UPenn Supplemental Essays 2024-2025: Writing Tips + Examples

The University of Pennsylvania (UPenn) requires students to submit three supplemental essays, but those applying to the Jerome Fisher Program in Management and Technology will need to write four. These essays will boost your application—which you might need, especially since UPenn only has an acceptance rate of 5.4% for the Class of 2028.

In today’s blog, we’ll give brainstorming ideas, essay structure tips, and examples for each of UPenn’s prompts to help you craft your own supplemental essays.

• UPenn Supplemental Essay Prompts
• How to Write the UPenn Supplemental Essay #1
• How to Write the UPenn Supplemental Essay #2
• How to Write the UPenn Supplemental Essay (School of Nursing)
• How to Write the UPenn Supplemental Essay (College of Arts and Sciences)
• How to Write the UPenn Supplemental Essay (The Wharton School)
• How to Write the UPenn Supplemental Essay (The School of Engineering and Applied Science)
• How to Write the UPenn Supplemental Essay (Digital Media Design Program)
• How to Write the UPenn Supplemental Essay (The Huntsman Program in International Studies and Business)
• How to Write the UPenn Supplemental Essay (The Roy and Diana Vagelos Program in Life Sciences and Management)
• How to Write the UPenn Supplemental Essays (The Jerome Fisher Program in Management and Technology)
• How to Write the UPenn Supplemental Essay (Nursing and Healthcare Management)
• How to Write the UPenn Supplemental Essay (The Roy and Diana Vagelos Integrated Program in Energy Research)
• Mistakes to Avoid When Writing UPenn Supplemental Essays
• Frequently Asked Questions
• Takeaways

UPenn Supplemental Essay Prompts

UPenn accepts applications through the Common App or Coalition. But aside from the personal statement, you’ll also need to answer UPenn-specific questions. There are two types of prompts: general and school-specific.

General prompts

These general prompts should be answered by all applicants:

• 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)
• 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. (150-200 words)

School-specific prompts

For your last supplemental essay, you’ll need to answer the prompt from the college/school you’re applying to:

• School of Nursing. Penn Nursing intends to meet the health needs of a global, multicultural world by preparing its students to impact healthcare through advancing science. How will you contribute to our mission of promoting equity in healthcare and how will Penn Nursing contribute to your future nursing goals? (150-200 words)
• College of Arts and 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? (150-200 words)
• The 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.  (150-200 words)
• The School of Engineering and 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. (150-200 words)
• Digital Media Design Program. Discuss how your interests align with the Digital Media Design (DMD) program at the University of Pennsylvania? (400-650 words)
• 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 contribute to a global issue where business and international affairs intersect? (400-650 words)
• 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)
• The Jerome Fisher Program in Management and Technology.
  • Explain how you will use the M&T program to explore your interest in business, engineering, and the intersection of the two. (400-650 words)
  • Describe a problem that you solved that showed leadership and creativity. (250 words)
• Nursing and Healthcare Management. Discuss your interest in nursing and health care management. How might Penn’s coordinated dual-degree program in nursing and business help you meet your goals? (400-650 words)
• The Roy and Diana Vagelos Integrated Program in Energy Research. How do you envision your participation in the Vagelos Integrated Program in Energy Research (VIPER) furthering your interests in energy science and technology? Please include any past experiences (ex. academic, research, or extracurricular) that have led to your interest in the program. Additionally, please indicate why you are interested in pursuing dual degrees in science and engineering and which VIPER majors are most interesting to you at this time. (400-650 words)

It might feel nerve-wracking to answer very specific prompts. However, these are for UPenn to know that you really understand what you’re applying for and that you have a working plan to achieve your goals. We’ll go through each of the prompts below to show you how to write UPenn supplemental essays.

How to Write the UPenn Supplemental Essay #1

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!)

Word count: 150 to 200 words

For this prompt, UPenn wants to see your capacity for gratitude and your ability to reflect on meaningful relationships. This can give insights into your values, your awareness of others, and your ability to appreciate the impact of people on your life.

Brainstorming ideas

If you’re not sure how to start writing your thank you letter, here are some ideas to help you out:

• Identify the person. Think of someone from your past or someone you have recently interacted with. Try to go beyond your immediate family. What about a teacher who sparked your passion? Or a friend who provided unwavering support?
• Specify the action. Don’t just say “thank you.” Why are you thanking them? What exactly did they do that made a difference? Maybe your friend spent extra time explaining a complex math concept. Maybe a competitor encouraged and cheered for you while you were struggling with stage fright.
• Think of the impact. How did their actions change you? What did you learn? How has their influence continued to shape you? For example, maybe you learned to handle adversity with grace.

Essay structure tips

When you’ve chosen who to write a letter to, here’s how you can write down what you want to say to them:

• State your purpose. Address the person and say why you’re writing. In this case, you thank them for something they did.
• Mention the memory. Describe the specific action and its impact on you. Give a detailed description of the event.
• Reinforce your gratitude. Reinforce your gratitude and express your continued appreciation. You can also include a short statement about the lasting impact.

Let’s say you’re thanking a volunteer mentor at a local community center for helping you with college application essays (like this one). Your response can look like this:

I just wanted to take a moment to thank you for all the time and effort you put into helping me with my college essays. I honestly don’t know how I would’ve made it through without your guidance.

I’ll never forget that afternoon in the community center when I came in with my essay on The Great Gatsby, convinced it was my best work. You read it, smiled, and then asked, “But where are you in this?” I froze. No one had ever asked me that before. You didn’t let me off easy, either—you kept pushing, asking about my late-night runs to the corner store with my grandfather, my makeshift science experiments in the kitchen, my love for fixing broken things. By the end of that session, I had scrapped the Gatsby essay and started something real—my story, in my voice.

Thank you for that. For your patience, your honesty, and for seeing something in me when I couldn’t. No matter where I end up, I’ll always remember that moment—and I’ll always be grateful to you for helping me find my voice.

This response is strong because it is specific, personal, and emotionally resonant. Instead of a generic thank-you, it recalls a vivid moment—the shift from writing about The Great Gatsby to uncovering a personal story—showing the mentor’s direct impact. The gratitude feels genuine and emphasizes how this experience shaped the writer’s confidence and self-expression.

Supplemental essay example

Dear Mr. Jackson,

I was just another sophomore tucked in the back row of your public speaking workshop. I barely said ten words that day, but something you said has stuck with me since: “The quietest people often have the most important things to say. They’re just waiting for the right moment to say them.”

At the time, I wasn’t sure if you meant it as encouragement or just a general observation. Either way, I carried those words out of the classroom like a secret message written just for me. I’ve always been more observer than orator, and I used to think that made me less—less compelling, less confident, less seen. But you made me feel like it wasn’t a flaw, just a different kind of strength.

Since then, I’ve started volunteering to speak up more at school, in community meetings, even at family gatherings. I’m admittedly still quiet, but now I speak when it matters. And I’m not afraid to take up a little space anymore.

So, thank you so much for your words, and for the way you saw someone like me and said exactly what I needed to hear. That moment mattered more than you’ll ever know.

How to Write the UPenn Supplemental Essay #2

Prompt: 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 count: 150 to 200 words

In this UPenn community prompt, you should show that you’d like to actively participate in and contribute to the UPenn community. Admissions officers want to see how your unique experiences and perspective will enrich the community, and how you envision UPenn shaping your perspective and personal growth as well.

Brainstorming ideas

To help you think of how you and the UPenn community can have a mutually beneficial relationship, here are some ideas:

• Research UPenn’s community. Explore student organizations, clubs, and cultural centers. Look into academic departments and research opportunities. You can also look into the house system, and how that creates smaller communities within the larger university. Are you interested in conducting research with the Center for Neuroscience & Society or the Penn Biotech Group?
• Reflect on your background. What are you passionate about? What communities do you currently belong to? What experiences have shaped your worldview? What skills and talents do you bring to the table? What are your values? Are you part of a high school band, and would you like to continue performing music at UPenn?
• Think about give and take. How will you contribute to the UPenn community? How will the community contribute to your growth? For example, joining the Climbing Club can let you improve your skills in rock climbing while also mentoring future underclassmen. You also get to go on adventures with like-minded people.

Essay structure tips

When you’ve picked out communities you’d like to join and contribute through, here’s how you can talk about it:

• Show general enthusiasm. Briefly share your excitement about joining the Penn community. Highlight a general aspect of Penn’s community that resonates with you. For example, you can start your essay by saying that Penn’s dedication to civic engagement and social justice resonates deeply with your own values.
• Talk about specific communities. Discuss specific clubs, organizations, academic programs, or other communities you plan to engage with. Explain how these communities align with your interests. In our example, you can say you’re especially drawn to the Netter Center for Community Partnerships, where you can engage in community service projects, and Penn Political Union, which will let you experience respectful dialogue on pressing social issues. Go more in-depth on what excites you about these communities.
• Share your contributions. Explain how you plan to contribute to those specific communities with the help of your unique skills, experiences, and perspectives. Maybe you have experience in organizing community service projects, which can help you contribute to initiatives that empower marginalized communities. Maybe you also have a background in public speaking and advocacy, which will allow you to contribute to meaningful discussions and raise awareness on important social issues.
• Express your commitment. Express your commitment to contributing to and learning from the community. For example: “I am excited to join the Penn community, where I can contribute to its commitment to social justice and learn from the diverse perspectives of my peers.”

