upenn tesol video essay

先码后看，全专业哥大面经问题！！！（Video Essay/interview question)

现在申请季的各位同学都陆陆续续拿到面试了吧，还在焦急准备面试不知道怎么下手的同学们快看我这篇文章。后面还会有UPENN等藤校的面经写出来分享给大家。

这篇让我们一起来做哥大的video essay准备！.

首先教大家如何进入Video Essay页面

那么上图就是你进入到试音试摄像头阶段了，在进入正式面试前，你可以一直反复的record，去调试镜头角度和声音大小。

这边要注意，一旦进入正式的60秒video essay时间，你就不能退出，也不能重头再来。机会只有一次！！！.

The response is high-stakes in that you only get one 60-second opportunity to answer a random question and the question could be on ANYTHING!

和别的学校不同，哥大的面试就给你一分钟，你需要像做托福口语一样，在一分钟内给到一个完美的回答。题目也很宽泛，什么题都有，当然哥大官网在出售$630的面试问题礼包。。。题目全在里面。

为了帮大家省钱，我买了这个面试问题礼包，并且把每个专业分门别类的总结在这篇文章里，所以这是一篇价值630美金的文章。。。心痛了

1. Columbia SIPA Video Essay 面经分享

Columbia SIPA 是近三年来最热门的专业，先从这个最火的开始！！！

• Personal Background

What are your most formative memories as a child?

• What is the leadership experience at work that you are most proud of?

What is a piece of feedback you’ve gotten?

2. Why SIPA?

How do you think your academic and professional experience has prepared you for SIPA?

What are you looking forward to doing at SIPA?

How will being in New York City help your short term goals?

3. Behavioral Questions

• How do you handle multi-tasking?

What are you unusually good at?

Who do you turn to for advice?

4. Areas of Interest

• What course did you enjoy the most as an undergraduate student?

Where do you get your news?

What policy issue has changed the most in your lifetime?

5. Head Scratchers/ Current Events

Should government policy provide equity or opportunity?

What responsibilities do companies have to incorporate environmental sustainability into business practices?

How should western countries balance their immigration policies with the economic needs of their social safety nets?

• How do you intend to make this world a better place?
• What do you think the "ideal" SIPA student is?
• How do you think your academic experience has prepared you for SIPA.
• Tell us about a favorite childhood memory.
• What you were most excited about at SIPA
• What is a major trend you see in your chosen field/area of study?
• What local development had an impact on a country's foreign policy?
• What fundamental knowledge have you learned at Elementary School?
• Describe your morning routine.
• Do you have any talents?
• How has the unstable global climate affected you?
• Tell us something that makes you excited and happy.
• Which newspapers do you read?
• Do you think international organizations are effective?
• Do you consider elderly care or youth support programs more important?
• How did you spend your summer/how was your summer?
• Describe the last book you read.
• What is the biggest challenge you have faced? How has it shaped your personality and what did you learn from it?
• Are people in your hometown engaged in politics?

2. SPS学院面经大全！

接下来就是有很多中国学生的SPS学院的面试题目. 当然形式和SIPA也是一样的，只是题目有所不同。（有些题目附上了答案，可参考，不可背下来直接说，会翻车的）。

1. 找一张纸写下你的名字

3. tell me about a challenging project experience

4. how do you define success

5.介绍一个你hometown最popular的地方？为什么popular？

6. 大学教育中你认为最棒的部分是什么？

The greatest part in college might be the freedom. In high school, students have no opportunity to choose their classes and are always supervised by teachers. However, in college, students gain the ability to take the course they are interested in. Moreover, students could attend different clubs according to their will to develop their hobbies or other skills. These experiences are essential.

7. Do you perform better when you are competing or collaborating?

I do perform better when I under pressure. When I’m in a competition with team members, I want to help each other so that our team can shine! The stress of competing and collaborating can energize me to work harder for a better result. I thrive when under stress.

8. 团队合作的活动以及遇到的挑战。

Communication is the key to solve problems and I will use this key in team collaboration when I face challenges. I have encountered some challenges in a team project. We had different opinions and couldn’t reach an agreement easily. As a leader in the group, I called up a meeting and let everyone state their opinions directly. In the end, everyone in the team was satisfied with the result.

9. What moral dilemma you faced recently？***

A few days ago, I bought a pair of headphones through the amazon. However, when I received the package, I found that the seller wrongly sent me two pairs and didn’t realize it. So, I faced the dilemma whether I should tell him and send one back or keep it in secret. This question confused me 2 days. Finally, I decided to send the additional headphones back so that I would not keep condemning myself.

10.what is the worst advice you have ever received? ***

My relative once advised me to choose universities in my hometown. He thought a girl didn’t need to know outside world and had to be a housewife after graduation. This advice was disappointing and disgusting because he set the stereotype of girls and didn’t respect their own willing. Fortunately, my parents supported me to attend universities in Shanghai and I have a meaningful and memorable experience in my university. Now, I’m planning to apply for the graduate school and study aboard.

11. How would you like to change the world?

Do my part. This is an effective and useful way to change the world. I can’t be a president of a country, but I can change the world with my own way. For example, I can choose to buy the makeup products that are environmental-friendly or purchase a more expensive air conditioner but save more energy. I can also donate money to charity to help the poor. These efforts may be small, but they make the world better.

12. What is an important celebration in your family?

One of the most important celebration in my family is the spring festival. This is the only chance that the whole family can get together. On the New Year’s Eve, each person prepares one dish to share with the family. We stay up all night and set off fireworks to send wishes for the bright new year and good health for everyone.

13. How do you get news?

Since I always keep my phone in the pocket, I get news from social media rather than TV or newspaper. It is fast and convenient. I can also comment on the news and share my opinions on events.

14. How do you spend $100,000? ***

I’d like to use the $100,00 for investments. If I can get a return of 5%, or 5000USD, which equals to the average annual income in my hometown, Chongqing, I can basically purse my intellectual interest without any worry. It can give me the freedom to start my own business. I can also have the ability to help others in need. In any case, I will not spend this money frivolously.

15. How do you handle peer-pressure? ***

Honestly, this kind of peer pressure is everywhere and I cannot ignore it. Most of the time, within my financial limits, I choose to follow the trend to buy some fashion clothes like my peers. Because it is the easiest way to fit in. However, if it’s a matter of my personal belief or principle, I will not yield to peer pressure.

16. How you test the limit of your knowledge

Firstly, learning can make me know what I don’t know, which is my knowledge limit. Secondly, I will try to apply my knowledge in the real practice. Because the results of application can also tell me where my limit is. Finally, finding difficulties is a good idea. When I don’t know how to do it, I can realize my limit of knowledge. They are three ways of testing my limit.

17. what is something that you proud of doing?

I am proud of visiting Hongkong by myself when I was 14. Though it was full of unknown and adventures, I successfully persuaded my parents. Because of this journey, I become a very independent person and am able to make a complete plan for my peers and my self. Besides, I met some nice friends during my visit. They led me to visit the scenic spots and introduce delicious local food for me. This experience is my lifelong fortune.

18. 你在博物馆见到的最有意思的事情是什么？

The most interesting thing I saw in museum is when I was watching an Egyptian mummy in a coffin. I was deeply influenced by the Egyptian culture because of the history books I read. I felt so excited to see the mummy. Although I couldn’t see the whole mummy, I became interested in the symbols carved on the coffin. And when I was watching it, a group of people were afraid that the mummy would suddenly wake up and scream out. Their words and behavior really entertained me.

19.如果你可以给年轻的你建议，你会给什么？

I would like to suggest myself several years ago to do more exercises. When I attended university, I was busy with all kinds of stuffs, student association, internship, schoolwork and so on. Therefore, I forgot about doing regular exercises and spent more of my time indoors. I became weaker and caught a cold easily. If I reminded me five years ago to take exercises more frequently, I might have a better health and fitter body now.

20. What are your three greatest strengths?

I think my biggest strengths are open minded, confident and team work. Firstly, I am always eager to learn the newest information and other people’s opinions. Secondly, I am confident enough to face all the difficult problems. Finally, I am good at working with others to achieve team goals. These strengths help me stand out in my career and study.

21. 你最喜欢的technology是什么？

My favorite technology is self-driving. Although company haven’t put the smart car into the daily usage, it still makes me interested a lot. With the smart car, people can free their hands when they are in the car. Besides, the frequency of traffic burden and accidents and can be significantly deduced. I hope the day I can buy a smart car will come soon.

22. what inspired you?

A band named mayday inspired me to be certain in my dream. When I was uncertain in my future, I always listened to their songs. Their lyrics are very inspiring and encourage people to pursue their dreams. Besides, they also represent the symbol of dreams, because they gave up their studies for music, and finally succeeded. Therefore, I have the courage to change my boring life.

23. 对你有着重要意义的一个地方。

A park near my home is a meaningful place for me. When I was a child, my parents took me to play with friends, barbecue and exercise every weekend. After I grew up, every time I met some difficulties and sad things, I would go to this park for a few hours to relax myself. Honestly, this park holds many important memories in my life and I can find peace there.

24. what would you do if you found one of your friends cheating?

I will talk with my friend about this behavior and try my best to persuade her stop cheating because cheating ultimately hurts everyone including the cheater. If she follows my advice, I won’t tell anyone else. However, if she continues, I will break this friendship and report it to the proper authority.

