VILLANOVA APPLICATION ESSAYS

Students stroll through a courtyard of The Commons

The Office of Undergraduate Admission seeks applicants with characteristics that reflect our three core values: Veritas (Truth), Unitas (Unity) and Caritas (Love). These values define us as Villanovans. They are indelibly printed on our University seal and are a clear indication of our Augustinian identity.

At Villanova, we view our essay as a unique opportunity for students to move beyond the transcript and introduce the individual behind the application. Villanova requires applicants to submit both their Common Application essay and two short Villanova Essays. The two supplemental responses must be different from the response shared in the Common Application essay section.

Essay #1: Villanova Free Choice (2021-22)

For the first Villanova-specific essay, we have offered a range of topics to pique your interest. 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?

Prompt Two:
What is the truest thing that you know?

Prompt Three:
One of the themes in St. Augustine's book, Confessions, is the idea of redemption. Tell us your story of being given a second chance.

Prompt Four:
In the Villanova community, we believe that we all learn from one another. What is a lesson in life that you have learned that you would want to share with others?

Prompt Five:
Augustine's “Miracles are not contrary to nature but only contrary to what we know about nature.” Tell us about a societal issue that you believe the wonder of technology is well-poised to help solve.

Essay #2: Why Nova? (2021-22)

You may be aware that our community, which we have affectionately named “Nova Nation,” is an exciting place to be. With a legacy spanning nearly 180 years, there is rich history to look back on, and an abundant future to look forward to. Our second Villanova essay question asks: Why do you want to call Villanova your new home and become part of our community? For this short response, please reveal what you find appealing about Villanova in about 150 words.

Essay #3: Common Application

Please also submit the essay of your choice from the 2021-22 Common Application Essay Prompts.

Pro-Tips for a Well-Written Essay

To alleviate the stress and anxiety surrounding the composition of your essays, please consider these tips. We hope they may help guide you as you tackle the task of crafting your perfectly imperfect Villanova essays!

Speak Your Truth

Every person has a story to tell. We want to know yours! Your essay is a window into your truest self. Share what makes you unique and express yourself authentically.

Relax

This should be fun! Most of your application is largely unchanging. Parts of high school may or may not have gone as planned, but your essay is something you are creating from scratch. When done well, it can show your personality and character. Embrace that!

Make your words count and worry less about counting your words

Try not to stress about going over or under the suggested word count—as long as it is close. The words you choose to submit should hold meaning and intently answer the prompt you chose.

There are no right or wrong answers

The questions we craft are done with the intent of getting to know you. There is no magic formula or secret code. We are looking for you to think critically and give us insight to add to your application.

Seriously proofread and proofread seriously

A well-crafted essay is usually the product of many revisions. Please review your content and edit your work before you submit it for consideration. You may be surprised to learn how often we come across avoidable typos or grammatical errors. We know you are eager to complete your application, but taking a little extra time to check your work can go a long way!

Ask for a second opinion, not a rewrite

It can be helpful to ask someone to read over your writing to make sure everything makes sense, but also keep in mind that this needs to be your voice. While any suggested improvements can help serve as some guidance, they should not completely change the original content of your essay.