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How to Write the Virginia Tech Essays 2023-2024

Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, more commonly known as Virginia Tech, is a public land-grant university located in Blacksburg Virginia. It is one of 6 U.S. senior military colleges. With over 200 undergraduate and graduate programs and over 30,000 students, Virginia Tech is the largest university in Virginia.

Since Virginia Tech is a fairly selective school, writing strong essays is essential to standing out as an applicant. At first glance, completing these essays might seem like no easy task. However, we at CollegeVine are here to provide guidance on how to approach Virginia Tech’s supplements! 

Read these Virginia Tech essay examples to inspire your own writing.

Virginia Tech Supplemental Essay Prompts

All applicants.

Prompt 1: Virginia Tech’s motto is “Ut Prosim” which means ‘That I May Serve’. Share how you contribute to a community that is important to you. How long have you been involved? What have you learned and how would you like to share that with others at Virginia Tech? (120 words)

Prompt 2: Virginia Tech’s Principles of Community supports access and inclusion by affirming the dignity and value of every person, respecting differences, promoting mutual understanding and open expression, and strives to eliminate bias and discrimination. Reflect on a time when you were not able or allowed to express a different or diverse position or opinion (or you witnessed another person or group experience the same situation)? How did you respond or wish you would have responded? Did your viewpoint change in any way after this experience? (120 words)

Prompt 3: Share a time when you were most proud of yourself either as a role model or when you displayed your leadership. What specific skills did you contribute to the experience? How did others rely on you for guidance? What did you learn about yourself during this time? (120 words)

Prompt 4: Describe a goal that you have set and the steps you will take to achieve it. What made you set this goal for yourself? What is your timeline to achieve this goal? Who do you seek encouragement or guidance from as you work on this goal? (120 words)

Virginia Tech’s motto is “Ut Prosim” which means ‘That I May Serve’. Share how you contribute to a community that is important to you. How long have you been involved? What have you learned and how would you like to share that with others at Virginia Tech? (120 words)

The point of this prompt is to see how you have been an active member of a particular community so admissions officers can get a sense of your passions and how you will embrace the Virginia Tech community. With a word count of only 120 words, there is little room to be too verbose or detailed. However, 120 words is still enough room to fully answer the prompt and give the necessary details asked.

When brainstorming for this prompt, you want to consider the extracurricular activities and community service activities that have been the most meaningful for you. For instance, if you volunteered at the local hospital for 3 years, you might discuss how through the interactions you had with sick patients you were able to brighten their day and seize moments in your own life because you never know when something terrible might happen. Maybe water polo was your favorite activity you participated in in high school because you were able to combine swimming with your competitive side, and now in your senior season you get to share your love for the sport when you help coach the freshmen. 

Next, you want to demonstrate how your involvement in this specific community has shaped your development. A great way to do this is to show who you were (through thoughts, feelings, emotions, or physicalities) before you joined this community, and who you are now as a result. An example of this might be a student who joined the track and field team because they didn’t want the pressure and responsibility they would have on a traditional sports team. Through bus rides to meets, team dinners, and daily practices, this student became more comfortable with their teammates and relied on them both on and off the track. Now, this student’s favorite event is the relay because they work with their teammates, and nothing beats the feeling of hearing their teammates cheer them on.

This final piece is where you will convince admissions officers you are the right fit for the campus community. There is not “one right answer,” as this is highly personal to each individual. The way to approach this is to be as specific as possible about what you want to do on campus. Make sure however, that you can back up whatever you say with the rest of your application. You do not have to try and find some unique program that you think would make you stand out if it’s not something that connects to the community you were previously a part of.

For example, if you really enjoyed writing for your high school newspaper, then you could mention how you want to continue that passion by applying for a position on The Collegiate Times, the university’s newspaper focused on covering campus news, features, sports and opinions. Whatever it is that you want to continue doing in college, try to find the corresponding club or organization within Virginia Tech that you would join. Once again, this will help tie your individual goals with that of the university and show that you really spent time looking into them. Having more information about Virginia Tech will not only help you solidify your own reasons for applying, but it will also show the admissions team that the school is a good fit for you. 

Virginia Tech’s Principles of Community supports access and inclusion by affirming the dignity and value of every person, respecting differences, promoting mutual understanding and open expression, and strives to eliminate bias and discrimination. Reflect on a time when you were not able or allowed to express a different or diverse position or opinion (or you witnessed another person or group experience the same situation)? How did you respond or wish you would have responded? Did your viewpoint change in any way after this experience? (120 words)

This essay presents a fantastic opportunity to showcase both how you navigate difficult situations and respect others’ opinions. At its core, it’s an essay about your growth as a person either by gaining your own voice, helping others speak up, or reflecting on how you could’ve done more. 

For some, this may be a difficult prompt to brainstorm as we may want to block out the tough moments in life, but for others, this could be a deeply-provoking prompt that stirs up emotion. This may be especially pertinent for members of religious, ethnic or minority groups who have had their voices quelled. Alternatively, you could be a passive observer of a similar situation, or involved in school club or friend feuds. 

