vanderbilt university essay requirements

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How to Write the Vanderbilt University Essay 2024-2025

Vanderbilt University is located in Nashville, Tennessee, and is a selective research university comprised of three undergraduate colleges: the College of Arts & Sciences, the School of Engineering, and the top-ranked Peabody College of Education and Human Development.

Vanderbilt prides itself on its balance between high academic standards and a supportive, involved student community, and is consistently ranked as having some of the happiest students in the country. With an admissions rate that has fallen to less than 5% for the Regular Decision round in recent years, acceptance is highly competitive and deeply coveted.

For the 2024-2025 application cycle, Vanderbilt requires one supplemental essay, which references the school’s exceptional reputation. Let’s break the prompt down, and learn how to write an outstanding essay that will set you apart within Vanderbilt’s highly competitive applicant pool.

Read this Vanderbilt essay example written by a real accepted student to inspire your writing!

Vanderbilt University Supplemental Essay Prompt

Vanderbilt university’s motto, crescere aude, is latin for “dare to grow.” in your response, reflect on how one or more aspects of your identity, culture, or background has played a role in your personal growth, and how it will contribute to our campus community as you dare to grow at vanderbilt., please provide your response in approximately 250 words. (200-400 words).

The prompt falls under the Diversity Essay archetype, which means Vanderbilt wants to learn how your background or identity has impacted your worldview and, in turn, your approach to life. Colleges use this prompt because they want to build classes that are diverse along many dimensions, not just the standard ones people associate with diversity.

What makes your background diverse could be your race and ethnicity, gender, language, socioeconomic class, illness and disability, country of origin, culture, religion, or even interests or hobbies. Think about these factors and identify the different communities you’re a part of.

Remember to consider aspects of your identity like competing on a team or even participation in an internet forum – even if these features may seem silly, our hobbies and personal passions can be just as meaningful as more traditional traditional communities, and can sometimes even do more to set you apart, as other students are less likely to write about them. The only thing that matters is choosing something that has significantly impacted your development.

Then, consider the emotions you feel about being part of that community, or claiming that identity, and any personality traits you might have developed as a result. Alternatively, do you have any distinctive skills or talents because of your background? Brainstorm two to three formative or otherwise significant experiences you’ve had because of your membership in this community to help you get inspired.

A quick note if you intend to write about your racial background: in June 2023, the United States Supreme Court struck down the use of affirmative action in college admissions. The ruling, however, still allows colleges to consider race on an individual basis, which is one reason many schools are now including diversity prompts as one of their supplemental essay prompts.

If you feel that your racial background has impacted you significantly, this is the place to discuss that. Of course, you are more than welcome to discuss something else, but do be aware that if you don’t discuss your racial background here (or in your personal statement), Vanderbilt will be unable to factor that aspect of your identity into their decision.

Regardless of which attribute of diversity you choose, you should strive for individuality and specificity in your response. Remember, college essays are an opportunity to showcase your unique life perspective. You don’t want to waste this opportunity by writing down some bland dictionary definitions or cliché statements.

Instead, think of what diversity means to you personally, and some aspect of your life that reflects that value. From there, think of personal anecdotes or stories about how diversity has contributed to your growth or development as a person – remember that showing, rather than simply telling, your points will make your essay much more compelling.

Follow the advice below in order to avoid common mistakes:

Don’t solely write about negative experiences. You may have had negative experiences as a result of your background or identity. While it’s generally fine to mention adversity, college essays usually want to see a positive outcome or lesson at the conclusion, to make your story one of growth and resilience, rather than solely hardship.

Example: “Growing up as a first-generation Egyptian-American, I always felt out of place, and struggled to balance the expectations of my parents with the reality of being raised in the U.S. I remember being embarrassed when they spoke to me in Arabic in front of my friends, which made me want to distance myself from my culture. I never really fit in with the other kids at school, and this made me feel isolated.

Because of these struggles, I developed a strong sense of independence and learned how to take care of myself. However, these experiences have also left me feeling disconnected from both my Egyptian roots and American culture. At Vanderbilt, I hope to find a community where I finally feel like I belong and can start fresh.”

Although this writer does briefly touch on independence and self-sufficiency, which are positive traits, and vaguely gestures at hoping for a fresh start at Vanderbilt, the overall tone of the essay is negative. As a result, admissions officers may wonder what they took away from this experience that will allow them to thrive in college.

There are a few different ways this student could fix this problem. For example, they could spend more time fleshing out the positive qualities they developed as a result of this experience, or they could go into more detail about the community they’re hoping to find at Vanderbilt, by citing particular clubs or programs that they think will help them find the community they’ve been missing.

Either of these approaches would show what the student has learned from overcoming this hardship, rather than keeping the focus solely on the hardship itself.

