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College Essays

The University of Pennsylvania requires all first year applicants to submit a personal essay as well as a Penn-specific essay. If you're hoping to be one of the 6% of students admitted to Penn every year, your UPenn essay is an important part of your application. You'll need to make sure your essays are strong to increase your chances of admission.

In this article, we'll go over the UPenn essay logistics—covering exactly what you need to write for each college you're applying to at UPenn. Then, we'll break down each prompt, offering suggestions for what to write about. Finally, we'll give tips on how to write an amazing UPenn essay that'll help you get into your dream school.

What Are the UPenn Essay Prompts?

If you're applying to UPenn, you must submit your application to one of UPenn's four undergraduate schools. Depending on which undergraduate program you're applying to, you'll need to answer UPenn's specific statements as well as an additional essay for that school.

There are three required short answer prompts for this year’s UPenn application. The first is:

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)

UPenn's second essay prompt for all students is:

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

And, finally, the third prompt:

Considering the specific undergraduate school you have selected, describe how you intend to explore your academic and intellectual interests at the University of Pennsylvania. (150-200 words)

Depending on the undergraduate program you're applying to, you may have to write an additional essay as part of your application. Here are those additional essay prompts and the program for which they apply:

• 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 that led you to your decision to enter dentistry.
• List any activities which demonstrate your ability to work with your hands.
• What activities have you performed that demonstrate your ability to work cooperatively with people?
• 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.
• 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.
• Digital Media Design Program: Why are you interested in the Digital Media Design (DMD) program at the University of Pennsylvania? (400-650 words)
• The Huntsman Program in International Studies and Business: 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 make a contribution to a global issue where business and international affairs intersect? (400-650 words)
• The Roy and Diana Vagelos Program in Life Science and Management: 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 Program in Management and Technology: Please complete both prompts.
• 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 maximum)
• The Rejendra and Neera Singh Program in Networked and Social Systems Engineering: 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)
• Nursing and Healthcare Management: 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 Roy and Diana Vagelos Integrated Program in Energy Research: 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)

UPenn Essay Prompts, Analyzed

In this section, we'll analyze each of the UPenn supplement essay prompts and offer suggestions for what you should talk about (and avoid) for each.

Penn-Specific Essays

Let's take a look at how to tackle the essays all students will have to answer.

This rather charming prompt is a great opportunity to show the UPenn admissions counselors what you value and what you’re grateful for .

Consider making a list of all the things people have done for you, and narrow it down to those that have made the biggest impact. Has a family member or your best friend has gone the extra mile for you, and you haven’t quite found a way to truly thank them? Maybe someone you’re not friends with stood up for you in an academic or social situation. Maybe your Model UN nemesis did you a solid. Is there something you may have taken for granted?

Once you’ve narrowed down your topic, remember to focus on the "so what" part of the answer. Why is it important to thank this person? What did they do, and how did it affect you? Why have you not yet been able to thank them (there are plenty of good reasons for this—don’t panic if you feel like you’ve been rude!).

Remember to be as specific and sincere as possible—you have 200 words, tops, to tell a genuine story that reveals part of your character.

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)

The first prompt was largely focused on academic interests. The second is where you can think more about community.

Going to college isn't just about what you'll learn in class. It's also about forming life-long friendships and exploring different communities to find out who you are and what you like to do.

Of course, you can't predict exactly what your social life is going to look like before you even get accepted. You may end up in clubs you never expected, with friends you never anticipated. But that's okay—UPenn isn't asking you to lay out, step-by-step, how you'll participate in college communities. They just want to know that you're thinking about it!

To answer this question, consider looking into UPenn's many student-run clubs and activities and find some that match your interests. Think about how these clubs and activities will contribute to the vision you have of your future. What impact do you expect them to have on you?

But don't forget the second half of the question! UPenn also wants to know how you will shape the community, not just how it will shape you . What unique perspectives do you bring? What can you do that nobody else can?

This question is a pretty typical "why you?" essay prompt that's focused on community rather than academics. Think about how you fit into your social groups; what makes you unique? Are you the token caregiver friend? Or maybe you're always pursuing a new weird hobby, and your friends love hearing about what your new niche interest is. These are just two traits that you could use to explain what you'll bring to the UPenn community— get a little creative, think about how you participate in your friend groups, and plan how you're going to bring those thoughts into your new school!

Considering the specific undergraduate school you have selected, describe how you intend to explore your academic and intellectual interests at the University of Pennsylvania. (150-200 words) 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.

The third prompt is a traditional Why UPenn essay. It asks you to explain why you want to attend UPenn, and what you’ll do while you’re there.

While these types of prompts are common, the Why UPenn essay prompt focuses specifically on academics—it's not concerned with your interest in UPenn's extracurriculars or campus life. Your answer, then, needs to be specifically focused on your academic pursuits and how UPenn will help you achieve your goals.

You'll need to talk about how the undergraduate school you're applying to affects your academic interests, so do your research on the school. You don't want to talk about a class that you won't have access to because it's in another undergraduate school. All of your answers should be reflective of the courses you'll be able to take if admitted to the undergraduate school of your choice.

You should have a good sense of the classes offered by your program. It's a good idea to name specific classes or professors you'd like to study with. Similarly, if there are any specific opportunities available to students in your field, such as internships or study abroad programs, this essay is the place to talk about it.

The next prompts are for specific programs at UPenn. Channel your inner snowflake and show how you're a unique, one-of-a-kind candidate! 

Bio-Dental Program

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 that led you to your decision to enter dentistry. (250 words maximum)

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

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

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 maximum)

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 maximum)

The prompt for the Bio-Dental program is extensive. Attack it in pieces, being as specific as possible when answering each question.

Don't feel that you need to make up any specific experience. If you haven't interned at a dentist's office, don't invent that experience. You should stick to reality. If you haven't observed at a dentist's office, you can set up a time to visit a local dentist so that you're writing about your real experience, not something you've invented.

When listing your activities, be sure to indicate how each is relevant to dental skill. Maybe you do a lot of needlepoint, which shows that you're able to carry out complex patterns. Again, you don't want to make anything up. Not only will your essay read as inauthentic, you won't have the experience you need to enter into the program.

Take your time and work through this prompt in pieces if you have to. Be thorough, honest, and accurate.

Digital Media Design Program

Just like the Artificial Intelligence essay prompt, in this essay you'll want to explain exactly why the Digital Media Design program at UPenn appeals to you. There are a few important components to an answer for this prompt: specificity, personality, and genuine interest.

To tackle the first important feature, you'll want to do some research into the program you're applying to. Find the unique things about this program in comparison to others; that can mean the professors who teach in it, the classes that are offered, what former students are up to, or anything else that you can tie specifically to UPenn. The reason for this is that the college wants to know that you're not just applying there as a fallback choice. UPenn wants students who are driven and passionate about what college will help them achieve, and putting specifics into your essay is a great way to show that you care about attending.

Next, be sure that your essay has personality. You want your essay to read as if only you could have written it. Having specifics will help with that, but you should also make it a point to let your own unique voice and interests shine through. If Digital Media Design draws your interest because you've always been drawn to the unique storytelling potential of animation after growing up on Pixar films, that's worth mentioning! Remember, your college application is all about getting the college invested in you as a student; let your personality shine through.

And lastly, demonstrate genuine interest. UPenn is a great school, and you should use your essay to show that you're not just applying there because you needed to fill another slot on your college list. Express your passion for attending UPenn, and specifically the Digital Media Design program. What brought you here over every other school? Even if UPenn isn't your top choice, remember all the things that made you put the school on your college list in the first place, and keep them in mind as you write.

The Huntsman Program in International Studies and Business

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 make a contribution to a global issue where business and international affairs intersect? (400-650 words)

For the Huntsman essay, you'll need to explain exactly what draws you to UPenn's International Studies and Business program. This is a dual-degree program, so you'll be studying at the intersection of these two fields. A working understanding of each will be important to writing this essay.

To start, make a short list of reasons why this degree appeals to you. What international issues interest you? Why take a business approach rather than a sociological or political one? You don't have to put the answers to these questions in your essay, but if you know the answers to them, you'll be better prepared to answer the prompt with confidence.

The question specifically asks for how you'll use what you learn in this program to make an impact on a global issue. That requires some familiarity with global issues; think about causes that matter to you and how you can use business to approach them. How will attending UPenn help you toward your career goals?

You can cite specific classes, instructors, or other features of UPenn to help make your point. Your essay should feature not just how you want to make an impact on the world, but also why you're seeking a dual degree, and specifically a dual degree from UPenn.

The Roy and Diana Vagelos Program in Life Science and Management

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 LSM essay prompt has been recently updated. Instead of being a general "why this program" style prompt, this essay wants to dig deeper into why you're interested in Life Sciences and Management and understand more about whether your personality is a fit for the program.

This essay is all about the bigger picture. The LSM program is all about innovation, so this essay wants you to pick a big issue and explain how what you learn as an LSM student will help you solve it. The best way to answer this prompt is through a combination of research and specificity. First, research the LSM program. You definitely want to pick an issue that you'll actually learn about as a UPENN student. It's also a good idea to call out specific classes, professors, and research opportunities in your response! (Keep in mind that this program is a joint venture between the College of Arts and Sciences and the Wharton School of Business, so be sure to research both schools.)

Once you have all that information pulled together, you can get specific. Admissions counselors don't expect you to solve the world's biggest problems. But they do want to see that you're thinking critically about issues in your future field, and that you can break the problem down into pieces. For instance, instead of saying you want to solve climate change, narrow that topic down into something doable, like developing new plant-based plastics that can be used in the medical field.

The Jerome Fisher Program in Management and Technology

Please complete both prompts.

Question 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)

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

You'll need to complete two additional essays if you're applying to the Jerome Fisher Program in Management and Technology.

Like many UPenn programs, this school combines two different fields—management and technology . To answer this question effectively, you'll need to know exactly how the two can work together. Think about why you've chosen this particular program—what can you gain from it that you wouldn't from a program in either management or technology? How will a degree in this program help you reach your personal and career goals? This prompt asks for how you'll use it to explore your interests, so don't be afraid to get specific!

The second question is also concerned with your problem-solving ability. This classic prompt wants to know about a time when you faced adversity and either overcame it or learned from it. Don't be afraid to show yourself tackling a real challenge here—your ability to persevere is more important than showing that you never make mistakes.

The Rejendra and Neera Singh Program in Networked and Social Systems Engineering

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 easiest way to answer this prompt is with a story. Tell the admissions committee how you became interested in this line of study.

You should be as specific as possible in your answer. After all, the prompt calls for examples from your own experience. You should be able to clearly articulate where your interest stemmed from. Don't feel like you have to talk about everything that interests you within this field—focusing on one or two clear examples that you have a lot of interest in will go further than trying to talk about everything related to networked information systems and technologies.

Nursing and Healthcare Management

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)

You have plenty of space in this prompt (up to 650 words), so you should make sure to address both parts of the question—why you're interested in Penn's nursing and healthcare management program and how the program will help you achieve your future goals.

Key to answering the second part of the prompt is to have some future goals thought out—have a specific idea of what you want to do with your degree. Then, tie that back to things you can study at UPenn. It would be helpful for this prompt to familiarize yourself with aspects of UPenn's program—courses, professors, learning and employment opportunities. The more you can show why UPenn is the right school for you to achieve your goals, the better your essay will be.

The Roy and Diana Vagelos Integrated Program in Energy Research

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)

This prompt wants to know exactly how you think the VIPER program will help you reach your future goals. You also need to touch on why you want to get a dual-degree. You have plenty of space in this prompt, so make sure you answer each aspect thoroughly. Don't invent previous experience if you don't have it—be honest and authentic in your answer.

You should have a clear idea about which VIPER majors you're interested in. Be prepared to name specific UPenn majors and provide reasoning, in the form of classes you'd like to take or professors you'd like to study with.

5 Tips for Acing the UPenn Supplement

Hoping to write amazing UPenn supplement essays? Follow these key tips to do so!

#1: Use Your Own Voice

The point of a college essay is for the admissions committee to have the chance to get to know you beyond what's featured in other parts of your application. Your admissions essays are your chance to become more than just a collection of statistics—to really come alive for your application readers.

Make sure that the person you're presenting in your college essays is yourself. Don't just write what you think the committee wants to hear or try to act like someone you're not—it will be really easy for the committee to tell you're lying.

If you lie or exaggerate, your essay will come across as insincere, which will at best diminish its effectiveness and at worst make the admissions committee think twice on accepting you. Stick to telling real stories about the person you really are, not who you think UPenn wants you to be.

#2: Be UPenn-Specific

All of your UPenn essays should be UPenn-specific. Don't be generic in your answers—the admissions committee should get the idea that you know about UPenn and that your answer is specific to that school, not about college in general.

Don't waste your time telling the admissions committee that UPenn has a world-class faculty—first of all, the admissions committee knows that and second, many universities do. Talk about why UPenn is the right school for you and be prepared to give real, concrete examples.

#3: Do Your Research

You can make your essay UPenn-specific by doing your research. Look into the course catalogue, visit your prospective major's website. Schedule a meeting with a professor or current student if you can. The more specific information you have, the better.

#4: Avoid Clichés and Overused Phrases

When writing your UPenn essays, don't use clichés or overused quotes or phrases. The college admissions committee has probably seen numerous essays that state, "Be the change you want to see in the world." You can write something more original than that!

Each of the UPenn essays asks you something specific about your experience or background. Your essay should be 100% you —you don't want the admissions committee to think, "Anyone could have written this essay."

#5: Check Your Work

Your UPenn essays should be the strongest example of your work possible. Before you turn in your UPenn application, edit and proofread your essays.

Run your essays through a spelling and grammar check before you submit and ask someone else to read your essays. You can seek a second opinion on your work from a parent, teacher, or friend. Ask them whether your work represents you as a student and person. Have them check and make sure you haven't missed any small writing errors. Having a second opinion will help your work be the best it possibly can be.

#6: Have a Spike

What's a spike, you ask?

In short, a spike is something that makes you stand out. Something that no (or very few) other applicants have.

When you're applying to college, it's tempting to seem well-rounded and interested in all the things.

Don't do that.

Your application won't stand out if you're mediocre in band, on the track team, and on student council. It will stand out if you travel to Japan to perform with a world-class performance ensemble or qualify for the Olympic trials in shot put.

When your focus is on one thing, you'll be better at it than if you have to split your time and attention. It will also be more impressive on your resume.

Final Thoughts

Your UPenn essay is an important part of your application. Depending on the specific school you're applying to, you may have to write three or more essays.

