UVA Supplemental Essays 2025-26

UVA Supplemental Essays

The University of Virginia, a public research university in Charlottesville, is one of the top public universities in Virginia and nationwide. As a result, many students ask themselves how to get into University of Virginia. Well, one of the most important things is UVA supplemental essays. Strong University of Virginia supplemental essays can help you stand out in the competitive UVA applicant pool.

Each year, thousands of students apply to UVA hoping to gain access to its world-renowned academic programs and research facilities. In addition to academics, UVA also hosts an array of student organizations and off-campus opportunities in a thriving college town. It’s no surprise that UVA has a highly competitive 17% acceptance rate. In light of that, the University of Virginia essay is a critical part of the UVA application. Understanding the intricate details of UVA supplemental essays and UVA requirements is crucial to getting into UVA. Luckily, we are here to help.

In this guide, we will discuss the University of Virginia supplemental essay requirements, UVA application deadlines, and UVA requirements. Furthermore, we will cover the importance of the University of Virginia supplemental essays and analyze the UVA essay prompts. Most importantly, we will provide a variety of resources to help you craft the strongest UVA supplemental essays. Let’s get started.

UVA Admissions: Quick Facts

Please note that essay requirements are subject to change each admissions cycle, and portions of this article may have been written before the final publication of the most recent guidelines. For the most up-to-date information on essay requirements, check the university’s admissions website.

Does UVA have supplemental essays?

The short answer is no. Besides your Common Application personal statement, there are no school-specific UVA essay prompts. In previous years, students were required to complete a UVA supplemental essay describing their background and how it might impact their experiences at UVA. However, this essay is no longer part of the UVA application.

While not having to write a UVA application essay has made the application process easier, that doesn’t mean it’s easier to get in. Without a University of Virginia essay to review, admissions will have to rely on the content of your personal statement essay, as well as your grades and academic history (and your test scores, if you choose to submit them).

While there are no general UVA essay prompts to consider, applicants to the School of Nursing are required to write one additional University of Virginia essay. Later on, we will discuss this UVA essay prompt in more detail.

Whether you’re looking for guidance on the University of Virginia supplemental essay or tips on writing a personal statement, we have answers to your questions. In the next section, we will dive deeper into how to write strong University of Virginia supplemental essays. 

But, the admissions process is more than just essays. Take our quiz below to get a score on your college admissions readiness!

What are the UVA supplemental essays?

As previously stated, the University of Virginia admissions team has chosen to do away with any UVA essay prompts, opting for a simplified application. This year, there is only one UVA application essay. This essay is only required for nursing students.

The UVA supplemental essay for the School of Nursing asks students to recall a healthcare experience or other significant moment that deepened their interest in nursing. As such, you can think of this University of Virginia essay as a type of why major essay. Essentially, you’ll want to show UVA what has led you to pursue a career in nursing.

Ultimately, well-written UVA supplemental essays will illustrate how you’ll contribute positively to the UVA community. Supplemental essays allow students to prove to UVA admissions that they are the perfect fit for the university. 

UVA Common App Essay

Beyond any University of Virginia supplemental essays, prospective students face an additional crucial component — the Common App essay. For most students, there aren’t any school-specific UVA supplemental essays this year, so your Common App essay will be the only written component of your UVA application.

As part of the Common Application, this essay — also called the personal statement — is sent to all schools on an applicant’s list. The Common Application essay provides students with a platform to share their unique identities, experiences, and aspirations. The UVA supplemental essays allow one to delve into specific aspects of one’s background and ambitions. On the other hand, the Common App essay casts a broader net with seven possible prompts. These range from overcoming a challenge to sharing an accomplishment, all to add depth to one’s personal narrative in the application.

In comparison to UVA supplemental essays,  the UVA Common App essay provides a greater word count of 650 words. This additional space permits an applicant to expand on what has not already been highlighted in their application. Therefore, selecting the best Common Application essay prompt can make or break one’s application. Writing a good personal statement is no easy feat and requires plenty of planning.