Write down a list of possible topics, and don’t worry too much about the context of the discussion so much as its content and impact. In any case, you should aim to anecdotally share this experience, but keep in mind that the word limit is very limited at 120 words, so ensure that a majority of your response is spent answering how you responded to the situation and what you learned.

Also, determining whether an issue is “important” or not can be a subjective matter. Your essay doesn’t necessarily need to be about weighty topics such as being ignored as a woman in an entirely male Model UN cabinet meeting or your school canceling your club’s planned walk-out for the Black Lives Matter movement. In fact, it is more than reasonable to write about “smaller” situations (local issues can be especially promising). For example, maybe you weren’t allowed to speak at the local town hall meeting because no one took you seriously as a non-adult, or maybe your friend group ostracized someone after they discovered she had different political beliefs.

By virtue of Virginia Tech including this prompt, you want to emphasize how you include new perspectives into your life, strive to eliminate bias and discrimination, and respect differences.

After creating your list, scan your potential topic ideas. Pay special attention to the second half of the prompt and consider how you responded to the situation. Which experience was the most transformative? Emotional? Unique? Which do you remember the most clearly and why? Once you’ve narrowed down your options into a few viable ones, pick the one that you feel will make it easiest to craft a compelling story especially considering the limited word count.

When starting this essay, include just enough to set the scene. Don’t dwell on exposition, irrelevant details of the conversation, or negative emotions surrounding the event for too long. Who was there? Whose voice was the loudest in the room? What was the power dynamic? Introduce each viewpoint as succinctly as possible while still preserving important details, keeping in mind the strict word count. 

Really dive into how your thinking was shifted or augmented by your experience or even what broader lessons you may have learned after understanding the issue at hand. What did you do during or after the event took place? Did you research the topic more deeply or take other action?

For example, maybe you weren’t taken seriously as the only non-adult at a local town hall meeting, and you weren’t able to share your proposal. At first, you felt dejected, but after speaking with others who felt similarly frustrated, you formed a student-group subcommittee that provided strength in numbers, allowing you to raise points to the committee in unison. As a result, you led the proposal for the construction of safe road-side pathways and sidewalks for students walking home after school to prevent accidents from occuring in your downtown and local inner neighborhood roads.

By the end of the essay, your reader should feel that you know how to stand up for yourself or others and are able to create positive change as a result.

Share a time when you were most proud of yourself either as a role model or when you displayed your leadership. What specific skills did you contribute to the experience? How did others rely on you for guidance? What did you learn about yourself during this time? (120 words)

At first glance, this prompt seems quite broad, as you have the choice between discussing one of several options: influencing others, leadership, resolving a dispute, or contributing to group goals. However, while these may seem different, each of these is centered around the idea of leadership. With that being said, you want to describe a situation in which you took an active role, as this will highlight your leadership and problem-solving abilities. Since this prompt is similar to the first prompt, you should choose a new topic.

An example of this could be if you were a member of the Robotics Team. Perhaps prior to competition, you and your group faced various obstacles that delayed or prevented the design from being properly executed. Maybe you proposed an improvement and work division system that allowed you and your team to work more efficiently, later allowing you to win the competition. An example similar to this one would be an excellent way to showcase your leadership and problem-solving abilities.

You could discuss your role in a group project and how you and your team worked together to execute your goals, but this is quite cliche. Instead, you want to consider a scenario with a little more weight; while your school project may have seemed important at the moment, it usually isn’t accompanied with any larger implications. However, you could spin this trivial moment to talk about how you had to assume one of the hardest responsibilities of a leader, which is confronting team members who don’t pull their weight. By discussing your thought process and how you learned how to skillfully get your point across without offending your group member, you can turn an insignificant group project into a huge turning point in your development.

As long as the focus of this essay is on you—specifically your skills and character traits—this essay will accomplish its goal of proving to admissions officers you are capable of being a leader. Make sure you include the circumstances that required you to step up, you highlight two or three skills you demonstrated by describing your actions and thought process in the situation, and you finish by articulating how this experience helped you grow as a leader.

Describe a goal that you have set and the steps you will take to achieve it. What made you set this goal for yourself? What is your timeline to achieve this goal? Who do you seek encouragement or guidance from as you work on this goal? (120 words)

For this essay, your goal could be from any aspect of your life. You could choose an academic goal, a career goal, or a more personal goal. Here, you want to describe why this goal is important to you by describing the motivations you have for setting this goal.

For instance, if your goal is to become a heart surgeon, you could outline your plan to study biological sciences, volunteer at the local hospital to interact with patients, and eventually shadow a physician to obtain a more direct perspective. Perhaps you are a member of the pre medical society at your school and turned to your advisor for help on achieving this goal. The most important part of your essay is why you want to be a heart surgeon, so you need to include that somewhere in your essay. For example, you might start your essay by describing how your grandma had a heart attack when you were younger and you idolized the surgeons who were saving her life. The why is the most important part of your essay, so revealing it through an anecdote is a great way to explain your why, while also including an emotional connection.

