villanova essay prompts 2022

Villanova University 2023-24 Supplemental Essay Prompt Guide

Early Action/Decision: Nov 1

Regular Decision Deadline: Jan 15

You Have: 

Villanova 2023-24 Application Essay Question Explanations

The Requirements: 1 essay of 250 words, 1 short response of 150 words

Supplemental Essay Type(s): Why , Oddball , Community

Essay #1: Villanova Free Choice (2023-24)

For the first Villanova-specific essay, we have offered a range of topics to pique your interest. We hope to gain a deeper understanding of your thoughts, experiences, and opinions. Choose one of the five topics below and submit a written response in about 250 words.

Prompt 1: St. Augustine states that well-being is “not concerned with myself alone, but with my neighbor’s good as well.” How have you advocated for equity and justice in your communities? 

If you choose this prompt, then social justice is probably pretty important to you. And you don’t have to be a protest organizer to impress admissions here. It can be just as bold to engage in a dialogue with family members from older generations on controversial topics or utilize your creativity to draw informative comics breaking down complex issues for Instagram. If you’re feeling stuck, maybe start by thinking about the topics that are most important to you. What keeps you up at night? Gun violence? Corporate greed? Food deserts? Next, think about what steps you’ve taken in your life to create change, inform, and/or organize. Ultimately, the key to writing an excellent response to this prompt is in the details. Don’t just tell Villanova about something you’ve advocated for recently; tell them why you did so, and maybe even share how you would like to continue engaging with or fighting for equity and justice in the future.

Prompt 2: As an Augustinian community, we believe that you should see people for who they are. Please share with us a time when you were misjudged based on your identity or background.

This prompt will likely stick out to students who know what it’s like to be reduced to one aspect of their background or identity, and odds are, you have a specific memory in mind. As you write your response, you’ll want to make sure you summarize your account as succinctly as possible; that way, you can dedicate most of your words to discussing your feelings and experience. Since you only have 250 words to work with, you won’t be able to write a lengthy thesis on the general public’s preconceived notions about people who appear different from them, but you can reveal more information about your background and experiences. Share what it’s like living in a world where stories are often assigned to you before you have the chance to introduce yourself and offer admissions deeper insight into who you are in the process.

Prompt 3: In the Villanova community, we learn from one another. What is a lesson in life that you have learned that you would want to share with others? 

If you find yourself drawn to this prompt, we’re willing to bet you’ve learned a thing or two in your life that you want to share with others. By all means, lean into your instincts. In order to ace your response, show admissions that you are capable of thoughtful reflection, seeing different sides, adopting a growth mindset, and/or sharing with the world so that others can avoid suffering. Maybe you learned a lesson about the gift of the here and now after losing a relative in an abrupt way. Or, perhaps, you wish to tell your peers, “They’re not judging you! They’re too busy thinking about themselves!” Whatever your life lesson may be, we encourage you to leave some space to share why this lesson is valuable and who you think will benefit from your advice.

Prompt 4: At Villanova, we often say “each of us strengthens all of us.” In a time of personal challenges, how do you borrow from the strength of others? 

Life can be difficult—especially during college when you’re becoming a whole adult—and when it is, we often turn to loved ones for support. Borrowing from the strength of others requires humility and vulnerability, which are wonderful traits for any community member to have. After all, even though the word itself isn’t mentioned, “community” is at the heart of this prompt. Many applicants are likely to think of a beloved mentor who has guided them through periods of hardship in the past. It’s important to remember, as you write, that this essay is about you, so don’t spend too many words describing the actions of others. Instead, showcase your ability to connect, to be inspired, to see yourself as part of something bigger than yourself. Ultimately, the kind of person who can borrow from the strength of others is likely to lend strength to others in times of need and will make an excellent addition to any college campus.

Essay #2: Why Villanova?

Why do you want to call villanova your new home and become part of our community (150 words).

A classic short why essay. This is the time to do some research on Villanova’s course offerings and extracurriculars, and then show admissions why this particular university stands out from the crowd for you. Don’t be afraid to go deep! Beyond the classes and professors in your desired academic department, explore the options for other subjects you’ve always wanted to study. Learn about clubs and special events on campus to get a feel for student life. Read over the school’s mission statement to get to know the community both in and around the campus. You might even want to read up on the notable alumni you admire and provide examples as to how they inspired you to attend! By the time you’re done, you’ll have a whole list of reasons for wanting to call Villanova your new home. Now all you have to do is arrange them. Think about telling a story that illustrates your path to Villanova and shows admissions that this community is the perfect place for you to pursue your degree.

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Sat / act prep online guides and tips, 5 tips for writing an amazing villanova essay.

College Admissions

Villanova University is a private, Catholic research university in Pennsylvania. With a 20 percent acceptance rate, it's considered moderately competitive —but even that level of selectiveness has an average GPA just shy of 4.0. But acceptance to Villanova isn't just about your test scores and GPA; you'll also need to nail the Villanova supplement essay, rounding out your application with a strong representation of yourself.

In this guide, we'll cover all of Villanova's essay prompts and how to best answer them, including potential topics and pitfalls.

Feature Image: abbike18 /Wikimedia Commons

What Are the Villanova Essay Prompts?

Villanova University only accepts the Common Application . In addition to the required Common Application essay question, you'll be writing additional supplemental essays specifically for Villanova.

Two more supplemental essays are required as part of your application. The first essay, called Villanova Free Choice, gives you five options, and you only have to answer one. You'll have about 250 words to work with!

No prompt is inherently better than the others—pick whichever appeals to you most. Each one is unique to Villanova, and they all add their own flair to the expected essay format.

The second essay is a "Why This College" essay. Essentially, admissions counselors want to know why Villanova is the perfect school for you...in about 150 words, which isn't very much space!

Now, let's take a closer look at these essay prompts and how to answer them.

For the first essay, you'll get to choose which prompt you answer. Read on to make sure you're picking the Villanova prompt that gives you the best chance of getting in!

Essay Prompt #1: Villanova Free Choice

This section gives you five essay prompts. You'll only have to answer one!

The Villanova website suggests that you answer this essay in 250 words even though you have a maximum of 300 words on the Common App. Our recommendation? Keep your response as close to 250 words as possible!

Free Choice Option #1: The Equity and Justice Prompt

St. Augustine states that well-being is “not concerned with myself alone, but with my neighbor’s good as well.” How have you advocated for equity and justice in your communities?

What Is This Essay Asking You to Do?

Essay prompts addressing equity and justice are very common in the college application process. Why? Because equity and justice are core values of many schools! This means that your response needs to show that you value equity and justice too. 

To show that you hold these core values, you’ll need to tell a real story about a time when you advocated for equity and justice in a community you belong to. The community you choose to write about is up to you, but your response should focus on the actions you took to promote the well-being of your “neighbors,” and why.

What Makes A Good Answer?

#1: Focus on your communities. To answer this question well, think about where you come 

from. What communities are you a part of? Who are the people in these communities? Your act of advocating for equity and justice should involve people who you consider to be your “neighbors”--and that ultimately means that your response should be personal. Pick a scenario in which you advocated for equity and justice for people you truly care about. Your passion will definitely shine through in your response!

#2: Explain what equity and justice mean to you. While there's a generally accepted definition of what constitutes "equity and justice," you may have had life experiences that have infused these words with some specific meanings to you. If you have a definition of equity and justice in your own words that you feel is powerful, include it in your response, and explain how you arrived at that definition.

#3: Place yourself at the center of the action. A good response here will highlight how you have been directly involved in or impacted by equity and justice as you understand it. For example, maybe you realized your high school English reading list included no texts written by people of color, so you got with other students to advocate for changes to the reading list. Highlight something you've done or experienced firsthand to showcase how, like Villanova, equity and justice are at the core of who you are.

What Are Some Potential Essay Topics?

In addition to the essay topics above, consider these possibilities: 

• You realized that many students at your school didn’t have a working understanding of what “equity” actually means! You organized a production with your school’s theatre department that put on a dramatic portrayal of what equity looks like in real life. Proceeds from the production went to a nonprofit organization that students in your school collectively chose.
• You worked with the students who are in the top 10 percent of your high school class to offer summer tutoring sessions to lower income elementary school students who struggled with standardized testing.

Are There Pitfalls You Should Avoid?

#1: Avoid shallow answers. This question isn't really asking you to write about the time that someone was left out on the playground and you invited them into your jump rope game. You'll need to think a bit deeper about what "equity and justice" can mean, and you'll have to show that you understand these concepts on a cultural, social, and/or political level. Think about the implications of equity and justice beyond just inviting someone "in" who was on the outside, and your answer will show Villanova admissions that you have a complex understanding of one of the school's core values.

#2: Don’t brag. Yes, you need to make your actions the centerpiece of your response to this question. But don’t exaggerate the effects of your efforts! Just be truthful about what you accomplished and what the outcome was. There’s no need to brag about your advocacy. The facts of your active participation in efforts for equity and justice will speak for themselves in your response.

Free Choice Option #2: The Truest Thing Prompt

What is the truest thing that you know?

Everyone has principles that guide their life, and this free choice essay prompt is asking you to describe one of yours. In about 250 words, you'll need to respond to this prompt--if you choose it--by selecting the one truest thing you know, and explaining how you came to that conclusion.

Now, don't get bogged down worrying about whether Villanova admissions will agree that your "truest thing" is actually the truest: the prompt asks about the truest thing that you know because they want to see what values guide your life to make you who you are. To "justify" your answer, you'll just need to tell the story of how you came to the conclusion that your truest thing is true.

#1: Tell a story. Think about an experience or situation that showcased the truth of the thing you decide to write about. For example, say you decide that your truest thing is Mr. Rogers' claim: "Look for the helpers. You will always find people who are helping." Maybe there was a situation where your community was hit hard by a natural disaster and you were encouraged by working alongside the helpers who worked to restore your community. Whatever truest thing you choose to write about, telling the story of how you saw the truthfulness of it in a real situation from your life will make this response memorable.

#2: Pick something that 's t otally you. There are probably a lot of things you find to be true that guide your life, but for this response, write about the one that is most likely to showcase one of your core qualities or values. For instance, maybe you've been working hard to practice meditation, and you've become known for your ability to keep calm in tough times. So your truest thing is that through mindfulness, we can find peace in the world around us. Whatever the case may be, write about a "truth" that exemplifies who you are.

#3: Think outside the box. Consider "truest things" that aren't necessarily super serious. Can funny things be true? Can truest things be said with a touch of sarcasm? Yes, and yes. Remember that the point of these free choice essays is to show the person behind the application. As long as you can provide meaningful context for your "truest thing," it's totally fine if yours is funny, ironic, or just kind of kooky.

On top of the essay options above, consider these potential topics:

• You pick a quote from your favorite literary character and tell the story of how that quote became true to you. Maybe that happened through a tough situation with a friend, but it taught you the value of learning from literature...and the insight helped you patch up the situation!
• You tell the story of how you went into a challenging situation believing one thing to be true, but came out on the other side of the situation with a whole new perspective. You explain why that new perspective informs your everyday life choices in the present.

#1: Don't get too cheesy. Your "truest thing" can be something basic to human existence, an ironic quote from Friends, or a principle taken from a philosophical or religious perspective that guides your life, but don't get too cheesy if you're picking a quote. Maybe leave the Dr. Seuss quotes for graduation ceremonies and try putting your "truest thing" into your own words instead.

