penn state personal statement vs common app essay

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How to Respond to the 2024-2025 Penn State Essays

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).

Maria Geiger is Director of Content at Scholarships360. She is a former online educational technology instructor and adjunct writing instructor. In addition to education reform, Maria’s interests include viewpoint diversity, blended/flipped learning, digital communication, and integrating media/web tools into the curriculum to better facilitate student engagement. Maria earned both a B.A. and an M.A. in English Literature from Monmouth University, an M. Ed. in Education from Monmouth University, and a Virtual Online Teaching Certificate (VOLT) from the University of Pennsylvania.

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, especially those 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!

Other colleges to consider

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

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

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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Steps to Apply for First-Year Students

Most of Penn State’s applications come from domestic first-year students. The following types of students are considered first-year applicants (or freshman applicants, as some refer to them):

Current high school student in his or her senior year who is a U.S. citizen or permanent resident

Student who has earned a high school diploma or a GED and has no post-secondary coursework

Student who has earned a high school diploma or GED and attempted 17 or fewer credits (semester hours) of college coursework at a regionally accredited college/university before attending Penn State

Current high school student who may have enrolled in another institution(s) before graduating from high school (dual enrollment)

Student who may have attended Penn State on a nondegree basis

If this is you, you can refer to the below steps to help with the application process, or, apply now !

Please review these helpful steps to understand the Penn State application process, as well as the application requirements for first-year students.

Do some research on programs and campuses.

With twenty undergraduate campuses and more than 275 academic programs, you have a lot of options at Penn State! Don’t wait until you are ready to apply to do your research. Even if you think you might know what and where you want to study, take some time to explore our majors, as you might discover a new passion or determine that you can specialize your studies more than you thought. And if you are still unsure after spending time reviewing our programs, don’t worry – as a first year applicant, you can apply as an undecided student through our Division of Undergraduate Studies.

Additionally, we have a variety of campus environments to choose from, allowing students flexibility on the path to earning their Penn State degree. Whether you want big or small, rural or urban, close to home or across the state, you can start most of our academic programs at any campus. Even if you have one campus in mind, spend time looking at other campuses, as we ask for two campus selections when completing the application. You can also apply with the intention of studying at two campuses – be sure to read more about the 2+2 Plan as you consider your options!

Review admission requirements and deadlines.

Now that you have considered your campus options and program of study, make sure that you meet the requirements for admission for your program. Some of Penn State’s programs have added academic requirements or additional admission and/or application requirements. You can review the requirements below:

First-Year Admission Requirements

International Admission Requirements

Knowing when to apply is as important as knowing what program you are applying to! Penn State recommends that applicants submit a complete application by November 1, our Early Action deadline. Some programs have other deadlines, so be sure to review the date by which we need your complete application:

Dates & Deadlines for First-Year Students

Dates & Deadlines for International Students

Gather everything you need to apply.

Before you start the application, be sure to get a copy of your transcript so that you can complete your Self-Reported Academic Record (SRAR). You might have access to this through your school system, or you may have to request it from your school counselor. Additionally, you will need a credit card to pay the application fee to submit the application.

Access the Penn State application.

There are two ways to apply to Penn State – through MyPennState or through the Common App. Students who apply through the Common App will still create a MyPennState profile, but this will happen later in the process.

MyPennState Application : If applying in MyPennState, you will have access to the entire application, including the SRAR, in one place. Your application can be saved at each step of the process, which allows you to move back and forth through the application or log off and return to complete the application later.

Common App Application : If you are using the Common App, then applying to Penn State will be a two-part process. Once you complete your application in the Common App, we will send you an email directing you to MyPennState to complete the SRAR. Your MyPennState account will be created for you, and the email you receive will provide access to your MyPennState account. Do not create a separate MyPennState account as this will delay the processing of your application.

Penn State requires the completion of the SRAR via MyPennState and does not accept the high school record that is available in the Common App.

Finalize all your application details.

You already spent time thinking about your major and campus – now’s the time you let us know your program of study, your first-choice campus, and your alternate-choice campus.