25. talk about a conversation that is important to you.

My relative once told me no to choose universities out of my city. He thought a girl should stay close to parents and didn’t need to know outside world. Honestly, this conversation was disappointing and disgusting because he set the stereotype of girls and didn’t respect their own willing. However, it is so important that I finally realized I can’t spend my entire life with people like him and I decided to change my life.

26. What is the relationship between career success and education?

Education is the foundation for success. It equips a person with necessary knowledge and skills to start a career. However, there are too many factors determine one’s success. Education is a necessary, but not sufficient condition for career success.

27. how do you determine the success of a project?

I always determine the success of a project by the result, like getting the highest score in a class or making a considerable revenue for my company. These results are easy to tell whether I am successful. However, result is not the only dimension to decide. If I gain useful experiences and skills from a project, I can also determine my success, even though the result is not good.

28. what is your favourite movie and why?

29. How do you make decisions?

30. Name and describe three people whom you would like to meet for lunch.

31. Name and describe three people whom you would like to meet for lunch

32. What have you done thus far to prepare for your application?

33. What would you say is your biggest accomplishment?

34.What is your favorite book and why?

35. Why are you interested in this program?

3. Columbia MFE 2020 Fall 面经

• Why are you interested in Columbia Financial Engineering program?
• Tell me your programming experiences.
• How do you define ethics?
• A recent movie or book you see.
• Any questions for admission team?

第一题可能是下面两个题目中的一个：

• Why program?
• What does financial engineering mean to you?
• How do you think about NYC?
• How partner describe you?
• What's your favorite food?
• Describe a big achievement.
• What do you do for fun?（录制时间四分钟）
• How do you judge when someone has integrity?
• What do you expect to gain from this program?
• Can you tell me a joke/ Tell me a funny story.
• What does integrity means to you?
• A project you enjoyed, how dou you find it meaningful?
• We are proud of our curriculum, What courses or topics interest you?
• describe a time you use creative solution to solve a problem
• A recent movie or book you see
• Any questions for the admission team?

4. Columbia IEOR 面经

• Why do you want to choose Columbia Operations Research program? (What does the Operations Research mean to you)
• Any questions for us?
• Programming is important in Operations Research, can you tell us about your programming experience?
• What does integrity mean to you? (How do you know whether someone has integrity)
• Tell me an experience when you use creative methods to solve problems.
• Can you tell me a joke. (An experience that you enjoy and why you find it meaningful / what do you do for fun)
• We are very proud of our curriculum; what courses/ topics are you excited about?
• How do you deal with challenges? (What to do when you meet questions without solutions)
• How do you like New York City?
• What you want to gain from the program?
• How you peers talk about you characteristic?
• Tell us about a recent movie that you saw, or a recent book that you read. (Favorite food and why)

5. Columbia MSBA 2020 Fall 面经

• What is BA mean to you?
• What is your favorite food and why?
• What courses are you willing to take?
• What does ethics mean to you?
• What questions do you have for our team?

6. Columbia MSOR 面经

• What does MSOR mean to you?
• What do you want to gain from the program?
• What does integrity mean to you?
• Any concerned question.

7. Columbia ERM Interview

• 你是早起鸟还是熬夜鸟？
• Talk about a embarrassing thing in your life.
• The challenge/weakness you have met.
• Your favorite social media.
• Talk about a movie/book you have watched several times.
• Your favorite undergraduate course.
• Talk about a friend who you would often seek advice?
• Talk about a funny thing you heared in the US.

这么多问题都给到大家啦，只有一分钟！大家好好准备。

这边给大家说一下我是怎么准备这个一分钟video essay的。, 拿出手机打开秒表，看着问题开始计时，控制在一分钟内，一遍遍的练习，要做到一看到题目的关键词，就能想去bullet points。, 在一分钟record前，会给到你一分钟时间去准备，准备一张白纸，写下你脑子里所有的bullet points，就和考托福口语一样。, 在这边先祝大家offer拿到手软！！！, 信学姐，拿offer！！！, 新年快乐！！！一副对联送给大家.

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.

• Apply for Admission
• International Applicants
• Transfer Admission
• Comprehensive Review
• Extracurricular-Activities
• High School Preparation
• Alumni Conversations
• Letters of Recommendation
• Supplementary Materials
• Incoming Class Profile

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)

Cheryl L Micheau

Description of Research Expertise

Selected publications.

Effect Essay Writing Practice

by Catherine Baydar | 21 May 2021

This is a NEARPOD link to a lesson I developed to revise effect essay body paragraphs. It is suitable for use when teaching online or in class.

Resource Type: Activities

Audience: Secondary, University

Audience Language Proficiency: Intermediate

Duration: 45 minutes

To elicit ideas, check the knowledge of linking words and transitional phrases, and revise important aspects of coherence. 

Students should be able to write coherent body paragraphs using suitable linking words to connect their ideas.

The activity will:

-focus on effect essays (specifically on how to write effective body paragraphs)

-look at different ways to write topic sentences for effect essay body paragraphs

-revise transitional words and phrases used in this essay types

-think about how to give examples to support main ideas

The activity starts with a poll. This can be changed to suit the teaching context. In our prep school, we teach that an effect essay has 5 paragraphs but this poll can be edited or erased as necessary.

It is followed by a visual and the topic which is obesity. Here, a short discussion can be held about obesity and its prominence in modern times. This leads to the next slide requiring students to brainstorm ideas about the effects of obesity. This is followed by another visual which aims to give further ideas about the topic and offers another chance to share ideas about what is surprising or what students feel is more worrying about this issue.

The next task is a matching activity where students attempt to form topic sentences from the sentence halves. The important elements of a topic sentence can then be discussed and further ideas can be elicited.

Students then move on to brainstorm details and examples for the supporting idea that depression is an effect of obesity. Ideas can be added to the cork board.

This is followed by a game where the students race against each other to answer questions about connecting words, synonyms for "effect", and identify an irrelevant sentence. 

Students can now be encouraged to write a body paragraph for an effect essay on obesity. However, I felt that they may have covered it enough and be bored of the topic so I have given an additional topic which is the effects of living in the COVID pandemic. Students brainstorm their ideas on the cork board. A screen shot can then be taken and added to a google doc so that students have the ideas to refer to as they write their essay.

I hope that you enjoy this material.

[Visuals used to introduce the topic of obesity] (n.d.) The medical biochemistry page http://themedicalbiochemistrypage.org/obesity-metabolic-and-clinical-consequences/ MyEndoHealth https://www.myendo-health.com/patient-education/obesity

[Visual used after brainstorming exercise] (n.d.) Scrubbingin  https://scrubbing.in/obesity-harmful-side-effects/

[Material for finding irrelevant sentences in texts] (n.d.) GrammarBank https://www.grammarbank.com/reading-skills-worksheet.html

https://share.nearpod.com/FvuModqzofb

TESOL Interest Section: English as a Foreign Language, Higher Education

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How to Prepare for a Video Interview

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How to Prepare for a Video Interview was originally published on Idealist Careers .

Editor’s Note: When this post was originally written, we admittedly did not have the understanding we have now of the severity and extent of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19). But with more employers encouraging social distancing to control the spread of the virus, we are expressing our support for precautions like work-from-home and virtual interview opportunities whenever possible. For advice on how to ask for a virtual interview accommodation from a potential employer, check out yesterday’s post .

Are you applying for a job in another state or country? Are you applying for a job that’s fully remote? Is your potential manager a globetrotter? Whatever the case, video interviews are becoming more common for their cost and time efficiency, as well as convenience.

Here are some tips for ensuring that your next video interview runs smoothly.

Types of video interviews

When you agree to a video interview, you will either be given a link to join a video conference, or you will be called directly via a video-calling software (e.g. Google Hangouts, FaceTime, Zoom).

In rare cases, your video interview may be pre-recorded. This usually means that questions will be asked in a text presentation format: when one appears on the screen, you record your answer as if you’re directly speaking to a person.

When you think of a video interview, you may assume that it means you’ll be interviewed via your personal computer from the comfort of your own home. That may be the case, but there is a chance you could be invited to have an in-office video interview . If your potential employer has a local office, but your hiring manager is either traveling or located elsewhere, you may be asked to come in and interview via an office computer.

Though video interviewing seems very different from old-fashioned, in-person job interviews, your success depends on familiar, common-sense factors.

Before the interview

Aside from your usual research and preparation, here’s what to do a few days before your interview:

•   Choose a quiet, clean, distraction-free location . If you’re having a remote video interview, choose a place at home, or at another location of your choice, that is quiet and distraction-free. Make sure your background and anything else within your video camera’s field of vision is clean and minimal, so that the focus is on you.
• Test your equipment before the big day. Make sure you have a smooth internet connection, that you have the correct video-calling software installed, that your audio and video are up-and-running, and—if applicable—that your computer is charged and ready to go. Test the position of your video camera as well. Your interviewer may not see you clearly, or may get an unflattering view, if your camera is positioned too far below or above your face.
• Dress for success. Interviewing from home isn’t a license to be casual. Choose the same type of appropriate, head-to-toe outfit you would wear for an in-person interview. You won’t only look professional, but you’ll feel professional, as well. To feel extra confident, do a test run with a friend to see how your outfit reads on-camera since certain colors and prints may be more distracting on video.