#2: Don't obsess about finding a quote. Instead of getting caught up trying to think of some pithy quote to talk about, let your memories of meaningful moments in your life guide you to what to write about here. Your "truest thing" doesn't have to be some flowery statement from Bill Gates or John F. Kennedy. You can use your own experiences as your "truest thing," too!

This prompt is all about your relationship with technology!

Free Choice Option #3: The Second Chances Prompt

One of the themes in St. Augustine's book, Confessions, is the idea of redemption. Tell us your story of being given a second chance.

This essay prompt is asking you to explain your understanding of the idea of redemption based on your personal experiences and/or observations.

This question is tied to Villanova's core values, so it's going to be important to them to see that you're a person who has thought through the value of second chances. Telling a story about your experiences with second chances will show admissions counselors that you understand the positive potential of mistakes.

#1: Tell a personal story. The prompt is explicit here: you’re being asked to tell a story about a time you were given a second chance . For instance, maybe you got super busy in high school and neglected your younger sister. When she told you her feelings were hurt, you apologized and made a commitment to spend more time with her. In your response, you could explain how receiving a second chance from a family member taught you that not all hurt is intentional, and you now give others the benefit of the doubt when you're upset.

#2: Reflect on your experience. Like with most of the essay prompts here, you also need to explain what you learned from the experience. Specifically, you need to reflect on what your experience of being given a second chance taught you about redemption. You don’t have to get too philosophical, but you should tie in some explanation of what redemption means to you after being given a second chance in your life.

On top of the possible topics mentioned above, here are two more sample topics to consider:

• You decide to describe your first ever memory of being given a second chance when you were a young child. You describe how that experience laid the foundation for your current definition of redemption.
• You had an experience when you let your team down, but when you came to apologize, the team welcomed you back with open arms. You explain how the experience taught you the transformative power of unconditional love and how second chances make communities stronger.

#1: You forget the personal aspect. Yes, there are plenty of stories about second chances in religious literature and folklore, but chances are that Villanova admissions is already familiar with those stories. You need to tell a story that is more personal or current than that—a real experience or observation of a second chance that has impacted you.

#2: Keep it personal, but not too personal. If you choose to tell about a time that you were given a second chance or that you gave someone else a second chance, don't go too far into the gory details. While you want your response to be genuine and personal, you also want to leave out any details that may put the other people involved in an uncomfortable position.

Free Choice Option #4: The Lessons Learned Prompt

In the Villanova community, we believe that we all learn from one another. What is a lesson in life that you have learned that you would want to share with others?

Do your core values and life choices line up with Villanova's values? If yes, can you prove it? That's basically the crux of what this free choice prompt is asking. Villanova has strong community values that they want to see their future students exhibiting in their own lives. This is your time to show that the lessons you’ve learned in your life have led you to similar values--and that you’re willing to share them with others.

Specifically, this prompt is asking you to tell your story through the lens of a lesson you’ve learned. In other words, you'll need to explain what you learned, how you learned it, and back that up through a description of your real life experiences.

#1: Focus on your background. To answer this question well, dig into your experiences with others in your life. This question emphasizes the idea of learning from your community. Think of a time in your life when you learned something meaningful from a person in your community, whether that’s a friend, mentor, or even someone you didn’t necessarily connect with previously. Use your personal experience as a way to answer this prompt.

#2: Emphasize the experience that taught you the lesson. A good response to this question will show the lesson you learned rather than telling. Did you learn that it’s okay to lean on others when you’re struggling? Did you learn how to find contentment despite difficult circumstances? Whatever you choose to write about, you need to focus on your feelings and actions surrounding what you learned . Delving into the details of the experience that taught you the lesson--and how you felt about it--rather than waxing philosophic about the lesson itself will make a compelling response to this question. 

#3: Pivot to Villanova at the end. Like most of these prompts, this one is asking you to provide some insight into what kind of a student you’ll be at Villanova. This means that part of your response must include your thoughts on why you’d want to share your lesson with the Villanova community. So, think about more universal applications of your lesson. If you were sharing your lesson with fellow students at Villanova, how would you make it relatable to their lives as well?

If you're looking for topic ideas, in addition to the two mentioned above, try these on for size:

• You tell the story of a time when you pushed for a change that would make a policy or experience inclusive of a group who was being left out … but despite your efforts, the change didn’t happen. Then you explain what that experience taught you about how inclusion/exclusion affects people's lives.
• You tell the story of a lesson you learned due to your life circumstances in your home. You explain how those conditions helped form your core outlook on persevering through difficult life circumstances in your response to this prompt.

#1: Avoid cliches. This essay isn’t the place to write about how you learned to never judge a book by its cover or that a penny saved is a penny earned. Don’t invoke idioms or common catchphrases here--they’ll come across as shallow and insincere. The best way to avoid this is to come up with a real example from your life and put what you learned in your own words.

#2: Avoid answers where you aren't an active participant. There have probably been times in your life when you learned something, but you weren’t an active participant in the situation. But this isn't the time to write about situations where you were just a passive observer. Instead, think about a time in your life where you were involved in the action and explain how you participated. This free choice option is your chance to show Villanova that you are willing and able to learn in a wide range of circumstances.

Free Choice Option #5: The Technology Prompt

Augustine's “Miracles are not contrary to nature but only contrary to what we know about nature.” Tell us about a societal issue that you believe the wonder of technology is well-poised to help solve.

This essay prompt is a classic problem-and-solution question, but with a twist: it’s asking you to think of a problem affecting society on a broad scale and explain how you think technology could help solve it. 

This prompt isn’t just for tech experts, though. If you choose this prompt, this is your opportunity to write about a societal issue that you truly care about and use the knowledge you have about technology to imagine a solution . Yes, you want your response to be grounded in reality, but this is also your chance to dream about how real technologies could bring about a better future.

#1: Write from the heart. The best response to this question will be rooted in things you’re already familiar with. Choose to write about a societal issue that’s close to your heart, whether that’s something that affects your local community, a cultural community you’re a member of, or an issue affecting people all over the world. Writing about an issue you truly care about will help your response read as genuine and sincere.

#2: Focus on what you know. The second piece of your response should propose a solution to the societal problem you care about--a solution that involves technology. The technology you propose as a solution to that problem should be something you have experience with in some way. For instance, maybe you’ve spent hours researching cutting edge tech for renewable energy, or you brought a little joy to your high school by doing the daily announcements on TikTok during the COVID-19 pandemic. Choosing an application of technology that you can write about with confidence will make a convincing response to this question.

In addition to the examples above, consider the following possible topics:

• You explain how the limitless connectivity on social networking sites has given you a global perspective on art and culture. You describe how you've connected with other teens from different parts of the world to collaborate on art projects and share them online, and how you would scale this collaboration up for teens around the world.
• You describe how seeing hashtags used in the #MeToo movement and the movement to end gun violence helped you understand a whole new way to create social change. You explain that these examples have motivated you to explore channels for political activism through social media in your own life, and how you would use hashtags to mobilize your peers for political action in the future.

#1: Don't trash social media. Everyone knows that technology has its drawbacks. But this free response question isn't the place to harp on the ethical issues wrapped up in social media. Instead, focus your response on the potentials of social media and other technology to solve real problems.

#2: Don't lose track of your goal. You don't want to waste your response by talking on about all the different ways you use social media and technology in your life. That's not the point of this question. Instead of focusing on technology itself, focus on explaining how a particular condition created by technology could be applied to existing societal problems.

(Sophia J/ Wikimedia )

The "Why Nova" Essay

The second Villanova essay you'll have to write for your Villanova supplement is the " Why This College " essay. Here's the prompt:

Why do you want to call Villanova your new home and how will you become part of our community? (About 150 words)

You'll need to get to know the Villanova community in order to respond to this required essay prompt. In approximately 150 words, you need to do one main thing in your response here: explain what it is about Villanova that makes you want to call it "home."

Since the prompt uses words like "home," "community," and "history," you want your response to show that you've done your research about Villanova . This means that your response should go beyond praising Villanova's great academics or religious affiliation to highlight specific things that you've learned about the school's history, culture, and identity that make you feel like you'll fit right in as a student there.

#1: Go into specifics about "Nova." This prompt is inviting you to show what you know about Villanova by touching on specific aspects of the school that appeal to you . For example, maybe your research revealed that undergraduate students at Villanova can partner with faculty for research projects, and that makes you feel like you'll be welcomed into a community of scholarly collaboration. Think about who you are and who you hope to be at Villanova, then write about one or two aspects of Villanova that make you think, "This is a place where I can achieve my goals."

#2: Explain the why. In addition to describing specific aspects of Villanova's offerings that appeal to you, you want to explain why those things are appealing. For example, maybe you're thrilled to find out that the English department offers an annual Literary Festival, so you explain that that aspect of Villanova is appealing to you because you're an aspiring author. Pairing your "what" with a "why" shows that your decision to apply to Villanova is based on thoughtful reflection.

#3: Connect everything to the future. Picture yourself at Villanova in the context of the things that appeal to you about the school. If you're excited about the Literary Festival, mention in your response that you can't wait to help organize the festival when you are a student. Positioning yourself as an active future member of the Villanova community in your response will help admissions see that you're serious about your education and about Villanova.

In addition to the examples above, here are a couple of potential essay topics:

• Your research reveals that Villanova has come out strong in support of the Black Lives Matter movement. You write about how this stance for justice makes you feel that your dedication to racial justice will be supported by the school when you are a student there.
• Your research reveals that Villanova lives out the Christian Mission by engaging in tangible, ongoing service toward creating a more equitable society. You write about how you feel excited about participating in these efforts as a member of the Nova Nation.

#1: Avoid talking about academics only. This essay is your chance to show that you're attracted to Villanova for more than just its stellar academics. Take this chance to show that "education" means more to you than just sitting in a classroom making good grades. Think about things about Villanova community life that foster learning outside of the classroom and write about them here.

#2: Don't include too many talking points. Yes, Villanova's athletic programs, and their outreach programs, and their undergraduate research opportunities might all be things that draw you to the school, but it's best to pick just one thing here and write about it. This will keep your response from being chaotic and all over the place. Consider choosing the one thing about Villanova that gets you the most excited and go all in for explaining why and how you'll fit into that niche once you get to campus.

Key Tips for Writing the Villanova Essay

Though Villanova's essay prompts are targeted specifically for their school, there are quite a few guidelines you can follow to make your essay strong regardless of what school you're applying for.

Brainstorming doesn't have to be an intensive process. Beginning a project is often the hardest part; taking a minute or five to get a bunch of ideas down on paper, regardless of their quality, lets you get to work without pressure. Take a deep breath, set a timer, and start jotting down as many ideas as you can think of. Once you're done, pick the ones that sound most appealing and move on to the next step.

Now that you have some ideas, you can start spinning them into outlines. Take a few of the ideas that are most appealing to you and start answering the supplemental questions that should come up in your essay. For example, if you're answering the first prompt, you should not only be thinking about your personal experiences with diversity, but also how you hope to support equity at Villanova.

Sketch out a brief plan for each topic. If you find you don't have enough points to make, it's probably not the right idea. Repeat until you have a few outlines to choose from, and then choose the one that you feel strongest about.

Now that you already have an outline, it's far easier to actually write your essay. On your first draft, don't worry too much about staying within the page limit. Don't even worry about word choice or having something you're ready to show somebody else. Just focus on getting all of your ideas down on the page so that you have something to do for the next stage.

