Vanderbilt's Supplemental Essay Prompts

Vanderbilt University offers the choice between two different supplemental essay prompts for 2023-2024 applicants. This flexibility creates an opportunity for students to highlight their specific strengths and show off how they will contribute to the Vandy community. Applicants must respond to one of these short-answer questions, either showcasing a meaningful extracurricular activity OR reflecting on a conversation with someone whose viewpoints differ from their own.

Although it’s only 250 words, Vanderbilt’s supplemental essay allows for a bit more creativity while still ensuring applicants demonstrate their ability to formulate clear and concise responses.

TTA Tip: Vanderbilt admissions officers are looking for evidence of personal growth: both prompts ask about specific experiences (an activity or difficult conversation) that have influenced you. But rather than spending all 250 words reflecting, we suggest highlighting your growth through specific examples that showcase the meaningful ways you’ve taken action and impacted your community. Founded in 1873 with a mission to “strengthen the ties which should exist between all sections of our common country,” and a “quest to bring out the best in humanity,” Vanderbilt seeks students who use their gifts in the service of others, helping to tackle pressing issues as they reach across differences.

Essays about winning the big volleyball game, or debating different perspectives on BBQ sauces? They probably won’t land you at Vandy. But the lessons you learned through your volunteer work translating for asylum seekers or your Ethics Club debates about immigration rights? Those topics might get you closer to dropping your “Anchor Down.”

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Vanderbilt’s Supplemental Essay Prompts

Short Answer Question

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

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

Vanderbilt University values learning through contrasting points of view. We understand that our differences, and our respect for alternative views and voices, are our greatest source of strength. Please reflect on conversations you’ve had with people who have expressed viewpoints different from your own. How did these conversations/experiences influence you?

Please provide your response in approximately 250 words.

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Are you aiming for Vanderbilt? Not sure how to approach these questions strategically? Contact us to discuss our Essay Guidance Program or Personal Boot Camp.

By working on your applications NOW, you will be ready to reap the benefit of increased odds in the early round of admissions.

Top Tier Admissions is tracking supplemental essay prompts for all top schools here — we look forward to supporting you!