How to Write the Vanderbilt Supplemental Essay and Get In

Vanderbilt isn’t looking for cookie-cutter overachievers. They’re on the hunt for intellectual change-makers—the dreamers and doers with big brains, big ideas, and the guts to make them happen. Their motto, Crescere aude (“Dare to grow”), isn’t just a catchy phrase; it’s a call to action. Vanderbilt’s students aren’t afraid to challenge the status quo, and this essay is your chance to show how you’ll join their ranks. Let’s dive in and make sure you stand out.

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.

Word count: ~250 words

What This Prompt Is Really Asking

This isn’t your standard "tell us about yourself" essay. Vanderbilt is asking for two things:

1. How have you grown? Reflect on a specific part of your identity, culture, or background that’s shaped who you are today. Skip the surface-level stuff—this is about the deeper forces that drive you.
2. How will you grow at Vanderbilt? They’re looking for students who bring transformative energy to campus. What’s the next chapter of your story, and how does Vanderbilt fit into it?

This essay is about connecting your past growth to your future potential.

Step-by-Step Advice

Step 1: Get Personal (And Skip the Clichés)

No one at Vanderbilt wants to read another essay about how you "love diversity" or "work hard." They want you. Focus on a story that captures something real and nuanced about your background.

Ask Yourself:

• What’s a pivotal moment that changed how you see yourself or the world?
• How has your culture, identity, or background given you a unique perspective?
• What’s an unconventional experience or challenge that’s shaped your character?

Examples:

• Growing up in a multilingual household and discovering how language shapes human connection.
• Being the go-to problem-solver in your family and how that shaped your leadership style.
• Starting a small business in high school to solve a problem in your community.

Step 2: Show the Moment You Grew

Forget vague reflections like “I learned resilience” or “I value hard work.” Instead, bring us into a defining moment that wasn’t perfect. Vanderbilt doesn’t expect you to start as a flawless superstar—they want to see your vulnerability and how you turned challenges into growth.

Example 1: Translating medical documents for your parents as a teenager and struggling to keep up, which later sparked your interest in public health and accessibility.

Example 2: Leading a grassroots campaign in your town to address food insecurity and stumbling through your first public speech, only to realize how much you cared about making a difference.

Pro Tip: Growth doesn’t happen without flaws. Be honest about the messy parts—they’re often the most relatable and inspiring.

Step 3: Tie It to Vanderbilt

Here’s where you connect your story to Vanderbilt. They’re all about interdisciplinary innovation, social impact, and leadership—so show how your growth aligns with their mission.

• What excites you about Vanderbilt? Maybe it’s their hands-on research opportunities, their commitment to community service, or a program like the Wond’ry Innovation Center.
• How will you contribute? Whether it’s through collaboration, mentorship, or launching new initiatives, show how you’ll enrich campus life.

Example: "At Vanderbilt, I’ll expand my work in food justice through the Ingram Scholars Program, collaborating with peers who share my commitment to tackling inequality."

What Works

1. Be Authentic: Forget what you think Vanderbilt wants to hear. Be honest about your journey.
2. Go Deep: Avoid surface-level reflections. Show how your experiences have shaped your values and goals.
3. Be Specific: Name-drop Vanderbilt resources, programs, or values that align with your growth.

Example: Instead of saying, “I want to grow as a leader,” write: "My experiences advocating for underrepresented voices in my community inspire me to join Vanderbilt’s Office of Active Citizenship and Service to continue fostering change."

Why Vanderbilt? A Few Pointers

Vanderbilt is a school where collaboration meets innovation. Known for its interdisciplinary approach, the university thrives on bringing big ideas to life. Whether it’s their leadership in renewable energy research or their vibrant arts culture, Vanderbilt is a place where intellect meets impact.

• Collaborative Culture: Vanderbilt isn’t cutthroat; it’s about working together to solve big problems.
• Interdisciplinary Opportunities: Programs like Immersion Vanderbilt let you tie together diverse fields for real-world application.
• Community Service: From the Ingram Scholars Program to Alternative Spring Break, Vanderbilt values giving back as much as getting ahead.

Show them you’re not just here to excel—you’re here to elevate others.

Final Thoughts

The Vanderbilt supplemental essay isn’t about being perfect—it’s about showing how you’ve grown, flaws and all. Admissions committees are looking for students who embrace challenges, reflect deeply, and turn their experiences into opportunities for impact. By sharing your authentic story, you’re not just showing what you’ve done; you’re showing who you are and how you’ll dare to grow at Vanderbilt.

At Top Dog, we know that growth can be messy—and that’s where the magic is. We help students find the right balance between vulnerability and ambition to craft essays that admissions teams won’t forget. Ready to take your Vanderbilt application to the next level? Let’s get to work.