University of Pennsylvania
An Ivy founded by Benjamin Franklin, known for its pre-professional culture and strong cross-school collaboration.
- Next deadline
- Nov 1, 2026Early Decision
- Essays
- 3Prompts
- Supplement
- Required2025-2026 cycle
- Platform
- Common AppAccepted platform
- Selectivity
- 5.9%Highly selective
- Enrollment
- 10,019Large undergrad
Build your University of Pennsylvania application plan
Track the deadline, review every supplemental essay prompt, and shape each response around one clear admissions story.
Application deadlines
Supplemental essay prompts
- Short Answer200 words2026-2027
Write a short thank-you note to someone you have not yet thanked and would like to acknowledge.
- Supplement200 words2026-2027
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.
- Why School200 words2026-2027
Considering the undergraduate school you have selected, describe how you intend to explore your academic and intellectual interests at the University of Pennsylvania.
How to approach University of Pennsylvania's supplemental essays
Answer fast, then show texture
Start with the answer, then add one detail only you could write. Short answers get stronger when they sound observed instead of summarized.
Choose a role before you draft
Decide what this essay should add to the application: evidence, range, bridge, or a new window into your life. Avoid repeating the Common App essay in miniature.
Make fit concrete
Name one academic or community reason, then connect it to a scene from your life. The school detail should prove fit, not decorate the paragraph.
Use this as a blank structure for a University of Pennsylvania short-answer response, then replace every bracket with your own specifics.
- Open on [specific scene, object, problem, or conversation].
- Show what [choice/action/constraint] reveals about how you think.
- Connect that trait to [school program, community, lab, class, or value].
- End with the contribution you want to make at University of Pennsylvania, not a compliment.
Need more help with this application?
Use our guides to plan your supplement, sharpen your Why Us research, and review your draft before you submit.
Frequently asked questions
How many supplemental essays does University of Pennsylvania require?
University of Pennsylvania has 3 supplemental essays listed for the 2025-2026 application cycle, in addition to the shared application essay.
Does University of Pennsylvania accept the Common Application?
Yes — University of Pennsylvania accepts the Common Application.
What is University of Pennsylvania's acceptance rate?
University of Pennsylvania's most recently reported acceptance rate is 5.9%.
When is University of Pennsylvania's next application deadline?
University of Pennsylvania's next listed application deadline is the Early Decision round on November 1, 2026.
What is University of Pennsylvania's "Write a short thank-you note to…" prompt (#1, 200 words)?
Write a short thank-you note to someone you have not yet thanked and would like to acknowledge.
What is University of Pennsylvania's "How will you explore community at…" prompt (#2, 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.
What is University of Pennsylvania's "Considering the undergraduate school you have…" prompt (#3, 200 words)?
Considering the undergraduate school you have selected, describe how you intend to explore your academic and intellectual interests at the University of Pennsylvania.
Sources and verification
We prioritize University of Pennsylvania's official admissions pages for school-specific prompts and deadlines, then use application-platform and federal sources as cross-checks. This record is labeled for the 2025-2026 cycle but still needs a fresh verification pass.
Review official source →