There are a few other options to consider while completing the application. First, you will let us know if you are going to be applying for test-optional admission or if you are sending test scores. Be sure to review our Middle 50% to guide you as you make this decision. If you do send test scores, keep in mind that they need to be the official scores and your application will not be complete until we receive them.

For students applying to University Park as their first-choice campus and fall as their starting term, you will see a question asking if you would be interested in starting in the summer session, should we not be able to offer fall admission. Saying “yes” to this question will increase your chances of admission to University Park because summer admission is slightly less competitive than fall admission. If a student is admitted to summer, that session is mandatory, so do not say “yes” unless you are able to start at University Park in summer session (typically late June/early July).

Lastly, you can complete the optional Activities section and Personal Statement within the application. If you apply via the Common App, we do receive your Common App essay, so you could choose not to complete Penn State’s Personal Statement, as it is optional.

Submit your application!

The application requires applicants to pay a nonrefundable application fee via credit card. Students who have requested and received an approved application fee waiver will be able to bypass the payment screen on the application.

Domestic Fee: $65

International Fee: $75

Be sure to complete the last step after "Summary and Review," which finalizes payment. For those applying in MyPennState, you can verify its completion on the Application Checklist, which may take up to 24 hours to update. For those submitting via the Common App, look for your email on how to access your MyPennState account 24-48 hours after application submission.

Submit any required materials.

Sometimes, submitting the online application means you are done! Most times, it is the first step to completing your application.

If you apply via the Common App, you will still have to complete your SRAR in MyPennState – which means you just have to wait for our email to access it to complete that requirement.

Any student who would like to submit test scores, will need to send us the official scores from the testing service:

SAT via the College Board (code #2660)

Penn State does not use or require Subject Tests.

ACT (code #3656)

Some programs require additional items to complete your application. You can review your Application Checklist in MyPennState for details after application submission or review our Admission Requirements at any time.

Lastly, Penn State does not require letters of recommendation for admission to the University, nor are they used in the application review process. Note that some specific programs require recommendations.

Check your application status.

You can always check the status of your application in MyPennState . We will communicate with you via MyPennState and through email regarding any missing items for your application. Please note that it is your responsibility to check the status of your application and send us any missing materials to meet application deadlines.

When everything has arrived, you will see a status in MyPennState confirming the completion of your application.

Lastly, MyPennState is where you will see your admission decision! Be sure to review Dates & Deadlines to have an idea of when you might see your decision.

Ways to Apply to Penn State

MyPennState

Log in to MyPennState to access the online application and start on your path to becoming a Nittany Lion!

Penn State is one of more than 800 colleges across the United States accepting applications through the Common App.

The Pennsylvania State University 201 Old Main University Park, PA 16802

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2024-25 Penn State Supplemental Essay – Prompt & Advice

August 12, 2024

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 1320-1450. They also boast an unweighted GPA range of 3.65-3.94 . Accordingly, successful applicants in 2024-25 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 2024-25 admissions cycle along with our advice for composing a winning essay.

Penn State Supplemental Essay — Optional

This is your opportunity to share something about yourself that is not already reflected in your application or academic records. tell us something about yourself, your experiences, or activities that you believe would reflect positively on your ability to succeed at penn state. while the personal statement is not required, it is highly encouraged (650 words). .

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. Note that Penn State does not require the Common App personal statement , so you can always choose to modify that essay for this prompt.

Let’s go over the two general angles that we most often see students take…

The activity/experience angle

Are there any activities on your application that are 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. Start this process by asking, “What is the most interesting and consequential moment I have experienced in my extracurricular activities? How will this experience—and what I learned—demonstrate my preparedness for and/or potential contributions to Penn State?”

For example, you may be a volunteer EMT and have compelling experiences to share—experiences that taught you how to remain calm under pressure, a quality you’ll bring with you to the classroom. Alternatively, perhaps you worked in a local restaurant and learned more about the lives of your undocumented coworkers, which inspired you to become involved in immigration-related issues and even complete a specialized research project. You believe your ability to remain open-minded and empathetic will allow to you better connect with others and experience deeper learning.

The more broad “about you” angle

Of course, this prompt has a wider scope than just an activity. 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. Regardless of what you choose, be sure to discuss how your learnings/growth will positively impact your ability to do well at Penn State.