Now comes the point where you start taking what you've done and turning it into gold. Editing isn't just about fine-tuning your grammar and spelling ; read your draft aloud to find places where your sentences run on too long, or places where you've used the wrong word. Cut extra words and take out sections that aren't serving your thesis. Be brutal; you can always add things back in if you find you miss them!

Get Feedback

Once you've done a few editing passes on your essay, it's time for the scariest part: showing it to others. Ask a few people who are invested in your success but who aren't likely to be too harsh or overly kind in their suggestions—teachers, coaches, and other authority figures are generally good choices—to take a look at your essay and let you know what they think.

Let them mark up your draft with any mistakes that they find, and set all that feedback aside for a bit. It's a good time to take a break from your essay so that you can come back to it with fresh eyes.

Now that you've had some time away from your essay, it's time to revise. Take all that feedback you received and consider it. You don't have to fix anything that doesn't feel right to you, but do consider why your reviewers may have made that suggestion. Does your essay lack clarity? Could you have chosen a better word? Why are they confused?

Always be sure that your essay sounds like you wrote it, though. Remember: your essay is meant to showcase the things that make you unique. If it reads like every other student's application, it's not working right! If one of your readers has made big suggestions that don't sound like something you'd say, rephrase them until they do, or just don't use them. It's more important that your essay represents you.

What's Next?

A great essay is just one part of a successful Villanova application. Find out what ACT scores and GPA the admissions office is looking for with this handy guide !

If you're seeking financial aid from Villanova, this guide to their tuition and financial aid will help you figure out how much you need and how much you can expect to get .

Though Villanova has some unique considerations for their essays, there are some common tricks and strategies you can use to write your college essay . This guide covers some of the best ways to ensure your application essay is a success!

Melissa Brinks graduated from the University of Washington in 2014 with a Bachelor's in English with a creative writing emphasis. She has spent several years tutoring K-12 students in many subjects, including in SAT prep, to help them prepare for their college education.

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How to Write the Villanova Supplemental Essays

Essay #1: villanova free choice (2022-23), please select one of the five essay prompts listed below to fulfill the writing requirement and respond in about 250 words (min 225 & max 300)., prompt 1: st. augustine states that well-being is “not concerned with myself alone, but with my neighbor’s good as well.” how have you advocated for equity and justice in your communities.

If you choose this prompt, you should be prepared to speak about your own personal experience getting in the trenches and working to create a more equal and accepting community. While engaging in dialogue and thinking deeply about issues is an important part of advocacy, the strongest answers will be tied to the actual steps you’ve taken that have had an impact on those around you. As always, don’t forget to talk about the reason you decided to advocate for this cause. Why is it important to do so, and why has this cause resonated with you personally? Is it something you plan to continue doing in the future?

Prompt 2: What is the truest thing that you know?

This prompt is conducive to a more creative answer than the first. Of course, you could answer this prompt quite literally, but that wouldn’t be nearly as memorable as pushing the boundaries of truth a little bit and letting readers get a sense of your personality. Admissions officers aren’t looking to prove you wrong or fact-check you, they are more interested in how you think about the world and how you defend your argument. If the “truest thing you know” is that your little brother has the most annoying laugh in the world, show them exactly how you know that, and make sure to include some anecdotes!

Prompt 3: One of the themes in St. Augustine’s book, Confessions, is the idea of redemption. Tell us your story of being given a second chance.

This prompt is all about overcoming challenges. If you have already responded to prompt 2 for your personal statement, you may want to consider choosing a different prompt in order to strike a different tone. However, if you have a setback that you have yet to write about, this is the perfect time to get reflective and show admissions that you are a mature, thoughtful person. The truth is that everyone makes mistakes. Sometimes we are lucky enough to have second chances, and how we learn from our failures and what we do with those second chances can say a lot about us. Remember not to spend too much time talking about your misstep in this essay, the majority of your writing should focus on how you responded and what you learned!

Prompt 4: In the Villanova community, we believe that we all learn from one another. What is a lesson in life that you have learned that you would want to share with others?

This is your chance to write about a wonderful lesson or piece of advice that you received and pay it forward. By selecting this prompt, you are already indicating that you are the type of person who invests in others. Be cautious not to be too evangelical in your tone; through reflection and anecdotes, show readers how their understanding of the world, others, or themselves can be improved by adopting this wisdom. The lesson does not need to be entirely unique, it can be a simple reminder, but the story of how you learned it should be. It will be easiest to write about your life lesson through a specific story or anecdote. Some students try to be humorous here, but it’s very difficult to strike the right balance. It’s best to stick to a more thoughtful and straightforward response if you choose this prompt!

Prompt 5: Augustine’s “Miracles are not contrary to nature but only contrary to what we know about nature.” Tell us about a societal issue that you believe the wonder of technology is well-poised to help solve.

If you are a STEM student, a tech enthusiast, or a dreamer, this prompt will probably inspire you. At any given moment, there are many societal ills that technology is just on the cusp of addressing. Scientific advancements and the people who work to achieve them help propel us to new heights as a society, and we owe them gratitude. If you feel this way, this is likely the prompt for you. It’s best to approach this essay with an idea in mind, something that you’ve been following closely and are already aware of. Grounding your answer in specific knowledge of a subject is essential, and answers that address broad societal issues such as hunger or poverty and make sweeping claims about technology’s power to solve them will not be very strong. Focus on a specific issue and a specific technology that is currently being used to solve this problem but hasn’t quite gotten there yet. What’s the breakthrough that will finish the job and why are you convinced it will happen? Good luck!

Essay #2: Why Villanova?

In addition, the admission committee would like to know why you want to call villanova your new home and become part of our community please respond in about 150 words. (min 125 & max 200).

This is a classic ‘why this school’ essay. It requires you to research Villanova and paint a picture of how you and the university are a good fit for one another. Be careful not to simply list opportunities offered at the school. Instead, write about a few of the aspects of the school that most interest you. Maybe it’s a particular degree program, perhaps it’s the campus culture, or maybe it’s a specific lab that is conducting unique research in one of your areas of interest. Regardless, you should weave a cohesive story through this essay that explains how your high school accomplishments align with Villanova’s values, as well as what you plan to do on campus to make the most of your college experience and add to the campus community. Remember that you don’t have much space, so make sure you are going for quality over quantity with the particular feature (or two) of Villanova you choose to feature in your writing.

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College essay resources

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

Brad Schiller

“This should be fun!” says Villanova in the “pro-tips” section of their first-year supplements .

Okay … but their two mandatory questions are hard:

• A “free choice” essay in which you pick 1 of 5 options (~250 words) 
• Why Villanova (~150 words).

Thankfully, we have guidance for these two essays that we think will help show you exactly what Villanova is looking for in your answers. 

While our advice won’t necessarily make writing these essays “fun,” it should take much of the sting out. More importantly, it should help you write two supplements that are effective at boosting your chances of admission. 

For easy instructions, meet us below the table of contents. (For help with all aspects of your college application, head to our College Essay Help Center .)

Villanova is looking for contribution, intellectual curiosity, and good community members 

Villanova’s admissions page has a lot of personality. 

The school comes off as proud of its heritage — an Augustinian Catholic school, which is unique in the US — and also as intellectually curious (quoting St. Augustine abundantly) and kind (St. Augustine seems to have valued kindness, making him well worth quoting). 

These insights are a key to what Villanova is looking for. 

First, like all colleges, they are looking for the 5 Traits :

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

But in particular, Villanova’s questions point to some of these traits in partiular.

They’re obviously excited about contribution (kindness, community, giving back to others) and intellectual curiosity . Further, their questions mention “community” three times, so it seems clear that what you’ll contribute to the community and how you’ll value it matters to them — this implies both contribution and diversity of experience .

Essays play a bigger role in admissions than most students think: a strong essay can increase chances of admission by 10x . A strong essay is one that demonstrates the student’s character traits by discussing their experiences that show those traits. 

Put succinctly, a strong Villanova answer will show that you will succeed at Villanova and beyond . 

A strong essay is not one that “ tells your story .” Yes, we are contradicting Villanova’s top “pro-tip,” in which they say, “Your writing supplements are a window into your truest self. Share what makes you unique and express yourself authentically .”

Well, “authentically,” we agree with. But “what makes you unique” is pretty broad. Villanova is not looking for broad. Again, they’re looking specifically for evidence that you’ll succeed on their campus. So make sure that everything you write is geared toward showing off 1 or more of the 5 Traits.

Q1 — Before you choose a prompt, decide what experiences you want to showcase  

Only when you have a good idea of which of your high school experiences show off the 5 Traits should you consider the prompts — you want to slot your best stuff into them (not have them distract you from what best shows your potential). 

So invest some time in brainstorming. Write down a long list of 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. 

Once you’ve taken that time, you can better navigate what experiences show off your college potential. The very best 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 your Villanova Free Choice answer. 

Q1 — Show off your potential to succeed [Examples included for all 5 prompts]

Here is the “free choice” intro:

Writing Supplement #1: Villanova Free Choice (2022-23)

For the first Villanova-specific essay, we hope to gain a deeper understanding of your thoughts, experiences, and opinions. Choose one of the five topics below and submit a written response in about 250 words .

Let’s take each choice one by one — remember, you should start by deciding on your best experiences (that best show potential to succeed) and then choose the prompt that allows you to describe those experiences. 

Prompt One :

St. Augustine states that well-being is “not concerned with myself alone, but with my neighbor’s good as well.” How have you advocated for equity and justice in your communities? 

Guidance for Prompt One :

• This prompt is all about contribution. 
• The actual lead-in question is a great set-up for writing an essay that focuses on what you did and the actions you took that showed contribution. 
• If your essay shows someone who takes action to make their community better, you’ve done your job. 

Example for Prompt One :

I love my volunteering job with Valerie — she’s an 89-year-old woman in my neighborhood. I come by once a week to sort her mail, pay her bills and take on any other accounting tasks. In turn, she showers me with anxious praise, copious cups of tea, and stories of her youth in the 1940s and 50s. 

I’m proud that my family does a lot of volunteering — especially around the holidays. But I never liked packing food and asked around for something that could use my math skills and would feel more meaningful. An organization that connects elders to volunteers who’ll help with paperwork was perfect for me. 

This work has led in unexpected directions. It led me to start an accounting club at my High School called “Afford your prom outfit.” That’s because people love hearing about Valerie and my work for her. As I shared stories with my friends, many joked they wanted me to provide them with the same service! (Or was it a joke?) As those conversations evolved, I founded the club with a partner and our aim is to teach high schoolers basic financial literacy while working toward the concrete goal of saving up for a great prom outfit. 

• Word count : 204
• This essay shows off initiative (getting the volunteer job in the first place; founding the accounting club, all of which also take drive ); contribution (a once-a-week volunteer position; valuing volunteering generally; helping fellow students); and even diversity of experiences — the student has a unique relationship to an elder. It’s even got intellectual curiosity in that the student wanted to hone and develop accounting skills as well as teaching skills (teaching accounting).
• Notice that the essay isn’t “beautifully written.” No intro, no conclusion. It just packs in a ton of great information about the student’s qualities. The reader is left itching to get them on their campus.

Prompt Two :

What is the truest thing that you know? 