In the end, a great response shows both your excitement for Penn and how you’ll add to its community. If you can connect your passions to specific opportunities and show that you’re ready to grow and contribute, your essay will feel genuine and make it clear why Penn is the perfect place for you.

Supplemental essay example

At the community garden behind our library, I was known as the Compost Kid. Every Saturday, I’d bike over with a wagon full of food scraps and coffee grounds, ready to turn waste into something alive. The garden consisted of rows of kale and tomatoes, but behind that was also neighbors swapping recipes, kids learning to dig, and strangers becoming collaborators. I learned that community is built with steady, muddy hands and a willingness to show up rather than one-time grand gestures.

I want to keep showing up the same way at Penn.

I plan to join the Penn Sustainability Initiative and the Student Garden Club to further connect with others who believe small, collective action can shift systems. I’m excited by the SNF Paideia Program’s focus on dialogue across disciplines, making it feel like a fertile ground for honest, hands-in-the-dirt conversations about how we live and what we owe each other.

My perspective is rooted in doing quiet work that makes loud change. At Penn, I’ll bring that same spirit: start local, stay curious, and cultivate communities where everyone feels ownership. I’ll help grow something lasting, one garden bed, one conversation, one idea at a time.

How to Write the UPenn Supplemental Essay (School of Nursing)

Prompt: Penn Nursing intends to meet the health needs of a global, multicultural world by preparing its students to impact healthcare through advancing science. How will you contribute to our mission of promoting equity in healthcare and how will Penn Nursing contribute to your future nursing goals?

Word count: 150 to 200 words

For this prompt, UPenn wants to see if you understand its commitment to global health equity and advancing science and that you know how your goals and values align with the program’s focus. They’re also looking for concrete examples of how you’ll contribute and how Penn Nursing will help you.

Brainstorming ideas

To help you think about how your interests and goals fit in with the program’s mission, here are some ideas:

• Reflect on your skills and experiences. What skills or experiences do you have that relate to health equity or advancing science? Have you volunteered, worked in healthcare, or participated in research? Did you win the USA Biology Olympiad or participate in the Arthritis Foundation Summer Science Internship Program?
• Think of your goals. Think about disparities related to race, ethnicity, socioeconomic status, geography, or access to care. Consider specific populations you’re passionate about serving. Do you particularly want to work in women’s health, geriatrics, or special needs?
• Connect your goals to Penn Nursing’s resources. How will Penn Nursing’s curriculum, faculty, research opportunities, or clinical experiences help you achieve your goals?

Essay structure tips

When you’ve reflected on why UPenn is the School of Nursing for you, here’s how you can write about it:

• Express your passion for nursing. Show your passion for nursing and health equity. You can quickly mention a specific aspect of Penn Nursing that resonates with you.
• Discuss your goals. Discuss how your skills and knowledge can contribute to promoting equity in healthcare. Mention specific populations you want to serve.
• Explain how UPenn can help you. Mention specific resources and explain how they will help you achieve your aspirations.

Let’s say you want to focus on the growing mental health crisis, particularly among marginalized youth. Introduce this passion and say how Penn Nursing’s emphasis on community health and advocacy aligns with your goal of promoting mental health equity. Talk about your goals and any experiences that have led you to that. For example:

• “I intend to contribute to mental health equity by focusing on community outreach and early intervention programs. Having volunteered at a youth crisis hotline, I’ve seen the urgent need for accessible mental health services. I aim to use my communication skills and empathy to create safe spaces for vulnerable youth. I want to help to reduce the stigma surrounding mental health.”

What is Penn Nursing’s contribution to your goals? Maybe clinical rotations in community health settings will allow you to gain practical experience in delivering mental health services. You’ll also learn to use research-backed methods of mental health care. Joining Active Minds at UPenn can also further help you learn more about mental health and advocate for it outside of your academics.

End your essay with a restatement of how your commitment and Penn Nursing’s mission align.

Supplemental essay example

The first time I cleaned Mr. Delaney’s hearing aids, he was surprised. “You don’t have to do that,” he muttered. I smiled and kept working, gently adjusting the volume settings. He didn’t say much after that—until the next day, when he asked if I could sit with him during lunch.

Volunteering at the long-term care home taught me how often older adults are overlooked medically and emotionally. I saw how small acts of care could restore dignity. The blend of science, skill, and human connection made me fall in love with nursing. 

At Penn Nursing, I want to explore how research can transform that kind of one-on-one care into systems-level change. I hope to work with the Palliative and Advanced Illness Research Center to study ways to improve the quality of life for patients with serious illnesses. I’d also like to join the Community Champions Program to engage directly with West Philadelphia residents and learn how to better meet people where they are.

At Penn, I’ll be part of a community that challenges and supports me as I bring a commitment to elder care reform, from redesigning patient education materials to advocating for nurse-led initiatives in senior housing.

How to Write the UPenn Supplemental Essay (College of Arts and Sciences)

Prompt: 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?

Word count: 150 to 200 words

For this prompt, you should show a genuine passion for learning and exploration. You should also have a working idea of how you envision shaping your academic path. The college also wants to see that you understand the flexibility and breadth of the CAS program and how you’ll take advantage of opportunities.

Brainstorming ideas

To help you envision how you can shape your academic path, here are some tips to get you started:

• Identify your curiosities. What subjects are you most passionate about? What questions do you want to explore? What problems do you want to solve? Are you curious about urban inequality and what complex factors contribute to related issues?
• Explore interdisciplinary connections. How do your interests intersect with different fields of study? Can you combine a science with a humanities subject? Or maybe you can consider how social issues relate to various disciplines. You can combine sociology, urban studies, and political science to also learn how to create and implement real-world solutions to urban inequality.
• Research Penn CAS opportunities. Explore specific departments, programs, and research centers, including interdisciplinary programs and minors. Consider study abroad opportunities and special programs too. Do you want to engage with the Center for Neuroscience & Society? Do you want to combine scientific inquiry with philosophical exploration by also taking philosophy classes?

Essay structure tips

When you have some idea about the academic path you’re interested in taking, here’s how you can talk about it:

• Show your intellectual curiosity. Express your intellectual curiosity and excitement about the CAS curriculum. Mention a specific area of interest that you’ll elaborate on in the next part.
• Discuss your specific curiosities. Talk about the subjects you’re curious about and how they connect to different fields. Mention specific subjects, questions, or problems, and explain how you plan to explore them.
• Explain how CAS can help you. Explain how you will take advantage of opportunities in the CAS. You can also consider how you can use your knowledge outside of the classroom.

Maybe you like going down the environmental science and economics rabbit holes. You can start the essay by mentioning what about those topics interests you the most. Maybe it’s the urgent challenge of climate change and how big companies play a hand in it.

Elaborate on your specific curiosities and their interdisciplinary connections. In this case, it could be the economic incentives and policy decisions that affect environmental sustainability. How do you hope to explore those connections? It could be something like:

• “I’m fascinated by the way economics and climate science intersect—how financial incentives can drive sustainability and how environmental shifts reshape economies. At Penn, I want to dive into courses like environmental economics and energy policy, exploring everything from carbon pricing to the economic ripple effects of rising sea levels. More than anything, I want to learn how to build data-driven models that predict climate impacts and craft policies that don’t just respond to change but actively help prevent it.”

Discuss how you can take advantage of CAS opportunities. Maybe you’d like to engage with the Department of Earth and Environmental Science and the Wharton School’s environmental economics program. On top of that, maybe joining the Penn Environmental Group can help you expand your knowledge more on sustainability.

Finally, end your essay by saying you want to use your understanding of both science and economics to help create real-world solutions, and CAS can help you with that.

Supplemental essay example

At age nine, I mailed a letter to the FDA asking why artificial dyes were still allowed in cereal if they “weren’t good for you.” They never wrote back. But I kept asking questions, just shifting from cereal boxes to biology textbooks and legal codes.

I’m endlessly curious about where science and policy collide. Why are some health risks regulated and others ignored? How do institutions decide what’s “safe,” and who gets to be part of that decision? At Penn’s College of Arts and Sciences, I want to investigate these gray zones where data, ethics, and law intersect.

I plan to major in Philosophy, Politics, and Economics, while also taking Biology and Health & Societies courses through the Sector Requirements. I’d like to participate in the Andrea Mitchell Center for the Study of Democracy, where I can research health policy through a justice-focused lens. I’m also interested in the Penn Bioethics Journal, where I can contribute writing that makes complex bioethical questions accessible to the public.

