Vanderbilt University

1. Background, identity, interest, or talent: Some students have a background, identity, interest, or talent that is so meaningful they believe their application would be incomplete without it. If this sounds like you, then please share your story.
2. Facing adversity: The lessons we take from obstacles we encounter can be fundamental to later success. Recount a time when you faced a challenge, setback, or failure. How did it affect you, and what did you learn from the experience?
3. Challenging an idea: Reflect on a time when you questioned or challenged a belief or idea. What prompted your thinking? What was the outcome?
4. Gratitude: Reflect on something that someone has done for you that has made you happy or thankful in a surprising way. How has this gratitude affected or motivated you?
5. Personal growth: Discuss an accomplishment, event, or realization that sparked a period of personal growth and a new understanding of yourself or others.
6. Intellectual curiosity: Describe a topic, idea, or concept you find so engaging that it makes you lose all track of time. Why does it captivate you? What or who do you turn to when you want to learn more?
7. Topic of your choice: Share an essay on any topic of your choice. It can be one you've already written, one that responds to a different prompt, or one of your own design.

The Common App enforces the length inside the application.

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.

1. Explore what you think it means for individuals, communities, and businesses to “serve the common good.” How might this inform your personal career aspirations?
2. Describe a civic/community service project in which you have been involved that you believe may be scaled to greater impact/benefit. In so doing, focus primarily on how that scaling could be achieved.
3. E. Bronson Ingram was known for his innovation. Tell us about a time when you were able to apply innovative approaches or innovating thinking to create or strengthen a new or existing program, system, or initiative.

Only if you apply to the Ingram Scholars Program (applied for in MyAppVU after you submit your application for admission). Upload your response as a PDF or Word document through the Scholarships tab in your MyAppVU portal.

Recognizing that you have applied to a specific college, please comment on the reasons you are interested in your chosen academic program. In this context, discuss personal experiences, goals, and interests that relate to your choice of major.

Only if you apply to the Cornelius Vanderbilt Scholarship (applied for in MyAppVU after you submit your application for admission). If you are applying to more than one school, answer the question for your first-choice school only. Upload your response as a PDF or Word document through the Scholarships tab in your MyAppVU portal.

Describe your artistic or creative practice. What has it meant to you over time? How do you plan to cultivate this practice in the future?

Only if you want to be considered for the Curb Leadership Scholarship: submit the Cornelius Vanderbilt Scholarship application in MyAppVU and answer this question. Upload your response as a PDF or Word document through the Scholarships tab in your MyAppVU portal.

Please explain how you plan to use your Vanderbilt experience to develop your anticipated career in sports journalism. Include no more than 10 published samples of your work within your document. If a sample is a video, please provide a link, as well as a transcript.

Only if you want to be considered for the Fred Russell-Grantland Rice Scholarship (sports journalism; College of Arts and Science students only): submit the Cornelius Vanderbilt Scholarship application in MyAppVU and answer this question. Upload your response as a PDF or Word document through the Scholarships tab in your MyAppVU portal.