Writing a strong Common App essay is a surefire way to strengthen your application. Before you get started, review some example essays and check out our writing guides, such as this one: How to Start a Personal Statement.

UVA Application Essay: School of Nursing

The University of Virginia essay for the School of Nursing can be categorized as a why major essay. The UVA application essay prompt is as follows: 

When writing this University of Virginia essay, your response should offer a thoughtful exploration of a defining moment in your life. When writing your UVA application essay, start by selecting a specific experience. This could be volunteering at a hospital, shadowing a nurse, caring for a family member, or participating in a health-related community project. Specificity is what will make your UVA supplemental essay vivid and memorable.

Consider beginning your UVA supplemental essay with a brief narrative hook to immediately immerse the reader in your experience. For example, you might describe a moment when you witnessed a nurse’s patient care or had a personal responsibility in a healthcare setting. Use descriptive language, but keep it concise. The focus should be on what you learned rather than simply recounting events. And, with a 300-word limit, you’ll need to get your point across in as few words as possible.

In your UVA application essay, you’ll need to show admissions officers the deeper lessons you took from your experience. For instance, you might touch on the importance of communication, compassion, resilience, or problem-solving in healthcare. To add a more personal angle, ask yourself how this experience shaped or reflected your personal values.

While this is hard to do in such a short essay, try to briefly connect your story to your future goals. Discuss how the lessons you learned will guide you as a Nursing student and, eventually, a professional nurse. This demonstrates forward-thinking and a clear sense of purpose. Before submitting, make sure your UVA application essay is well-organized, easy to follow, and free of mistakes.

Keep reading for more about writing UVA supplemental essays and tips for impressing the UVA admissions committee. 

How to write UVA supplemental essays?

Crafting a standout UVA application essay can boost your application and help you get noticed by the admissions team. Your UVA supplemental essays are your chance to show your personality and explain how you can contribute to the UVA community. 

By following these tips in your University of Virginia supplemental essays, you can create a knockout UVA application essay. Remember, the UVA supplemental essays let you shine and show admissions why you’d be a perfect fit for the University of Virginia.

What does UVA look for in essays?

When considering what UVA looks for in the University of Virginia supplemental essays, the best place for advice is admissions officials. Luckily, UVA’s associate dean of admission, Jeannine Lalonde, wrote about the importance of University of Virginia supplemental essays. She also outlines what admissions officials look for from their applicants’ University of Virginia supplemental essays.

In the article, Lalonde says, “I think that [the essay] helps us get insight into the personality, voice, and style of the student. The rest of the application consists of forms and other people telling us about the student. This is their chance to talk directly to us.” 

While the article is several years old, what she shared remains true for students wondering how to get into University of Virginia. UVA supplemental essays allow applicants to tell their stories using their unique voice and point of view. Therefore, be authentically you; ensure your personality shines through and truly connects to the University of Virginia community. 

In addition to the importance of University of Virginia supplemental essays, Lalonde also highlights three tips for approaching them. These tips may help students craft the strongest University of Virginia supplemental essays and stand out to admissions representatives.

Don’t overthink the topic

In your UVA supplemental essays, simplicity can often be the key to success. The admissions committee is interested in your genuine experiences and perspectives. Instead of selecting the “perfect” topic, focus on choosing an aspect of your background, perspective, or experience that resonates with you. By staying true to your story and not overanalyzing the topic, you can present a sincere and engaging portrayal of yourself.

You don’t have to write like it’s a school essay

UVA supplemental essays allow you to showcase your personality, creativity, and individuality. Unlike formal academic essays, you can infuse your voice, anecdotes, and even a bit of your sense of humor. By steering away from the formal tone of a typical school essay, you can create engaging, illuminating UVA supplemental essays. Strong UVA supplemental essays captivate the admissions committee and give them a deeper understanding of you beyond your academic achievements.

It’s smart to get advice, but be authentic

When crafting your University of Virginia supplemental essays, seeking guidance and feedback from mentors or peers can offer valuable perspectives. However, while incorporating advice, ensure that your UVA supplemental essays remain true to your narrative and maintain the authenticity that sets you apart. Your UVA supplemental essays should reflect your true character and motivations.

