The application process for undergraduate admission often requires prospective students to submit essays. Two common essay types are those submitted through the Common Application and those specifically requested by individual institutions, such as Penn State University. The Common Application essay is a general essay used for multiple college applications, while the essay for Penn State allows for a more tailored and specific response to the university’s prompt.
Submitting thoughtful and well-crafted essays is crucial in demonstrating a candidate’s writing ability, critical thinking skills, and personality. The Common Application essay offers broad flexibility in topic selection, enabling students to showcase a significant aspect of their background, identity, interest, or talent. Institutions like Penn State utilize their supplemental essays to assess a candidate’s specific interest in the university and their preparedness for its academic environment and offerings.