essays for penn state

2023-24 Penn State Supplemental Essay – Prompt and Tips

September 6, 2023

With an acceptance rate still above 50%, it would be easy to misjudge how challenging the Penn State admissions landscape truly is. In fact, those entering the famed University Park campus sport mid-50 SATs of 1270-1450. They also boast an unweighted GPA range of 3.59-3.93 . Additionally, successful applicants in 2023-24 should prepare to write a strong Penn State supplemental essay.

(Want to learn more about How to Get Into Penn State? Visit our blog entitled:  How to Get Into Penn State University: Admissions Data and Strategies  for all of the most recent admissions data as well as tips for gaining acceptance.)

In a competitive admissions environment, every piece of the Penn State application takes on a high level of importance. Therefore, it is vital that all Nittany Lion applicants dedicate a significant amount of time to this optional essay. Below is the lone PSU supplemental prompt for the 2023-24 admissions cycle along with our advice for composing a winning essay.

Penn State Supplemental Essay Prompt #1 (Optional)

Please tell us something about yourself, your experiences, or activities that you believe would reflect positively on your ability to succeed at penn state. this is your opportunity to tell us something about yourself that is not already reflected in your application or academic records. we suggest a limit of 500 words or fewer..

This essay is technically “optional” but all serious applicants should view it as mandatory. Unlike many “optional” essays that may or may not apply to you (e.g. COVID impact, gap in education, gender identity etc.), just about every applicant has at least one extracurricular or experience worth elaborating on.

The activity/experience angle

With this prompt, Penn State is not necessarily asking you to write about the activity where you earned the most prestigious awards. Nor are they looking for the one where you held the highest position of leadership. The university is going to see all of your activities in that section of the Common App. As such, you want to ask yourself which of your entries is crying out for more explanation and detail. Which one is closest to your heart and most representative of your unique passions? Pick the option that will allow you to deliver additional detail that may be memorable to the admissions reader. For example, you may be a volunteer EMT and have compelling, drama-filled experiences to share.

Alternatively, you may have worked in local restaurant and learned more about the lives of your undocumented coworkers. Start this process by asking, “What is the most interesting and consequential moment I have experienced in my extracurricular activities?”

If you can identify one clear-cut moment, that is likely the activity worth sharing with the Penn State admissions staff.

The more broad “about you” angle

Of course, this prompt has a wider scope than just an activity. You can also take this opportunity to share something personal. After completing your Common App, is there anything that you have yet to share that is absolutely elemental to who you are as a person/student? Without the benefit of an in-person interview, it may feel like you never fully had a chance to connect intimately with a PSU admissions officer. Perhaps you have not communicated the full you, your true essence, your je ne sais quoi. If you feel something important about yourself has yet to be communicated elsewhere in the application, then this essay is about to become your best friend.

Consider that the admissions reader is already familiar with your academic history, activities, and awards. What don’t they know, or, what could they understand on a deeper level. This could be a particular skill or talent or something about your character or personality. On the other hand, you may wish to speak more about your passions, hobbies, ideas, or beliefs. Any of those options are perfectly fine!

This one is intentionally open-ended so use this space to share your most cherished accomplishments or most winning attributes. The university itself is, in essence, inviting you to make a “closing argument” at the end of this admissions trial.

How important is the Penn State supplemental essay?

The essays (the Common App essay and supplemental essay) are not among the most important factors to the admissions committee. GPA and the rigor of one’s courses are at the top of the list. However, the essays can help borderline applicants push themselves over the edge toward an acceptance.

Want Personalized Essay Assistance?

Lastly, if you are interested in working with one of College Transitions’ experienced and knowledgeable essay coaches as you craft your Penn State supplemental essay, we encourage you to  get a quote  today.

• College Essay

Andrew Belasco

A licensed counselor and published researcher, Andrew's experience in the field of college admissions and transition spans two decades. He has previously served as a high school counselor, consultant and author for Kaplan Test Prep, and advisor to U.S. Congress, reporting on issues related to college admissions and financial aid.

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College Essays

If you want to go to Penn State , then the Penn State essay is one of your big chances to show how you’re different from other students in your application for admission . In order to really make this component of the application work to your advantage, you’ll need a solid strategy for writing a concise, unique, and persuasive Penn State essay!

Writing your Penn State admissions essay might seem intimidating at first, but we’re here to guide you through the process. This article will help you write a stellar Penn State essay by: 

• Explaining purpose of the Penn State Essay
• Outlining the three steps to writing a solid Penn State Essay
• Providing a breakdown of Penn State essay examples
• Giving you three practical tips for writing an exceptional essay

Let’s dive in!

The Penn State essay is an important part of your Penn State application because it can make you stand out from other applicants!

What’s the Penn State Essay?

The Penn State essay, sometimes also called the Penn State supplemental essay, is a 500 word written response included in the Penn State application for admission . 

The prompt for this essay invites applicants to tell the admissions committee about themselves. Here’s the prompt you’ll have to answer:

Please tell us something about yourself, your experiences, or activities that you believe would reflect positively on your ability to succeed at Penn State. This is your opportunity to tell us something about yourself that is not already reflected in your application or academic records. We suggest a limit of 500 words or fewer. 

This essay prompt is essentially asking applicants to write a response that is very similar to what is known as a personal statement. College admissions typically use an applicant’s personal statement to better understand who the applicant is as a person and what strengths they will bring to the university. 

In other words, the Penn State Essay response is an applicant’s chance to show what makes them unique in the admissions process. 

3 Steps to Answering The Penn State Essay Prompt

If we break down the pieces of what the Penn State prompt is asking, we can identify three main tasks that you need to complete in order to write a killer essay . These tasks are as follows: 

• Identify something about yourself (e.g. a skill, ability, character trait), one of your experiences, or an activity you have been involved in, and 
• Explain the meaning or significance of that aspect of yourself in order to
• Prove that you embody what it means to be a Penn State student. 

While whipping out a 500 word essay response that covers these topics may sound easy, it’s a bit trickier in practice. It’s important that you think carefully about your strategy and come up with a clear plan for your essay response. Remember: your essay is an important part of your admissions application, so you want to spend time getting it right. 

Now, we’re going to walk you through how to address each of these three major points in your essay in order to make admissions counselors sit up and take notice. 

Step 1: Select a Topic to Write About

To begin the process of drafting your Penn State essay, you need to select a meaningful attribute, experience, or activity that makes a positive case for your ability to succeed at Penn State . You need to identify these meaningful experiences or attributes because of the first part of the Penn State essay prompt, which states: 

Please tell us something about yourself, your experiences, or activities that you believe would reflect positively on your ability to succeed at Penn State. 

To do this, start by taking inventory of the character traits, experiences, or involvement in activities that you’re most proud of, passionate about, or are the most meaningful to you. We recommend you start by writing a list of the things that come to mind. If you want, you can divide it into categories based on character traits/abilities, experiences, and activities. As you put together this list, don’t worry about whether the things you’re coming up with are “good” or not — you’re just brainstorming ideas at this point!  

If you’re stuck and have no idea where to start, that’s okay, too. Try asking yourself these questions to get you started: 

• What is my favorite memory? And why? 
• What’s my favorite thing to do in the whole world? Why do I love it? 
• If my friends had to describe me in one word, what would they say?

Once you start jotting down ideas, you’ll probably find that you’re able to come up with quite a few. The traits, experiences, and activities that you list out can vary widely and come from different areas of your life, including experiences with friends and family, academic pursuits, extracurricular activities, work with community organizations and volunteerism, political activism, travels, strong memories from childhood, or challenges you’ve faced in life. The possibilities aren’t limited to the ones we just mentioned; this list is simply meant to give you a jump start for brainstorming. 

Once you’ve listed out all the meaningful traits/abilities, experiences, and activities that you can think of, evaluate them in order to select one item from the list that you will address in your Penn State essay. To narrow it down to one item, consider asking yourself the following questions: 

• Which of these items do I feel the strongest positive emotional connection to? 
• Which of these items am I the most proud of? 
• Which of these items could I tell a story about? 
• Which of these items makes me unique or different from other people? 

You don’t necessarily have to use these questions to select your essay topic, but if you find that you answer several of these questions with the same experience or activity, that might be a good clue that you should choose that item as the topic of your Penn State essay. 

Once you pick a topic, it's time to figure out what it says about you as a person. This essay is designed to help admissions counselors get to know you. 

Step 2: Think About What Your Topic Says About You 

Once you’ve selected a single character trait/ability, experience, or activity from your list, the second step of responding to the Penn State essay prompt is to tell a compelling story. 

You want to engage your reader while explaining what the trait/activity/characteristic you’ve chosen says about you as a person. 

To get started on this step, it’s a good idea to do some freewriting or brainstorming. Try to identify the ways in which the experience or activity you chose showcased a talent, skill, or ability you possess in a meaningful or valuable way. It’s important to be able to explain your perception of how this experience or activity shaped you into a person who will bring something positive to Penn State.

Here’s what we mean: say Katerina has decided that she wants to write about making the varsity squad for her school’s soccer team. In her freewrite, she writes about how the accomplishment makes her feel (proud, excited, enthusiastic), and she also writes a bit about the hard work it took for her to get there. Not only does she jot down ideas about going to the State tournament and making a game-winning goal, she also writes about how she missed making the squad in 9th grade, but instead of quitting, she got up an hour early every day over the summer to fit in extra practice. 

In this example, Katerina is trying to get a better understanding of why her topic is important to her, and what kind of story she can tell the admissions committee to help them understand her better. In this case, Katerina may decide to focus on how she didn’t give up and put in extra work to make her dreams come true...and it ended up paying off in a big way! 

Keep in mind that it doesn’t matter if the item you choose to write about is the most prestigious accomplishment from your résumé — you have the rest of your Penn State application to account for those accomplishments. Rather, the Penn State Essay is your time to tell the story of the real person behind your long list of accolades. If you can tailor this story to focus on a specific, detailed experience, activity, or positive attribute you possess, your essay will be more impactful.

