villanova application essay

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BEST OF BOTH WORLDS

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How to Write the Villanova University Essays 2024-2025

Villanova has one supplemental essay prompt, which allows you to choose from five options. You want to take advantage of this flexibility, and choose the option that best complements what you already show elsewhere in your application. Particularly since all five options are fairly different from the standard supplemental prompts, be thoughtful about which one you select.

First, read all of the options carefully, even if you think you are sure about which one you will choose. Second, note which one(s) stick out—for example, perhaps Option B reminds you of a meaningful reconciliation with a friend. If you immediately feel an emotional connection to one of the prompts, that can be a good sign that you’ll be able to write a strong response. 

Finally, think about how each prompt would add to your application as a whole, and make sure that the prompt you choose won’t lead to redundancies. For example, say you are drawn to Option A, but your Common App essay is about your advocacy work through your school’s Feminism Club. In that case, you might be better off with one of the other options so you don’t repeat yourself.

If you do still choose Option A, make sure that you approach the topic from a new perspective, such as, for example, by describing your wide-reaching work in club social media management rather than your weekly volunteer work at the local women’s shelter.

Read this Villanova essay example written by  real accepted student to inspire your writing!

Villanova University Supplemental Essay Prompts

Prompt: Please select one of the five essay prompts listed below to fulfill the writing requirement and respond in about 250 words.

• Option A: St. Augustine states that well-being is “not concerned with myself alone, but with my neighbor’s good as well.” How have you advocated for equity and justice in your communities?
• Option B: What is a lesson in life that you have learned that you would want to share with others at Villanova?
• Option C: “Villanova” means “new home.” Why do you want to call Villanova your new home?
• Option D: As an Augustinian community, we value recognizing individuals for their true selves. Please share with us a time when you were misjudged based on your identity, background, experiences, or interests.
• Option E: At Villanova, we often say “each of us strengthens all of us.” Please detail a time when someone has borrowed some of your strength in their time of need.

St. Augustine states that well-being is “not concerned with myself alone, but with my neighbor’s good as well.”  How have you advocated for equity and justice in your communities? (about 250 words)

It seems that Villanova greatly values community and group efforts. It’s important to do a little bit of research about the key values of the schools you’re applying to, which are often made evident by their application prompts, mottos, marketing messages, and even conversations with current students. 

In this essay, highlight your concern for fairness, community, and selflessness through concrete and specific details. When possible, reference specific organization names, people you have worked with, and raw numbers (i.e: number of people served, amount of money raised, total attendance of a charity event, etc.) Avoid vague generalities and consider starting off your essay with a lively, brief anecdote to bring your story to life. 

Many applicants may write about posts they shared or reposted on social media during times of social crisis. Although these are valuable forms of activism to raise awareness on important issues, sharing a more unique experience may help you stand out! Did you write or speak to any local authorities, for example? Attend/organize a protest?

Here are some questions to consider as you brainstorm: 

Advocacy specifically refers to the act of speaking on the behalf of or in support of another person, place, or thing. How did you speak up? Whose voices have you amplified?

Example: A student writes about her experience attending the 2017 Women’s March in Washington, D.C with her mother and sisters to protest sexual harassment and advocate for women’s reproductive rights. 

What community service work have you done? Who did this work serve, and how did it help bring them closer to justice? Remember, your response doesn’t have to be directly related to the social, economic, racial or political justice of human beings; advocacy for animals and the environment counts as well!

Example: A student illustrates how his family’s tradition of volunteering at a soup kitchen every Thanksgiving, has sparked a passion in him to research and combat food insecurity and food deserts in the US in his city.  

Are you a part of a group that has historically suffered injustice? How have you advocated for yourself and your community?

Example: A Native American student from the Zuni Reservation in New Mexico narrates the injustices her community has faced in cultural erasure. She creates content on social media to increase awareness of her tribe’s rich history and fading language. 

The most important thing to remember when approaching this prompt is to focus on an issue that really resonated with you. Sometimes social media can make it seem like there is a right and wrong way to approach activism – stay true to yourself! The way you advocate for equity and justice in your community may differ from other applicants. Allow these differences to let you stand out and illustrate what you’re truly passionate about. 

What is a lesson in life that you have learned that you would want to share with others at Villanova? (about 250 words)

This prompt is asking you to reflect on a significant life lesson that has shaped who you are and what you value. Villanova is a university rooted in community, service, and moral development, so you’d ideally choose a lesson that reflects these values. 

To help you brainstorm, consider this list of questions. 

• In your life, have you had any pivotal moments, challenges, successes, or experiences that changed your perspective? 
• Has anything happened to you that changed you, your values, or how you see the world? If you can’t think of anything specific, try thinking of a value you hold and reflect on where that value comes from. 
• What is a belief or lesson that’s deeply important to you? Where does it come from? Why is it important?
• Are there any lessons you’ve learned or beliefs you hold that mesh especially well with Villanova’s mission? 

To begin, focus mainly on generating as many ideas as possible–it’s better to have too many options than too few, as having too many means you can honestly evaluate which is the strongest. Then you can trim them down based on the following considerations. 

First, you’ll want to pick something unique. Villanova admissions will be reading hundreds of essays, and you want yours to stand out from the crowd. While it’s practically impossible to write about something they’ve absolutely never seen before, there are some topics that are widely known cliches , like overcoming a sports setback, or traveling somewhere to volunteer in a new community. These topics are best avoided unless yours has an angle that’s truly unique to you. 

In addition to being authentic, you also want to give Villanova a comprehensive sense of who you are, so pick a lesson with some depth. It might shed light on where you come from, what you value, or how you live your life. Combining authenticity with personal meaning will make for the most compelling essays.

Another powerful choice is to pick a story that connects to your future, particularly your future at Villanova. As noted above, you could make this connection through Villanova’s values, or you could reference some specific ways you hope to contribute to their campus community.

If you take this approach, like in a “Why School?” essay you’ll want to make sure you’re being truly specific to Villanova, by citing particular student groups you hope to join or professors you hope to work with, rather than vaguely gesturing at things you could do anywhere, like meeting like-minded peers or studying a general topic like English.

With these pointers in mind, consider the following examples of lessons students might write about, to give you a more concrete idea of what your own response could look like. 