No matter which school at UPenn you're applying to, keep in mind:

• Be authentic.
• Highlight your best qualities.
• Use specific examples of UPenn courses and professors you want to study.
• Be generic.
• Make anything up about yourself.
• Split your focus by talking about too many different ideas.

What's Next?

If you're applying to UPenn, you're likely applying to other colleges on the East Coast, too. Check out our expert guides to the Williams essay , the Tufts essays , and the Harvard essay .

Need help writing your Common App essay? Our tips will show you how to write a Common App essay guaranteed to make you stand out from other applicants!

Hayley Milliman is a former teacher turned writer who blogs about education, history, and technology. When she was a teacher, Hayley's students regularly scored in the 99th percentile thanks to her passion for making topics digestible and accessible. In addition to her work for PrepScholar, Hayley is the author of Museum Hack's Guide to History's Fiercest Females.

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Holly R. "I am absolutely overjoyed and cannot thank you enough for helping me!”

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)

• College Application

UPenn Essays: The Best Examples

Writing UPenn essays needs careful consideration and you can start bylearning from our supplemental essay examples . You should also learn how to write a college essay to increase your chance of getting acceptaed. Your cahnces of admission to the University of Pennsylvania are certainly affected by your essays.

The University of Pennsylvania supplemental essays  include fairly standard prompts, such as the “Why this college?” essay and “What do you bring to the community?” essay. But it’s up to you to make these common essay topics your own! Read on to learn how you can stand out in your UPenn essays!

>> Want us to help you get accepted? Schedule a free strategy call here . <<

Article Contents 7 min read

Upenn essays prompt 1.

Considering the specific undergraduate school you have selected, how will you explore your academic and intellectual interests at The University of Pennsylvania? (300-450 words)

Your goal in writing this essay is to convey why you are perfect for UPenn and why UPenn is perfect for you and your academic and professional goals.

The idea here is to write an essay that will show the admissions committee how you are going to benefit from their academic environment and how it will help you grow as an academic and a professional.

I have always excelled academically. I loved school, I enjoyed my lessons, and my teachers were my idols. Apart from sucking in the knowledge my teachers bestowed on me, I always did independent afterschool research to deepen my understanding of new subjects.

From a young age, I knew I would join the “knowledge” business. The best way I knew to go about it would be to create my brand of self-help e-books.I started selling these books – and, to my surprise, they were soon being printed in hard copies.

I soon realized that as “knowledgeable” as I considered myself, I had no idea how to run a business. As my publishing business scaled quickly, I soon realized that I needed more than a degree to run my business efficiently if I wanted to continue to grow.

I started my research and soon found that UPenn was the undergraduate business school for me.  The Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania is where I want to learn, especially focusing on programs like Entrepreneurship & Innovation Concentration and Entrepreneurship Acceleration Program: Scaling Your Business.

I also intend to share my personal and professional experience with the UPenn community. I hope to join the Penn Social Entrepreneurship Movement (PennSEM) , where I plan to implement both my Wharton education and my past involvement in the business field to help local communities build new social enterprises. In the past, I’ve worked closely with my local Big Sister chapter and would love to use that experience to help PennSEM reach new boundaries in the broader community – beyond campus walls. I can bring my experience in organizing and leading workshops and networking events and help the club reach a wider audience. Most importantly, I can learn about how to lead such organizations from the other members of the club.

At UPenn, I hope to learn how to effectively interact with my peers and fellow entrepreneurship enthusiasts as my journey in the business world has been solo for the most part. When I leave Wharton with my business degree, I know I will become an accomplished business leader who has truly mastered both the theory and practical aspects of entrepreneurship. (442 words)

I apply to UPenn with the blessings and the support of my community on a small island in the Pacific Ocean. My family runs a small hotel on one of the most beautiful beaches in the world. We have owned the hotel for three generations – and it continues to provide a livelihood for 20 families who have become part of our family.

When I graduated from the only high school on the island, it was these families that came together to pay for my college tuition, which I hope to use at UPenn. They gave me the responsibility of becoming an efficient business leader who can transform that small hotel into a world-class resort.

I intend to deliver on their expectations by studying in the Business, Energy, Environment, and Sustainability program, which will help me grow the business with consideration for the environment and my community as a whole.

Apart from being one of the top universities in the world, UPenn also has the best research and development facilities. This attracted me because I want to learn in an institution that has a long history as well as the latest innovations in the business field. We also decided that it would be best because we loved that it is a place where I could feel at home with over 130 nationalities on campus. This is the first time I will be traveling far from home. I hope to learn about various cultures and meet as many people as I can by participating in on-campus communities. I aim to join the Penn Environmental Group as I know how important nature is to both the hotel industry as well as humanity as a whole. Living on a small island in the middle of an ocean also gives me a unique perspective on global warming and rising sea levels. I hope to create awareness via workshops and conferences and perhaps even work towards a solution that prevents an irreversible calamity.

I have also set my eyes on the Penn Club Swim. I aim to participate in activities like being a lifeguard and teaching about safety in the water.

I hope to give back to the UPenn community by sharing the personal experiences of my rich culture. We have traditions that are built on the need to rely on one another and I hope to build this sense of closeness and connection with my classmates (439 words)

At Penn, learning and growth happen outside of the classroom, too. 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)

This prompt is meant to test how well you will fit in the university’s community as a whole and what kind of knowledge and experience you can bring to the incoming class. The campus hosts thousands of students and they all bring their backgrounds, experiences, cultures, and traditions with them. The question is, how will you contribute to that melting pot, and what will you take from it?

Perhaps, the best advice here would be to delve deep within yourself and consider unique experiences and circumstances that shaped you into who you are today.

By day I am a businessman, and by night, a writer. Well, at least that is the dream I hope to realize at UPenn – that of being a successful, innovative businessman and a writer at the same time.

Although I started writing in high school, I have never really developed that passion because, like every child growing up in a middle-class family, writing wasn’t exactly as encouraged as becoming a doctor, an engineer, or a lawyer. So, I had to put that “hobby” – as my parents called it – on the back burner as I went through school.

I look forward to attending UPenn because it gives me the chance to earn my business degree as well as pursue my writing via clubs like Curiouser, where I can explore the surreal fiction writing sphere, and Penn Innovators in Business , where I will learn to guide the next generation of business leaders with my writing.

 I also get to make my parents happy by becoming a successful businessman with my business degree – two birds one stone, as the saying goes. (186 words)

UPenn essays – example 2.2

I love singing and The Inspiration A Cappella is the UPenn club for me.

Ever since I found out about this club, I have been following the group’s YouTube channel. I’ve enjoyed every single video and dream of being among them. Anyone that has watched the club perform – or even watched their videos – can see how much they work to achieve that harmony. And that is something that can’t be done without a bond being formed among the members.

I want to be a part of that camaraderie. The beauty of acapella is that everyone needs to do their part or it won’t work – I can see how they “sync” and hope that my voice can enrich this already established group in the future. I bring over four years of singing) experience – several high school awards testify to my “prowess” – but, more importantly, I bring my passion for singing. Being an African, music is an inherent part of our culture, and it would be my pleasure to share my experiences and knowledge of our endemic music traditions. I even have ideas of weaving these beats into a work that appeals to the younger generation – in the hopes that they will also want to discover more about the “foreign-yet-familiar” sounds they experience. (200 words)

Writing college application essays is an art that can be mastered with time and practice. Don’t rush the process, take time to understand the question, and formulate your answers with care. Keep improving your draft until you are happy with the final essay. And, don’t forget to use a spell-check or grammar tool.

If at all you find this to be a daunting task, you can go through some sample college essays . They might help spark a few ideas that you can build on to create your admission essays when the time comes.

Alternatively, you can also look for college essay review services to make sure you have the best essay you can submit.

Want more tips for writing?

Do not exceed the word count. You can certainly write less that the required word count, but not more.

The most important thing here is that you address the prompt. Your answer should be built around the prompt and include your unique input, the values you bring to the community, and what you expect to gain when you leave the campus.

You should also include the tangible (technology and facilities) and intangible (school spirit and ethics) assets of the college, as well as the traditions it upholds.

If you can put all these together, then you will have a well-balanced essay.

You have to remember that supplemental essays are just one part of your entire college application packet. Instead of thinking of the essays as a single entity that can boost (or thwart) your chances, you should think of creating a whole application package that will combine to increase your chances.

So, focus on writing good supplemental essays and combine them with a good application package.

UPenn requires two supplemental essays for new students. But, there are several more that are required by students who seek admission to programs like Digital Media Design, Nursing and Health Care Management (400-650 words), and Seven-Year Bio-Dental Program (250 words). There is also an essay prompt for transfer students about why they transferred from their previous colleges (4510 characters ). More details can be found on the UPenn admissions page .

UPenn also requires potential candidates to write personal essays.

UPenn has set its goal to admit some of the top students by setting its admission GPA to 3.9. That means you will need to have scored almost all A’s to get in. But, you can find out how to get into college with a low GPA if you don’t have that near-perfect score.

The general rule of thumb is to avoid controversy at all costs. While it is good that you have your thoughts and views, your UPenn college admission essay is not exactly the place to express them. Why rattle the cage that will be your home for the coming 4 years?

Yes. Topics to avoid are political and social hot topics that are provocative to anyone on any side of the aisle. In short, if it is in the news and debates and clashes are going on about it, it is a topic best avoided. Again, here too – while it is admirable that you have a stance, your college admission essay is not the platform to express it.

Essays are your chance to explain how you and the university will co-exist for the next few years. While your essay needs to reflect you, there is a limit to how personal you can get. There is a difference between personality – which you should write about – and personal – which you should be careful with.

Your essay should tread lightly on personal topics like romance, trauma, sexual content, and radically offensive topics.

In short, use common sense and ask: would I tell this to a stranger? If the answer is, “no” you should skip the topic.

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How to Write a Thank You Note (a Real One)

by Pamela Hodges | 31 comments

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Handwritten thank you notes are like sending a hug through the mail. They have personality and character, attributes a computer screen will never have. Let me show you why, when, and how to write a thank-you note.

Need some quick advice? Here are the nine steps to write a handwritten card or thank-you note. Read on for a thorough guide!

How to Write a Thank You Note

• Use nice paper or a card.
• Find a pen with ink that doesn't bleed or smear.
• Begin, “Dear __________,” (insert person's name).
• In the first sentence say, “Thank you,” and what you are thankful for.
• Write at least one sentence of appreciation for the act of kindness or gift.
• Say something nice about the giver .
• Write your closer, such as Regards, Sincerely, All my best .
• Sign your name.
• You don't have to put your address on the inside of the card.

Those are the quick steps. Now read on for a longer guide including some thank you note card examples.

Why You Should Write a Thank You Note

It is easier and quicker to send a text message, an email, or a voice message to say “thank you.” However, if the purpose of the thank-you message is to convey your deepest, most sincere gratitude, taking the time to carefully write a message by your own hand, and not your admin assistant's hand, will mean more to the recipient than an instant media message.

When was the last time you wrote a thank-you note? A real thank-you note on a piece of paper that goes into an envelope with an address written on it and a stamp stuck in the upper right-hand corner?

Was it in response to a generous birthday gift? For graduation gifts? After your wedding? A special occasion or dinner party? What about after a job interview with a hiring manager as a part of the hiring process?

A simple thank you can go a long way to express your appreciation for people, no matter who the intended recipient may be.

Let's write one together today.

What Is a Thank You Note?

A thank you note is a short informal written message of thanks to another person for a specific action. Thank you notes are brief, often no more than five sentences, but they can leave a long-lasting positive impact.

The key word is brief. We are not talking about the changes in currency prices or the bird call of a Painted Bunting here. If you want to write about your summer activities or about how many litter boxes you have, write a handwritten letter instead.

Joe Bunting wrote an article about writing letters, which you can read here: What Letter Writing Can Teach Us . But a thank-you note is not a full letter.

Why You Should Send a Thank You Note:

• You should send a thank-you note because my mother said it is a good idea.
• To connect with another person.
• Send a thank-you note because you want to say thank you.
• The biggest reason to send a thank-you note is because you are a kind, considerate person. And you always want your friends and acquaintances to know how much you appreciate them.
• Because you are thoughtful.

There is simply nothing as personal as a handwritten note. In a stack of bills and flyers, it’s a treasure in a sealed packet, full of promise and potential. —Dan Post Senning

Supply List for Thank You Notes

Before you begin, make sure you have all of the following on hand:

• Notecards or stationery.
• An address.
• A few minutes of your time.

9 Steps to Write a Thank You Note

Writing a thank-you note might sound intimidating, but it is actually quite simple when you follow these nine steps.

1. Use nice paper or a card.

What is nice? Hmmm . . . a standard piece of printer paper, eight and a half by eleven, and an envelope are nice and acceptable. Personal stationery or a plain set of notecards is also nice.

What is not nice paper? A piece of paper ripped out of a notebook with a coffee stain on it, the back of your grocery list, or the back of a power bill would not be considered nice stationery.

2. Use a pen.

Your best choice is one with ink that doesn't bleed or smear.

3. Begin “Dear __________,” (insert person's name).

Check the spelling of the person's name. If Margaret wants to be called Margaret, don't call her Maggie. At least Maggie is not named after a non-stick spray like my name.

If you are on a first-name basis, call the person by their first name. If you don't know the person very well, or they are “The Big Cheese” in a company, use Mr., Ms., or use the full name.

Keep the salutation polite and friendly. “Yo” or “Hey” or “What's up?” might work with your college roommate, but it is a bit casual for a business or professional thank you note. And don't “Hey” your great aunt. Address the card “Dear Aunt Margaret,” not “What's up, Maggie?”

Sigh, I am being a bit bossy. Who am I to tell you what to call your Aunt Margaret?

Only you know your relationship with your dear aunt. Please address the card in the same manner you talk to her. Which I hope is always polite and respectable.

4. The first sentence should have the words “thank you” in it.

And say what you are thankful for. Be specific.

Thank you for the beautiful sweater. Thank you for introducing me to your editor. Thank you for being the best friend I had in grade school. Thank you for being the best mommy in the world. Thank you for cleaning my seven litter boxes. (I can dream. Right?)

5. Write at least one sentence about how much you appreciate the gift.

Thank them for their gift of ten kittens, or tell them how much their act of kindness meant to you. This sentence makes the note more personal.

6. Say something nice about the giver.

For example, tell them you are looking forward to seeing them the next time you are in New Orleans. Or tell them how you wished you lived closer so you could help them shovel their driveway.

7. Write your closer, such as Regards, Sincerely, All my best.

These are all polite and not too informal. “Chow baby” is too informal, and “chow” is actually spelled “ciao.” Don't use the word “love” unless you actually love the person. Signing an email “xo” might give the recipient the wrong idea (unless you're romantically involved!).