The day of the interview

At this point, you are prepared for the content of your interview, but there are logistical details to oversee so you can perform at your best:

• Be old-school . Just like you would with an in-person interview, keep a hard copy of your resume in front of you, as well as pen and paper to take notes and a glass of water.
• Exit all unnecessary applications . Your interview is not the time to have several applications running in the background or countless tabs open in your web browser. The only thing that should be open is your video-calling software.
• Double-check your space . This means making sure that there’s nothing loud or distracting in your background or foreground, and that any lighting you use shows you clearly on camera.
• Silence your phone .
• Shut any windows . Block out any potential noise sources—such as traffic, sirens, or loud neighbors—as much as possible. If you must keep a window open, let it be only a crack.
• Close the door. If you’re interviewing from home, let anyone in your household know when you’re not to be disturbed. Make it easy by keeping the door closed until you’re done. If it’s necessary, throw together a little sign to hang on the door to let family and/or roommates know that “an interview is progress.”

During your interview

Here’s how to ensure you’re making a positive, professional impression on your interviewer:

• Give the okay . Verify that your interviewer can see and hear you clearly before you begin. Do the same for her as well. Before you get started, ask your interviewer for a phone number you can reach her at in case of a bad internet connection or audio/video equipment failure.
• Be aware of your body language . Make eye contact by looking at the camera (not at your own face!). Don’t slouch or fidget. Be relaxed, but sit up straight and rest your hands on your desk or lap—wherever feels most comfortable.
• Answer clearly . Since you already tested your audio, be mindful of what volume to speak at so your interviewer can hear your responses loud and clear. You can mute your microphone every time your interviewer speaks so she doesn’t hear any distracting sounds from your end.

Use your past experience

As you can see, most of the best practices for video job interviews are the same as in-person or phone interviews . If you have any doubts, don’t be afraid to ask a trusted family member, friend, manager, or mentor for advice.

And don’t underestimate yourself: look at your own successful interview experiences and adapt any tips that have helped you feel confident and perform well to the video interview setup.

Have any virtual interview tips for us? Share your experience with us on Facebook .

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Teaching English as a Second Language (TESOL): Additional Subject Databases

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• Education Source (EBSCO) Indexing and abstracts for more than 3,500 journals in education and related fields, full-text for more than 1,900 journals, and full-text for more than 550 monographs. See Journal Coverage List . Topics covered include all levels of education from early childhood to higher education and all educational specialties. Education Source includes the content in EBSCO's Professional Development Collection, Education Index Retrospective: 1929-1983, and Education Index Full-text (H.W. Wilson). (PennKey required) Video: Searching Education Source

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• Communication Source (EBSCO) Abstracts/indexing, as well as full-text content from publications worldwide pertaining to Communication, Linguistics, Rhetoric and Discourse, Speech-Language Pathology, Media Studies and related fields. (PennKey required)
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• APA PsycNet Access APA PsycArticles (long runs of fulltext journals), APA PsycBooks (ebooks), APA PsycTests (test instruments and documentation), and APA PsycTherapy (therapeutic counseling videostreams).
• Sociological Abstracts (ProQuest) Covers international literature in sociology and related disciplines in the social and behavioral sciences. The database provides abstracts of journal articles and citations to book reviews drawn from over 1,800 serial publications, and also provides abstracts of books, book chapters, dissertations, and conference papers. The database backfile dates to 1952. See ProQuest Guide to Sociological Abstracts .
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Intercultural Communication, MSEd

The M.S.Ed. in Intercultural Communication, housed within the Educational Linguistics Division, provides the skills and knowledge necessary to understand linguistic and social practices in a variety of environments. The M.S.Ed. in Intercultural Communication (ICC), provides a solid foundation in ethnographic and discourse analytic research methods. The core courses examine linguistic and social practices that occur in face-to-face interaction, the cultural expectations and ideologies that inform communicative practices, and the cultural dynamics of power and identity. A degree in ICC prepares students for careers such as cultural exchange advising and administration, study-abroad programming, refugee and immigrant support, and curriculum development, training, and facilitation. The program also provides a solid theoretical foundation for those students considering a career in intercultural research and/or doctoral study.

For more information: https://www.gse.upenn.edu/elx/icc

A total of 12 course units are required for the ICC MSEd 1,2,3  All courses must be at the 5000 level or above.

Required Milestone:

Master’s degree candidates must demonstrate thorough knowledge of the field of specialization by passing a comprehensive examination in their area of study. The examination/portfolio/thesis serves an educational and evaluative purpose through which students are expected to review and integrate what they have learned in their coursework and fieldwork. Comprehensive formats vary. 

Students must complete an internship of at least 160 hours. The internship proposal (part of EDUC 7220 Seminar in Microethnography ) must be approved before you can begin your internship; the internship must be completed before you may register for EDUC 8230 ICC Seminar . EDUC 8230 ICC Seminar is offered in the spring semester only.

Students must maintain a 3.5 cumulative GPA after the completion of the first fall semester in order to register for 4 CU's in subsequent semesters. Students must maintain a 4.0 cumulative GPA after the completion of the first fall semester in order to register for 5 CU's in subsequent semesters. 

Two courses may be transferred into the program (as electives only) with the approval of ELX faculty.

Students must earn a grade of B- or higher in core courses (see Handbook).

Elective courses must be taken at the graduate level (5000 and above).

Candidates for the M.S.Ed. degree must demonstrate knowledge of the field of education beyond the area of specialization. This requirement is met by satisfying the distribution requirement. To meet the distribution requirement, students must complete one approved graduate level (5000 and above) GSE course outside the student’s area of specialization, earning a grade of "B" or better. Students should check with their program manager for a list of courses approved to fulfill the distribution requirement. Further requirements regarding these courses may be specified by each division.  

The degree and major requirements displayed are intended as a guide for students entering in the Fall of 2023 and later. Students should consult with their academic program regarding final certifications and requirements for graduation.

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You are here, m.s. ed. tesol program presentation.

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The TESOL program will hold a mandatory information session for all 1st-year TESOL students. The program presentation will be followed by casual meet and greet for 1st and 2nd year TESOL students. 

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How to Write the UPenn Supplemental Essays 2023-2024

Founded in 1740 by Benjamin Franklin, the University of Pennsylvania is one of America’s eight Ivy League institutions. Its beautiful campus features unique red-and-green-brick buildings, gorgeous tree-lined paths, and lots of tributes to Ben Franklin. UPenn is known for its premier academics, but also for its thriving student life (it’s called “the social Ivy,” and has a strong Greek life).

UPenn also enjoys the benefits of being situated in the heart of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania — it’s just a stone’s throw from myriad museums, gardens, cathedrals, and historic sites, including Independence Hall. Students typically describe UPenn as having a highly “pre-professional” mindset, with a large cultural focus on internships, school jobs, and career preparation. All in all, it’s the perfect city refuge for ambitious, can-do students who want to maximize their college experience.

Composite Schools: Depending on their fields of study, students at UPenn will be applying to different colleges that make up the school. Undergraduate education at Penn is separated into four distinct schools: the School of Arts & Sciences, Wharton School of Business, the School of Engineering & Applied Sciences, and the School of Nursing. 

Admissions Rates and Resources: UPenn is a tiny bit easier to get into than more in-demand Ivies, but still enjoys a reputation of exclusivity. In its most recent admissions cycle, UPenn accepted 6% of undergraduate applicants. 

Now, onto the essays! Below, you can see a list of all the prompts we’re going to cover. All applicants must submit the two required essay prompts, listed first. Below these, we’ll break into the supplemental essays for various optional programs open to applicants. 

Read these UPenn essay examples to inspire your own writing.

UPenn Supplemental Essay Prompts 

All applicants.

Prompt 1: 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)

Prompt 2: How will you explore the community at Penn? Consider how this community will help shape your perspective and identity, and how your identity and perspective will help shape this community. (150-200 words)

School-Specific Prompts

College of Arts and Sciences: The flexible structure of The College of Arts and Sciences’ curriculum is designed to inspire exploration, foster connections, and help you create a path of study through general education courses and a major. What are you curious about and how would you take advantage of opportunities in the arts and sciences? (150-200 words)

School of Engineering and Applied Science: Penn Engineering prepares its students to become leaders in technology, by combining a strong foundation in the natural sciences and mathematics, 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)

School of Nursing: Penn Nursing intends to meet the health needs of society in a global and multicultural world by preparing its students to impact healthcare by advancing science 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)

The Wharton School: Wharton prepares its students to make an impact by applying business methods and economic theory to real-world problems, including economic, political, and social issues. Please reflect on a current issue of importance to you and share how you hope a Wharton education would help you to explore it. (150-200 words)

The Huntsman Program

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 in business and international studies, and how would you use what you learn to make a contribution to a global issue where business and international affairs intersect (400-650 words), the digital media design program, why are you interested in the digital media design (dmd) program at the university of pennsylvania (400-650 words), the life sciences and management program.

Prompt 1: The LSM program aims to provide students with a fundamental understanding of the life sciences and their management with an eye to identifying, advancing and implementing innovations. What issues would you want to address using the understanding gained from such a program? Note that this essay should be distinct from your single degree essay. (400-650 words)

The Jerome Fisher Management and Technology Program

Prompt 1: 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)

Prompt 2: Describe a problem that you solved that showed leadership and creativity. (250 words)

The NETS Engineering Program

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), the nursing and healthcare management program, discuss your interest in nursing and health care management. how might penn’s coordinated dual-degree program in nursing and business help you meet your goals (400-650 words), the viper program, 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), the bio-dental program.

