I’m applying to Vanderbilt. They request a 150-400 word essay with the prompt “Please briefly elaborate on one of your extracurricular activities or work experiences.” I’m not sure if they are looking for more a straight up elaboration or more a showing through a narrative. If anyone has any insight into this it would be greatly appreciated. Thank You.
choose a narrative about the scope of a job or service or activity of choice in your life and use it to fill out your application in such a way that you are “less of a stranger” to the reader. You don’t have to be a star. Instead show who you are–at least one facet of who you are. I would choose something that is not already obvious. You are def not in competition with other applicants for Best Activity List. The adcoms have seen every activity resume on the planet.
Just bring out your passion, how that activity has helped you develop, and how you hope to pursue this passion at Vandy. If you write about a few meaningful anecdotes related to the activity and tell it like a story, it’ll help you stand out.