Aug 3, 2026
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by Justin Neiman, Former Ivy League Admissions Officer
Penn has officially released its 2026–2027 supplemental essay prompts for applicants to the Class of 2031. The two Penn-wide essay prompts are unchanged from the previous admissions cycle, while several of the school-specific prompts have been updated. Below you'll find the official University of Pennsylvania (UPenn) supplemental essay prompts, word limits, and guidance on how to approach each response.
The following questions are from Penn’s 2025–2026 first-year application. We will update them when the 2026–2027 prompts are released.
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!)
Word limit: 200 words
How will you explore community at Penn? Consider how Penn will help shape your perspective, and how your experiences and perspective will help shape Penn.
Word limit: 200 words
The College of Arts and Sciences is designed to foster discovery and connection. Describe something you are curious about—something you'd like to learn more about or find a new approach to—and how you might pursue that curiosity in the College. (Up to 200 words)
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. Explain a current issue of importance to you and how you hope a Wharton education would help you explore it. (Up to 200 words)
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. Describe how you plan to pursue your engineering interests at Penn, particularly within the intended major you selected. (Up to 200 words)
Penn Nursing intends to meet the health needs of society in a global and multicultural world by preparing its students to impact healthcare by advancing science. Why are you applying to Nursing, where do you see yourself professionally in the future, and how will you contribute to our mission of promoting equity in healthcare? (Up to 200 words)
Describe your experience with the target language you selected. You may wish to share the length of time you've studied or used this language, how you've learned it, the skills you've acquired, and/or the skills you still wish to develop. Please also explain why you are interested in studying this language and the region(s) of the world where it is spoken.
Word limit: Up to 200 words
The Vagelos Life Sciences & Management (LSM) program brings together two powerful modes of understanding—scientific inquiry and strategic thinking—to prepare students to engage thoughtfully and creatively with some of the most complex challenges of our time. What questions, problems, or opportunities would you hope to explore through LSM, and how might the integration of life sciences and management shape your approach to them? Focus on the ideas, values, or questions that draw you to this intersection, rather than how LSM might advance your career, and make sure this essay is distinct from your single-degree application.
Word limit: Up to 400 words
Essay 1
Explain how you will use the M&T program to pursue problems or opportunities that require both engineering and business perspectives.
Word limit: Up to 400 words
Essay 2
Describe something you created, designed, improved, or built. What motivated you, and what did you learn from the process?
Word limit: Up to 200 words
Describe your interest in nursing and health care management, and how Penn's coordinated dual-degree program in nursing and business would help you meet your goals. Please ensure that this essay is distinct from your single-degree application, if applicable.
Word limit: Up to 400 words
Essay 1
VIPER students pursue dual degrees in science or math and engineering. Which major combination(s) interest you most right now and why?
Word limit: Up to 200 words
Essay 2
Describe your interest in the VIPER program, including how any past experiences (academic, research, extracurricular, etc.) have shaped your interest in energy science and technology, and how you envision participation in VIPER fitting into your future goals.
Word limit: Up to 400 words
Describe how your academic interests align with the Visual and Interactive Computing (VIC) program at the University of Pennsylvania.
Word limit: Up to 400 words
Penn’s short responses are designed to reveal how you consider others, participate in community, and pursue your academic interests.
Use concrete experiences and details. Generic praise of Penn will not help the admissions committee understand you.
Treat each response as an opportunity to reveal something new rather than repeating your personal statement or activities list.
The community essay asks both how Penn will shape you and how you will shape Penn. The school-specific response asks why your chosen undergraduate school fits your interests.
Specific references can strengthen your response, but they should connect naturally to your goals rather than read like a list.
Penn values students who are intellectually curious, collaborative, and eager to engage with the broader university community. Throughout your essays, demonstrate not only why Penn is a good fit for you, but also how you will contribute to the campus through your interests, experiences, and perspective.
Your essays should contribute to a clear understanding of what drives you. Read our application narrative guide.
Short essays require precise language. Review every sentence for clarity and unnecessary repetition.
Penn’s supplemental essays may be short, but they provide an important opportunity to show gratitude, intellectual direction, and a genuine interest in community. Strong responses are specific, reflective, and complementary.
Selective Admissions provides personalized admissions strategy, narrative development, and essay support for students applying to Penn and other highly selective universities.
Contact Selective Admissions to learn more.
