across answers.

Make sure you are answering the question.

This sounds obvious, but it’s a common pitfall. Take time to truly understand what each prompt is asking—and make sure your response clearly and directly addresses it.

Highlight positive qualities.

While it can be beneficial to discuss challenges, failures, and personal growth, be mindful of the takeaway. If your essay leaves the reader questioning your judgment, character, or integrity, it could harm your admission chances. Ensure that even when discussing setbacks, the overall message is one that casts you in a positive light.

Proofread your work.

Typos and grammatical mistakes stick out like a sore thumb and can significantly color a reader's perception. Errors suggest a lack of care and attention to detail. Take the time to triple-check your work—better yet, have someone else proofread it.

Need Help With Your UPenn Application?

Looking for additional guidance or application review support? Feel free to reach out. We’re here to support you through every step of the process!

UPenn Official Supplemental Essay Prompts 2025–2026

The University of Pennsylvania has official released its Supplemental Essay Questions for the 2025-2026 application season (Class of 2030) on the Common App Platform.

UPenn Essay Prompts:

All Applicants (two required essays, 150–200 words each):

  • Write a short thank-you note to someone you have not yet thanked and would like to acknowledge.
  • How will you explore community at Penn? Consider how Penn will shape your perspective and how you’ll help shape Penn.

School-Specific Essay (150–200 words):
Choose one depending on your intended school:

  • College of Arts & Sciences: The flexible structure of The College of Arts and Sciences’ curriculum is designed to inspire exploration, foster connections, and help you create a path of study through general education courses and a major. What are you curious about and how would you take advantage of opportunities in the arts and sciences?
  • School of Engineering & Applied Science: Penn Engineering prepares its students to become leaders in technology by combining a strong foundation in the natural sciences and mathematics with depth of study in focused disciplinary majors. Please share how you plan to pursue your engineering interests at Penn, particularly within the intended major you selected.
  • Wharton School: Wharton prepares its students to make an impact by applying business methods and economic theory to real-world problems, including economic, political, and social issues. Please reflect on a current issue of importance to you and share how you hope a Wharton education would help you to explore it.
  • School of Nursing: Penn Nursing intends to meet the health needs of a global and multicultural society by preparing its students to advance science that impacts healthcare. Why have you decided to apply to Nursing? Where do you see yourself professionally in the future and how will you contribute to our mission of promoting equity in healthcare?

Specialized/Dual-Degree Programs (400–650 words):
If you're applying to programs like DMD, LSM, M&T, NETS, NHCM, or VIPER, you'll write a longer, program-specific essay (e.g., explain why you’re drawn to the program and how it fits your goals).

How to Write UPenn’s Supplemental Essays: Tips and Strategies

If you're applying to the University of Pennsylvania during the 2025–2026 admissions cycle, the supplemental essays will be one of the most important parts of your application. These questions are your chance to show UPenn who you are, what you care about, and why you belong on campus. They're intentionally designed to uncover the qualities, experiences, and perspectives the university values most.

By offering honest and meaningful responses, you'll help the admissions committee imagine what kind of classmate, community member, and contributor you'd be as part of the Class of 2030.

Build a Cohesive Story.

A strong narrative turns your application from a list of accomplishments into a memorable story about what drives you. It helps admissions officers understand not just what you’ve done, but why it matters — and where it’s all heading. Not sure what a narrative looks like?check out this blog post!

Be specific.

Don't just say you're passionate or curious about something. Show it. Use concrete examples and tell real stories—UPenn wants to understand the person behind the achievements.

Make each answer distinct.

Each question is a chance to reveal something new. Remember that your Personal Statement essay from the Common App will also be reviewed together with the UPenn supplement. Try not to repeat themes across answers.

Make sure you are answering the question.

This sounds obvious, but it’s a common pitfall. Take time to truly understand what each prompt is asking—and make sure your response clearly and directly addresses it.

Highlight positive qualities.

While it can be beneficial to discuss challenges, failures, and personal growth, be mindful of the takeaway. If your essay leaves the reader questioning your judgment, character, or integrity, it could harm your admission chances. Ensure that even when discussing setbacks, the overall message is one that casts you in a positive light.

Proofread your work.

Typos and grammatical mistakes stick out like a sore thumb and can significantly color a reader's perception. Errors suggest a lack of care and attention to detail. Take the time to triple-check your work—better yet, have someone else proofread it.

Need Help With Your UPenn Application?

Looking for additional guidance or application review support? Feel free to reach out. We’re here to support you through every step of the process!

Man smiling wearing gray sweater with brick building and shrubbery in the background

Justin Neiman

Former Admissions Officer, Harvard University
Former Assistant Dean, Stanford University

As a College Counselor I help students navigate the college admissions process. My goal is to help students stand out and get accepted to their top-choice schools.