I want to work on healthcare policy that is both scientifically grounded and socially responsible. At Penn, I’d like to build the kind of interdisciplinary fluency that makes real reform possible.

How to Write the UPenn Supplemental Essay (The Wharton School)

Prompt: 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.

Word count: 150 to 200 words

Wharton wants to see your ability to apply business principles and economic theory to current real-world challenges. This shows an ability to analyze complex problems and propose solutions. They also want to see why you think a Wharton education will specifically help you address the issue you choose.

Brainstorming ideas

To help you pinpoint an issue you’d like to explore and help solve, here are some ideas:

• Look at current issues. Choose an issue (or related issues) that genuinely interests you. Is it technological disruption and innovation? Or healthcare access and affordability? As you’re looking at these issues, try to analyze the root causes and key stakeholders. What are the economic, political, and social implications?
• Connect the issue to business and economics. How can business principles be used to address the issue, and how can economic theory inform potential solutions? Consider concepts like market analysis, financial modeling, and strategic management.
• Research Wharton resources. Explore specific departments, centers, initiatives, and relevant clubs and organizations. How will these resources help you achieve your goals?

Essay structure tips

When you’ve analyzed your chosen issue and reflected on how Wharton can help you explore that, here’s how you can talk about it:

• Briefly introduce the issue. Introduce the current issue and its significance. Show your interest in applying business and economics to address it. For example: “The growing digital divide, which limits access to technology and information for underserved communities, is a pressing issue of our time. I am driven to apply business and economic principles to bridge this gap.”
• Describe the issue. Discuss the issue and analyze it using business and economic concepts. Maybe you’ve seen how the digital divide creates unequal opportunities in education, employment, and access to essential services. You can analyze the issue like this: “From an economic perspective, this represents a market failure, as the benefits of digital inclusion are not fully realized. Applying concepts like cost-benefit analysis and market segmentation, we can identify targeted interventions.”
• Explain the importance of a Wharton education. How can Wharton help you explore the issue? What specific resources can help you develop the relevant skills and knowledge? Maybe you want to take advantage of the Venture Lab, to help create a business that will help solve the problem you want to explore. You can also mention specific courses you’re excited to take.
• Reiterate your commitment. Restate your commitment to addressing the issue and express your excitement about the opportunities at Wharton. You can say you’re looking forward to leveraging business and economic tools to create a more digitally inclusive society.

Supplemental essay example

At the end of every farmers’ market, my job was to weigh out the unsold produce and log what we couldn’t move. It hurt to see pounds of spinach, cucumbers, and peaches that were still perfectly edible tossed just because demand didn’t match supply.

That disconnect stuck with me. It was food waste, but also a breakdown in the system. I started researching how pricing, logistics, and consumer behavior affect access, especially in low-income areas. The more I dug in, the more I realized: food insecurity isn’t always about scarcity. Sometimes, it’s about inefficiency.

At Wharton, I want to explore how business can reshape food systems to be smarter and more equitable. Through the Business Economics and Public Policy concentration, I’ll study how regulation and market forces intersect in creating or solving inequities in access. 

I’m interested in the Turner ESG Fellows program, where I can collaborate with students focused on making sustainability and ethics core to business strategy. I also want to contribute to the Penn Food and Wellness Collaborative, learning how to co-create solutions with local communities.

With Wharton’s tools and mentorship, I’ll help build systems where resources flow efficiently and design ventures that turn surplus into security.

How to Write the UPenn Supplemental Essay (The School of Engineering and Applied Science)

Prompt: 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.

Word count: 150 to 200 words

Penn Engineering wants concrete examples of how you plan to pursue your engineering interests at Penn while knowing that the college’s focus is on combining foundational sciences and mathematics with specialized majors.

Brainstorming ideas

To help you reflect on your interest in engineering and technology and how you can use the resources that Penn Engineering offers, here are some tips:

• Think of your engineering interests, skills, and experiences. What specific engineering disciplines are you passionate about? Is it robotics? AI? What technological challenges do you want to address? What skills and experiences do you have that relate to engineering? Did you do research related to biomedical engineering? Did you participate in the Engineering Summer Academy at Penn?
• Explore Penn Engineering’s departments and programs. Sift through Penn Engineering’s resources and see what catches your attention. Is it the GRASP Lab where you can contribute to the development of intelligent robots?
• Connect your interests to Penn Engineering resources. Explain how you plan to engage with Penn Engineering’s community, whether through labs, clubs, or projects. Do you want to be involved in research in Cellular and Biomolecular Engineering to contribute to the development of innovative medical devices and therapies?

Essay structure tips

Once you have an idea of how you can pursue your interests at Penn Engineering, here’s how you can write about it:

• Show your excitement about Penn Engineering. Express your passion for engineering and your excitement about Penn Engineering.
• Discuss your engineering interests. Talk about your specific engineering interests and how they align with Penn’s specific majors, courses, or research areas. What skills do you already have, and how can these resources help you develop them more?
• Explain how you’ll interact with Penn Engineering’s community. How do you plan to engage with Penn Engineering’s community? How can you use the foundations of science and math in your engineering studies?

Maybe your main interests are computer engineering with a focus on embedded systems and hardware design. You can introduce it by explaining what specifically draws your attention to this field.

Talk more in-depth about your interests and how they fit in Penn Engineering. Do you plan to take courses in digital logic, computer architecture, and embedded programming? Are you interested in the mLAB?

You may already have a strong foundation in mathematics, particularly linear algebra and discrete mathematics, which is essential for understanding the algorithms and data structures used in embedded systems. How can UPenn build on this foundation so you can optimize the performance and efficiency of hardware designs?

Discuss how you plan to engage with the community. For example:

• “I intend to join the Penn IEEE student chapter and participate in hardware design projects. I believe that collaborative projects and hackathons will provide valuable hands-on experience. I want to help to organize workshops, to help students learn new skills. I also want to participate in the senior design project.”

End by saying again how you look forward to pursuing your passion at Penn Engineering and contributing to your field.

Supplemental essay example

When the elevator in my grandmother’s apartment broke for the third time that month, I watched her shuffle up five flights of stairs, pausing on each landing to catch her breath. That night, I opened my laptop and started sketching a concept for a compact stair-assist device. I realized that engineering could be an intervention rather than just an invention

Since then, I’ve been obsessed with the idea that small, smart systems can make a big difference. I started building simple projects like motion sensors, temperature alerts, and a makeshift fall detector. My interest narrowed to embedded systems: tech that lives in the background, quietly solving real problems.

At Penn Engineering, I want to major in Electrical Engineering and turn that curiosity into capability. Courses like ESE 3500: Embedded Systems/Microcontroller Laboratory will help me build more reliable designs. I’m excited to join Penn Electric Racing for hands-on work with power systems, and to collaborate through PERCH on hardware that matters. Engineers Without Borders also calls to me since I want my work to reach beyond the lab.

I want to engineer devices that restore independence and dignity, and at Penn, I’ll learn to build with both precision and purpose.

How to Write the UPenn Supplemental Essay (Digital Media Design Program)

Prompt: Discuss how your interests align with the Digital Media Design (DMD) program at the University of Pennsylvania?

Word count: 400 to 650 words

DMD is a specialized program, so you should show that you’ve thoroughly researched its curriculum, faculty, and unique approach. The program is also inherently interdisciplinary, so they want to see your ability to connect art and design, technology, and theory.

Brainstorming ideas

To help you see where your interests and DMD intersect, here are some ideas:

• Identify your core interests. What aspects of digital media design are you most passionate about? Is it interactive art, game design, or animation? What themes or ideas do you like to explore in your work?
• Reflect on your creative process. What inspires your work? How do you approach creative projects? What creative tools and technologies do you enjoy using? Do you like using Blender or Houdini for 3D compositions?
• Thoroughly research the DMD program. Look at what courses excite you. Examine student projects to give you an idea of what kind of work is produced. You should also study the program’s philosophy on how it blends art, design, and technology.

Essay structure tips

When you’ve figured out how your interests fit in with DMD, here’s how you can write about it:

• Introduce your passion for digital media design. Start with your interest in the DMD program and your passion for digital media design. You can provide a brief overview of your main interests and a specific aspect of the program that resonates with you
• Discuss resources that align with your interests. What resources are you interested in? Explain how the program’s interdisciplinary approach will help you develop your skills. Try to give specific examples of how you would use the program’s resources.
• Talk about your creative process. Describe your creative process and how you approach projects. With that in mind, discuss your goals and aspirations in DMD. Explain how a DMD education will help you achieve these goals.
• Show how you can contribute to the DMD community. Highlight your unique skills, experiences, and perspectives and explain how they can help you contribute to the DMD community. Connect your portfolio to the essay, and expand on the ideas within your portfolio.