• A student from a military background might write about how she learned the importance of adaptability and resilience after moving seven times before high school. She could write about how she learned to embrace change and make new connections quickly, and how she plans to share this skill at Villanova by helping other students navigate transitions and build a supportive community.
• A basketball player who struggled with perfectionism could write about the lesson he learned from his experiences with burnout. He might discuss how he realized the importance of self-compassion and balance, and how he hopes to share this lesson at Villanova by advocating for mental health awareness and support among his peers.
• An applicant who spent years volunteering at their local senior center might have learned the value of humility and listening to others. They could describe how stories from a different generation taught them to appreciate life for the journey, not the destination, and how they want to bring this mindset to Villanova by setting up inclusive discussions and mindfulness workshops

“Villanova” means “new home.” Why do you want to call Villanova your new home? (about 250 words)

This is more or less your standard “ Why This School? ” essay. Here, you’ll simply have to explain not only why you would love to go to Villanova, but also why they should love to have you! In short, you are demonstrating fit .

For a typical essay of this type, we recommend that you do plenty of research about the school, its traditions, and if known, your major within the school. Make a list of things that stand out to you as true, legitimate reasons to attend the school, as well as ways you can contribute.

For example, Villanova is the only Augustinian Catholic university in the nation and the school values its duality between faith and learning. A few of the Augustinian values that Villanova references are Veritas, Unitas, and Caritas (meaning truth, unity, and love). What do these values mean to you? How attending a University with these values will impact your learning? 

Additionally, we recommend sticking with only a few talking points in this essay, as your space is limited and you may want to draw from personal experiences to explain how your past work will make you a great addition to the school. In short, how can you make this campus better? How can you stand out, and how can you fit in? Keep your writing specific, concise, and highly personalized. Which traits, or combination of traits, make you a uniquely good fit for this school?

Here are some examples: 

1. An applicant is drawn to Villanova because the Augustinian values resonate with her Catholic upbringing. She has always been passionate about both agricultural science and environmental sustainability, but has struggled to find a major that aligns with her academic interest.. She decides to apply to the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences (CLAS) at Villanova and leverage the school’s Individually Designed Major (IDM) program where she can create a unique major in the study of EcoGastronomy (the study of food, agriculture, and environment). 

2. Coming from a rural conservative community, a student wishes he could become a more informed ally to help educate his peers. He is excited to learn that Villanova offers in-depth DEI (Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion) training through a course called the Advancing Equity & Justice Curriculum. This program will give the applicant the tools that he needs to be a better advocate for diverse individuals. 

Since you’re limited to about 250 words, your response needs to be concise, specific, and personal. You’ll want to avoid wasting any of your precious words on generalities that could apply to any applicant or any college, like in this bad example below:

“Villanova has always been one of my top choices because of its strong reputation as a prestigious university. I’ve heard great things about the academic programs, particularly in the sciences, which is an area I’m interested in exploring further. I want to attend a school where I can receive a quality education that will open doors for me in the future, and Villanova seems like the perfect place to achieve my goals.

Additionally, I’m looking forward to being part of a tight-knit community. I’ve read that Villanova has a strong sense of school spirit, and I think it would be exciting to be part of that environment. The location is also ideal because it’s close to major cities like Philadelphia, which offers many opportunities for internships and cultural experiences.

Overall, Villanova seems like a place where I can grow both academically and personally, surrounded by people who are passionate about their education and community. I’m eager to experience the beautiful campus and all that Villanova has to offer as I prepare for my future.”

Compare this with the following, much stronger example:

“In my multicultural home, thinking beyond borders and understanding global interconnectedness was nothing special; it was how we lived. My mother, an immigrant from Haiti, would share stories about challenges her community faced, from political instability to lack of access to necessities. She and my father made sure to remind me that though Haiti and these issues might feel far away, they are a part of me and my history. Not just that, but people in our hometown faced similar problems to those my mom once did. These conversations instilled in me a deep commitment to public service and social justice, both globally and locally.

At Villanova, I’m eager to deepen my understanding of global issues through the Center for Peace and Justice Education, where I can explore international relations and human rights. The university’s emphasis on service-learning resonates with my belief that education should extend beyond the classroom and into communities that need it most. I’m particularly drawn to the Villanova Service and Justice Experiences, where I can combine my academic interests with hands-on service, contributing to meaningful change in both local and global communities.

Villanova’s values of veritas, unitas, and caritas align perfectly with my own principles. I see Villanova as more than just a place to study; it’s a community where I can grow both intellectually and morally, surrounded by peers and faculty who share my dedication to making the world a better place.” 

In addition to taking full advantage of the available space, this second essay displays a deeper knowledge of Villanova, by citing resources that can only be found at this particular institution, and that clearly fit into the student’s plan for what they want to do once they arrive on campus. We also learn about the student’s background, their values, and how they developed those values, so we can easily connect their past experiences to their potential future at Villanova.

Basically, the first example could have been written about another college, by another student, but the second is unique to both Villanova and this particular student.

For more tips on this prompt archetype, check out our stellar essay examples , research tips , and video guide !

As an Augustinian community, we value recognizing individuals for their true selves. Please share with us a time when you were misjudged based on your identity, background, experiences, or interests. (about 250 words)

This option, which has some overlap with the common “Diversity” prompt, has two pieces to it. First, you need to choose an aspect of your identity or background, ideally one you haven’t yet had a chance to dive into elsewhere in your application. Then, you will discuss a time you were misjudged because of this aspect of yourself, and how you responded or what you learned from this experience. Let’s break down each of those pieces. 

Usually, in writing about identity, you would want to choose a feature of yourself that is important to you and/or affects how you see the world. For this prompt specifically, however, you may want to channel your brainstorming less towards what’s important to your own self-image, and more towards features of your identity that affect how others see you. Of course, there may well be overlap between the two, but if you aren’t sure where to start, the latter category is a better jumping off point.

If you’ve experienced prejudice in the form of racism, sexism, homophobia, or something of the sort, this is a good place to talk about it, but you also don’t have to have experienced bigotry to answer this prompt effectively. Here are some examples of essays that could fit this prompt.