Don’t use a cliché topic like immigration, traveling, or moving. These events are very common, and it’s fine if they’re part of your background, but don’t make the entire essay centered around these clichés.

Example: “My journey as an immigrant from Mexico to the United States has shaped every aspect of who I am today. When I was six years old, my family moved to the U.S. in search of a better life. We faced many challenges, including learning a new language, adapting to a different culture, and dealing with financial hardships.

Despite these obstacles, my parents always encouraged me to work hard and never give up on my dreams. Their sacrifices motivated me to excel in school and become the first person in my family to attend college. I am proud of my heritage and the hard work it took to get here.

At Vanderbilt, I plan to continue this journey of success and make my parents proud by achieving great things. I hope to join cultural organizations that celebrate diversity and share my story with others to inspire them to overcome their own challenges. My experiences as an immigrant have taught me resilience, and I am eager to bring this determination to Vanderbilt.”

Of course, we don’t want to discount how impactful immigrating to a new country can be. The problem is not that the experience isn’t meaningful enough – rather, it’s that many other people have had a similar one, and taken away similar lessons from it.

Instead of focusing on these clichés, you could briefly provide context about immigrating from Mexico, and then focus on a less common aspect of your experience and give a more personal takeaway. For example, you could talk about how playing soccer with the kids in your neighborhood gave you a shared cultural touchpoint that was invaluable as you were acclimating to life in the US.

Don’t write a laundry list of identities and demographics. Like we already said, this prompt isn’t just about who you are; it’s about what you’ve experienced that made you who you are, and how you see the world because of this part of yourself. Make sure to provide deeper analysis – most of the essay should be about your reflections and growth, and the evolution of your worldview, not just the traits themselves. Remember – quality over quantity.

Example: “My identity is a combination of many different aspects. I am a first-generation Vietnamese-American, a daughter of immigrant parents, and a proud member of the LGBTQ+ community. I also come from a low-income background, which has taught me the value of hard work and perseverance. Additionally, I’m a female student who is passionate about pursuing a career in STEM, a field where women are often underrepresented.

Each of these identities has played a role in shaping who I am today. Being Vietnamese-American has connected me to my cultural roots, while my experience as a first-generation college student motivates me to succeed. My LGBTQ+ identity has taught me to embrace who I am, and my low-income background has given me the determination to overcome obstacles. I believe that all these aspects of my identity will allow me to contribute to the diversity at Vanderbilt.”

Because this student is so focused on covering all aspects of her identity, we get only a shallow understanding of each one’s significance to her broader life. If she were to have instead focused on just, say, being part of the LGBTQ+ community, she would have had room to provide examples of how she came to accept this part of herself, for example by describing her friends’ kindness when she came out to them.

We know there’s more than one feature of your life you’ll want to highlight in your response, and leaving things out can feel frustrating. But unfortunately, word counts are an unavoidable part of the college application process.

Generally, you should only briefly introduce the culture, background, community, or other driver of the values you’re exploring in your essay. You should be specific and clear about which community or group you’re referencing, but you then want to quickly dive deep into its impact on your life as a whole.

This deep dive should make up most of your essay. Analyze your current and past emotions about this aspect of your identity, and how it has shaped your worldview. With the limited word count, prioritize including information about the impact of your values and background over the mere nature or description of your identity.

Finally, given Vanderbilt’s inclusion of their “dare to grow” motto, you should demonstrate how your background has emboldened you to grow personally, and how it will continue to do so at Vanderbilt. Think about times you exhibited leadership or kindness, or took a risk, and connect these instances to the part of your identity you’re focusing on. A growth-oriented mindset is key here, so be sure to highlight the way your background helped you evolve in your personal values, ambitions, and accomplishments.

Also note that the prompt specifically asks you to relate your chosen background to possible contributions to the Vanderbilt community. Depending on what you’re writing about, it might be beneficial to research extracurricular campus groups at Vanderbilt or in the Nashville area that align with your identity. Including these specific details demonstrates your deep interest in the school, and commitment to being an active member of its tightly knit community.

Now, let’s explore a possible example of a strong response to the prompt:

“Every weekend, our small apartment in Queens transformed into a hub of activism. Friends and neighbors would gather around our worn dining table, their voices rising and falling in animated Arabic as they discussed the latest political unrest in Egypt. I often found myself translating news articles or drafting letters to officials on behalf of my parents, who had fled political persecution decades earlier. Although I was born in the U.S., the struggles of my parents’ homeland shaped me profoundly, instilling in me a deep sense of responsibility to fight for justice.”

