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How to Write Penn's Thank-You Note Essay

A short thank-you note to someone you have not yet thanked. Penn even encourages you to share it with them. It shows gratitude, attention to others and your voice.

50-200 wordsRequiredCreative prompt2026-27
University of Pennsylvania's wording, checked October 26, 2026
“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!)”

How to approach it

  1. 1Write it to the person ("you"), not about them.
  2. 2Thank them for one specific thing they did, with the moment it happened.
  3. 3Say what it changed for you in one or two sentences, and stop.

A structure that works

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

  1. 1Address the person and name the moment.
  2. 2What they did, in specific detail.
  3. 3What it meant then and what it changed since.
  4. 4A last line only you could write to them.

Where the 200 words go

PartWords
The moment or exampleabout 80
What it shows or changedabout 70
Why it matters, or what you bringabout 50

Mistakes to avoid

  • Turning it into a list of your achievements.
  • Thanking someone for everything in general.

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.
Takes the form seriouslyIt follows the prompt's premise and form (a note reads like a note, an imagined event has rules) instead of turning into a standard essay.
An angle of your ownThe idea goes past the first one most applicants would have, with a specific, surprising choice.
Shows who you areThe play reveals the applicant's mind, values or humor; a reader learns something real about them.
Penn's askIs written as a note to the person ("you"), specific about what they did; the applicant's gratitude, not their achievements, is the subject.

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Questions

How long is Penn's "A thank-you note" essay?

50 to 200 words.

Is it required?

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?

You can start from material you have, but rewrite it for Penn's exact wording: answer every part of this question, and cut what it does not ask for.

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.

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