Guidance for Prompt Two :

• This could be a tricky prompt — you need to remember that Villanova readers don’t care about the truest thing you know ; they care about how you figured it out (and what that shows about how you approach intellectual topics). 
• That is, this prompt is looking for intellectual curiosity .
• Don’t make the mistake of talking just about something you know to be true (maybe something religious). Rather, take the admissions reader through your journey at arriving there. Show them how open-minded, curious, analytical, and deep you can be. 
• Focus on your actions to avoid the potential pitfall in this prompt.

Example for prompt Two :

The truest thing I know is that empathy is always the best choice. It’s funny that as someone who has been church-going my whole life this lesson sank in because of babysitting. 

I started off as the worst babysitter. I did not enjoy kids. I spent my time yelling at them. As a tween, though, it was still my best way of making money. I asked for help from my teacher who recommended How to talk so kids will listen . This book changed my attitude. Not just toward kids; eventually, toward everyone. 

The book preaches showing kids respect and giving them options rather than commands. And it works . The first time I saw this was on a five-year-old who flung their spaghetti off the table. Somehow (how?) I restrained my impulse to yell. Instead, I followed my inner book voice and said, “That made a mess. I expect you to help me clean it up.” And the kid did! Our relationship improved and he’s never done anything (quite) so awful again. 

Today, I use these lessons every day. Recently, a classmate at school spread a rumor about me online. It was a really tough time. Somehow (how?) I worked up the ability to approach them. I said, “I expect you to be able to talk with me if you’re going to talk about me.” They agreed. We ended up having a 3-hour conversation in which misunderstandings came out as well as some personal issues. At the end, they stopped spreading the rumor. (I wish they’d apologized, but this was good enough.)

I learned that seeing the world through an empathetic lens is empowering — for you as well as for the people you treat with respect. This is what they say in church every week, but it took these experiences for me to understand what it meant.

Notes on Prompt Two : 

• Word count: 306
• The essay shows a student who takes an active role in solving problems — asking for help to become a better babysitter, reading a book to become a better babysitter, working with a person who is bullying them online. 
• The essay shows initiative , drive , and intellectual curiosity , as well as contribution (seeing the world with empathy). 

Prompt Three :

One of the themes in St. Augustine's book, Confessions, is the idea of redemption. Tell us your story of being given a second chance.

Guidance for Prompt Three :

• The potential pitfall with this prompt is to focus too much on the person who gave you the second chance. Instead, make sure to focus on your actions in that second chance — what did you do to make the most of it?
• Relatedly, be sure to keep the set-up short. That is, talking about your initial mistakes. Make sure the bulk of the essay is on the new, better you and the actions that new you takes. 

Example Prompt Three

School has always been easy for me. I never had to try too hard to do well, and so, for most of my life, I didn’t. I enjoyed learning, but I never pushed myself. 

Things came to a head in ninth grade. I was still doing well in all my classes — with one exception: English. Writing essays is hard! For the first time, something didn’t come easily to me. Instead of realizing this meant I had to put in effort, I drifted on my old habits. My Fall semester I got a C. Even though I knew I’d been doing poorly, that low grade was a shock. 

I asked my mom what I should do. She said, “You can control how hard you work. Some things will be easy and some will be hard. But only your effort is under your control.” These words really hit me. Today, they summarize how I approach my studies. 

I started with my English class. It hurt my pride, but I got extra help from my teacher for each of the next few essays she assigned. Gradually, I started to “get” what they were all about. 

That success fed others. I started working harder in math class — and realizing I enjoyed math a lot more when I put more into it. I even checked out a bunch of books at the library on how to be a better student. It was becoming my ambition to be a really talented, all-out “nerd.” Why not embrace something that I’ve always enjoyed? I love school and I’m not afraid to admit it anymore.

Notes on example three :

• Word count: 266
• This essay shows a student who is extremely intellectually curious and shows the drive necessary to achieve the academic results they boast. 
• The essay has a lot of nice little details that contribute to the student seeming so dynamic and interesting — turning to their mom for advice; checking out books on the interest they’re pursuing from the library; being honest about a moment they felt shame; showing humility ... 
• All of these little details show that you can make a compelling essay by focusing on small, but meaningful actions that you’ve taken. 

Prompt Four :

In the Villanova community, we believe that we all learn from one another. What is a lesson in life that you have learned that you would want to share with others?

Example Prompt Four

The most helpful lesson I’ve learned so far is that the only thing under our direct control is how hard we work.

For most of my childhood, school was easy. I never had to work hard to do well. That changed freshman year when we started writing essays in English class. They did NOT come easily to me. I got my first C. 

I was distraught and asked my mom for advice. I was hoping she’d help me with my essays! Instead, she told me that, in life, “some things will be easy and some will be hard. But only your effort is under your control.” It hit me hard. Today, those words summarize how I approach my studies. 

That success fed others. I started working harder in math class — and realizing I enjoyed math a lot more when I put more into it. I even checked out a bunch of books at the library on how to be a better student. It was becoming my ambition to be a really talented, all-out “nerd.” Why not embrace something that I’ve always enjoyed?  I love school and I’m not afraid to admit it anymore.

Notes for Prompt Four

• Word count: 222
• Obviously, this is pretty much the same example answer we gave for Prompt 3. Generally speaking, Prompt 4 will be a better vehicle for the story than Prompt 3 — that’s because Prompt 3 invites you to spend time on a mistake and maybe on the person who helped you overcome the mistake. 
• Both essays really should be about you , the actions you took, and the lessons that you believe in. Therefore, unless you truly had a “redemption” experience (to quote from Prompt 3), Prompt 4 is likely the best vehicle for an answer that makes you look good to Villanova. 

‍ Prompt Five :

Augustine's “Miracles are not contrary to nature but only contrary to what we know about nature.” Tell us about a societal issue that you believe the wonder of technology is well-poised to help solve.

Notes on Prompt Five :

• This prompt is interested in seeing your intellectual curiosity — can you get excited about things and think deeply and analytically?
• The potential pitfall here is getting too in the weeds about the “societal issue” that you’re discussing. Villanova doesn’t want to learn about, say, food insecurity (at least not from a high school student - no offense). Rather, they want to see how you approach food insecurity — how you think about it, the actions you’ve taken to understand it better, the actions you’ve taken to understand the technology that could solve it better, etc. … 

Example Prompt Five

Community is essential for a happy and fulfilled human life. We are social animals and can’t escape that, as shown in books like David Brooks’ The Social Animal or A Hunter-Gatherer’s Guide to the 21st Century .

Yet our society isolates elders in the years when they arguably need community most. Nearly one third of American elders live alone, according to the latest Census. 

As a volunteer who meets weekly with a local elder Valerie — ostensibly to help her with accounting and paperwork, but more importantly to check in on her and provide companionship — I’m concerned we don’t prioritize this issue enough. 

While I don’t think anything can replace human contact, I have been struck by the power of online games to help Valerie and her friends stay connected, even when apart. Valerie plays a special online bridge game with friends multiple times a day. They can talk to each other as they are playing. Valerie taught me some rudiments, and she’s even encouraged me to take a turn for her. 

Most importantly, the nonprofit I volunteer with can track these games, using them to unearth potential red flags — such as an elder suddenly losing interest in the game. This happened to Valerie once, and they asked me to call her urgently to check on her. (It turned out she just had a cold and wasn’t up to the game.)

Overall, I think it’s important that we use technology as aggressively as possible in service of our actual nature as humans: social creatures who need companionship to feel whole. I’m excited to keep seeking out opportunities like this to keep people connected using the best tools we have today.

• Word count: 291
• This example essay isn’t as strong as our example essay that treated the same subject for Prompt 1. It falls a bit into the pitfall of talking too much about the problem and not enough about the actions the student took (which example 1 does better).
• Overall, this is something to really watch for in this essay – does it shine a light on you, or on some other entity (ie: in this answer, the nonprofit looks great and the student doesn’t quite share that limelight).
• As you work on your own essays, you can try writing a few different answers and see if different prompts bring out better answers, even using the same material. 
• Despite the issues, this answer shows a student who is intellectually curious , obviously working hard to develop an idea they discovered in their volunteering. It also shows a deep level of contribution .

Q2 — Show Villanova that they are a good match for your college-related interests

The reason that schools ask “Why Us” is two-fold. They want to see:

• that you’ll actually choose their school if you get in — (read Demonstrated Interest for more on how powerful this can be) and 
• that you’ll be a good fit at the school — (read “Why Us” essays to get a full sense of how admissions readers assess “fit”). 

What this boils down to is that you need your Why Villanova answer to cover:

• Your college-related interests and
• How they’ll be a great match for Villanova.

Here is the prompt:

Writing Supplement #2: Why Villanova? (2022-23)

Prompt: Why do you want to call Villanova your new home and how will you become part of our community? 

Please submit a written response of about 150 words.

As you can see, Villanova keeps up its emphasis on “community” in this question, asking “how will you become part of our community.” This indicates that in addition to academic and extracurricular interests, you should take a moment to talk about campus culture and how you’ll contribute to it.

At ~150 words, this essay is short , so be as succinct as possible. They’re not looking for insane amounts of detail — just a sense of what you’ll study and/or which clubs you’ll join + a clear sense that you’ll be a strong community member. 

Begin by figuring out your 1-2 top academic interests and maybe 1-2 extracurricular interests. Then, research Villanova’s academic and student life web pages for opportunities there that you’ll take advantage.

If you visited the campus , you can work those experiences into your essay, too. Colleges love knowing that you went to the trouble of visiting.  

After that, writing up the essay is just a question of describing your interests and naming a few Villanova resources that match well with them. One example is below. 

Q2 — Example

I fell in love with Beckett while playing Estragon in Waiting for Godot as a junior, inspiring me to write about the differences between Beckett’s English-language and French-language plays for my senior special project.

Given this background, Villanova’s English offerings blew me away. The department’s own podcast actually helped my Beckett research (I quoted its 2020 episode on translation). I love the idea of joining the “ unique theory seminar ” one day, taking part in live controversies about literary interpretation. Given Beckett’s Irish origins, I’m also excited about the possibility of going to Ireland as part of the Irish Summer Studio summer program. 

Finally, as someone who comes from a small high school, I love the idea of starting college life as part of Communitas — digging into a shared curriculum with friends even as we begin our adult lives together. I have a friend at Villanova who was part of the program, and their experience made me eager to join. 

• Word count: 158
• No need to provide links in your answer! We’re providing the links so you can see what we’re referring to. 
• Academically, this answer uses just a little bit of research on Villanova’s website to make a lot of strong connections between the student’s interests and the school. The reader is left thinking the student will be a great fit (which is the goal).
• Community-wise, mentioning you had a great visit is gold. In this case, the student has visited, so they talk about being inspired by a Villanova student — that’s also a good move. 
• The student talks about liking something unique about Villanova’s campus experience (the Communitas program), which, again, leaves the reader with the impression this student will do great.
• One thing this answer doesn’t do is show what the student will do to be a good community member . Space is limited, so you don’t need to hit all these marks, but if you can spend 1-2 sentences on how you’ve been a good contributor in the past, the admissions team should like it. 