Prompt 1:  Please list pre-dental or pre-medical 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 description of your experience. If you do not have any pre-dental or pre-medical experience, please indicate what you have done or plan to do in order to explore dentistry as a career. (250 words)

Prompt 2: 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. (250 words)

Prompt 3: Describe any activities which demonstrate your ability to work with your hands. (250 words)

Prompt 4: What activities have you performed that demonstrate your ability to work cooperatively with people? (250 words)

Prompt 5: Please explain your reasons for selecting a career in dentistry. Please include what interests you the most in dentistry as well as what interests you the least. (250 words)

All Applicants, Prompt 1

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).

As you’ve gone through high school, you’ve likely received help from all kinds of people. UPenn wants to give you a chance to practice gratitude and acknowledge a specific person who has positively impacted your high school journey. 

There are two main parts to this prompt: picking the person to thank and writing the note .

Who should you pick? Some commonly-influential folks include:

• Mentors or older students
• Family members
• Religious leaders
• Managers/bosses

If you’re having trouble thinking directly of people, you may want to consider thinking of experiences that shaped who you are and the person most directly involved in that . In fact, this may be more effective. There will probably be thousands of thank you notes written to parents, for example. This is great—no problem there—but execution matters. It’s too easy to fall into the trap of writing a generic note thanking this person for “supporting you no matter what” and for “believing in you.”

This brings us to part two of this prompt: writing the note. Instead of generic pleasantries, you want to share specific experiences where this person really made a difference in your life. How did they support you? How did they show they believed in you? How did this impact you? 

For example, say you want to thank your mother for her support. You might share how she woke up at 6am to run with you each day so you could get extra miles in and work towards your goal of making cross country states (while you didn’t make it, you did place in regionals for the first time!). Or, maybe you want to thank your history teacher for pushing you. You should share how he worked with you individually after school when you were initially struggling to write the AP Euro DBQs, and how this encouraged you to start tutoring others in math when you say how effective this individual help was. 

Since this essay is only 150-200 words, you likely only have space for 1-2 anecdotes, so choose the ones that stick out to you most (and ones that add additional info to your application rather than repeating it). Unlike your other essays, this one doesn’t need to be a narrative format, and you should simply address the person you’re thanking. Write as if you’re actually writing a regular thank you note to them —no need to be super formal, and do include jokes if that’s how you’d normally interact!

If you do share your note with the person you’re thanking, you don’t have to reflect on the experience in the essay, unless you want to. If you do, save about one-third to one-fourth of the space for your reflection (about 50-60 words). How did it make that person feel? How did it make you feel? How was the experience meaningful for both of you?

The goal of this essay is to see which students are self-aware and humble , so as long as you approach this essay with genuine intentions of thanking this person, you should have a strong response. 

All Applicants, Prompt 2

How will you explore the community at penn consider how this community will help shape your perspective and identity, and how your identity and perspective will help shape this community. (150-200 words).

Use this short essay to showcase the best parts of yourself outside of the classroom. This doesn’t mean you can’t mention your academic interests, but if you mention the same subject as you did in the first prompt, you should dramatically recontextualize it or illuminate a new aspect of it. 

The word community appears three times – so address your philosophy of community. Do some thinking about what “community” means to you, and what kind of group setting is your ideal. Is it small? Large? Gentle? Raucous? If you have an original, thought-provoking, or culturally-informed definition that you love, feel free to include it. The best essays will be about a deeper topic than simply extracurriculars or collaborative research.

Be specific, and do your UPenn research . Maybe you bring musical talents and want to join the student orchestra. Perhaps you are a Hispanic student who wants to revitalize others’ awareness of their cultural heritage. Poke around UPenn’s website to find specific groups or initiatives that address something you enjoy. As always, if you can use past accomplishments or experiences to illustrate your point, it will be more powerful. For instance, if you have led your soccer team’s community outreach efforts, talk about how the skills you learned on the team will make you better at building a relationship between UPenn and the city of Philadelphia.

Don’t just name-drop an activity. For example, “UPenn’s Black student center, Makuu, is something that interests me” shows a bit of research, but not a lot. It also does not connect the research to the applicant as an individual, or hit on the larger theme of community. A better approach is to be hyper specific: “Because I’m interested in Black literary studies, as well as crossover between literature and history, I’m captivated by the way UPenn’s Makuu house brings together young Black academics from various disciplines. As I delve into my field of interest — Black and African modernist poetry — I would love to draw on the knowledge of my colleagues to enrich my work. I’m a firm believer that the more paths we can create between different disciplines of Black studies, the easier it is to explore.” This answer is specific to the applicant, establishes an ethos for research, and addresses Makuu as more than a name.

Identify a challenge you want to pose yourself. Look at the prompt again — the verb “shape” is another word that gets repeated, and it’s backed up by “learning” and “growth.” This prompt is asking about development, so you should identify an area in which you want to evolve, grow, and improve. Ideally, think about a certain foible that challenges you and keeps you from fulfilling your potential — maybe it’s a fear of public speaking, an apathy towards volunteering, or a tendency to seek out echo chambers. Why do you feel you need to change, and what communities at UPenn could push you out of your comfort zone?

For example, I could plot out my essay like this: 

I’m not an effective writing mentor. I can be too harsh and too direct with my feedback. I can intimidate people I intend to help.

I need to work on my “bedside manner” as a writing mentor. I need to acquire effective strategies and principles to inform me, and I need to work with more mentees to practice.

The student essay tutors program at UPenn’s library will offer me training to improve as a tutor, and by working there I can gain repeated experience in coaching others’ writing.

I will end up as a better communicator, and I can help writers feel confident, an essential skill for an aspiring editor like myself. 

If you’re having trouble coming up with ideas. Ask yourself these questions:

• When was a time I was challenged in an activity? What challenging moments would I want to repeat?
• Look up Howard Gardner’s multiple intelligences . These are various kinds of astuteness Garnder posited exist in students to different extents. Is there an intelligence in which I’m lacking, which I want to strengthen? Which activities would help me build this intelligence?
• When have I grown as an individual? How did I change?
• What’s a club or group where I could use my skills for a greater good? 

College of Arts and Sciences

The flexible structure of the college of arts and sciences’ curriculum is designed to inspire exploration, foster connections, and help you create a path of study through general education courses and a major. what are you curious about and how would you take advantage of opportunities in the arts and sciences (150-200 words).

This prompt doesn’t leave you with a lot of space to communicate why you are pursuing your major of choice , so being concise is key. In the limited space available, you need to communicate your interest in the area of study and explain the resources and opportunities at UPenn that will allow you to indulge your curiosity and grow your passion.

When it comes to communicating your interest, there are a few ways you could go about it. A tried and true method is to rely on an anecdote to show the admissions committee either how your interest in the subject matter began or how you engage with the topic in your current life. Remember, anecdotes need to communicate your emotional attachment to your interest by drawing on thoughts, feelings, and physical expression.

You can also demonstrate your interest with specific examples. For example, a student interested in pursuing music could write a sentence about each instrument they play and what excites them about each one. Another tactic you might employ is to share your inner monologue. This might look like a student detailing the conversation in their head when they are researching astronomy topics and how they jump from one subtopic to another.

While expressing your interest in your major is important, the second half of this essay requires you to turn towards UPenn’s offerings. Start scouring the website and look for unique opportunities and resources that not only relate to your interests, but will also help you grow and achieve your goals. Below are a few ideas to inspire your research:

• Look at the course roster and find classes in your major (don’t just pick Biology 101; the more specific, the better!)
• Find professors in your department and the research they conduct
• Explore unique clubs and extracurriculars that align with your interests (there is a finance club on every campus but Penn’s Marketing Undergraduate Student Establishment is highly specific)
• Look into special programs or centers (ie. Center for Particle Cosmology or Linguistics Data Consortium)
• Research Penn-specific study abroad programs and destinations

Especially given the limited amount of space in this prompt, quality over quantity is extremely important; pick one or two opportunities and go into depth about why they excite you, how they relate to you, and what you hope to get out of them rather than name dropping four or five.                                 

If you are able to seamlessly transition from discussing your personal history with your major of choice and the related opportunities at UPenn, you will have a strong essay. You also don’t need to know exactly what you want to study in college to successfully write this essay. If you are applying to Arts and Sciences undecided, these tips will help you respond to this prompt.

School of Engineering and Applied Science

Penn engineering prepares its students to become leaders in technology, by combining a strong foundation in the natural sciences and mathematics, 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).

All this prompt boils down to is “ Why This Major? ”. The Penn admissions committee wants to know three main things:

1. What drew you to engineering?

2. What are your goals? (ie. become a leader in technology as stated in the prompt)

3. How will Penn help you further your interest and achieve your goals?

Let’s break this down step-by-step.

Just as in any “Why Major?” essay, you need to demonstrate your passion for your chosen area of study so admissions officers are confident that you will be a positive addition to the campus. But how do you show that?

