vanderbilt essay prompts 2022 23

Personal Essay and Short Answer Prompts

Personal essay prompts.

To help us get to know you in the application review process, you are required to submit a personal essay. For insight and advice about how to approach writing your personal essay, see our Expert Advice page. 

• Common Application first-year essay prompts
• Common App transfer essay prompt: Please provide a personal essay that addresses your reasons for transferring and the objectives you hope to achieve.
• Coalition, powered by Scoir first-year and transfer essay prompts

Short Answer Question

For both first-year and transfer applicants, we ask you to complete a short answer essay (approximately 250 words) based on one of two prompts. 

• 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?
• Vanderbilt offers a community where students find balance between their academic and social experiences. Please briefly elaborate on how one of your extracurricular activities or work experiences has influenced you.

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How to Write the Vanderbilt University Essay 2023-2024

Vanderbilt University in Nashville, TN, is a selective research university that comprises three undergraduate schools: the College of Arts & Sciences, the School of Engineering, and the top-ranked Peabody College of Education and Human Development.

This institution prides itself on an environment with a balance between high academic standards and a supportive, involved student community. Vanderbilt is consistently ranked as having some of the happiest students in the country . Acceptance is highly-coveted, and the admissions rate for Vanderbilt in the Regular Decision round has fallen to below 5% in recent years. 

Vanderbilt University has one required prompt that allows you to choose between two different options to respond to. Here are some of CollegeVine’s strategies for writing an outstanding essay.

Read this Vanderbilt essay example to inspire your writing.

Vanderbilt University Supplemental Essay Prompt

Please select one of the following short answer prompts (approximately 250 words):

Option 1: Vanderbilt offers a community where students find balance between their academic and social experiences. Please briefly elaborate on how one of your extracurricular activities or work experiences has influenced you. 

Option 2: 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?

Vanderbilt offers a community where students find balance between their academic and social experiences. Please briefly elaborate on how one of your extracurricular activities or work experiences has influenced you. (200-400 words)

Step 1: choosing the extracurricular.

The most effective approach to this prompt is to choose an activity or experience with the most significance and meaning to you personally, not necessarily the one that looks most impressive or unusual. It can be anything outside your coursework, even if it isn’t associated with a formal school club.

This will help you create a vivid picture of your character, because you won’t be limited to shallow descriptions of something from your Common App extracurriculars list. While the word count of 400 offers you relatively ample space to tell your story in detail, it is ideal to focus on just one or two anecdotes that best exemplify why your chosen activity had such a strong impact on your personal development.

You may have noticed that Vanderbilt’s promotional materials often emphasize the theme of “ balance .” In light of this, don’t feel obligated to write about an experience that explicitly connects to your intended major or academic profile. If anything, providing your reader a perspective on yourself that they might not expect from the rest of your application will show that you have much to offer this diverse community. Prospective biologists, for instance, have secured admission by writing about the collaborative exercise involved in jazz band performances.

If you are torn between multiple extracurricular experiences that are equally important to you, rank them based on their correspondence to student organizations at Vanderbilt, as well as your level of accomplishment in the field. Though the focus of this essay should certainly be on your direct experience, every essay should relate to your prospective contribution to the Vanderbilt undergraduate community and its intellectual atmosphere.

For instance, suppose you have proposed and spearheaded an initiative in a community service group, and this challenged you to plan and execute new methods of reaching out to fellow students to help your cause. Choosing this topic would enable you to connect your story to the opportunities of Vanderbilt’s Alternative Spring Break program, by including in the conclusion a brief discussion of the service skills you could leverage with ASB.

Step 2: Crafting the Introduction

Generally, it is less critical for supplemental essays to have a narrative format than the personal statement. However, if the topic you’ve decided to write about is especially memorable — and it should be — you can show this effectively by starting with a brief snapshot of your experience that captures the reader’s attention. Consider this possible introduction to an essay about writing and self-publishing science fiction stories:

Weak example: The summer after my sophomore year, I decided to spend my free time trying to become a published sci-fi author. At first it was just a fun way to put my experience watching Star Trek reruns to good use, but eventually this turned out to be the most challenging yet rewarding undertaking of my life so far.

Compare it with:

Stronger example: My fingers dance on the keyboard as visions of Hugo Awards hover in my mind’s eye. George Lucas has nothing on me! Then — stuck. The word count has plateaued, and here come the doubting voices:

“How can I make the ending inevitable yet unpredictable?”

“The middle is lagging; how can I save my baby?”

“Just how menacing can my antagonist get before he enters James Bond villain territory?”

Although the first example immediately and unambiguously presents the focus of the essay, it doesn’t give quite as much insight into the writer’s personality or the emotional force of the essay topic. From the second example, the reader can quickly empathize with this student’s experience of writer’s block that comes right at the heels of effortless confidence.

You should write your introductory sentences with the goal of providing a strong first impression, especially considering that admissions committees receive tens of thousands of applications per cycle.

Step 3: Building the heart of your essay

After the initial hook, you can be more direct as you explain the indispensable details of your chosen activity or experience. Each of these details should help the reader understand why this topic was so special that you chose it above all others. Some questions to consider include:

• What challenges did this activity pose? (If there were none, it’s likely that you haven’t chosen the best topic.) How did you face them? What did you learn from them, beyond typical lessons such as the value of perseverance?
• If this activity involved working with other people, how did the activity and your personal interactions affect each other? (Be sure to go further than vague discussions of leadership and teamwork skills – explain how this experience shaped your unique perspective on those topics.)
• How have you affected others through this activity?

Step 4: Looking forward in the conclusion

This is the section of the essay where the importance of picking a topic with some connection to opportunities at Vanderbilt, discussed above, comes into play. By this point, your reader knows how and why the activity in question was important to you, so now they are wondering how and why it will be important as you engage with the student community you’d like to join.

Of course, your reader will realize that students’ interests change between high school and college, so you don’t need to think of this conclusion as a binding contract. Rather, it’s your opportunity to demonstrate that even if you don’t join similar clubs or continue the same part-time jobs, you’re capable of applying wisdom from your past to your future. If you wrote about your role in stage design for school plays, for instance, you might relate this to your goals in web development, or remark on how you expect to use the general skill of striking a balance between meeting practical and aesthetic needs.

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? (200-400 words)

This prompt is a mix between a Diversity Essay and Political/Global Issues Essay prompt. The prompt has a 200-400 word limit, so you will want to write succinctly. You can answer the prompt in a wide variety of ways — the most important part is to highlight past experiences that are unique to you and give deep insights into your values.

Many of us disagree with others’ values rather often, so you should have plenty of past experiences to brainstorm from. This is especially true for those who may have been part of the debate or mock trial clubs at their high school. While you can tell the story of a time when you had an argument with someone else, this is not mandatory. You simply need to show how you communicated with and were influenced by what others have said.

This prompt is all about individual differences and how they make each of us unique. Diversity is highly valued by colleges, so you will have peers from all across the country and world in your classes that you will be able to collaborate with. Your essay should make it clear that you will thrive in such an environment.

When determining if an issue is important to you or not, think about the conversation you have had about it as well as how they impacted you. Your essay does not have to be about politically divisive topics, but instead should be about something that is relevant to your past experiences. Topics that involve you and your community on a local level could be great to write about — for example, you could discuss school district issues, a big corporation pushing out smaller local companies, or funding cuts to the arts or special education classes at your school.

Make sure to set the right tone for your writing in the introduction. Be careful not to focus too much on negative emotions toward the other person or group in your story, but instead, discuss viewpoints objectively. Be mindful of the word count as well — you should prioritize information about your identity and values rather than details about political views and history. 

An example of this could be that you and another student had conflicting views as to whether or not your school should replace the bottled water it provides to students with more eco-friendly reusable water bottles. This conversation highlights a social issue that conveys what you care about and are interested in.

Be sure to not just simply outline a conversation of opposing viewpoints, but focus on how you dealt with the conversation. Did the conversation affect how you perceived society or the individual? Did it impact how you communicated with others in the future? Did you learn anything from the scenario? Think through these questions as you write your essay.

One more thing to note is that you should be careful not to attack the other person or seem close-minded. Many people in college will have differing viewpoints from you, and you should frame being in an environment with these differences as a learning opportunity. Use this essay to highlight how you are able to learn from and work with others with differing beliefs, in addition to how your own experiences have affected you moving forward.

Where to Get Your Vanderbilt University Essay Edited

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. 

If you want a college admissions expert to review your essay, advisors on CollegeVine have helped students refine their writing and submit successful applications to top schools. Find the right advisor for you to improve your chances of getting into your dream school!