Get specific!

No matter which angle you choose, try to connect your past experiences with your future goals by citing Penn State-specific offerings or opportunities that you hope to take advantage of. Let’s go back to our previous immigration advocacy example—perhaps there’s a student group you hope to join, an immigration policy course you hope to take, etc.

How important is the Penn State supplemental essay?

The essay is 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 push borderline applicants 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.

Looking for more writing-related resources? Consider checking out the following:

• Common App Essay Prompts
• 10 Instructive Common App Essay Examples
• College Application Essay Topics to Avoid
• How to Quickly Format Your Common App Essay
• Should I Complete Optional College Essays?
• How to Brainstorm a College Essay
• 25 Inspiring College Essay Topics
• “Why This College?” Essay Examples
• How to Write the Community Essay
• 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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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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How to Write a Penn State Essay in 3 Steps

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.

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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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Penn State 2024-25 Supplemental Essay Prompt Guide

Early Action: 

Early Action: Nov 1

Penn State 2024-25 Application Essay Explanations

The Option: 1 essay of up to 650 words

Supplemental Essay Type(s): Why

This is your opportunity to share something about yourself that is not already reflected in your application or academic records. Tell us something about yourself, your experiences, or activities that you believe would reflect positively on your ability to succeed at Penn State.

While the personal statement is not required, it is highly encouraged. .

Penn State knows that you are a multifaceted person, that your identity cannot be boiled down to nuggets of information on an application. That’s why admissions is giving you this space to expand on an aspect of who you are and what you care about. Scroll through your application and take a moment to think about what you haven’t been able to include yet. Perhaps you want to write about being a non-binary identical twin or spending every Sunday afternoon cooking traditional Italian dishes with your grandmother. Next, do some research on Penn State’s culture, academic programs, extracurriculars, and location to articulate exactly what appeals to you about the school. Think about qualities that would make you a good member of Penn State’s community, like leadership, collaboration, empathy, and intellectual curiosity, and see how you can highlight these in your essay, connecting your experiences with your future on campus. Maybe helping your parents with their hardware store sparked your interest in business, and you look forward to joining the Sapphire Leadership Academic Program. Your answer should reveal something important about who you are and what you value about Penn State.

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Your chance of acceptance, your chancing factors, extracurriculars, penn state and the common app essay.

Hey guys, I'm getting ready to apply to Penn State, and I realized that they're using the Common App essay prompts. Do you have any tips or strategies for making my essay really stand out for their admissions team? Is there anything specific that Penn State might be looking for in the essay? Thanks in advance!

Hey there! It's great that you're preparing to apply to Penn State. When it comes to writing a Common App essay that stands out, there are a few general strategies you can follow, but ultimately, it should be a highly personal and unique reflection of your experiences, values, or beliefs.

1. Choose a genuinely interesting topic: The essay topic should make you excited to write and share your story. If you are genuinely interested, your enthusiasm is more likely to come through, making the essay more compelling.

2. Be authentic: Be honest about your experiences and emotions. Admissions officers appreciate sincerity, and real stories are more engaging than those that feel manufactured.

3. Take risks in your writing: You might consider experimenting with your writing style, structure, or voice. This doesn't mean to be overly creative to the point where clarity is lost, but a unique approach can make your essay memorable.

4. Show, don't tell: Use concrete examples and vivid details to illustrate your points. This not only makes your essay more engaging but also demonstrates your writing skills.

As for what Penn State might specifically be looking for in your essay, here are some points to consider:

1. Connection to the university values: Penn State emphasizes the values of integrity, respect, responsibility, discovery, excellence, and community. It might be beneficial to incorporate these values into your essay or demonstrate them through your experiences.

2. Demonstrated interest: Though it's not a supplement specifically about Penn State, showing your genuine interest in the school and how it aligns with your goals can be a plus. Do your research and find out what unique opportunities, programs, or traditions resonate with you and subtly reference them in your essay.

3. Your "spike": Admissions officers often appreciate applicants with a highly-developed area of passion or expertise. Make sure your essay highlights your unique "spike" – your most significant accomplishment or interest that distinguishes you from other applicants.