• A student who struggles with people asking him if he fits the stereotype of the neglected, forgotten middle child. 
• A student writing about how after she started lifting, her mom warned her that she wouldn’t like the way she looked with muscles, because muscles look weird on women. 
• Another student could write about how the GSA at his school assumed that he could not be religious because he was gay. 
• Another student wrote about how he was considered weird for asking his older sister to teach him to sew. 

All of these stories involve identity, but they come at the topic from unexpected angles. As you write your essay, try to think about times that you’ve surprised the people around you, or even surprised yourself. 

After you’ve chosen the moment of misjudgment that you’re going to write about, the second piece of this essay is discussing how you felt about this experience, and what you learned from it. In the moment, it likely didn’t feel great. But were you able to talk your feelings out with the person you had the interaction with, or debrief with friends or family after? Did it strengthen your resolve to keep doing what you were doing, or make you decide to work towards changing people’s perceptions of you? Or maybe it made you more aware of the way that snap judgments can hurt. 

This kind of reflection should be the real focus of your essay – the aspect of your identity you’ve chosen to write about may be important to you, but this essay is asking you to see people for who they truly are, and the impact it can have when others don’t do that. So, the majority of your essay should discuss how it felt to be misjudged, how you got past it (if applicable), and how you plan to take what you’ve learned from this experience into your future. 

Finally, we’d like to note that this prompt is asking you to reflect on an experience that was undoubtedly painful, and sharing that pain with a bunch of strangers thousands of miles away can be hard. But this is also a chance to showcase your resilience and capacity for reflection, so we would recommend not focusing merely on the experience of prejudice, bigotry, or simple misunderstanding. Rather than prioritizing the negative feelings associated with this encounter, center your own ability to learn from it, and apply your new knowledge in the future.

At Villanova, we often say “each of us strengthens all of us.” Please detail a time when someone has borrowed some of your strength in their time of need. (about 250 words)

This prompt asks you to demonstrate your capacity for self-reflection, your selflessness, and your support of those around you. Villanova values community, mutual support, and collective well-being, and they want to see how you embody these values in your own life, by being empathetic, taking on leadership roles, and making an impact on others. With just 250 words to work with, it’s important to select the right anecdote, so let’s talk about what that looks like. 

To start, you’ll want a strong, specific story. While you might “lend your strength” every day, you want to be able to anchor this ability in a particular event or moment, as that will make your story more compelling and memorable than a vague description that could blur together with someone else’s essay. 

Details are key, so make sure you pick an occasion that you can vividly describe. You also want to choose one that will stand out as unique to you–avoid cliché stories like supporting a teammate while they rehabbed an injury or helping your friend with their homework during a challenging history unit.

Ideally, your story should also show initiative. In other words, a story where you went out of your way to lend your strength to someone will make a bigger impact than one where they had to ask you for help. Colleges love students who will go out of their way to make their campus community a better place.

Finally, don’t forget to be specific about the impact your selflessness had on others. Though it might feel like bragging, this is exactly what the prompt is asking for, and the admissions team will have no way of knowing how effective you were if you don’t tell them.

Being able to concretely demonstrate the positive influence you had will show your empathy, awareness, and readiness to deeply reflect on and learn from the events in question. Additionally, talking about the others involved in your story actually makes you come across as unselfish, as it shows that you are paying attention to and caring about others. 

The thing you want to avoid is making the essay solely about you. Rather than saying something like “I could tell my actions made a big difference,” give an example of something the other person said or did that proves your impact. Your essay should illustrate how you truly helped them, not how good you felt about helping them.

If you’re still feeling stuck on what to write about, consider these examples of prospective students and their potential essay topics.

• A student who became the informal leader of their robotics team after the captain had to step down due to a family emergency might write about taking on these responsibilities without the cachet of the official title, because that’s what was needed in the moment. 
• A student who helped their younger sibling navigate remote learning, helping them with homework while their parents worked long hours during the pandemic. 
• A student who organized a community clean-up and support network after a natural disaster struck their town. They might focus on what they learned about civic engagement and community spirit, as well as the wish to restore their home. 
• A student who helped a friend come out as LGBTQ+ to their conservative family could write not only about their support, research, and brainstorming, but also how they were impressed by their friend’s strength. 

These examples all do an excellent job of walking the line between showing that the student made a genuine impact, and still keeping the focus on the person/community they helped.

Where to Get Your Villanova University Essays Edited For Free

Writing essays takes a lot of time and focus, and after seeing the same essay time and time again, it can be hard to tell what to change. Going through the editing process with another pair of eyes can help identify areas where your essay could be stronger, as well as areas that you’re already doing well. CollegeVine has created a free Peer Review Essay Tool , where you can get feedback on your essay, and give feedback to other students just like you!

Need feedback faster? Get a  free, nearly-instantaneous essay review  from Sage, our AI tutor and advisor. Sage will rate your essay, give you suggestions for improvement, and summarize what admissions officers would take away from your writing. Use these tools to improve your chances of acceptance to your dream school!

Related CollegeVine Blog Posts

Villanova University 2024-25 Supplemental Essay Prompt Guide

Early Action/Decision: Nov 1

Regular Decision Deadline: Jan 15

Villanova University 2024-25 Application Essay Question Explanations

The Requirements: 1 essay of 250 words

Supplemental Essay Type(s): Why , Oddball , Community

How to Write a Compelling Villanova Essay

VIllanova offers five (5) prompts to choose from for your one (1) supplemental essay, so there’s something for everyone! They’re seeking students with “intellectual courage, global perspective and resolution in thought with mind and heart.” This may sound like a tall order, but by carefully considering your options and writing an essay that’s honest, detailed, and heartfelt, you’ll be right on track. Read on to discover our Villanova application essay tips!

Villanova Essay Prompt Breakdowns

For the villanova-specific essay, we hope to gain a deeper understanding of your thoughts, experiences, and opinions. choose one of the five topics below and submit a written response in about 250 words., prompt one: st. augustine states that well-being is “not concerned with myself alone, but with my neighbor’s good as well.” how have you advocated for equity and justice in your communities .

