Penn essay prompts
2025-26verified University of Pennsylvania admissions
These are the most recent published prompts. Final 2026-27 supplements typically land by early August. These are the most recent prompts Kolly has verified for this school. Schools typically publish final 2026-27 supplements by early August; check the official source below before submitting.
Why College of Arts & Sciences
The flexible structure of The College of Arts and Sciences' curriculum is designed to inspire exploration, foster connections, and help you create a path of study through general education courses and a major. What are you curious about and how would you take advantage of opportunities in the arts and sciences?
200 words max · Required
Why M&T Program — Essay 1
Explain how you will use the M&T program to explore your interest in business, engineering, and the intersection of the two.
650 words max · Required
Why LSM (Life Sciences & Management)
Your response should go beyond how LSM might advance your career and instead focus on the ideas, values, or issues that animate your interest in the program. Please ensure that this essay is distinct from your single-degree application.
650 words max · Required
Why Penn Engineering (SEAS)
Penn Engineering prepares its students to become leaders in technology by combining a strong foundation in the natural sciences and mathematics with depth of study in focused disciplinary majors. Please share how you plan to pursue your engineering interests at Penn, particularly within the intended major you selected.
200 words max · Required
Huntsman Program — Target Language
Tell us about your background and interest in the target language you selected.
125 words max · Required
Why Nursing & Business Dual Degree
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?
650 words max · Required
Why Wharton
Please reflect on a current issue of importance to you and share how you hope a Wharton education would help you to explore it.
200 words max · Required
Why Digital Media Design (DMD)
Discuss how your interests align with the Digital Media Design (DMD) program at the University of Pennsylvania?
650 words max · Required
Why M&T Program — Essay 2
Describe a problem that you solved that showed leadership and creativity.
250 words max · Required
Why VIPER — Energy Research
How do you envision your participation in 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 the VIPER majors listed above.
650 words max · Required
Thank-You Note (First-Year)
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!)
200 words max · Required
Community at Penn
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.
200 words max · Required
Why Nursing
Penn Nursing intends to meet the health needs of society in a global and multicultural world by preparing its students to impact healthcare by advancing science. Why have you decided to apply to Nursing? Where do you see yourself professionally in the future and how will you contribute to our mission of promoting equity in healthcare?
No limit listed · Required
Why Penn / Program Fit
What excites you about your specific Penn academic program? Why are Penn and that program the best fit for your aspirations?
200 words max · Required
School-Specific Interests
Considering the specific undergraduate school you have selected, describe how you intend to explore your academic and intellectual interests at the University of Pennsylvania.
300 words max · Required
About the application
Applies via the Common App.
Make your next draft count.
Common questions
- What are the Penn essay prompts for 2025-26?
- Penn lists Why College of Arts & Sciences (1 prompt); Why M&T Program — Essay 1 (1 prompt); Why LSM (Life Sciences & Management) (1 prompt); Why Penn Engineering (SEAS) (1 prompt); Huntsman Program — Target Language (1 prompt); Why Nursing & Business Dual Degree (1 prompt); Why Wharton (1 prompt); Why Digital Media Design (DMD) (1 prompt); Why M&T Program — Essay 2 (1 prompt); Why VIPER — Energy Research (1 prompt); Thank-You Note (First-Year) (1 prompt); Community at Penn (1 prompt); Why Nursing (1 prompt); Why Penn / Program Fit (1 prompt); School-Specific Interests (1 prompt) for 2025-26.
- How many essays does Penn require?
- Penn requires 15 essays based on the published group instructions for 2025-26. The page lists 15 required and 0 optional prompts.
- What are the word limits for the Penn supplemental essays?
- The published word and character limits are 200 words max, 650 words max, 125 words max, 250 words max, 300 words max.