The best way is to use anecdotes. College essays that read like stories are infinitely more engaging than ones that restate the prompt and tell the reader who the student is. We need to see it. Take a look at a few examples of the types of anecdotes you could use to demonstrate your interest in engineering:

“ Seventy degrees with partially cloudy skies, but no rain on the radar. Check. Twenty foot radius cleared of trees and shrubbery. Check. Adoring fans waiting with bated breath outside the launch zone. Check, if you count my mother glancing up from her phone every minute or so. Time to initiate the launch sequence. My dad’s voice boomed out the descending count as I looked over the two-foot-tall rocket. The nose curved for optimal aerodynamicity, the fins 10% smaller than last time to reduce drift, and the parachute stowed away that would surely deploy this time. My dad reached zero and we had liftoff!”

“Nothing beats a trip to my grandparents house. And it’s not the paletas my grandma stashes underneath the frozen vegetables or my grandpa’s hand carved chess board that draws me there. It’s the bridge we take to get there. Two miles long, eight lanes wide, and 400 feet in the air, it defies all natural laws. Sticking my head out the window like a puppy tasting the wind, I crane my neck to look at the suspension cables that effortlessly distribute thousands of tons. I want to close my eyes and imagine the barges and cranes flooding the river to construct such a masterpiece, but I can never take my eyes off of the bridge.”

2. What are your goals?

The second thing your essay needs to communicate is what your personal and career aspirations are, relative to engineering. In an essay this short, this doesn’t need to be more than a sentence or two, but including a forward-thinking mindset will show the admissions committee your dedication to the subject. Plus, Penn wants to admit students who will achieve great things, so let them know you have big plans in store!

You can weave your goals into your anecdote or allude to them when you are talking about the Penn resources you want to take advantage of, for example: “ After taking Nanoscale Science and Engineering, I will know the mechanisms needed to scale-down the facial recognition chip to fit it into wearable glasses, so even those with Alzheimer’s can recognize their loved ones. ”

In the prompt, they mention “Penn Engineering prepares its students to become leaders in technology,” so if you can, try to demonstrate how you will be a leader within your engineering field when highlighting a goal of yours.

3. How will Penn help you?

Before you’re done with your essay, you need to connect yourself to UPenn. By this point in your essay, the admissions committee should see you are a passionate, driven, and ambitious student with a bright future ahead of you, but the question Penn admissions officers care about is why should that future be at Penn ?

You’ll need to now bring in a few Penn-specific resources and opportunities—and connect them to you—to seal the deal and demonstrate how you would make the most out of a Penn education.

When it comes to including school resources, we always recommend quality over quantity. Avoid name-dropping three classes, a professor, and two student organizations without any elaboration. Instead, for an essay with a limited word count, focus on one or two Penn resources that align with your passion and explain why you are excited to engage with that opportunity or how it will help you achieve your goals.

It’s a good idea to pick Penn offerings that align with the central theme or anecdote of your essay. For example, a student who’s anecdote was about programming a robot might write about their interest in joining Penn Aerial Robotics to explore the design behind UAVs since they want to go into military development. Another student who told a story about researching devices to cure obscure diseases might talk about the Penn Center for Health, Devices, and Technology and how they want to partner with faculty at the Center to develop new technology.

School of Nursing

Penn nursing intends to meet the health needs of society in a global and multicultural world by preparing its students to impact healthcare by advancing science 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).

Health equity has increasingly become an important topic of discussion in the public sphere, but especially in nursing and medical classes. This prompt is asking you to consider what health equity means to you and how you will play a role in creating a more fair healthcare system.

Some students might be tempted to treat this essay more like an argumentative essay you might submit in a class, but don’t forget that it’s still a college essay. That means we need to learn about you!

Yes, the admissions committee wants to hear why you think health equity is important, but they are also curious to see your experience with the topic in the past. If you’ve experienced discrimination in healthcare, witnessed a loved one or friend be disadvantaged because of a lack of equity, or worked to promote health equity within your community, they want to know. Even if you have previous experience promoting social justice and equality more generally, not necessarily in the healthcare field, that should be part of your essay.

For students who have direct experience with this topic, your essay should do these three main things:

1. Establish a connection to health equity. A good way to do this is through an anecdote or story about your previous experience. Show us how you were emotionally impacted by the existence of health discrimination or injustice. If you did work in high school to address the issue, let us know what attracted you to the topic in the first place and describe the impact achieving health equity had on you and others.

2. Explain how you will contribute to Penn’s mission . This part is a little more open ended because you can either interpret it as contributing to healthcare equality at Penn or after graduation, it’s up to you. Either way, it’s a good idea to bring in unique Penn resources that will further your knowledge of health equity or help you actively make a difference in the field. Explain why the particular opportunity you highlighted speaks to you and how it will help you grow in your career as a nurse. However, don’t forget to include what you can bring to the table, in whatever club or class you are in, too.

3. Reflect on the importance of health equity. You can weave this part throughout your essay, use it as an impactful hook or conclusion, or use it to emphasize the point of your anecdote. What’s important is to show the admissions committee your critical thinking and reasoning skills and discuss why we need equality in healthcare. What would hospitals look like? How would the patient experience be improved? Who would be impacted? How can incorporating equity make nursing more productive or enjoyable? You can really talk about any way that nursing and healthcare would be impacted, just as long as you zoom out and think about the bigger picture.

Maybe you don’t have any direct experience with this topic—that’s okay too! The structure suggested above can be modified so instead of establishing your connection to health equity with a personal anecdote, you can have a more generalized discussion about why it is important and how it makes you feel. Don’t hold back—tell us about the emotions, thoughts, and feelings you have on the topic. Describe your heartbreak and fear for yourself at hearing stories of women’s pain being dismissed. Express your hungry appetite for addressing social injustices and how you will never be satisfied until you make a difference.

The rest of the essay should be pretty similar with the Penn resources and the reflection on the future of nursing. If you don’t have any personal experiences, your essay might be a bit heavier on what you hope to learn at Penn and contribute in the future; there’s nothing wrong with that. 

Regardless of what your experience-level is like, it’s important that you are able to communicate in your response that you are a civically-minded person and that you are driven by a desire to improve the world around you. If you can demonstrate to the admissions committee that you are passionate about advancing health equity, your essay will be a success.

The Wharton School

Wharton prepares its students to make an impact by applying business methods and economic theory to real-world problems, including economic, political, and social issues. please reflect on a current issue of importance to you and share how you hope a wharton education would help you to explore it. (150-200 words).

This essay follows the “ Global Issues ” essay archetype. For this type of essay, it’s extremely important that you pick an issue you are actually passionate about, rather than one you think will seem “impressive” to admissions officers. Your natural interest in the topic will make it easier to write and make the essay more engaging.

Pick an Issue Important to You

You’re given leeway in the prompt to pick any economic, political, or social issue that is close to your heart. Maybe there is one that immediately jumps out at you, or maybe you’re struggling to choose. If you need help narrowing down your choices, start by asking yourself these questions:

• What class are you more drawn to, economics or history/government?
• What type of news articles catch your attention?
• What causes or charities do you donate to or volunteer for?
• What’s a news story that has made you enraged? Upset? Motivated?
• What current events topics do you like to talk about with your friends?

We recommend picking a topic that relates to your interests and experiences that way you can incorporate stories into your essay. A student who is able to connect something they do on a local level to a larger national issue will show the admissions committee their appreciation of micro and macro perspectives. 

For example, a student who’s been volunteering as a tutor for low income elementary students throughout high school might choose public education funding as their topic because they have seen the disparity in resources available to students simply based on the property taxes in the district. Not only does this topic directly relate to their extracurricular interests, but it also provides the student with a chance to use stories and details from their personal experience.

Keep in mind that although Wharton is the business school, your issue does not have to be economically-related, nor do you need to explain the issue’s connection to business. Practically every global issue involves economic theory or the private sector, so it’s more important to pick an issue that is authentically you rather than one that seems better suited to the school.

Explain the Extent of the Problem and Your Connection

The first part of this is pretty straightforward: tell the admissions committee why they should care about this issue as much as you do. Pretend that your reader isn’t familiar with the issue and explain what is going on and why it is important to address it.

The more nuanced part is to explain why this issue is important to you.

This is where anecdotes and personal stories can come into play, but you need to make sure that through these stories you communicate your emotional attachment to the issue. Are you or your community personally affected? How has that impacted your lives? Maybe the issue is not directly related to you but it reminds you of something you’ve faced. In that case, how do you empathize with the people going through the situation?

Since this essay is pretty short, a good portion of the essay should be on your personal connection to the issue. 

How Will Wharton Help You Fix It

Of course since this is a college essay, the prompt doesn’t just want to know about a global issue you care about—it wants to know how you will utilize a Penn education to solve problems. Again, space is limited, so you don’t have the luxury to go into multiple resources that you hope to engage with on campus. Instead, hone in on one or two and make sure to explain their significance.

Whether it’s a professor, class, student organization, research topic, special center, study abroad program, etc, make sure to include how that opportunity will teach you something unique or equip you with specific skills that will allow you to address the issue in the future.

Huntsman Program Applicants

UPenn’s Huntsman Program is a dual degree track in International Studies and Business, which brings together the College of Arts and Sciences and the Wharton School of Business. Its focus is global, and students learn target languages and study foreign affairs with an eye towards becoming internationally-involved, global citizens.

This is a meaty question, and we should break it down into a checklist of key items they’re asking you to identify. 

• What draws you to business (B) + international studies (IS)
• A global issue in B + IS
• What you want to learn about B + IS
• How that knowledge is applicable to the global issue 

A logical, competent way to structure this essay would be a narrative format: past to present. The items that compose the question naturally lend themselves to this timeline format, so lean into it if you choose. You can talk about your past interest in a problem, the current state of that problem, and how your collegiate experience in B + IS will make you a citizen better equipped to help solve that problem. 