Related CollegeVine Blog Posts

Vanderbilt Supplemental Essays 2023-24 – Prompts and Advice

July 25, 2023

With an acceptance rate of just 5.6% for the 2023-24 entering class, Vanderbilt has become one of the more selective schools in the United States. It’s easy for prospective applicants who can claim a 99th percentile score and a position near the top of their high school class to feel overly confident when applying to a university of this ilk. Yet, it is critical to realize that, in 2023, the median SAT at Vandy is over 1500, and just about every admitted student finished near the top of their high school class. This brings us to the topic of this blog – the Vanderbilt supplemental essays.

(Want to learn more about How to Get Into Vanderbilt? Visit our blog entitled:  How to Get Into Vanderbilt University: Admissions Data and Strategies  for all of the most recent admissions data as well as tips for gaining acceptance.)

When applying to Vanderbilt, you can’t just rely on your fabulous grades and test scores to carry you toward an eventual acceptance letter. You need those credentials, of course, but you also need to pour every ounce of effort into other components of the application in order to separate yourself in the eyes of the admissions committee. The Common App and supplemental essay present just that opportunity.

Below are Vanderbilt’s supplemental essays for the 2023-24 admissions cycle along with our advice for composing a winning essay. Note: Applicants only pick one of the two prompts. 

Vanderbilt Supplemental Essay Prompt – Choice #1

Vanderbilt offers a community where students find balance between their academic and social experiences. Please briefly elaborate on how one of your extracurricular activities or work experiences has influenced you. (250 word max)

Look, if you had one shot, or one opportunity (Eminem beat starts to ramp up)…While many highly-selective colleges offer two, three, or even more supplemental prompts, Vandy only offers this single essay (that you choose from between two options). They don’t ask about your role in a community, overcoming an obstacle, a list of every book you read this year, or what a particular quote from the 19th century means to you—they just want you to briefly discuss one activity or work experience. So, the question is, how to make your response to such a basic prompt really count?

Here are a few considerations for you to mull over as you begin the prewriting process:

• Start this process by asking yourself, “What is the most interesting and consequential moment that I have experienced in one of my extracurricular activities?” If you can identify one clear-cut moment, that is likely the activity worth sharing with the Vanderbilt admissions staff.
• With this prompt, Vanderbilt is not necessarily asking you to write about the activity where you earned the most prestigious awards. Nor the activity where you held the highest position of leadership. The university is going to see all of your activities in that section of the Common App. As such, you want to ask yourself which of your entries is crying out for more explanation and detail?
• Which activity is closest to your heart and most representative of your unique passions? Pick the option that will allow you to deliver additional detail that may be memorable to the admissions reader.

Vanderbilt Supplemental Essays (Continued)

There are no wrong answers to this prompt, but there are unhelpful ways to approach it. For example, you decide to write about a two-week summer program at Rice University, not because it was life-changing and contained a meaningful and revealing story about your life, but because you think it will impress Vanderbilt. Meanwhile, you pass up the chance to talk about working at Dairy Queen where you got to meet people from all walks of life and learned a ton about the human experience. Just because DQ doesn’t sound as “prestigious” as a Rice summer program, doesn’t mean you should shy away from it.

Again, the admissions office is going to see all of your activities and honors in the Common App. This 250-word piece should be about telling an authentic story that reads like more than just an expanded description of your most “impressive” high school activity.

Required Essay Prompt – Choice #2

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?

The U.S. presently finds itself in an extreme state of polarization. There seems to be little agreement even as to what constitutes “truth” or “facts”. Within this divided world, it can be hard for individuals with competing viewpoints to engage in civil and productive dialogue. Here, Vanderbilt is giving you the chance to show that you are an open-minded, intellectually curious, truth-seeking young person. Illustrate how you are willing to converse with people holding opposing positions on topics of great importance to you. One key thing to remember when addressing this prompt is that you don’t have to be the hero of the anecdote. In fact, you may be one who learned to expand your thinking.

How important are the Vanderbilt supplemental essays?

The essays (both the Common App essay and supplemental essay) are “very important” to the Vanderbilt admissions committee . This places them in the same category as: GPA, standardized test scores, class rank, the rigor of your secondary school record, extracurriculars, and character/personal qualities. In short, the Vanderbilt supplemental essays are among the most important factors to the University when evaluating your application.

Vanderbilt Supplemental Essays – Want Personalized Essay Assistance?

If you are interested in working with one of College Transitions’ experienced and knowledgeable essay coaches as you craft your Vanderbilt supplemental essays, we encourage you to get a quote  today.

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How to Ace the 2023-2024 Vanderbilt Supplemental Essay

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Vanderbilt University is a very competitive private school with a 7% acceptance rate . If you hope to gain acceptance into this top-tier school, you must have an exceptional application. Do not underestimate the importance of a stand-out Vanderbilt supplemental essay!

Let’s break down Vanderbilt’s prompt and how to craft a response that’s sure to impress. 

Also see: How to write an essay about yourself

What to expect from the Vanderbilt supplemental essay prompt

Vanderbilt University expects applicants to respond to one personal essay prompt and respond to one short answer question. However, do not worry because you actually only need to write one response for Vanderbilt! The personal essay they require of students is the Common Application or Coalition personal essay so there is no need to write anything additional for Vanderbilt’s personal essay requirement. 

There are two short answer questions you can choose from and only one needs to be answered. Regardless of which essay choice you choose, they need to be answered in approximately 250 words . 

Short answer choice #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? (250 words)”

Try and think of a time in which someone had a different perspective on a topic you discussed or argued. Write about this conversation by detailing a narrative of what exactly the conversation was about. Describe your thoughts and feelings about the conversation and how it was resolved (if it was!). 

It does not have to be a life-changing argument about a controversial topic. Rather, it can be just a discussion in which someone has expressed viewpoints that differ from your own. 

Be careful not to focus too much on the negatives of this experience such as negative emotions towards the other person or group but rather you should discuss your feelings objectively. 

Once you have described this conversation and the admissions officer now has context, it is important to focus on how you dealt with this conversation and what you learned from it. Describe your emotions during this conversation and what you might have done differently if given the opportunity. 

Ultimately, Vanderbilt doesn’t want to hear you attack and berate someone for their differing perspective, rather they want to see that future Vanderbilt students understand that everyone has diverse experiences and perspectives. Use this essay as an opportunity to highlight how you are able to learn from and work with others even if they have different beliefs. Additionally, describe how you would use what you have learned from this experience to better your time at Vanderbilt. 

Questions to consider: 

• How did this conversation impact how you will communicate with others in the future? 
• What did you learn from this experience? 
• What will you do differently at Vanderbilt? 

Short answer choice #2

“Vanderbilt offers a community where students find balance between their academic and social experiences. Please briefly elaborate on how one of your extracurricular activities or work experiences has influenced you. (250 words)”

Unlike some schools’ intimidatingly broad prompts, this is as straightforward as it gets. Vanderbilt wants you to describe a particularly meaningful involvement you’ve had. However, it can be tricky when more than one engagement comes to mind. 

A good way to start is by looking at the Activities section on your Common Application. Highlight the experiences that have been most impactful to you. Jot down what you enjoy about each one and what they’ve taught you. Describe any anecdotes that you associate with them. Be sure to highlight progression throughout your participation in this activity, such as being elected to a leadership position. 

Since this is the only supplemental you will be responding to, be strategic with which activity you choose. If your intended major is computer science, it may be wise to discuss a related experience. You could describe the robotics club you were a member of in high school. It would be a great time to flex any awards you received at a robotics competition, too. 

On the other hand, you may want to showcase a different side of your personality that speaks more about your character. For example, discussing a volunteer experience that inspired a cause you now champion would also be a great avenue. 

Above all, pick an activity that is special to you, not what you think admissions wants to hear. Writing what you find important about your background will come across sincerely and ensure your voice can shine through. 

After you have chosen the perfect activity or work experience to write about, make sure you focus on how it has influenced you. Has this activity become a staple in your life? Do you hope to pursue this activity at Vanderbilt? Has this experience helped you realize what you want to do in your life? 

Ultimately make sure you are detailing an extracurricular activity or work experience that means something great to you and has influenced you in any way. 

Questions to consider:  

• Did you hold a job that solidified why you want to pursue your intended career path? 
• Has one of your hobbies taught you a new skill you cherish? Or allowed you to find community? 
• What has devoting much of your K-12 life to playing a sport instilled in you?