Maybe you’re most interested in interactive narratives and VR experiences, especially crafting interactive narratives that challenge conventional storytelling and engage audiences on a deeper level. You can start your essay like this:

• “My passion for interactive storytelling started when I realized the potential of digital media to create immersive and emotionally resonant narratives. UPenn’s Digital Media Design program, with its emphasis on blending cutting-edge technology with artistic expression, is the ideal environment for me to explore this passion. I am particularly drawn to the program’s focus on experimental storytelling and the development of virtual reality experiences.”

What specific resources in DMD interest you the most? Are there classes you look forward to taking? Faculty you’re excited to interact with? Maybe you plan to utilize the program’s VR labs and motion capture facilities to experiment with new forms of embodied storytelling.

Talk about your creative process to give more context about why you’re interested in the topics you like. Maybe you want to already have a strong concept and a deep understanding of the audience. Do you like experimenting with different narrative structures and user interactions to create the best engaging experiences you can offer?

How would you like to contribute to the community? What are your goals, and how can DMD help with that? For example:

• “My background in theater and performance art has given me a unique perspective on audience engagement and storytelling. I bring a strong understanding of dramatic structure and character development to my digital media projects. My goal is to develop innovative VR experiences that push the boundaries of storytelling and create meaningful emotional connections. A DMD education will provide me with the technical skills and creative insights needed to bring my visions to life, and to contribute to the rapidly evolving field of immersive media.”

To end your essay, reiterate your excitement to join the DMD community, where you can use the resources available to pursue your passion.

Supplemental essay example

The first game I ever designed was on paper.

I was ten, bored at my cousin’s piano recital, doodling mazes and dragons in the margins of the program. Then I added points, then health bars, then rules. When the last sonata ended, I’d created a full-fledged boss battle game with colored-in sprites, cut-out tokens, and a storyline about a kingdom cursed by sound.

No one ever played it (except my little brother, under mild duress), but I didn’t care. I was fascinated by the idea of building a world from nothing and inviting someone else inside.

That’s the spark that led me to learn C#, Unity, and Blender. I started by making chaotic little games, like a space shooter where your ship was allergic to asteroids or a side-scroller where the boss glitched on purpose. But the more I learned, the more I cared about how form and function meet, how design choices shape player emotion, and how code becomes choreography.

At one point, I decided I wanted to build a short animated film. I wrote the script, designed the characters, mapped out the storyboards, and thought I could animate it all in three months. It took me two days to realize I was in over my head. Nothing moved the way I imagined. Rigging went wrong, physics broke, and even rendering a single frame felt like climbing Everest. I never finished the film.

But I never stopped learning from it, either. I started watching tutorials to fix things and understand why they worked. I learned to appreciate how animation is a form of engineering, how layers of math, logic, and intent define every movement. That failure deepened my respect for the craft. It taught me that while I love having a great final product, I also like the struggle to bring something seemingly impossible to life.

The Digital Media Design program pulls me in because it balances technical depth with artistic freedom. Rather than asking me to choose between being an engineer and an artist, it pushes me to be both. The program can teach me how to turn ideas into experiences that connect, use technology as a storytelling tool, and use design as a form of problem-solving.

I’m especially excited about CIS 5630: Physically Based Animation and CIS 4600: Introduction to Computer Graphics. I want to explore how the laws of physics can be bent, stretched, or even broken to tell better stories. I’m also interested in the connections between visual narrative and user experience, how to design what a player sees and how they feel about it. Through courses in design, programming, and fine arts, I know I’ll get the tools to build work that’s both innovative and immersive.

Outside the classroom, I’m eager to join Penn SIGGRAPH, where I can connect with students who geek out over shaders and storytelling just like I do. I’d love to collaborate with the Penn Animation to exchange feedback, learn new techniques, and work on joint projects. 

But more than anything, I want to use what I create to shift how people interact with the world. I want to make games that entertain and create experiences that linger, challenge assumptions, and invite empathy. Whether it’s building a VR simulation for pain management or a game that helps kids with ADHD develop focus, I want to design things that make a difference.

I still have that original paper game, tucked into a drawer somewhere. It’s clunky, messy, and probably unplayable now, but it reminds me that even then, I was trying to make something that pulled people in. At Penn, I want to take that instinct and turn it into a craft. I want to code like an engineer, think like an artist, and design like a humanist. Because when you build something that moves people visually, emotionally, or even physically, you’re designing meaning.

How to Write the UPenn Supplemental Essay (The Huntsman Program in International Studies and Business)

Prompt: 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 contribute to a global issue where business and international affairs intersect?

Word count: 400 to 650 words

For this essay, UPenn wants to see a genuine interest in international affairs and your understanding of global issues. You should be able to show your understanding of the role of business in the global economy, and how you might become an ethical leader in the global arena.

Brainstorming ideas

To help you envision using a Huntsman education to achieve your goals, here are some ideas:

• Think of a global issue. Choose an issue that genuinely interests you and has a clear intersection between business and international affairs. Is it climate change and sustainable development? Migration and refugee crises? Or international trade and economic inequality? Analyze the issue as well. How do business and international affairs intersect in this issue?
• Reflect on your goals. What kind of work do you want to do after graduation? What impact do you want to have on the global issue you choose? How will a Huntsman education help you achieve these goals?
• Research the Huntsman program. Explore the resources that the program offers. Which specific courses and faculty align with your interests? How will the program’s interdisciplinary approach help you develop your skills? How will you use the program’s resources (such as study abroad, language training, and internships) to pursue your goals?

Essay structure tips

When you’re ready to show your interest in international affairs and your understanding of global issues, here’s how you can write about it:

• Introduce the global issue you will focus on. Introduce your passion for global issues and your interest in the Huntsman Program. Give a brief overview of the issue you’ll talk about and your key interests in business and international studies. Maybe you’re particularly drawn to the intersection of technology policy and global governance. Introduce the interest with something like: “The increasing interconnectedness of our world has created a complex landscape of global cybersecurity and data privacy challenges. I am deeply interested in exploring how international business practices and diplomatic strategies can address these critical issues.”
• Describe and analyze the global issue. Talk about the issue in more depth. Explain how business and international affairs intersect in this issue. You can talk about how global cybersecurity threats may be caused by a lack of standardized international regulations and how the challenges of cross-border data flows worsen these problems. Analyze the issue by explaining how a nuanced understanding of international relations is required to manage diplomatic tensions and business strategy to implement effective cybersecurity measures.
• Connect to the Huntsman Program. Explain how the program’s interdisciplinary approach, courses, and faculty will help you develop your skills. Give examples of how you would use the program’s resources. Are you excited to take courses like International Law? Do you look forward to the Global Immersion Program? Maybe you also want to seek internships with international tech companies or government agencies focused on cybersecurity.
• Discuss your goals. Highlight your unique skills, experiences, and perspectives. What are your goals and aspirations in the global arena, and how can Huntsman help you achieve them by improving your skills? Maybe you have experience in leading your school’s debate team, which honed your ability to analyze complex issues and articulate persuasive arguments. Meanwhile, your goal is to work at the intersection of international business and technology policy, contributing to the development of global cybersecurity standards and best practices. You can say Huntsman can equip you with interdisciplinary knowledge and improved leadership skills to navigate complex challenges.
• Reiterate your enthusiasm. Express your excitement about the opportunity to learn and collaborate with the Huntsman community. For example: “I am very excited to join the Huntsman Program and contribute to its mission of developing globally minded leaders. I am confident that the program’s rigorous curriculum and unique opportunities will enable me to make a meaningful impact in the field of global cybersecurity and data privacy.”

Supplemental essay example

The first time I made a business deal, I was thirteen and trading soccer jerseys.

It started with a badly sized Manchester United kit my uncle brought back from London. I listed it online, got a decent offer, and used that money to buy two more jerseys in better condition. A few weeks and dozens of messages later, I had built a small resale operation out of my closet—shipping packages to buyers in Italy, Brazil, and Japan. I tracked shipping rates and exchange fees and even wrote thank-you notes in Google-translated French.

I didn’t know it at the time, but I was learning and experiencing how business and global relationships intertwine.

As I got older, my focus shifted. I started following supply chains instead of stats, like how trade policy shapes where raw materials go and how a new regulation in the EU can ripple through global markets. I began to see that behind every product was a long chain of decisions, incentives, and compromises. 

I started reading the Financial Times on my phone every morning. I joined my school’s Model UN and Economics Club because I loved debating carbon tariffs as much as I loved designing spreadsheets. The complexity of international affairs and the strategic thinking required to navigate it completely pulled me in.

The Huntsman Program feels like the natural evolution of everything I’ve grown to love. I’m drawn to the dual-degree structure because it aligns with how I think: interdisciplinary, zoomed out, and curious about how systems interact. 

