Vanderbilt University is a private research university in Nashville, Tennessee’s historic midtown neighborhood. Vanderbilt has always been an elite school, but over the last couple of years, it has seen a surge in popularity. It makes sense. Vandy slays. It has strong academics, boasts great sports, and is in one of America’s most fun cities. Plus Vanderbilt istest-optional and is committed to need-blind financial aid.

But be warned, being so popular has made Vanderbilt extremely selective in recent years. Last year, their acceptance rate was just . If you are serious about getting into Vandy, you need to be a great candidate and part of that is writing a great supplement. 

Vanderbilt has a very short supplement. You only have to answer one 250-word 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.

Please provide your response in approximately 250 words.*

This question is really broad so it's important to keep it contained. We recommend doing this by telling a good (but short) story. Sometimes students also see “identity, culture, or background” and feel they have to write about some kind of minority status. You certainly can, but you don’t have to. There are so many things you can tell a story about.

What they are really asking for here is to bring us into your world and showcase an essential part of your background. While the prompt doesn’t use the word “community” this question will likely prominently feature a community that helped shape you. From volleyball teams to book clubs to neighborhoods, this community can really be any group of people that share a common interest or goal and that feel important to your growth as a person.  

Your story should also feature a time you have learned a lesson or built a skill.  While they say “one or more,” you really only have time for one. You don’t need to cram everything in here.  We know this all sounds kind of unspecific and TBH it's because so many stories work as answers to this prompt. However, that is probably not what you want to hear if you are struggling to think of something. Take a deep breath and work backwards. Think of skills or lessons that are integral to your personality and then tell a story about how those around you have shaped or contributed to them.

The bulk of this essay will be the story, but you should end this essay by connecting the skill or lesson to who you hope to be at Vanderbilt. Consider how it will inform how you will inform the kind of college student that you will be and wrap it up with that takeaway.

Vanderbilt only asks for one short essay. However, you want to make it count. Make sure you tell a story that feels important to your growth. We should know you more as a person after reading this essay. If that sounds hard, we would be happy to help you!

Get expert help! Reach out here.