Next steps for students

After our deep-dive on the Vanderbilt supplemental, we hope your ideas are flowing. Get your thoughts out and don’t be afraid of a rough first draft. You can revise for writing quality and word count later, so get started!

Additional resources

As you apply to colleges, there are a lot of decisions to make in order to ensure you end up at the right school for you. Luckily, we can help you make them! Check out our guide on what looks good on college applications , how many schools to apply to , how to find safety, reach, and match schools , and how to schedule college visits . We can also help you fill out the Common App Additional Information Section and offer you an inside view of what happens inside an admissions office .

Finally, once you get your admissions decisions back, we can help you narrow down your choices. Try out our guide to making a college comparison spreadsheet , how to interpret your financial aid award letters , and how to appeal for more financial aid . We can also help clarify the differences between public and private schools and offer you some insight into making your final choice of a college . Good luck on your educational journey, and don’t forget to apply for all the scholarships you are eligible for!

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College essay resources

How to ace vanderbilt’s supplemental essays | guide & examples, 2022-2023, school supplements.

Brad Schiller

Two pieces of good news for you:

First, Vanderbilt only requires one short supplemental essay (250 words). They give you two prompts to choose from. 

Next, the essay prompts are pretty good. We think one of the two will generally lead to better essays than the other (we say why below). But each option can be a great springboard to showing off more of your personal characteristics — and making Vanderbilt readers want to move you to the “accept” pile.

We’ll show you exactly how to do this below the table of contents. Take a quick look at the prompts, and then meet us there. 

Please select one of the following short answer prompts in approximately 250 words:

Option 1 (Describe an activity): Vanderbilt offers a community where students find balance between their academic and social experiences. Please briefly elaborate on how one of your extracurricular activities or work experiences has influenced you. 

Option 2 (Diversity): 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 help with all aspects of your college application, head to our College Essay Help Center .)

Brainstorm — decide what’s most impressive to say before deciding on your prompt 

Prompt’s essay-writing method starts with figuring out what you want to say. (Then you slot that into the essay prompts that are available.)

So what kinds of things do you want to say on your college application? Easy. Your task is to show admissions officers that you will succeed in college and beyond .

Okay, but how do you show an admissions officer you’re likely to succeed? This is also, surprisingly, not that hard: you do it by talking about your experiences that show one or more of the 5 Traits Colleges Look for in Applicants :

• Drive (grit)
• Contribution
• Intellectual Curiosity
• Diversity of Experiences

That brings us to brainstorming. Before you can begin to decide between describing an activity or showing how you’ve dealt with contrasting points of view, you need to write down all of your high school experiences — a big task, but extremely worth your time. Brainstorm things like your:

• Academic interests
• Extracurricular activities and interests
• Self-learning or independent projects you’ve undertaken
• Work experiences or substantial domestic obligations
• Any other skills you’ve developed or meaningful experiences you’ve had

If you create a free Prompt account , you can develop these ideas through our brainstorming modules. 

At the end of this process, you should have a solid idea of what experiences you’ve had that best show off one or more of the 5 Traits. The very best of these should go into your personal statement . (Re-write your personal statement if that’s not so!)

But the “next-best” after that should find their way into the Vanderbilt supplement you choose. 

Describe an activity > Diversity — Your essays should talk about you , not someone you disagree with

We are going to show you how to do well on both of these prompts. However, we like the activity/work experience prompt better.

That’s because the activity/work experience prompt lets you talk about what you’ve done outside of school. What a great topic for showing off your likelihood to succeed in college and the 5 Traits! (See our article How (and why) to Write a College Essay About Your Extracurricular Activities for more on how much we love activities in essays.)

The second prompt reads in pertinent part (emphasis added):

Please reflect on conversations you’ve had with people who have expressed viewpoints different from your own . How did these conversations/experiences influence you ?

In contrast to the activity prompt, the diversity prompt:

• centers on another person , and how they influenced you; and
• could tend to lead to an “adversarial” rather than positive essay. 

To be clear, we at Prompt agree with Vanderbilt when it states, as a matter of philosophy:

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.

True. But that’s for life. When it comes to college essays, we worry that this prompt is setting you up to write about someone other than yourself and possibly have you come off sounding more adversarial and negative than you really are. 

Option 1 (Describe an activity) — Use the activity/work experience to paint a picture of the dynamism you’ll bring to Vanderbilt’s campus 

Here’s the first option again:

Vanderbilt offers a community where students find balance between their academic and social experiences. Please briefly elaborate on how one of your extracurricular activities or work experiences has influenced you. 

In terms of “describe an activity” essays, our first (and most powerful) piece of advice is to read our article on how to ace these: How to Write a Great “Describe an Activity” Essay . This article walks you through five easy steps for giving the admissions team what it wants.

If you don’t feel like clicking over (but you should!), here’s the gist:

For deciding what activity/work experience to choose , go with one that:

• Shows steady commitment ;
• Shows off one or more of the 5 Traits (of course!);
• Shows you won awards or gained a leadership position within;
• Is surprising, interesting, or unique . 

These different criteria might push you in different directions. Ultimately, the most important thing is focusing on that “likelihood to succeed” part (which things like commitment, awards, and leadership all tend to demonstrate). 

But it’s important to think about that last bullet, too — an activity that’s unique, different, or surprising can show you’ll be an asset on campus. So long as you have a real track record in your more “unusual” activity, you should seriously consider it.

‍ In terms of content and structure :

• Write an essay that shows off what you might do on campus — that’s what admissions readers are reading it for!
• Use our outlines (in the Describe an Activity article ) to make for a more powerful, readable, and easy-to-write essay.
• Optionally, end with a line or two about how you intend to carry on the activity/work experience at Vanderbilt.

Option 1 (Describe an activity) — Example

Caveat: Prompt strongly believes that influencers shouldn’t influence your college essays and that, for essays that get published in flashy places , you don’t know if the essay got that student in or if they got in despite what was maybe a bad essay. 

So please take this made-up example essay with a grain of salt. 

Example essay:

Being teased because I couldn’t sing had bothered me my whole life. I couldn’t join in when friends sang top 40 tunes or Disney nostalgia. I felt ashamed. 

Yet, today, I’m the captain of our school’s acapella group, for which I’m singing the “When I fall in love” solo, and I can play the piano.

As a freshman, I decided to face my fears and sign up for Glee Club. I also fessed up to the choir director: I told him I couldn’t sing, but wanted to challenge myself. I promised to sing quietly or not at all if I disturbed others, or to quit if it was impossible. Luckily, he said I could come early to practice for extra help. And I did. 

Not only that, but I practiced at home every night with a mini-keyboard from my brother. To my non-musical family, practicing music is “weird.” But it was magical to see my “can’t sing” trait slowly but surely become “can” with practice. Soon, I could not only sing on-key; I loved music. By sophomore year, I started piano lessons, adding piano to my “weird” nightly practice routine. 

Music is a part of my life now. At Vanderbilt, I’m excited to take advantage of the Blair School of Music and take classes on music history. And to keep expanding my abilities and working on arrangements for one of Vanderbilt’s many acapella groups. I’m not ashamed to sing in public anymore — I’m really proud of it!

• Word count : 247
• This example essay uses the “initiative and impact” outline structure featured in our Describe an Activity article . 
• The essay shows a student with tremendous drive , as well as bravery, honesty, and humility.
• The essay shows a student who would be a great asset on the Vanderbilt campus. The last paragraph about what types of things they’d do on campus is a great (optional) way of showing the student’s desire to go to Vanderbilt and how they’d be a good fit. 
• This essay is loosely modeled on a real essay that we also liked about a girl who committed to weightlifting. So long as you bear in mind our caveats above — you can check it out in this video (it starts at the 4:30 mark). 

Option 2 (Diversity) — Focus on your actions and the 5 Traits

Here’s the prompt again:

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?

As we stated above, the key to this essay is to stay focused on you : your actions, your characteristics, and how you exhibit the 5 Traits. Keep your coverage of the person whose views differ from yours to ~1 paragraph or less. And make sure your essay has a “positive vibe” to it, as you want to come off as dynamic and exciting to the admission readers (not “combative”).

Option 2 (Diversity) — Example

As part of the activist group Sunrise-Cambridge, I advocate for bold, immediate, and aggressive change on climate issues on a local level. A lot of us in the group feel battle-ready; we’re young and worried about the state of the globe. We see our impatience as a good thing: a necessary corrective in a complacent world. 