Step 3: Tie Your Story Back to Penn State

After you’ve nailed down the way that you want to describe your uniqueness as an applicant, you need to define your understanding of what success at Penn State means to you . 

Why do you need to do this? Because of the instructions in the first sentence of the Penn State essay prompt, which states: 

Please tell us something about yourself, your experiences, or activities that you believe would reflect positively on your ability to succeed at Penn State . 

Penn State Admissions wants you to make a clear connection between your reflections on the experience you choose to write about and the opportunities for success that Penn State offers to its students. In order to make this connection effectively in your essay response, you need to explain how your story shows that you’re a perfect fit for Penn State. 

To get started, do your research on the culture, identity, and opportunities provided for students at Penn State . Use any information you may have gathered from visits to Penn State’s campus, attending admissions events, talking with current students or alumni, or perusing Penn State’s website to help you construct a complete picture of the culture of Penn State and what the school has to offer. 

Also, dig into specific opportunities you want to take advantage of while you’re attending Penn State. What does Penn State offer you that no other college can give you? Maybe that’s a specific degree plan, unique courses, or even a specific professor you want to work with. The more specific you are about how you’ll fit into the Penn State community, the better. 

So let’s go back to Katerina. Katerina wants to be an engineer, and in her research, she learned that Penn State’s BEST Center is working on improving battery technology. Since Katerina wants to work in the tech field, the BEST Center will help her prepare for her future career. 

So now Katerina needs to use her story about her soccer experience to explain how she’ll succeed as an engineering student at Penn State . One way she might do that is by saying that engineering is a demanding degree, and the persistence she learned on the soccer field will set her up for doing well as a Penn State engineering student. She could even take it a step further and explain that the creative problem solving she developed in her soccer training will help her succeed as she researches new battery technology as a part of the BEST Center, too.

This definition of “success” should inform how you tell the story of yourself in your Penn State essay. The admissions committee doesn’t expect every applicant to define success in the same way. In fact, Penn State admissions wants to see that you’ve really thought through your potential to be a good fit as a student at Penn State based on a thorough understanding of what Penn State has to offer a student with your past experiences and vision for the future. You should be able to define your path to success and explain how Penn State will help you get there.  

If you're still not sure what your Penn State essay should look like, take a look at our example essay below.

A Penn State Essay Example

There are many different ways that a Penn State essay can be successful but, in general, excellent essays talk about a specific experience, tell a memorable story, and connect the story of that experience to your definition of success at Penn State. 

To help you understand what these moves can look like in practice, let’s check out Penn State essay examples: 

Every morning during the spring of my junior year of high school, my alarm went off at 4:45 a.m. Due to the coronavirus pandemic, many people in my hometown were laid off from their jobs struggling to make ends meet. My family owns a farm, and we grow many different types of vegetables and have laying hens, too. So when my morning chores were completed, I would jump in the truck with my dad and my sister to drive into town and deliver free vegetables and eggs to families in need. 

My family could help others because of our farm. That made me think: what if other people could grow their own food and then share what they had with others? That’s why I started an online, community-based agriculture program at my school. I wanted to help others learn how to grow their own food, then share that food with others in their community. 

While the group started out small with just a few students, within three weeks, 40 of my classmates joined in. Together, we organized a seed, plant, and garden tool drive that helped give 70 families in our town enough supplies to start their own small gardens. And many of my classmates have committed to growing gardens of their own! This experience taught me how important agriculture is, but also how agriculture can directly impact the well-being of those around me. 

As a major in community, environment, and development at Penn State, I would have the opportunity to learn about and envision strategies for helping consumers in local communities become aware of and educated about the social and economic benefits to supporting their local farmers. By taking supplemental courses in computer programming, I would prepare myself to create user-friendly online spaces that are dedicated to sharing information about local food systems with consumers in local communities. Ultimately, I believe that Penn State will help me achieve my dream of starting a nationwide, online program to help people in undeserved communities start community agriculture programs of their own. 

Now, let’s break down what this example essay does well. In this essay, the writer provides a clear definition of what success at Penn State will look like for them as a student. This essay emphasizes the student’s personal goals, knowledge of the opportunities Penn State has to offer, and commitment to investing in the Penn State community and society at large . That will definitely make an impact with admissions counselors! 

This student also helps admissions counselors get to know them by telling a story that includes specific details and vivid imagery from an experience that other applicants may not have . The essay helps the reader get a better sense of who this person is, their background, and the things they care about by telling the short story about delivering homegrown care packages to people in the community. This story will help the admissions committee remember the applicant and will set them apart from other applicants as well. 

But most essays aren’t perfect, and this one isn’t, either. One thing this essay response can improve upon is the way in which it connects the student’s idea of success to Penn State . In the last paragraph, the student should focus more on how specific opportunities provided by Penn State’s agriculture department, like its collaborative research into sustainable agriculture , will help the student achieve their goals. 

All in all, t his Penn State essay provides a good example of how to address all aspects of the essay prompt , be clear and concise in your writing, and reveal important aspects of who you are as a person that your other application materials may not show. 

3 Tips for Writing an Excellent Penn State Essay

You want your Penn State essay to persuade admissions that you’ll be a fantastic addition to Penn State’s incoming class. To help you present yourself in a way that Penn State admissions will remember, check out our three tips for writing an outstanding Penn State essay to help you stand out from the crowd. 

Tip 1: Be Specific

If you want your Penn State essay to be memorable, you need to be specific . Throwing out a bunch of abstract character traits or claims as to why you’ll be successful at Penn State won’t help your essay stand out. Instead, give your essay a coherent focus by selecting one or two related character traits, experiences, or activities that show your ability to be successful at Penn State. 

The point of the Penn State essay is to shoot for depth, not breadth. You already showcase your grades, coursework, and awards through other parts of your Penn State application. The essay is the time to reveal more about who you are and what you will bring to Penn State by showing how you’ve been successful in a past situation. Choosing a specific experience and diving into the details of it will show that you’re more than just a list of achievements on a résumé—you’re a real human being. 

Tip 2: Give Concrete Examples

When writing your Penn State essay, examples are a crucial form of support. When you select one or two specific elements  to focus on in your essay, you need to be able to elaborate on those things through specific and engaging examples. 

For instance, you don’t want to simply say, “My adaptability to a range of situations predicts my potential for success as a student at Penn State.” An admissions committee may read that sentence and ask, What makes you so adaptable? What activities or experiences demonstrate evidence of your adaptability? What has your adaptability helped you achieve or accomplish? 

Instead of making a vague, abstract claim like the one in the paragraph above, you need to be more specific, which you can do by providing an example . 

Here’s how a writer could elaborate on their adaptability in their essay: 

Starting your senior year of high school at a new school probably sounds daunting, but after moving seven times in seven years, I was prepared for the ins and outs of being the new kid on my last first day of school. Moving so many times due to my father’s work in the military has given me the opportunity to experience different cultures, learn new languages, and cultivate the ability to make meaningful connections with new people who are very different from me in a matter of minutes. During my senior year at a new school, I used these skills to mobilize my fellow students for a school wide walkout in support of DACA. 

Do you see the difference? The example above gives specific details of what life experience led this student to become adaptable rather than simply making an unsupported claim .

This example is also memorable because it uses vivid language. When you read it, you can imagine the student traveling the world, confidently stepping foot into a new school, and building connections with fellow students for social action. 

In your Penn State essay, examples like this one can be used to make meaningful connections between your vision for your life as a student and a clear definition of success . Using examples in this way will make your essay memorable and unique. 

Tip 3: Don’t Rehash Your Résumé

It’s tempting to rehash the list of accomplishments on your résumé in your Penn State essay, especially if your résumé is packed full of prestigious awards and experiences. However, keep in mind that there are other areas of the Penn State application that explicitly ask for this information. 

When the admissions committee sits down to read your essay response, they’re looking to learn something new about you—something that your résumé can’t tell them . So, instead of listing off accomplishments or stating the facts of what you’ve achieved, pick an aspect of who you are that might not be super apparent. That can include personality traits (maybe you’re really funny), unique experiences you’ve had (maybe you rescued kittens one summer!), or something else that makes you uniquely you. 

Just remember: your essay is a chance for you to make a powerful impression on your readers, so don’t waste it! 

Next Steps 

If you’re applying to Penn State, you need to make sure you’re meeting some of the school’s other admissions requirements . Here’s a guide to the Penn State admissions process to get you started . You can also learn more about the Penn State ACT and Penn State SAT standards , too. 

Are you looking for more college essay tips and tricks? Don’t worry: we’ve got 13 more for you! 

If you’re applying to other schools besides Penn State, y ou may find that you have to write “Why This College?” essays . If you’re not sure what those are, be sure to check out this article.

Want to write the perfect college application essay? Get professional help from PrepScholar.

Your dedicated PrepScholar Admissions counselor will craft your perfect college essay, from the ground up. We'll learn your background and interests, brainstorm essay topics, and walk you through the essay drafting process, step-by-step. At the end, you'll have a unique essay that you'll proudly submit to your top choice colleges.

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Ashley Sufflé Robinson has a Ph.D. in 19th Century English Literature. As a content writer for PrepScholar, Ashley is passionate about giving college-bound students the in-depth information they need to get into the school of their dreams.

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How to Respond to the 2023-2024 Penn State Supplemental Essay Prompts

Varonika Ware is a content writer at Scholarships360. Varonika earned her undergraduate degree in Mass Communications at Louisiana State University. During her time at LSU, she worked with the Center of Academic Success to create the weekly Success Sunday newsletter. Varonika also interned at the Louisiana Department of Insurance in the Public Affairs office with some of her graphics appearing in local news articles.

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Cari Schultz is an Educational Review Board Advisor at Scholarships360, where she reviews content featured on the site. For over 20 years, Cari has worked in college admissions (Baldwin Wallace University, The Ohio State University, University of Kentucky) and as a college counselor (Columbus School for Girls).