Here the writer begins with a vivid hook to provide a narrative to their essay. Specific details about translating news articles and drafting letters in a busy, chatter-filled apartment construct a tangible picture of their background and its values. Furthermore, the Egyptian community they describe their family being part of in Queens implies that the writer has a significant connection to a cultural group in their hometown, and prioritizes being part of one.

“When I was fourteen, I organized my first protest in support of the Arab Spring. It was a modest gathering of around twenty people, but it ignited a passion in me. Seeing the impact we could have, even on a small scale, made me realize the power of collective action. This experience drove me to join a youth-led advocacy group in New York, where I spearheaded campaigns to raise awareness about immigrant rights and helped secure legal aid for families facing deportation. I became the voice for those who couldn’t speak for themselves, just as my parents had once relied on others to speak for them.”

The writer continues by detailing examples of their leadership and boldness within the context of their cultural and ethnic background, thus clearly showing how this aspect of their identity has driven their personal growth. As their activism grows in scale from a small gathering to participation in a formal advocacy group, they also grow personally into a bolder, more involved Egyptian-American activist.

“At Vanderbilt, I’m eager to bring my passion for social justice to the campus community. I envision joining the Vanderbilt Political Review and participating in the Ingram Scholars Program to further my advocacy work. I also want to contribute to the growing immigrant population in Nashville by working with local organizations to support refugee resettlement efforts. I know that at Vanderbilt, I will find a community that shares my commitment to daring to grow through action, and I am excited to continue the work that began around my family’s dining table.”

Finally, the writer makes an authentic connection to Vanderbilt by envisioning themself participating in specific campus and local groups related to the causes they first became involved with through their cultural background. As a whole, this example is profoundly personal with plenty of details, and is also forward-facing, with a clear demonstration of how the writer will use their background and individual values to engage with the Vanderbilt and broader Nashville communities.

The best essays will provide a reflective, personal narrative that looks not just into the past, but also towards a future of engagement and contribution at Vanderbilt. Authenticity, detail, and growth should be the pillars of your response.

CollegeVine wishes you the best of luck in your admissions process!

Where to Get Your Vanderbilt University Essay Edited For Free

Do you want feedback on your Vanderbilt essays? After rereading your essays countless times, it can be difficult to evaluate your writing objectively. That’s why we created our free Peer Essay Review tool , where you can get a free review of your essay from another student. You can also improve your own writing skills by reviewing other students’ essays.

Need feedback faster? Get a free, nearly-instantaneous essay review from Sage, our AI tutor and advisor. Sage will rate your essay, give you suggestions for improvement, and summarize what admissions officers would take away from your writing. Use these tools to improve your chances of acceptance to your dream school!

Writing Studio

Writing application essays.

In an effort to make our handouts more accessible, we have begun converting our PDF handouts to web pages. Download this page as a PDF: Writing Application Essays Return to Writing Studio Handouts

Although writing application essays can be daunting, you do not have to have saved the world or cured cancer to write a good personal statement. As long as you have passion and show you have developed and experienced personal growth, you have a story to tell.

Below you will find a set of question that effective application essays will take into account.

Questions to Take into Account for Your Application Essay

What is the prompt asking.

How many parts are there? Does the question naturally suggest a structure for the essay? Make sure you understand what is to be covered.

For whom am I writing?

Ask yourself who will be reading the prompt and what they may be looking for. For example, if you are writing for a scholarship, learn about the person for whom that scholarship is named, and consider how your merits may be a good match for the award.

How will this opportunity help me get where I want to go?

Why should the committee select you? Try to show how events in your life have led you to pursue this step and how it will help you further your personal and professional goals.

Application Essay Tips

Use an arresting image or phrase to make the first few sentences attractive to the reader.
Try the “formative, transformative” moment structure. Take two significant events and describe them in detail. The formative event describes how you became interested in the opportunity and the transformative one describes what gave you the extra motivation or experience to apply and commit to the project.
Make the most of a limited amount of space. Focus on your main ideas and cut out filler words and description that is not central to understanding your story.
Write about moments or activities not explained in other parts of your application. This is your chance to provide new information.
Remember that this is an essay about you, not your parents or teachers. Your essay should present you in a positive light and highlight your energy and passion for whatever opportunity you are seeking.
Steer clear of clichéd phrases like “This scholarship will help me pursue my dream of…”
Ask a trusted adviser, peer, or writing consultant to look over your essay for clarity and general appeal. Proofread it several times for both grammar and organization.

This handout was adapted from the Vanderbilt Office of Honors Scholarships, DePauw and Duke University Writing Centers, and scholarshiphelp.org.

Last revised: 07/2010 | Adapted for web delivery: 05/2021

In order to access certain content on this page, you may need to download Adobe Acrobat Reader or an equivalent PDF viewer software.