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

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

• Common App : Villanova requires the Common App. Read our guide to acing everything to do with writing your Common App application . 
• Whether to submit test scores: Villanova is test-optional for Fall 2023. Our test-optional article will guide you through the tricky waters of making this decision. 
• Early options: Villanova offers everything — Early Decision I and II, Early Action, 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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How to Respond to the 2023/2024 Villanova Supplemental Essay Prompts

Cece Gilmore is a Content Writer at Scholarships360. Cece earned her undergraduate degree in Journalism and Mass Communications from Arizona State University. While at ASU, she was the education editor as well as a published staff reporter at Downtown Devil. Cece was also the co-host of her own radio show on Blaze Radio ASU.

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Villanova University is a stunning university located just a 20 minute drive from the historic city of Philadelphia. Villanova is a medium-sized school with a tight-knit community of nearly 7,000 undergraduate students. So, how can you become a Villanova wildcat? One of the best ways is to make your Nova application stand out from the crowd through your responses to the Villanova supplemental essays.

The Villanova supplemental essays

You have the freedom to answer the Villanova supplemental essays in a way that reveals your striking personality and how well you will fit in the Wildcat community at Villanova. So, read our guide for answering the Villanova supplemental essay prompts in order to make your Villanova supplemental essay answers stand out from the rest! 

The first of the Villanova supplemental essays provides applicants with a choice between five essay prompts. Therefore, select a topic from the list below that truly interests you! You’ll want to choose an option that will reveal pieces of your personality that have not yet been revealed in your application. 

St. Augustine states that well-being is “not concerned with myself alone, but with my neighbor’s good as well.” How have you advocated for equity and justice in your communities? (250 words)

If you are an avid supporter of social justice, then this prompt is the perfect one for you to answer. This question reveals some of Villanova’s core values, including making their community safe and equitable for everyone to thrive within. Therefore, your response should demonstrate how your values align with Villanova’s. 

To answer this question in the best way, you should detail a specific example of a time when you advocated for equity and justice in a community. This community can be anything big or small that you are a part of. 

For example, you can write about being a part of your hometown or about being a part of the track and field team in your high school. The community itself does not matter; rather, it is important to choose a community where you made an impact and advocated for social justice. 

Questions to consider:

• Why did you take action? 
• What was your motivation to take this action?
• How did you feel after having taken the action? 
• How is your community better/changed from this action? 

As an Augustinian community, we believe that you should see people for who they are. Please share with us a time when you were misjudged based on your identity or background. (250 words) 

To begin answering this prompt, generate a list of ideas regarding what people may assume about you based on your outward appearance or identity. While addressing stereotypes or exploring issues related to racial diversity is a valuable approach, you can also delve into various aspects of your appearance or background. For example, perhaps because you have blonde hair you have been labeled a dumb blonde at school. 

Narrate a personal account of such misconceptions in a story format, enabling the admissions committee to gain an understanding of your innermost feelings during this experience. 

The critical element in your response is to describe how you overcame this misjudgment. Emphasize the toll that these misconceptions took on you to showcase your resilience and your capacity to conquer adversity. It’s crucial to provide details, allowing the admissions committee to grasp not only what you did but why you did it! 

• Do you think that misjudgments happen often? 
• How did you feel when you were misjudged? 
• What did you learn from this misjudgment? 

In the Villanova community, we learn from one another. What is a lesson in life that you have learned that you would want to share with others? (250 words)

Villanova is a tight-knit community that values learning from experiences. To help you brainstorm your response to this prompt you should think about the following questions: 

• Do you have a motto you follow? 
• Who are the most influential people in your life and what have you learned from them
• Are there any moments, big or small, that have taught you a lesson? 
• What is your most influential wisdom? 

You should select a life lesson that you continue to follow throughout your life. Once you have selected a life lesson, detail how you came to learn this lesson. Did you learn that perseverance is key after falling off a bike when you were learning how to ride a bike? The key is to demonstrate the value of perseverance and how that trait serves us well in life. 

Be detailed in your response. Tell a narrative about what led up to this point in your life where you learned a valuable lesson and how that lesson has helped you since learning it. The ultimate question to ask yourself is why do you want others to learn from your experience? How will the life lesson you learned serve others? 

At Villanova, we often say “each of us strengthens all of us.” In a time of personal challenges, how do you borrow from the strength of others? (250 words) 

To begin, try and think about who you turn to with certain issues or for advice. This could be a close friend, family member, school personnel etc. Once you have selected this important person, you should detail a narrative or story about coming to that person with a challenge. 

Once you have described your support system and your difficult situation, you should spend the rest of your response detailing what you have learned from this encounter. Focus your response on detailing how having someone close to you can make you stronger. 

• Have you adopted some traits from people that you admire? 
• How does talking to someone help you get through tough times? 
• Do you give your strength to others? 

Also see: How to write an essay about yourself

Why do you want to call Villanova your new home and become part of our community? (150 words) 

This is a typical “why us” essay. The most important thing to do when responding to a “why us” essay is to ensure you have done your research prior to answering the question. 

Look on Villanova’s website for any extracurricular activities, classes, majors, traditions, sporting events and much more that stick out to you. Once you have accumulated an impressive list, select the aspects of Villanova that you love to write about.

The most important thing is that you are being authentic. If you could care less about basketball, do not write about their basketball program! They want to get a good sense of their applicants and what drew them to apply to Villanova. 

Try to avoid writing about the following: 

• Writing about Villanova’s acceptance rate or ranking 
• The mascot name or school colors
• Restating Villanova’s website

Be sure to become familiar with Villanova’s rich history, culture, and values aside from the more “superficial” aspects of Villanova. 

Do not just make a list of every aspect of Villanova that excites you. Rather, you should be detailed in your response to show how you will use the opportunities and experiences Villanova offers to your advantage. Describe what you are excited about participating in and how it will aid your future goals. 

Don’t miss: 10 tips for successful college applications

Final thoughts on responding to the Villanova supplemental essays

After reading our guide for responding to the Villanova supplemental essays, it is time to choose your option for Essay 1 and write your essays! 

Brainstorming and outlining are the most important part of the writing process. Therefore, take your time and plan out every detail. In addition, be sure that you are selecting an option for Essay 1 that stands out to you. First and foremost, make sure that you are being authentic to yourself. 

Be careful not to repeat yourself and to evenly distribute bits of personality and interests throughout your responses. Thanks to our guide, you will be able to ace the Villanova supplemental essays! Good luck! 

Additional resources

After you’ve completed the Villanova supplemental essays, give yourself a pat on the back. But remember – your journey is not over. The college application process is a tricky one, but have no fears because Scholarships360 is here! Have you completed the ACT or SAT ? If you are wondering about whether or not to send your SAT/ACT scores to test optional schools, check out our guide! Are you wondering if your Coalition Application and Common Application essays are perfect? Maybe you want to know how many colleges should you apply to?   If so, we have answers! Be sure to also check out our free scholarship search tool to help you finance your education. Best of luck in the college admissions process from Scholarships360! 

Additional supplemental essay guides

• Boston College (Chestnut Hill, MA)
• Boston University (Boston, MA)
• Pennsylvania State University (Throughout PA)

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How to Write the Villanova University Essays 2020-2021

Villanova’s student body consists of approximately 7,000 undergraduates, plus 4,000 graduate students. The acceptance rate is 29% , with the middle 50% of SAT scores for the Class of 2024 falling between 1380-1500, and ACT scores between 31-34. In 2020, the university was ranked #46 by US News.

Villanova requires two supplemental essays. Writing strong essays can certainly help your application stand out, and improve your chances of acceptance. Want to know your chances at Villanova? Calculate your chances for free right now.

Villanova University Application Essay Prompts

All applicants:.

Prompt 1: Please select one of the four essay prompts listed below to fulfill the writing requirement (250 words)

• Option A: What is the truest thing that you know? How did you come to this conclusion?
• Option B: Villanovans are known for “holding doors open” because inclusion is at the core of who we are. Take us on a journey through your background and describe how your life experience has shaped your understanding of the word “inclusion”.
• Option C: Generation Z is arguably the most technologically savvy cohort in history. They find answers to questions, discover troves of new music, or even start the next global social movement, all within seconds. How has this seemingly limitless connectivity influenced the person you have become? 
• Option D: In St. Augustine’s book Confessions, one of the themes is the idea of redemption and second chances. Tell us a story about second chances. It can be your experience or one that you have come across through others or through media.

Prompt 2: In addition, the Admission Committee would like to know why you want to call Villanova your new home and become part of our community? (100 words)

How to Write the Villanova University Supplemental Essays

You should be thoughtful about which prompt you select here. You want to take advantage of the fact that Villanova is giving you some flexibility, particularly since all four options are fairly different from the standard supplemental prompts. 

First, read all of the options carefully, even if you think you are sure about which one you will choose. Second, note which one(s) stick out — for example, perhaps Option D reminds you of a meaningful reconciliation with a friend. If you immediately feel an emotional connection to one of the prompts, that can be a good sign that you’ll be able to write a strong response. 

Finally, think about how each prompt would add to your application as a whole, and make sure that the prompt you choose won’t lead to redundancies. For example, say you are drawn to Option B. If, however, your Common App essay is about finding a sense of belonging on your volleyball team, you might be better off with one of the other options so you don’t repeat yourself. If you do still choose Option B, make sure that you approach the topic from a new perspective, such as, for example, by describing how being part of a large family has taught you to be empathetic.

Prompt 1, Option A

What is the truest thing that you know how did you come to this conclusion (250 words).

This may sound more like a question for an upper-level philosophy class than a college essay, but there are a variety of approaches to this prompt, and you definitely don’t have to be Aristotle to write a great essay. If you have a set of core values that are deeply important to you, this prompt provides an opportunity for you to show that.

First, of course, you must identify the “truest thing that you know.” This is no small task, so if you choose this prompt make sure you give yourself enough time to brainstorm what you want to say and exactly how you want to say it. We have a few guiding questions that will hopefully help you with your brainstorming process.

1. What is important to you? This may seem just as broad as the prompt itself, but listing your values can be a good first step towards developing the more refined statement the prompt is asking for. Try to go beyond the obvious: pretty much everyone values their family and friends, so try to think of things that are more personal. Perhaps you have a passion for photography, or are proud of your sense of humor.

2. Which experiences have been most formative for you? This is also incredibly broad, but try to think of moments in your life that stick out as significant, and then go a step further and think about why they were significant. If you have a list of experiences you considered writing about for your Common App, look over that list again.

3. Who are your role models? By thinking about what you admire in others, you may realize something about what guides your own life. Again, try to think outside the box. You may admire how hard Beyoncé works on her music, but hard work is a universal value. If you shift your focus to how she uses her platform to raise awareness for issues that are important to her, you are more on track towards something unique to you.

4. What are some of your favorite quotes? Although we discourage you from directly quoting someone else, as you should express your truth in your own words, quotes that have impacted you may show you something about how you look at life.

Once you have a pretty clear sense of what your truth is, you want to figure out how to say it in a clear, concise way. 250 words isn’t very many, and the bulk of the essay should be focused on how you have learned your truth, not on stating the truth itself. 

If turning your ideas into a compact sentence or two sounds daunting, remember the purpose of this essay: to show your reader something about yourself. Nobody is going to get this tattooed, so focus less on sounding wise and more on communicating something you genuinely believe.

Here are a few examples of how to go about packaging your ideas:

1. Say you’re a photographer, and you value the patience and awareness of your surroundings that photography has taught you. Your truth could be something like “The world would be a better place if we all spent just five minutes a day appreciating the beauty around us.”