8. Sign your name.

Use legible handwriting. This is not a prescription; it is a thank you card. Recipients should not have a difficult time reading the signature.

9. You don't have to put your address on the inside of the card.

Remember, this is not a letter, it is a note. Please put your return address on the envelope. Write clearly.

When to Send a Thank You Note

Not sure when a thank-you note is appropriate? Here are six times to send a thank-you note:

1. When you receive a present.

Whether the present comes in the mail or in person, remember to send a note of gratitude in response. This includes baby shower gifts, wedding day gifts, birthday presents, or really any other time you receive a thoughtful gift. 

2. When someone introduces you to someone else.

If someone helps you connect with someone new, send them a thank you note to show your appreciation for their kindness. This is especially important for work networking. 

3. After you interview for a job.

Yes, send a handwritten thank-you note after a job interview. The handwritten note will help you stand out in a mass of interviewees.

However, according to an article by Molly Triffin on Interview Etiquette in Forbes , you should send a thank-you email to everyone you met in the interview process within twenty-four hours. Managers make quick decisions, and your written note might arrive after they have already made a hiring decision.

So, I suggest do both. Send a handwritten note and an email.

4. As an act of kindness.

When your mother comes and helps you pack up your house when you move from Minnesota to California. And then again five years later when you move from California to Pennsylvania.

Yes, even thank your mother. May no kindness go unthanked.

5. For a huge act of kindness.

When someone comes and cleans all your seven litter boxes without being asked, that is a truly generous gift deserving a thank you note. That hasn't happened yet. But if it does, I will mail a handwritten note.

6. For friendship.

Send a thank-you note to a dear friend because you want them to know how much their friendship means to you. You realize life is precious, and you don't want to get hit by a bus and not have them know you valued the friendship.

The Six Biggest Thank You Note Rules You Should Never Break

There are six unbreakable rules when writing thank-you notes:

1. Don't ask for anything.

Never, never, never in ten million years ask for something at the end of a thank-you note.

Thank you, and, oh by the way, can you do this for me _______________. This is a big NO will a capital N and a capital O. Here is an example of what not to do.

Dear Mr. Faraday, Thank you for introducing me to the President of your company. I appreciate your kindness in helping me meet Mr. Wise Sage. I have enclosed a copy of my manuscript. Will you please read it for me and give it to the editor in charge of acquisitions? Sincerely, Pat Asksfortoomuch

2. Don't tell the person you hated the gift and want to return it.

3. Don't send a printed form letter with your signature printed at the bottom.

4. Don't have your secretary write your thank-you cards for you and then you sign the note. I don't care if you are the President of the Company. Write your own notes. 

5. If you spell a word wrong, don't cross it out and keep writing. Get a new card and start again.

6. My husband said, “Don't use profanity.” 

Thank You Card Examples

Here are just a few more thank you card examples to use the next time you go the extra mile to express your heartfelt appreciation.

Dear Grandma, Thank you for the birthday money. I am using it to buy my favorite cat figurines. Every time I see them, I will think of you. I appreciate how you always make me feel special, not just on my special day. With deepest gratitude,  Nancy

Dear Mr. Lowe, Thank you for the extra time you took tutoring me in Spanish this semester. It has truly made a difference. Teachers like you make a difference, and we can't thank you enough. Sincerely,  Thomas

Dear Ms. Clark, Thank you for meeting with me today to help me with my job search. I left with so many great directions to explore! Your generosity has made a positive impact in my life, and I appreciate it. Sincerely,  Ava Wright

However you choose to express your heartfelt messages, a handwritten note is the perfect way to leave a positive impression. 

Do you write thank-you notes? How do you feel when you receive one? Please tell me in the comments . 

For today's practice, take fifteen minutes to write a thank-you note. Get a notecard, or a piece of paper and write a thank-you note. Then put it in an envelope and mail it.

You don't have to share the contents of your thank-you note here, as it might be personal, but please share that you wrote the note.

If no one has given you a gift in a box with paper and a bow, think of someone who has given you their time, has offered advice, or has supported you with encouragement, then write them a thank-you note.

Alternately, use a thank you note as a jumping off place for a story. Write for fifteen minutes about a character who receives a thank you note and chaos ensues. Share your scene in the Pro Practice Workshop , and leave feedback for a few other writers. 

Thank you for reading! 

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Pamela Hodges

Pamela writes stories about art and creativity to help you become the artist you were meant to be. She would love to meet you at pamelahodges.com .

31 Comments

This is a subject close to my heart. Nothing replaces the hand written note. I try to write them weekly to those who mean the most. “Thanks for being you.” By the way, thanks for your superb posts on Write Practice; if I had your home address I would send a note today!

Hello Ruth, You are so thoughtful to write notes every week to your mostest friends. I know mostest is not a word, but that is okay And, thank you for thanking me for writing here. I love getting mail. My address is P.O. Box 314, Pottstown, PA, 19464. And, then I can write you a thank you note, for your thank you note. xo Pamela

I will send you a note too!

Heidi, And I will write you back. 🙂 xo Pamela

When teaching the thank you note, I always made my kids and my students use one sentence (or more) to say exactly why they liked the gift or gesture: Thank you for the museum tour I learned… or the most interesting part was … Thank you for the scarf. It matches perfectly with my new dress. Thank you for the wonderful dinner. It’s always fun to see the creative things you do with liver. Etc.

Oh Nancy, I love liver. What a fun thing to thank someone for. And, I thank you for your suggestions on being specific with a thank you note. I wish you all the best. xo Pamela (I like to sign off xo, even though I said to be careful when using the hugs and kisses. I like to think of my readers as friends.)

The last thank-you note I wrote was on Saturday thanking my niece for including me in her wedding as a bridesmaid and for the gifts she gave me.

I love the example thank you note with the 10 kittens and CatVille, PA! I have a site about writing thank-you notes (www.tonsofthanks.com) and sometimes will include cats in the examples or use the name of my cats as the person’s name in the example.

Hello Heidi, How wonderful to be included in your nieces wedding. And how thoughtful of you to send a thank-you note. Thank you for the link to your site about writing thank-you notes. I will have to check it out. Thank you. xo Pamela

It seems quite common that people think, “That was nice,” but do not communicate it. Presumably imagining that other people are telepathic.

This happens even when it is in the other’s interest to say thank you. Even greedy and selfish people often do not say thank you or acknowledge. And they wonder why they don’t get a gift next time. Or don’t get any help next time they ask.

It is a strange phenomenon!

Hello Ken, Yes, it appears that we are unable to communicate telepathically. Perhaps when we can we won’t need to sent mail anymore. A kind word, or a hug in the mail is always welcome. Thank you for commenting. xo Pamela

Thanks for this post, Pamela,

It makes me feel good to know that hand-written notes do not appertain to the past. Do they still teach school children how to write letters? I send hand-written Christmas, Easter and Birthday cards to family and close friends because I too, consider it to be a special way of communicating. I love receiving hand-written letters. When I see my address on the envelope I know who the letter is from because I recognize the writing. (These are a rarity now) I’ve treasured special cards and letters; re-reading them brings me close to the dear people who sent them to me. Sadly, many of my younger friends think that hand-written cards and letters are ‘old fashioned’ and that email is handy and ‘modern’. Now the only hand-written notes I receive are those on a Christmas or birthday gift.

Keeping in touch by phone, Skype, email is good, but writng those friendship, thank you, greeting notes are priceless. I can see your mailbox overflowing with notes after reading your post. Hugs, because you’re a friend, and because we both love cats.

Hello Lillian, It is special to get a letter in the mail. I can recognize my mother’s handwriting at fifty paces. You are right, a handwritten letter is priceless. I still have the letters my father wrote to me. And, I have letters from my grandmother to one of her friends. She died when my mother was three. An overflowing mailbox would be wonderful. Even one letter from a friend would be wonderful. And a letter from a friend would always be answered. Especially if she liked cats. And a hug for you. xo Pamela

I save the thank you notes I’ve received and read them again at times. I have not written a thank you note in a while. Thanks for the reminder.

Hello Eva, I save thank you notes too. I like to go back and read them. The kind words and painted flowers always brighten my day. I needed the reminder too. xo Pamela

I always, well, I think I always, send handwritten thank you notes/cards. I love picking out just the right card to match the person, whether it’s blank inside or not. While writing, I am reminded of how much that person has done for me. Most of my friends do not send written thank yous, even ones I send ones to for gifts, actions. I love writing letters, and my family and friends say they love to receive them (and say they miss them when I don’t write for a while), but I either don’t get a response back or only a one- or two-liner note!

I once gave a friend my five year old, fully-functional, low mileage, in great condition car. He finally, after about two months, gave me a thank you on a post it note! I helped, financially and in other ways, a niece get into college. She never sent a thank you, and actually quit after the first year!

I honestly don’t know if it’s my relatives and acquaintances, but more and more, I rarely get a written thank you. I now tend to give to strangers and organizations more often than to family and friends. I don’t expect a written thank you and don’t feel the loss.

Hello Alexandriete, Yes, feeling the loss. I know what you mean. And, it’s not as though a person is kind because they want to be thanked. But, not being thanked, even verbally, does feel like a loss. I am always grateful when someone takes the time to text me a thank-you. At least I know they got the gift. So a text would be like a piece of cake, and a thank-you note would be like getting the whole cake. Not hearing at all, would be like no cake. You sound like you have kind heart. I hope the loss of thank you notes doesn’t take away your joy. Sending you hugs, xo Pamela

I have written thank you notes for over 40 years and will continue to do so until I can no longer write . . . okay, let me clarify that by saying until no one is able to read my handwriting!! I feel very fortunate to have the need quite often to write a quick thank you note to a friend or acquaintance. I hope that need continues to arise!!

My grandma wrote thank-you notes until she was 100! Then she decided she was done writing notes (any kind of notes, not just thank-you notes).

Your Grandma was a wise woman. She knew how to take of herself. xo Pamela

Hello OkieWriter, You look like a bookcase. So nice to meet you. You are so kind to write thank you notes. My husbands grandmother wrote thank you notes until the day she died. We have the desk she wrote from. I pray your handwriting is always legible so people can be blessed by your kindness. xo Pamela

I haven’t written a thank you note in a very long time – I know, I’m now on the naughty list – sorry, teacher, I’ll try to do better next time. 🙁

One of the keynote speakers at my son’s college graduation this year mentioned in his speech the importance of handwritten thank you’s (He was sharing how much others had helped him on his personal road to success). This to a graduating class of some 2000+ tech-savvy, instant messaging, face-booking, tweeting graduates with newly acquired BA’s and MA’s.

He received quite an applause for the comment …

Hello David, Ah, you are not on the naughty list yet. Actually, in my classroom there is no naughty list. There is always hope and joy.

The keynote speaker at your son’s college graduation sounds very wise. Is your son home for Thanksgiving this year? Like today? Perhaps you and your son could sit down and write a few thank you notes today. And, if you don’t have any notecards, then just brainstorm today who you want to thank. Then tomorrow go shopping together for notecards and stamps. Have him write a thank you note to every professor and every person who invested in his life in college. I think you have more power to shape your son’s life by example than any keynote speaker from a podium. And, today, I am going to write a few thank you notes myself. I wish you all my best. Thank you for your honesty. xo Pamela

Writing thank you notes are classy and sophisticated. Good for our children to learn to be courteous and cordial.

Hello LaCresha Lawson,

Thank you for reading my article and commenting. Yes, learning to be courteous and cordial is important. I wish you all my best, xo Pamela

Thank you so much. And, you as well.

I also write a thank you note to the hosts of a dinner party or any sort of party. I thank them for including me in whatever the occasion. I have step-great-grandchildren, ages 7 and 5 whom I’ve never met, that live in another state. I have sent them books as gifts for their birthdays and Christmas since their births. I have yet to receive a thank you or any acknowledgement that the gift had arrived from their parents or the children. Am I to assume the gifts are unappreciated?

Hello Judy, I love your photograph. You are very kind to write thank-you notes, it shows your kindness and your heart. And, it makes me sad that the gifts you send to your step-great-grandchildren are not even acknowledged. I seriously don’t understand why people can’t even call to say the gifts have arrived. Maybe they don’t have your phone number, or maybe they lost the package the gifts came in and don’t have your return address. Or maybe they take the gifts for granted. I think it is hard to not change the habit of gift giving based on the response. I don’t think we give gifts so we get a thank-you. I would never want to un give a gift, but a thank-you card would be like getting a hug in the mail. And, who doesn’t like hugs? Wishing you all my best, Pamela

Thanks Pamela, I will continue to send the children gifts. It’s not their fault they haven’t been taught to write a note or acknowledge they received their gift. Maybe when they are older, I’ll send them personalized stationery, stamps, and an etiquette book for children. Judy

If you want your thank you note to ooze some class try this:

http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Classic-26-letter-A-Z-Alphabet-Initial-Sealing-Wax-Seal-Stamp-For-You-Box-Kit-/131639351928?var=&hash=item1ea6511a78:m:mphlVhkoWNpQOqYvU2Nqwtw

I bought one and it makes an ordinary letter look very spiffing.

Thank you Pamela! Your advice was exactly what I was looking for to help with structure and ideas for writing thank you notes! Please keep up the good work!

When should I wrote a thank you note for help that is ongoing, but short-term? Various friends and family have been providing childcare while we deal with a family health issue. The whole experience will last about a month. Most of those who have already helped will provide the same assistance again over the next few weeks. Should I wait until the month is over or should I send notes right away? If the latter, should I send a second round of thank you notes at the end? Thanks for your guidance!

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How to Write a Meaningful Thank You Note

• Christopher Littlefield

Sample messages from common workplace scenarios.

Many of us fear expressing our thanks to others. We might worry that our efforts will be misinterpreted or make the person on the receiving end uncomfortable. Or we might struggle to find the right words to express how we feel. Here’s how to do it right.

• Keep it genuine : The goal of expressing appreciation should be to let someone know how their actions have impacted you and/or others. If you have any other agenda, your message will not be authentic.
• Share what you appreciate and why : Focus on the impact their actions had on you and explain both  what you appreciate and why . This will help the other person understand the reason you feel the way you do.
• Send it : E-mails get lost and handwritten cards get saved. Write your message on a piece of paper, post-it note, or card and give it directly to the person. If you are at work, you can also leave it on their desk or in their “mailbox.”

Where your work meets your life. See more from Ascend here .

We all want to be appreciated. Whether you’ve accepted a task while your plate is already full, worked through weekends to get a project off the ground, or simply been there for a work friend when they needed your support, an acknowledgement or “thank you” can go a long way in making us feel good about the efforts we put in — and the research supports this.

