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Vanderbilt University is one of the most selective schools in the country, with just a 5.6% acceptance rate. It is also one of the highest-ranked colleges, as it places in the top 20 of the U.S. News Best National Universities list.
You may feel pressured before you even think of applying because of Vanderbilt’s competitive applicant pool. Don’t worry; everyone must start somewhere. If you need more assistance, you can read our comprehensive guide to getting into Vanderbilt University.
As you start building your college list, you must decide what you look for in a school. You must also ensure you can balance the college application process well and spend enough time on each school. If Vanderbilt is on your college list, read this article to learn how to write the Vanderbilt supplemental essay.
We will break down the question, share tips on answering the prompts, and provide an example of a successful essay.
Vanderbilt University accepts multiple application formats:
The school has no application preference, so pick whichever works best for you. Since you will have to write a separate personal essay for all three of these applications, research what kind of prompts you must answer before choosing one.
As a prospective student, you must stand out among the tens of thousands of applications Vanderbilt receives each year. Not only are your GPA and extracurricular activities crucial to the application, so is your essay.
Vanderbilt’s supplemental essay allows you to introduce yourself in your own words. Your grades and standardized test scores indicate your college readiness, but the admissions committee wants to know your personality. Share what the most important things are to you.
In addition to the essay requirements for the Common, Coalition, and QuestBridge Apps, Vanderbilt has one required supplemental essay. Having to write one essay has its benefits and disadvantages. You can focus your attention on your response and make it as excellent as possible. However, you may prefer to have more options to consider before writing.
Whatever the case, you have just one essay to prove you are a good match for Vanderbilt. Remember to be engaging and honest. You should demonstrate your passions and answer the prompt using your authentic voice. Your essay should be approximately 250 words. Here are your essay options:
Prompt 1: “Vanderbilt University values learning through contrasting points of view. We understand that our differences, and our respect for alternative views and voices, are our greatest source of strength.
Please reflect on conversations you’ve had with people who have expressed viewpoints different from your own. How did these conversations/experiences influence you?”
For this prompt, think back to a conversation to a memorable conversation you had with someone that held a different view than you. It can virtually be on any topic, so feel free to write about the first experience that comes to mind! This prompt is less commonly chosen than the next one, so we’ll offer a few main pointers for this essay and delve deeper into the next!
To choose the best conversation to talk about in your essay, ask yourself the following questions:
Remember, you aren’t simply relaying a conversation you had with a friend to the committee. You’re explaining how you respond to opposing views, how you demonstrate respect for differences, and most importantly, how you grow as a person because of them!
As a large institution, you can expect to meet students and faculty at Vanderbilt that share different opinions to you. The admissions committee wants to assure you respect these differences and can contribute meaningful perspectives to their community nonetheless.
Prompt 2: “Vanderbilt offers a community where students find balance between their academic and social experiences. Please briefly elaborate on one of your extracurricular activities or work experiences.”
This essay asks you to talk about one of your extracurriculars, so it should be an activity or experience that matters the most to you. The first and hardest step is choosing which one you want to write about in your response.
You shouldn’t try to write without a plan and hope for inspiration to come. Start with a self-reflection and brainstorming session instead. Put together a list of everything you do outside of your schoolwork, even if it’s not with a formal club or job. It may be an initiative you started, a volunteering experience, or an internship.
Your response should not list your extracurriculars since you have already done that in another part of your application. It also does not have to be an honors society, an academic club related to your field of study, or anything that seems to be the most impressive.
Narrow down your brainstorming list to two to four activities with the most significance and personal meaning. Consider these questions as you decide on the subject of your essay:
You want to show the admissions committee your passions outside of your studies, so demonstrate you are a well-rounded individual in your interests and hobbies. If you cannot decide between two equally significant extracurriculars, choose one based on its relevance to the opportunities found at Vanderbilt and your accomplishments.