Pennsylvania State University , commonly known as Penn State, is a public land-grant research university located in State College, Pennsylvania. It is widely known for its high ranking athletics and undergraduate degree programs. We are here to help you respond to the Penn State supplemental essays , so keep reading!

The Penn State prompts

The Penn State supplemental essays might be optional for all applicants, but going the extra mile shows your interest in the university and showcases your talents. Your story is important, and Penn State wants to hear about it. This is why they also include a supplemental essay for potential students that have taken time off before applying to college. 

“ Optional : Please tell us something about yourself, your experiences, or activities that you believe would reflect positively on your ability to succeed at Penn State. This is your opportunity to tell us something about yourself that is not already reflected in your application or academic records. We suggest a limit of 500 words or fewer.”

This prompt is the classic “who are you beyond academics?” question. Penn State and many other colleges want to get to know their applicants to determine if it’s the right fit. It’s important for your personality to shine through in this essay, and being authentic is a necessary component.

Make your Penn State supplemental essay specific to you and your journey. Start by figuring out a main topic for your essay that isn’t so general that it could apply to any of the other applicants.

However, the story you share with the admissions office should relate to what you hope to accomplish or contribute to the Penn State community. This includes hobbies that might have inspired you to choose your major as well as ways you contributed to your current community in a way that you hope to make a similar impact at Penn State. You might also want to mention a course that Penn State exclusively offers that relates to an interest you have. 

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Questions to consider.

• What is the story I want to tell Penn State?
• What are some notable experiences, interests, or hobbies that I have?
• Why did I choose to apply to Penn State?

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Remember: This prompt is only for applicants who are sending in their application sometime other than their senior year of high school.

“ Please use this space to explain any time that has elapsed between your high school graduation and your anticipated enrollment at Penn State. Please provide a summary of why that gap occurred. If you attended another college or university during that time, please note it below and ensure that you have entered the information in the Academic History section of this application . ( 500 words ) ”

Everyone’s college journey is different, with some not enrolling in college the fall after graduating high school. Whether you took a gap period to travel or to prepare for university, this is your opportunity to share your experience with Penn State. 

You might’ve taken the time to travel, recoup from years in school, or start an entirely new adventure. You might have taken the time to seek experience and save money by working. Whatever your reasons, this supplemental essay prompt allows you to emphasize the importance of your gap period and how it has shaped you.

When writing your essay, try to include why you want to attend Penn State after your time off. Make them a part of your story, and explain how you hope to further develop once you attend. 

Be aware of the word count, it’s a bit more fixed than the other supplemental essay prompt. It might be hard to hit the exact limit, so go back and proofread before adding any additional sentences. A couple words here and there are quick to stack up!

Also see: What is a gap year? Everything you need to know

• Why did I want to take a gap year?
• What did I accomplish during my gap year?
• How did taking this time shape me as a person?
• In what ways do I feel more prepared to start college now (specifically at Penn State)?

Don’t miss: Top reasons to take a break from college

Next steps for students

As you go through the college application process, mark your calendar with important deadlines! By doing this, you can accurately plan and get things done in advance. You could circle the date for admission notifications or schedule a campus tour.

Penn State has multiple campuses for applicants to choose from, and they also offer virtual tours, so you can get a quick look before visiting in person. The website even gives brief overviews of each location in Pennsylvania along with degrees, housing, and extracurriculars offered there. 

Remember to check Penn State’s social media pages to stay updated on important events and dates. You’ll also be able to get a glimpse of what Penn State is like and how you might fit in there. Good luck on your path toward success!

Additional resources 

Now you know how to ace the Penn State supplemental essays. But the work is not done! You can never be too prepared for college, so here’s a couple resources to make the transition smoother: 

• Figure out the major that’s right for you
• Decide on applying early decision or early action
• Choose different types of scholarships to apply to
• How to write an essay about yourself

Other colleges to consider

• University of Michigan (Ann Arbor, MI)
• University of Illinois (Urbana-Campaign, IL)
• Purdue University (West Lafayette, IN)

Frequently asked questions about the Penn State supplemental essays

Can i apply to penn state through the common app, is the penn state optional supplemental essay worth writing, how long should the penn state supplemental personal essay be, scholarships360 recommended.

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Penn State Supplemental Essay 2023-24

Penn State Supplemental Essays 2023-24

With test-optional colleges like Penn State on the rise, mastering the Penn State supplemental essay has never been more important. Beyond seeing a strong academic record, the admissions team wants to hear directly from you. That is why including a top tier Penn State essay is so valuable in the admissions process. But, before we jump into the Penn State supplemental essays, let’s learn a little more about the university.

Penn State University , situated in the vibrant state of Pennsylvania , is one of the top public universities in the nation. With a rich history of academic excellence, Penn State draws in a diverse and dynamic community of students. Each year, thousands of aspiring scholars submit their applications yearly, eager to join Penn State’s thriving community. As a result, Penn State enrollment is currently over 80,000 students across its multiple campuses. Wondering how to get into Penn State? Keep reading.

In this guide, we’ll dive into how to get into Penn State University by focusing on the Penn State essays.

Specifically, this guide will:

• Look at the Penn State University essay requirements
• Explore Penn State admissions criteria
• Dissect Penn State essay prompts
• Offer valuable insights for crafting exceptional Penn State essays

After reading this guide, you’ll have the tools you need to craft compelling Penn State essays. So, when you apply , you can be sure your application will leave a lasting impression on the Penn State admissions committee. 

Let’s begin this exciting journey of learning about Penn State supplemental essays!

Penn State Essays: Quick Facts

Penn state essay: quick facts.

• Penn State University Acceptance Rate: The acceptance rate is 55% – U.S. News notes the early acceptance rate is 65.3%.
• Penn State University Academic Profile: Class of 2026
• Common Application
• MyPennState
• Early Action: November 1st
• Recommended Regular Decision: December 1st 
• Please Note: First-year applications may be submitted through July 28th. However, since Penn State operates on a rolling basis, acceptances may become more limited later in the admissions cycle. For this reason, we recommend submitting your application by the Recommended Regular Decision deadline.
• Common Application Personal Statement (Optional): Choose from Common Application 2023-2024 Prompts (650 words)
• Penn State Personal Statement (Optional): Focused on Getting to Know the Applicant (500 words) 
• Students who submit applications after November 1st will not receive an invitation to interview.
• Final Application Deadline: December 4th 
• Supplemental Essay Requirements: 2 800-word maximum essays, 8 200-word short answer responses.

Please note that essay requirements are subject to change each admissions cycle, and portions of this article may have been written before the final publication of the most recent guidelines. For the most up-to-date information on essay requirements, check the university’s admissions website.

Does Penn State have supplemental essays?

Yes, Penn State has one Penn State supplemental essay. This Penn State supplemental essay is also known as the Penn State personal statement. Unlike other universities with required supplemental essays, this essay is optional. That means you only have to write a Penn State supplemental essay if you choose to.

The Penn State supplemental essay asks students to share something about themselves that would enhance their application. You can view this optional essay as an opportunity to share something not reflected elsewhere in your application.

Although optional, the Penn State supplemental essay can add irreplaceable value to your application. The Penn State supplemental essay provides you with the chance to showcase your academic interests, personal highlights, and unique qualities to the Penn State admissions committee. For these reasons, we advise you not to skip the Penn State supplemental essay just because it is not required. 

Penn State Supplemental Essay: Schreyer Honors College

The initial Penn State University application for admission does not have a mandatory Penn State supplemental essay. However, if you plan on applying to Penn State Schreyer Honors College, you will be required to submit several supplemental essays. 

Now that we have answered the question “does Penn State have supplemental essays?”, let’s take a closer look. In the following sections, we’ll explore the Penn State essay prompts for your application to Penn State and the Honors College. (We’ll also share our advice on effectively responding to the various Penn State essays, so look out for helpful tips!)

Penn State Essay Prompt #1 (Optional Essay)

In the writing section of the Common Application, you will be prompted with a Penn State supplemental essay. The prompt for the Penn State personal statement reads as follows:

Penn State Essay Prompt #1

Please tell us something about yourself, your experiences, or activities that you believe would reflect positively on your ability to succeed at penn state. this is your opportunity to tell us something about yourself that is not already reflected in your application or academic records. .

In your Penn State personal statement, you should aim to provide additional insights into your character or experiences. Specifically, you’ll want to connect how those experiences will aid in your success at Penn State.

Just like your Common App personal statement, your Penn State personal statement should share something personal. Consider a unique aspect of your life or experiences that sets you apart from other students. It could be a personal passion, a formative experience, or an activity that has had a significant impact on your development. Aim to share something new in your Penn State personal statement, rather than something already mentioned in your Penn State application.

However, you’ll need to do more than just summarize an experience. The Penn State personal statement asks you to reflect on how this experience has helped shape your character. Consider how this experience impacted your personal growth, resilience, or adaptability. Explain how it aligns with Penn State’s values and your intended field of study.

Should I respond to the optional Penn State essay?

The Penn State personal statement is optional. So, you may be asking yourself whether or not you should choose to respond to the Penn State essay. Well, the short answer is – yes, you should respond to the optional Penn State essay, and this is why. 

While the Penn State essay isn’t required, it offers a valuable chance to enhance your college application. By responding to the Penn State supplemental essay, you can present a more compelling portrait of yourself to admissions officials. The Penn State supplemental essay allows you the chance to convey your enthusiasm and what is important to you. And, you can clearly demonstrate your alignment with Penn State University’s values and academic or extracurricular opportunities.

If these reasons don’t convince you to write your optional Penn State essay, maybe this will. Each year, Penn State University admissions release their application review process. This review highlights how the university evaluates applicants for acceptance. Currently, they highlight students’ academic performance, geographic and cultural background, and various roles as a student, sibling, volunteer, etc. Penn State uses these factors to determine how an applicant might contribute to a diverse student body. So, these are key topics you might want to touch on in your Penn State essays.