Overview & Philosophy

Vanderbilt uses a holistic admissions review process — we do not employ cutoffs for standardized testing or grade point averages. Rather we look for students who have demonstrated strong academic skills and intellectual curiosity, and who have engaged in activities outside the classroom that have nurtured their growth as leaders. Most successful applicants have taken a very rigorous course load and have challenged themselves at the highest levels of the available curriculum. Note that Vanderbilt does not consider demonstrated interest in the admissions review process.

Three Ways to Apply:

Coalition, powered by Scoir
Common Application
QuestBridge

Choose the application system that is right for you - we do not prefer one over the others. Do not submit an application through more than one system. Choose one application, and submit all required materials through that method.

Please note: In addition to submitting the application for admission, applicants to Blair also submit the Blair School of Music Application , which includes a pre-screening video.

students showing the anchor down hand sign

Access & Diversity

In the spirit of Vanderbilt admissions, we consider each application within the context of a high volume, highly selective admissions process. Every applicant is treated with dignity and respect, and we train our readers to find reasons to admit each candidate rather than reasons to deny.

We believe that a Vanderbilt education should be accessible to all students, regardless of race, ethnicity, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, and socioeconomic background. As the university continues to implement ongoing initiatives to promote social justice and equity , the Office of Undergraduate Admissions reaffirms this commitment. Our office recognizes that by recruiting a class of diverse students of all backgrounds, and from all over the world, Vanderbilt continues to grow as a community in which every student brings their individual perspectives and imaginations to work, innovate, and create together.

We also understand that families in many areas of the world are dealing with the impacts of natural disasters, public health crises, or other events. If your family is experiencing a serious hardship in your community, please know that our thoughts are with you, and that we realize that your health and safety is your first priority. As you turn toward the college admissions process, please contact your admissions counselor if you have difficulty submitting required materials by published deadlines. As is always our policy, we will be as flexible as possible regarding our deadlines, and we will work with you to help you complete your application.

Decision Plans

Vanderbilt offers three decision plans for first-year applicants: Early Decision I, Early Decision II, and Regular Decision.

Early Decision I and II are binding decision plans and are appropriate for students who are committed to attending Vanderbilt if they are admitted. The applicant, a parent or guardian, and the high school counselor must sign the Early Decision Agreement, indicating the student’s commitment to attend Vanderbilt if offered admission. If the student is admitted to Vanderbilt, they must immediately withdraw applications to all other colleges and universities.

Regular Decision is non-binding and permits students to apply to any number of schools and to make their matriculation decision in the month of April, after all admission decisions are known.

Early Decision applicants undergo the same thorough review for need-based financial assistance and merit scholarships as Regular Decision applicants.

Note: Applicants may change their Vanderbilt decision plan via the MyAppVU portal . Decision plan changes can be submitted only up to 2 weeks after the decision plan deadline. The Early Decision Agreement is required for students who change their decision plan to Early Decision I or II.

Common Application ED Agreement
Coalition, powered by Scoir ED Agreement

Dates and Deadlines

Early decision i, early decision ii, regular decision.

October 5, 2024 — Preferred last day to take the SAT Reasoning Test*
October 26, 2024 — Preferred last day to take the ACT*
November 1, 2024 — Blair School of Music Application deadline
November 1, 2024 — Deadline for completed application
Mid-December — Admission decisions available
December 31, 2024 — Deadline for matriculation deposit

FINANCIAL AID AND MERIT SCHOLARSHIPS

November 1, 2024 — Priority filing deadline for CSS Profile
December 1, 2024 — Deadline for completed merit scholarship applications
Mid-December — Preliminary financial aid offers available
January 2, 2025 — Priority filing deadline for FAFSA
Late March — Updated financial aid offers available
December 7, 2024 — Preferred last day to take the SAT Reasoning Test*
December 14, 2024 — Preferred last day to take the ACT*
December 1, 2024 — Priority deadline for Blair School of Music applicants
January 1, 2025 — Deadline for completed application
Mid-February — Admission decisions available
March 1, 2025 — Deadline for matriculation deposit
January 2, 2025 — Priority filing deadline for submitting CSS Profile and FAFSA
Mid-February — Preliminary financial aid offers available
Late March — Admission decisions available
May 1, 2025 — Deadline for matriculation deposit

FINANCIAL AID AND MERIT SCHOLARSHIPS

December 1, 2024 — Deadline for merit scholarship applications
February 1, 2025 — Priority deadline for filing CSS Profile and FAFSA
Late March — Financial aid offers available
March 15, 2025 — Priority deadline for submitting completed application. Transfer applicants will be considered on a rolling basis throughout the spring.
Beginning Late-April, 2025 — Admissions decisions available on a rolling basis