If you choose this prompt, then social justice is probably pretty important to you. And you don’t have to be a protest organizer to impress admissions here. It can be just as bold to engage in a dialogue with family members from older generations on controversial topics or utilize your creativity to draw informative comics breaking down complex issues for Instagram. If you’re feeling stuck, maybe start by thinking about the topics that are most important to you. What keeps you up at night? Gun violence? Corporate greed? Food deserts? Next, think about what steps you’ve taken in your life to create change, inform, and/or organize. Ultimately, the key to writing an excellent response to this prompt is in the details. Don’t just tell Villanova about something you’ve advocated for recently; tell them why you did so, and maybe even share how you would like to continue engaging with or fighting for equity and justice in the future.

Prompt Two: What is a lesson in life that you have learned that you would want to share with others at Villanova?

If you find yourself drawn to this prompt, we’re willing to bet you’ve learned a thing or two in your life that you want to share with others. By all means, lean into your instincts. In order to ace your response, show admissions that you are capable of thoughtful reflection, changing your mind, and/or adapting to new circumstances. Maybe you learned a lesson about the gift of the “here and now” after losing a relative in an abrupt way. Or perhaps you wish to tell your peers, “They’re not judging you! They’re too busy thinking about themselves!” Whatever your life lesson may be, share why it is valuable and who you think will benefit from your advice.

Prompt Three: “Villanova” means “new home.” Why do you want to call Villanova your new home?

A classic Why Essay. This is the time to do some research on Villanova’s course offerings and extracurriculars, and then show admissions why their university stands out from the crowd for you. Don’t be afraid to go deep! Beyond the classes and professors in your desired academic department, explore the options for other subjects you’ve always wanted to study. Learn about clubs and special events on campus to get a feel for student life. Read over the school’s mission statement to get to know the community both in and around the campus. If you’ve been on a campus visit, highlight the architecture, culture, city, or special traditions that speak to you. Since this is a Catholic school, feel free to talk about what it means to you to join a faith-based community. You might even want to read up on the notable alumni you admire and provide examples as to how they inspired you to attend! By the time you’re done, you’ll have a whole list of reasons for wanting to call Villanova your new home. Now all you have to do is arrange them. Think about telling a story that illustrates your path to Villanova and shows admissions that their community is the perfect place for you to pursue your degree.

Prompt Four: As an Augustinian community, we value recognizing individuals for their true selves. Please share with us a time when you were misjudged based on your identity or background.

This prompt will likely stick out to students who know what it’s like to be reduced to one aspect of their background or identity, and odds are, you have a specific memory in mind. As you write your response, you’ll want to make sure you summarize your account as succinctly as possible; that way, you can dedicate most of your words to discussing your feelings and what you took away from the experience. Since you only have 250 words to work with, you won’t be able to write a lengthy thesis on the general public’s preconceived notions about people who appear different from them, but you can reveal more information about your background and outlook. Share what it’s like living in a world where stories are often assigned to you before you have the chance to introduce yourself and offer admissions deeper insight into who you are in the process.

Prompt Five: At Villanova, we often say “each of us strengthens all of us.” Please detail a time when someone has borrowed some of your strength in their time of need.

Life can be difficult—especially during college when you’re becoming a whole adult—and when it is, we often turn to loved ones for support. Lending your strength to others requires compassion and vulnerability, which are wonderful traits for any community member to have. After all, even though the word itself isn’t mentioned, “community” is at the heart of this prompt. Think about how you have supported others in your daily life, whether that be a sibling, a classmate, or a fellow volunteer at the soup kitchen. Maybe you started staying late at your barista job when your colleague’s partner was in the hospital and they needed to leave early. Perhaps you held a friend’s hand when they came out to their parents. Showcase your ability to connect, to identify others’ needs, and to see yourself as part of something bigger. Ultimately, the kind of person who can lend strength to others in times of need will make an excellent addition to any college campus.

Common Mistakes to Avoid in the Villanova Essay

We have been reading Villanova essays for over twenty years now, so we know a thing or two about the most common mistakes students make. The most common mistakes to avoid are repeating the prompt in your essay (don’t waste your words), trying to sound like an academic (admissions wants to hear your authentic voice!), and using cliches (they’re ineffective and—let’s face it—lazy).

Why Choose College Essay Advisors for the Villanova Essay

We at College Essay Advisors have been guiding students one-on-one through the essay writing process for the Villanova supplement for over twenty years. We take a holistic approach to this short essay, considering each student’s application package as a whole and identifying their strengths to highlight. Our Advisors accommodate each student’s scheduling needs to virtually brainstorm, draft, and revise winning essays. It’s incredibly important to us that each student’s voice is preserved, and we pride ourselves in helping students to write successful Villanova essays that differentiate them from similarly qualified applicants. For more information, submit a contact form below or review our one-on-one advising services or list of student acceptances .

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How to Write the Villanova University Supplemental Essays: Examples + Guide 2024/2025

TABLE OF CONTENTS

• What are the Villanova supplemental essay prompts?
• How to write each supplemental essay prompt for Villanova University
• Prompt #1: Multiple options
• Prompt #2: "Why us" essay

If you have any doubt about what Villanova’s missions are, one of them is right on its home page, front and center: Ignite change.

Let’s break down what that means. First, Villanova doesn’t want just great thinkers or great students on campus; rather, it wants great doers (or, if you will, “igniters”). Second, if any word can describe our world over the last several years, it’s “change.” So it’s probably no surprise that Villanova’s supplements this year (in large part) give you the opportunity to explore how you have and will make change—within yourself, within your larger community, and even globally.

Inciting all this change may seem like a lot of responsibility. Documenting it in these essays may seem even more so. Take a deep breath. In through the nose. Out through the mouth. Better? Good. We’re here to answer your many questions and put your mind at ease.

Want to get a better sense of what Villanova is looking for before you start writing? You’ll find an extensive, by-the-numbers look at its offerings, from enrollment and tuition statistics to student life and financial aid information, on its Common Data Set . For deep insights into how this private research university envisions student success (and how it wants to grow and evolve), read its strategic priorities . Reading through this will give you a strong idea of Villanova’s values.

Because these prompts are new this year, we don’t, unfortunately, have many Villanova-specific samples to share. But what we do have for you are the tips, tricks, and insights that will help you analyze the prompts and create thoughtful responses to them. So let’s dive right in.