Considering the 250-word suggestion, you want to dig deep into only one extracurricular. Focus on that one activity and share an anecdote about it that shows how it has significantly impacted you.
When you start your essay, engage with your audience and give them a reason to continue reading. Capture the reader’s attention by giving them a brief look into your experience before diving into your story.
Here are a few questions and examples you may think about in your response:
Like the above examples, your story must be specific to leave a memorable first impression. Use your unique voice to give the admissions officer an idea of your personality and try to appeal to their emotions. Connect them to your story.
Once you start writing, incorporate your reflection of the activity. Walk the audience through your story with sensory language and detailed imagery. Instead of telling your story and everything that happened, show the readers your experience and convey your emotions.
You want to unpack the activity and share why you like to do it. Your essay should be sincere and not an illusory display of thoughtfulness. Try not to think so much about whether the activity looks good on your application or will impress your reader or not.
Here are some questions to consider in your response:
Whatever you choose as your topic, you should be able to relate it to an opportunity at Vanderbilt. Now that you have explained why an activity matters to you, you can tie it to the type of student groups or on-campus jobs you are interested in joining.
You should emphasize your ability to apply prior knowledge and skills to potential opportunities. Conclude your essay by mentioning some of your personal goals at Vanderbilt and how you can be a productive member of the campus community.
Having one chance to impress the admissions committee with your writing can feel intimidating. Here are our best tips to help you craft an excellent Vanderbilt supplemental essay.
Remember, this essay prompt is about a personal experience or extracurricular. Keep the story unique to your experiences and focus on how you have changed. The point of supplemental essays is for the admissions committee to know who you are.
You will have to write at least one personal essay or statement for the Common, Coalition, and QuestBridge applications. Make sure you discuss a new topic in your supplemental essay so your reader won’t have to read the same thing twice.
With a 250-word suggestion, Vanderbilt gives you a limited amount of space to write about a significant extracurricular. Demonstrate your commitment to a specific activity in a clear and concise way.
Regardless of when you apply, the college application process may be stressful. You should not start writing until you have a plan, nor should you continue to write if you feel uninspired. Take a break from your essay and come back with a new writing perspective.
Look for experts in the college application process who can guide you through the essay. Quad Education consultants want you to successfully land your dream schools, and they can give you great tips to apply.
Here is an essay example for the extracurricular prompt listed above.
Prompt: “Please briefly elaborate on one of your extracurricular activities or work experiences (approximately 250 words).”
“Driving intoxicated in the waning hours of the night, he recklessly swerves in and out of lanes until he finally loses control and rams his car into a tree. Save for a few cuts and bruises, he escapes unscathed. His sister’s lifeless body is discovered the morning after the crime–or was it a crime? The light knock of the gavel summons the courtroom to its feet; parents, teachers, coaches, spectators and competitors all stand as the single hour that months were spent preparing for commences.
Having not placed in the regional tournament in a decade, Mock Trial was regarded as little more than a team just barely keeping its head above water, far past its glory years when I first joined the school’s organization. My admiration for the club stretched far beyond simply checking my name off as a member–being content with mediocrity would have no place as long as I was on the team. And so to prevent it from disappearing into oblivion, I began with myself, spending hours learning, polishing and perfecting the skills necessary to succeed. With this, not only did I grow tremendously as an individual and a competitor, but I also gained the respect and admiration of my teammates, earning a leadership role.
Revamping the way Mock Trial operated quickly became a full time job. But, within a year, we were able to secure a spot in the top three of the regional tournament and lift the organization back into prominence. So when the trial starts, have no doubt that the top is the only place we aim. ‘Your honor, opposing counsel, and members of the jury….’ Show time.”
Why this is a good essay: This essay immediately grabs your attention with a detailed reenactment of a crime scene that turns out to be a mock trial tournament. The student shows us what this extracurricular means to them and how they have grown alongside it. They are specific in their accomplishments within the activity, which is a great way to leave a lasting impression.