• Christopher Littlefield is an International/TEDx speaker specializing in employee appreciation and the founder of  Beyond Thank You . He has trained thousands of leaders across six continents to create cultures where people feel valued every day. He is the author of 75+ Team Building Activities for Remote Teams—Simple Ways to Build Trust, Strengthen Communication, and Laugh Together from Afar . You can follow his work through his weekly mailing  The Nudge .

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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!

Related CollegeVine Blog Posts

How to Write a Thank You Note: Message Examples & Tips

Writing thank you notes is a skill many of us should have, but perhaps have not yet sharpened. It’s one of those things in life that is absolutely required, but also somehow gets overlooked. Regardless of whether you’re a thank you note writing pro or are looking to sharpen your gratitude-writing skills, this post will cover just about anything and everything you’ll ever need to know on how to write a thank you note.

How to write a thank you note — a general breakdown.

Before diving into thank you note etiquette, let’s begin our thank you writing journey with the general breakdown of a thank you note anatomy. This applies to most thank you notes, regardless of the reason that you’re writing it. For each occasion or reason, you might want to tweak some of this around, but for the most part it’s applicable to everything.

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Jump to a specific section:

• 5 Steps to writing your thank you
• Who to send thank you cards to
• When to send thank yous
• Baby shower and newborn thank you etiquette
• Wording examples for all types of thank you cards
• Extra tips for writing thank yous

Here are 5 steps you can take when writing your thank you notes.

1. start with a salutation..

It may seem obvious, but generally you’ll want to start your thank you message by addressing your recipient with a salutation. How formal or informal you choose to make this should depend on a few factors. 

If you’re well acquainted with your recipient and it’s not a formal thank you card (like a business interaction) then you may be fine addressing them by their first name. For example, if you’re writing to your college roommate to thank them for all the great memories — it’s likely safe to use their first name. 

For people you’re not quite as familiar with, stick to Mr. and Mrs. Last name.

• Dear Aunt Jody & Uncle Max,
• Dear Mr. and Mrs. Jones,
• Dear Ms. Donnett,

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2. Get right to the point and express your thanks.

And while you’re at it, make sure to mention what it is that you’re thankful for. 

• Your birthday card made my day, thank you so much!
• Your birthday gift was perfect, thanks for thinking of me.
• Thanks so much for your generous wedding gift.
• Thank you for the opportunity to interview for the senior designer position.

3. Mention a specific detail or two.

What specifically, do you love about their gift? No need to go overboard or exaggerate, if it’s not the greatest pair of sunglasses you ever did see… don’t say so. However, do mention something specific that you appreciated or perhaps how you’re using their gift in your life. People love knowing that their time and effort was appreciated and used!

• I’m so stoked to use the birthday money on my trip to California next week!
• I wore your graphic tee today and got a bunch of compliments!
• We’ve been smoothie-making machines for the past month; we are feeling great.
• It was really exciting getting to know your organization and learning about the senior designer role.

4. Look ahead.

Sure you’re excited about that smoothie mixer they got you, but don’t forget to let them know that you appreciate them as an important person in your life. This may not apply to every single scenario, but if you’re likely to spend any time with this person you can mention that future meeting in your note as a way to move the message along. 

• I can’t wait to have lunch with you guys next month.
• I’ll be visiting your neck of the woods in a couple months, can’t wait to come and see you!
• We’d love to have you over for dinner sometime soon and use the new martini glasses with you!
• I am sincerely interested in the position and am looking forward to hearing from you soon.

5. Wrap it up with more gratitude and a warm sign off.

Bring the attention back to where you started: to your gratitude. There should be no question about what the message is all about. It’s ok to spruce it up a bit, but try to stay away from over-the-top language.

• I can’t believe you remembered my birthday, thanks again!
• Thanks again for thinking of me, it means so much.
• We are so grateful for your generosity, thank you for thinking of us.
• I greatly appreciate your consideration.

End in a pleasant and friendly tone. Always keep in mind the type of relationship you have with the recipient(s) and sign off accordingly (professionally or casually).

Who should you write thank you notes to?

How do you know when sending a thank you card is appropriate and who should you write thank you notes to? This question is actually not as tricky as it sounds. Whenever someone has done something nice for you like presenting you with a gift or going out of their way to help you, it’s definitely worth writing them a thank you card. No, sending a thank you text message is most definitely not the same thing. 

Of course there are actual occasions when thank you notes are basically expected, but huge life changing events are not the only time a thank you note is called for. In fact, the more surprising the thank you note is — the more special it will make your recipient feel. Below are some good solid reasons to mail a thank you note, but don’t let that limit you…

When in doubt — write that thank you card! 

• Your cousin tutored you in Spanish after your last failed exam.
• After a job interview.
• Your neighbors helped you carry your groceries.
• Your bestie brought you hot soup when you were ill.

The list of reasons is endless, but here are 29 everyday reasons that you require a thank you note.

Special occasions when thank you notes are expected.

While the reasons listed above are more everyday non-official type reasons to write thank you notes, there are special occasions when these little notes of gratitude are expected.

• Weddings 
• Bridal showers
• Engagement gifts
• Baby showers
• Sweet sixteen birthday gifts
• Bar Mitzvah gifts
• Bat Mitzvah gifts
• Graduation gifts

Baby shower and newborn thank you card etiquette.

From diaper cakes to a helping hand, your friends and family have done all they can to make your life as a new mom and dad as smooth of a transition as possible. Even though it may seem like you have zero time on your hands to give a proper thanks, you should try to get a few minutes each day to write out a thank you. [Plus, with Postable you can type the thank yous online and we’ll mail them for you.]

Who to send a baby shower thank you card to?

• The baby shower hostess . Your first shower thank you should be addressed to the hostess. Hosting a shower requires a great deal of time and effort.
• Everyone who gave you a gift . If Aunt Judy decided to send you a hand sewn baby blanket all the way from Florida, but wasn’t able to fly up for the shower you should still write a personal thank you.
• Everyone who attended your baby shower.

As with wedding thank you cards, it’s best to try to keep a guest list close by when the gifts are opened so that you can keep track of who gave what. When a gift arrives in the mail, make sure to add to the list as soon as it gets in so that nobody goes un-thanked.

Remember to send your baby shower thank you notes in a timely manner. Don’t wait too long or the new baby will definitely delay the thank yous even longer.

Wording examples on how to write a thank you note.

So we’ve outlined the basic anatomy of a thank you note and now it’s time to put it into practice. The following are some wording examples for thank you notes you can easily customize to fit your occasion and need. 

Thank you note for a baby shower gift.

Dear Josephine, I was so delighted to see you at my baby shower! Thank you so much for the beautiful bassinet you got for little Marie, it’s already got a place in the nursery. Next time you’re in town, we’d love to have you over for dinner! Hope to see you soon and thanks again for thinking of us. Love, Kim

Baby shower thank you note for hostess.

Lisa, Thank you so much for hosting my baby shower last weekend! The shower was lovely; it was so nice to see all of my friends and family. You have no idea how much I appreciate all of your efforts to make the shower so perfect. Let’s get lunch soon (before I’m no longer able to fit in the doorway :). Forever grateful, Laurie

Graduation thank you note wording for cash.

Dear Grandma & Grandpa, Thank you so much for coming to my graduation party and your graduation present. I’m so excited to be finished with high school and way more excited to start college next fall! Your generous gift card is going to help me decorate my new dorm room. I’m looking forward to visiting you this summer. I’m so excited to go shopping, thanks again! Love, Janice

Pro tip : It’s easy to procrastinate on writing thank you letters, especially during that post-graduation buzz. Getting your thank you notes written and out of the way before enjoying the rest of summer will help jumpstart your new adulting habits!

Birthday thank you note for a friend.

Jody, How in the world do you do this every time? The vintage notebook you got for my birthday was perfect. I was so happy you could make it to my party; I hope you had a great time! Thank you for the incredibly thoughtful gift! Yours, Mag

Birthday thank you note for coworkers (casual).

Y’all! It was so awesome to walk into work on my birthday and see all those balloons in my office. It totally made my day! Thank you so much for your thoughtful gifts, you all went totally above and beyond. I’m excited for our company dinner next week, get ready for the best margaritas you’ve ever had! Thank You! Jill

Birthday thank you note for kids.

Aunt Jody, Thanks for coming to my birthday party and for the awesome letter blocks you got me! I love playing with them and mom says I’ll be making real words any day now. I can’t wait to see you when you come visit me next! Love ya tons, Billy

Business thank you note wording for meeting.

Josh, Thank you for taking the time out to meet with me last week. I really appreciate the opportunity you’ve given my team to present at your next office-wide meeting. I look forward to seeing this new partnership to fruition in the next few months. Best, Lisa Hillsworth

Pro tip : Make writing business thank you notes a part of your routine. Adding this step into your daily correspondence, will not only help to strengthen your customer and client retention , but can also increase employee morale. 

Thank you note wording for wedding gifts.

Dear Suzanne & Billie, The couples spa package will make for a perfect date for us when life gets too hectic, thank you! We’re looking forward to pampering ourselves soon as life has already caught us by surprise. We were also overjoyed to see you both at the wedding and can’t wait to see you guys when we come up for a visit. Sending you our love, Bobbie & Cody

Pro tip: Writing wedding thank you notes can easily be one of the most important thank you notes you’ll have to write! There also tends to be quite a few of these to write all at once. Take some time to organize yourself before diving into writing your wedding thank you notes!   

Thank You notes for help or kindness

Lucy, You were so kind to spend a whopping three hours helping Joey study for his biology exam last week! I cannot tell you what that meant to him after weeks of struggling with the material. Not only did Joey pass, but he made the highest grade in the class and it’s all thanks to you! We’d love to have you over for Sunday brunch sometime soon. All the best, Dakota 

Tips for writing stellar thank you notes.

Thank you dos.

• Do send a thank you note promptly
• Do keep it personal
• Do choose the appropriate stationery for the recipient and situation (pretty pastel bunnies may work for Aunt Judy, but not so good for a hiring manager)
• Do double-check your spelling
• Do surprise someone with a thank you note that may not be expecting it (your hairdresser or your favorite bar tender)

Thank You DON’Ts

• Don’t assume a text is enough (or an in-person thanks)
• Don’t ramble
• Don’t go overboard (unless you really think the candle holders are the most beautiful things you’ve laid your eyes on, don’t say so)
• Don’t send a pre-printed generic messages in lieu of a personal thank you note
• Don’t use being late as an excuse not to write thank you notes at all, better late than never

Ready, set, WRITE your thank yous!

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Thank you notes are an appropriate way to express gratitude to a friend, loved one, or colleague for any sort of gift or act of kindness. They're also a great way to connect with friends and loved ones or strengthen your relationship with a friend or partner.

When to Send a Thank You Note

It’s never wrong to send a thank you note, and people always appreciate getting “thanks” for their efforts. And if you're thinking about whether or not you should write a thank you note, you probably should. Anyone would appreciate receiving a thank you note, and some people may be expecting one.

All gifts should be acknowledged with a note, unless the present was opened in front of the giver—then you have the chance to thank them in person.

• After you've received a gift, whether from a wedding, shower, or birthday
• After you've attended a party or event which someone else spent a great deal of time organizing
• After receiving handwritten cards, whether congratulatory or otherwise (notes of condolences)
• After receiving gifts or notes of well wishes during a period of illness

Context matters. Read more about what type of thank you notes to send under different circumstances .

Is it Too Late to Send a Thank You Note?

Write your notes as soon as possible, and don’t hesitate if you feel you’re late: A late note is always better than no note at all.

The Power of a Handwritten Thank You Note

It's always correct to send handwritten thank-you's, and people always appreciate them. Handwritten notes are warmer and more personal than a phone call or email, and only second best to thanking someone in person.

Email is okay to thank for a coffee or meal that was casual or whose invitation was extended by email in the first place. It's also okay for very small favors. But for dinner parties, big favors, an actual gift, or being a houseguest, handwritten thank-you notes are your best bet for an expression of warm, heartfelt thanks.

There is simply nothing as personal as a handwritten note. In a stack of bills and flyers, it's a treasure in a sealed packet, full of promise and potential. It is a visceral reminder of someone far away.

They are an opportunity for us to connect to the people in our lives in a meaningful way. In an increasingly informal digital world, continuing to pull out pen and paper is a way to distinguish yourself. The handwritten thank-you note speaks volumes simply as a medium and sends the message that you care enough to invest yourself personally in acknowledging another.

Handwritten notes still have a personality, warmth and, when needed, gravitas that computer screens don't. And questions of appropriateness aside, people still enjoy opening them. More than anything, that tells me they have lasting value. So, send a little joy someone's way.

How to Write a Thank You Note

Sometimes it's easy to write off a heartfelt thank-you note. Other times, writer's block can set in—especially when you are staring down a large stack of them. Before you start, remember that thanking people needs to be about just that: expressing thanks. So refocus, reorganize, and rethink the process.

Above all, try to enjoy yourself. Giving thanks shouldn’t be a chore—and doesn’t have to be if you make the effort to keep it interesting.

This is a brief note, about four sentences, meant to express something you are grateful for. Be sure to say what you mean directly. The thank-you note is special; it's to express your appreciation, so keep the focus there.

• Formal/Professional – Dear {{title}} {{last_Name}},
• Professional – Dear {{first_Name}} {{last_Name}},
• Close Professional/Social – Dear {{first_Name}},
• Social – Dearest {{first_Name}},
• Good friend – First name, Nickname, or Initials
• I am so thankful/grateful for...
• I want to say how much I appreciated...
• I am writing this note to acknowledge...
• I want you to know how much I value...
• Second Sentence – Personalize the note with an original thought about the things you are thanking for, the effort or thought behind it, what it means to you and the relationship.
• Third sentence (optional) – Pull the focus back and think about the future. Suggest future actions or direction or develop the thought from sentence two.
• Fourth sentence – repeat the thanks or offer a concluding thought.
• Formal/Professional/Social – Sincerely
• Professional/Social – Best regards, Regards, All the best, Best, Respectfully yours, Cordially
• Social/Personal – Yours truly, Warmly, Affectionately yours, With great affection, With love, etc.

Read more tips on how to write thank you notes .

Examples of Thank You Notes

Professional sample:.

Dear Carla Ramirez,

Thank you for taking the time to meet with me on Monday. I appreciated the opportunity to learn more about your team and look forward to working together over the coming year. Please feel free to reach out to me if I can help with anything during the transition. Thanks you again and I can't wait to get started.

