UVA supplemental essays: what to expect?

For those who have applied to UVA, what can I expect in terms of supplemental essays? How many are there and what are some of the topics? Any tips for writing them would be great too!

The University of Virginia (UVA) typically has two school-specific supplemental essays. While the exact prompts can vary year-to-year, you can get a general sense of what might be asked of you by checking out CollegeVine's blog post breaking down the questions for the current applications cycle: https://blog.collegevine.com/how-to-write-the-university-of-virginia-essays/.

I'd advise against starting to actually write your responses until August 1st of your senior year, however. That's when the prompts for the coming applications cycle are officially released, and since they have been known to change, you don't want to spend time crafting and polishing your essay only to find out you need to start from scratch. Once the new prompts are confirmed, CollegeVine will also update their blog post with new guidance if necessary, so don't worry - you won't be all on your own!

Additionally, here are some general tips for writing UVA's supplemental essays:

1. Be genuine and personal: Make sure that your essays reflect your authentic voice and personal experiences. Admissions officers are looking for unique insights into who you are and what motivates you.

2. Be specific to UVA: Research UVA's programs, resources, and campus culture. Incorporate these elements into your response, to show how attending the school would enable you to excel academically and personally.

3. Stay focused and concise: Keep your essays focused on answering the questions and providing relevant information. With limited word counts, be sure to make every word count.

4. Edit and revise: Polish your essays carefully to eliminate grammatical errors, awkward phrasing, and irrelevant information. Ask someone you trust (a teacher, counselor, or friend) to read your essays and provide feedback. Remember that CollegeVine also offers both a free peer essay review tool and paid reviews by expert college admissions advisors - either of these options can be a great way of getting a more objective set of eyes on your writing from someone who doesn't already know you, which is sometimes just the thing that takes your essay from good to great.

Remember to take your time in crafting these essays, as they provide an opportunity to showcase your unique story and demonstrate your fit with UVA. Good luck!