4. Impact on and off-campus: Showcase your potential to make a positive impact both on campus and beyond. Discuss how your experiences have prepared you to contribute to the Penn State community and how you plan to continue making a difference in college and beyond.

In the end, remember that the essay is about you. Make it a reflection of your own voice and personality, and give the admissions team a glimpse into what makes you the unique individual that you are. Good luck with your essay and application process!

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.

What are your chances of acceptance?

Calculate for all schools, your chance of acceptance.

Your chancing factors

Extracurriculars.

2 Successful Penn State Essay Examples

What’s covered:, essay example 1 – calligraphy, essay example 2 – collaborative learning, where to get feedback on your essay .

Penn State University is a selective research university. Writing a strong essay can help your application stand out. In this post, we’ll go over an essay a real student submitted to Penn State University and outline their strengths and areas of improvement. (Names and identifying information have been changed, but all other details are preserved).

Please note: Looking at examples of real essays students have submitted to colleges can be very beneficial to get inspiration for your essays. You should never copy or plagiarize from these examples when writing your own essays. Colleges can tell when an essay isn’t genuine and will not view students favorably if they plagiarized. 

Read our Penn State essay breakdown to get a comprehensive overview of this year’s supplemental prompts.

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)

When I started high school, I often had crumpled wads of paper sprinkled around my room and pens all over my desk. I was learning how to write in calligraphy but clearly, it was not going well. One stroke up and one stroke down to form each letter. It seemed very easy but my letters looked lopsided. I kept working on it and ruined many envelopes but for some reason, it was just not clicking. I decided to stop practicing and leave it alone. It was just an extra skill anyway so, no harm done.

Much later, I was really bored on a rainy Saturday with nothing to do. I figured “hey, maybe I’ll give calligraphy another shot”. I busted out more paper from the printer and my favorite Tombow Fudenosuke pens to get to work. I kept practicing the upstrokes and downstrokes but now, I was thinking less and feeling more. My hands started to move gracefully across the page with beautiful lettering left behind. My block had been mental and now finally, I could write in calligraphy. I have many experiences like this and they have all shaped me to realize that I want to become the most beautiful version of myself, like calligraphy is compared to regular writing.

At Penn State, I will strive to become more polished and refined. College will not be my final draft, rather it will consist of more editing. I know that I love science but now is the time for me to refine my interests. I can put my up and down strokes together to form letters. I look forward to taking advantage of the unique classes PSU has such as Science, Ethics, Policy, and Law, or Biology of Aging. These will create words.

I can intern at the Fox Chase Cancer Center to understand the ins and outs of a career in medicine and to interact with patients. I can be responsible for others besides myself in a different light and learn from other healthcare professionals. These experiences will help me form elegant sentences.

I will learn to make time for other things besides schoolwork to make my letters varied. I will be cheering in the stands on Football Saturdays, decked out in white for the white-out game. I can spend time with friends outside of Berkey Creamery in between classes. I can have dinner with my roommate on the other side of Pollock Road. I aim to have a holistic experience at Penn State and focus on more than just academics because I am more than my grades.  

My experiences at PSU will make me refined just like the sophisticated letters on my graduation invitations. I can picture it now: PSU in huge writing. The only question is, blue or white?

What the Essay Did Well

This essay is brilliantly written like a “ Why This College ” essay, where the writer shares specific information about activities they would get involved in if they were a student at Penn State University. Sharing details specific to Penn State University, such as “Berkey Creamery” and “Pollock Road,” shows that the student has done their research about the school and is excited about the possibility of attending. The writer also shares a variety of things about the school that they like. They share potential classes, internships, and events they’d participate in as a student. All of this helps the admissions committee see the writer as a student at Penn State University–which, as a hopeful student, is a great thing!

The language at the beginning is beautiful and pulls the reader into the story. Imagery like “crumpled wads of paper sprinkled around my room” and “one stroke up and one stroke down” paint a picture for the reader that clearly shows what the writer is saying. It also helps highlight a student’s talent at writing. 