Do you still have questions about the Vanderbilt supplemental essays? Read on below to
According to Vanderbilt’s 2027 class profile, its acceptance rate is 5.6%. Out of over 46,000 applicants, the university accepted 2,576 students.
Vanderbilt uses a holistic admissions process, meaning one element does not make or break an application. The school considers all factors in evaluating a student, from test scores and grades to extracurricular activities and leadership roles.
You can apply for Vanderbilt using the Common App, Coalition App, and QuestBridge program. Choose the application system that is right for you, as Vanderbilt has no preference. Carefully follow the instructions on their respective site.
Apart from the requirements of each application system, you must submit high school transcripts, a counselor letter of recommendation, two teacher recommendations, and an application fee of $50. Fee waivers are available for qualified students, and standardized test scores are currently optional.
If you apply for Vanderbilt’s Blair School of Music, you must complete a separate application in addition to the Coalition or Common App. You will also need to submit at least one artistic recommendation, a headshot, music resume, repertoire list, and pre-screening video. You can find more details on the Blair Admissions Page.
Inspira Next offers a guide on how to write the Common App essays. You can choose from the following prompts:
You can pick from five essay prompts. Read our guide on everything you need to know about the Coalition App essays.
There are two required QuestBridge essays: the personal essay has only one prompt, while the topical essay has three options.
The Vanderbilt supplemental essay asks you to focus on an experience you had with opposing views or an extracurricular activity that matters to you, whether it be a school club, job, internship, or volunteer experience.
Since you only have one prompt to show the admissions committee your story, be thoughtful in your response and choose a topic that highlights your values and goals.
Writing an excellent essay is only one part of your application, so make sure you follow our ultimate guide on applying to Vanderbilt. Remember, the best essay is one where you can proudly share a meaningful conversation or activity that impacted your perspective for the better.
Focus on what you want to show the admissions committee, not what you think the committee wants to read. You are sure to craft a stellar essay if you draw on your unique experiences.
Vanderbilt University is one of the most selective schools in the country, with just a 5.6% acceptance rate. It is also one of the highest-ranked colleges, as it places in the top 20 of the U.S. News Best National Universities list.
You may feel pressured before you even think of applying because of Vanderbilt’s competitive applicant pool. Don’t worry; everyone must start somewhere. If you need more assistance, you can read our comprehensive guide to getting into Vanderbilt University.
As you start building your college list, you must decide what you look for in a school. You must also ensure you can balance the college application process well and spend enough time on each school. If Vanderbilt is on your college list, read this article to learn how to write the Vanderbilt supplemental essay.
We will break down the question, share tips on answering the prompts, and provide an example of a successful essay.
Vanderbilt University accepts multiple application formats:
The school has no application preference, so pick whichever works best for you. Since you will have to write a separate personal essay for all three of these applications, research what kind of prompts you must answer before choosing one.
As a prospective student, you must stand out among the tens of thousands of applications Vanderbilt receives each year. Not only are your GPA and extracurricular activities crucial to the application, so is your essay.
Vanderbilt’s supplemental essay allows you to introduce yourself in your own words. Your grades and standardized test scores indicate your college readiness, but the admissions committee wants to know your personality. Share what the most important things are to you.
In addition to the essay requirements for the Common, Coalition, and QuestBridge Apps, Vanderbilt has one required supplemental essay. Having to write one essay has its benefits and disadvantages. You can focus your attention on your response and make it as excellent as possible. However, you may prefer to have more options to consider before writing.
Whatever the case, you have just one essay to prove you are a good match for Vanderbilt. Remember to be engaging and honest. You should demonstrate your passions and answer the prompt using your authentic voice. Your essay should be approximately 250 words. Here are your essay options:
Prompt 1: “Vanderbilt University values learning through contrasting points of view. We understand that our differences, and our respect for alternative views and voices, are our greatest source of strength.