As always, be specific. Pick not just a broad issue (“refugee crises”), but a subset of the issue that actually seems manageable (“connecting large corporate donors with small charities run by refugees themselves”). From there, look for potential classes offered at UPenn, and student organizations involved in similar missions. It may be worth citing how the Huntsman program has aided the students featured on its website , and discuss how those same opportunities would similarly provide you with a comprehensive education in B + IS.

Demonstrate your cosmopolitanism . If you have a family history that involves living in multiple countries or cultures, you may want to evoke it here. The same goes for any educational, service, or other time spent learning abroad. Even if you’ve never left your home country, demonstrate a keen knowledge of foreign affairs by citing events, specific leaders, certain charities or businesses, etc. 

That said, be wary of “factoids” and surface knowledge . The CollegeVine writer who broke down this prompt last year had a great piece of advice that’s worth emphasizing (and maybe tattooing?): 

“Don’t do what I did. In high school, I focused on international affairs a lot during debate. Unfortunately, I messed up an important interview by talking about a bunch of breaking news instead of tying those events back to the deeper insights I had been describing in my debates.

All this is just to say: don’t mistake superficial ideas for depth of interest. One quick way to test this is to try talking about your essay topic for three minutes. If you run out of things to say about the intersection of global issues and business, you probably are coming at the issue from the wrong angle [and you need to approach it from another direction: themes, morality, ethics, etc].”

What is the philosophy behind your international focus? In addition to showing your knowledge of IS, you should state why you enjoy the field, and why it’s necessary for the world right now. Has your understanding of “the world” and your “self” changed since you first became interested in B + IS? Your understandings of “community,” “collaboration,” “multiculturalism,” “aid,” etc? 

Think of it this way: the prompt asks “what” and “how,” but there’s also a hidden question: “why?”

Digital Media Design Program Applicants 

“ The Digital Media Design Program ,” writes UPenn, “was established in response to what we perceived as a growing rift within the computer graphics and animation industry.” UPenn is one of few schools to offer a specialized curriculum that combines fine arts with computer engineering. However, because the DMD program is so rare, it is also competitive. In this essay, show your interest in digital media design to be sustained rather than temporary.

This prompt is similar to the first UPenn prompt, discussed above with the hypothetical applicant Sam. It asks you 1) what your interest is, and 2) why you need to pursue it at UPenn and DMD specifically. To that effect, you can brainstorm using the T-chart format we covered there, with “DMD” in the column previously dedicated to a certain major. 

That said, there are some specific things you should mind. 

Why you NEED the interdisciplinary approach . DMD combines a lot of fields that you could study in isolation elsewhere. For a standout application, you need to show why you wouldn’t be content in just the School of Fine Arts or just the School of Engineering. Rather, you should describe the magnetic pull both design and computer sciences have on your mind, and how you’ve integrated them in the past, to the point where they’re inextricable for you.

A problem you can help address. Remember, this whole program was created to solve a perceived problem! Towards the end of your essay, identify a societal or industry-specific problem that the skills set you’d acquire at DMD would help ameliorate, whether it’s user interfaces for apps, computer models for statisticians, or how to make animated fish scales look really, really good. 

Do some digging about the program . Information about DMD is scattered in multiple places, so spend a good hour clicking around and exploring the Internet. There’s some student work on this webpage, a Youtube video , and a description of Penn’s computer graphics facilities . For a program this esoteric, it’s also worth your effort to send a polite email to the Computer Graphics Department at UPenn, asking if there’s any faculty or current students who’d like to chat or answer your questions about the program. This will give you a much more specific sense of how the program would fit your interests, what career resources are available for DMD students, etc. 

The message is the medium. Since this is a design program, convey your design preferences and unique style as much as possible. A successful essay not only convinces admissions officers that you are passionate about design; it gives them a sense of what aesthetics your designs will prioritize. For example, if your style is “minimalist,” you might want to experiment with a “minimalist” writing style: sentence fragments, short sentences, and clipped breaks. If your style is vivid and colorful, engage lots of sensory words, lush descriptions, and (obviously) words for all your favorite shades of colors. 

Life Sciences and Management Program Applicants

The Life Sciences and Management Program is a dual degree that ties together the biology majors in the College of Arts and Sciences and the Wharton School of Business. Although it’s selective in the number of students it accepts (25), it’s broad in terms of focus: students pursue everything from agriculture to pharmaceuticals to bioengineering to finance. 

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)

Wow! They already gave you a theme for this essay: innovation! That should make it easy, right? Well, maybe. By like 5%. Batten down the hatches.

We can break this prompt down into the central requirements, and all the attendant little words that feed into them. Those central requirements are:

• The issue you want to address
• LSM experience – “program,” “understanding,” “eye”
• “Innovation” – “identifying, advancing, implementing”

First, find an issue in the life sciences/life sciences business that speaks to you. This doesn’t have to be a specific problem: it can be an attitude that you feel needs fixing, a lack of collaboration, or an incorrect mindset or paradigm. However, you should have specific examples of personal experiences with it, either from your studies or some other aspect of your life. And you should demonstrate a thorough understanding of it, revealing that you’ve read widely and stayed updated. 

Second, talk about how LSM will help you become the solution . LSM provides its students with an incredible array of resources, including internships, connections, prizes, funds, and mentorship. You should discuss program-specific resources that either touch on the issue specifically or will give you the “eye,” the “understanding” mentioned in the prompt.

• Find granular examples of LSM resources . Their website is so expansive, and so full of student profiles and useful information, that we recommend spending about an hour clicking through and jotting down information that intrigues you. Find specific faculty who work in areas that interest you, or who are engaged in public work in a way you’d admire. Then connect these back to the “issue” you’ve mentioned.
• Justify your interdisciplinary needs . You need to prove that you wouldn’t be be happier in either management or bioscience — you need them both together. Good statements to have in pocket are “only through LSM,” “LSM specifically,” and “LSM’s unique X.” For example, check out LSM’s two program-exclusive courses . Citing these would be a great idea, as would clicking on the faculty links on the same page. 

Lastly, discuss your ideas of innovation. Don’t worry — they’re not expecting you to solve anything now. And actually, if you read the prompt closely, LSM wants their students to be skilled at “identifying, advancing and implementing” innovations, not necessarily inventing them. Here, it’s less important to propose a solution to your issue than it is to propose a road to that solution, an implementation plan for an extant solution, or a unique definition of “innovation.” You should focus on ideas that are key to management: how does innovation happen, how do we organize people to produce innovation, how do we establish cultures where collaboration is enjoyable? UPenn wants to learn about how you think, about your philosophy.

Jerome Fisher Management and Technology Program Applicants

The Jerome Fisher Management and Technology Program is a dual-degree program that allows students to select an interdisciplinary concentration that melds the schools of Business and Engineering. 

Note: The two essays have very different purposes, so be sure to write them with those distinct goals in mind.

• The first essay follows a similar archetype as the essay outlined under the first general UPenn prompt: the “why major” essay. Remember Sam and the T-chart? 
• The second essay is trying to learn how you think and act under pressure. Do you think like an engineer? Can you solve problems creatively? Do you take the lead when circumstances demand it?

M&T Program, Prompt 1

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).

This prompt is similar to the first UPenn prompt, discussed above with the hypothetical applicant Sam. It asks you 1) what your interest is, and 2) why you need to pursue it at UPenn and M&T specifically. To that effect, you can brainstorm using the T-chart format we covered there, with “M&T” in the column previously dedicated to a certain major. 

Why you NEED the interdisciplinary approach . M&T combines a lot of fields that you could study in isolation elsewhere. For a standout application, you need to show why you wouldn’t be content in just the School of Business or just the School of Engineering. Rather, you should describe the magnetic pull both engineering and business have on your mind, and how you’ve integrated them in the past, to the point where they’re inextricable for you.

A problem or curiosity you can help address. Remember, the first words on M&T’s website are “ solving big problems ”! Towards the end of your essay, mention a societal or industry-specific problem that the skills set you’d acquire through M&T would help ameliorate, whether it’s user interfaces for apps or environmentally-friendly polymers.

Do some digging about the program . M&T’s website is vast, so spend a good hour clicking around and exploring, taking notes on details that appeal to you. This will give you a much more specific sense of how the program would fit your interests, what career resources are available for M&T students, etc. We suggest checking out the News section and Alumni profiles .

M&T Program Applicants, Prompt 2

Describe a problem that you solved that showed leadership and creativity. (250 words).

Finding an anecdote that fits the second essay is harder than it may seem. First, think back on times you have been a leader. This can be through some formal position you held, like club president, or it can be leadership in practice rather than in title. It also doesn’t have to strictly involve business and engineering, although it really helps if you’re able to creatively apply it back to your business/tech interests. You should think of this prompt as the short, fun, unbuttoned sequel to the previous one.

Here’s an example. Imagine Lucy is the lead singer in a band, but they’ve been having trouble booking gigs. So Lucy looks for venues they had not considered previously, going to chamber of commerce meetings. She finds out small business owners would like live music for events. Talks go well, and pretty soon, Lucy’s band is playing private events hosted by small businesses.