Finally, by referencing calligraphy throughout the essay, the writer connects the two parts of the prompt together, an activity they like and how they’re going to succeed at Penn State University. This creates great continuity and flow throughout the essay. When you write your essay, reflect on how all the pieces and answers to each part of the prompt (if there are multiple) work together to contribute to your overall message.

What Could Be Improved 

This essay has a lot of sentences that start in a similar manner. There’s a lot of “I can…”, “I will…”, or “I” followed by another verb. It’s important to vary your sentence structure so that the essay flows better and doesn’t sound repetitive. Instead of ”I can intern at the Fox Chase Cancer Center to understand the ins and outs of a career in medicine,” the writer could have said something like, “Interning at the Fox Chase Cancer Center would help me to understand the ins and outs of a career in medicine.” This isn’t a big change, but it will help improve the overall style of the essay. This is a common problem in a “ Why School? ” essay when students write about what they would do as a student at a particular college, so make sure to look out for it. 

While this essay does a great job overall of being specific, there are moments where the writer could have provided more details. For example, they wrote: “I have many experiences like this… ” It would have been better if the writer had briefly specified these experiences. They could have written: “This experience and others like learning photography and to play the piano have shaped me to realize that I want to become the most beautiful version of myself.” This would provide more information about the writer’s interests and life that the reader wouldn’t otherwise learn. 

The clock ticked 09:25 a.m., exactly an hour left for my exam. Unlike other exam days, I was nervous. Well, it was understandable, I had spent a whole 2 months in a hospital bed and another week or two recovering and flushing out the heavy doses of medicines out of my body. Dizziness was still there, however platelet count has only crossed the bare minimum mark. My attention span dropped drastically and I found it hard to focus for longer hours.

Only I knew how I managed to climb up the stairs to the 3rd floor and walk across the classroom in midst of all the concerning and questioning gazes of “Where Have You  Been?” 

I was just setting up my books and stationary, when my friend came up and asked for my help in some topic related to the exam. It was in no means new, we usually discussed after our lectures and cleared our doubts. I’ve always believed that peers understand our perspective better than teachers, because they are as new to the topic as myself.  

I spent another 20 minutes explaining and making her understand the concepts. It turned out 2 more classmates had the same doubts and we ended up revising the whole chapter, along with quick summaries of other chapters as well.

The bell rang and it was time for the exam. We followed the same ritual for the following exams. We were 9 classmates; discussing problems, giving explanations and finding solutions, and giving our 100% in exams. Unknowingly we formed this study group that continued the whole academic session and helped us in the best way possible.

I wonder if it was my instinct for feeling responsible and agreeing on helping out my classmates or I was grateful that she helped me in escaping the questions coming my way that day.

This experience didn’t only help me in accelerating my studies, but also as I listened and asked questions, I soon noticed a variety of viewpoints and approaches to the same idea and problem. This helped me in developing critical thinking skills and collaboration abilities. 

This is an excellent practice for when I’ve finished school and out where I will find myself in similar group dynamics.

This type of prompt is extremely open-ended: tell us something (anything!) that shows that you could succeed at Penn State. While you have the freedom to say whatever you want, it is imperative that you pick a focus for your essay and stick to it. You don’t want to confuse or overwhelm your reader by going in a million directions at once. 

This writer does an excellent job of keeping their essay cohesive and easy to follow by structuring everything around one particular experience they had doing some last-minute studying before a test. Through their discussion of this experience, we learn that:

• They are REFLECTIVE — With the line “I wonder if it was my instinct for feeling responsible and agreeing on helping out my classmates or I was grateful that she helped me in escaping the questions coming my way that day,” the student shows their capacity for mature reflection after an experience.
• They are CARING — The fact that this student did not hesitate to help other students (who are presumably competition) shows kindness and selflessness.
• They are INSIGHTFUL — The sentence “I’ve always believed that peers understand our perspective better than teachers, because they are as new to the topic as myself” shows that this student observes the world around them thoughtfully, and trusts their powers of observation, even when they lead them to somewhat unconventional realizations.
• They are A LEADER — As the student describes the events of the morning, they position their informal leadership role as extremely natural. They are not a leader because it will improve their resume or win them awards, but because they want to share their skills with others.
• They are OPEN-MINDED — The collaborative approach to learning they describe doesn’t work without open-mindedness. This student recognizes the importance of diverse viewpoints.