Considering the review process mentioned above, the Penn State essay allows you to go beyond academic excellence. The Penn State supplemental essay offers you the chance to highlight your various passions and roles, even non-academic ones. Take this opportunity to showcase how you’ll contribute to Penn State University’s mission of having a diverse student body!

Applying to Schreyer Honors College

Attending Penn State University is an incredible opportunity for students. However, you may choose to further your academic opportunities by applying to Penn State Schreyer Honors College . Students applying to Penn State Schreyer should embody their values of academic excellence, leadership, and community engagement. 

The Penn State Enrollment in 2022 was 88,116 . While Penn State enrollment is high amongst general education collegiate students, Penn State enrollment at Penn State Schreyer is only about 1,200 students. So, it shouldn’t be surprising that the honors college program is incredibly competitive.

When applying be sure to follow these steps: 

Schreyer Honors College application steps:

• Begin the application process early, ensuring you meet Penn State’s general admission requirements. 
• Choose a major aligned with your interests and career goals. 
• Use your Penn State supplemental essays to showcase your academic achievements, extracurricular activities, and volunteer work, emphasizing leadership roles and community service. Be yourself in your Penn State essays and application, as authenticity matters. 
• Always meet deadlines and be prepared in the event you are selected for an interview. 

How many essays are required for my Schreyer Honors College application?

In comparison to writing just one Penn State supplemental essay, Penn State Schreyer distinguishes itself with multiple required application essays. To gain acceptance to Penn State Schreyer Honors College, applicants are tasked with two types of essays. Students must complete two 800-word maximum Penn State essays and respond to eight 200-word short answer questions.

The combination of longer Penn State essays with shorter responses fosters a holistic evaluation of applicants. These prompts allow the Penn State admissions committee to assess many qualities of your character. Everything from academic accomplishments, character, and potential contributions to the university community.

In the next section, we’ll briefly break down each of the prompts for the Penn State Honors College supplemental essays.

Penn State Honors College Supplemental Essays

As previously stated, Penn State Schreyer Honors College has multiple Penn State essays. These Penn State Honors College supplemental essays are diverse and allow prospective students to present a comprehensive picture of themselves. For success, you must know the differences between the various Schreyer Honors College prompts and how to respond best. 

This section will dive deep into each of the Penn State essay prompts for Penn State Schreyer. Let’s get started. 

The first two Penn State Honors College supplemental essays are 800-words maximum. They ask two questions using two distinct Penn State essay prompts.

Penn State Schreyer Honors College Supplemental Essays: Prompt One

Schreyer honors college supplemental essay prompt #1, describe a problem you’ve solved or a problem you’d like to solve. it can be an intellectual challenge, a research query, an ethical dilemma – anything that is of personal importance, no matter the scale. explain its significance to you and what steps you took or could take to identify a solution..

To respond to this Penn State essay prompt effectively, select a problem that resonates with you. It might be an academic challenge, a societal issue, or a moral dilemma. In your response, you’ll want to:

• Describe the problem clearly
• Emphasize its significance
• Highlight your emotional connection
• Explain how it aligns with your values or interests.

Next, delve into the steps you have already taken or envision taking to address this issue. Discuss:

• Your thought process
• Research you conducted
• People you consulted
• Any actions you’ve initiated

Reflect on what you’ve learned from this problem-solving experience and how it has influenced your growth or aspirations.

Penn State Schreyer Honors College Supplemental Essays: Prompt Two

Schreyer honors college supplemental essay prompt #2, isaac asimov wrote: “any book worth banning is a book worth reading.” do you agree is such censorship ever justified if not, explain why. if so, who or what should determine which books are read and which books are forbidden..

When tackling this Penn State essay prompt, start by expressing your stance on Asimov’s statement, either agreeing or disagreeing. Be sure to provide thoughtful arguments to support your viewpoint.

If you agree with Asimov, discuss the value of engaging with challenging or controversial literature. What benefits can it bring to society? What moral, legal, or ethical issues does censorship raise? If you disagree, explain the circumstances under which censorship might be justified, such as protecting public safety or vulnerable populations. Be sure to consider who should have the authority to make decisions regarding banned books. 

Ultimately, your response should convey a deep understanding of censorship’s complexities and a clear stance on the matter. Whether you agree or disagree, be sure to back up your answer with specific details and reasonable justification.

Penn State Schreyer Honors College Supplemental Essays: Short Answer Prompts

In addition to the longer Penn State essays, Penn State Schreyer requires applicants to respond to 8 short-response questions. These questions have a 200-word limit and are designed to provide quick glimpses into your interests. The eight Penn State essay prompts are as follows: 

Schreyer Honors College Supplemental Essays Short Answer Prompts

1. what do you hope to get at penn state as a schreyer scholar to help you accomplish your future goals and aspirations, 2. if you were able to go anywhere in the world, outside of the country you currently reside, where would you go and why, 3. tell us about your leadership experiences (community roles, family contributions, research, clubs, organizations, etc.) and why leadership is important to you. describe the challenges and/or successes you’ve faced in these roles., 4. list awards or other recognitions you have received in or outside of school over the last 4 years. which award or recognition means the most to you and why, 5. tell us about a book or other media that has made you think about something in a new way., 6. consider a time when you had to collaborate with individuals from diverse backgrounds or with different perspectives. how did this experience contribute to your personal growth and understanding of others, 7. everyone belongs to many different communities and/or groups, including: shared geography, faith, ethnicity, income, cuisine, interest, race, or intellectual heritage. choose one of the communities or groups to which you belong and describe how it has influenced your life over the last four years., 8. please use this space to share information you would like us to consider that has not been discussed elsewhere in your schreyer honors college application. this could include obstacles you’ve overcome, something you’re proud of that is not discussed elsewhere, or anything else you choose..

These short answer prompts are specific, so be sure to respond to the questions accordingly. With a smaller word limit, you’ll need to stay focused on a clear topic and relevant connected ideas. Rather than worrying about how you think a Schreyer Scholar might answer, be honest in your Penn State essays. Picking topics you’re passionate about is a surefire way to capture your authentic self, even in these shorter essays.

Up next, we’ll discuss how to respond to all Penn State essay prompts in order to enhance your overall application.

How to write Penn State supplemental essays

When writing Penn State essays, it’s crucial to ensure they enhance and strengthen your Penn State application. Below are our suggestions to help make your Penn State supplemental essays stand out:

1. Embrace authenticity and personal voice in each Penn State Essay

Infuse your Penn State supplemental essays with your genuine self. Share personal anecdotes and experiences that have shaped your values, passions, and aspirations. Avoid generic responses and instead focus on the distinctive aspects of your life journey.

2. Demonstrate knowledge and alignment with Penn State Universit y

Research Penn State University thoroughly. Understand the university’s values, mission, academic programs, campus culture, and initiatives. Integrate this knowledge into your Penn State essays to demonstrate your sincere interest and alignment with Penn State.

3. Prioritize proofreading and refinement in your Penn State Essays

Pay meticulous attention to proofreading and editing your Penn State essays. Ensure impeccable grammar, punctuation, and sentence structure. Verify the clarity and coherence of your ideas. Given the limited word count, every word must be chosen wisely and redundancy should be eliminated.

Try incorporating these strategies into each Penn State supplemental essay. For each prompt, showcase your unique qualities and underscore the valuable contributions you can bring to the Penn State community. Remember, Penn State supplemental essays are your opportunity to shine. And, moreover, convince the admissions committee that you are an excellent fit for Penn State University.

Does Penn State care about essays?

Historically, admissions officials at Penn State University have placed significant weight on a student’s academic performance. But, times are shifting, and each Penn State supplemental essay is becoming more important than ever. 

Currently, Penn State University has a test-optional policy for those applying for Fall 2024 admission. This shift shows that Penn State recognizes the limitations of standardized test scores. While still valuable, they can’t always accurately or completely assess a student’s potential, capabilities, and alignment with their academic community. As a test-optional school, Penn State places increased emphasis on other components of the Penn State application process. This primarily includes Penn State supplemental essays.

Each Penn State supplemental essay gives you unique opportunities to illuminate your distinct perspectives, life experiences, and personal attributes. The university gains a more comprehensive and holistic understanding of you through your Penn State supplemental essays. Ultimately, these Penn State essays offer a deeper insight into applicants’ character, intellectual curiosity, and alignment with Penn State’s core values. 

More Essay Resources from CollegeAdvisor

CollegeAdvisor offers a range of valuable resources to help guide you through the post-secondary admissions process. Our goal is always to help students maximize their admissions odds, especially by crafting compelling college essays. So, here are a few of our favorite essay resources:

• College Essay Topics Guide : This is a comprehensive guide to help you choose compelling and relevant essay topics for your college applications. This resource provides valuable insights into crafting essays that highlight your personal experiences, interests, and aspirations.
• How to Write Better Essays : Our guide on writing better essays equips students with valuable tips, strategies, and techniques to enhance their essay-writing skills. You can apply any of these tips to your Penn State supplemental essays.
• Common App Essay Examples : The Common App essay is crucial to many college applications, including Penn State. CollegeAdvisor offers a collection of real Common App essay examples to inspire and guide students in creating compelling narratives.

Penn State Supplemental Essays – Takeaways

Navigating the college application process can be exciting and challenging. Knowing what to say and how to say it is an increasingly valuable skill. Here are seven takeaways to keep in mind when considering the Penn State supplemental essays:

7 Key Takeaways for Penn State Supplemental Essays

• Penn State University highly values its Penn State supplemental essays in its admissions process. They provide a holistic view of applicants that would otherwise be less dimensional.
• Penn State’s application offers one optional Penn State supplemental essay, in addition to the Common Application personal statement. The optional Penn State supplemental essay is called the Penn State personal statement.
• The Penn State personal statement asks applicants to share a life experience or activity that will contribute to their success at Penn State.
• Responding to these optional Penn State essays can help applicants showcase their uniqueness, enthusiasm, and alignment with Penn State’s values.
• The Penn State Schreyer Honors College application also has Penn State supplemental essays. These Penn State supplemental essays are mandatory for honors college applicants.
• Penn State Schreyer Honors College application essays include two 800-word maximum essays and eight 200-word short answer responses. These Penn State essays allow applicants to present a comprehensive picture of themselves.
• To excel at these Penn State supplemental essays, craft your responses authentically, align them with Penn State’s values, and demonstrate knowledge about the university. Also, proofread and refine your Penn State essays to ensure clarity and engagement!