Please reflect on conversations you’ve had with people who have expressed viewpoints different from your own. How did these conversations/experiences influence you?”
For this prompt, think back to a conversation to a memorable conversation you had with someone that held a different view than you. It can virtually be on any topic, so feel free to write about the first experience that comes to mind! This prompt is less commonly chosen than the next one, so we’ll offer a few main pointers for this essay and delve deeper into the next!
To choose the best conversation to talk about in your essay, ask yourself the following questions:
Remember, you aren’t simply relaying a conversation you had with a friend to the committee. You’re explaining how you respond to opposing views, how you demonstrate respect for differences, and most importantly, how you grow as a person because of them!
As a large institution, you can expect to meet students and faculty at Vanderbilt that share different opinions to you. The admissions committee wants to assure you respect these differences and can contribute meaningful perspectives to their community nonetheless.
Prompt 2: “Vanderbilt offers a community where students find balance between their academic and social experiences. Please briefly elaborate on one of your extracurricular activities or work experiences.”
This essay asks you to talk about one of your extracurriculars, so it should be an activity or experience that matters the most to you. The first and hardest step is choosing which one you want to write about in your response.
You shouldn’t try to write without a plan and hope for inspiration to come. Start with a self-reflection and brainstorming session instead. Put together a list of everything you do outside of your schoolwork, even if it’s not with a formal club or job. It may be an initiative you started, a volunteering experience, or an internship.
Your response should not list your extracurriculars since you have already done that in another part of your application. It also does not have to be an honors society, an academic club related to your field of study, or anything that seems to be the most impressive.
Narrow down your brainstorming list to two to four activities with the most significance and personal meaning. Consider these questions as you decide on the subject of your essay:
You want to show the admissions committee your passions outside of your studies, so demonstrate you are a well-rounded individual in your interests and hobbies. If you cannot decide between two equally significant extracurriculars, choose one based on its relevance to the opportunities found at Vanderbilt and your accomplishments.
Considering the 250-word suggestion, you want to dig deep into only one extracurricular. Focus on that one activity and share an anecdote about it that shows how it has significantly impacted you.
When you start your essay, engage with your audience and give them a reason to continue reading. Capture the reader’s attention by giving them a brief look into your experience before diving into your story.
Here are a few questions and examples you may think about in your response:
Like the above examples, your story must be specific to leave a memorable first impression. Use your unique voice to give the admissions officer an idea of your personality and try to appeal to their emotions. Connect them to your story.
Once you start writing, incorporate your reflection of the activity. Walk the audience through your story with sensory language and detailed imagery. Instead of telling your story and everything that happened, show the readers your experience and convey your emotions.
You want to unpack the activity and share why you like to do it. Your essay should be sincere and not an illusory display of thoughtfulness. Try not to think so much about whether the activity looks good on your application or will impress your reader or not.
Here are some questions to consider in your response:
Whatever you choose as your topic, you should be able to relate it to an opportunity at Vanderbilt. Now that you have explained why an activity matters to you, you can tie it to the type of student groups or on-campus jobs you are interested in joining.
You should emphasize your ability to apply prior knowledge and skills to potential opportunities. Conclude your essay by mentioning some of your personal goals at Vanderbilt and how you can be a productive member of the campus community.
Having one chance to impress the admissions committee with your writing can feel intimidating. Here are our best tips to help you craft an excellent Vanderbilt supplemental essay.
Remember, this essay prompt is about a personal experience or extracurricular. Keep the story unique to your experiences and focus on how you have changed. The point of supplemental essays is for the admissions committee to know who you are.
You will have to write at least one personal essay or statement for the Common, Coalition, and QuestBridge applications. Make sure you discuss a new topic in your supplemental essay so your reader won’t have to read the same thing twice.
With a 250-word suggestion, Vanderbilt gives you a limited amount of space to write about a significant extracurricular. Demonstrate your commitment to a specific activity in a clear and concise way.