Sincerely, Daniel Senning

Social Sample:

Thank you so much for sending the new baby blanket you made for Anisha. It is simply the softest thing that has ever touched our little one, I don't know how you make such wonderful things. You are beyond thoughtful. I do hope that you will make time for a visit as soon as it is possible, we can't wait to see you in person. Thank you again for everything, we can feel the love from here.

Yours truly, Millan

Still have questions? Read our thank you card FAQs .

Teaching Your Kids Why & How to Write Thank You Notes

Sure, it sounds like a dream: Your children running up to you and begging to write thank-you notes to their aunts, uncles, and cousin Pete. It could be a reality—if you cut out the obligation and play up the gratitude. Explain the value and purpose of the notes: “Thank-you notes are a special way to tell Nanna & Grandpa how much you liked their present.”

So focus on fun and honest sentiment. Get creative. Make what could be hours of boredom into an event they want to take part in—and in doing so take some of the burden off yourself.

Read our article on how to teach your kids to have fun writing thank you notes .

Being Thankful: Thank-You Note FAQs

Sometimes it's easy to write off a heartfelt thank-you note. Other times, writer's block can set in—especially…

Thank-You Notes: To Send or Not To Send?

It’s never wrong to send a written thank you, and people always appreciate getting “thanks” in writing.…

Different Ways to Say Thank-You

The skinny on thank-you notes: whether to email, phone or write; which situations call for a handwritten…

The Importance of the Handwritten Thank-you Note

As our world becomes increasingly digitalized and mobile, people seek faster, even immediate, forms of…

Video: Handwritten Thank-You Note Tips

Up your thank-you note game with these tips from Lizzie Post! She explains why we still need handwritten…

How to Write a Thank-You Note

Everything you need to know about the how and when to write the classic and ever meaningful handwritten…

• Wedding Etiquette 101: Everything You Need to Know

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The correct use of “esquire”, group restaurant invitations, women's names and titles, the continuing importance of the rsvp.

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The art of the thank you note

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So you’ve prepped for your interview, scoured Glassdoor for tips, put on your best suit and nailed the interview day. Now what? Interviews are a nerve-wracking experience and often we are so wrapped up in getting ready for it and making sure the actual day goes well, that we forget the steps that happen after the interview. The thank you note is a great way to follow up, reiterate your interest, and show that you go going above and beyond. Employers keep track of thank you notes, and a good one can go a long way.  Just like how a first impression really matters, the thank you note is an easy way to leave a great last impression. Here are some quick tips on how to write the best follow up thank you note.

1. Get contact information

Of course, you won’t be able to write a good note if you don’t know who to send it to. If you’re lucky, you will get your interviewers contact information beforehand. Most of the time, you don’t know who it’s going to be and it feels awkward to ask. One smooth way to get their contact information is to ask at the end of the interview, “Thanks for answering all my questions today – I don’t think I have any more right now, but could I contact you if I do?” This is a line that works well for many situations – interviews, career fairs, networking receptions. This can also signify that you are done asking questions, so you don’t feel the awkward need to keep asking for the sake of asking. If you forget to ask for contact information during your interview day, reach out to the recruiter afterwards and see if they can either send you the emails of the interviewers, or forward your thank you note to them.

2. What to write

Keep it short and simple – but tailored. Thank them for their time, reiterate your interest in the role, and point to something specific about the conversation that especially resonated with you. If you do have additional questions, you can ask them here. If you had multiple interviewers, try to personalize it as much as you can to the topics you covered. Here is a great article with 3 samples that cover varying degrees of personalization. Not every thank you note can be super tailored, and that’s okay! Sending a more general one is better than none.

3. When to send it

Try to send any follow up communication a day or two after the event – this goes for an interview, career fair, information session, workshop etc. You want to send it when the interaction is still fresh in their mind, and it shows that you are on top of things. If the company is interviewing multiple candidates, you also want to be part of the group that does follow up quickly.

4. How to send it

Email is usually fine, and the added benefit of this is that the interviewer can respond especially if you do have follow up questions. If you really want to go above and beyond, the handwritten note is another option. To do this, you will want to make sure you have the correct address of the company. If you are traveling to your interview site, bring some blank thank you notes with you and fill it out after the interview is over. Then you can drop it in the mail in that city to ensure that it gets to the company in a timely manner. This is also a great option for things like medical school interviews where you might be meeting lots of people – much easier to send one note to the admissions department.

Remember, the most important part of the thank you note is to send it! Even if it’s a few days too late, or you feel like it’s not personalized enough, it’s still better to send one than not. Career Services can help review your thank you notes to make sure you feel confident before sending. Feel free to stop by walk in hours with an advisor or Peer Career Advisor or make an appointment via Handshake.

University of Pennsylvania Essay Examples (And Why They Worked)

The following University of Pennsylvania essay examples were written by several different authors who were admitted to UPenn. All names have been redacted for anonymity. Please note that CollegeAdvisor.com has shared these essays with admissions officers at University of Pennsylvania in order to deter potential plagiarism.

For more help with your UPenn supplemental essays, check out our 2020-2021 University of Pennsylvania Essay Guide ! For more guidance on personal essays and the college application process in general, sign up for a monthly plan to work with an admissions coach 1-on-1.

How did you discover your intellectual and academic interests, and how will you explore them at the University of Pennsylvania? Please respond considering the specific undergraduate school you have selected. (300-450 words)

For students applying to the coordinated dual-degree and specialized programs, please answer these questions 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.

Make no mistake—in my family, Saturday night Scrabble is no slight affair. For the better part of my childhood, I struggled to get the upper hand against my parents’ eloquent lexicon. Eventually, I found the solution in a paper by Dutch economist Jacques Polack, the architect of the International Monetary Fund: in it, he outlined how to best leverage the scarcity of the tiles involved, applying economic principles to optimize the otherwise-mundane game. Aside from revamping my Scrabble skills, his research taught me that business economics govern everything from the global economy to a board game.

Gradually, economics also became a cornerstone of my day-to-day life. Now, when my 6:35 AM alarm rings, I consider the Law of Diminishing Marginal Utility before slapping the snooze button — will my nine minutes of fragmented slumber garner more utility than the alternative (a cup of freshly brewed coffee)? In debate rounds, I’ve found that the root cause of political and social problems can be found by delving into interest rates, quantitative easing, or volatility indices. However, only after working with Congressman DeSaulnier did I realize the far-sweeping effects of economic legislation. One of my most memorable projects — preparing a brief scrutinizing the social, political, and economic effects of H.R. 4674 (the College Affordability Act) — showed that even minor decreases to college tuition tackled cyclical poverty through education, with the resulting butterfly effect benefitting millions. I was hooked. After convincing the Congressman to become a co-author, I aspired to one day use economic and political principles to author similarly innovative policy.

The Business Economics and Public Policy concentration at the Wharton School offers the perfect opportunity to intertwine those passions. I appreciate Wharton’s holistic approach to teaching the global economy: courses like Nations, Politics, and Markets cover the big picture of the international markets, while Housing Markets dissects the minutiae of a single industry, isolating areas that need improvement. I also look forward to courses like Professor Eisenhower’s Communication and the Presidency — effective communication is still the bridge that turns effective ideas into tangible social change. I hope to put those lessons to use by brainstorming legislation at the Wharton Public Policy Initiative, where I’ll have the opportunity to collaborate with a uniquely diverse student body, challenge my preconceptions, and catalyze novel ideas. Clubs like the Penn International Impact Consulting offer the opportunity to collaborate with NGOs an ocean away, simultaneously letting me have a tangible social impact and helping me develop an international network. These four years at Penn will leave me with more than just a degree. From mastering the economics of Scrabble to pioneering solutions to society’s most pressing problems, they’re the first step to having a global impact.

Why this University of Pennsylvania essay worked, according to an ex admissions officer

This essay is playfully clever. The author begins with a simple game of scrabble but quickly we are transported into economic theory, which they begin to apply to all their daily happenings. The author brings us into a parallel world where everything can be analysed, and potentially solved, in economic terms. They are specific and cite actual laws and cases. We realize that this student lives, eats, and breaths in this economically obsessive universe. This is when the author brings us back to our own campus.

They speak about their own achievements and how they will translate to the community at UPenn. They refers to specific classes, professors, and clubs that are offered at University of Pennsylvania. We can visualize this person on our campus, but they do not leave it there. They wrap up their 4 years at Penn, and by doing this we see a graduate. They then reference how, with these Penn experiences, they can impact the world. It all began with a scrabble game and we are returned to the scrabble table with a clear image of what this student can accomplish with an offer from University of Pennsylvania. Remember, beyond writing a great essay, students must be prepared to ace every part of the admissions process. Take our quiz below to find out just how much you know about college admissions!

I was eight when my first business idea struck. Each day, classmates would approach me with a string of questions about homework: Is Russia in Europe or Asia? What’s the commutative property? How do you spell ‘satisfied’? One day, my third-grade self thought, Why not charge a quarter for each answer?

After hearing my proposition, my dad laughed so hard he could barely repeat it to my mom. “She’s born for business!” he exclaimed.

His words stuck with me. Years later, those words propelled me to take Wharton’s Coursera Marketing class, which left me fascinated by the psychology behind marketing: Why do all the girls at school wear Lululemon leggings when Nike’s are cheaper? Why is SmartWorld Coffee right next to Starbucks? Even calculus problems on price optimization made me wonder, How do businesses price their products? As I explored, I uncovered the answers to many of these questions, even making my own findings in product-pricing last year. “Born for business” or not, I realized that I had discovered something I truly loved.

Last July, at Leadership in the Business World (LBW), I not only nurtured my burgeoning passion for business, I also experienced a glimpse of what attending Wharton would be like.

Between case studies, site visits, and discussion-based lectures, LBW embodied the interactive learning culture I thrive in. Analyzing the merits of Google’s growing power with Professor McCaffrey challenged my preconceptions of monopolies, and discussions about customer centricity with Professor Fader left me with a new perspective on equity versus efficiency. Everything I learned was both thought-provoking and engaging; I was eager for more.

And I did get more — in the form of hands-on learning. In the first week, I made investments as a venture capitalist in the Startup Game simulation; by the last week, I was pitching a startup to a panel of investors. No matter what it was, I could practice what I had learned in context. I was excited to discover that this reflects Wharton as a whole. When my Teaching Assistant, Mona, described her Management 100 project, I felt a sense of déjà vu: the desire for practical application that motivated her to help local immigrants grow their businesses also guides my own endeavors. For example, after LBW, I applied my knowledge of customer segmentation while establishing a service organization to partner with Key Club. Recognizing that the key psychographic was stay-at-home/team-mom type parents, I quickly attracted 30 dedicated members. In essence, Penn students engage with their education in a way that’s directly relevant to the world — a practice that matches my own learning style perfectly.

Furthermore, at Wharton, I can unify my core interests in business and civic engagement. Behavioral Economics — a concentration rarely offered by undergraduate business programs — would deepen my understanding of the human decision-making process, helping me answer questions about everything from athletic wear to coffee. Meanwhile, a secondary concentration in Social Impact and Responsibility would help me approach business problems through a social impact lens. Together, both concentrations would teach me to apply my business acumen toward my love of service.

Beyond the classroom, I hope to join the Social Impact Consulting Group (SIC), where I plan to implement both my Wharton education and my past involvement with nonprofits to help local communities. Over the last few years, I’ve worked intimately with the local Big Brother/Big Sister chapter, and I would love to use that experience to help the Philadelphia chapter that Penn’s SIC Group counsels.

In short, I’ve fallen in love with Penn in its entirety. Between the strong theme of practical application and the 6AM runs along Spruce Street, the eclectic atmosphere of the Kelly Writers House and the Greek Lady French Toast, Penn is the perfect blend of vitality, collaboration, and interdisciplinary learning. It is this community that I hope to make my home for the next four years.

My first visit to Philadelphia was a unique one. With car keys for the second time, the world at my disposal, and a desire to try a cheesesteak for the first time, I took the two-hour drive to Philly. While I dispensed my entire paycheck throughout the duration of the trip, my only regret remains trying Pat’s and Geno’s and perhaps also losing my car privilege for three months. In all seriousness, knowing I’d only have time to visit 1-2 places, I decided to do a self-guided tour of Penn, a school I had already researched extensively. Nestled in a bastion of intellectualism, culture, and history in a city I dared to learn so much from stood this behemoth of a school, and it was after this tour that I decided to apply to UPenn’s School of Engineering and Applied Sciences.

My experience with engineering began with taking apart my dad’s Dell Inspiron desktop. Fascinated by the complex arrangement of the parts and the intricate designs that lined the parts themselves, I was too young to understand what the term “engineering” even encompassed. Engineering to me was not just about building computers, which I’d eventually pursue, but optimization. I was obsessed with choosing graphics cards and CPU’s, always pursuing maximum efficiency in terms of size, speed, and price of the final product. Naturally, this kickstarted my journey into circuitry; I still remember by first series circuit. The logic behind the placement of the wires excited me. The troubleshooting required when I wasn’t met with success filled me with purpose. Later, the power to utilize my Arduino to power code into my projects rendered my options limitless.

Indeed, my rather bizarre voyage to campus affirmed my intuition that UPenn was the school for me, but it was the substance of my research that confirmed that the SEAS, in particular, was compatible with my academic goals and interests. To my delight, I discovered that as stringent as an electrical engineering degree at Penn would be, I could also apply to earn a minor in Energy and Sustainability. Beginning with the Engineering Probability course (ESE 301), I’d start off learning what I love, combinatorics and advanced topics such as the Bernoulli schema that I am already studying outside of school now. Even more exciting would be the culmination of my entire Penn education during my senior year, when I’d partake in the Senior Design competition. Through this project competition, I’d have the privilege of applying real-world knowledge obtained at Penn by presenting my work to expert judges in my field.

In addition to my passion for electricity and circuitry, I am deeply interested in biomimicry, a field that became the cornerstone of my studies outside of school because of a simple realization: all around me lies genius. Thus biomimicry, the practice of applying designs and process from nature to engineering, one that I’m determined to develop with an Energy and Sustainability minor by applying energy-storing processes of leaves to solar cells—a longstanding point of research outside of school—constantly motivates me. While this aspect of engineering is one that I haven’t tangibly sought out in high school through formal clubs or competitions because of my work commitments, my extensive personal studies through books and online resources have instilled in me a desire to explore it further in college. Fascinatingly enough, I’d find a home to do this at Penn, where the engineering blog even has a hashtag for coverage of biomimicry. A few weeks ago, I even bookmarked an article about a student researcher developing a method to render the production of biofuel more efficient by mimicking giant clams, only to later discover that the article was published by UPenn. Ultimately, attending Penn would mean an opportunity to not only learn from the best, but also access resources to better the world around me, following in the footsteps of so many other Penn innovators.