But during the last election, a much-older member took a contrary view in our endorsement deliberations. He wanted us to approve a city council candidate who has a good record on many of our issues but a “bad” one on cars. Most of us dismissed the candidate out of hand. I was impressed that the older member not only went up against us, but how he did it: respecting our disagreement, but also laying out a strong contrary case.

In the end, we did make the endorsement; the councilor was elected; and she’s now a dependable ally for our cause (even if not our most enthusiastic). 

That moment has had a profound influence on me. I see my political activism differently — to be effective you need to know when to compromise judiciously. As the leader of the high school Sunrise chapter, for example, I’ve made a point to get feedback on our big issues from school leaders. That wasn’t popular at first. I heard things like: the principal is the bad guy! But it is popular now — being willing to communicate with a bigger, more diverse group has made us so much more effective. 

• Word count : 248
• This example essay shows a student who is dynamic, thoughtful, with drive, initiative, and contribution . 
• This essay would be better if it expanded upon the last paragraph (what the student did with the knowledge from the older Sunrise member). Instead, it “wastes” a fair amount of its length talking about the situation in which the student learned to listen to another viewpoint.
• You can imagine the topic of this essay being even stronger if it was written in response to the “Describe an activity” prompt — the student could spend more time talking about what they have done as head of their Sunrise chapter in high school with the philosophy that compromising and hearing diverse viewpoints isn’t “selling out” but powerful.

Helpful info on all the “other” stuff you’ll consider as you apply to Vanderbilt (and other schools)

A few helpful resources for the non-supplement parts of your application:

• Common App : Vanderbilt requires either the Common Application, Coalition Application, or QuestBridge Application. If you choose CA, read our guide to acing everything to do with writing your Common App application . 
• Whether to submit test scores: Vanderbilt remains test-optional for Fall 2023 and Fall 2024. Our test-optional article will guide you through the tricky waters of making this decision. 
• Early options: Vanderbilt offers Early Decision I, Early Decision II, and Regular Decision . Read our Early Admissions article so you know how to approach this decision. 

BTW, here’s our guidance for approaching any college supplement + here’s where you can find our guides for almost every college’s supplements . 

Feeling inspired? A great place to start is at our College Essay Help Center . 

More articles on Prompt.com’s admissions-boosting methods:

• Work with a college essay coach
• Strong essays increase your chance of admission by up to 10x
• Don’t let influencers influence your college essays
• Should I apply test-optional?
• Early admissions: Everything you need to know
• College Essay Help Center

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Vanderbilt Essay Prompts

• Extracurricular

View our complete guide to Vanderbilt University.

Vanderbilt asks for only one supplemental essay, alongside the personal statement. They have two potential prompts, each of which with a 250-word limit; you may answer one of them. 

While Vanderbilt is not as famous as many Ivy League schools, it is still a premier institution, and is very proud of its academic prowess and accomplishments. They are looking for dedicated and intelligent students, who are eager to learn and participate in the campus community, and who will contribute positively, both to the campus culture, and the world at large. For this they look to students’ essays, to see who they are, and what they care about.

Extracurricular - Example

Please briefly elaborate on one of your extracurricular activities or work experiences. (150-400 words)

There are more things on heaven and earth than I dream of in my philosophy, any one of which could have provoked the error message that snickered at me as I faced my nascent Hurricane Harvey Rescue coordination system.

Everything seemed in order, but none of the functionality – posting locations for rescue, marking rescues as completed – was working. After sifting through the backend PHP, I arrived at the paradoxically frustrating conclusion that everything was perfectly fine. Could the server itself be the problem?

Hoping to untangle the network error preventing my app from coordinating the rescue of Houstonians, I faced a dilemma: maintain my self-image as a perfectly self-sufficient coder or ask GoDaddy’s support hotline for help. Putting hubris aside, I gave them a call.

The first employee to answer had no intention of complicating his night with an intricate problem that could disappear with a dial tone.

Next try, I reframed. “My neighbors are drowning, and I need your help to save them” was a plea far beyond the average call center employee. However, I didn’t reach an average call center employee and I didn’t call as an average honors student.

I reached Ryan, who like me, codes in his spare time. Also like me, he realized the best weapon against terrifyingly enormous problems is a new paradigm. Our conventional philosophies of life and coding cast aside, we found together what I could not find alone.

We discovered the system’s server was more up-to-date than my self-proclaimed cutting-edge programming techniques. Ideally, I’d bring my code base up to speed. With water still rising, we favored the pragmatic solution and restored an older codebase on GoDaddy’s server, allowing my app to function unhindered. At 4am, we launched.

That night, I refined my philosophy. I learned that the world itself is malleable. Working with GoDaddy to save Houstonians by changing the server when we lacked the time to change the site wasn’t just a matter of leaving established technical solutions behind. It was about having the courage to find new approaches. With hours left and water rising, dreaming new things into my philosophy saved over 100 Houstonians.

That night, seeing the world as something to be molded by my hands confirmed that I need to attend Vanderbilt, where I can truly shape the future.

Extracurricular - Analysis

The first thing to note is the word count of the essay. You have anywhere from 150 to 400 words to tell this story with. We recommend using all or most of them, to make sure you don’t leave out any necessary details or information. Even in a longer essay, however, every word used should be put in with purpose. Don’t include empty phrases simply to fill space.

This is an incredibly open ended question. Vanderbilt doesn’t ask you anything specific about the extracurricular you were involved with or the job you did; instead, it is up to you to choose which values you impart in the essay. This makes it very easy to reuse other essays you have written which discuss a value you exemplified through your experience in an extracurricular activity. If you wrote a community or leadership essay which centers around one of your extracurriculars, this is a good place to reuse it.

If you do reuse an essay, you should make sure it fulfills the prompt. Just copy and pasting an essay from another school can work, but adding more details to fill out the word count is recommended. Also, showing other values beyond the main one adds more depth. Vanderbilt only asks for the one essay, so you need to say as much as possible with it.

In the essay above, the author relates a number of their values, and new things they learned. They demonstrate their speed and skill as a coder, and their care for their community. They show their humility in a willingness to ask for help, and admitting that they do not know all the answers. Finally, they learn that sometimes there is a solution beyond the obvious, and it requires looking at a problem in a different light to uncover the best way forward. While the essay has a single theme and story, it relays a great number of the author’s talents and values. The last sentence is not strictly necessary, but does a nice job tying the essay to Vanderbilt specifically.

While the specific values you choose to include can be different, the overall goal of the essay is to show who you are as a person, and how that will contribute positively to Vanderbilt. An essay which merely states the facts of what you did will not work, no matter how well written. Admissions officers want to know how you will fit into and contribute to the school’s campus and culture.

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Vanderbilt University’s 2023-24 Essay Prompts

Select-a-prompt short response.

Please select one of the following short answer prompts:

Vanderbilt offers a community where students find balance between their academic and social experiences. Please briefly elaborate on how one of your extracurricular activities or work experiences has influenced you.

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?

Common App Personal Essay

The essay demonstrates your ability to write clearly and concisely on a selected topic and helps you distinguish yourself in your own voice. What do you want the readers of your application to know about you apart from courses, grades, and test scores? Choose the option that best helps you answer that question and write an essay of no more than 650 words, using the prompt to inspire and structure your response. Remember: 650 words is your limit, not your goal. Use the full range if you need it, but don‘t feel obligated to do so.

Some students have a background, identity, interest, or talent that is so meaningful they believe their application would be incomplete without it. If this sounds like you, then please share your story.

The lessons we take from obstacles we encounter can be fundamental to later success. Recount a time when you faced a challenge, setback, or failure. How did it affect you, and what did you learn from the experience?

Reflect on a time when you questioned or challenged a belief or idea. What prompted your thinking? What was the outcome?

Reflect on something that someone has done for you that has made you happy or thankful in a surprising way. How has this gratitude affected or motivated you?

Discuss an accomplishment, event, or realization that sparked a period of personal growth and a new understanding of yourself or others.

Describe a topic, idea, or concept you find so engaging that it makes you lose all track of time. Why does it captivate you? What or who do you turn to when you want to learn more?

Share an essay on any topic of your choice. It can be one you‘ve already written, one that responds to a different prompt, or one of your own design.

What will first-time readers think of your college essay?

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August 26, 2023

2023-2024 Vanderbilt University Supplemental Essay Prompts

Vanderbilt University has released its 2023-2024 supplemental admissions essay prompts for applicants to the Class of 2028. This year, in addition to The Common Application ’s Personal Statement, Vanderbilt requires applicants to answer one of their two supplemental essay prompts in approximately 250 words. So what are this year’s prompts? Wonder no more!