While this essay is focused, the student also cashes in on the prompt’s suggestion that they tell admissions officers something that can’t be found elsewhere in their application. For this student, it’s their medical struggles during high school. 

We finish this essay with a much clearer understanding of what traits define this student, which helps humanize them in our eyes and better envision them as a member of the Penn State community.

While this student successfully seizes the opportunity to enlighten admissions officers about the medical adversity they have faced, the connection between their first few paragraphs (about medical struggles) and their later paragraphs (about collaborative learning) could be established earlier and more clearly.

It is not until the sentence “I wonder if it was my instinct for feeling responsible and agreeing on helping out my classmates or I was grateful that she helped me in escaping the questions coming my way that day” that things start to come together. Here, readers have this moment where we think: “Oh, the impromptu tutoring session helped the student to avoid questions about their medical situation. I get it now.” If the student had teased this connection earlier, confusion would have been avoided.

For example, after “I was just setting up my books and stationary, when my friend came up and asked for my help in some topic related to the exam,” the student could add:

“‘She saved me,’ I thought to myself.”

Or, after the sentence “I spent another 20 minutes explaining and making her understand the concepts,” the student could add:

“It had been months since I had gone more than 20 minutes without worrying about my legs.”

Additionally, the words that are allocated to the last two paragraphs could be used more strategically. In college essays, you are always wrestling with limited words, so it is important to use the words you do have wisely (and memorably). 

The paragraphs beginning with “This experience didn’t only…” and “This is an excellent practice for…” fall into the unfortunate trap of telling rather than showing. At this point in the essay, we already understand that the student listens, is open-minded, and works well in collaborative group dynamics. 

Rather than reiterating what we already know, the student could have more effectively used those 65 words elsewhere in the essay. For example, they could have given us specific bits of dialogue from conversations they had with their peers, or expand on the specific feelings they have during a collaborative learning experience.

Want feedback on your Penn State essay before you submit? That’s why we created our free Peer Essay Review tool , where you can get a free review of your essay from another student. You can also improve your own writing skills by reviewing other students’ essays. 

If you want a college admissions expert to review your essay, advisors on CollegeVine have helped students refine their writing and submit successful applications to top schools. One expert advisor on CollegeVine, Alexandra Johnson , provided commentary on the first essay in this post, to give you a sense of how useful expert advice can be. Advisors offer one-on-one guidance on everything from essays to test prep to financial aid. If you want help writing your essays or feedback on drafts, book a consultation with Alexandra Johnson or another skilled advisor to improve your chances of getting into your dream school!

Related CollegeVine Blog Posts

personal statement vs. common app essay.

<p>This may seem like a dumb question, but what is the difference between your personal statement and your essay for the commmon application? What is your personal statement supposed to consist of?</p>

<p>bump. (10 char)</p>

<p>bump, i reallyyy need this question answered.</p>

<p>I would like to hear the answer as well. burp = bump I assume.</p>

<p>I’ve heard more than one admissions representative stress, “the personal statement is NOT an essay,” but every time it seems like they’re just trying to keep you from stressing out about it.</p>

<p>That said, practically by definition, the personal statement is basically just another essay anyway.</p>

<p>Think of it this way. The common application is essentially a personal statement, except they give you 5 prompts to choose from incase you’re drawing a blank and don’t want to make one up yourself. On the common app essay, if you choose one of the prompts, you have to respond to the prompt. If you make up your own prompt, it’s basically a personal statement.</p>

<p>Most colleges don’t have you write both. I don’t think any of the colleges on my list that use the common app ask for a personal statement.</p>

<p>This response was kind of vague because there’s no real clear difference. On the personal statement, they’re asking you to give an angle of yourself that the application doesn’t provide. You should do the exact same thing on the common app essay.</p>

<p>If you have to write both for the same college, try writing your common app essay on part of your life, and write your personal statement about you personally.</p>

<p>Again, there’s no clear distinction. You should provide an interesting take on your life in both.</p>

<p>okay, that clear things up. thank you!</p>