Through the Wharton side, I’m excited to take classes in business fundamentals like accounting, finance, and marketing, and explore how they apply in an international context. On the College side, I look forward to exploring International Studies with a regional focus on Europe. I’m especially excited to build professional-level fluency in French conversationally and in the context of diplomacy and negotiation.

At Penn, I want to take courses like LGST 1000: Ethics and Social Responsibility and SOCI 2910: Globalization and Its Historical Significance to better understand how institutions balance profit, politics, and people. I’d like to join the International Affairs Association and the Wharton Europe club, where I can apply what I learn in class to real-world simulations and conversations. I’d also love to be part of Penn International Impact Consulting, working directly with global nonprofits and social enterprises to apply my skills to meaningful challenges.

My long-term goal is to work at the intersection of sustainable business and international policy, particularly in the area of green finance. One of the most urgent global issues today is how to fund the transition to a low-carbon economy, especially in developing nations that often bear the brunt of climate change while contributing the least to it.

I believe the future of climate action depends on scientific innovation and the ability to mobilize capital across borders in ethical, effective ways. That means designing international financial frameworks that de-risk clean energy investment in emerging markets. It means working with public and private sectors to close infrastructure gaps without locking countries into outdated technologies. And it means understanding political context, building trust, and navigating competing interests—all skills I hope to hone through Huntsman.

The Huntsman program will give me the intellectual grounding and global perspective to help make that vision real. I want to learn how to read policy and balance sheets with equal fluency. I want to be able to sit at a negotiation table and understand the economic stakes, historical context, and human consequences.

I’ve come a long way from trading soccer jerseys, but I still remember the thrill of wrapping something up in bubble wrap and printing a shipping label bound for a country I’d only seen on a map. It was a small thing, but it made the world feel closer and made me want to shape the systems that connect us. Huntsman is where I’ll learn how.

How to Write the UPenn Supplemental Essay (The Roy and Diana Vagelos Program in Life Sciences and Management)

Prompt: 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.

Word count: 400 to 650 words

For this supplemental essay, you should show that you can identify and analyze complex issues in the life sciences and propose possible solutions. Admissions officers should also see that you understand the unique aspects of the LSM Program and how it aligns with your interests and goals.

Brainstorming ideas

To help you check your comprehension of the intersection between life sciences and business management and how your interests fit in, here are some tips to get you started:

• Identify and analyze a life sciences issue. Pick an issue that interests you that has an intersection between life sciences and business management. These can include drug development and access, healthcare technology and patient outcomes, and global pandemics and vaccine distribution. What are the scientific and technological aspects of the issue? What are its business and management aspects? What are the ethical and social implications?
• Think of your goals. What impact do you want to have on the life sciences industry? Maybe you want to use biotechnology to create crops that are more disease-resistant and that need fewer resources. How can LSM help you achieve your goals?
• Explore the LSM Program. How will the program’s interdisciplinary approach help you develop your skills? What resources are you most drawn to? Would you like to do research in UPenn’s biological and biomedical laboratories? Or participate in events sponsored by Wharton Entrepreneurial Programs?

Essay structure tips

When you understand how LSM can help you solve the issues you’re passionate about, here’s how you can write about it:

• Show your interest. Show your passion for life sciences and management and how it has led you to be interested in the LSM program. You can quickly go over your main interests in life sciences and business.
• Talk about the issue you’ve chosen. Describe the life sciences issue you want to talk about. Analyze it using life sciences and management concepts, and explain how innovation can be used to address the issue.
• Mention your goals. Discuss your goals and aspirations in the life sciences industry.
• Connect to LSM. How can an LSM education help you achieve your goals? Mention resources that you can take advantage of.

Let’s say you’re interested in the development and implementation of rapid diagnostic tools for global pandemics. You can start your essay by saying how the recent global pandemic emphasized the need for rapid and accessible diagnostic tools. Maybe you’re particularly interested in the challenges of scaling up production and ensuring equitable distribution of diagnostic tools in resource-limited settings.

Talk about the life sciences issue you’ve chosen and analyze it—in this case, the need to rapidly diagnose infectious diseases. You can discuss it more like this:

• “The development and deployment of diagnostic tools face significant challenges. These include scientific hurdles in creating accurate and reliable tests, logistical complexities in scaling up production, and financial barriers to ensuring equitable access. From a scientific perspective, advancements in point-of-care diagnostics and molecular testing are very important. Meanwhile, from a management perspective, efficient supply chain management, strategic partnerships, and sustainable business models are critical. Innovation in areas like microfluidics, artificial intelligence, and telemedicine can revolutionize diagnostic delivery.”

That being said, what are your goals? Maybe you hope to lead a company that develops and distributes rapid diagnostic tools for global pandemics. How can LSM help you with that? You can say you’d like to be involved in research at the Penn Center for Innovation, especially on developing novel biosensors. Maybe you also plan to utilize the Singh Center for Nanotechnology to further your understanding of biosensor design.

End your essay by expressing excitement again about being in the LSM Program and contributing to its mission of advancing innovation in the life sciences.

Supplemental essay example

I first noticed it when my dad started skipping bike rides. He’d always been the kind of person who woke up early and moved—like fixing things around the house, jogging, or cycling through back roads just to catch the sunrise. 

But that year, he moved slower. He complained about his knees and laughed it off, but kept choosing the couch instead of the trail. One visit to the doctor turned into three. One prescription turned into five. Eventually, the diagnosis came: an autoimmune condition. Not deadly, but chronic. And just like that, his life started orbiting around pharmacies, lab results, and insurance portals.

I remember thinking how strange it was that a person could become a patient so quickly, and how systems that were supposed to help often made things harder. My curiosity began with him, and it continued as I started reading about the biotech industry, trying to understand how a new drug goes from theory to treatment. I learned about the staggering cost of development, the regulatory bottlenecks, and the delicate balance companies must strike between innovation and access.

That’s what draws me to the Vagelos Program in Life Sciences and Management. I want to stand at the intersection of biology and business to understand the science behind chronic diseases and rethink how we deliver solutions.

I’m especially interested in how we can improve the way biologics, particularly monoclonal antibodies, are developed and distributed. These drugs offer powerful treatment options for autoimmune conditions, but they’re expensive to produce and often out of reach for patients who need them most. 

I want to explore how LSM’s unique dual-degree model can help me address this challenge from both ends: advancing scientific innovation through a Biology major while gaining the strategic and financial tools from the Wharton side to improve market delivery.

At Penn, I would like to get involved with the Wharton Health Care Club, which would let me connect with peers interested in healthcare entrepreneurship, learn from industry leaders, and explore how business strategy can improve patient access to innovative treatments. I’m also interested in contributing to the Penn Bioethics Journal, where I can explore the ethical questions behind medical pricing and access. I’m also drawn to research opportunities through Penn Health-Tech, where interdisciplinary teams tackle real-world problems with both scientific rigor and entrepreneurial creativity.

What excites me most about LSM is its commitment to producing and implementing knowledge. I want to learn how to evaluate early-stage biotech ventures, navigate FDA approval pathways, and bring effective treatments to market without leaving patients behind. It’s easy to think of science and business as opposing forces: one focused on discovery, the other on profit. But I believe they can be collaborative drivers of impact when led by people who understand both.

Eventually, I hope to help build or lead a company that rethinks how biologics are developed and priced, finds ways to scale production more sustainably, partners with public health systems, and designs distribution models that prioritize patient access. I’m particularly interested in value-based pricing models that link drug costs to clinical outcomes, and I want to be part of designing frameworks that make these models workable at scale.

I still can’t erase the part of me that sees my dad sitting in a waiting room, trying to make sense of a prescription name he couldn’t pronounce. After all, that’s where this all started. But what drives me now is the possibility that I can help shape a system where people like him don’t have to choose between innovation and affordability.

The LSM program offers the foundation I need: deep scientific understanding, paired with the management perspective to turn ideas into action. I want to be the kind of thinker who sees the full picture, and the kind of leader who builds what’s missing. Because science can definitely change lives, but only if we learn how to deliver it well.

How to Write the UPenn Supplemental Essays (The Jerome Fisher Program in Management and Technology)

If you’re applying to the M&T program, you’ll need to answer two program-specific prompts. Here they are below:

Prompt 1: Explain how you will use the M&T program to explore your interest in business, engineering, and the intersection of the two.

Word count: 400 to 650 words

For this prompt, you should show genuine interest in both business and engineering and your ability to connect the two. This will help prove that you understand the program’s unique approach and curriculum. It can also show that you know how you plan to use an M&T education to achieve your goals.

