Short Answer Question
For both first-year and transfer applicants, we ask you to complete a short answer essay (approximately 250 words) based on the following 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.

Art Poftfolio

About Vanderbilt 

 • Nashville, TN
 • Founded in 1873
 • Private institution
 • Total undergraduate enrollment previous year: 7,152 

 • Urban campus 

 • 6% acceptance rate  

School Is Known For 

 • Peabody College of Education and Human Development
 • Owen Graduate School of Management
 • School of Engineering
 • Law School
 • School of Medicine
 • School of Nursing
 • Well known for its undergraduate Blair School of Music
 • Vanderbilt University Medical Center is ranked one of the best in the nation
 • Famous alum include former chairman and CEO of Time Inc. Ann Moore, former NFL quarterback Jay Cutler and novelist James Patterson

Culture 

 • Located in Nashville, or “Music City”
     • Plenty of off-campus options for dining, shopping, music and entertainment
 • Greek organizations play a big role in social life
    • More than 20% of students affiliated with Greek life
 •  All undergraduate students at Vanderbilt are required to live on campus
    • Freshmen live together in The Commons
 • The Commodores
    • Named for Vanderbilt founder "Commodore" Cornelius Vanderbilt

    • Have teams in the NCAA Division I Southeastern Conference
 • More than 40 percent of students participate in study abroad programs, which are offered in more than 35 countries