What I like about this essay is that the author begins with a casual air. We envision a typical high school senior who grabs the car keys and has a day-trip adventure. They are a tourist exploring the very specific cultural highlights of Philly and entering the University of Pennsylvania campus. Almost with this student’s first step into the gates, we realize this “typical high school senior” is completely immersed in the world of engineering. They take us from an endearing story of taking apart a family computer as a child to discussions of circuitry, logic, wires, and powercodes.

For most of us, this conversation would go over our heads. However, the story remains clear, and the student’s pure love of engineering is unmistakable. This student speaks the engineering language. The author then explains where this passion for engineering will lead them. They let us know what principles they hope to discover next. They mention their goals, their minor, what they will take as a senior (bringing us four years in), and they finish by creating a place for themselves amongst the collection of UPenn innovators that have come before.

There is an energy to this person’s essay that suggests pure progression. They will take advantage of every minute on campus. This essay embodies the transformation of a kid with a Philly Cheesesteak to a veritable scholar, and I would be excited to have this transformation evolve on the University of Pennsylvania campus.

3:31 PM: Notebook and camera clutched in each arm, I prowl the streets of Detroit.

3:54 PM: As I find myself hunting along a line of apartments encased by steel-frame construction, I figure it might make for a story. What is going on here?

3:55 PM: I ask an African-American woman who slumps against the charred-brick wall, surrounded by a sea of translucent trash bags. She tells me, and I am horrified.

Horrified to know she was kicked out. Horrified to learn that the developers had doubled the rent, cut the power, harassed her and threatened to burn down her apartment when she fought to stay. Horrified to hear that she hated her dark skin, hated the way she was born.

Horrified , that the Webster Dictionary taught me gentrification means positive change.

While the woman I had encountered was in dire straits, her undoing was the making of me. In talking with her, my eyes were opened to the atrocities that ordinary people live through, and I could no longer sit back and allow them to go unnoticed. As a journalist, I have the ability to give voice to the silenced, to take someone’s story and broadcast it over an intercom. That day, I wrote her story in hopes that even one more person might understand her story and learn of the ugly in a word disguised by the good.

Since then, I have strived to reach larger audiences. Through writing articles and meeting with legislators through The Borgen Project, I have continued to immerse myself in poverty matters and deepened my interest in the intersection of Sociology and Economics while growing as a writer. While researching, I find myself investigating urban sprawl or income disparity, and hundreds of questions flood my mind. At Penn, the possibility of pursuing my curiosities are embedded in both the school’s academics and geography.

With twofold interests in urban matters, I seek The College’s Urban Sociology concentration with an Economic Policy minor; this, I find conducive to exploring both the socio-political and economic nuances of poverty alleviation. Additionally, I am concerned about gentrification, and educating myself on the matter in one of the most gentrified cities in America provides the natural setting for first-hand observation and research. Fairmount, located only two miles outside of Penn, is a neighborhood undergoing excessive black gentrification in Philadelphia. One day, I hope to work alongside mentors such as Dr. Grazian–whose expertise spans both the economic and social dynamics of Philadelphia neighborhoods–and direct a case study detailing effects of Fairmount gentrification. In developing a multifaceted worldview, it is my ideal to pursue my intellectual interests at the University of Pennsylvania, in a place itself as culturally rich as Philadelphia.

The University of Pennsylvania, with its strong emphasis on pre-professional learning is ideal as a learning environment. That focus is what drives many students with an eye to the future. We hope to apply our learning, impact the real world in ways that inspire change.

I find the Cognitive Science program, specifically its concentration in Language and Mind most appealing. As someone who places great emphasis in words, the idea of analyzing the cognitive aspects behind linguistics, whether philosophically, psychologically, or computationally draws upon various fields that showcase various perspectives on the meanings of language. It’s fascinating that despite the various languages and cultures there can be a biological scientific breakdown explaining the complex processes underlying syntax and semantics.

I am fascinated with the study of semantics, especially as it relates to both personality and gender. Because the World Well-Being Project touches on the topic of extroversion versus introversion, I would hope to be involved. This topic has interested me since reading Quiet by Susan Cain, which I also wrote about for Teen Line’s blogs. The language of both gender and personality are particularly intriguing; research suggests that for males, possessive pronouns are strongly associated with relationships like girlfriend and husband while for females, the nouns existed primarily on their own. List of most used words also differ along personality traits. I wonder why researchers persist in correlating the language to the Big Five Traits (which carry their own significant connotations) rather than to other classificatory systems.

Two other UPenn labs offer me routes to follow my current interests: The Cultural Evolution of Language lab under Dr. Roberts and the Cognition and Development Lab under Dr. Weisberg.

In the last decade, texting lingo has changed the way many speak. I find myself wondering whether spoken language will lose its richness as common vocabulary shortens and simplifies. The idea of experimental semiotics that Dr. Roberts utilizes is fascinating in that we can watch how a newly-created language progresses, thrives, or decays.

The Cognition and Development Lab under Dr. Weisberg, on the other hand, focuses primarily on development, interviewing children and exploring what exactly is going on when they enact pretend stories. I still remember one instance of my five-year-old self playing pretend princess at an after school program; a fifth grader had snapped at me in annoyance to stop using the word “pretend” in our play activity. The next five minutes had me tripping over my own words, finally giving up in frustration when for some reason, I couldn’t avoid saying pretend in my games. The rest of the day was spent sitting in a huff in the corner, hugging a pillow. Thinking back, I can’t fathom why I enjoyed living in a fantasy. It seems out of character to the Katie today. Discovering how play helps with growth is one of the major questions surrounding the study of children; its effects on cognition could be impactful in parenting theories because fantasy play probably has a significant role in the development of the brain.

While not an academic interest, acapella singing remains intellectually stimulating to me. Joining groups like Pennyo or Pennsori will allow me to practice singing and speaking in Mandarin or Korean. These include musical genres that I have been exploring for several years, allowing me to learn about culturally embedded vehicles for aesthetic language. They will provide me with another way to explore language and culture.

The differences between the word clouds can be read into farther than simply, girls say “I love you” more and guys talk about video games – rather, there are small details that are indicative, whether of true gender differences or cultural norm commonalities. The language of personality, on the other hand brings up questions – why use the Big Five standard over others? The traits are often associated with a strongly positive or negative implication in society – which directly correlates to the words found in the clouds. It would be interesting to analyze social media aspects on neutral traits as well, as shown with the introversion/extroversion in order to find correlations between how language is use and how differently it is processed by personality categorizations like the more detail-oriented versus big idea thinkers.

At Penn, learning and growth happen outside of the classrooms, too. 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)

Philadelphia is known as the City of Brotherly Love, and Penn lives up to that ethos. The community there is uniquely supportive, diverse, and vibrant. Having competed as a member of the USA Debate Team, I look forward to bringing my experience to the Penn Debate Society, and hopefully, representing the school at the World University Debating Championships., Beyond competing at tournaments, I appreciate last year’s collaboration debate with The Economist and the Bard Prison Initiative; to broaden the team’s horizons, I’d love to arrange similar events with other think tanks, nonprofits, or community organizations.

After four years of pick-up basketball at Sycamore Valley Park, I look forward to joining the intramural team, where I’d connect with the Penn community on the court while getting some much-needed practice on my jump shot. To preserve my tradition of attending Friday prayers, I’ll join the Muslim Student Association. Both through social gatherings or community work at the Masjid al-Jamia, I’m excited to work with a community of Muslims from around the world. Finally, I hope to join the Penn Student Government–it’d be both a new experience and help me gain experience advocating for the interests of the student body.

Too often, I have found myself walled-in by hard lines and expectations. At school, I belong to multiple circles, but I find myself contributing only a portion of my personality to each. In my community, there is just no all-encompassing space.

Penn makes a family out of us multipotentialites. Penn students refuse to be defined by one thing, a unique culture through which I can thrive as a liberal-arts-focused student enthusiastic about STEM. As a creative writer, I’ve gravitated towards writing science-fiction, imagining futuristic worlds where people online-shop for faces, or where simulation technology has allowed us to learn history by experiencing it. By writing for t-art, I am afforded the possibility of acting as a liaison between the Humanities and STEM worlds through innovative creative expression. On other days, I see myself merging my skills as an urban sociologist and journalist to report about the surrounding city through The Daily Pennsylvanian . On Mondays and Thursdays, I might find myself playing Mahler with the Penn Symphony Orchestra. Above all, I envision myself strolling through Locust Walk each day, tracing the footsteps of Andrea Mitchell to Elizabeth Banks, chatting with friends about the first presidential debate to the origin of “irregardless.”

This essay is successful because the author clearly starts in a place that is limiting their potential. They are excited and curious to spread their proverbial wings. The author has carefully researched opportunities at UPenn and seamlessly interwoven their own accomplishments and talents, with cited academic and extracurricular UPenn opportunities.

This author creates a very clear image of what type of contributor they will be on our campus. Their interests are diverse and limitless, or so it seems. The author’s specificity in mentioning the days the Orchestra plays, the Locust Walk, and past UPenn scholars shows their love for the school. This essay describes a person who is ready to blossom, has intellectual and cultural curiosity, and will add to the community at University of Pennsylvania.

These University of Pennsylvania essay examples were compiled by the advising team at CollegeAdvisor.com . If you want to get help writing your University of Pennsylvania essay supplements from CollegeAdvisor.com Admissions Experts , register with CollegeAdvisor.com today.

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• Condolences & What To Say

How to Write a Short Heartfelt Thank You Note

Updated 08/30/2022

Published 02/5/2020

Yvonne Bertovich

Contributing writer

Cake values integrity and transparency. We follow a strict editorial process to provide you with the best content possible. We also may earn commission from purchases made through affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases. Learn more in our affiliate disclosure .

Though you may not believe gratitude is a lost art, thank you notes — especially handwritten ones — have grown more scarce. The next time you experience significant gratitude and feel that a thank you note would be the perfect response, we’re here to help.

Jump ahead to these sections:

Step 1: identify the recipient(s), step 2: focus your gratitude, step 3: decide on your medium, step 4: jot down bullet points or make a draft, step 5: write your official note, step 6: deliver as necessary, thank you note message ideas.

It’s likely you’ll experience one of these situations sooner than later. This may occur on a holiday, your birthday, at a professional event, or an otherwise ordinary day. You’ll likely feel as though you need to return the person’s gesture in a special way. But, perhaps the gesture can simply be returned with a thank you note.

A short, heartfelt thank you note would suit a variety of situations nicely — whether it was a gift, someone’s company, an interview, a professional interaction, or something else — there are different points you can touch on. If you’re unsure how or what to say for each of these situations, we’re here to guide you.

For each thank you note you intend to write, there is a structured process you can follow and repeat as necessary. We’ll also provide you with specific message ideas for a wide variety of scenarios that you can customize as you see fit. 

Identifying who’s receiving your thank you note should be the easiest part. However, perhaps you have a lot to be thankful for lately — and a lot of people to thank. This is great. However, getting in the right headspace to write all of these notes in one or a few sittings may benefit you. Thank you notes don’t have to be for traditional exchanges or relationships, either.

 It’s likely you’d feel compelled to thank a physician or a care provider, for example, and may wonder how to write a thank you message to a doctor . You’re also more than welcome to have a less-structured approach to your note writing and send them “just because.” This can also be a great approach. People love to be thought of and appreciated, if even for “nothing.”

Tip: Keep a running list on your phone, on your counter, or wherever you’re likely to not miss it. Jot down the names of people and keywords of what you’d like to thank them for. This can save you time and help you to not forget anyone over the holidays or on a birthday, for example. 

Focusing your gratitude for each recipient may be easier in some situations than others. For example, if your relative sent you money for your birthday, this would be the key thing to thank them for.

However, you can take it a step further and call attention to the gesture at large. It’s not so much that the person sent you a gift or did something for you — they took time and care away from themselves and their other priorities to “see” you and make you feel special. They connected with you in an additional way and made an effort to make you feel appreciated, whether you deserve it or not.

That being said, maybe the gesture was pretty small by comparison, but you’d like to go the extra mile yourself to ensure that person knows you “see” them. This is great, too, and you can write your message accordingly.

Tip: It’s easy in this age to just think of ourselves. Self-care and self-love are incredibly important, however, you’ll likely experience powerful results if you reserve a little of this positive energy to put out into the world. Thank you notes are a tangible, yet manageable way to do so. 

Just as there’s more than one way to write a thank you note, there’s more than one medium to write your notes on. Are you going to send a text? An email? A handwritten note on custom stationary? On something specific or humorous that the recipient would enjoy? The manner in which you send your note or notes will likely be determined by how many recipients there are.

Or, perhaps you like to buy blank thank you notes from the store one-by-one as the situation permits. Deciding on your medium will help you create the ideal environment for writing and drafting when the time comes, of course. Granted, you’re more than welcome to send a thank you via a Twitter DM from a parking lot, for example, and still have it be very well-received. 

Tip: Think of your audience. Also, consider the scarcity of handwritten thank you notes and how powerful a message they can send. However, telling someone “thank you” immediately upon receiving a gesture and later sending a follow-up via text or email can also be quite special. 

Now that you’ve decided on your recipient and what you’re going to write your thank you message on, you can decide on what you want the contents of your message to read.

Do you need to jot down the key points and make a draft, or can you just dive right in? If you’re using stationary and handwriting a note, for example, you may consider using a scratch sheet of paper so you can ensure that you don’t miss anything or make a mess of an otherwise nice card. 

Tip: Read your message from bottom to top, or make sure you read each word independently. It’s easy to get caught up in your own writing or voice and miss a crucial word or grammatical element.

Take a breath and begin writing your final draft. Or, perhaps, if you’re sending a text or DM, write out a draft in another application, such as the notes app. This can give you a separate space to more easily determine if you’re missing anything.

There’s nothing worse than sending a message and wanting to “undo it” when it’s not possible. Making an error in a note to a family member or a long-time friend wouldn’t be that bad (quite frankly, it’d likely be seen as humorous). However, an error in a message to a teacher or a professional contact may prove a bit embarrassing.

Tip: If you’re creating a handwritten note, choose a pen that you feel comfortable using and that works on your chosen paper. Writing a thoughtful note only to have it smear illegibly would be pretty disheartening.

Once your message is ready to send, you can copy and paste it into the preferred window, or just hit send. Of course, if you’re writing a thank you note to someone who’s home address is unavailable to you, and you’d like to handwrite a message, ensure that you can get it to their place of work in a timely manner.

Though impromptu thank you notes are great, thanking a person within a few days (and not much longer) of their gesture is preferred. 

