Vanderbilt University, a prestigious academic institution with over 150 years of history, provides a vibrant campus life and varied scholarly research opportunities for its students. Located in Nashville, TN, Vanderbilt is known for its uniquely happy student community. In addition, the University counts six Nobel Laureates in their tight-knit community. For many applicants, the Vanderbilt supplemental essay can feel intimidating, but they don’t have to be. Let’s break it down.
Vanderbilt’s 2024-2025 Prompt
Vanderbilt requires just one short essay of approximately 250 words from their prospective students, but the essay can range from 200 to 400 words if necessary.
- Vanderbilt University’s motto, Crescere aude, is Latin for “dare to grow.” In your response, reflect on how one or more aspects of your identity, culture, or background has played a role in your personal growth, and how it will contribute to our campus community as you dare to grow at Vanderbilt.
General Tips
Indirectly, Vanderbilt supplemental essay promps seeks to learn about who you are in the company of others. Because universities are communities of people who are not always like-minded, admissions officers often seek students who demonstrate respect for others and maturity when responding to diverse viewpoints. While many students admitted to top schools like Vanderbilt display leadership qualities, no one will be a leader all the time on campus. Showcasing how you are a team player capable of constructive disagreement with others may significantly bolster your application.
Therefore, when brainstorming your topic for this prompt, consider times when you have learned from others, gained new perspectives, or sought meaning outside of school. Writing clearly and authentically about one of these experiences could be what differentiates you from the crowd.
Now, let’s dive into the prompt.
Vanderbilt Short Essay Question
Vanderbilt University’s motto, Crescere aude, is Latin for “dare to grow.” In your response, reflect on how one or more aspects of your identity, culture, or background has played a role in your personal growth, and how it will contribute to our campus community as you dare to grow at Vanderbilt. (approximately 250 words)
This essay prompt gives applicants the opportunity to show who they are and how they’ve grown. In order to answer this question effectively, you’ll need to exercise self-awareness and humility. Understanding how you’ve grown requires acknowledging the person you used to be, and accepting the flaws that you possessed in the past. This requires some degree of vulnerability and courage, hence the phrase “dare to grow.”
In other words, your essay should depict some kind of narrative. First, you’ll need to describe the person you used to be. Then, you’ll need to show how you changed, and why. Next, you’ll need to describe who you are today. Then, importantly, you must hint at how this development will continue to impact you into the future. Lastly, the essay would likely benefit from some reflection on this process of growth. In addition, remember to specifically point out the “one or more aspects of your identity, culture, or background” that catalyzed your development as a person.
To give each aspect of your identity, culture, or background the room to breathe in your Vanderbilt supplemental essay, it’s advisable to stick to just 1-3 aspects. That way, you have the space to elaborate upon each one with the requisite detail and nuance. You may also want the space to explain how courage and/or self-confidence impacted your development. The phrase “dare to grow,” and its implications, should remain in the back of your mind as you compose this essay.
If you need help polishing up your Vanderbilt supplemental essay, check out our College Essay Review service. You can receive detailed feedback from Ivy League consultants in as little as 24 hours.
