The University of Virginia (UVA) is a popular choice for students who want it all—and that means you’ll have to make the most of your supplemental essays to set yourself apart. The challenge: distinguishing yourself with just two short prompts, and proving that you are the right person to take advantage of what the University of Virginia has to offer despite no obvious “Why us?” prompt.
You’ll find an extensive, by-the-numbers look at UVA’s offerings, from enrollment and tuition statistics to student life and financial aid information on its Common Data Set. For deep insights into how this university envisions its role and how it wants to grow and evolve, read its academic strategic plan. Reading through this will give you a strong idea of what UVA values.
If you’re up to the challenge, the tips and examples below will help you make the most of UVA’s two supplemental essay prompts.
What are the UVA supplemental essay prompts?
Note: UVA got rid of its supplemental essay prompts for 2025/2026, so the only extra writing for UVA is if you’re applying to the School of Nursing (see below).
If UVA brings back its supp essays in a future year, we’ll add analysis and examples here.
How to Write The School of Nursing Supplemental Essay Prompt for University of Virginia
How to Write the School of Nursing Supplemental Essay Prompt
Describe a health care-related experience or another significant interaction that deepened your interest in studying Nursing. (250 words)
There are two routes to go with this supplement:
Have you had a meaningful experience in health care (an internship, extended shadowing opportunity, or job)?
If so, describe the work you did as a part of that experience and the skills you took away. Then describe the questions you left the experience with and how you hope to answer those questions at the University of Virginia. Think of this as an extracurricular essay that segues into a “Why us?” essay.
Have you not had that chance yet?
Totally fair—you’re still in high school! If you haven’t had the kind of health care experience detailed above, this can be a piece about purpose. Share your “why” by means of an anecdote that describes a quality that will one day serve you in nursing. Want a list of qualities that might serve you in nursing? Click here.
As far as how to write the essay, begin by dropping right into the story and include strong details that engage the reader. Keep the anecdote brief, since you want to save as many words as possible to tackle what you took away from the experience, and what drives you to enter the healthcare field as a nurse.
This route also facilitates a small “Why us?” moment—what’s one UVA-specific program or opportunity that connects to your reason for pursuing nursing? How does UVA’s approach to nursing resonate with what nursing means to you?