This anecdote makes a great fit for the essay prompt, because it expands on the idea of “business” without being stuffy or repetitious. It’s fresh, and can allow Lucy to talk about a real topic in business, relevant to M&T — seeking face-to-face connections and word-of-mouth recommendations.

CollegeVine’s breakdown of a Common App essay on problem-solving has some useful tips you can use here, too. For example:

1. Briefly reflect on the pros and cons of your solution! It takes a sophisticated essay to describe a solution, but also to reflect on some errors or things you’d do differently.

2. Brainstorm problems with solutions that you are particularly proud of or that you think are unique or exciting, then pick the most compelling one for M&T.

3. Use anecdotal color: dialogue, varied tone, emotions, jokes, asides. 

To which we should add that here, since you only have 250 words, be short, streamlined, and vivid. Use efficient, active verbs that will pack the maximum amount of punch into such a short passage. 

NETS Engineering Program Applicants

NETS is a unique program in Penn’s engineering school that foregrounds networks, huge systems, social media, modern computing, and economics.

UPenn really loves these meaty prompts, don’t they? This one needs to be broken down and analyzed, since there are a bunch of components.

Notice all the nouns? If you look closely at the prompt, almost all the words are nouns. That means the admissions readers for NETS are going to be on the lookout for applicants who name-drop specific terms, techniques, or systems — the bread-and-butter unit nouns of CS. When composing, you should take care not to sacrifice density of concepts and information for narrative flair, although…

You need to add that *narrative flair*. Since the prompt is mostly nouns, you’ll need to stir in your own action through verbbbbs. Make a list of all the actions you’ve performed while working on information systems. And keep in mind the UPenn example with Tarzan: the verbs should be as vivid as you can afford writing about CS. Did you “formulate” and “organize” an array, or did you “DREDGE” the data set and “FLOOD” the array with numbers and “CONSTELLATE” the data into “WHIRLING” patterns? Don’t be excessive, but liven up your prose to convey your enthusiasm. 

NETS’ website emphasizes creativity, brilliance, and sometimes genius . NETS has a little bit of a god complex: their ideal student is “one of the few” (as the NETS Program website tells us), an “extraordinary” thinker, not an “average mind.” So make sure to let your personality and uniqueness shine through. (Fun fact about the word genius : it comes from a Latin word indicating a unique, endemic spirit.) This means using vivid words and literary devices to showcase your free-thinking. And you can elaborate unabashedly about your accomplishments, as long as you do so with enthusiasm for the work itself, rather than pride in nominal awards. 

We live in a society. All right, gamers, it’s time to rise up and talk about societal issues that resonate with you. “Society” is mentioned twice, which offers you an opportunity to start with your personal experience, then broaden your focus to encompass wider issues. Describe how awareness of this context changed anything about your methods, ethics, or career goals: was there a service you stopped using or a technique you tried learning after reading a piece of news? 

“Draw on examples from your own experiences as a user, developer, or student of technology.” You should really involve all three. 

Conclude with your specific desires for college . Translate your interests into a college context, and state what kinds of coursework you want to do, and what kinds of pre-professional assistance would help you out. Lastly, bring back the “societal” need and identify how you want to contribute as a thinker. 

Nursing and Healthcare Management Program Applicants

NHCM is a dual degree between the Wharton School of Business and the Nursing School. 

This prompt follows a similar format as the first UPenn essay, in that it asks you to 1) identify your interest and 2) pair that interest with specific resources at UPenn — NHCM, specifically. So you may want to revisit that breakdown, the T-chart method we discussed, and the sample “Sam” essay. 

Why you NEED the interdisciplinary approach . NHCM combines a lot of fields that you could study in isolation elsewhere. For a standout application, you need to show why you wouldn’t be content in just the School of Business or just the School of Nursing. Rather, you should describe the magnetic pull both healthcare and business have on your mind, and how you’ve integrated them in the past, to the point where they’re inextricable for you.

A problem, curiosity, or goal you can pursue. Discuss how your personal experience has shaped your objectives in pursuing nursing — you have space to open in medias res with a personal story, if you want. Towards the end of your essay, mention a societal or industry-specific problem that the skills set you’d acquire through NHCM would help ameliorate, whether it’s how pharma companies can better incorporate the perspective of nurses or how businesses can succeed with their health initiatives.

Do some digging about the program . The NHCM website is very small, so be sure to poke around the internet exploring, taking notes on details that appeal to you. This will give you a much more specific sense of how the program would fit your interests, what career resources are available for NHCS students, etc. We suggest checking out the Admissions webinars offered by the UPenn school of nursing for opportunities to ask questions. You also might want to politely email the staff member listed under the “Who Can Apply?” section , and ask if there are any faculty or current students who would be open to talking about their experiences in NHCM.

VIPER Program Applicants

The Vagelos Integrated Program in Energy Research, or VIPER, is a rigorous program that emphasizes student research, publication, and involved mentorship opportunities with faculty.

This prompt is more like a python than a viper, in that it’s huge and has some additional prompts swallowed up inside. However, you should note that it follows a similar format as the first UPenn essay, in that it asks you to 1) identify your specific interests and ideal majors and 2) pair that interest with specific resources at UPenn — VIPER, specifically. And boy, do VIPER students not lack for resources. So you may want to revisit that breakdown and the T-chart method we discussed, and fill up the target panel with VIPER-specific programs, mentorship opportunities, awards, funds, and summer opportunities that call to you. 

Why you NEED the interdisciplinary approach . VIPER combines a lot of fields that you could study in isolation elsewhere. For a standout application, you need to show why you wouldn’t be content in just the School of A&S or just the School of Engineering. Rather, you should describe the magnetic pull both science and engineering have on your mind, and how you’ve integrated them in the past, to the point where they’re inextricable for you. Describing your dual passions can provide a meaningful segue into “previous research,” as per the prompt — you might have loved a setting in which you practiced both science and engineering, or you might have felt something was “missing” when you solely focused on one or the other. 

A problem, curiosity, or goal you can pursue in college. Discuss how your personal experience has shaped your objectives in pursuing engineering – you have space to open in medias res with a personal story, if you want. If one experience was particularly formative, eye-opening, challenging, or inspiring, this would be a great incident with which to open.

Follow a logical narrative organization. The prompt itself provides you with the easiest way to lay out your essay, and that is: 

Inciting or important experience 

Interest in energy/science as a subject

Further experience

Narrowed and refined interests;  awareness of large-scale dilemmas in the field

Desire for certain exploratory opportunities in college

VIPER programs that fit that desire

How VIPER programs will prepare me to address those large-scale dilemmas and research interests

Do some digging about the program . The VIPER website is huge and comprehensive, so be sure to reserve an hour or so for reading, exploring, and taking notes on details that appeal to you. This will give you a much more specific sense of how the program would fit your interests, what career resources are available for VIPER students, etc. We suggest checking out the information e-sessions offered by The VIPER for opportunities to ask questions. You also might want to politely email the staff member listed on the Prospective Students page if you have any questions, or if you want to ask if there are any faculty or current students who would be open to talking about their experiences in VIPER.

Bio-Dental Program Applicants

UPenn’s seven-year Bio-Dental Program is a rigorous and highly-structured regimen that puts students on track to complete a professional dental degree in an accelerated time-frame. This program emphasizes discipline, determination, and pure scientific competence. Your answers should be focused much more on skills and comprehension, although personal stories can still be important. But it’s advisable to take a clear, incisive tone instead of something more colorful or story-heavy.

Bio-Dental Applicants, Prompt 1

Please list pre-dental or pre-medical 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 description of your experience. if you do not have any pre-dental or pre-medical experience, please indicate what you have done or plan to do in order to explore dentistry as a career. (250 words).

This is an expertise-oriented question; it’s very similar to a resume. However, since you’ll also be submitting a profile of your extracurriculars, and possibly a resume as well, you should use this brief essay to go more into depth and focus on your accomplishments. Skill, aptitude, and experience should be your foci here, and you should talk about specific techniques, tools, or procedures you learned. Don’t worry too much about telling a story or personal development. Stick to hard expertise.

If, as per the second option (no pre-dental or pre-med experience), you still need to keep the theme of “expertise” in mind. When UPenn asks you to “indicate what you’ve done,” they’re not looking for a personal epiphany or moving memoir about why you decided to go into dentistry. They’re more interested in the rigorous science and anatomy classes you’ve taken, science programs in which you’ve participated, etc. 

List your accomplishments in these classes, specifically your scores and achievements in areas relating to medicine and dentistry. (Hint: you’ll also get a chance to shine in the next prompt, which asks about manual skills.) For example, a relevant accomplishment might be a review of data you conducted in your AP Environmental Science class that focused on dental problems in areas with high erosion and airborne particles, and for which you earned a commendation at a local science club. 

Bio-Dental Applicants, Prompt 2

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. (250 words).

This is pretty simple and straightforward; there’s no need to go into detail about personal experiences. You don’t have to write complete sentences and can do a bullet-type list in a clear but informal format. 

For example: 

First and Last Name; Relation; School Attended; First Year-Last Year.

Bio-Dental Applicants, Prompt 3

Describe any activities which demonstrate your ability to work with your hands. (250 words).

