Vanderbilt University was founded in 1873, during reconstruction era Tennessee, by railroad magnate Cornelius Vanderbilt. They maintain robust science programs, particularly in areas such as nuclear and defense research, as well as advanced robotics. The University’s eclectic mix of architecture includes gothic and classical styles, creating an alluring, green, urban campus with all the sophistication of college life in a cosmopolitan city. Vanderbilt is proud of its southern heritage with more than half of enrollees hailing from south of the Mason-Dixon.
Sounds great, right? There’s a catch, though: Vanderbilt is not easy to get into. Today the University is known for their highly selective admission process, in which a mere 6.1% of applicants are accepted (as of 2022). One way to really stand out among the crowd is by writing excellent supplemental essays, which will give the admissions committee a true sense of who you are. Here’s our guide to writing the Vanderbilt supplemental essays.
What is a Supplemental Essay?
There are two types of college admissions essays: the personal statement and then supplemental essays. A supplemental essay serves as an opportunity to make a unique impression on the university’s admissions department by showing them you researched the school thoroughly and see how you fit there. These essays are typically intended to allow an applicant to demonstrate to an admissions office why they are a good fit for a specific campus, program, major, or activity in a shorter form than the personal statement.
Typically, supplemental essays will ask about majors, campus community, or even why a specific school is your priority. Therefore, they are a chance to show that you have passions, that you want to benefit your community, and that you have found Vanderbilt (in this case) to be the best fit to facilitate those goals.
What is the 2025–2026 Vanderbilt Supplemental Essay?
The Vanderbilt supplemental essay for 2025 is:
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.
It should be roughly 250 words, so be clear in your writing. Next, we’ll break down how to write the essay below.
How to Write Vanderbilt’s Supplemental Essay
In short, this prompt is asking you to 1) showcase an aspect of who you are, 2) how it’s contributed to your growth, and 3) how you plan to keep growing in Vanderbilt. Let’s break it down:
1. Who You Are
Start by reflecting on a part of your identity and what helped to shape it.
What is your background, and how has it influenced the way in which you view the world? Think about the environment in which you were raised—whether it was a tight-knit immigrant community, a rural town, a bustling city, or a military household. Did you face specific challenges that shaped your worldview?
Next, consider your activities, interests, or responsibilities. Maybe it’s dance, gardening, robotics, a part-time job, or caring for a loved one. Choose one core aspect—something that reflects a significant part of who you are—and think about how it reveals some core personality trait, like your empathy, curiosity, fortitude, adaptability, etc.
2. How You’ve Grown
Once you’ve identified this trait or experience, share a vivid, personal story that demonstrates how it triggered a period of genuine personal growth.
The key is to focus on a specific moment—maybe it was a debate competition you didn’t win, a dispute you helped resolve, a challenge you overcame, or a new perspective that changed your thinking. What did you learn? How did it shape the way you approach challenges or see the world? How are you a better person as a result?
3. How You’ll Keep Growing at Vanderbilt
Now, tie your past to your future. How will Vanderbilt help you continue developing this part of yourself?
Be specific! Are there research opportunities, speciality housing opportunities, professors, student organizations, or campus initiatives that align with your interests or values? Show you’ve done your research and understand what makes Vanderbilt unique—and what makes you a unique fit. Ultimately, you want to demonstrate that your growth is ongoing—and that Vanderbilt is the right place to support your next chapter.
If that all seems like a big ask for 250 words, that’s because it is! Don’t be afraid to over-write at first. You can always edit your essay later. And if you’re looking to make the absolute most of such a short essay, consider hiring a professional for help.
General tip for Writing your Vanderbilt Supplemental Essays
Don’t just tell admissions how you’ve grown—show them.
A detailed anecdote will do a great deal to demonstrate not only your understanding of yourself and the goals of the essay, but also be a testament to your own writing as well. Instead of making broad statements like, “I learned to be adaptable,” tell the story about the time you lost your cue cards and had give your final presentation from memory. You don’t need to tell your whole life story—one detailed anecdote can effectively reveal your transformation.
Admissions officers read thousands of essays, so what makes yours memorable is the depth and authenticity you bring to a single experience. Use that moment to highlight not just what happened, but how it changed you—and how that growth prepares you for the next chapter.
Conclusion
As you can see, you have a world of possibilities ahead of you when it comes to writing the Vanderbilt supplemental essay. This step-by-step guide should help you stay on task and write the best essay you can for this remarkable school. Remember to seek out an advisor, parent, or teacher for advice, too—you don’t have to go it alone.
Need more help with writing? Reach out to HelloCollege to learn more about working one-on-one with an expert essay coach to perfect all of your college application writing.