Brainstorming ideas

To help you pinpoint your interests in business and engineering, here are some ideas:

• Identify the intersection of your business and engineering interests. What specific areas of business and engineering are you passionate about? How do you see business and engineering complementing each other? What technological challenges do you want to address using business principles? Alternatively, what business opportunities do you see arising from technological advancements?
• Research the M&T Program. What courses, research opportunities, internships, and other resources excite you? Are you interested in courses like Management of Technology or Scaling Technology Ventures: Aligning Operations and Strategy?
• Connect your interests to M&T resources. How will the program’s dual-degree structure help you develop your skills? How will you use its resources to pursue your goals? Are you already excited about what you can create during the Integration Lab?

Essay structure tips

When you’ve thought of how the M&T program can help you explore your management and engineering interests, here’s how you can write about it:

• Introduce your interest. Introduce your interest in the intersection of business and engineering and how the M&T Program fits in. Maybe you’re drawn to the intersection of electrical engineering and urban planning and the business side of scaling new technologies. You can introduce your passion like this: “The challenge of creating sustainable and efficient urban transportation systems demands a unique blend of engineering innovation and strategic business awareness. My passion lies in designing and implementing technology-driven mobility solutions that address the growing complexities of modern cities.”
• Explore the intersection of business and engineering. Discuss your specific interests in business and engineering and explain how you could explore the intersection. For example, maybe your interest lies in developing electric vehicle infrastructure and optimizing urban traffic flow using AI. You could discuss how understanding both the technical and market aspects is important to creating solutions that are both effective and scalable.
• Mention your goals and contributions. Discuss your goals and aspirations in the technology and business sectors. Mention how you can also contribute to the M&T community. For example: “I want to learn how to create predictive models for traffic flow, and also how to create a business model that will allow for the rapid deployment of electric vehicle charging stations. I would explore how to design smart charging stations that integrate with renewable energy grids, and then develop a business plan for their deployment in partnership with city governments.” You could say you’d contribute to the M&T community by organizing workshops on sustainable transportation and by fostering collaborations between engineering and business students.
• Connect to M&T. Explain how an M&T education will help you achieve your goals. Maybe courses like Technological Innovation and Entrepreneurship can give you the necessary knowledge and skills. The M&T program’s access to the GRASP Lab for robotics and AI research, and the Wharton Venture Lab for startup development, might appeal to you as well. Maybe you’d also like to participate in the M&T Summit and utilize the program’s strong alumni network for internships and mentorship.
• Reiterate your enthusiasm. Restate your enthusiasm for the M&T Program and excitement about the opportunity to learn and collaborate with the M&T community. For example: “I’m very excited to have an M&T education, which will give me technical and business expertise to navigate the complex landscape of the transportation industry.”

Supplemental essay example

One second we were watching Wall-E under the stars, the next we were surrounded by darkness and the sound of my dad yelling from the garage, “It tripped again!” Our homemade projector setup had blown the circuit again, and I sat there annoyed for a few minutes before I calmed down enough to wonder why the fuse kept blowing.

That night, I started researching current, wattage, and why our system couldn’t handle the load. I spent the next few weeks learning about power systems, rewiring the setup, and scavenging parts from an old desktop to build a converter. It worked. The lights stayed on. But more importantly, I realized I loved solving real problems through engineering.

That experience led me deeper into hardware projects, like building a smart plant monitor, a bike lock with facial recognition, and a low-cost air quality sensor for our school. But I noticed that my favorite part wasn’t just getting the device to work (though I also love that part)—it was actually thinking about who would use it, how to price it, and how to scale it. I’d find myself sketching out marketing plans next to my circuit diagrams.

I realized that business was another kind of design challenge. It asked different questions, but the goal was the same: How do we turn an idea into something that actually works for people? It made me think more holistically about what could be built, what should be built, and how to make it matter to the world. I want to develop that mindset of being technically grounded but impact-driven.

That’s why I’m drawn to the M&T Program. It combines engineering and business, and is also built on the belief that real innovation happens where the two intersect. I want to earn a Bachelor of Science in Engineering in Computer Engineering to deepen my understanding of how systems communicate, and a Bachelor of Science in Economics from Wharton to learn how to take those systems into the world.

Courses like ESE 3700: Circuit-Level Modeling will help me design smarter, more efficient hardware, while MGMT 2300: Entrepreneurship will challenge me to build ventures that are both technically viable and financially sound. The M&T curriculum’s integration of hands-on projects, such as the required Senior Capstone, gives me the kind of immersive, interdisciplinary experience I’m looking for since I believe I learn best by building, testing, failing, and iterating.

Outside the classroom, I’m eager to join the M&T Innovation Fund to collaborate with peers on evaluating and growing early-stage ideas. I’d also love to be part of Weiss Tech House, where I can test prototypes and connect with mentors across disciplines. And through Engineers Without Borders, I hope to apply what I’m learning to help underserved communities, designing technologies that meet actual on-the-ground needs.

One issue I care deeply about is electronic waste. I’ve grown up watching devices get discarded over tiny failures like unreplaceable batteries, outdated ports, and cracked screens. I’ve realized that instead of being simply technical problems, they’re also business decisions. I want to help rethink how consumer electronics are made and sold, designing modular devices that last longer, and creating business models that reward repair over replacement.

That goal requires both kinds of thinking: how to build smarter hardware, and how to build a system that supports it. The M&T Program is the ideal place to develop that dual fluency. It’s a community of people who are fluent in code and capital and believe that technology doesn’t mean much without the strategy to make it matter.

That blown fuse during movie night was a small failure, but it brought me to the path that taught me that the most meaningful solutions come from understanding both how things work and how people use them. At M&T, I want to keep asking both kinds of questions and build answers that last.

Prompt 2: Describe a problem that you solved that showed leadership and creativity.

Word count: 250 words

For this prompt, M&T wants to see evidence of your ability to take initiative, motivate others, and guide a team towards a goal. They want to see how well you can think outside the box, develop innovative solutions, and overcome challenges.

Brainstorming ideas

To help you think of an experience where you spearheaded a solution, here are some ideas:

• Recount a problem. Think about situations where you faced a significant challenge. Did your group mates for a class project not get along? Did your robotics team face a critical design flaw weeks before the regional competition?
• Highlight your leadership and creativity. How did you take initiative? How did you motivate others? How did you delegate tasks? Did you create a social media campaign featuring student testimonials and infographics highlighting the impact of donations to help boost your school’s annual food drive?
• Focus on the impact. What were the results of your actions? How did your solution benefit others? What did you learn from the experience? Did your robot end up with a 90% success rate in object retrieval? Did your efforts result in a 40% increase in donations compared to the previous year?

Essay structure tips

Once you’ve pinpointed a problem that you solved, here’s how you can talk about it:

• Introduce the problem. Briefly describe the problem you faced and clearly state your role and the context of the situation. Maybe your team joined a 48-hour hackathon. Introduce the situation. Maybe you were developing a real-time accessibility app for visually impaired individuals navigating public transportation, but you had to integrate complex sensor data with a user-friendly interface under a tight deadline.
• Explain what you did. Explain the steps you took to solve the problem. Highlight your leadership and creative problem-solving skills. For example: “I quickly researched and identified open-source libraries and APIs. I delegated tasks based on each member’s strengths, encouraging them to explore alternative solutions. To accelerate development, I leveraged online forums and sought guidance from experienced programmers. When we encountered a critical data processing bottleneck, I proposed using a cloud-based service for real-time analysis.”
• Summarize the impact. How did your solution affect you and the others involved? What did you learn from the experience? You can say that experience reinforced the importance of resourcefulness, collaboration, and rapid iteration in solving complex technical challenges.

Supplemental essay example

In our school’s biology lab, the automated system that monitored water quality for our zebrafish kept failing. There were glitches in the sensor readouts, random data drops, and even one memorable overflow that flooded the floor. As the lab assistant and unofficial tech guy, I was asked to “figure it out.”

I could’ve just patched the leak and left it at that. But I saw an opportunity.

Over the next few weeks, I redesigned the system entirely. I replaced the outdated sensors with Arduino-compatible alternatives, wrote a Python script to log data in real time, and set up an alert system using Twilio so our teacher would get a text if the pH or temperature spiked. After late nights, weird bugs, and one mini fire, I managed to finish a clunky but fully functional, student-built monitoring system.

After that, I trained two younger students to maintain the system, documented every step for future classes, and even pitched an upgraded version to our school board for funding. The experience showed me that leadership can be about building something that lasts after you’re gone.

That moment taught me that creativity in engineering is not only about inventing but also about recognizing when a problem is really a bigger opportunity. It’s also when I realized I want to create tools that solve real-world issues, lead teams that bring ideas to life, and build solutions with purpose. At M&T, I’ll keep merging innovation with initiative and finding possibilities in the broken parts.

How to Write the UPenn Supplemental Essay (Nursing and Healthcare Management)

Prompt: Discuss your interest in nursing and health care management. How might Penn’s coordinated dual-degree program in nursing and business help you meet your goals?

Word count: 400 to 650 words

In this essay, you should show a clear and passionate interest in both nursing and healthcare management and an understanding of how these two fields intersect and complement each other. You should also explain how Penn’s coordinated dual-degree program specifically aligns with your goals and interests.

