Vanderbilt University is a private research university in Nashville, Tennessee’s historic midtown neighborhood. From Covid research to sports teams, there are many reasons to like Vandy. The university hosts four undergraduate schools: the College of Arts and Science, the School of Engineering, the Peabody College of Education and Human Development, and the Blair School of Music. Vanderbilt is test optional and is committed to need-blind financial aid. However, getting in has become more challenging over the years. For the class of 2027, their acceptance rate was only 4.2% during the regular decision round. The early decision acceptance was higher at 15.7%, but these numbers have been on a slow downward trajectory.
Vanderbilt keeps its supplement fairly simple. You only have to answer one 250-word question, and they let you choose between two prompts. The prompts are very similar to ones you might see from other schools. Let’s break them down.
Please select one of the following short answer 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.
This prompt is a little basic. Basic isn’t always bad, but we think it lacks a little flavor. That means you will have to bring the excitement yourself if you choose this prompt. The first step is to select one of your extracurriculars to write about. You should choose one that you are committed to and feel passionate about. This means don’t write about something you only do for an hour a week.
Once you have chosen which experience you want to write about, you should brainstorm a story that happened while doing the activity. The best stories showcase your leadership skills or are about learning a lesson or taking on a responsibility. Telling a good story protects this essay from being unfocused or explain-y. Try to jump into the story quickly, as this essay is short.
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?
Questions like this have become increasingly popular. This is another time where the best approach is a story; in this case, that story should have dialogue. Think of a time when you disagreed with someone. All you have to do is tell us about a conversation you had with someone that gave you a different perspective. While many types of conversations can work here, try to think of a discussion where neither party is 100% wrong. If the conversation lacks nuance, it might appear stale or obvious. The essay is also short. It’s ok to take on a more minor topic. You can do a vast and charged political issue, but it might be harder to find common ground in 250 words the bigger it is. You should try to fit in what happened, what you learned, and how that influenced you. It’s a tall order, but a good question to answer.
Vanderbilt’s supplement is short, but that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t take your time to tell a good story. If we are being honest, it doesn’t give you an excellent opportunity to show too many facets of yourself. It’s up to you to use what they have given you to show what you can about yourself.
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