How will you explore your intellectual and academic interests at the University of Pennsylvania(https://www.upenn.edu/)? Please answer this question given the specific undergraduate school to which you are applying. (400-650 words)

Solution

How will you explore your intellectual and academic interests at the University of Pennsylvania?

American television journalist and anchor, Andrea Mitchell once said, “When I entered college, it was to study liberal arts. At the University of Pennsylvania, I studied English literature, but I fell in love with broadcasting.”  I love how the University of Pennsylvania brings out your true identity, your true passion through its various program.  I hope to find my own identity while studying at the University.

I plan to study economics at the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania. This subject greatly fascinates me, especially its global interconnectedness and how it differs from country to country and culture to culture. To truly understand economics, I must travel to different countries and learn about how it works in practice. Wharton not only offers me the opportunity to visit other countries, but to spend meaningful time living and studying all over the world through Warton-approved study abroad programs. I studied Spanish for four years in high school, and I would love to use that knowledge to go to class and learn in Spanish. The University of Pennsylvania offers me this opportunity through its programs in Buenos Aires, Barcelona, and Madrid. One key quality that puts the University of Pennsylvania as my first choice is the unique opportunity to study in a variety of locations and study in another language.

One of the most interesting points of difference about University of Pennsylvania is the Lunch & Learn. Through this program, I can meet a Ph.D. student. As a high school student, I do not fully understand all the research possibilities or the value of having a Ph.D. degree. Meeting with a PhD student will give me the opportunity to understand this and find a clear path to possibly obtaining PhD. In addition to meeting with a Ph.D. student, I can also meet with a professor. This will help my transition to college and help me build important relationships with my teachers, mentors, and research partners. I love that Wharton is providing me with this opportunity to meet with a professor a PhD student so that I can learn more about them and they can learn more about me.

I have experience being a leader as part of the ACE program and I plan to develop my leadership skills further at Wharton. I love how Wharton offers three types of leadership ventures: workshops, intensives, and expeditions, organized to increase in difficulty as my skills continue to grow.  I appreciate Wharton’s initiative to give limited opportunities to quit through stress and uncertainty in these ventures because it will instill in me a sense of perseverance. When I am working in the financial world, this is all that I will have, and I greatly value Wharton’s dedication to simulate this during my college experience.

I am a firm believer that every subject has something to offer. Taking coursework in a variety of subjects will work with my knowledge of economics to help me succeed. Wharton offers me the opportunity to minor in a variety of subjects, such as ancient history, physics, international relations, or even philosophy. Each subject has something new to offer me, whether it is the skill to challenge beliefs or the skill to inquire. Both of these skills work perfectly with economics.

As I mentioned earlier, I want to participate in the undergraduate research at Wharton. I believe that Wharton will help me get started on my research through resources like WURB, CURF, and Penn  Roadmap to Research. Additionally, I can participate in research opportunities like Research assistantships, Scholars programs, and the Wharton Ph.D. Submatriculation Program. By participating in these research opportunities, I will have the potential to become the next John Maynard Keynes. All of the different aspects the University will give me the necessary skills and knowledge to create something new, something innovative for the betterment of humanity.