2023-2024 Vanderbilt Essay Topics & Questions

Vanderbilt’s two supplemental essay prompts for applicants to the Class of 2028, which applicants are to choose one to answer in about 250 words, are as follows:

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?

Vanderbilt’s admissions committee values a diversity of thought on their campus. So applicants should not be afraid to express an opinion- even if it delves into politics. But, no matter what applicants choose to write about in their response, they must showcase that they’ll be respectful of the opinions of others and that they’re malleable to change. The conversation is, in many ways, a window into how a student will take advantage of a liberal arts education.

2. Vanderbilt offers a community where students find balance between their academic and social experiences. Please briefly elaborate on how one of your extracurricular activities or work experiences has influenced you.

Too many applicants choose to write about an extracurricular activity that will not serve Vanderbilt. For instance, writing about a sport if the applicant isn’t getting recruited for that sport is a wasted opportunity since the student will not be helping Vanderbilt’s team win. And even if a student is a recruited athlete, they should avoid writing about their sport since sports essays are  always  cliché in elite college admissions.

The extracurricular that a student chooses to focus on in their response should be included in the activities section of their Common Application, and it should further shine a spotlight on the applicant’s singular hook (rather than well-roundedness ). After all, Vanderbilt seeks to admit students who will change the world in a very specific way. The applicant’s activity choice for this essay should be consistent with that narrative.

Ivy Coach’s Assistance with Vanderbilt Essays

If you’re interested in optimizing your case for admission to Vanderbilt by submitting the most compelling essays possible, fill out Ivy Coach ’s consultation form , and we’ll be in touch to delineate our college admissions counseling services for seniors.

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Vanderbilt University Supplemental Essays Guide: 2021-2022

Engaging Vanderbilt supplemental essays are sure to standout in the admissions process. Not sure how to write your Vanderbilt essay? With tips from a Harvard graduate, CollegeAdvisor.com’s guide to the Vanderbilt extracurricular essay will show you how to write a Vanderbilt essay that is sure to stand out.

If you need help crafting your Vanderbilt application essay, click here to create your  free account  or  schedule a free consultation  with Admissions Experts by calling (844) 904-0290.

Vanderbilt  Essay Guide Quick Facts:

• Vanderbilt has an acceptance rate of 12%— U.S. News  ranks Vanderbilt as a  most selective  school.
• We recommend answering the Vanderbilt application essay comprehensively and thoughtfully to maximize your chances of admission.

What is Vanderbilt University Known for?

Vanderbilt University is a private research university located in Nashville, Tennessee. It has a student population of approximately 7000 undergraduates and 6500 graduate students. Its 330-acre campus—which is designated as a national arboretum—provides a green respite from the busy streets of downtown Nashville. One of the trees on campus, nicknamed  the Bicentennial Oak , is believed to be over 250 years old!

If you want to attend an elite research university located in the South, Vanderbilt might be the place for you. Vanderbilt combines the urban with the rural, providing easy access to Nashville’s bustling music and culture scene despite its forested country feel.

For more information on the university, and its application requirements, check out  Vanderbilt’s admissions page .

Does Vanderbilt want a Resume?

You will have the option to submit a  resume  through the Common App. However, Vanderbilt does not require a resume—a thorough activities list can serve you just as well. Also, keep in mind that your Vanderbilt application essay may also contain some information related to your resume.

However, if your professional or extracurricular experience extends meaningfully beyond the scope of your activities list, you may benefit from submitting a resume. At the end of the day, it’s up to you.

Need help writing a great resume for your college applications? CollegeAdvisor’s  guide  will help you write the perfect resume to showcase your background and experiences!

Does Vanderbilt Require Essays?

Yes. In addition to the Common App  personal statement  that you will submit to every college, Vanderbilt requires all applicants to submit one additional Vanderbilt application essay. You can read more about the Vanderbilt application requirements—including the Vanderbilt essay—on the  Common App website .

While there aren’t multiple Vanderbilt supplemental essays, this doesn’t mean you should take the Vanderbilt application essay any less seriously! As with previous Vanderbilt supplemental essays, this year’s Vanderbilt essay should be answered completely and thoughtfully to stand out in the admissions process.

The requirements for the Vanderbilt essay might look straightforward, but don’t let that fool you. Be sure to spend plenty of time brainstorming, drafting, and editing your Vanderbilt application essay to maximize your chances of admission. The best Vanderbilt essay prompts will be a complement to the applicant’s candidate profile.

What does Vanderbilt Look for in Essays?

According to their  website , Vanderbilt wants “to learn more about what skills, character traits, points of view, or life experiences you would bring to the Commodore community.” Successful Vanderbilt supplemental essays will align with these recommendations.

Through your grades, letters of recommendation, and test scores, Vanderbilt learns about who you are as a student. Your Vanderbilt application essay speaks to who you are as a person—that is, the specific traits and experiences that make you the person you are. Strong Vanderbilt supplemental essays will go beyond your basic qualifications to demonstrate who you will be as a member of the Vanderbilt community rather than just a student.

As with many colleges, Vanderbilt supplemental essays should tell a story. When reading Vanderbilt supplemental essays, the admissions committee hopes to see how applicants will contribute both to Vanderbilt and to the world itself.

If this seems like a daunting task to tackle in your Vanderbilt application essay, don’t worry! In this guide, we’ll break down the Vanderbilt application essay to help you stand out in admissions.

How Important is the Essay for Vanderbilt?

According to the Vanderbilt website, the Vanderbilt essay is one of five factors that admissions officers consider when evaluating applicants. In addition to the Vanderbilt essay prompts that the committee will review, they’ll consider other key factors like grades, test scores, extracurriculars, and recommendation letters.

This means that the Vanderbilt essay is very important in admissions. Many applicants might look the same on paper; your Vanderbilt supplemental essay will reveal the key ways you stand out from other students with similar qualifications. Simply put, the Vanderbilt supplemental essay allows you to express yourself to the admissions committee on your own terms. After all, you are more than your grades and test scores!

Additionally, note that Vanderbilt does not have a “Why Vanderbilt” question. This makes Vanderbilt a bit of an anomaly among universities with supplemental essay requirements. However, even though Vanderbilt may not directly ask you why you belong there, you should still have a strong idea of why you want to attend and how Vanderbilt will help you achieve your goals. This information will still help you write an engaging Vanderbilt essay—plus, it might prove helpful in an interview setting.

How do you Write the Vanderbilt Essay?

Like with any essay, you’ll want to start by brainstorming! When you begin your Vanderbilt supplemental essay, you’ll likely have already drafted your Common App personal statement. This means that on some level, you’ll understand your writing process when it comes to college essays.

As you prepare for the Vanderbilt extracurricular essay, try choosing three things from your Common App activities list that have made an impact on you. These activities can be big or small, formal or informal—what matters most is that your activities will tell the admissions committee something about you.

Structured freewriting

You may have encountered freewriting in preparation for other college essays. A freewriting session can be an incredibly useful tool, especially for topics like the Vanderbilt supplemental essay prompt. After all, with so many potential extracurriculars you could write about, you’ll want to narrow your options!

Once you’ve selected three extracurricular activities, start a timer for ten minutes. Write about your first activity for ten minutes straight. Don’t edit or read your work. Instead, use this time to reflect on what the activity meant to you, how you felt when you did it, and how it has influenced your personal or professional goals. There are no wrong answers here! After you’ve done your first free-write for the Vanderbilt supplemental essay, restart your timer and repeat the process for the next two activities.

After you complete your freewriting, reflect on the experience. Maybe there was one activity that you couldn’t stop writing about—that might be your Vanderbilt extracurricular essay. However, if the answer doesn’t seem clear-cut, don’t be discouraged! Read over your free writes and assess which of them has the most potential. If you still don’t know, you might ask an advisor, college counselor, parent, teacher, or friend for their opinion.

Choosing a topic

Keep in mind that you don’t need to choose your most impressive activity to feature in your Vanderbilt extracurricular essay. For instance, even if you won an international debate championship, you can still write about caring for your younger brother if you think this activity reveals more about who you are as a person. Authenticity is key when it comes to successful Vanderbilt supplemental essays.

Once you’ve chosen a topic for your Vanderbilt essay, it’s time to start drafting. We’ll expand on the later stages of writing Vanderbilt supplemental essays near the end of this essay guide!

For more information on freewriting and reflection exercises to help spark creativity, check out our blog article.