Understanding the role of Penn State University supplemental essays and adhering to these tips can undoubtedly enhance your application. Still have questions about how to get into Penn State? Speak with one of our admissions experts today!

This article was written by senior advisor, Ashley Hollins . Are you looking for more admissions support? Click here to schedule a free meeting with one of our Admissions Specialists. Our team will discuss your profile during your meeting and help you find targeted ways to increase your admissions odds at top schools. We’ll also answer any questions and discuss how CollegeAdvisor.com can support you in the college application process.

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The Graduate Writing Center

Welcome to penn state’s graduate writing center, i’m having technical difficulties registering for an appointment. whom should i contact.

Please email [email protected]  

What kinds of writing can I work on during a GWC session?

We are prepared to assist you during any stage of the writing process, regardless of genre.  We frequently encounter the following kinds of writing:

• Thesis/Dissertation Proposals and Chapters
• Graduate Coursework (e.g., lit reviews, lab reports, seminar papers)
• Conference Abstracts
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• Personal Statements
• Letters of Application and Interest
• C.V.s and Résumés
• Teaching Philosophies
• Research Article Manuscripts

We can also help you with critical reading, public speaking, and integrating new media applications with writing objectives.

What happens in a GWC session?

Graduate students are invited to schedule appointments for one-to-one collaborative discussions about any professional or academic writing objective. Our consultants commonly assist writers with theses, dissertations, seminar papers, proposals, personal statements, fellowship applications, CVs, letters of application, among many other genres. Some writers come to the GWC to learn more about grammatical concepts such as connectives (e.g. transitions, prepositions, conjunctions) or to discuss the structural difference between exposition and narration.  Others visit the GWC for assistance with rhetorical principles including argumentation, syntax and paragraph arrangement, word choice, and audience analysis in whatever writing project they are currently undertaking. These collaborative discussions seek both to generate productive feedback about specific projects and to improve students’ writing and critical thinking abilities in general.

How is tutoring different from editing?

We are not a proofreading or editing service. We do not “mark up” papers.  We will not go through your paper line by line to point out every mistake. However, we will happily explain a grammatical concept, evaluate the range of grammatical functions, and collaboratively discover how to strategically apply our discussion to your writing task. We are here to help you improve your abilities to write and to edit your writing.  We hope to empower you throughout your writing process. If your main concern is to have a grammatically correct paper by a given deadline, please consult our current list of editors/proofreaders for hire.

Who uses GWC services?

The Graduate Writing Center began offering its peer-to-peer services to Penn State graduate students in January 1999.  Decades later, we continue to provide consultations for graduate students representing more than 65 different disciplines. Many of these consultations are held with members of Penn State’s international student community, including Argentine, Chinese, French, German, Indian, Korean, Mexican, Nigerian, Russian, Thai, and Turkish students.

Who are the consultants?

Peer consultants are doctoral students in Penn State’s Department of English at University Park who have experience in the teaching and tutoring of writing. The GWC is coordinated each semester by a doctoral student in English and is supervised by a faculty member in English.

How did the GWC get started?

Founded in January 1999, Penn State’s Graduate Writing Center was one of the first writing centers dedicated to graduate-level communication. A collaboration between the Graduate School and the Department of English in the 1990s laid the groundwork for Dr. Jon Olson to develop the GWC. It is staffed by English PhD students who work in the Graduate School’s Kern Building.

The GWC has provided free one-on-one consultations to graduate students since 1999. As early as 2000, it increased the accessibility of these tutoring sessions by offering online consultations in addition to in-person ones .

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Chapter 4: Sample Personal Statements and Application Essays

Easy writing makes hard reading.

—Ernest Hemingway

As a graduate student taking fiction writing workshops many moons ago, I recall what was most motivating to me as a creative writer. It wasn’t the reading of published or award-winning work, and it wasn’t the classroom critique given on high from the professor nor the scribble from my classmates on my manuscripts. All these things were helpful and valuable, but nothing motivated me more than comparing my fiction to the work of my peers. As I read their work carefully, both objectively and subjectively, I found myself thinking at times that I was sure I could write better than the others around me at the seminar table—then I’d read an artful, poignant story that made me wonder whether I could ever even compete.

Perhaps somewhere between these two attitudes is the most profitable approach when studying the work of your peers. In critiquing the work of others who essentially represent your competition, you should take a respectful stance both critical and kind, just as selection committee members are likely to do. The sample essays in this chapter represent personal stories that are intriguing, diverse, complex, honest, and humanizing. These samples present opportunities for you to study, admire, question, emulate, reject, and—most importantly—consider how to present the best, truest, most effective picture of yourself, carefully refined for the eyes of others.

Websites with sample personal statements abound. Here are two:

Sample personal statements categorized by major at eduers.com

Sample personal statements including reader comments from studential.com

• Short Essay Samples
• Sample Resumes
• Lengthy Essay Samples
• Professional Essay Samples

The Writing Center @ Penn State Learning

Announcements.

Did you meet with a tutor? Let us know how we did using our Writing Tutoring Survey.

The Writing Center @ Penn State Learning aims to promote engaging conversations and writing support for undergraduate students at Penn State. We offer drop-in and appointment hours, as well as online tutoring by appointment or through our asynchronous submission form. All tutors are undergraduate students who have completed a full semester of writing tutor education and practical training. Tutoring is free of charge.

We view each writing tutorial as an opportunity for students to meet "peer-to-peer" to talk about an in-progress writing project. Student writers attending a tutorial should be prepared to discuss their assignments, questions, and concerns, along with their personal strengths and goals for the work. Writers will be asked to share their work, often by reading aloud, and tutors will use introductory questions about the writing process to open the conversation. Tutors will then guide writers through a series of activities geared toward their writing goals. We welcome all writers and the differences in language, identity, and perspective they bring to each tutorial.

Instructors wishing to prepare students for tutoring can encourage them to bring assignment sheets, class notes, instructor and peer feedback, and any research involved in the project. Tutors will work with students seeking grammar assistance by helping writers to develop independent editing strategies, greater knowledge of idea development, and sentence construction and clarity. In addition, students can request a Contact Report describing their tutoring session to be emailed to instructors for review.

Writing Tutoring Services

Writing @ Penn State Learning offers drop-in and appointment hours, as well as online tutoring by appointment or through our asynchronous submission form. All tutoring is peer-to-peer and free of charge.

All in-person writing tutoring happens in 220 Boucke or The Search Bar (in Pattee Library's Sidewater Commons). To get tutoring through drop-in hours, come by 220 Boucke or the Search Bar and sign in. Shortly thereafter, a writing tutor on duty will assist you. It's possible that during drop-in hours you'll experience a short wait before a tutor becomes available to help. If you want to guarantee a particular time, we recommend scheduling an appointment on Starfish .

In-person appointments are available in 220 Boucke and the Search Bar throughout the semester. To schedule an appointment, please use the appointment scheduler in Starfish . You will see a list of available appointment times; when you pick a time and move to the following screen, you will be able to check the Boucke Building  or Search Bar  location.

Appointments are 30 minutes long. You can schedule up to two appointments in a row.

Online synchronous appointments are available throughout the semester. To schedule an online appointment, please use the appointment scheduler in Starfish . You will see a list of available appointment times; when you pick a time and move to the following screen, you will be able to check the Online Writing location. You will receive a Zoom link with your appointment confirmation.

Asynchronous tutoring allows students to submit a writing project for review, and receive virtual tutoring feedback in response. Our tutors will provide both a video tutorial, as well as written commentary and questions about the submitted materials. You may submit no more than 6 pages of writing by filling out the Asynchronous Tutoring Submission form . Please record all the necessary details of your project for the most useful feedback.

Asynchronous requests are assigned to the first available tutor. Please allow 1-3 days for a response.

At the request of instructors, writing tutors will visit classrooms to conduct Introduction to the Writing Center presentations or writing workshops that are tailored to the writing projects in the course. To request a program for your course, please fill out our Outreach Program Request form.

Contact Information:

Tabitha Fisher, M.A. Writing Center Coordinator Penn State Learning Office Address: 206 Boucke Building Phone: 814-865-0259 Email: [email protected]

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Learning Edge Academic Program (LEAP) LEAP is a summer program that “provides entering freshman the chance to begin their journey at Penn State University Park by way of a learning community.” Students take English 15 or CAS 100 in addition to a course in their major or field of interest.

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Minor in Technical Writing This 18-credit minor provides all undergraduate students, regardless of college or major, the opportunity for concentrated work in technical writing.

Minor in Creative Writing This minor offers students not majoring in English the opportunity to explore different forms of creative writing–fiction, poetry, and nonfiction–or to focus primarily on one of them.

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The Penn application process includes a personal essay as well as supplemental short answer prompts. We read your words carefully, as they are yet another window into how you think, what you value, and how you see the world. Through your writing, we get a glimpse of what you might bring to our community, including  your voice and creativity.

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Before you begin writing:

• Review the prompt thoroughly. Be sure you’re answering the question or prompt being asked. T opics are chosen because the Admissions Committee wants to know specific things about you. If you don’t address the them directly, we are left to make decisions regarding your application with incomplete information.
• Consider your response carefully. We understand that you may be writing responses for different schools and you may want to reuse material, but read through your response to make sure the content is relevant to the prompt.
• Double check your writing. Give yourself time to revisit your response. Do not rush your writing process; create space in your schedule to revise your work. Ultimately, it is up to you to polish your response before you submit.