Focus on motor skills and actions. Here you can be a bit more descriptive and evocative, although your focus should remain on what you can do, rather than your fascination with your activity or your emotional attachments to the work. “Thrilled and trembling with energy” might have been your reaction to welding in shop class, but it’s the last thing UPenn wants in an aspiring dental surgeon. Instead, list the operations you had to perform in welding, including the thinness of the wires, the delicacy of the projects, and any certifications you earned. A good way to summarize is in a technical but illustrative list. For example: “Advanced Jewelrymaking 302: form and solder 15-gauge wire into jump rings, create settings with various-sized burs, acquire working knowledge of a rotary precision motor.” 

As mentioned before, this is a great place to shine if you don’t have as much pre-med or academic experience in health. An applicant who doesn’t have as many AP classes, but who has a proven track record of quality trade work and mechanical skills, may stand out more than a candidate with an outstanding academic record but little in the way of manual work. 

Don’t be afraid to mention less “hard” and “mechanical” subjects. Art is perfectly acceptable, as long as you can break it down to a technical level in terms of tools and minute detail. 

Also, focus on the small and precise! If you did lawn maintenance over the summer, leaf-blowing and lawn-mowing may not be very helpful to mention here. But if you had to mix precise ratios of concrete or resin, or caulk up a small crack in a fountain, these are good examples to list. 

Bio-Dental Applicants, Prompt 4

What activities have you performed that demonstrate your ability to work cooperatively with people (250 words).

Use a similar format as you did in the last prompt, relying on lists of tasks and accomplishments. Feel free to mention challenges you overcame and how: for example, “improved low member engagement by moving our NHS chapter onto a Slack channel.” 

Don’t fall into any traps, or think UPenn is looking for a certain type of club, leadership, or cooperation. Think about shifts at work, family, sports, projects, and other preoccupations.

Keep it results-focused. Don’t wax poetic about “community bonds,” “love,” or “family.” They’re less interested in how you bonded with your partners than in how you know how to work as a unit. If your emotional bonding helped you better function as a well-oiled machine, mention it in that context. Otherwise, concentrate on results and improvement, rather than feelings.

Bio-Dental Applicants, Prompt 5

Please explain your reasons for selecting a career in dentistry. please include what interests you the most in dentistry as well as what interests you the least. (250 words).

At the risk of sounding like a broken record, we’re advising once again that you take note of the technical tone. By asking “what interests you most in dentistry as well as what interests you the least,” UPenn is signaling that you can’t just be emotional about your reasons for liking dentistry. You have to include your thoughts on what technical area or sub-field you want to pursue. 

That being said, you do have space to include a personal connection or involvement, if you choose. But you need to bring your focus back, always, towards your knowledge of the field. For example, “seeing my grandmother’s confidence soar when she got dental implants” is a good start. However, you need to take the gesture to its logical conclusion: “Seeing my grandmother go from recluse to the life of the party, combined with what I learned about the emotional vulnerabilities of aging in AP Psych, inspired me to pursue geriatric dentistry in particular. Dental health, I’ve found, is central to the self-esteem and mental health of seniors, and training in this area would allow me to use my skills in a way that betters lives.” Note how the emotional subject matter is tempered by the applicant’s educational experience. Wisely, the applicant also demonstrates a priority for coursework and a career path — a clear trajectory moving forward.

For your non-interest, be tactful. This can be a stumbling block for applicants, as it’s a lot harder to talk about what you don’t want to study in a way that’s still positive and reflects well on your personality. As you’re writing this, you should put yourself in a “job interview” mindset — you don’t want to slip up, or say anything that could be used against you. Try not to use emotional words, like “boring” or “stressful” or “I don’t care.” It’s essential to be respectful and graceful instead. But don’t worry — you just need a little more planning. Here are some ideas:

1. Acknowledge your non-interest as a matter-of-fact sacrifice for your interest. Be brief and impartial. Don’t go into a lot of detail about why you don’t want to pursue orthodontics or cosmetic dentistry, etc. Just state that you have greater interest and motivation in other fields. Try, “As I focus my attention on geriatric dentistry, I expect to devote most of my coursework to implants and the aging dental structure, and anticipate spending less time on pediatric dental courses as a result.” Frame it as a trade-off or logical transaction, rather than you having an aversion to a certain area. 

2. Frame your “least interest” as a personal shortcoming that you need to overcome . For example, a student who’s never felt called to study dental office administration might acknowledge that this is probably not good for her in the long term. “I’ve never been interested in dental office management or secretarial work, but I’ve reflected, and I know that I’ll need a solid understanding of these things to be an effective practitioner. Therefore, I intend to immerse myself in more courses and programs that will increase my proficiency and maybe spark new interest.” This is good, because the student not only cites a deficient area, but she formulates a plan to remedy this blind spot in the future. She shows she’s someone who can bite the bullet, and put in the work even during periods of non-interest.

Where to Get Your UPenn Essays Edited

Do you want feedback on your UPenn essays? After rereading your essays countless times, it can be difficult to evaluate your writing objectively. 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.  Find the right advisor for you  to improve your chances of getting into your dream school!

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How to write the UPenn essays

The recording will load in a moment., about this livestream, university of pennsylvania | upenn.

Last week, we covered UPenn’s admissions process, from academics to extracurriculars and beyond. In this stream, Aja, a recent UPenn graduate, will go in-depth on how to write the essays for the University of Pennsylvania.

We’ll cover how to write the two all-applicant essays, as well as essays for specific programs. We’ll also cover supplements for The Huntsman Program, The Digital Media Design Program, The Life Sciences and Management Program, the Jerome Fisher Management and Technology Program, the NETS Engineering program, the VIPER program, the Nursing and Healthcare Management Program, and the Bio-Dental Program.

If you’re interested in one of these selective programs, you should definitely stop by this stream!

Undergrad College: University of Pennsylvania '2021

Major: Linguistics, Cognitive Science

Graduate College: University of Edinburgh

Work Experience: Throughout my advising career, I’ve helped tons of students craft their perfect admissions narrative, nail their interviews, maximize their standardized test scores and ultimately, gain acceptance to their dream schools! During undergrad, I worked as an RA in two research labs, culminating in published work, in addition to serving as a near-peer public speaking coach. I am currently completing my MSc in Evolution of Language and Cognition at the University of Edinburgh.

My Admissions Story: As a low-income student, I had no idea how to approach college admissions. I remember looking at the sticker prices for the schools I was interested in and worrying that college might not actually be for me. Fortunately, I was able to find my way, navigating the complex process of admissions and aid. I’m so excited to be in a position to help other students who feel as I once did.

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IN THE WORKS. Makings and Unmakings of the Video Essay

One of the first academic conferences devoted to videographic research was held at the Frankfurt Filmmuseum and Goethe University in Germany in 2013. Titled "The Audiovisual Essay: Practice and Theory," the conference emphasized practice in the presentation-based discussions. As the first speaker of the conference, Catherine Grant described the challenges of this then new scholarly format as "unknown, infinite, or variable" in terms of the experimentation of video production and the reception of this format in academia. 

A decade later, as documented in the many interviews led by Will DiGravio for The Video Essay Podcast, the variables have only increased: There seem to be as many methods for making a video essay as there are video essayists. Some start with writing; others begin in the editing software. Some rely entirely on pre-existing footage; others produce original images and sounds, either by recording their screens, with an actual camera and microphone, or using animation techniques. Some work alone, others collaborate. Some essays are made in a couple hours, others take several years to come to fruition. After a video file is exported, some move on to publishing it online, to write a scholarly article about its making, or to send it to festivals and galleries; others keep revisiting their works, updating, restructuring or expanding their former projects into new videographic constellations. Every day video essays are made and unmade in an infinite number of ways.

Steering the discussion about the video essay away from the currently dominant negotiation of its definitions and scholarly affordances, we aim to emphasize the diversity of practices that can be involved in its makings and unmakings. We don't ask "why" or "what", but rather "how" the video essay is. How does each of us actually work, conceptually as well as practically, with what devices, what tools, following what intuitions? How do we formulate and address the specific challenges that each new projects brings? How do we keep expanding our understanding of how video essays can be made?

After a curated screening on the first evening, the two days of conference will unfold as a series of presentations of on-going, yet unfinished videographic projects by different makers (researchers, filmmakers, online creators, artists...), exposing the doubts and difficulties they are encountering with its development. Half a day will also be dedicated to the on-site production of a collective, experimental video essay, in which all speakers and audience members will be invited to participate.

You may apply to participate to the conference in one of the three following capacities:

* As a Presenter in the inaugural screening

Presenters will present one video during the screening of the first night. We aim to curate a selection of recently finished videos, yet unpublished at the time of the conference.

* As a Speaker

Each speaker will present a 15min presentation of a work-in-progress, sharing the (conceptual, technical, artistic...) aspects of the project with which they are currently struggling. The presentations, organized in thematic panels, will be followed by an ample time for discussion with the respondants and audience.

* As a Respondant

Respondants will be expected to respond publicly to the speaker's presentations, offering productive feedback and considerate criticism.

Participation is free of cost and travel expenses will be covered for presenters, speakers and respondants.

Your application should include:

1. a 300-word proposal, in which you identify in what capacity you wish to participate. Presenters and Speakers should describe the project they want to present and how it relates to their earlier work.

2. a short bio

3. a link to your personal homepage or portfolio.

As we aim for the conference to be as diverse as possible, we will evaluate each proposition's intrinsic qualities as well as its complementarity with the rest of the program.

Please send your application to:  [email protected]  by 20th of April 2023. 

We look forward to your proposals!