"The 50m freestyle is next. Swimmers, take your positions." I stepped onto the diving platform as the announcer's voice echoed through the natatorium and tightened my goggles, not too tight, but just right, like Goldilocks' porridge. This was my debut since my hiatus from the U10 YMCA Sharks. Standing on the diving board, I could feel the power of the room engulf my being; energy filled my body while my fingers began to tingle. "Chariots of Fire" by Vangelis began...

University of Pennsylvania As someone who has been fascinated by the linked operations of economic systems and governmental procedures since my discovery of video games such as Civilization, Total War, and Age of Empires, my dream is to pursue a concentration in Business Economies and Public Policy (BEPP) at The Wharton School. While self-studying for the Macroeconomic and Microeconomic Advanced Placement exams in my sophomore and junior years, I found myself able to understand the basics of core, economic principles;...

University of Michigan Q: Everyone belongs to many different communities and/or groups defined by (among other things) shared geography, religion, ethnicity, income, cuisine, interest, race, ideology, or intellectual heritage. Choose one of the communities to which you belong, and describe that community and your place within it (250 words). A: My life and cultural background have been shaped by the Soviet-expat community of Northeast Philadelphia. My parents, who immigrated to America from Azerbaijan in 1991, created a support network within this...

University of Michigan This is a tweaked version of my Why Penn essay. I highly suggest to do the same when it comes to writing multiple essays that discuss similar topics. As someone who has been fascinated by the linked operations of economic systems and governmental procedures since my discovery of videogames such as Civilization, Total War, and Age of Empires, I am excited to pursue a concentration in economics and a minor in international studies at the College of...

Gazing at my Twitter feed, I see the comments of friends and families reduced to what might be described as the incoherent ramblings of deranged lunatics. I begin to think: since the dawn of mankind, the drive to simplify and expedite has been at the core of progress. From nomadic hunting to permanent farming, carriages to cars, encyclopedias to Wikipedia, advancement has been characterized by the human desire to make every facet of daily life easier, quicker, more efficient. But...

University of Virginia Q: What work of art, music, science, mathematics, or literature has surprised, unsettled, or challenged you, and in what way (Half Page/Roughly 250 words)? A: I still remember the first time I heard of Ayn Rand: my older cousin, right before leaving to college, handed me a copy of Atlas Shrugged and told me to read it someday. At the ripe-old age of ten, I had more important things to do than read a thousand-page book. However,...

UC Berkeley Q: Describe the world you come from — for example, your family, community or school — and tell us how your world has shaped your dreams and aspirations (No specific world limit). A: Baku and Philadelphia: a tale of two cities. These places and their encompassing cultural distinctions have defined my life and the person I am. Growing up in a household run by Soviet expatriates from Azerbaijan, I spoke Russian before I spoke English; because of this, my young...

UC Berkeley Q: Tell us about a personal quality, talent, accomplishment, contribution or experience that is important to you. What about this quality or accomplishment makes you proud and how does it relate to the person you are? (No specific word limit). A: If you’ve ever played, you know that nothing can compare to the grueling nature, the tense ambience, and the painstaking physical and mental demand of an official chess match. Obviously, chess can be seen as a...

Penn State- Schreyer's Honors College Q: Many school districts have been faced with the decision to eliminate/cut back programs (academics, athletics, extra curriculars, etc.) in order to compensate for budget shortfalls. If you were in the position to make such decisions, what areas would you target for elimination/cut backs and why? (No specific word limit). A: Good evening ladies and gentlemen, Once again, we find ourselves at the annual budget meeting needing to find a program to eliminate...

Penn State- Schreyer's Honors College Q: You are required to spend the next year of your life in either the past or the future. What year would you travel to and why? (No specific word limit) A: Everyone dreams of traveling in time. As of now, this notion is not even close to becoming a reality but, after constant deliberation, many people already know exactly when and where they would go if the technology to make it a possibility is...

Penn was the only school that offered my an internship so I can only recount my experience from that one event. When applying to Penn, always expect an interview to follow your application. Penn is a school that prides itself on its dedicated alumni network and almost all prospective student the (mandatory) opportunity for an interview; out of the 30+ people that applied to Penn from my school, all of them were given...

I have always been interested in business and the study of economics. I ultimately chose the University of Pennsylvania, and the Wharton School of Business, because I felt it provided the...

When I was applying, it was difficult to figure out who I should ask to write me a recommendation letter. I had no idea which teachers to ask; should I diversify the subjects taught or ask the ones I know the best? Should I ask teachers I know will write better or the...

Penn is a very diverse campus, both in regards to the student body and the offered academic programs. When writing about Penn, many prospective students tend to generalize what interests about them; they focus too much space on describing the city of Philadelphia, the actual location and setting of the campus, the types of students that attend the college, and how "the great academic standing of Penn will help me be successful in the future." Try to avoid using these types of topics to discuss your interest....

When applying to Penn, and more specifically, when applying to the Wharton School, it is invaluable to have some sort of prior business experience that you can put on your...