Tip: Double-check everything in your message, particularly the address of the recipient on the envelope if you’re sending a handwritten note via mail. You should also check the email address of any email recipients, too. Though receiving a response to a thank you note may not happen, and really isn’t the point, it’s important to do your part in ensuring that the message actually gets there. 

There are a lot of situations that can warrant a thank you note. Whether your situation is more traditional or unique, there are ways to ensure your message is special and heartfelt, even if you feel that you don’t necessarily have a way with words.

Below are a variety of specific examples that you can use as inspiration and really make your own. 

As children, we may be conditioned to expect a gift (or several) around the holidays or on our birthday. However, it’s important to recognize not only the gifts in themselves, but the meaning behind them.

In actuality, we’re not really entitled to anything and we should express our gratitude whenever possible. The very word “gift” should feel special, because it is. Here are some heartfelt ways to thank others for a gift. 

• “Thank you so much for thinking of me when you have so much else on your plate. It really means a lot that you went to the effort of picking [this] out for me! You know me so well, even after all these years.”
• “I got your gift in the mail and I was floored, really. I wasn’t having a great day and that immediately turned it around! I can’t wait to use [it] this weekend!”
• “Thank you so much for the birthday gift! You know how to make me feel really special, and I hope this little note expresses at least a little bit of my gratitude. I love you!”
• “I’m so thankful to have you in my life and for all the ways you treat me. It’s such a blessing to know you, and I can’t wait to see you soon!” 
• “Thank you for the sympathy gift . Though, you know you didn’t have to go to the effort. It helped put a big smile on my face, which, I’ll admit, hasn’t been happening too much lately. Sending you lots of love.” 

Money may not seem like the most personal gesture, however, it’s just what some people need sometimes. Thanking people for money is incredibly important, as it’s unlikely whoever gave it to you couldn’t benefit from it themselves. 

• “Thank you so much for sending me some funds! I know you said spend it on something special for myself (wink), but I’m gonna have to let you down and put most of it in savings. It really will help me out. Again, thank you.”
• “I’m writing to thank you deeply for the money you sent me for my birthday. You didn’t have to do that, but I love you for it.”
• “Thank you for sending me money — I know it’ll come in handy over the next few weeks! I really miss you and hope you’re doing well.”
• “Thank you for sending the money I know you know you didn’t have to send, but did so anyway. I’ll get you back. Kidding. I love you nonetheless. You know how to make me feel important.”
• “I’m so grateful to have you in my life. Thank you so much for the money you sent! I’ll be thinking of you.”

For thoughts or company during a difficult time

When someone shows up for you during a difficult time, it’s important to express your gratitude to this person. Having people you can count on during good times and bad times is something you should never take for granted. 

• “Thank you for always showing up for me, especially when I’m at my worst. I don’t know what I’d do without you. I love you so much. It meant the world to me to see you as a pallbearer for [him/her].”
• “It means the world to me that you sat by me while I was healing and talked me through it. Not many people know what to say to those who are sick , but you said all the right things, and I know you meant them.”
• “Thank you so much for keeping me company last week. It means the world that you still make sacrifices to make me feel special and safe.”
• “I just wanted to thank you for your words of sympathy . Your message was so beautiful, and I could tell how much you meant it.”
• “Thank you for thinking of me. Your note meant a lot and it honestly turned my week around. I hope we can get together soon.”

For an interview

Just about any professional experience can shape you. Interviews are no exception. No matter how well (or how poorly) an interview went, it’s important to recognize that someone took the time to sit down with you, with potentially no direct benefit to them in return. 

• “Thank you so much for taking the time to speak with me and the steps I should be taking in my career. I look forward to connecting again soon, and wish you the best of luck with this process.”
• “I greatly appreciate you taking time out of your schedule to discuss [this]. It was a great opportunity for me to learn more about our field from a professional as yourself.”
• “Thank you so much for considering me for [this] position. I will take all of your advice to heart and apply from now on. I look forward to hearing from you!”
• “Thank you for seeing potential in me. I will continue to work on [the] skills that we touched on during my interview. I had a wonderful time speaking with you and look forward to connecting again soon.”
• “I really appreciate you setting time aside to discuss [this] with me. I hope you know our conversation has given me a lot to think about and I am excited to apply what I have learned.”

For a teacher, boss, client, or professional connection

It’s important to thank individuals that we view as mentors or superiors. Perhaps one of these individuals taught you a difficult lesson, or told you something that you actually needed to hear (but didn’t necessarily want to). Thanking him or her can show tremendous maturity and growth. Their roles may also come along with a good bit of pressure, and they may not get thanked often, if at all.  

• “Thank you so much for all you do. Your work ethic and professionalism are truly inspiring!”
• “I just wanted to let you know I’m very grateful to work with you. I’m thrilled that I get to learn from you and contribute to [this] project, and I’m so excited to see the results.”
• “I’ve experienced a huge amount of growth both personally and professionally since I started working with you, and I hope that my work is a reflection of that. Of course, I know that if there’s room for additional growth, you’ll let me know. Cheers.”
• “Thank you for taking the time to work on [this] with me. It means the world that you take time out of your schedule to ensure I don’t get left behind.” 
• “Thank you for believing in me. I’m so grateful that I get to be your student. You’re amazing!”

Recognize Your Opportunity

A heartfelt thank you note can be just as impactful as the gesture itself. Your expression of gratitude can easily create a ripple effect and motivate a further cycle of giving and gratitude. Don’t ever diminish the power that even a simple thank you note can have.

Much like the gesture that inspired the note, you too can turn someone’s day (or quite frankly, life) around. For more support about navigating difficult-to-write messages, such as condolences , as well as end-of-life planning , check out the rest of Cake. 

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50 Thoughtful Notes of Thanks to Express Sincere Gratitude

Category: Thank Yous

Figuring out the right words for a note of thanks can be challenging. Whether it’s to express gratitude for a gift, professional gesture, or an act of kindness, our guide makes it simple. We provide you with concise strategies, many examples of notes of thanks, and the essential dos and don’ts for tailoring your message to any context.

Key Takeaways

The opening: set a grateful tone, mentioning why you are thanking them, conclude with warm wishes, wedding day thank you notes, birthday thank you notes, baby shower thank you notes, professional business thank you notes, for the incredible friend, for the inspiring teacher, for the kind neighbor, for the supportive coworker, for the supportive family member, honoring a dedicated worker, workplace thank-you phrases, personal notes of gratitude, how handwrytten can help, how do you say thank you for all you do, what is an example of a thank you note, why is personalizing a thank-you note important, how can i express gratitude for different occasions, what should i include in a professional thank-you note.

• A well-crafted thank-you note should express heartfelt gratitude, provide specific details of what is being thanked for, and be promptly delivered to show genuine appreciation.
• Expressing thanks in professional contexts reinforces client relationships, leaves a positive impression post-interview, and can deepen collaboration and team morale when acknowledging contributions.
• The medium of a thank-you message, be it handwritten or digital, carries significance, with handwritten notes offering a personal touch and digital messages providing immediacy and efficiency.

Crafting the perfect note of thanks

Imagine receiving a handwritten thank-you note. The time taken to pen the message, the unique handwriting, the heartfelt words – aren’t they all a testament to the sender’s sincere appreciation?

Crafting a thank-you note involves more than simply expressing gratitude. It’s an opportunity to personalize your message, express your feelings directly, and demonstrate that you value the recipient’s thoughtfulness.

To craft the perfect thank-you note, it’s necessary to understand a few crucial components. The opening sets the tone, the body of the message carries the weight of your gratitude, and the conclusion wraps up your feelings neatly. Let’s delve deeper into each of these aspects.

The opening of your thank-you note plays a pivotal role in establishing a tone of gratitude.

Open with phrases that immediately express your gratitude, such as ‘Thank you so much,’ or ‘I am grateful for…’. This not only sets the tone of sincere gratitude but also focuses on the personal impact of the recipient’s actions.

Personalizing the note by acknowledging a specific detail about the recipient’s gift or action, for instance, can make a significant difference in how your message is received. This way, you can convey your heartfelt appreciation right from the beginning, paving the way for a meaningful thank-you message.

The underlying reason for your gratitude constitutes the heart of your thank-you note. Your thank-you note should:

• Acknowledge the specific gift or favor
• Share original thoughts about its unique significance
• Mention how you plan to use the gift or how their support has moved you.

Such detailed appreciation not only conveys your sincere thanks but also highlights the value of their precious gift in your relationship. Remember, genuine enjoyment and practical appreciation of the gift make your thank-you note more authentic and meaningful.

The conclusion of your thank-you note holds equal importance as its beginning. Ending on a positive note and repeating your thanks ensures that your note leaves a lasting, favorable impression. Expressing excitement for future interactions demonstrates an appreciation for the ongoing relationship. Depending on the tone of your message, you can opt for a formal, warm, or casual sign-off like ‘With sincere gratitude,’ ‘Warmly,’ or ‘Cheers!’.

This not only concludes your thank-you note but also leaves the recipient with a sense of your warm wishes and gratitude, thank you for always being there.

Expressing thanks for various occasions

Gratitude can be expressed in numerous ways, and it’s necessary to adapt your thank-you notes to various occasions. Be it a wedding day, a birthday bash, or a baby shower, the essence of expressing gratitude remains the same, but the specific context brings in a unique flavor.

So, how can we ensure that our thank-you messages resonate appropriately with the occasion? Let’s delve into various examples of notes of thanks for different occasions.

Your special day was made even more memorable with the love and support of those around you! Sending out a thank-you note after your wedding day is a kind gesture that acknowledges your guests’ efforts and contributions. Here’s how you can make each note as special as they made your day:

1. Example for a close family member:

Dear Aunt Maggie,

Thank you so much for being part of our big day! Your presence meant the world to us, and the beautiful crystal vase you gifted us has already found its perfect spot in our living room. Every time we look at it, we’re reminded of your love and generosity. Can’t wait to have you over for dinner soon!

With love and hugs,

Emily and Luke

2. Example for a friend:

I’m so grateful you could make it to our wedding! Your dance moves were legendary and truly brought joy to everyone. Plus, your thoughtful gift will definitely help us kickstart our new life together. Let’s catch up over a game night soon?

Jen and Dan

3. Example for a coworker:

Dear Janet,

Your warm wishes on our wedding day were incredibly touching. Thank you for the elegant set of wine glasses – what a thoughtful gift! You’ll have to join us for a toast to celebrate one of these evenings. Your kindness is greatly appreciated.

Anna and Mark

4. Example for a distant relative:

Dear Uncle Larry,

Thank you for being part of our special day, even though you had to travel quite a distance! Your presence meant the world to us. We’re extremely grateful for your generous gift – it will definitely come in handy as we embark on this new journey together. Let’s plan that family reunion soon!

Love always,

Sophie and Tom

5. Example for a group of friends:

Hey everyone!

We can’t thank you enough for celebrating our wedding day with us! It was an incredible day filled with love, laughter, and unforgettable memories. Thank you for the experience at the vineyard – we enjoyed every minute of it! Let’s plan another trip together soon?

Megan and Ryan

6. Example for a distant friend:

Dear Sarah,

Even though you couldn’t make it to our wedding, your warm wishes and thoughtful gift arrived just in time! We were deeply touched by the beautiful photo frame – it’s already hanging in our home. We’ll definitely have you over for dinner soon so we can catch up properly.

Katie and David

Birthdays are a time to celebrate with loved ones, enjoy delicious treats, and create unforgettable memories. A birthday party is incomplete without the friends and family who shower us with love, hugs, and thoughtful gifts. Let’s see how we can express our gratitude for their presence and presents:

7. Example for a best friend

Thank you for making my birthday so special! Your surprise party was amazing, and I’m still in awe of the customized scrapbook – it’s one of my most treasured possessions now. Can’t wait to celebrate your birthday next month!

8. Example for a family member:

Dear Grandpa,

Thank you for coming to my birthday party! Your presence always brings a smile to my face. I’m so grateful for the new camera – can’t wait to capture all our family gatherings with it. See you soon!

9. Example for a coworker:

I was delighted to see you at my birthday lunch! Thank you for taking the time out of your busy schedule to celebrate with us. And the gift card for my favorite bookstore is just perfect – I can’t wait to use it! Let’s plan a team outing soon?

10. Example for a distant friend:

I’m so grateful you remembered my birthday and sent me such a thoughtful gift all the way from across the country! The scarf is beautiful, and I’ve been getting so many compliments on it. Let’s catch up over a video call soon!

Welcoming a new addition to the family is a magical experience filled with love and excitement. A baby shower brings together friends and family to celebrate this joyous occasion and shower the parents-to-be with love, blessings, and adorable gifts. Here’s how you can thank your loved ones for their support during this special time:

11. Example for a close friend:

Thank you so much for organizing the baby shower and making it such a memorable event! Your attention to detail was amazing, and I’m in love with the handmade blanket you gave us – it’s perfect for our little one. Let’s plan a playdate soon?

12. Example for a family member:

Dear Aunt Rachel,

Thank you for coming to my baby shower and making me feel so loved and supported! Your gift of baby clothes is adorable, and I can’t wait to dress up the little one in them. Thank you for all your love and guidance – I look up to you as a role model.

13. Example for a coworker:

Thank you for attending my baby shower and bringing such a thoughtful gift! The diaper bag is going to be so useful, especially with all the pockets and compartments. Can’t wait for our little ones to meet each other!

14. Example for a distant relative:

Dear Uncle Ben,

Thank you for the beautiful card and gift you sent us for our baby shower! Your warm wishes and kind words mean so much to us. We can’t wait to introduce our little one to you when we visit next summer!

Jack and Emily

15. Example for a group of friends:

I can’t thank you enough for the amazing baby shower and all your love and support! The diaper cake was so creative, and we’ll definitely use all the diapers. Your friendship means everything to me, and I’m grateful to have you in my life.

In the business world, expressing gratitude is an essential part of maintaining strong relationships and building a positive reputation. Whether it’s thanking a client for their business or showing appreciation to a colleague for their hard work, sending a thank you note can go a long way in strengthening professional connections. Let’s see some examples of how to write professional business thank you notes :

16. Example for a client:

Dear Ms. Johnson,

Thank you for choosing our company for your project! It was a pleasure working with you and your team, and we’re thrilled to hear that the end result exceeded your expectations. We look forward to collaborating with you on future projects.

Best regards,

17. Example for a colleague:

I wanted to express my gratitude for all your hard work and dedication on the recent project. Your contributions were crucial in its success, and I’m thankful to have you as a teammate. Looking forward to working together on more projects in the future.