In your Penn supplemental short answers, be precise when explaining both why you are applying to Penn and why you have chosen to apply to that specific undergraduate school. Some of our specialized programs will have additional essays to complete, but the Penn supplemental prompts should address the single-degree or single-school choice.

2023-24 Short Answer & Essay Prompts

Penn Supplemental Short Answer Prompts (Required)

• 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, only required for first year applicants)
• 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)
• The school-specific prompt will now be unique to the school to which a student is applying. Considering the undergraduate school you have selected, please respond to your school-specific prompt below. (For example, all applicants applying to the College of Arts and Sciences will respond to the prompt under the “College of Arts and Sciences” section).

For students applying to the coordinated dual-degree and specialized programs, please answer this question in regard to your single-degree school choice; your interest in the coordinated dual-degree or specialized program may be addressed through the program-specific essay.

Transfer Essay  (required for all transfer applicants): Please explain your reasons for transferring from your current institution and what you hope to gain by transferring to another institution. (4150 characters)

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 and promoting equity. What do you think this means for the future of nursing, and how do you see yourself contributing to our mission of promoting equity in healthcare? (150-200 words)

To help inform your response, applicants are encouraged to learn more about Penn Nursing’s mission and how we promote equity in healthcare . This information will help you develop a stronger understanding of our values and how they align with your own goals and aspirations.

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)

To help inform your response, applicants are encouraged to learn more about the academic offerings within the College of Arts and Sciences .  This information will help you develop a stronger understanding of how the study of the liberal arts aligns with your own goals and aspirations.

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)

To help inform your response, applicants are encouraged to learn more about the foundations of a Wharton education . This information will help you better understand what you could learn by studying at Wharton and what you could do afterward.

Penn Engineering prepares its students to become leaders in technology, by combining a strong foundation in the natural sciences and mathematics, exploration in the liberal arts, and depth of study in focused disciplinary majors. Please share how you hope to explore your engineering interests at Penn. (150-200 words)

To help inform your response, applicants are encouraged to learn more about Penn Engineering and its mission to prepare students for global leadership in technology . This information will help you develop a stronger understanding of academic pathways within Penn Engineering and how they align with your goals and interests.

Coordinated Dual Degree and Specialized Programs Short Answer Prompts

For students applying to the coordinated dual-degree and specialized programs, please answer the program-specific essay below.

** Character count that only applies to transfer students applying through Common App.

Why are you interested in the Digital Media Design (DMD) program at the University of Pennsylvania? (400-650 words / 3575 characters**)

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 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)

• 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)

Describe your interests in modern networked information systems and technologies, such as the internet, and their impact on society, whether in terms of economics, communication, or the creation of beneficial content for society. Feel free to draw on examples from your own experiences as a user, developer, or student of technology. (400-650 words / 3575 characters**)

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)

• Please list any predental or premedical experience. This experience can include but is not limited to observation in a private practice, dental clinic, or hospital setting; dental assisting; dental laboratory work; dental or medical research; etc. Please include time allotted to each activity, dates of attendance, location, and a description of your experience. If you do not have any predental or premedical experience, please indicate what you have done or plan to do in order to explore dentistry as a career.
• Do you have relatives who are dentists or are in dental school? If so, indicate the name of each relative, his/her relationship to you, the school attended, and the dates attended.
• Describe any activities which demonstrate your ability to work with your hands.
• What activities have you performed that demonstrate your ability to work effectively with people?
• Please explain your reasons for selecting dentistry. Please include what interests you the most about dentistry as well as what interests you least.

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)

Creative Writing at PENN STATE

Rolling Reading Series 4/11: CHRISTINE HUME, Essayist, Poet, Penn State Alum

UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — Essayist, poet, and Penn State grad Christine Hume will offer a reading as part of this year’s Mary E. Rolling Reading Series. The reading, which is free and open to the public, will take place at 6:00 p.m. on Thursday, April 11, in Paterno Library’s Foster Auditorium on the University Park campus.  

Christine Hume’s most recent essay collection, “Everything I Never Wanted to Know” (Ohio State University Press, 2023), confronts the stigma and vulnerability of women’s bodies in the United States. Kirkus Review calls it a “thoughtfully disturbing, sharp sociological study,” and Publishers Weekly describes it as a “dauntless and harrowing indictment of patriarchal violence.” The New York Times calls her previous book “Saturation Project,” a lyric portrait of girlhood, “a richly, meditative lyric memoir…that arrives with the force of a hurricane.”   

Hume was born to a military family and lived in more than 25 places in the U.S. and Europe before settling in Ypsilanti, Michigan. Her recent essay collection geographically focuses on Ypsilanti, which has the third largest number of registered sexual offenders in the country and the fourth largest per capita. Since 2001 she has taught in the interdisciplinary Creative Writing Program at Eastern Michigan University. She earned an MFA from Columbia University in 1993 and a PhD from University of Denver in 2000. Soon after she published three books of poetry – “Musca Domestica,” “Alaskaphrenia,” and “Shot”– her writing evolved into prose forms, especially documentary, experimental, and lyric approaches to the essay.   

For more on Hume, visit her website: https://christinehume.com/

Article written by Alison Jaenicke

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Home — Application Essay — National Universities — Penn State Admissions Demystified: Exploring the Supplemental

Penn State Admissions Demystified: Exploring the Supplemental

• University: Pennsylvania State University

About this sample

Words: 631 |

Published: Jan 26, 2024

Words: 631 | Pages: 1 | 4 min read

Table of contents

Introduction, a quest for academic excellence, personal growth and community engagement, unveiling penn state's unique opportunities.

As I navigate the labyrinth of college applications, the question echoes in my mind: "Does Penn State have supplemental essays?" This inquiry becomes more than a mere curiosity; it becomes a portal to explore the unique opportunities that Penn State University may offer beyond the traditional application. In this essay, I embark on a journey to share my academic aspirations, personal growth, and why, even if supplemental essays exist or not, Penn State University is the canvas on which I envision painting my collegiate story.

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The quest for the perfect university is akin to embarking on a grand adventure, and the question of whether Penn State has supplemental essays adds an intriguing layer to this exploration. Beyond the usual metrics and application requirements, lies the potential for additional avenues to express my aspirations and showcase what makes me a unique candidate. Whether Penn State University has supplemental essays or not, the very essence of this question compels me to reflect on why Penn State is not just a destination but a dynamic and transformative opportunity for my academic and personal journey.

Regardless of the presence of supplemental essays, my pursuit of academic excellence remains unwavering. Penn State University's commitment to fostering a rigorous and diverse academic environment aligns seamlessly with my own passion for knowledge acquisition. The prospect of engaging with renowned faculty, diverse academic programs, and a culture that values intellectual curiosity is the essence that draws me towards Penn State.

Whether supplemental essays serve as a channel for expression or not, this essay becomes my platform to convey the depth of my academic ambitions. Penn State is not just an institution; it is a community where I envision challenging myself, exploring new ideas, and contributing to the vibrant tapestry of intellectual pursuits.

Supplemental essays, if they exist, would offer an additional opportunity to delve into personal growth and experiences. However, even without them, my desire to contribute to the Penn State community remains steadfast. Penn State's emphasis on holistic development, leadership, and community engagement resonates deeply with my belief in the transformative power of education beyond the confines of the classroom.

As I navigate this essay, I aim to convey not only my academic aspirations but also my commitment to being an active and engaged member of the Penn State community. The absence or presence of supplemental essays becomes secondary to my eagerness to immerse myself in the vibrant campus life, contribute to initiatives that align with my values, and grow as an individual within the Penn State community.

Whether Penn State has supplemental essays or not, the university's unique opportunities and programs stand as testaments to its commitment to offering a comprehensive and enriching educational experience. From research opportunities to community service initiatives, Penn State provides a spectrum of avenues for students to explore their interests and make a positive impact on the world.

This essay serves as a canvas to express my enthusiasm for engaging with Penn State's unique offerings. Whether supplemental essays become a part of this exploration or not, my excitement for being a part of a community that values innovation, service, and diversity is unwavering. Penn State is not just a university; it is a crucible where dreams are nurtured, ideas flourish, and individuals are empowered to make a meaningful impact.

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In concluding this exploration, the question of whether Penn State has supplemental essays becomes secondary to the essence of why I aspire to be a part of this dynamic community. Penn State University, with or without supplemental essays, represents an opportunity for me to not only excel academically but also to grow personally, engage with a diverse community, and contribute meaningfully to the university's legacy of excellence.

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Your chance of acceptance, your chancing factors, extracurriculars, penn state essay questions.

Yo! I'm a junior and I've been researching Penn State for a while now. Does anyone have any information on what kind of essay questions they might ask on their application? I want to get a head start and have some ideas in mind. Also, is there a word limit? Thanks in advance!

Hey there! Good on you for starting your research early. Penn State typically has at least one supplemental essay that is required for all applicants, and other essays that are required if you are applying to particular, more competitive programs, like Schreyer Honors College. You can find a breakdown of how to tackle each Penn State prompt from the current, or most recent, applications cycle on CollegeVine's blog: https://blog.collegevine.com/how-to-write-the-penn-state-essays/.

Keep in mind, however, that these prompts can change year to year. So, while you can use this post to get an initial sense of what you might need to write about, I'd hold off on actually starting to draft until August 1st before your senior year, as that's when the updated prompts are officially released. You don't want your hard work to go to waste if the prompts change!

Once you do have drafts in hand, though, consider taking advantage of CollegeVine's Free Peer Essay Review Tool, or submitting your essay for a paid review by an expert college admissions advisor through CollegeVine's marketplace. Sometimes, getting a second set of eyes on your essay is just the thing that helps you determine whether your approach is working.

Best of luck with your application to Penn State!

About CollegeVine’s Expert FAQ

CollegeVine’s Q&A seeks to offer informed perspectives on commonly asked admissions questions. Every answer is refined and validated by our team of admissions experts to ensure it resonates with trusted knowledge in the field.