What are the Villanova University supplemental essay prompts?

Villanova supplemental essay prompt #1.

Please select one of the four essay prompts listed below to fulfill the writing requirement. Please respond in about 250 words.

• St. Augustine states that well-being is “not concerned with myself alone, but with my neighbor’s good as well.” How have you advocated for equity and justice in your communities? 

What is a lesson in life that you have learned that you would want to share with others at Villanova? 

"Villanova" means "new home." Why do you want to call Villanova your new home?

• As an Augustinian community, we value recognizing individuals for their true selves. Please share with us a time when you were misjudged based on your identity, background, experiences or interests.
• At Villanova, we often say "each of us strengthens all of us." Please detail a time when someone has borrowed some of your strength in their time of need.

How to write each Supplemental Essay Prompt for Villanova

How to write villanova supplemental essay prompt #1.

Let’s take those one at a time.

Villanova expects its students to demonstrate its Augustinian values of Veritas, Unitas, Caritas (Truth, Unity, Love) through both their work toward the common good and their support for one another. This prompt offers you the opportunity to show just how well you walk the walk and talk the talk (and, well, write the essay). How? In four easy(ish) steps:

Step 1: Find your “what” and “why.” Don’t feel like this activism had to have been big. Maybe you organized a Black Lives Matter event in your small conservative town that resulted in a mindset shift among local leaders and law enforcement. But maybe you simply volunteered to register 18-year-olds to vote in front of Town Hall. No less important or impactful. More important than the size of the event is how passionate you are about your topic. So think: What is it that really matters to you? What topic engages your inner problem-solver? Is it gun violence in school? Dress code equality? Vaccine mandates? 

Step 2: Now identify your “who.” You can take a similar small-to-large approach when considering the community you’ve advocated for. Remember: You belong to a number of communities. Family, school, work, teams and clubs, neighborhood, state, global. And you serve unique roles in each. To help you brainstorm this part, here’s a guide that can help you think through the different communities you’re a part of. 

Step 3: It’s time to outline your “how.” What specific actions have you taken—not just to raise awareness about this societal issue, but to also take concrete action toward creating that equity and justice? It could be as simple as a conversation or as big as a foundation you’ve started (or bigger). Villanova wants to see those concrete steps that have transformed you from “thoughtful idealist” to “action-oriented changemaker.”

Step 4: When you go to write, heavy up the details. While the devil may be in the details, the details will help you show your commitment to equity and justice in one or all of the communities you belong to. Tell that richly detailed story about your efforts. Let the admission officer see you’re more than a thinker. You’re someone who takes action—and Villanova is the place to do it. 

Here’s an example essay that can show you the direction to head here.

Example essay:

   My passion for service began with spending weekends sorting food at the Community Food Bank of New Jersey (CFBNJ). Over the past three years, my experience at the CFBNJ has not only exposed me to the issues surrounding food insecurity but also the other various social determinants of health, including access to quality education. Through events at the food bank, I learned that close to 90% of children and teens who grow up in poor communities are attending underfunded schools, contributing to the lack of quality education and resources. The differences in my younger sister's workbooks and online resources compared to those of my students were truly eye-opening. While she had access to dozens of practices and games to enhance her skills, these children did not.      As the President of the Teen Leadership Council at CFBNJ, I aimed to make a greater impact on my community and to reach a larger number of students. I reached out to my advisor to discuss my idea of introducing a volunteer tutoring program for the underprivileged students at the food bank. My focus was not only on cultivating academic proficiency but also on further fostering these students' critical thinking, effective communication, and independent learning skills. Working with the CFBNJ team over the summer, we crafted tutor application forms, reached out to underserved schools, and connected with the food bank's vast volunteer community and Teen Leadership Council in order to recruit passionate and qualified tutors. The tutoring program is now being piloted out of a local middle school to help students, specifically ninth graders as they transition into high school. (266)

General tips for addressing this prompt:

Get school-specific. Villanova is showing you the way here. Because school officials explicitly reference the Villanova community, make sure you’ve done your research and cite resources you might like to engage with given the communities you are, or want to be, part of. Check out our “Why us?” guide for more help on connecting your experiences to what you'll bring to Villanova. 

Keep it simple. You might be super jazzed about your topic. That’s great! You definitely want that enthusiasm to shine through. That said, the prompt asks specifically for you to elaborate on a lesson you’ve learned. When you explain what you’ve learned, try to be as succinct as possible. You want your reader to walk away knowing your answer to the question. That will also make it easier for you to think of specific examples to illustrate how you’ve grown from the lesson you’ve learned.

Use active verbs so readers get a clear sense of what you’ve done. This just makes things more engaging and dynamic overall. Check out our epic list of verbs on this blog post for more inspiration. 

Here’s an example we love.

I ran into a pole in first grade, so my elementary school painted all of their poles bright yellow. I like to think that I made an impact on that school just as much as that pole made an impact on me. Early on, I learned that people’s small actions can be catalysts for significant change that is often larger than themselves.   By high school, I was more aware of my surroundings and interested in making a different kind of impact. I leapt at the opportunity to spearhead a new Bedford Academy Opportunity trip to Cambodia: Changing the Way the World Views Girls—I was determined to travel with a purpose. Our agenda was packed: we taught English in remote villages, witnessed the effects of sex trafficking, and heard from twelve-year-old abuse survivors. I was not expecting this trip to alter my own perspective on women’s equality as much as it did; I was shocked to realize the extent to which women are discriminated against everywhere.  I have never forgotten that I have the ability to be a part of the solution, which is why through the Speak Up For the Poor organization, I created a branch to Cambodia advocating for the education of girls in impoverished communities. I would bring the lessons from this work to the Villanova community by connecting with student organizations, such as TedxVillanovaU and Villanova Feminism Society, to provoke discussion on uplifting women through education.  I truly believe that one person has the capability to make a difference. I want to share my story to encourage others to find something that they are passionate about in order to inspire change. In this way, I can ensure that my impact on Villanova will last longer than yellow paint. — — — 

Tips + Analysis

Don’t discount the small moments. At its core, this question is about demonstrating growth. You don’t have to have had a huge revelation in an epic movie-worthy moment to have learned an important lesson. In this student’s case, he ran into a pole. At first glance, not super impressive. However, the way he describes it humorously and succinctly helps readers see how this small moment of clumsiness drastically impacted his way of approaching the world. Big lessons can come from seemingly insignificant actions, events, or thoughts. Showing that you can find meaning in these moments is impressive and essay-worthy.