18. Example for an interviewer:

Dear Mr. Thompson,

Thank you for taking the time to interview me for the sales position at your company. I appreciate the opportunity to learn more about the role and your company’s culture. Your insights were valuable, and I’m excited about the potential of joining your team.

Emily Brown

19. Example for a mentor:

Dear Ms. Harris,

I cannot thank you enough for being my mentor these past few months. Your guidance and advice have been invaluable to me, and I’m grateful for the opportunity to learn from someone as experienced and knowledgeable as you. Thank you for investing your time in my professional development.

20. Example for a business partner:

Dear Mr. Patel,

Thank you for your partnership on our recent project! The results exceeded our expectations, and I’m grateful for your expertise and collaboration. It’s a pleasure doing business with you, and I look forward to our continued success together.

Julia Smith

Personalized thank you notes for special people

There are individuals in our lives who occupy a cherished spot in our hearts. Friends who’ve been with us through thick and thin, teachers who’ve guided us on our academic journey, each deserving of a heartfelt thank-you note.

Let’s explore how to craft personalized notes filled with sincere gratitude for these special people.

21. Example for a romantic partner:

My dearest John,

I can’t thank you enough for being by my side through all the ups and downs. You’re not just my partner, but my best friend, and I’m grateful every day to have you in my life. Thank you for always supporting and loving me unconditionally.

Forever yours,

22. Example for a childhood friend:

Dear Rachel,

Thank you for being my rock since we were kids. I cherish all the memories we’ve made and look forward to creating more in the years to come. You’re not just a friend, but family, and I’m so grateful for our bond.

Love you always,

23. Example for a long-distance friend:

Thank you for always staying in touch and being an incredible friend despite the miles between us. Your calls, texts, and care packages mean the world to me. Can’t wait to see you again soon and catch up properly.

24. Example for a high school teacher:

Dear Mrs. Johnson,

I wanted to thank you for being more than just a teacher but also a mentor and role model. Your classes were always my favorite, and your guidance helped me shape my career path. I’ll always be grateful for the impact you’ve had on my life.

25. Example for a college professor:

Dear Professor Smith,

I wanted to express my gratitude for your dedication and support during my time at university. Your classes challenged me to think outside the box, and your mentorship helped me grow both personally and professionally. Thank you for being an amazing professor.

26. Example for a music teacher:

Dear Ms. Davis,

Thank you for teaching me not just how to play an instrument but also the value of hard work and perseverance. Your passion for music was contagious, and I’m forever grateful for the lessons you’ve taught me. You’ve inspired me to pursue my dreams in the world of music.

27. Example for a helpful neighbor:

Dear Mr. and Mrs. Lopez,

Thank you for being such wonderful neighbors! Your kindness and willingness to lend a helping hand have not gone unnoticed. We feel lucky to have you as our neighbors, and we’re grateful for the sense of community you’ve created in our neighborhood.

With thanks,

The Johnsons

28. Example for a friendly neighbor:

I just wanted to say thank you for always being so friendly and welcoming to me since I moved in. Your kindness has made my transition to a new neighborhood much smoother, and I’m fortunate to have you as my neighbor.

29. Example for a thoughtful neighbor:

Thank you for always keeping an eye on our house when we’re away and for bringing in our mail and packages. Your thoughtfulness means a lot to us, and we’re lucky to have such a caring neighbor like you.

30. Example for a teamwork-oriented coworker:

I wanted to take a moment to thank you for being an amazing teammate! Your dedication, hard work, and positive attitude have made a huge difference in our team’s success. It’s a pleasure working with someone who values teamwork as much as I do.

31. Example for a mentor-like coworker:

Dear Maria,

Thank you for being more than just a colleague but also a mentor to me. Your guidance and advice have been invaluable, and I’m grateful for the opportunity to learn from someone as experienced and knowledgeable as you. You’ve made a significant impact on my professional growth.

32. Example for a collaborative coworker:

I wanted to thank you for being an incredible collaborator! Your creativity, expertise, and open-mindedness have helped us achieve some amazing results on our projects. I truly appreciate your willingness to work together and the positive energy you bring to our team.

33. Example for a sibling:

I wanted to thank you for always being there for me, no matter what. You’re not just my brother, but also my confidant and biggest supporter. I couldn’t have asked for a better sibling, and I’m grateful to have you in my life.

34. Example for a parent:

Dear Mom and Dad,

I can never thank you enough for everything you’ve done for me. You’ve always been my rock, my cheerleader, and my guiding light. I’m blessed to have such amazing parents who’ve shaped me into the person I am today. Thank you for your unwavering love and support.

With all my heart,

35. Example for a grandparent:

Dear Grandma,

I wanted to express my gratitude for all the wisdom, love, and stories you’ve shared with me over the years. You’re not just my grandma, but also a role model and friend. I’m so lucky to have you in my life, and I’ll always cherish our special bond.

36. Example for a loyal employee:

I wanted to recognize your hard work and dedication to the company. Your commitment and contributions have not gone unnoticed, and I appreciate all that you do to make our team successful. Thank you for being an exceptional employee.

37. Example for a dedicated volunteer:

Thank you for your unwavering commitment to our organization. Your selflessness and dedication to helping others are truly inspiring, and we couldn’t do it without volunteers like you. You make a significant impact in the community, and we’re grateful for your service.

The Volunteer Committee

38. Example for a devoted caregiver:

Dear Mrs. Rodriguez,

I wanted to take a moment to express my appreciation for your tireless care and devotion to our loved one. Your kindness, patience, and compassion have made all the difference during this difficult time. We are fortunate to have you as a caregiver, and we cannot thank you enough.

With sincere gratitude,

The Smith Family

39. For a job well done:

Great work, team!

Excellent job, everyone.

We couldn’t have done it without you.

You all knocked it out of the park!

Kudos on a successful project.

40. For going above and beyond:

I’m blown away by your dedication.

Thank you for going above and beyond!

Your hard work does not go unnoticed.

I appreciate your extra effort.

You truly exceeded expectations.

41. For teamwork and collaboration:

Teamwork makes the dream work!

Thank you for working together so seamlessly.

Everyone played a crucial role in this project’s success.

It was a pleasure collaborating with all of you.

We make an amazing team!

42. For support and encouragement:

Thank you for always being a source of support and encouragement.

I couldn’t have done it without you.

Your words meant a lot to me.

You are an incredible motivator.

43. For a positive attitude:

Your positivity is infectious!

Thank you for bringing such a positive energy to the workplace.

I appreciate your upbeat attitude, even during tough times.

You make the workplace a happier place.

44. For being reliable and dependable:

I can always count on you.

Thank you for consistently delivering high-quality work.

Your reliability is unmatched.

It’s such a relief knowing I can rely on you.

45. To a friend:

I just wanted to let you know how much your friendship means to me. Your support, laughter, and companionship have helped me get through some tough times. I am blessed to have a friend like you in my life.

46. To a family member:

Dear Aunt Linda,

Thank you for all the love and guidance you’ve given me over the years. You’ve always been like a second mother to me, and I’m grateful for your presence in my life. I hope you know how much you are loved and appreciated.

47. To a teacher or mentor:

I wanted to express my gratitude for all the knowledge and guidance you have imparted on me. You have not only taught me academic subjects but also valuable life lessons. I am grateful for your dedication and passion for teaching.

48. To a neighbor:

I just wanted to thank you for always being there to lend a helping hand. Whether it’s mowing our lawn or watching our dog, your kindness and generosity do not go unnoticed. We are lucky to have such a wonderful neighbor like you.

49. To a healthcare worker:

Dear Dr. Patel,

I cannot thank you enough for your expertise and compassionate care during my recent hospital stay. Your patience, kindness, and skill made all the difference in my recovery. I am grateful to have you as my doctor.

With sincere appreciation,

50. To a random act of kindness:

Dear Stranger,

I wanted to thank you for your random act of kindness today. Your gesture brightened my day and reminded me that there are still good people in the world. I will pay it forward and spread kindness wherever I go.

Thank you from the bottom of my heart,

Expressing gratitude is a simple yet powerful way to acknowledge the kindness and generosity of others. Whether it’s a handwritten note, a professional email, a social media shoutout, or a personalized message for a special person, a heartfelt thank-you note can make all the difference. It not only conveys your sincere appreciation but also strengthens relationships and leaves a lasting impression.

That’s why Handwrytten is here to help you make a lasting impact with your gratitude. With Handwrytten, you can effortlessly send personalized, handwritten notes that truly stand out. So, take a moment to express your gratitude. After all, a little thank-you can go a long way!

Frequently Asked Questions About Notes of Thanks

Thank you for all that you do. Your hard work and support are truly appreciated. (No date)

A good example of a thank you note would be:

“Dear [Name],

I am writing this note to express my deepest gratitude for your incredible generosity and thoughtfulness. Your selfless actions have touched my heart and made a lasting impact on my life.”

Personalizing a thank-you note is important because it demonstrates to the recipient that you value their thoughtfulness and effort, creating a genuine and heartfelt connection.

You can express gratitude for different occasions by tailoring your thank-you notes to match the specific event, such as weddings, birthdays, and baby showers. This ensures that your message resonates appropriately with the occasion.

In a professional thank-you note, be sure to express gratitude for ongoing support, acknowledge the recipient’s hard work and dedication, and mention the value of their contributions.

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40 Meaningful Thank You Notes to Give Your Mentor

Here is a list of 40 meaningful thank you notes to give your mentor to show them how thankful you are for their help and guidance.

#1 Through your mentorship, you’ve had good answers and solutions for everything that needed to be addressed. I’ve learned things that would never have crossed my mind through your tutelage, and I’d like to thank you for the difference you’ve made in my career.

#2 I feel very lucky to have you as a mentor. Thank you for all of the hard but necessary lessons that you have taught me. I have a tremendous amount of faith in myself and my abilities because of your ongoing encouragement.

#3 Thank you for always guiding me back to the right path. I really do not know where I would be without you, other than lost! Your support and teaching have gifted me with perspective and direction I would not have otherwise had, and I thank you.

#4 Within a short period of time, you’ve taught me things that would have taken me years to learn. Thank you for mentoring me and allowing me to benefit from your many years of experience.

#5 You are undoubtedly the greatest role model of all time. I admire all that you do, and I hope to follow in your footsteps. Your leadership has made me strive to fulfill my true potential.

#6 Because of the time that you took with me, I feel as though your mentorship is going to take my career to new heights. Thank you for having gone out of your way to help me.

#7 Your useful and excellent advice will always remain with me. You have been such an exemplary mentor, and I cannot thank you enough. I appreciate everything you have taught me. Thank you for always inspiring me.

#8 I don’t know if you’re aware of this, but I’ve always considered you to be just as much of a mentor as you are a friend. Thank you for being a shining example for me to glean from.

#9 I learned so many remarkable qualities from observing you. I am more patient, dedicated, and focused because of your help. My success is due to all of your guidance and constant support.

#10 I was unaware of what I didn’t know until you started mentoring me. Thank you for your time, effort, patience, and care with me throughout every conversation we have shared.

#11 Thank you so much for all that you have done for me. You have worked tirelessly to help me in any way you saw possible. I will never forget your kindness and words of wisdom.

#12 I was growing stale at heart with my career until your mentoring program rekindled the fire and excitement that I had earlier on in my career. Thank you for bringing my spark back.

#13 Your encouragement and professional advice given through the mentoring lunch the other day was spot on, and I’d like to thank you for bringing to my attention so many valuable points for me to contemplate and put into action.

#14 Please know that I am so thrilled to always receive your support. Thank you for never giving up on me or on my wildest dreams. You always help me to get back onto my feet when life knocks me down.

#15 Thank you for being so positive every time I wound up getting discouraged. Your patience with me was in abundance, and I don’t know where I would have wound up without your mentorship.

#16 By being my mentor, you have given me invaluable gifts that will carry me through life. I am confident and sure of myself because of your shining example. Thank you for being you.

#17 Thank you endlessly for so willingly giving me your time and effort. I promise to always strive to be the greatest I can be. Your dedication to guiding me has never gone unnoticed or unappreciated.

#18 Thank you for the mentoring session over lunch the other day. I learned a lot, and I appreciate the time you took to make sure everything was well understood.

#19 Thank you for all of your guidance throughout our conversation. You’re a gifted mentor, and your ability to make things so clear over the phone proves it.

#20 The mentoring session that you held opened my eyes to things that I would never have thought about. Thank you for taking my questions and being so thorough with your answers.

#21 I will never stop being grateful for your guidance. You have been instrumental in shaping me as a person. Thank you for being a truly exceptional leader with amazing skills that I look up to.

#22 You have been my guide, tutor, and mentor, throughout every step along the way. To say I appreciate your time would be an understatement, and I thank you.

#23 I will forever treasure the perspective and insights you have shared with me and the skills you have taught me. I am a better person today because of you. Please accept my heartfelt thanks and gratitude.

#24 Thank you for the mentoring session that you set up to help us understand the new system being put into place. Everything I learned will make my job much easier, and I appreciate it.

#25 The qualities that you display as you mentor and educate us are truly an inspiration. Thank you for making a positive difference in the way things operate around here.

#26 When we were first introduced, I knew absolutely nothing. Now, having been under your mentorship for so long, I know full well that you have changed my life for the better, and I thank you.

#27 Thank you for always pushing me to my limit. You have always given me amazing advice and been so generous with your time. I owe many of my greatest triumphs to you.

#28 You really do know how to lead by example. Thank you so much for always motivating and encouraging me in all that I attempt and do. You had lifted me up when I needed it most.

#29 You really are everything one could hope to find in an extraordinary mentor. I am eternally grateful to you for your endless support and guidance. Please, never change your selflessness and dedication to helping others.

#30 You truly have so many wonderful and awe-inspiring qualities. You have been the best mentor I’ve ever had the pleasure of knowing. You have played such an integral and key role in my life.

The Most Famous Quotes to Include with Your Thank You Message to Your Mentor

“Life is a process. We are a process. The universe is a process.” Anne Wilson Schaef

“Growth and comfort do not coexist.” Ginni Rometty

“Change the way you look at things and the things you look at change.” Wayne Dyer

“Good things take time.” John Wooden

“You never change your life until you step out of your comfort zone; change begins at the end of your comfort zone.” Roy T. Bennett

“In any given moment we have two options: to step forward into growth or step back into safety.” Abraham Maslow

“All things are difficult before they are easy.” Thomas Fuller

“To improve is to change; to be perfect is to change often.” Winston Churchill

“Dreams are the seeds of change. Nothing ever grows without a seed, and nothing ever changes without a dream.” Debby Boone

“Wisdom is the best guide and faith is the best companion.” Dalai Lama

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