2. Say there are many people who have made an impact on your life, from your parents and teachers to the residents at the nursing home you volunteer at. You might say that “Nearly everyone you meet can tell you something about the world, so long as you’re open to listening.”

3. Say you love to drive, and have gone on a lot of road trips with your family and friends. You could tell your reader that “On the open road, I’ve realized just how big the world is, and how important it is to keep my life in perspective.”

Once you have identified your truth, the hard part is over. The rest of the essay should be about specific moments in your life that illustrate for your reader how you learned this truth, and why it is so meaningful to you. Hopefully, all the brainstorming you did will make this relatively easy.

Our hypothetical photographer, for example, could write about the time he spent an entire day trying to photograph a bald eagle in the mountains. Even though he didn’t end up even seeing one, he still remembers this day fondly because he got to spend it in a beautiful place.

Or our driver might describe a road trip she took with her dog. Partway through the trip, her dog chewed up her hotel bed sheets, and she had to pay to replace them. At first, she was furious with her dog, but by that night she had totally forgotten it even happened: she could only remember the towns she had visited, the food she had tried, and the people she had met.

We also want to address a few things not to do with this prompt, or at least to be very cautious about doing.

• Keep your audience in mind. It’s very hard to predict if humor will land with an admissions officer, who is a total stranger. Say your truth is “The movie Mean Girls taught me to push all of my problems in front of a bus.” Although your friends might find this joke very funny, your admissions officer may have been recently involved in a bad car accident, and you never want any of your essays to offend.
• Avoid political statements. As just mentioned, you have no idea who will be reading your essay, and if your truth espouses a particular policy, you run the risk that one of your readers will vehemently disagree.
• Be careful with unconventional approaches. Say your truth is that “LeBron James is the greatest athlete of all time.” This will certainly make your essay stand out, and you may be able to write a great response by describing how watching LeBron has taught you about hard work, leadership, and success. But if your essay ends up turning into an opinion piece about why LeBron is better than Michael Jordan, you should probably start over; this sort of topic focuses too much on other people, and the goal of college essays is to share more about yourself. The bottom line: only pursue unconventional approaches if you’re an extremely confident writer; don’t do it just to be edgy.

Prompt 1, Option B

Villanovans are known for “holding doors open” because inclusion is at the core of who we are. take us on a journey through your background and describe how your life experience has shaped your understanding of the word “inclusion.” (250 words).

If you have a unique aspect of your identity and want to share that with the admissions committee, this is a good prompt for you. Your identifying feature could be your race, gender, or sexuality, or something more unconventional, like your membership in a neighborhood book club.

This prompt may remind you of other supplemental essays you have written on diversity, but we strongly discourage you from copying and pasting something you have already written. Villanova wants you to approach diversity specifically from the perspective of inclusion, so while you can reuse parts of a traditional Diversity Essay , you should frame it so it answers Villanova’s prompt specifically.

Once you have selected the aspect you want to focus on, you should choose a couple of experiences that illustrate what this part of your identity has taught you about inclusion.

For example, let’s take the unconventional example mentioned above: your membership in a neighborhood book club. Perhaps your parents started taking you when you were little and they couldn’t find a babysitter, and initially you felt out of place amongst a bunch of adults reading books way beyond your level.

Once you got a little older, however, you started to view these advanced books as a challenge, and you asked your parents if you could read along with them. Your comprehension slowly improved, and eventually you even felt comfortable speaking up during the meetings. 

The adults were impressed, and even asked if you had recommendations of books the club could read that you might enjoy more. Over time, other neighborhood kids started to join, and now there are almost as many young people in the club as adults.

To conclude, you want to summarize your story with a takeaway message. Be careful not to be too cliche–even if you are expressing a common sentiment, express it in a way that directly connects to your experience. For this example, that might be something like “This experience made me realize that, even when you’re intimidated by trying something new, there are always other people who want to try it too. Sometimes you just have to jump in first.”

A final note on this prompt is that many people unfortunately experience more exclusion than inclusion due to certain aspects of their identity. If you are comfortable doing so, you can certainly talk about discrimination you have faced. Although the prompt asks you to write about your understanding of the word “inclusion,” this doesn’t necessarily mean you have to write about a time you felt included.

For example, say you are in Math Club and also on the soccer team, and have never fully felt like you belonged in either group. Your soccer friends make fun of you for liking math, and your math friends look down on you because you also like soccer, which has made it hard for you to find a supportive friend group.

Although you may not have felt included at any point in this particular story, you could still tell your reader what not being included has taught you about true inclusion. For example, your takeaway might be something like “Including someone is about accepting all parts of their identity, not just the ones you share with them.”

Prompt 1, Option C

Generation z is arguably the most technologically savvy cohort in history. they find answers to questions, discover troves of new music, or even start the next global social movement, all within seconds. how has this seemingly limitless connectivity influenced the person you have become (250 words).

If you are interested in computer science, engineering, or technological development, this is a great prompt for you. This prompt doesn’t require you to be super sciencey, however. As long as you feel that growing up in the Internet Age has shaped who you are, you can write a great response.

As the prompt itself says, there are seemingly limitless approaches you can take here. To narrow your focus, you should identify two things. First, a particular technology. This could be anything: Google, FaceTime, Spotify, Twitter, or something else. Don’t hesitate to choose a non-mainstream technology, as that will make your essay stand out, but also don’t pick an obscure app you’ve never used before just to seem unique — pick something that has genuinely influenced your life.

The second thing you need to identify is one or two ways this technology has directly impacted you. Of course, technology has impacted many people in similar ways. For example, just about everyone would agree FaceTime helps them keep in touch with their friends. But that’s okay! You don’t have to come up with something crazy, so long as you illustrate technology’s impact on your own life with tangible examples.

For example, perhaps your parents’ jobs require your family to move around a lot, so FaceTime has been not only helpful, but actually essential for developing and maintaining friendships. Alternatively, everyone with Spotify has assuredly discovered a new artist thanks to the algorithm. But perhaps some of the new music you discovered inspired you to start writing your own music.

Particularly if you’re extremely interested in tech, make sure the personal connection is clear. Perhaps you’re fascinated by the Netflix algorithm, and could easily write a 250 word essay just about its nuances. This essay might be fun to write, but your reader won’t learn anything about you.

You can still write about the algorithm, of course, but connect it to your own life. For example, you could write about how the algorithm guides people with similar interests to the same shows, and how you ended up making a new friend when you learned she watched one of your favorite shows.

If you would like, and you have the space, you can also talk about how your experience with technology has inspired your plans for college or your career. This doesn’t necessarily have to be a STEM track — as mentioned above, perhaps your love for exploring Spotify has developed into the pursuit of a career in music. It’s completely fine if technology hasn’t impacted your academic or professional plans, but if it has that can be a good way of concluding the essay.

Prompt 1, Option D

In st. augustine’s book confessions, one of the themes is the idea of redemption and second chances. tell us a story about second chances. it can be your experience or one that you have come across through others or through media. (250 words).

This prompt is quite different from those you normally come across, so unless you immediately feel a connection to it, it will likely be the hardest to brainstorm for. On the other hand, it gives you a chance to write a genuinely unique essay that can take your application to the next level.

If you choose this prompt, the first and most important thing to do is pick the story you want to tell. Notably, the prompt is incredibly open-ended, as the story doesn’t have to be about you, or even someone you know. Below, we will outline three different approaches based on the story you choose: a story about you, about someone you know, or about someone you don’t.

If you write about yourself, you don’t have to worry about personal connection, since the story obviously happened to you. Thus, the most important thing is to pick a story that is genuinely about redemption. For example, getting a B+ on one test and an A on the next is not redemption. The prompt is asking you to write about a genuine low point in your life, not a success disguised as a failure. If you’re having trouble being vulnerable because you’re worried about not looking good, remind yourself that you have the rest of your application to show off!

Here are some examples of true low points: being overconfident for a debate tournament and not preparing properly, a losing your best friend’s trust , or getting rejected for a job you really wanted. Whatever you choose, you should tell your reader not only what happened, but also what you were feeling: disappointment, frustration, embarrassment, etc. At the same time, pick something you’re comfortable writing about. If your emotions about something are too raw, you probably won’t be able to write a strong essay about it.

The second half of your essay is where you show that this story is about redemption, not failure. Show your reader not only what you learned, but also what you did differently with your second chance.

Take the example of being overconfident for a debate tournament. Because of the opposing team’s poor reputation, you barely prepared, and fully expected to wing it and win the debate. But your opponent ended up being incredibly skilled, and you stumbled all over your words. As a result of your loss, your team didn’t advance to regionals. While there was nothing you could do about that, you organized a tournament for all the teams that didn’t make it, so your team could still compete. You didn’t win over your teammates quite then, but you came back the next season and fully prepared for each tournament.

If you choose to write about somebody you know who isn’t you, most of the essay will be roughly the same. Tell your reader about this person’s mistake or failure, and how they bounced back. For example, maybe your sister accidentally broke your mom’s favorite necklace, and to make it up to her she saved up money for a year to buy her a new one.

The key difference is that this didn’t happen to you, so you need to explicitly show what you learned from watching this happen to someone else. Rather than just saying “My sister taught me that we can’t always control what happens, but we can control the responsibility we take afterwards,” tell your reader about a time when you used this lesson in your own life.

For example, maybe you did something that really upset your best friend. At first, you were angry at her, but after talking to your sister and being reminded of her experience you realized that you had to take accountability for your actions, so you baked her a cake and took it to her house.

This anecdote will likely be short, since you will probably be getting close to the word count, but a specific example will really drive home to your reader that this story made an impact on you, even though it happened to somebody else.

If you choose to write about someone who isn’t you and also isn’t anyone you know, the essay structure will be similar as for someone you do know: describe the failure, the rebound, and connect the story to your own life.

If you choose this approach, however, it’s extremely important that you know a lot about the person and that their story is important to you. For example, you should only write about Tom Brady’s 25-point Super Bowl comeback if you love the Patriots. Alternatively, you should only write about Taylor Swift’s comeback album reputation if you love Taylor Swift.

Otherwise, if you know nothing about sports and try to write about Brady, it will be very difficult to show that you have a personal connection to his redemption. Remember that, although the prompt gives you the option to write about someone else, this still has to be an essay about you. At the end of the essay, you want your reader to have learned something about you, not Brady.

In addition, the Admission Committee would like to know why you want to call Villanova your new home and become part of our community? (100 words)

Although this is a fairly straightforward “Why School?” essay, the 100 word limit is a challenge. Rather than using your limited space to list everything you like about Villanova, zero in on one particular quality, resource, or opportunity that you have a personal connection to.

For example, perhaps you have a passion for screenwriting. You could write about how Villanova will allow you to cultivate this passion through its Creative Writing freshman living community, and through particular courses offered in the Creative Writing Department.

There are two reasons why this example would make a strong response. First, the opportunities mentioned are specific to Villanova. If you write generally about Villanova’s English department, that won’t tell the admission committee anything about why you want to go to their school, since every school has an English department. Specificity gives the committee a much clearer sense of what you hope to accomplish at Villanova.

Now, when you begin brainstorming, you may not know much about the specific opportunities Villanova offers. That’s completely fine! Just hop on the website and do some research — the student organizations page is often a great place to start.