Vanderbilt Supplemental Essays — Question 1 (Required):

Please briefly elaborate on one of your extracurricular activities or work experiences. (200-400 words)

Unlike the prompts for other schools, the Vanderbilt essay question is straightforward. However, this doesn’t mean you shouldn’t think carefully about your response!

Simply put, this Vanderbilt essay question asks you to select an extracurricular activity or work experience and describe it to the admissions committee. Since there aren’t multiple Vanderbilt essay prompts, your Vanderbilt extracurricular essay is all the more important.

Don’t (just) brag

However, the most vital parts of this Vanderbilt extracurricular essay prompt are implicit rather than explicit. While this Vanderbilt essay prompts applicants to elaborate on an extracurricular experience, you should be careful to focus on who you are in relation to your activities rather than just what you’ve done. Your Vanderbilt supplemental essay is your chance to speak directly to admissions officers about what matters to you. Use your Vanderbilt essay to do just that, offering your extracurricular achievements as a means of understanding your identity.

For instance, say you’re an accomplished basketball player who has competed at the national level. Don’t spend your Vanderbilt extracurricular essay detailing the shots you made, the techniques you used, and the methodologies behind your team’s training practices. Instead, use your Vanderbilt application essay to discuss what basketball means to you. You might talk about the value of teamwork or perseverance. Think about the way your body and mind feel as you run down the court. The most successful responses to the Vanderbilt essay prompt will focus not on what a student did but on why it was important.

Tell a story

The best Vanderbilt supplemental essays will use the activity/work experience to reveal key information rather than dwelling on logistics. This isn’t your resume! Vanderbilt has already seen your activities list. What matters in your Vanderbilt essay is that you expand on your activities list to discuss your interests, values, and accomplishments in a more personal way.

Since the Vanderbilt essay is limited to 400 words, you can use the significant amount of space the Vanderbilt application essay provides to tell the full story behind your chosen activity. You may choose to open your Vanderbilt application essay with an anecdote similar to some Common App personal statements. While the Vanderbilt essay prompt may seem basic, your response can still be creative.

After an engaging anecdote that “hooks” your reader into your Vanderbilt extracurricular essay, you’ll want to offer a brief description of your chosen activity. Include details such as what you did, where you did it, who you did it with, and how it might relate to your other interests.

Once you’ve described your activity, it’s time to dig deeper. At the core of your Vanderbilt extracurricular essay, describe why your chosen activity mattered to you and how it informs the way you see the world. Be concrete and specific in your Vanderbilt application essay. Avoid simply describing an activity as “really fun” or that winning an award “made you feel good.” Instead, think about the why behind your chosen activity. How did this activity change you? How does this activity interact with your overall candidate profile? Finally, how can you communicate this in your Vanderbilt application essay?

If you follow this guidance in answering the Vanderbilt essay prompt, you should be on track for success.

Vanderbilt Supplemental Essays Draft Key Questions:

• Does your Vanderbilt application essay expand meaningfully on an activity you mention in your application?
• Do you use your extracurricular activity to reveal more about who you are and what matters to you?
• Do you describe why your chosen activity was important to you in concrete and specific terms?
• Does your reader learn more about you by reading your Vanderbilt extracurricular essay?

Additional tips for writing your Vanderbilt supplemental essay:

Above all—the admissions committee is looking for authenticity in Vanderbilt essay prompts. Your Vanderbilt essay is your chance to speak directly to the admissions committee about what makes you an engaging candidate. To that end, your Vanderbilt extracurricular essay should reveal what makes you unique. The Vanderbilt essay prompt may be straightforward, but that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t be creative!

Finally, don’t forget to edit, revise, and proofread your Vanderbilt essay! Misspelled words and incorrect grammar can make or break Vanderbilt supplemental essays. Remember to read over your Vanderbilt extracurricular essay multiple times before submitting it to catch any mistakes.

Vanderbilt Supplemental Essays: Final Thoughts

The Vanderbilt extracurricular essay may seem daunting. However, don’t be discouraged! View your Vanderbilt application essay as a chance to introduce yourself to the admissions team. And remember that at the end of the day, you are more than your grades, test scores, or admissions results.

Use this guide to approach the Vanderbilt extracurricular essay with a solid strategy that will help you stand out to admissions officers. Finally, remember to give yourself time to draft and revise to make your Vanderbilt extracurricular essay the best it can be. With these tips in mind, you should be able to approach the Vanderbilt essay prompt with ease. Good luck!

This 2021-2022 essay guide on Vanderbilt University was written by Abbie Sage, Harvard ‘21. Want help crafting your Vanderbilt supplemental essay? Click here to create your  free account , or call (844) 904-0290 to schedule your no-cost advising consultation.

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How To Write The Vanderbilt Supplemental Essay + Examples

Reviewed by:

Former Admissions Committee Member, Columbia University

Reviewed: 11/20/23

If you need help writing the Vanderbilt supplemental essay, read this guide to learn everything you need to know about it, including essay prompts and examples! 

You may feel pressured before applying because of Vanderbilt’s competitive applicant pool. Don’t worry; everyone must start somewhere. If you need more assistance, 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 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 examples of successful essays.

Vanderbilt University Supplemental Essay Prompts 2023-2024

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 on your response and make it as excellent as possible. However, you may prefer to have more options to consider before writing.

The following prompts can be found on the Vanderbilt admissions page .

“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?”

“Vanderbilt offers a community where students find balance between their academic and social experiences. Please briefly elaborate on how one of your extracurricular activities or work experiences has influenced you.”

Both of these supplemental essay prompts have a 250-word limit. Make sure you choose the essay prompts you know you can answer well! 

How to Write Each Essay Prompt For Vanderbilt University

Here, we’ll cover how to write each essay prompt for Vanderbilt University. 

How to Write Vanderbilt University Supplemental Essay #1 + Analysis and Tips

Vanderbilt University 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?” 

Analysis of prompt #1 : This prompt wants you to reflect on conversations you’ve had with people who have expressed viewpoints different from yours. The prompt is looking at how you handle discussions with people with different viewpoints. 

This prompt can also be considered a diversity essay, which Vanderbilt includes because the school values all walks of life. 

Here are some tips to help you write this prompt:

1. Tip #1: Choose a Conversation : To choose the best conversation to talk about in your essay, ask yourself the following questions:

• What are my beliefs and values?
• How do others respond to these beliefs?
• What is one belief I have that others contest or oppose?
• How has this belief changed over time?
• Has anyone influenced this belief? 
• What points of the opposition can I agree with?
• Why is it important to discuss differing views on things?

Remember, you aren’t simply relaying a conversation with a friend to the committee. You’re explaining how you respond to opposing views, demonstrate respect for differences, and, most importantly, how you grow because of them! 

2. Tip #2: Identify the Different Viewpoints : Clearly explain the contrasting viewpoints you encountered. Highlight the key differences between the viewpoints without judgment. You'll want to convey your ability to engage with diverse perspectives and how those interactions have shaped your thinking.

3. Tip #3: Highlight What You Learned : Explore how the conversation expanded your understanding of the topic. Discuss any new information or perspectives that you gained. Vanderbilt is looking to see if you’re willing to learn from opposing views, so if you learned anything from the conversation, make sure to add it! 

How to Write Vanderbilt University Supplemental Essay #2 + Analysis and Tips

Vanderbilt University prompt #2 : “Vanderbilt offers a community where students find balance between their academic and social experiences. Please briefly elaborate on how one of your extracurricular activities or work experiences has influenced you.”

Analysis of prompt #2 : 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. Vanderbilt values extracurricular activity and emphasizes students having a balance when it comes to their academics. 

1 . Tip #1: Choose an Extracurricular : 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.

2. Tip #2: Highlight Transferable Skills : Identify and highlight the skills you gained from the experience that are transferable to both academic and social settings. This could include teamwork, leadership, communication, or organizational skills.

3. Tip #3: Discuss Impact on Academic Performance : Explain how participating in the extracurricular activity or work experience positively impacted your academic performance. This could be through improved focus, discipline, or understanding of your learning style.

Examples of Vanderbilt University Supplemental Essays That Worked

Below, you’ll find some Vanderbilt University supplemental essays written by successful applicants who were admitted to the school! Let’s look at each one and discuss what worked about it.

Sample Essay #1

Prompt : “Vanderbilt offers a community where students find balance between their academic and social experiences. Please briefly elaborate on how one of your extracurricular activities or work experiences has influenced you.”

