Application Instructions: Writing a Strong Personal Statement
As part of your admissions application to a Penn Engineering Online degree program, you’ll need to write a personal statement—an essay designed to help us get to know the real person behind your grades and test scores. A strong personal statement can tip the scales in your favor, so we encourage you to give it your best effort.
What is the personal statement?
The personal statement is a 1,000-1,500 word essay that answers the following questions for your selected program. We encourage you to include detailed, specific examples from your academic, research or industry work if possible.
MCIT Online
- What makes you interested in the MCIT Online program?
- How will you benefit from the program?
- Why will you succeed in the program?
- How will you contribute to the MCIT Online community?
- How do you plan to incorporate an average of 15 hours per week per course of studies into your lifestyle?
- Please describe your career goals and how the MCIT Online curriculum will help to achieve them.
- Given that the program is designed for people without a CS background, if you feel that your resume could be perceived as overqualified, please explain why MCIT Online is right for you.
MSE-DS Online:
- What makes you interested in the MSE-DS Online program?
- How will you benefit from the program?
- Describe your career goals and how the MSE-DS Online curriculum will help to achieve them.
- Why will you succeed in the program?
- How will you contribute to the MSE-DS Online community?
- Given the time commitment required to successfully complete the program, how do you plan to incorporate an average of 15 hours per week per course of studies into your lifestyle?
Reapplicants:
Please address this additional required question to your respective essay (250 words):
- Please discuss any updates to your candidacy since you last applied (e.g., changes in your professional life, additional coursework, extracurricular/volunteer engagements). If after reading our online materials you think your application may have been perceived as overqualified, please explain why this program is right for you.
How can I make my personal statement stand out?
Write authentically, from the heart. Express your passion for computer science and explain why you are a good fit for the program. We won’t have the opportunity to interview you, so the personal statement is your chance to showcase your strengths and explain discrepancies.
- Address potential weaknesses in your application. Are there gaps or inconsistent grades in your academic history, particularly in quantitative ability? Use the personal statement to provide context—and to give examples of how you will do better. It’s also an opportunity to explain why you’re a good fit for the program even if you appear to be overqualified.
- Read the questions carefully. A personal statement that doesn’t fully address the questions could hurt your chances of admittance.
- Explain how you will manage your time during the program. Each course requires a commitment of about 15-18 hours a week. How will you juggle that with your other commitments, especially if you are currently enrolled in another degree program?
- Share your accomplishments. Have you done any online learning or taken additional coursework to prepare for the program? The personal statement is an opportunity to highlight those achievements.
- Get a second opinion. Once you’ve written a draft, ask someone who knows you well to read it. An extra set of eyes is essential to help you avoid typos and make a clear and compelling case for your candidacy.
Learn More
Get more tips on the application process by watching this Admissions Webinar, checking our MCIT Online or MSE-DS Online admission pages, or contacting us.