Vanderbilt University is known for its vibrant and inclusive community, and its motto, Crescere aude, which means "dare to grow," aptly reflects the institution’s ethos. As part of the application process for 2024, Vanderbilt asks prospective students to delve deep into their personal narratives through their supplemental essay prompt. Let's take a closer look at this year's essay prompt:

The Prompt:

"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.*"

With a 250-word limit, this essay prompt challenges students to craft a concise yet impactful narrative about their personal growth. Here are some detailed tips on how to approach it:

Reflect on Your Identity

Begin by considering the diverse facets of your identity. This might include your ethnicity, nationality, religion, gender, or any other aspect that has defined your experiences. Think about significant moments in your life that have shaped who you are today. How have these experiences contributed to your personal growth? Use concrete examples to illustrate your points.

Embrace Specificity and Authenticity

Authenticity is key to a compelling essay. Avoid generic statements and focus on specific instances that truly reflect your journey. Instead of broadly stating that you’ve grown through challenges, describe a particular challenge and how it transformed you. Including vivid details will make your essay more engaging and memorable.

Connect to Vanderbilt's Community

To stand out, explicitly connect your personal growth to how you will contribute to Vanderbilt’s campus community. Are there specific clubs, organizations, or initiatives at Vanderbilt that align with your background and experiences? Mentioning these will show that you’ve done your research and genuinely envision yourself thriving at Vanderbilt.

Seek Feedback

After drafting your essay, seeking feedback is crucial. Platforms like Sups AI can be invaluable in this process. Sups AI helps students brainstorm, refine their essays, and offers one-on-one chats with current students, providing insights into what resonates at Vanderbilt. With its track record of helping over 10,000 students get admitted to top schools, Sups AI's expertise can give your essay the polish it needs.

Final Touches

Before submitting, ensure your essay is within the word limit and free of grammatical errors. Reading your essay aloud can help catch awkward phrasing or missed words. Finally, double-check that your narrative flows smoothly from personal growth to how you will contribute to Vanderbilt’s campus.

Crafting a compelling essay for Vanderbilt University is an opportunity to showcase how your unique experiences and background position you to “dare to grow” within their community. By reflecting deeply and seeking feedback from platforms like Sups AI, you can create a meaningful and memorable essay that stands out.