By adhering to these tips in your UVA supplemental essays, you can create a compelling and authentic narrative. Additionally, these tips are applicable to any college essay, not just UVA supplemental essays. Ultimately, your UVA supplemental essays offer a platform to showcase your personal growth, strengths, and potential contributions to the campus environment.

More UVA Application Info

Of course, knowing critical information about the University of Virginia supplemental essays and UVA essay prompts is step one. However, students should also be aware of other critical UVA requirements and information that may play a role in your application. 

First and foremost, for the 2025-2026 application, UVA will remain test-optional. As a test-optional university, students have the choice of whether or not they want to submit their SAT and/or ACT scores. UVA does super score for applicants who submit test scores and considers the best combination of section scores without recalculation. Whichever path students choose, UVA promises to consider your application carefully.

Besides understanding the test-optional admissions options, there is also a lot of other information students may need to know prior to applying. Some of these factors include the AP/IB credit process, navigating the waitlist process, and using application fee waivers. If you are interested in finding information about these factors, you should check out UVA’s FAQ page. There, you will find a lot of helpful information about applying to the University of Virginia.

What is the application deadline for UVA?

The University of Virginia offers three distinct application deadlines to accommodate a range of prospective students. For those who are eager to submit their applications early and receive a quick decision, the Early Action and Early Decision deadlines fall on November 1. ED is binding, with admissions decisions released in mid-December; EA is non-binding, with decisions released in mid-February. Deferred applicants from both are reviewed in the Regular Decision round. Early applicants usually have a higher chance of admittance, but they also have stronger applications on average.

In contrast, the Regular Decision deadline extends to January 5 for those requiring more time to finalize their submissions. This later date allows students to better prepare their applications in order to craft the strongest application narrative possible. Although this later deadline has a larger applicant pool than EA or ED, a particularly strong application will still stand out.

Remember that each application deadline aligns with a separate teacher/counselor deadline. Therefore, ensure your teachers and counselors promptly submit their secondary information and recommendations. Choosing a college application deadline relies on several factors such as your grades, essay preparation, and overall interest in a university. Consider the strength of your application and how much you want to go to UVA when choosing a deadline.

Additional UVA Resources from CollegeAdvisor

Are you feeling overwhelmed by the thought of writing the best UVA supplemental essays and gaining acceptance into the college? Well, don’t fret. CollegeAdvisor has many resources tailored for UVA and University of Virginia supplemental essays. Here are a few that may help you. 

1. University of Virginia Webinar Panel

The University of Virginia panel is a recorded webinar and Q&A panel with alumni and current UVA students. They share their perspectives on campus life, academic programs, and career opportunities at UVA. 

2. University of Virginia Essay Examples

This guide will teach you about the University of Virginia supplemental essays through several UVA essay examples. The article includes UVA supplemental essays examples addressing various UVA essay prompts to teach you what a successful essay looks like. While the UVA essay examples are from last year’s admissions cycle, their advice still applies.

3. How to Win UVA Scholarships

This article discusses two specific scholarships: the University of Virginia Jefferson Scholarship and the Walentas Scholarship. The article provides information on eligibility for these two UVA scholarships, academic scholarship requirements, and how to apply for them.

UVA Supplemental Essays – Takeaways

In closing, we hope we have answered how to get into University of Virginia with a strong UVA application essay. Ultimately, UVA supplemental essays play different roles each year, and this year’s prompts are focused on future Nursing students. In order to ensure you know how to craft the strongest University of Virginia essays, here are some key takeaways.

Understanding the role of UVA supplemental essays and adhering to these tips can enhance your application’s impact. Good luck, and happy writing!

This article was written by senior advisor Ashley Hollins. Are you looking for more admissions support? Click here to schedule a free meeting with one of our Admissions Specialists. Our team will discuss your profile during your meeting and help you find targeted ways to increase your admissions odds at top schools. We’ll also answer any questions and discuss how CollegeAdvisor.com can support you in the college application process.