Connect to communities. Remember that “community” is the key word here. After his brief introduction about walking into a pole, the author uses his next two paragraphs to elaborate on two specific organizations he’s part of that relate to the lesson he learned from the pole incident. Remember, even though the focus of the question seems to be on the lesson, it’s actually more interested in how the lesson prepared you to do something impactful afterwards. You walked into a pole and learned this abstract lesson about how small actions can catalyze big change ... so what? The bulk of your essay should be spent answering the implicit “so what” of this prompt. 

Transition to Villanova. Although a lot of your essay may feature the you of high school, remember that Villanova wants to know how you might use the lesson you’ve learned to contribute to its student body. This student does an excellent job of quickly tying the “small actions, big consequences” lesson to his interest in clubs at Villanova, like TedX and the Feminist Society. Make sure to include at least 2-3 sentences about Villanova-specific resources toward the end of your essay.

Circle back to the catalyzing moment or action. You don’t want your reader to forget what lesson you learned, even if this essay is really more about the “so what.” The lesson is the common thread that structures your answer. It serves as an organizational tool to connect disparate communities you’re part of. Because of that, you want to briefly bring it up again in the conclusion of your essay. In this case, the author does this by circling back to the pole-walking incident and using it as an analogy for the impact he hopes to have as a student at Villanova. You don’t have to do exactly the same thing as he does, but you should be thinking about how you can reaffirm the relevance of the lesson you learned at the end of your piece.

This is Villanova’s version of the “Why us?” essay, with an emphasis on the Villanova community. Before you start writing, we recommend checking out this complete guide on how to write the “Why us?” essay . Pay close attention to the “Why Cornell” and “Why Penn” examples, which are our favorites, and because this is a pretty short “Why us?” prompt, check out the “Why Tufts” example. As you research Why Villanova specifics, think about options that allow you to talk about how you'll add to its community—in other words, how you’ll use your experiences/skills/talents to enhance the fabric of the Villanova campus.

As you write, try to avoid these common mistakes:  

Mistake #1 : Writing about the school's size, location, reputation, weather, or ranking.

Mistake #2 : Simply using emotional language to demonstrate fit.

Mistake #3 : Screwing up the mascot, stadium, team colors or names of any important people or places on campus.

Mistake #4 : Parroting the brochures or website language.

Mistake #5 : Describing traditions the school is well-known for.

Mistake #6 : Thinking of this as only a "Why them" essay.

 Here’s a great example of how you can answer this prompt:

I have always wanted to expand my knowledge of animals past avians and domestic pets, and explore entomology, a subject that I have yet to discover. I wish to research different kinds of insects at The Iyengar Lab, specifically arthropods near Villanova, where I can contribute to the community by researching more about local wildlife. Additionally, I want to meet poets and fiction writers in spring during the Villanova Literary Festival and learn about their unique writing styles. Through the RUIBAL Challenge, I can inspire young, underserved students in Philadelphia to discover their interests and find joy in learning. (99 words) — — — 

Tips + Analysis:

Get to the point—fast. With just 150 words on the countdown timer, now is not the time for flowery phrases and subtleties. Jump right into your essay—much like what Villanova hopes you’ll do on campus—and share how you’ll contribute. In just four direct, to-the-point sentences, we learn so much about this student: a fascination with living creatures, a love for the written word, and a dedication to serving the community. 

Show some diversity. It might be tempting to spend your whole essay exploring one aspect of Villanova that makes it the must-attend university for you. But we wouldn’t recommend it. Why? You (should) know from your research that Villanova is focused on community and knowing how its students are working together for the greater good. So share how you’ll contribute to different parts of the Villanova community, in and out of the classroom. The student above does just that, covering their contributions to the lab, the campus, and the Philadelphia community.

Take as much as you give. As you’re considering why you want to call Villanova home for the next four years, don’t just think about what you’re going to give . Also consider what you’re going to get . Good relationships are balanced, and your relationship with your college is no different. So while tip #2 addresses what you’re bringing to Villanova, you also want to demonstrate that the Nova Nation is going to fit your needs, too. What opportunities does it offer that dovetails perfectly with your interests? If your curiosity is piqued by insects (and why there are so darn many ), like this student’s is, then it’s clear a school with an entire lab devoted to researching the sexual selection of insects is the right place for you.

 As an Augustinian community, we value recognizing individuals for their true selves. Please share with us a time when you were misjudged based on your identity, background, experiences or interests.

Option 1: St. Augustine states that well-being is “not concerned with myself alone, but with my neighbor’s good as well.” How have you advocated for equity and justice in your communities?

Option 2: St. Augustine states that wAs an Augustinian community, we believe that you should see people for who they are. Please share with us a time when you were misjudged based on your identity or background. ell-being is “not concerned with myself alone, but with my neighbor’s good as well.” How have you advocated for equity and justice in your communities?

Take note of a recurring theme in these prompts: they’re focusing on Villanova’s Augustinian roots. As stated on their website, Villanova is the only Augustinian Catholic university in the United States. So if you haven’t already, you might poke around the “Mission and Ministry” part of Villanova’s website to learn a bit about what being an “Augustinian community” means to Villanova.

This prompt is asking for a personal story, a moment in your life when you felt others made quick judgments or assumptions about you based on your identity or background. Note that you can take a fairly broad definition of “identity or background.” Sure, this can be an essay that focuses on a moment related to your ethnicity, socioeconomic status, gender, or religion, but it can also focus on any other facet of your identity.

No matter which aspect of yourself you explore, note that this isn't simply about recalling an incident; it's about reflection. This means that it's crucial to not just describe the event, but to delve into how it made you feel, how it affected your perception of yourself and the world, what you did in response, and what you learned from it (which ideally should have something to do with Augustininian values).

There are a lot of ways you could successfully tackle this prompt. One way could be as a mini narrative essay that makes the following beats:

Describe the moment. Use specific details to put us in that moment where you were “misjudged based on your identity or background.”