Brainstorming ideas

To help you think of how your interests and goals fit in with this dual-degree program, here are some ideas:

• Think of your goals and motivations. Why are you drawn to both nursing and healthcare management? What specific experiences have influenced your interest in these fields? What problems in healthcare do you want to solve? What impact do you want to have on the healthcare sector? Maybe you want to use technology to improve patient outcomes and streamline healthcare delivery.
• Explore the intersection. How can nursing expertise inform healthcare management decisions? On the other hand, how can business principles improve patient care and healthcare delivery? You might combine courses in community health nursing, healthcare finance, and social impact to learn how you can improve healthcare accessibility for underserved populations
• Connect to UPenn. Explore the School of Nursing and Wharton School. Look for relevant clubs, organizations, research centers, and initiatives. Would you use the Center for Health Outcomes and Policy Research? Or the Leonard Davis Institute of Health Economics?

Essay structure tips

When you’ve studied the degree and how it can help you achieve your aspirations, here’s how you can write about it:

• Introduce your interests. Introduce your passion for nursing and healthcare management and highlight your main interests.
• Explore the intersection. Discuss your specific interests in nursing and healthcare management and how they intersect.
• Talk about your goals. Discuss your aspirations in the healthcare sector. Mention how a Penn dual-degree education will help you achieve these goals.
• Tie to UPenn’s resources. Explain how the program’s dual-degree structure will help you develop your skills. Mention UPenn resources that you would like to use.

Let’s go back to the example of wanting to use technology to improve patient outcomes and streamline healthcare delivery. You can start the essay by saying you’re passionate about learning to provide compassionate patient care is equally matched by my drive to improve the efficiency and accessibility of healthcare systems.

Discuss the intersection of nursing and healthcare management. Maybe you understand the importance of patient-centered care and the challenges of delivering quality services within resource constraints. You can say that by integrating business principles, you can develop innovative solutions to streamline operations, reduce costs, and enhance patient satisfaction.

What are your goals when you graduate? What do you envision yourself doing in the field? For example:

• “I envision using data analytics to identify areas for improvement in patient flow and resource allocation. I am also interested in exploring how telehealth platforms can be used to improve access to care for underserved populations. I want to understand how to create systems that allow for better communication between all members of a care team. I hope to someday lead a healthcare organization that prioritizes the effective implementation of technology to improve patient care and access.”

How can UPenn help you? The Leonard Davis Institute of Health Economics can give invaluable opportunities to explore the economic and policy implications of healthcare delivery. Meanwhile, the Center for Health Outcomes and Policy Research can let you conduct research on the impact of technology on patient outcomes. What organizations do you see yourself joining? What classes are you excited to take?

End the essay by expressing your enthusiasm about the opportunity to join Penn’s dual-degree program and contribute to its mission of developing leaders who can transform the healthcare sector.

Supplemental essay example

I was sitting in a hospital waiting room, between a man holding his chest and a toddler with a deep cut on her cheek.

My mom had brought me along to her shift that day since no one could babysit me. I was eight and clutching a book I didn’t read as I watched my mom, a nurse, move between patients with calm urgency. The waiting room felt chaotic to me, but not to her. She knew what needed to happen, who needed help first, and who could wait. I thought it was just about who had worse symptoms, but she later told me it was also about systems. With limited time, beds, and resources, choices had to be made fast and smart.

That moment stuck with me. It was the first time I saw healthcare as more than science—it was also logistics, economics, and empathy working in real time.

My interest in nursing came in high school, when I trained as an EMT and volunteered at a mobile health clinic. I loved the intimacy of the work: listening to someone describe their pain and knowing how to help. I saw how quickly trust could be built with just a blood pressure cuff and a calm explanation. Nursing felt like the perfect combination of hands-on science and human connection.

But the more I worked in clinical settings, the more questions I started to ask. Why did we run out of flu shots halfway through the season? Why did patients schedule appointments and never show up? Why were our paper intake forms slowing everything down, when we had tablets sitting unused in a back cabinet?

These were frustrating inefficiencies that had real consequences. I watched a diabetic patient wait an extra week for insulin because of a scheduling miscommunication. I saw how understaffing forced nurses to rush through care, even when they didn’t want to. I also started to realize that as much as I loved individual patient interactions, I was fascinated by the system shaping those moments. The nurse in me wanted to care for people. The problem-solver in me wanted to fix what was preventing that care from being as good as it could be.

That curiosity pulled me into healthcare management. I began reading about hospital operations, predictive staffing models, and how organizations like Kaiser Permanente use data to improve outcomes. I realized that the difference between a clinic that works and one that fails often comes down to leaders who understand both the science and the systems.

Penn’s Nursing and Healthcare Management program offers exactly that. It’s one of the few places where I can grow as a clinician and as a strategist. I’m excited to study clinical nursing at Penn Nursing while also earning a BS in Economics from Wharton, focusing on Health Care Management and Policy. Courses like HCMG 2500: Health Care Reform and the Future of the American Health System and NURS 2300: Statistics for Research and Measurement will help me understand the system from both the micro and macro levels.

I’m interested in the Wharton Undergraduate Healthcare Club to connect with students exploring healthcare entrepreneurship and policy. I’m also excited about the Community Champions program, where I can engage with local Philadelphia neighborhoods and understand healthcare challenges in real time.

Long-term, I hope to work in hospital administration, focusing on operational efficiency and patient safety. Eventually, I want to help lead a healthcare organization that reimagines care delivery through high-quality nursing and data-driven management. I want to be the person who understands how to fix the system from the inside out—and I can do it by reducing emergency room wait times or expanding access through telehealth, among other possibilities.

That first hospital visit didn’t end with a major revelation, but it gave me direction. At Penn, through NHCM, I’ll gain the knowledge and perspective to make healthcare both more efficient and human.

How to Write the UPenn Supplemental Essay (The Roy and Diana Vagelos Integrated Program in Energy Research)

Prompt: How do you envision your participation in the Vagelos Integrated Program in Energy Research (VIPER) furthering your interests in energy science and technology? Please include any past experiences (ex. academic, research, or extracurricular) that have led to your interest in the program. Additionally, please indicate why you are interested in pursuing dual degrees in science and engineering and which VIPER majors are most interesting to you at this time.

Word count: 400 to 650 words

For this prompt, UPenn wants a detailed description of your passion and background for energy science and technology. As a specialized program, they want to see if you understand how your participation in VIPER will further your goals in energy research and how you plan to use the specific resources that UPenn offers.

Brainstorming ideas

To help you go back down memory lane to think of how your experiences shaped your decision to apply to VIPER, here are some tips:

• Define your energy research interests. What specific areas of energy science and technology are you most passionate about? What technological challenges in energy do you want to address? What scientific principles are you most interested in applying to energy research? Maybe you’re interested in developing next-generation battery materials for energy storage. Or you want to further improve the efficiency and affordability of solar cells.
• Recount past experiences. Think of specific academic, research, or extracurricular activities that sparked your interest in energy. What specific skills or knowledge did you gain from these experiences? How did these experiences shape your understanding of energy challenges? Did you join the Shell Eco-marathon? Or participate in the National Renewable Energy Laboratory High School Internships?
• Connect to VIPER majors and resources. Research the VIPER majors and identify those that align with your interests. Look at the other VIPER and UPenn resources that can help you further pursue your research interests. How would you use the Penn Institute for Energy Research, or the labs in the Department of Physics?

Essay structure tips

When you’ve connected your goals and past experiences to what VIPER has to offer, here’s how you can write about it:

• Introduce your passion. Start with your energy science and technology interests. You can hint at your primary goals.
• Discuss past experiences. Recount specific academic, research, or extracurricular activities that shaped your interest in energy. Highlight specific skills or knowledge you’ve gained.
• Talk about your future vision. What are your goals and aspirations in the energy sector? What role do you envision yourself being in?
• Explain why VIPER. Identify and explain why you’re drawn to specific VIPER majors and how they connect to your interests. Discuss specific resources that can help you pursue your goals.

Let’s say you want to develop advanced energy storage solutions. You can start your essay by explaining how the global transition to renewable energy also calls for the development of efficient and scalable energy storage solutions. Introduce your interest of wanting to explore novel electrode materials and battery chemistries.

Talk about past experiences that sparked your interest in energy storage. Maybe you worked on a research project focused on synthesizing nanomaterials for supercapacitors. Maybe you participated in the Science Olympiad, where you designed and built a solar-powered device. From those experiences, you can say you gained hands-on experience with electrochemical characterization techniques and learned to analyze complex data, among other things.

With those experiences, what aspirations did you form? Maybe you want to lead a research team focused on developing and commercializing advanced energy storage technologies.