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Michael Myers at 50: Essays on the Halloween Franchise

Editor: Shane H. Weathers, Bowling Green State University

Editors Introduction:

John Carpenter’s Halloween is arguably the most iconic slasher film of all time. While taking inspiration from Alfred Hitchcock’s Psycho , Michael Powell’s Peeping Tom , Bob Clark’s Black Christmas , and Tobe Hooper’s The Texas Chain Saw Massacre , Halloween is the film responsible for the rise of the slasher craze of the late 1970s and early 1980s, spawning further hits like Sean Cunningham’s Friday the 13th , Wes Craven’s A Nightmare on Elm Street , and more. Without Halloween , it is possible that the slasher subgenre as we know it today would either be entirely different or not exist at all. From the iconic Final Girl of Laurie Strode, to Michael Myers (recognizable to even non-horror fans), and to Dr. Loomis, the series has created some of the most memorable characters within the horror genre, and pioneered the tropes and conventions that were satirized by Wes Craven’s Scream .

However, the legacy of Halloween cannot be properly discussed without taking into account its direct successors. From Halloween II in 1981 to Halloween Ends in 2022, the original film has spawned twelve subsequent entries with five distinct timelines, making it the most prolific slasher franchise in cinema. Each of these films has contributed to building upon the legacy of Michael Myers that John Carpenter began in 1978. Unfortunately, most of the scholarship done on the series tends to focus on the original and perhaps one or two of the sequels.

Therefore, the goal of this edited collection is to address EVERY aspect of the Halloween franchise in anticipation of its fiftieth anniversary in October of 2028. As such, we are looking for essays addressing each individual film, including the original and one final essay that contextualizes the entire franchise. While the impact of the original Halloween cannot be understated, we contend that to truly understand its impact, the franchise needs to be given equal attention. This collection aims to be an integral contribution to the emerging field of film franchise studies.  Scholars are encouraged to take any fresh direction they want to for their chosen film; however, some possible topics are listed below:

• Comparisons between Halloween (1978) and Halloween (2007)
• The producer’s cut of Halloween: The Curse of Michael Myers
• Jamie Lee Curtis and the Franchise/individual films (except original)
• Danielle Harris in Halloween 4 & 5 versus Rob Zombie duology
• Corey Cunningham in Halloween Ends
• The personality shift of Dr. Loomis in Halloween II (2009)
• The genre shift and lack of Michael Myers/meta Myers in Halloween 3
• Auteur study of Rick Rosenthal and Halloween II (1981) and Resurrection
• Comparisons between Halloween H20 and Scream
• Fan reception to specific films
• Final Girls (other than Laurie) – Sara in Resurrection , Kara in Curse , Allyson in the David Gordon Green trilogy

The films are listed below (three essays will be chosen for the original film, one for each sequel, and one final essay contextualizing the entire series for a total of 16 essays)

• Halloween (1978)
• Halloween II (1981)
• Halloween III: Season of the Witch (1982)
• Halloween 4: The Return of Michael Myers (1988)
• Halloween 5: The Revenge of Michael Myers (1989)
• Halloween: The Curse of Michael Myers (1995)
• Halloween H20: Twenty Years Later (1998)
• Halloween: Resurrection (2002)
• Halloween (2007)
• Halloween II (2009)
• Halloween (2018)
• Halloween Kills (2021)
• Halloween Ends (2022)

Queries and Submissions:

Please send queries and abstracts (around 300 words) for proposed chapter-length original work to [email protected] . Proposals should be submitted no later than September 10, 2024 . Selected contributors will be notified by October 1, 2024 . Initial drafts of 5750-7250 words (MLA 9, further style details will be given upon selection) will be due February 25, 2025 . Please provide in a separate document or in the body of the email a brief author biography. I am currently discussing the book proposal with a university publisher who is very interested in the collection, and, in advance of the original film’s fiftieth anniversary in October of 2028, am aiming for an early 2028 release date.

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How to Write the Pennsylvania State University Essay 2017-2018

Located in the college town of University Park, PA, Pennsylvania State University (commonly referred to as Penn State) is one of the country’s largest and most popular state colleges. Founded in 1855 as Pennsylvania’s only land-grant university, the university is one of the oldest in the country and has a rich history in research, professional studies, engineering, and the liberal arts.

Penn State has a diverse set of undergraduate colleges — from agricultural sciences to arts and architecture. The university also has a Division I sports program in the Big Ten, an expansive alumni network, and a fun-filled campus life attracts students from all over the world.

With an acceptance rate of 51%, admission is somewhat competitive. To help make you an extraordinary candidate, CollegeVine is here to provide some key tips to strengthen your supplemental essay.

Penn State Application Essay Prompt

Note: The university only has one supplemental prompt.

Required Prompt

Please tell us something about yourself, your experiences, or activities that you believe would reflect positively on your ability to succeed at penn state. this is your opportunity to tell us something about yourself that is not already reflected in your application or academic records. (500 words).

This question is purposely designed to be open-ended. It may often feel like there is not enough room in your college application to divulge into every shaping experience. This prompt, however gives you another opportunity to highlight parts of your personality and experiences in a way that you believe will suit you and better your application.

Treat this prompt in the same manner that you would treat a more creative one. Use the same writing skills that you used in your Common Application personal statement: show and don’t tell, vivid figurative language, detailed narration, etc. Remember, it is important that your response illustrates your character and personality.

Part One: Choose the specific experience that you would like to write about.

There are a variety of directions you can go with here. The more common ones would be to choose either an extracurricular, a job or internship, a challenge/hardship that you overcame, or a characteristic/quality about yourself that you have not already discussed on your application. You are not limited to these choices, but if you are unsure about where to start, these are good places.

If you write about an extracurricular, make sure your experience in the the club or organization includes an instance where you displayed growth through maturity, passion, a willingness to work hard, etc. This can be demonstrated by your ability to overcome an obstacle, change your view, learn to interact with new people/communities, etc. in that activity.

For example, if you established a cultural interest club in your community that has a homogenous racial demographic, you could write about how this club required you to confront stereotypes, build bridges between groups of people who think differently, and overcome your own fears and insecurities about yourself and your abilities. This would demonstrate that you are open to different opinions, hard-working, intellectually curious, and willing to be patient and work with those that may disagree with you — all traits that would make you an asset to a college community.

Here’s an example:

After cleaning up the third spilt glass of juice and scraping the burnt eggs off the pan, I suddenly broke into an exhaustion-induced fit of laughter. I realized that I had seen my mother in this exact position on too many Saturday mornings to count, long hair messily pulled into a bun, face red as she feverishly scrubbed the sink, all while trying to be engaged as I complained about how Lisa had borrowed my jeans without asking, as my younger siblings ran about.

How I longed for more moments when her hair was still long and her cheeks still flushed bright pink and the air felt light from being filled with her tinkly laughter. This time, however, I would take the sponge from her nimble fingers and ask about her day, her work, her secret to making perfect scrambled eggs, anything, just to hear her talk and watch her eyes light up.

Lisa suddenly enters the kitchen and her face turns bright red as she watches my eyes drop to the jeans she’s wearing, clearly mine. “I-I’m sorry,” she stammers in fear of my reaction. “I couldn’t find a clean pair because we haven’t done laundry in so long and –”

“It’s okay,” I interrupt her with a smile. “Keep them. They look better on you.”

Notice how the subject of this essay weaves an extracurricular, a challenge, and personality traits into one supplement. A good way to see if your chosen activity would make for an effective essay is to see if it illustrates many facets of yourself.

It is also important to choose something that you have not discussed in detail yet. If your common application essay was about debate and you already have it listed in your activities and awards section, it would be a good idea to discuss something that the admissions team can’t simply look up elsewhere on your application. Hobbies, for example, would make for interesting and unique essays.

If you choose to write about a job or an internship, the same guidelines for the extracurricular apply. It would also be beneficial if the skills you gained in your work experience apply to the major or profession you would want to pursue at Penn State.

For instance, if you are applying as an education major and you worked at a restaurant during the school year, you could discuss how working with people taught you how to be patient, how communication was a key part of customer service, and how you frequently had to juggle multiple tasks at one time. Even though a career in education and a job at a restaurant are not exactly the same, the skills you’ve acquired will make you more successful in the career of your choice.

If you write about a challenge or obstacle, it is important to be wary of the sob story. Sob stories are a common college application mistake, in which the writer discusses a tragedy or hardship that is meant to make the reader feel bad, but does not effectively demonstrate how the hardship affected the writer and changed him/her, or how the writer overcame it.

Instead, focus on how you faced the challenge and how it changed you, but do not let it define your high school career. This would also be a good place to subtly explain any irregularities in your academic record. For example, if your grades in junior year were much lower than usual because your mother fell ill, you could write about how you gained a newfound appreciation for your mother after you were tasked with taking care of your younger siblings in her absence.

Notice how this example still discusses a tragic event, but it better demonstrates the writer’s maturity as a result of the event. Even though it is not explicitly mentioned that the mother’s illness contributed to the drop in grades, the admissions team will gain a new insight into the experiences that have shaped who you are and affected the parts they can see, like your academic record. Make sure to then highlight how this newfound maturity and evolution of character impacted you and would continue to impact you in college and beyond.

Writing about a characteristic or personality trait is a little more difficult, but would also make for a unique and standout essay. You can do this by exposing your traits through your work in an extracurricular, job, or experience, or you can delve into a memory in your essay that solely focuses on the trait.

For example, if you think that you would be a good fit for Penn State because you thrive in community-oriented environments and you love the community-focused atmosphere at Penn State, you could write about a time where you held a “Friendsgiving” and how cooking with your friends was a way of bonding and connecting.

Even though the stuffing was runny, Dan burned the turkey, and Marie forgot to whip the mashed potatoes, our Friendsgiving was one of the best meals I had ever eaten. The gravy was quite bland thanks to my forgetting to add black pepper, but all I tasted were the sweet flavors of laughter, friendship, and the extended family that I was so lucky to have.

Part Two: Style your essay.