How’d you feel / what needs did you have? When you were misjudged, what thoughts went through your mind? What emotions did you feel?

What actions did you take, and what did you learn? The goal here will be to try to connect what you’ve learned to Villanova’s Augustinian values. To be clear, you don’t need to frame being “misjudged” as a good thing. This doesn’t need to be an essay where you say something like “gee, being misjudged wasn’t fun, but thank goodness it helped me learn [insert value]!”

I toss the ball to second, knowing the precise moment my shortstop, Charlie, will reach the base. I know because we’ve done this together for 10 years. He throws to first, a perfectly executed 4-6-3 double play.  I love sports. Nothing else gives me the same feeling of connection to my peers as we push our limits.  But when I leave the field, that connection disappears. While I excel on the field, I’m also a total nerd in the classroom. My teammates define themselves as athletes, and academics make me ‘other.’ When I joined the team, I was targeted for being nerdy and quiet. The worst part was my three best friends of 10 years, including Charlie, laughed loudest. They isolated me, calling me “nerd” or “gay” (homophobia is common among athletes here). I didn’t know how to voice my feelings of pain and betrayal.  At first, I tried to conceal the other parts of me and play only the athlete role around them. I even tried laughing along with their mockery. But denying my true self only made me feel more alone. I stopped pretending.  On the field, I became a leader, even being made captain. Off the field, I became a one-man team. I learned to value the varied parts of myself, to define myself instead of letting others do so, but I also know there is someplace, both in and out of the classroom, where I can be accepted as a nerd, athlete, and so much more. (250 words) — — —

Quickly put us “in” a moment. 250 words isn’t enough space to describe an extended anecdote about your entire history with baseball / theater / volunteering, etc… It is enough space to do what this writer does: quickly and efficiently use details to show the writers a key, context-building experience. Later on in the essay, the author quickly references moments with language like “Charlie laughed loudest.” Note that we don’t get an extended description of the hurtful moments that led to that laughter, but we don’t need them, do we? A sufficient picture is painted for us by the author’s careful use of key details.

Vulnerability & Growth. The heart of this essay delves into the writer’s experience of isolation and pain. Their admission of trying to fit in, even at the cost of denying their true self, is a pretty vulnerable thing to admit. But it's not all about struggling. The subsequent transformation from a silenced team member to a confident captain paints a powerful arc of growth. That transformation was true for this writer, and if it’s true for you, too, great! Feel free to write about it. But know, too, that sometimes, pain is just pain. You don’t need to frame a hurtful experience as ultimately contributing to your growth. Instead, you could explore how those experiences helped you learn about yourself or others.

Concluding with Self-Acceptance. The ending gracefully ties back to the Villanova prompt, emphasizing the importance of seeing people for who they are. The applicant acknowledges the various facets of their identity and expresses a hope to find a space where all those aspects can coexist harmoniously. They don’t explicitly name-drop Villanova as that place here. This is a great example of restraint—if they did say something like “I haven’t found that place yet, but I’m sure it’s Villanova!”, they would have risked making the whole story feel a bit contrived. Instead, by focusing on values, not a specific place, the writer’s  determination to define themselves, rather than being defined by others, leaves a lasting impression.

At Villanova, we often say "each of us strengthens all of us." Please detail a time when someone has borrowed some of your strength in their time of need. 

First things first for responding to this prompt: define the challenge.  Given that you only have 250 words, you might want to focus on a single, specific experience as opposed to several challenges. Maybe you begin by outlining a specific challenge or adversity you helped someone face.  Whether it’s academic, personal, emotional, or physical, the clearer you are about the challenge, the better readers will understand the context. A reminder that it doesn't have to be a dramatic life-altering event .

Once you’ve identified a challenge, identify the “others”. I.e., who are the folks who borrowed your strength? Maybe it was a friend you lent an ear to, or a family member you supported. It could even be a group or community you're a part of. 

By highlighting these individuals or groups, you're showcasing aspects of who you are and what you value. Finally, reflect on the mutual exchange, as strength is often a two-way street. While you offered strength, were you also supported? How did your experiences shape how you interact with your community or peers? Reflecting on this reciprocal nature of strength can provide a powerful ending to your response and aligns perfectly with the essence of Villanova's statement, "each of us strengthens all of us." Because this is a new essay prompt, we don’t have an example written specifically for it.

Rather than candy, Nick (he/him) went searching for people’s vacuum cleaners when trick or treating. He’s since found other ways to help people clean, usually involving their essays (though he has great ideas on carpet maintenance, too). He earned a degree in Psychology from Bates College, where he rowed boats and acted in plays. Teaching high schoolers English for seven years taught him about the importance of presence and knitting sweaters. He sweats a lot, usually on purpose, and usually involving running shoes, a bike, or a rock climbing harness. His greatest fear? Heights. His greatest joys? Numerous, though shared laughter is up there. 

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Villanova Supplemental Essays 2024-25 – Prompts & Advice

July 8, 2024

Villanova University’s 23.5% acceptance rate for the Class of 2028 is less than half of what it was as recently as 2015. Today, admitted students earned a mid-50% SAT of 1450-1530, and you typically need mostly A’s in AP/honors courses to have a serious shot at acceptance. Writing excellent Common App and Villanova supplemental essays is also an incredibly important piece of the admissions puzzle for wannabe Wildcats.

(Want to learn more about How to Get Into Villanova? Visit our blog entitled: How to Get Into Villanova University for all of the most recent admissions data as well as tips for gaining acceptance.)

In this blog, we will look at the Villanova supplemental essays for the 2024-25 admissions cycle along with tips about how to write essays that will win over admissions officers.

Villanova Supplemental Essays: Free Choice (2024-25)

For the first Villanova-specific essay, we hope to gain a deeper understanding of your thoughts, experiences, and opinions. Choose  one  of the five topics below and submit a written response in  about  250 words.

Prompt 1: St. Augustine states that well-being is “not concerned with myself alone, but with my neighbor’s good as well.” How have you advocated for equity and justice in your communities? 