The second strength of the above example is the personal connection. By focusing on screenwriting, something you are genuinely passionate about, and describing how you will pursue it at Villanova, you are showing the committee how you will fit into their community. The focus shouldn’t be on the opportunity itself, but on how you will take advantage of it.

This personal connection is what will make your essay stand out, because Villanova receives over 20,000 applications per year. As a result, it’s very likely that someone else is writing about the same thing as you. That’s okay! The committee isn’t reading these essays to learn what opportunities their school offers — they’re reading them to learn about how you specifically will take advantage of these opportunities.

In summary, there are two main things to focus on in this essay: specificity to Villanova, and the connection between Villanova and you. And remember, you only have 100 words, so every sentence should be showcasing one of these things. If it isn’t, you probably don’t need it.

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How to Get Into Villanova: Acceptance Rate & Strategies

June 9, 2023

Sometimes a college’s growing athletic prowess can catapult its popularity, enhance its academic reputation, and lead to an increase in selectivity. Such is the case with Villanova University, a private, Catholic institution located in the posh Main Line suburbs of Philadelphia. Nova’s 1985 NCAA Men’s Basketball title propelled the once-regional institution into the national spotlight; that same team’s titles in 2016 and 2018 helped the university reach a new stratosphere of selectivity. In fact, applications to the university have increased by 30% in one recent five-year period—and the Villanova University acceptance rate, which was close to 50% as recently as 2014, hit 21% for the entering class in the fall of 2024.

Given that the process of gaining acceptance into Villanova becomes increasingly challenging with each passing year, this blog is designed to provide you with data on:

• Villanova acceptance rate 2023
• Villanova’s Early Decision acceptance rate 2023
• SAT, ACT, GPA, and class rank of accepted Villanova applicants
• Admissions trends 2023
• The demographics of current Villanova undergraduates
• Villanova’s yield rate
• How Villanova admissions officers evaluate candidates
• Tips for applying to Villanova
• Nova essay prompts
• How to assess whether applying to Villanova is even worth the $80 application fee (for you)

Many students applying to Villanova may also find the following blogs to be of interest:

How to Get Into:

• Fordham University
• Boston College 
• Georgetown 

Let’s begin with an examination of the most recent admissions data.

Villanova: Acceptance Rate – 2023

The University received 23,721 applications for its 2023-24 freshman class. In targeting a class size of 1,700 students, the Villanova acceptance rate was 20.5%. This was lower than recent Villanova acceptance rates which were as follows:

• Class of 2026: 23%

Villanova Early Decision Acceptance Rate

In putting together the Class of 2026, the university accepted 815 of 1,467 ED applicants. This means that the Villanova Early Decision acceptance rate is 56%. Clearly applying ED gives students a massive edge in the admissions process at this institution.

Villanova offers both ED I and ED II, with November 15 and January 15 deadlines.

Villanova Admissions – SAT, ACT, GPA, and Class Rank

Students admitted (different from enrolled) into the Class of 2027 possessed middle-50% GPAs of 4.20-4.58 and middle-50% standardized test scores of 1450-1520 on the SAT and 33-35 on the ACT. Among those actually enrolled in the Class of 2026, the SAT range was 1390-1480, the ACT range was 32-34. Also, 70% percent of students from the most recent enrolled cohort placed in the top 10% of their high school class.

Admissions Trends & Notes – Class of 2027

• The 23,721 applications received was slightly lower than the previous cycle.
• 50% of those admitted to the Class of 2027 applied test-optional.
• Continuing on that subject, Nova will remain test-optional for the 2023-24 admissions cycle.
• 37% of admitted students to the Class of 2027 were involved in the arts.
• 82% of admitted students played a sport in high school.

Who Gets Into Villanova University?

Let’s look at the demographics of Villanova undergraduates:

Geographically, the breakdown of the Class of 2026 is as follows:

• Mid-Atlantic: 992
• New England: 318
• Midwest: 139
• Other U.S.: 35

As with all selective colleges, those from lower-populated, more remote areas of the country (e.g. Wyoming, South Dakota, and Alaska) enjoy a boost to their admissions prospects.

Only 2% of undergrads are international students. Out of the 42 countries represented in the undergraduate student body, the most heavily-represented are:

Villanova University Acceptance Rate (Continued)

Looking at ethnic identity, the breakdown of the Class of 2026 was as follows:

• Hispanic: 13%
• African American: 6%
• Two or more races: 4%

The breakdown by gender of the Class of 2026 reveals 2% more female students than males.

• Female: 51%

The majority of students at Villanova identify as Catholic. Here is a complete look at the religious affiliation amongst undergrads at this school:

• Catholic: 71%
• Protestant: 9%
• No Preference: 5%
• Unknown: 7%

Nova’s Yield Rate

Villanova University’s yield rate — the percentage of accepted students who elect to enroll, divided by the total number of students who are admitted — was 32% last year. For comparison, schools like Stanford and Harvard were over 80%, and the University of Chicago, MIT, and Yale all sported 70%+ yield rates. Villanova also finished behind other comparable institutions such as Boston College and Georgetown.

How Villanova Rates Applicants

Villanova ranks only three factors as being “very important” to their admissions process: rigor of secondary school record, GPA, and class rank. Rating as “important” are: essays, recommendations, extracurricular activities, talent/ability, character/personal qualities, work experience, and volunteer work. “Considered” factors are: standardized test scores, first-generation status, legacy status, race/ethnicity, geographic residence, state residency, and the level of an applicant’s demonstrated interest.

In the words of Villanova admissions officers themselves, they are seeking students who are “intellectually inspired, morally grounded, and globally minded” and those who have the capacity to be change-makers, chance-takers, and difference-makers. In evaluating your application, the committee promises to take “a holistic approach to reviewing applicants to our undergraduate programs. When we read your application we will consider the complete picture – including your academic performance and rigor, activities outside the classroom, recommendations, essays, life experiences and, if reported, test scores. We want to learn who you are as a student and as a person.”

Tips for Applying to Villanova

If you plan on joining the 23,000+ Wildcat hopefuls for the next admissions cycle, you should know the following:

• There are no interviews offered through the university. As such, you’ll need to use the essays and recommendations to forge a personal connection with an admissions officer.
• Villanova does consider “ demonstrated interest ” so it is critical that you initiate contact with the admissions office, connect through social media, and visit campus or meet Villanova reps at college fairs near you.
• In addition to the Common App essay, make sure to dedicate sufficient time and effort to the supplemental essays required by Villanova University. In the 2022-23 cycle, the instructions/prompts are as follows:

Essay #1: Villanova Free Choice (2022-23)

For the first Villanova-specific essay, we hope to gain a deeper understanding of your thoughts, experiences, and opinions. Choose  one  of the five topics below and submit a written response in about 250 words.

Prompt One: St. Augustine states that well-being is “not concerned with myself alone, but with my neighbor’s good as well.” How have you advocated for equity and justice in your communities?

Prompt Two: What is the truest thing that you know?

Prompt Three: One of the themes in St. Augustine’s book,  Confessions , is the idea of redemption. Tell us your story of being given a second chance.

Prompt Four: In the Villanova community, we believe that we all learn from one another. What is a lesson in life that you have learned that you would want to share with others?

Prompt Five: Augustine’s “Miracles are not contrary to nature but only contrary to what we know about nature.” Tell us about a societal issue that you believe the wonder of technology is well-poised to help solve.

Essay #2: Why Villanova? (2022-23)

Prompt:  Why do you want to call Villanova your new home and how will you become part of our community?

Please submit a written response of about 150 words.

For specific advice on how to address each one of these prompts, visit our blog: Villanova University Essay Prompts and Tips .

Villanova University Acceptance Rate – Final Thoughts 

With Villanova growing increasingly more selective pretty much every year, you will likely need to possess strong SAT/ACT scores, close to a 4.0 weighted GPA, and earn a place in the top 10% of your high school class. Applying ED will provide a sizable edge if you find yourself “on the cusp” from an admissions standpoint. Further, all college-bound teens need to make sure that they formulate an appropriate college list, containing a complement of “target” and “safety” schools. You’ll definitely want to do this in conjunction with an admissions professional (including your own high school counselor). For more, revisit our blog entitled: How Many Colleges Should I Apply to?

• Application Strategies
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Andrew Belasco

A licensed counselor and published researcher, Andrew's experience in the field of college admissions and transition spans two decades. He has previously served as a high school counselor, consultant and author for Kaplan Test Prep, and advisor to U.S. Congress, reporting on issues related to college admissions and financial aid.

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• Villanova School of Business Essay Tips and Examples

August 16, 2023

Jeremy Shinewald

The Villanova School of Business takes a rather traditional approach with its application essays, posing two questions that together cover several main elements of a standard personal statement (which at one time was a very common MBA application submission). The school wants to understand why you feel you need an MBA to progress in your career and why you believe Villanova is the best place for you to earn the degree and have your business school experience. As a first step, we encourage you to download a free copy of the mbaMission Personal Statement Guide , which outlines in detail how to approach these topics in an application essay (and includes illustrative examples), and we offer more Villanova-specific advice in our analysis, which follows.

Villanova 2023–2024 Essay Tips

Question #1: at the villanova school of business, we are committed to providing a learning experience that equips students with the skills to innovate, adapt and lead in a complex professional environment. our mba program is designed to hone and refine both hard and soft skills in an effort to arm students with the tools they need to achieve their professional goals. with that in mind, please discuss a skill you would like to either improve or acquire throughout the course of our program. (essay responses are limited to two-pages double-spaced.).

This essay prompt includes a fair bit of preamble, though the school’s core question is really just “Why do you need an MBA?” To be effective, your response needs to fulfill three key criteria. The first is that the skill you “would like to … improve or acquire” is relevant to your career goal and necessary for you to develop to be successful in your target future role. Next, the skill obviously needs to be one that only a business school experience can provide—otherwise, you would not be making a very strong argument for needing to pursue an MBA program. And of course, Villanova must offer courses, events, experiences, faculty members, and/or other resources that would allow you to gain or strengthen that specified skill. This last criterion demands that you educate yourself well on everything the school’s MBA program has to offer. Go beyond its website and viewbook, and contact students and alumni directly, read student blogs, peruse discussion boards, catch up on the past year or more of the school’s press releases, spend some time on its YouTube channel —these are all good places to start (or better, continue!) educating yourself about what the Villanova School of Business is really like.

Although the central component of the prompt here is the skill you wish to attain or improve, you will also need to share what your professional goals are so that the admissions committee has the proper context for evaluating your response. Even if you have noted your goals elsewhere in your application, you should not assume that the admissions representative who reads your essay will have necessarily read that part of your application also (or would readily remember it, if they had). You want anyone who encounters your essay to understand where you hope to go in your career, what you must learn or develop to get there, and why you need an MBA—and specifically one from Villanova—to make your goals reality. Remember to keep the greatest focus on your selected skill, though, and to clearly explain why it is pivotal to your desired career and how you anticipate acquiring or enhancing it via the program.

Question #2: There are many factors present in the Villanova School of Business (VBS) community, which can also provide insight into the type of students who would flourish at VSB. Some of those qualities include intellectual curiosity, social responsibility, global awareness, an open mind and a creative spirit. Thinking about your research into our program and community, why do you feel Villanova is the best fit for your MBA experience? (Essay responses are limited to two-pages double-spaced.)

