The University of Virginia (UVA), located in the city of Charlottesville, was founded in 1819 by Thomas Jefferson. With a 19% acceptance rate, UVA remains a selective research institution with a preference for in-state applicants. UVA’s accomplished alumni include Tina Fey, Ted Kennedy, Robert Mueller, and Steve Huffman. This year, a supplemental essay is only required for those applying to the School of Nursing. If this applies to you, let’s dive in!
UVA’s 2025-2026 Prompts
School of Nursing Question
- In the field of nursing, you will encounter and impact real human lives. Please explain why you feel this is important as you choose this field as your future. (250 words or fewer)
School of Nursing Question
In the field of nursing, you will encounter and impact real human lives. Please explain why you feel this is important as you choose this field as your future. (250 words or fewer)
This nursing essay prompt asks you to reflect on the profound responsibility of affecting real lives through healthcare. The admissions committee wants to understand your motivations for choosing nursing and your awareness of the field’s fundamentally human-centered nature. They’re looking for evidence that you grasp both the significance and weight of this calling.
Consider opening with a specific moment that illuminated the human impact of nursing, whether it be a personal healthcare experience, witnessing a nurse’s care, or a volunteer moment when you realized you wanted to make a tangible difference. The body paragraphs should explain why impacting human lives through nursing resonates with you personally. Perhaps this calling is connected to your core values or maybe you’re particularly drawn to the intimate, trust-based nature of nursing relationships. Once you establish this personal connection, you can show the nuances and complexity of both rewards and challenges that come with this role. Maybe you focus on the clinical care or even the emotional support nurses often provide during vulnerable moments for patients. The conclusion can then be about tying your motivations to future nursing goals, showing how your understanding of the field’s human impact shapes your career aspirations and will guide your practice.
The key here is using concrete examples rather than generic statements about helping patients. I would avoid statements simply about “helping people” that aren’t grounded in real experiences and overly dramatic language that focuses on the mission of saving lives. As long as you’re genuine about your compassion and competence, your essay should be ready to go!
If you need help polishing up your UVA supplemental essay, check out our College Essay Review service. You can receive detailed feedback from Ivy League consultants in as little as 24 hours.