“I never would’ve thought joining my school’s DECA chapter would catalyze my entrepreneurial aspirations. Yet, three years later and now a [POSITION] of said DECA chapter, I’ve channeled this ever-growing tenacity toward not only being a fierce competitor, but also a fierce leader. Aside from defining my high school experience, DECA has helped me find my place in school and given me the bigger-picture purpose necessary to help me develop into who I want to be, who I’ve already been all along: an entrepreneur. 

As a freshman, I was daunted by the task of producing a business proposal that’d cover all aspects of a business, including financial statements I’d never even heard of before. However, I soon found myself thriving by taking on the role of a potential franchisee, working on each section of my business proposal separately and putting them together to watch my business grow on paper, like pieces of a puzzle fitting into place. Embroiled in the encapsulating realm of entrepreneurship, I was inspired by my first year in DECA to immerse myself in the world of business, seeking to involve myself in additional academic and real-world business-esque opportunities and experiences. 

Within the chapter, I’ve made strides as an officer and now a [POSITION] to increase our member engagement and provide resources for members to help guide them through their business proposal construction process. Recently, tasked with the responsibility of building a chapter website, I’ve channeled my problem-solving and marketing skills gleaned from DECA into constructing an innovative platform that communicates our chapter’s mission, conveys important dates for meetings and competitions, displays samples of officers’ past proposals, as well as highlights Great Neck North DECA alumni. 

With each new year, each new business proposal thrusts me into a new level of competition: from qualifying for the state competition as a timid freshman to qualifying for the international competition during my sophomore year to confidently presenting and defending my most recent business proposal as a competitor in the final round at the international competition during my junior year. Outside of competition, each new year in DECA has thrust me into a new level of exploration, personal growth, and mentorship as I continue to absorb as much business-related knowledge as possible while savoring my time in DECA as both a leader and a competitor, ultimately allowing me to flourish as both a student and a future entrepreneur.”

Why Essay #1 Worked

This is a great essay because the writer captures their feelings about joining DECA and how much it has impacted them. The essay also illustrates the DECA chapter’s mission, which helps showcase that the writer believes in it. 

Sample Essay #2

“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 Essay #2 Worked

This essay immediately grabs your attention with a detailed reenactment of a crime scene that is a mock trial tournament. The student shows us what this extracurricular means 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 . 

Get More Sample Essays Here!

Examining successful supplemental essays is an excellent method for uncovering effective strategies. Explore numerous samples in our comprehensive college essay database below to discover a wide range of examples!

Do you still have questions about the Vanderbilt supplemental essays? Below, we have frequently asked questions. 

1. What Is Vanderbilt University’s Acceptance Rate? 

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. 

2. How Is the Admissions Process for Vanderbilt University? 

Vanderbilt uses a holistic admissions process , meaning one element does not make or break an application. The school considers all student evaluation factors, from test scores and grades to extracurricular activities and leadership roles. 

3. What Kinds of Applications Can I Submit for Vanderbilt? 

You can apply for Vanderbilt using the Common App, Coalition App, and QuestBridge program. Choose the right application system for you, as Vanderbilt has no preference. Carefully follow the instructions on their respective site. 

4. What Are the Other Application Requirements for Vanderbilt? 

Apart from the requirements of each application system, you must submit high school transcripts, a counselor's 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. 

5. Are There Any Other Supplemental Materials for First-Year Applicants? 

If you apply for Vanderbilt’s Blair School of Music, you must complete a separate application besides the Coalition or Common App. You must also submit at least one artistic recommendation, a headshot, a music resume, a repertoire list, and a pre-screening video. You can find more details on the Blair Admissions Page .

Final Thoughts 

The Vanderbilt supplemental essay asks you to focus on an experience 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 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 will craft a stellar essay if you draw on your unique experiences.

Access 190+ sample college essays here

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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.

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Analyzing the Vanderbilt Supplemental Essay 2021-2022

Padya Paramita

September 20, 2021

Your reason behind applying to Vanderbilt University might have been inspired by the opportunity to learn from esteemed instructors at the Blair School of Music, or the chance to work with one of the school’s 30 registered student service groups. If you’ve done your research, you might already know that its campus itself is a natural arboretum and may be thrilled to continue activities related to nature. Or, you’ve always been fascinated about why Vanderbilt is the “Harvard of the South.” Either way, it’s time to let the admissions officers know about an activity that matters to you through the Vanderbilt supplemental essay 2021-2022 . 

While the Vanderbilt supplemental essay 2021-2022 doesn’t explicitly ask why you’ve chosen the school, admissions officers use the essay to determine whether you’d be a good fit for Vanderbilt—and vice versa—through your response. Take advantage of this prompt to discuss an activity that has made an impact on you, and one where you believe you have left your mark. In reading your essay, Vanderbilt wants to know what unique qualities and experiences you bring and which parts of campus you’re likely to contribute to if accepted to the university. To guide you through the Vanderbilt supplemental essay 2021-2022 , I’ve outlined the question, the dos and don'ts for your response, and some more tips to help you write a successful answer.

Prompt for the Vanderbilt Supplemental Essay 2021-2022

Please briefly elaborate on one of your extracurricular activities or work experiences. (200-400 words)

If it seems like Vanderbilt doesn’t have supplemental essays just because there’s no separate writing section, think again. Hidden in the activities section of Vanderbilt’s Common Application page, this short essay should not be overlooked, as it’s a great opportunity to tell admissions officers about an extracurricular that matters to you. Remember that Vanderbilt admissions officers have already seen your personal statement through the Common App. It’s important that you cover an entirely different experience in the Vanderbilt supplemental essay 2021-2022 as they don’t want to read about the same thing over and over. Think about an activity that has had a significant impact on you that you haven’t elaborated on elsewhere in your application. This can include a club at school, an initiative you’ve started, a volunteering experience, or an internship or job you’ve had.

You shouldn’t spend any more than 100 words naming and describing the activity. Admissions officers want to know less about what you do daily as part of the activity, and more on how it has helped hone your leadership skills and influenced who you are. The key focus of your response should lie in explaining why it has had such a powerful impact on you. Has this experience enriched your connection to your community? Is it connected to your interests and goals? Is there a direct connection between your ideal career and the role you played while participating in this particular extracurricular? Anecdotes are important in getting your point across successfully. Think about instances that emphasize why this activity matters so much to you. Why does it stand out over your other experiences?

Even though you haven’t been asked “Why Vanderbilt” directly, think about the types of activities that students are engaged in at the school, and try to find connections between your activity and Vanderbilt’s offerings . Is there an organization at the university where you’d be able to continue similar work? How does Vanderbilt’s commitment to community engagement align with the activity you’ve chosen?

Your choice of extracurricular should reflect the type of experience that holds the most meaning to you personally, because after all, this is your college application. Admissions officers don’t want an essay outlining seemingly impressive activities that you think they want to hear. The Vanderbilt supplemental essay 2021-2022 should provide more information about who you are and what enjoy. Make sure to reflect on how this activity has shaped your perspective and the role it plays in your aspirations.

More Tips for the Vanderbilt Supplemental Essay 2021-2022

• Think about your leadership role and commitment - When brainstorming the Vanderbilt supplemental essay 2021-2022 , you have to be strategic. The activity you choose should not only be unique but also exemplify your commitment and biggest assets. If you were a general member in a really unusual club for half a year, it’s not the best selection if you didn’t do much. Vanderbilt looks for community leaders who are dedicated to their field. Write about an extracurricular where you’ve been involved for an admirable period of time and taken initiative. Just saying you were a leader isn’t enough either – show your leadership through anecdotes and tangible achievements in your essay.
• Be wary of your activities list description - Since you’re elaborating on a meaningful activity, you should ideally capitalize on the short space provided to describe your achievements with the club or organization. That being said, your Vanderbilt supplemental essay 2021-2022 is chance to expand upon—instead of repeating—what you’ve written earlier in the Common Application. Admissions officers expect each component of your application to convey new information about you. Mentioning the same things you’ve touched upon elsewhere in the Common App is not strategic. Read back on what you’ve written in the activities section before you write the essay so that you can make sure that all of the information you’ve provided is new.
• Take advantage of the word limit - Even though the Vanderbilt supplemental essay 2021-2022 has provided you with a minimum word count of 200 words, you should take advantage of the upper limit. Although a 400-word limit isn’t too high, it’s generous enough to write an informative essay that demonstrates your passion and commitment to a significant extracurricular. Take advantage of the space you’ve got to introduce the activity, go into anecdotes, and draw a conclusion that makes it clear to admissions officers why this activity holds a special place in your heart. 

