Penn State Supplemental Essay

So, I'm applying to Penn State and trying to wrap my head around their supplemental essay. What are they looking for in the response? And do you guys have any tips or strategies to approach this essay?

When writing a supplemental essay for a college such as Penn State, it's important to keep a few things in mind. Penn State has some broad prompts, and they're often looking for a few key elements in your responses.

First and foremost, you should aim to demonstrate a genuine and informed interest in Penn State. Ideally, your essay should give the Admissions Committee a clear sense of why you believe Penn State is the ideal environment for you. To do this well, it helps to have specific knowledge about the school. This could include mentioning particular academic programs or faculty at Penn State that align with your interests or discussing aspects of the campus culture or community that you're eager to be a part of.

Secondly, these supplemental essays also provide an opportunity to showcase your personality and character. Admissions officers would like to get a sense of who you are, what your values are, and what you might contribute to the campus community. Therefore, when responding to the prompts, consider including personal anecdotes and experiences that highlight essential aspects of your identity and value system.

Besides these two core items, make sure to compose your essay following general academic writing standards. Keep your narrative cohesive, make sure your essay has a logical flow, and check for spelling and grammar errors. Also, ensure that you're directly and thoroughly answering the specific prompt you're given!

For example, if the prompt is asking about how you would contribute to the Penn State community, you might discuss your involvement in a similar community (like your high school or local neighborhood) and explain how you plan to translate those experiences and skills to the college setting.

Remember, authenticity carries considerable weight in these essays. Admissions officers read thousands of these, and they're usually quite adept at recognizing a genuine response versus one that's just trying to tell them what they think they want to hear. Best of luck with your essay!