Some students may have more direct experience with equity social justice issues than others, but—no matter your background—this is an opportunity to demonstrate that you care about justice and fairness in your local community as well as the global community. If applicable, you can speak about a time when you spoke up for a peer in a moment of need or, alternatively, an instance when you got involved in a larger cause or movement (politics, activism, volunteer work, etc.). If you don’t happen to have a deeply personal story to tell in this realm, you’ll probably want to select a different prompt. While there’s nothing wrong with simply articulating your basic beliefs in the values of inclusion, equity, tolerance, and diversity, it doesn’t necessarily make for the most compelling essay.

Villanova Supplemental Essays (Continued)

Prompt 2: What is a lesson in life that you have learned that you would want to share with others at Villanova?

Prompt #2 is trying to assess what type of community member you would be as part of Villanova’s campus. The university greatly values those who have gained wisdom from their extracurricular involvement and leadership while in high school. In fact, the admitted Class of 2028 cohort included 83% who participated in community service, 66% who held paying jobs, and 81% who played sports. This essay presents the chance to communicate the wisdom you have acquired from participation in your present communities; then, you can switch gears to illustrate how the lessons you have learned will impact your future collegiate community.

Prompt 3: “Villanova” means “new home.” Why do you want to call Villanova your new home?

Villanova wants to know why you desire to pursue your studies at their institution and how you will become part of their campus community. This one is going to require a fair amount of school-specific research. What appeals to you most about Villanova? Is it their mission/values? An aspect of their community? An area of study, academic offering, or particular initiative? Whatever you choose, you’ll want to be sure to explain why it is important to you. This is essentially a “Why Villanova” essay, so if you decide to choose this prompt, see additional guidance in the next section.

Prompt 4: As an Augustinian community, we value recognizing individuals for their true selves. Please share with us a time when you were misjudged based on your identity, background, experiences or interests.

Have you ever been the recipient of negative comments or hurtful actions, perhaps in regard to relationships, household income level, mental or physical challenges, neurodiversity, gender identity, sexual orientation, cultural background, or personal hobbies, to name a few? If so, answering this prompt could be a good option. While crafting your response, the important thing to keep in mind is that the misjudgment itself is less important than how you handled it, and what that reveals about your character and perspective. How did you react to the misjudgment, and what steps did you take to cope? In what ways has it impacted you? How has it influenced your perspective and the way you engage with the world? Make sure you share what you were feeling and experiencing; this piece should demonstrate openness and vulnerability.

Prompt 5: At Villanova, we often say “each of us strengthens all of us.” Please detail a time when someone has borrowed some of your strength in their time of need.

Prompt #5 is also getting at the idea of community, but in a very specific context—how you support your family, friends, acquaintances, or even strangers during times of struggle. So, what is the Villanova committee really getting at here? In short, part of being a good community member is offering help or assistance when needed or perceived, whether it is in the academic, social, or personal realm. Nova wants to see that you a) mature enough to understand when someone else may need a helping hand and b) are the type of person who can offer that help as needed. If you have a story of this nature from your high school experience, this may be an excellent fit for you.

Examples of items that quality “Why Villanova?” essays touch upon include:

• 98% of first-year students live on campus, creating a cohesive atmosphere.
• Students come from roughly 50 foreign countries so you’ll meet people from all over the country/world.
• 300+  student organizations exist on campus. Pick one or two that are of interest to you.
• Students donate 250,000 hours per year to community service. Talk about how you will get involved .
• Talk in detail about the specifics of your academic program whether it is one of the 47 majors in the College of Liberal Arts & Science or part of the business, engineering, or nursing schools.
• Discuss which undergraduate research opportunities at Villanova you plan to pursue.
• How will you take advantage of the school’s location which is 12 miles outside Philadelphia? Think about community service, internships, etc.
• The Office of Education Abroad offers a multitude of semester, summer, and intensive programs abroad . How would you take advantage of these unique opportunities?

Of course, these are just a fraction of the possible features that could be part of a successful essay. As you enter the prewriting stage, you’ll want to avoid some common pitfalls that we observe applicants fall into when attacking the Villanova “Why Us?” essay. We don’t want to label these as “mistakes” (there is nothing inherently wrong with them); they just don’t add any needle-moving value, which is the only goal here!

Common components of a generic “Why Us” essay

• Mentioning Villanova’s US News ranking.
• Showing love for the Villanova basketball team.
• Recycling statements from your other “Why Us?” essays that come across as stale, impersonal, or worst of all–irrelevant/inaccurate.
• Using statements about how Villanova “feels like home,” or you’ve “wanted to attend since kindergarten.” Show this adoration through specifics instead.

How to write a winning “Why Villanova?” essay

• Address a) why Nova is the perfect fit for you and  b) why you are the perfect fit for Nova.
• Cite specific academic programs, professors, research opportunities, internship/externship programs, study abroad programs, student-run organizations, etc. (like the suggestions cited above).
• How will you become an active, contributing member of the student body?
• Show evidence of how your past/current endeavors will carry over onto Villanova’s campus.
• How will you take advantage of the university’s tremendous resources both inside and outside of the classroom?

How important are the supplemental essays?

Three factors are viewed as “very important” to the Nova admissions committee. These are: the GPA earned, the rigor of one’s curriculum, and class rank. Seven factors are rated as “important”: recommendations, essays, extracurricular activities, talent/ability, character/personal qualities, work experience, and volunteer work. Clearly, the essays are one of the most important application components for any prospective Wildcat.

Villanova Essays – Want Personalized Essay Assistance?

If you are interested in working with one of College Transitions’ experienced and knowledgeable essay coaches as you craft your Villanova supplemental essays, we encourage you to get a quote  today.

Need additional essay advice? You might consider checking out the following:

• Common App Essay Prompts
• 10 Instructive Common App Essay Examples
• College Application Essay Topics to Avoid
• How to Brainstorm a College Essay
• 25 Inspiring College Essay Topics
• “Why This College?” Essay Examples
• How to Write the Community Essay
• College Essay

Dave Bergman

Dave has over a decade of professional experience that includes work as a teacher, high school administrator, college professor, and independent educational consultant. He is a co-author of the books The Enlightened College Applicant (Rowman & Littlefield, 2016) and Colleges Worth Your Money (Rowman & Littlefield, 2020).

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