Since you don’t have multiple prompts to convey to admissions officers who you are and what makes you unique, the Vanderbilt supplemental essay 2021-2022 must not be taken lightly. Don’t miss this opportunity to highlight your interests and goals by writing a response that demonstrates your passion and dedication to an important extracurricular activity. It’s time to impress the admissions officers with your commitment. Good luck!

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Harvard University is one of the most competitive schools in the country. Every year admissions officers are bombarded with applications from eager students looking to make the cut. Thus, Harvard has a supplement to give students an opportunity to distinguish themselves from the competition. Writing supplemental essays can be daunting, but luckily for you, College Essay Advisors founder (and admissions expert) Stacey Brook is here to break down the Harvard supplement so you can hit submit with confidence.

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Last updated March 22, 2024

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Blog > Essay Advice , Private University , Supplementals > How to Write the Vanderbilt Supplemental Essays

How to Write the Vanderbilt Supplemental Essays

Admissions officer reviewed by Ben Bousquet, M.Ed Former Vanderbilt University

Written by Ben Bousquet, M.Ed Former Vanderbilt University Admissions

Key Takeaway

What are the vanderbilt supplemental essay prompts.

Vanderbilt has two supplemental essay prompts you can choose from. They do not have a preference for which one you submit, but you should consider which one makes the most sense for you. Both Vanderbilt supplemental essay prompts are fairly common topics, so you may find ways to “recycle” your writing and use it for other schools too.

This guide will walk you through our tips on how to write the two Vanderbilt supplemental essays from a former Vanderbilt admission officer.

How to Write the Vanderbilt Supplemental Essay

Supplemental strategy.

Supplemental essays are very important to the Vanderbilt admissions process. Vanderbilt is an extremely highly-selective school, so making admissions decisions based on academics alone isn’t enough. They want to understand and assess your impact and engagement outside of the classroom as well.

Vanderbilt admissions also wants to understand who you might be as a community member on their campus. Remember, Vanderbilt students live on-campus in the residence halls all four years. Community fit in their diverse community in Nashville is exceptionally important to them too.

These values—extracurriculars and embracing a diverse community—are reflected in the Vanderbilt supplemental essay prompts.

How long should Vanderbilt supplemental essay be? 250 words? 400?

Oh, one more thing. Vanderbilt asks you to “Please provide your answer in approximately 250 words”, but you’ll notice that the box allows you to submit up to 400 words. Many students ask if it is okay to write more than 250 words.

It is okay to write more than 250 words for the Vanderbilt supplemental essays. As always, you should find ways to be concise and direct when writing this style of supplemental essay. Vanderbilt changed their word count policy in the 2022-2023 school year, which is also when they added the second prompt. They give the space to write up to 400 words, and you may use as much of that space as you need.

Vanderbilt offers a community where students find balance between their academic and social experiences. Please briefly elaborate on how one of your extracurricular activities or work experiences has influenced you.

This has been Vanderbilt’s supplemental essay for years, and you are likely to see similar prompts at other schools. It's a classic extracurricular activities essay .

To start, make sure you clearly describe the activity and your role. Some activities might take a bit more explanation than others. Admission officers likely know what a baseball pitcher does or what a debate competition might look like. Still, you may have had an informal leadership role. If you are writing about something more distinctive like an internship, research program, school club, or family responsibilities, be clear about your role. Have someone else read it and make sure they can accurately recite to you their understanding of your activity.

Remember, Vanderbilt wants to understand your impact outside of the classroom and the context and breadth of any achievements you have. (We have a whole post about extracurricular magnitude and impact , if you're interested.)

Vanderbilt admissions also wants to know that you are reflective enough to write about the impact your chosen extracurricular activity had on you. What did you learn? How did you change? Perhaps you were part of a research team and gained a greater understanding of how individual scientists are integral parts of a lab. Maybe your work with children on the autism spectrum is the reason you want to go into education. Show how you’ve learned and grown.

Additionally, Vanderbilt (and pretty much any school) wants to understand how your experiences will positively impact others now and in the future. Remember, they are recruiting not just students for the classroom, but community members for four years. Be sure to tell them how your experiences will translate to the next chapters of your life.

By the way, students often worry about being too direct. While you don’t want to write with zero style or emotion, know that writing clearly about your impact can help your admission officer understand your point quickly. Your admission officer is on a time crunch. It is okay in a supplemental essay to explicitly connect the dots between what you have done in high school and what you will do in college.

Which brings me to my last point—feel free to sneak in something specific at Vanderbilt that relates to your extracurricular activity, something you’d like to join once there. Whether that is research, service, marching band, or the rocket team, it is appropriate to let them know an aspect of the community you’d like to join.

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?

This second prompt was new for Vanderbilt in the 2022-23 school year. They do not have a preference for which prompt you choose, so don’t let that discourage you from addressing this one.

Most of my guidelines from the extracurricular essay apply here as well.

This prompt is a somewhat distinctive take on a diversity essay . Instead of directly asking you to address diversity or a community, Vanderbilt asks you to reflect on conversation(s) you’ve had where your viewpoint wasn’t shared.

Just like the extracurricular essay, don’t make the careless mistake of not setting the scene for the conversation you describe. You don’t have to (or want to) spend half your essay describing the parties involved, but don’t skip the setup either.

Then, give details of the encounter. Some students opt for the more conservative route of taking a stance of neutrality in the disagreement—describing a scene without stating their own opinion. Perhaps a controversial reading in class brought out differing opinions and resulted in an argument. Other (probably most) students will choose to reveal their own viewpoint or “side” of an argument and describe the scene where they were challenged. Either approach is okay, as long as you…

Share how the conversation impacted you. Perhaps your opinion was changed when you realized someone else has more direct experience with a topic and they swayed you. Maybe the person with whom you disagree dug their heels in based on a proclamation of unshakable faith. The lessons one learns from these encounters would be different, and you need to make sure that lesson is revealed.

Again, you want to leave the admission officer with a sense of who you are as a community member through this story. Maybe you are open-minded, or empathetic, or a great listener, or a skillful but caring debater. Let them infer (or tell them directly!) how this will manifest on the Vanderbilt campus.

With both essays, make sure you set your reader up to understand the situation or extracurricular activity. Don’t leave them guessing or assume they’ll understand something. Then, open yourself up to enough reflection to demonstrate your capacity to learn and grow, and be forward-looking enough that they can picture you on their campus.

For more advice about applying to Vanderbilt, be sure to check out our Vanderbilt Common Data Set post and How to Get into Vanderbilt guide. See you there!

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2022-2023 Common App Essay Prompts

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The Common App essay prompts will remain the same for 2022-2023. Because as we enter the third year of a global pandemic, consistency is not a bad thing.

That’s not the only reason, of course. We know from our most recent survey on the topic that over 95% of every group who responded--students, counselors, teachers, and admission officers--agree that the prompts spark effective essays. That’s why we kept them the same last year as well, with the exception of adding a new one about gratitude .

As we’ve said in the past, this announcement is not an invitation to juniors to start writing. And it’s definitely not a signal that they start thinking about applying. Those things will come in time. We share this news in January because it’s when some schools begin conversations about college options. It’s a time for learning, reflecting, and planning. That’s where the prompts can be useful: in helping students understand the aspects of their lives that colleges are curious about. 

"We share this news in January because it’s when some schools begin conversations about college options. It’s a time for learning, reflecting, and planning. That’s where the prompts can be useful: in helping students understand the aspects of their lives that colleges are curious about." Scott Anderson, Senior Director, Common App

Something else we’ve said in the past: prompts are not topics. They are simply questions designed to spark thinking. Our Telling Your Story resource shows students just how much flexibility they have in what they write when the time comes.

Below is the full set of essay prompts for 2022-2023. We will also retain the optional COVID-19 question within the Additional Information section.

• Some students have a background, identity, interest, or talent that is so meaningful they believe their application would be incomplete without it. If this sounds like you, then please share your story.
• The lessons we take from obstacles we encounter can be fundamental to later success. Recount a time when you faced a challenge, setback, or failure. How did it affect you, and what did you learn from the experience?
• Reflect on a time when you questioned or challenged a belief or idea. What prompted your thinking? What was the outcome?
• Reflect on something that someone has done for you that has made you happy or thankful in a surprising way. How has this gratitude affected or motivated you?
• Discuss an accomplishment, event, or realization that sparked a period of personal growth and a new understanding of yourself or others.
• Describe a topic, idea, or concept you find so engaging that it makes you lose all track of time. Why does it captivate you? What or who do you turn to when you want to learn more?
• Share an essay on any topic of your choice. It can be one you've already written, one that responds to a different prompt, or one of your own design.

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