To effectively answer this question, as with the previous one, you will need to research all aspects of Villanova and the MBA experience it offers, from its resources and community to its extracurriculars and location. Generic claims and empty pandering have no place at all in this essay. The admissions committee wants to know that you are enthusiastic about what Villanova has to offer and that you understand exactly how and why it would fulfill your needs better than any other school. Note that the prompt mentions fit with its overall “MBA experience,” not just its academic or professional components, so be sure to explore and discuss extracurricular opportunities and characteristics as well. The elements of Villanova that you reference must be specific to your particular interests, character, style, and goals (both personal and career related), and the connections between them must be made very clear. Be authentic about what draws you to the school, and explain how you expect to gain and grow through the opportunities available there and benefit from the overall experience.

Supplemental Essay(s): You will also have the opportunity to upload any supplemental essays you wish to include as part of your application

Interestingly, Villanova allows, if not invites, you to submit additional essays of any kind, if you would like. And not just an essay, singular, but essays, plural . We caution you, however, against seeing this as an opportunity to upload every strong essay you wrote for a different program here. Admissions officers are extremely busy people, and asking them to spend time doing additional work to assess your application is not something you should do without serious thought and a very good reason. Show that you have good judgment and be thoughtful about how (and whether) you take advantage of this option.

That said, if you have anything in your profile that could be considered confusing or problematic, such as a gap in your academic transcript or work experience, a low GPA or GMAT/GRE score, an unusual choice of recommender, or a disciplinary or legal incident, this would be the perfect place to address it. Clarify for the admissions committee the story behind the issue. For help doing so, we encourage you to download a free copy of our mbaMission Optional Essays Guide , in which we offer detailed advice on how to approach and write this kind of optional essay, including multiple examples.

The other condition under which you might want to upload an additional essay here is if you have something in your candidacy that would help you stand out and/or contribute in a special way to the Villanova community—perhaps a unique background, skill, experience, or accomplishment—especially if you have already discussed this effectively in an essay for another school and can therefore easily provide it. (Before rushing to do this, though, make sure to remove any references to the other program!) If you do not feel that Villanova’s two required essays allow you to share enough about yourself and your story for the admissions committee to evaluate you fully and fairly, this would be your chance to fill in the missing pieces. But focus on being direct and succinct so that you convey your intended information without placing undue burden on the admissions readers.

2023-2024 B-Schools Outside the Top 15 Business School MBA Essay Tips Villanova School of Business

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2023–2024 MBA Essay Tips

• Berkeley Haas School of Business Essay Tips and Examples
• BU Questrom School of Business Essay Tips and Examples
• Cambridge Judge Business School Essay Tips and Examples
• Carnegie Mellon Tepper School of Business Essay Tips and Examples
• Chicago Booth School of Business Essay Tips and Examples
• Columbia Business School Essay Tips and Examples
• Cornell Johnson Graduate School of Management Essay and Examples
• Dartmouth Tuck School of Business Essay Tips and Examples
• Duke Fuqua School of Business Essay Tips and Examples
• Emory Goizueta Business School Essay Tips and Examples
• Esade Essay Tips and Examples
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• Harvard Business School 2+2 Deferred MBA Program Essay Analysis 2024
• Harvard Business School Essay Tips and Examples
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• IE Business School Essay Tips and Examples
• IESE Business School Essay Tips and Examples
• INSEAD Essay Tips and Examples
• International Institute for Management Development (IMD) Essay Tips and Examples
• Ivey Business School Essay Tips and Examples
• London Business School Essay Tips and Examples
• Michigan Ross School of Business Essay Tips and Examples
• MIT Sloan School of Management Essay Tips and Examples
• Northwestern Kellogg School of Management Essay Tips and Examples
• Notre Dame Mendoza College of Business Essay Tips and Examples
• NYU Stern School of Business Essay Tips and Examples
• Ohio Fisher College of Business Essay Tips and Examples
• Oxford Saïd Business School Essay Tips and Examples
• SMU Cox School of Business Essay Tips and Examples
• Stanford Graduate School of Business Application Essay Tips and Examples
• Texas McCombs School of Business Essay Tips and Examples
• The Consortium for Graduate Study in Management Essay Tips and Examples
• The Wharton School Essay Tips and Examples
• Toronto Rotman School of Management Essay Tips and Examples
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• UNC Kenan-Flagler Business School Essay Tips and Examples
• USC Marshall School of Business Essay Tips and Examples
• UVA Darden School of Business Essay Tips and Examples
• UW Foster School of Business Essay Tips and Examples
• Vanderbilt University Owen Graduate School of Management Essay Analysis, 2023–2024
• Yale School of Management Essay Tips and Examples

Click here for the 2022–2023 MBA Essay Tips

MBA Program Updates

• Berkeley-Haas
• Boston University (Questrom)
• Cambridge Judge Business School
• Carnegie Mellon University (Tepper)
• Columbia University (Columbia Business School)
• Consortium for Graduate Study in Management
• Cornell University (Johnson)
• Dartmouth College (Tuck)
• Duke University (Fuqua)
• Emory University (Goizueta)
• George Washington University (GWSB)
• Georgetown University (McDonough)
• Harvard University (Harvard Business School)
• IE Business School
• IESE Business School
• Indian School of Business
• Indiana University (Kelley)
• Ivey Business School
• London Business School
• Massachusetts Institute of Technology (Sloan)
• New York University (Stern)
• Northwestern University (Kellogg)
• Notre Dame (Mendoza)
• Ohio State University (Fisher College)
• Oxford University (Saïd Business School)
• Penn State Smeal College of Business
• Rotman School of Management
• Saïd Business School
• Southern Methodist University (Cox School of Business)
• Stanford University (Stanford Graduate School of Business)
• University of California Los Angeles (Anderson)
• University of Cambridge (Judge)
• University of Chicago (Booth)
• University of London (London Business School)
• University of Michigan (Ross)
• University of North Carolina (Kenan-Flagler)
• University of Pennsylvania (Wharton)
• University of Southern California (Marshall)
• University of Texas at Austin (McCombs)
• University of Virginia (Darden)
• Vanderbilt University (Owen)
• Villanova School of Business
• Yale University (School of Management)

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Your chance of acceptance, your chancing factors, extracurriculars, villanova supplemental essays advice.

Hello everyone! I'm applying to Villanova, and I want to make sure I do a great job on my supplemental essays. Can anyone share some advice on what topics or themes work well for Villanova's supplements? Any help is appreciated!

Hello! It's great that you're working on your supplemental essays for Villanova. I'm happy to give you some advice on how to make your essays stand out. Villanova is a Catholic university, so they value intellectual curiosity, community service, and personal growth. Here are some strategies to consider for Villanova's supplemental essays:

1. Intellectual curiosity: Essays focusing on intellectual growth often demonstrate your passion for learning and ability to think critically. You could write about a challenging course or a project that sparked your interest in a particular subject. Provide specific examples of how you applied your learning to explore the subject further or made connections with other disciplines.

2. Community service: Villanova encourages its students to be responsible citizens who contribute positively to their communities. You could write about a meaningful community service experience and how it changed your perspective or taught you valuable life lessons. Reflect on the impact you made through this experience and how it aligns with Villanova's values.

3. Personal growth: Personal essays that show self-awareness and growth can be powerful. You might describe an event or turning point that challenged your beliefs or forced you to re-evaluate yourself. Explain how this experience has transformed you as a person, and how it will help you contribute to the Villanova community.

4. Connection to Villanova's values and culture: Research Villanova's mission and values, as well as aspects of their campus culture and community that resonate with you. Discuss how your values align with those of the University and how your experiences prepare you to thrive at Villanova.

Also check out this CollegeVine article for tips on writing all the Villanova supplemental essays: https://blog.collegevine.com/how-to-write-the-villanova-university-essays

Remember to be genuine, reflective, and specific in your writing. Focus on explaining the depth of your engagement with the topic and how it has shaped you as a person or your perspective on the world. Lastly, proofread your essay carefully to ensure clarity and avoid typos or grammar mistakes. Good luck on your Villanova supplemental essays!

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• RESEARCH AND SCHOLARSHIP /
• Center for Research and Fellowships /
• Presidential Scholars Program

PRESIDENTIAL SCHOLARS PROGRAM

Villanova's Presidential Scholars Program is a premier full scholarship program inspired by St. Augustine—who pursued truth ( veritas ) through faith, taught leadership through love ( caritas ), and sought change through community ( unitas ).

The program's goal is to recruit, train and support transformational leaders to follow St. Augustine’s example and to build upon the positive work of the Presidential Scholars who came before them. 

The nomination form for the Fall 2025 entering class WILL OPEN IN SEPTEMBER. Nominations ARE due by 11:59 PM (EST) on December 1, 2024.

SCHOLARSHIP DETAILS

The Presidential Scholarship is a renewable, merit-based award covering undergraduate Villanova University tuition (fall and spring semesters), on-campus housing, a meal plan that includes up to 21 meals per week, the general fee, and the cost of textbooks to the completion of one undergraduate degree or up to eight semesters, whichever comes first. Twenty-five Presidential Scholarships are offered annually.

DEADLINES AND DATES

Below are the annual deadlines and key dates for Presidential Scholar Program applicants.

Nomination Form must be submitted online by 11:59 PM (EST)

All required application materials for admission must be submitted by 11:59 PM (EST) in order to be eligible to apply for the Presidential Scholarship.

Presidential Scholarship application (eight short-answer essay responses) must be submitted by 11:59 PM (EST).

Note: Villanova requires applicants to submit both their Common Application essay and two short Villanova Essays .

Other Important Dates: 2024-2025 Application Cycle

January 2025

• All applicants will be notified of their status in late-January to early-February.

February 2025

• On-Campus Interview Program for Presidential Scholarship finalists.
• All finalists will be notified of their status by the end of the month.
• Decision due.

ABOUT OUR PRESIDENTIAL SCHOLARS

Presidential Scholars are transformational leaders—representing diverse intellectual, social, ethnic and economic backgrounds—who have demonstrated a love of learning and a commitment to enhancing both their local and broader civic communities.

Free from most of the financial burdens of undergraduate education, Scholars are encouraged to focus on academic excellence and to seek a life of service and meaning. Hear from our graduates about the impact the PSP had on them.

Chloe Benson '21 CLAS

"Being an Underrepresented Presidential Scholar completely changed my life, by providing me with a community of peers, professors and staff members that supported my growth and development during my time at Villanova. As a UPS scholar, I explored my passions through academic research in Rhetorical Studies and experiential studies and interned abroad opportunities in Rome, Italy where I worked as an intern at a UN agency."

Brandon Nash '22 VSB

"From RUIBAL, to Blue Key, to leading clubs, to mentoring younger students, I consistently made sure to pay it forward. I formed relationships that I know will last forever, and I became what I was not yet. And now, the journey is ongoing. Being a Presidential Scholar is a never-ending process of growth, learning, love and making the world a better place. Every morning I wake up, I live out the values and lessons I learned during my time at Villanova and seek to be a business leader for a better world."

Leah Waltrip '20 CLAS

"As a Presidential Scholar, I was challenged from day one by my peers to do something that was bigger than myself. Being a part of a community that saw the importance of pushing each other to grow, not only for our own sake but for the sake of the University and our peers around us, made my Villanova experience so profoundly important. These connections are what pushed me to ask myself over and over again, 'How can I give back?'"

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For more information about The Presidential Scholarship, contact us by email or phone (610-519-8803).