Penn has officially released its 2026–2027 supplemental essay prompts for applicants to the Class of 2031. The two Penn-wide essay prompts are unchanged from the previous admissions cycle, while several of the school-specific prompts have been updated. Below you'll find the official University of Pennsylvania (UPenn) supplemental essay prompts, word limits, and guidance on how to approach each response.
The following questions are from Penn’s 2025–2026 first-year application. We will update them when the 2026–2027 prompts are released.
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!)
Word limit: 200 words
How will you explore community at Penn? Consider how Penn will help shape your perspective, and how your experiences and perspective will help shape Penn.
Word limit: 200 words
The College of Arts and Sciences is designed to foster discovery and connection. Describe something you are curious about—something you'd like to learn more about or find a new approach to—and how you might pursue that curiosity in the College. (Up to 200 words)
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. Explain a current issue of importance to you and how you hope a Wharton education would help you explore it. (Up to 200 words)
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. Describe how you plan to pursue your engineering interests at Penn, particularly within the intended major you selected. (Up to 200 words)
Penn Nursing intends to meet the health needs of society in a global and multicultural world by preparing its students to impact healthcare by advancing science. Why are you applying to Nursing, where do you see yourself professionally in the future, and how will you contribute to our mission of promoting equity in healthcare? (Up to 200 words)
Describe your experience with the target language you selected. You may wish to share the length of time you've studied or used this language, how you've learned it, the skills you've acquired, and/or the skills you still wish to develop. Please also explain why you are interested in studying this language and the region(s) of the world where it is spoken.
Word limit: Up to 200 words
The Vagelos Life Sciences & Management (LSM) program brings together two powerful modes of understanding—scientific inquiry and strategic thinking—to prepare students to engage thoughtfully and creatively with some of the most complex challenges of our time. What questions, problems, or opportunities would you hope to explore through LSM, and how might the integration of life sciences and management shape your approach to them? Focus on the ideas, values, or questions that draw you to this intersection, rather than how LSM might advance your career, and make sure this essay is distinct from your single-degree application.
Word limit: Up to 400 words
Essay 1
Explain how you will use the M&T program to pursue problems or opportunities that require both engineering and business perspectives.
Word limit: Up to 400 words
Essay 2
Describe something you created, designed, improved, or built. What motivated you, and what did you learn from the process?
Word limit: Up to 200 words
Describe your interest in nursing and health care management, and how Penn's coordinated dual-degree program in nursing and business would help you meet your goals. Please ensure that this essay is distinct from your single-degree application, if applicable.
Word limit: Up to 400 words
Essay 1
VIPER students pursue dual degrees in science or math and engineering. Which major combination(s) interest you most right now and why?
Word limit: Up to 200 words
Essay 2
Describe your interest in the VIPER program, including how any past experiences (academic, research, extracurricular, etc.) have shaped your interest in energy science and technology, and how you envision participation in VIPER fitting into your future goals.
Word limit: Up to 400 words
Describe how your academic interests align with the Visual and Interactive Computing (VIC) program at the University of Pennsylvania.
Word limit: Up to 400 words
Penn’s short responses are designed to reveal how you consider others, participate in community, and pursue your academic interests.
Use concrete experiences and details. Generic praise of Penn will not help the admissions committee understand you.
Treat each response as an opportunity to reveal something new rather than repeating your personal statement or activities list.
The community essay asks both how Penn will shape you and how you will shape Penn. The school-specific response asks why your chosen undergraduate school fits your interests.
Specific references can strengthen your response, but they should connect naturally to your goals rather than read like a list.
Penn values students who are intellectually curious, collaborative, and eager to engage with the broader university community. Throughout your essays, demonstrate not only why Penn is a good fit for you, but also how you will contribute to the campus through your interests, experiences, and perspective.
Your essays should contribute to a clear understanding of what drives you. Read our application narrative guide.
Short essays require precise language. Review every sentence for clarity and unnecessary repetition.
Penn’s supplemental essays may be short, but they provide an important opportunity to show gratitude, intellectual direction, and a genuine interest in community. Strong responses are specific, reflective, and complementary.
Selective Admissions provides personalized admissions strategy, narrative development, and essay support for students applying to Penn and other highly selective universities.
Contact Selective Admissions to learn more.
Former Admissions Officer, Harvard University
Former Assistant Dean, Stanford University
I’m a college admissions counselor and the founder of Selective Admissions. I help students navigate the college application process and position themselves as competitive applicants to top universities.
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