statementory

How to Write Penn's College of Arts and Sciences Essay

Something you are curious about and how you might pursue it in the College of Arts and Sciences.

50-200 wordsCollege of Arts and Sciences only · RequiredWhy this major or school2026-27
University of Pennsylvania's wording, checked October 26, 2026
“The College of Arts and Sciences is designed to foster discovery and connection. Describe something you are curious about—something you'd like to learn more about or find a new approach to—and how you might pursue that curiosity in the College.”

How to approach it

  1. 1Name the curiosity as a question.
  2. 2Show how you have already chased it.
  3. 3Name College departments, courses or ways of learning that fit; Penn suggests reviewing the curriculum.

A structure that works

One way to shape this answer. It describes moves, not sentences: the words have to be yours.

  1. 1The question you are curious about.
  2. 2What you have done to explore it.
  3. 3How the College would let you pursue it, specifically.

Where the 200 words go

PartWords
Where the interest comes fromabout 70
How you think about the subjectabout 60
Your path at this collegeabout 70

Mistakes to avoid

  • Curiosity in general.
  • No link to the College itself.

The checklist our grader uses for this question

When you check your Penn answers, this answer is read against these 5 areas. Each comes back Met, Partly or Missing with a quote from your draft as evidence, and together with the 50-200 words limit they set its readiness verdict.

AreaWhat a reader looks for
Answers the questionThe opening sentences answer what was asked, plainly, before background or a hook; every part of a multi-part question is answered.
Where the interest comes fromA specific, preferably recent experience (a class, project, job, reading, problem) shows the interest is real, not a stated passion.
How you think about itThe reader sees the applicant's own thinking: a question they pursue, a connection they made, a view of the field.
Your path at this collegeIt names how this school's curriculum, structure or opportunities fit the plan, specifically enough that it would not fit another school unchanged.
Penn's askNames the curiosity and how the applicant would pursue it in the College (departments, courses, ways of learning).

Check your Penn answers

Paste this answer (and any other Penn answers you have). One report covers all of them: the checklist above for each, a note on every sentence, coaching questions and a revision plan. Half a token, or your first review free. We never write a word of it.

Check your college supplemental essays

Your first full review is free. Every answer reviewed in one report.

Answers 0Words 0Choose a college below

Not affiliated with or endorsed by Common App or any college.

Open the picker and search for a college to see its 2026–27 supplemental questions.

No card needed · one free full review per student · we never write your answers

Questions

How long is Penn's "College of Arts and Sciences" essay?

50 to 200 words.

Is it required?

College of Arts and Sciences only · Required. Penn's full set of questions is on the Penn supplemental essays page.

Can I reuse an essay from another college for this prompt?

Not without real changes. Readers spot answers that would work for any college; at least half of this answer should be about Penn specifically, tied to you.

Can Statementory write or improve my answer?

We never write or rewrite it: colleges ask you to affirm your essays are your own work. Our checker reviews it against the checklist on this page, quotes your own words, and asks the questions only you can answer.

More on Penn and this kind of question

PennAll of Penn's 2026-27 supplemental essays6 questionsPennHow to Write Penn's Thank-You Note Essay50-200 wordsPennHow to Write Penn's "Explore Community" Essay50-200 wordsPennHow to Write Penn's Wharton Essay50-200 wordsGuideHow to write the "Why this major" essay
The same kind of question at other colleges