We are asked to write a thank-you note in the first Penn supplemental short-answer prompt. As part of this requirement, do we have to share the note with that person and reflect on it? Or is that optional?

For applicants applying in Fall 2022 onwards, we have added a new Penn-specific short answer prompt to our application requirements: Write a short thank-you note to someone you have not yet thanked and would like to acknowledge. Once you have written your short thank-you note, you have officially responded to the prompt and completed this requirement for Penn.

We also included an addendum at the end of the prompt stating: We encourage you to share this note with that person, if possible, and reflect on the experience! This part is optional, may not be possible for some, and is purely intended as a suggestion to allow you to more fully experience expressing gratitude.

Please check out the Penn Admissions Blog to learn more about our short-answer requirement and its motivation.