Memories and anecdotes like the ones in the examples above are effective ways to start your essay. However, you can begin your essay in any way that effectively captures your reader’s attention: one word, song/poem lyrics, a quote—as long as it relates to and skillfully introduces the subject matter of your essay.  

Next, delve into the experience you chose. Describe in detail why you chose to participate in it, and how it has changed or impacted you. Tell the reader why they will not find this activity on any other part of your application or record. Feel free to highlight specific instances that demonstrate why this experience means so much to you.

“Summertime… and the living is easy…”

I crooned into the microphone, careful to let the words flow on their own in the typical jazzy style. I was singing at Dominic’s, the only fancy restaurant in my neighborhood, and for once, I felt liberated. I did not care about all the people staring at me, that my knees were shaking, or that my voice was uneven to match them. All that mattered was the sweet picture of summertime I had painted in my mind.

Singing was always an escape for me, little concertos coming from the shower, the kitchen, and the backyard. But, the first time I stepped in front of a microphone, I never imagined that my voice, always so small, would belt out and shake the ground of the stage in my high school auditorium.

When I was singing, I was no longer the nerdy girl who teachers always had to beg to speak up in class, or the awkward girl who tripped over her laces in gym everyday, or the weird girl who sat alone at lunch. I was powerful, vocal, confident, and most important of all, free. Free from insecurities and doubts, free to play with the notes, tempo, and dynamics, free to add a doo-wop here and there, free to express myself through song.

The next important step is to detail why your participation in this activity would enable you to succeed at Penn State. Here, you can include a little research or knowledge you have about the school and/or just discuss how your experiences would make you a positive addition to the college campus.

An example:

Singing was me finding my place, carving a little niche out for myself in a world that often felt like it did not have room for me. The experience of discovering my place made me realize that I had spent far too long hiding in the shadows, letting opportunities pass me by. I realized that if I wanted to make a difference, I had to stand up and let my voice reverberate.

Once I found my singing voice, my other voices followed. The answering-questions-in-class voice followed first, then came the no-longer-a-bystander voice, and then the activist voice soon emerged in my throat. I was no longer just someone who dreamed of confronting issues that plagued my community and my world, I was taking action, one word at a time.

This essay can also complement other parts of your application well by relating to other activities and experiences, specifically for the example above if you discussed your extensive community involvement.

Finally, you can conclude your essay by reflecting on how you’ve changed and how you plan to continue to pay it forward.

I am back at Dominic’s and the crowd rises to their feet at the end of the song. I smile and shake hands when I come across a girl whose voice bears an uncanny resemblance to the one I once had.

“That was amazing,” she timidly says. “I wish I could sing like that.”

“You can,” I say with a smile. “Simply use your voice.”

You will write a strong essay by focusing on how the experience has changed you and helped you develop traits that will benefit the greater Penn State community.

We hope this guide has made the essay writing process a little easier!

Want help with your college essays to improve your admissions chances? Sign up for your free CollegeVine account and get access to our essay guides and courses. You can also get your essay peer-reviewed and improve your own writing skills by reviewing other students’ essays.

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John Barth, who expanded the boundaries of postmodern writing, dies at 93

An aspiring musician before realizing he had, by his own estimation, only “an amateur’s flair,” John Barth borrowed from his musical past when he turned to writing fiction that established him in the 1960s as one of the country’s most important writers.

“What I hoped to be eventually was an orchestrator — what in those days was called an arranger,” he said in a Paris Review interview , published in 1985, of his beginnings as a drummer. “An arranger is a chap who takes someone else’s melody and turns it to his purpose. For better or worse, my career as a novelist has been that of an arranger.”

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Long considered one of the luminaries of the postmodern literary movement, Mr. Barth was 93 when he died Tuesday in a Bonita Springs, Fla., hospice facility, his wife, Shelly Barth, told The New York Times.

A National Book Award finalist for his 1968 short story collection, “Lost in the Funhouse,” he won in 1973 for “Chimera,” a trio of interrelated novellas that retold the mythical stories of Perseus, Bellerophon, and Scheherazade.

In 1966, he published “Giles Goat-Boy” — an unusual if not completely unlikely best-seller that, like many of Mr. Barth’s books, defied easy summarization and led critics to offer descriptions that echoed the comic complexities of his writing.

The novel was “a bonkers Cold War allegory that draws from the Bible, ‘Oedipus Rex,’ ‘Don Quixote,’ and ‘Ulysses,’ among other works,” Dave Kim wrote in a New York Times appreciation of Mr. Barth’s career.

In the book, “a bitterly divided college campus is overrun by a tyrannical computer system called WESCAC,” Kim wrote, “and the only one who can save humanity is a boy named George Giles, who was raised as a goat and somehow turns out to be the offspring of WESCAC and a virgin named Lady Creamhair. (It’s great.)”

Mr. Barth began his publishing career with “The Floating Opera” (1956) and “The End of the Road” (1958), two novels that were more conventionally structured. With 1960′s “The Sot-Weed Factor” he left convention behind.

That novel drew comparisons to Thomas Pynchon, Jorge Luis Borges, and Vladimir Nabokov. At about 800 pages and heavily seeded with puns, the novel was written in Elizabethan style. Mr. Barth told the story of Ebenezer Cooke — the “sot-weed factor,” or tobacco merchant, of the title — who traveled through a sinful late-17th-century world with his twin sister and his tutor while struggling to maintain his virtue.

A twin himself , Mr. Barth went by the nickname Jack. His twin sister was named Jill.

Mr. Barth’s “fascination with themes of twinship springs from that biological fact rather than theories of multiple identity and fiction,” Boston Globe book critic Robert Taylor wrote in 1984.

Accomplished in a wide range of writing, Mr. Barth published novels and short stories and essays such as “The Literature of Exhaustion,” an oft-cited treatise that appeared in The Atlantic Monthly in 1967.

He collected his nonfiction in books that, as the subtitle of 2012′s “Final Fridays” noted, included essays, lectures, and tributes.

In 1979, Mr. Barth spoke with a Globe reporter at his summer residence on Lake Chautauqua, in western New York State.

He had lived in Greater Boston twice: first in 1971, while on sabbatical from teaching at what was then the State University of New York at Buffalo, and again as a visiting professor at Boston University, in 1972 and ‘73, when his colleagues included the Pulitzer Prize-winning poet Anne Sexton.

In a description that could have been an anecdote in one of his stories, Mr. Barth recalled that in 1971, he and his wife, Shelly (“an incorrigible Bostonian from Philadelphia”), lived on a street behind Radcliffe College “in a building famous for murders in its laundry room, in an apartment subleased from a professor at MIT. He had several locks on the doors and the most menacing library I’ve ever seen. I used his library a lot.”

In that apartment Mr. Barth began writing his award-winning “Chimera.”

He was an avid sailor, but ultimately “the jam-packedness” of Massachusetts helped drive him back to Maryland. Even the waters were crowded.

“Sailing out of beautiful Marblehead is like negotiating the Southeast Expressway,” he told the Globe. “Finding a random overnight anchorage is like looking for a parking space in Harvard Square.”

The couple returned to Boston in 1972 for his visiting professorship at BU – a stop on his academia career that brought him from Pennsylvania State University (1953 to 1965) to the State University of New York at Buffalo (’65 to 1973) and finally to his alma matter, Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore (’73 to 1995).

In its tribute, Johns Hopkins praised Mr. Barth for his “exacting and generous teaching,” though he told the Globe he much preferred writing to the classroom.

“Teaching I could give up tomorrow, if that were possible at no great cost to my standard of living and my financial security,” he said in 1979. “I’d miss it, but not painfully.”

Nevertheless, he added, “I regard myself as extraordinarily lucky, amazingly lucky, to be able to spend my life doing the thing I’m best at, and which gives me the most satisfaction.”

John Simmons Barth was born on May 27, 1930, in Cambridge, Md., to John Jacob Barth, who ran a candy store, and Georgia Simmons Barth.

He played the drums in a local jazz group and briefly studied at The Juilliard School in New York City.

“Nearly every writer I know was going to be something else, and then found himself writing by a kind of passionate default ,” he told The Paris Review.

Upon realizing he only had “an amateur’s flair” in music, he went to Johns Hopkins “to find something else to do.” That turned out to be writing.

“I think that my experience is not uncommon: You decide to be a violinist, you decide to be a sculptor or a painter, but you find yourself being a novelist,” he said.

Mr. Barth graduated from Johns Hopkins with a bachelor’s degree in 1951 and a master’s the following year, paying part of his tuition with money earned shelving books in a campus library – a rudimentary job that helped further his education.

“One was more or less encouraged to take a cart of books and go back into the stacks and not come out for seven or eight hours. So I read what I was filing,” he said, and some of those writers, such as Homer and Virgil, became his “great teachers.”

In turn, his impact on younger writers extended beyond the classrooms he inhabited during more than four decades as a teacher.

“He showed us how writing works by letting us peer into its machinery, and reminded us that our experience of the world will always be dictated by the instruments we have to observe and record it,” Kim wrote of Mr. Barth. “While never abandoning narrative, he found endless joy in picking apart its elements, and in the process helped define a postwar American style.”

Mr. Barth married Harriette Anne Strickland in 1950, and they had three children, Christine, John, and Daniel. Their marriage ended in divorce.

In 1970, he married Shelly Rosenberg, who survives him, as do his children, according to The New York Times.

Having been inspired by those classic texts he read while shelving them, Mr. Barth told the Associated Press in 1991 that “it is a quixotic high-wire act to hope, at this late hour of the century, to write literary material and contend with declining readership and a publishing world where businesses are owned by other businesses.”

A hunt-and-peck typist, he avoided keyboards and wrote much of his work longhand.

“There’s a nice flow that probably makes both the sentences and stories longer than they should be,” he told the Globe, and besides, “the sound of the typewriter bothers me. I can’t imagine anything except the sound of pens and pencils going across the paper.”

Material from the New York Times, Washington Post, and Associated Press was used in this report. Bryan Marquard of the Globe staff contributed.