How can VIPER help you? What majors do you plan to take, and what resources do you want to use? For example:

• “A dual degree in Chemistry and Materials Science and Engineering can help me develop a comprehensive understanding of energy storage. Chemistry provides the fundamental knowledge of electrochemical reactions, while Materials Science and Engineering equip me with the skills to design and fabricate advanced materials. The Singh Center for Nanotechnology will provide access to state-of-the-art facilities for materials synthesis and characterization. I also plan to utilize the Penn Institute for Energy Research to engage in interdisciplinary collaborations and attend seminars on cutting-edge energy research.”

At the end of your essay, restate your excitement for joining the VIPER program and how it can help you achieve your educational and professional aspirations.

Supplemental essay example

The first time I heard the word “enthalpy” was in the back of a dusty community center kitchen, surrounded by melting popsicles and a half-functional stovetop.

It was summer, and I’d volunteered at a science camp for middle schoolers. My goal was to make thermodynamics “fun,” so I challenged the kids to see if they could boil water faster using a DIY solar oven made from aluminum foil and cardboard. As we tweaked angles and measured temperature changes with cheap thermometers, one camper asked, “Why doesn’t this work better? The sun feels hotter than this.” 

That simple question sent us spiraling into a conversation about energy transfer, insulation, and molecular motion—eventually landing on the term “enthalpy,” which I tried to explain using a spoon, a pot, and a marshmallow.

That moment showed me how energy touches everything, and how we usually fail to fully understand or optimize it. I loved science experiments and the science behind them especially when it came to energy: how it moves, how we use it, and how we can do better.

In the years since, that curiosity has evolved into something much more focused. I began studying solar cell efficiency, then explored electrochemistry. 

For my junior year research project, I designed an experiment testing how varying electrolyte concentrations affected the charge time of a basic aluminum-air battery. The results were inconsistent, so I spent weeks revising procedures, troubleshooting reactions, and learning that clean data is hard-won. That experience confirmed that while I wanted to read about energy systems, I also wanted to build and improve them.

But as I got more involved, I also began to notice something missing in most scientific conversations: the pathway from lab to real life. A breakthrough in material science doesn’t immediately guarantee implementation since manufacturing limits, economic constraints, and policy hurdles often slow or block progress. That’s what led me to explore engineering—and ultimately to the Vagelos Integrated Program in Energy Research.

I’m especially interested in majoring in Chemistry and Mechanical Engineering & Applied Mechanics. Chemistry gives me the tools to understand energy at the molecular level, like how batteries store power and how catalysts accelerate reactions. On the other hand, engineering helps me figure out how to turn that understanding into real systems through heat exchangers, turbines, and storage devices that can be scaled, deployed, and improved.

Courses like CHEM 2610: Inorganic Chemistry I and MEAM 3330: Heat and Mass Transfer will give me the dual foundation I need to think deeply and design broadly. I’d also love to be involved in the Singh Center for Nanotechnology, where research meets application head-on.

Outside the lab, I’d like to engage with the Kleinman Center for Energy Policy, where I can attend Energy Week events and contribute to research that bridges science, technology, and public policy. I’d also be interested in the SEAS Green Team, where I can help promote sustainability initiatives from an engineering perspective. After all, I believe science is only as powerful as its delivery system, and I want to be part of conversations that bridge research with real-world energy transitions.

My long-term goal is to work in renewable energy innovation, specifically on energy storage solutions that make solar and wind power more reliable. I’m fascinated by the potential of flow batteries and solid-state devices, but equally interested in how supply chains, material sourcing, and lifecycle design affect their viability.

What draws me most to VIPER is its refusal to separate the theoretical from the applied. It’s a place for people who want to ask fundamental questions and build answers. That’s who I want to be: a scientist who can engineer, and an engineer who understands science at its roots.

That summer, we never quite got the solar oven to boil water, but that’s what pulled me to this path. At VIPER, I’ll learn how to answer questions, one molecule, one mechanism, and one breakthrough at a time.

Mistakes to Avoid When Writing UPenn Supplemental Essays

UPenn admissions are very competitive, and you wouldn’t want your essays to be easily forgettable. Below, we’ll discuss several mistakes you should avoid while you’re writing your supplemental essays.

1. Writing generic responses

The primary reason writing generic responses in college supplemental essays is bad is that it doesn’t let the admissions committee understand you as an individual and your specific fit for their institution and the program you’re applying for.

For example, “I’m excited about the opportunities at UPenn” is a vague statement that could apply to any university. It shows a lack of genuine interest and research, making you come across as lazy and uncaring.

Show that you put time and effort into the application by adding personal touch, depth, and insight to your essays. What specific aspects of UPenn are you excited about? You can improve the above statement like this:

• “I’m particularly drawn to the research conducted at the Singh Center for Nanotechnology and the interdisciplinary approach of the VIPER program, which aligns perfectly with my interest in developing novel photovoltaic materials.”

This is more specific and shows that you did research on the program you’re applying for and how your interests align with the resources you want to use.

2. Not connecting to UPenn resources

Not connecting to UPenn resources weakens your argument on why you belong at UPenn. It shows a lack of thoughtful planning and research. Without referencing specific resources, you’re basically just saying, “I want to come to UPenn but I don’t know why it’s the best place for me.”

As such, show that you have a plan for how you will utilize the university’s offerings to achieve your aspirations. Mentioning specific resources shows that you’ve thought carefully about your academic and extracurricular pursuits at UPenn.

For example, elaborate on “I want to apply for the Environmental Studies program at UPenn” by saying this instead:

• “I’m particularly drawn to the interdisciplinary approach of the Environmental Studies program at Penn CAS. The opportunity to take courses that directly aligns with my interest in bridging the gap between scientific research and effective policy solutions excites me. I’m also eager to engage with the Penn Program in Environmental Humanities, and to contribute to the research being conducted at the Kleinman Center for Energy Policy.”

This is better since you mention your interests and how certain resources can help you pursue them.

3. Not showing how the specialized/dual degree will be utilized

Specialized and dual degree prompts explicitly ask you why you’re applying and how the program can help you grow academically and professionally. Not addressing those prompts shows a lack of interdisciplinary thinking and vision. Admissions officers will think that you don’t truly understand how rigorous the program is and what kind of education you can get from it.

The admissions committee wants to see that you have a plan for how you will use the degrees that you are attempting to obtain. These programs are highly competitive, and you should show how you’ll make the most of the opportunities provided.

For example, if you’re applying to M&T, this would be a weak statement:

• “I’m interested in the M&T program because I’ve always liked both business and engineering. I think it would be cool to get degrees in both fields. I’m excited about the classes and the opportunities at UPenn.”

It doesn’t specify how the two fields will be combined, which can suggest that you don’t know how the combination of business and engineering will be used in the real world.

Compare that to this:

• “Through the M&T program, I aim to combine my studies in electrical engineering with Wharton’s business curriculum to design and implement smart charging infrastructure for electric vehicles. I envision creating a startup that partners with city governments to deploy these systems, leveraging my engineering knowledge to optimize the technology and my business skills to develop a viable market strategy and secure funding.”

This is much better since it shows how engineering and business will be used together. There’s a clear goal and example for real-life application. It also shows that you have an idea of the types of skills that will be gained from each side of the dual degree.

4. Having poor writing mechanics

Poor writing mechanics like grammatical errors, typos, awkward phrasing, and faulty logic can make you appear careless and unprofessional. Your essays are a reflection of your attention to detail and ability to articulate your ideas. Having poor writing mechanics can lead admissions officers to question your ability to handle the rigor of college-level writing. The focus shifts from your content to your errors as well, making your essays hard to read and understand.

Proofread your essays meticulously. Take the time to revise them as needed—and trust us when we say you might have to go through multiple drafts. A college essay expert can work closely with you to create essays that will capture the depth and breadth of your experiences.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Does UPenn have supplemental essays?

Yes, UPenn requires supplemental essays. They include both general prompts and school-specific questions.

2. How many supplemental essays does UPenn have?

UPenn generally has three supplemental essays. However, applicants to the Jerome Fisher Program in Management and Technology will need to submit four.

3. How important are UPenn supplemental essays?

UPenn supplemental essays are very important since they highlight your unique qualities and experiences, which can show how you’re a good fit for the community. They’re also your chance to demonstrate that you’ve done your research on the institution, further signaling that you’re serious about wanting to study at UPenn.

Takeaways

UPenn supplemental essays show your unique perspective, interdisciplinary thinking, and problem-solving skills. They allow you to tell your story and demonstrate why you belong at UPenn.

• UPenn requires three supplemental essays, but those applying to M&T will need to submit four.
• Some mistakes to avoid when crafting your essays are writing generic responses, not connecting to UPenn resources, not showing how you’ll utilize the specialized/dual degree, and having poor writing mechanics.
• UPenn’s prompts are very specific to the institution and the school/program you’re applying for. An expert admissions consultant can help you tailor your essays properly and build a solid college application to go with that.