Regardless of when you apply, the college application process may be stressful. You should not start writing until you have a plan, nor should you continue to write if you feel uninspired. Take a break from your essay and come back with a new writing perspective.
Look for experts in the college application process who can guide you through the essay. Quad Education consultants want you to successfully land your dream schools, and they can give you great tips to apply.
Here is an essay example for the extracurricular prompt listed above.
Prompt: “Please briefly elaborate on one of your extracurricular activities or work experiences (approximately 250 words).”
“Driving intoxicated in the waning hours of the night, he recklessly swerves in and out of lanes until he finally loses control and rams his car into a tree. Save for a few cuts and bruises, he escapes unscathed. His sister’s lifeless body is discovered the morning after the crime–or was it a crime? The light knock of the gavel summons the courtroom to its feet; parents, teachers, coaches, spectators and competitors all stand as the single hour that months were spent preparing for commences.
Having not placed in the regional tournament in a decade, Mock Trial was regarded as little more than a team just barely keeping its head above water, far past its glory years when I first joined the school’s organization. My admiration for the club stretched far beyond simply checking my name off as a member–being content with mediocrity would have no place as long as I was on the team. And so to prevent it from disappearing into oblivion, I began with myself, spending hours learning, polishing and perfecting the skills necessary to succeed. With this, not only did I grow tremendously as an individual and a competitor, but I also gained the respect and admiration of my teammates, earning a leadership role.
Revamping the way Mock Trial operated quickly became a full time job. But, within a year, we were able to secure a spot in the top three of the regional tournament and lift the organization back into prominence. So when the trial starts, have no doubt that the top is the only place we aim. ‘Your honor, opposing counsel, and members of the jury….’ Show time.”
Why this is a good essay: This essay immediately grabs your attention with a detailed reenactment of a crime scene that turns out to be a mock trial tournament. The student shows us what this extracurricular means to them and how they have grown alongside it. They are specific in their accomplishments within the activity, which is a great way to leave a lasting impression.
Do you still have questions about the Vanderbilt supplemental essays? Read on below to
According to Vanderbilt’s 2027 class profile, its acceptance rate is 5.6%. Out of over 46,000 applicants, the university accepted 2,576 students.
Vanderbilt uses a holistic admissions process, meaning one element does not make or break an application. The school considers all factors in evaluating a student, from test scores and grades to extracurricular activities and leadership roles.
You can apply for Vanderbilt using the Common App, Coalition App, and QuestBridge program. Choose the application system that is right for you, as Vanderbilt has no preference. Carefully follow the instructions on their respective site.
Apart from the requirements of each application system, you must submit high school transcripts, a counselor letter of recommendation, two teacher recommendations, and an application fee of $50. Fee waivers are available for qualified students, and standardized test scores are currently optional.
If you apply for Vanderbilt’s Blair School of Music, you must complete a separate application in addition to the Coalition or Common App. You will also need to submit at least one artistic recommendation, a headshot, music resume, repertoire list, and pre-screening video. You can find more details on the Blair Admissions Page.
Inspira Next offers a guide on how to write the Common App essays. You can choose from the following prompts:
You can pick from five essay prompts. Read our guide on everything you need to know about the Coalition App essays.
There are two required QuestBridge essays: the personal essay has only one prompt, while the topical essay has three options.
The Vanderbilt supplemental essay asks you to focus on an experience you had with opposing views or an extracurricular activity that matters to you, whether it be a school club, job, internship, or volunteer experience.
Since you only have one prompt to show the admissions committee your story, be thoughtful in your response and choose a topic that highlights your values and goals.
Writing an excellent essay is only one part of your application, so make sure you follow our ultimate guide on applying to Vanderbilt. Remember, the best essay is one where you can proudly share a meaningful conversation or activity that impacted your perspective for the better.
Focus on what you want to show the admissions committee, not what you think the committee wants to read. You are sure to craft a stellar essay if you draw on your unique experiences.