Your goal, however, does not have to be as long term as a career goal. For example, your goal could be learning to cook authentic dishes from your family’s culture. Perhaps you always witnessed your parents in the kitchen, following recipes passed down from generation to generation, and this motivated you to continue the tradition so you can feel closer to your heritage. 

Overall, with all these essays, you want to give the admissions committee a glimpse into your individuality. Although all these essays are short, a short, meaningful paragraph can give the reader the insight needed to gauge your personality, values, and goals. Remember, make these essays personal! We hope this guide has allowed you to approach Virginia Tech’s application with the utmost confidence. Happy writing!

Where to Get Your Virginia Tech Essays Edited

Do you want feedback on your Virginia Tech essays? After rereading your essays countless times, it can be difficult to evaluate your writing objectively. That’s why we created our free Peer Essay Review tool , where you can get a free review of your essay from another student.  You can also improve your own writing skills by reviewing other students’ essays. 

If you want a college admissions expert to review your essay, advisors on CollegeVine have helped students refine their writing and submit successful applications to top schools. Find the right advisor for you to improve your chances of getting into your dream school!

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Application Checklist

Eligibility

General Requirement

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university with minimum of 3.0 GPA
• TOEFL/ IELTS  (For all non-U.S. citizens or non-U.S. permanent residents).  Learn more about testing requirements.

Because the M.F.A. program does holistic admissions, we look at your writing sample first and foremost, in addition to your personal statement, recommendation letters, CV or resume, and everything else that’s sent to us. If your cumulative GPA is below a 3.0 in your most recent degree program, please contact the M.F.A. program director for additional information.

What You'll Need to Apply

Transcripts

Scanned copy of your college transcripts with your online application, then arrange for an official copy to be sent to us after you receive an offer of admission.

Letters of Recommendation

Three letters of recommendation are required for Creative Writing (M.F.A.). You can include references/recommedations email addresses in your online application, or have them send paper copies directly to department. M.F.A. applicants should include recommendations from professors, published writers, or others who can credibly assess their potential as creative writers. Applicants have also used letters of recommendation from employers, supervisors, and colleagues. Please note that our system accepts recommendation letters via Interfolio. See the detailed instructions provided by Interfolio for this purpose.

Writing Sample

Attach your writing sample directly to the Graduate School application.

Please select the genre in which you plan to specialize, and upload either:

• A 25-page portfolio of original fiction (stories or novel excerpts), double-spaced
• A 15-page portfolio of original poems, single-spaced, with no more than one poem per page.

Writing samples under 15 pages for poetry, and 25 pages for fiction are acceptable; please do not exceed the specified page maximums

Personal Statement and Curriculum Vitae

A  personal statement  (250-500 words) is required by the M.F.A. Program along with your latest Curriculum Vitae.

Please address the following questions in the personal statement:

• Why do you want to undertake graduate work?
• Why do you qualify to pursue a graduate degree at Virginia Tech?
• What do you expect to derive from your program of study?
• If you have a concentration or area of interest in mind, briefly outline your interests in this area.
• What do you expect to contribute as a student and subsequently as a member of the profession?
• If you have not previously indicated in your application the names of faculty members you are interested in working with, please include that information in this statement

Evidence of English Proficiency 

The Graduate School  requires  that  all non-U.S. citizens or non-U.S. permanent residents  demonstrate English proficiency to ensure they enter the university with sufficient English skills necessary to function in a graduate program. A TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) or IELTS (International English Language Testing System) test score is the most common way international applicants demonstrate English proficiency. We require a minimum TOEFL score of 90 (IBT) or IELTS score of 8 for admission. Test scores should be sent to us using ETS institution code 5859. See this  page  if you qualify for a English language proficiency test waiver. 

Applying as an International Student

• Blacksburg Campus:  Prospective  residential on-campus  international students might be required to  submit  immigration documents, and other additional materials with their application.   Please consult with  Graduate Student Immigration Services .

Additional Information/Supporting Material

Applicants are welcome to submit any additional information with application material that would be useful in evaluation of your application.

Application Fees

Degree-seeking students must include a $75 fee with their application, though veterans and some other applicants are eligible for  waivers of the application fee . All application fees are non-refundable.

Complete the Online Application

To apply to the graduate program, students must submit the Virginia Tech Graduate School online application. 

Domestic Application

•  Fall Deadline:  Jan. 15, 2024. 

International Application

Blacksburg Campus Application Type:

• Please select an Application Type: First Time Graduate Study or Readmission
• Please select a Program:  Creative Writing
• Please select a Program Option: Poetry or Fiction
• Please select a Degree Type: M.F.A.
• Please select a Campus: Blacksburg (Main Campus)
• Please select a Term:  Fall

Submit Transcripts

Include a scanned copy of your college transcripts with your online application, then arrange for an official copy to be sent to us after you receive an offer of admission.

The official transcripts showing degree conferral should be sent directly from your institution(s) to Graduate Admissions: Virginia Tech Graduate Admissions 120 Graduate Life Center at Donaldson Brown (Mail Code 0325) 155 Otey Street NW Blacksburg, Virginia 24061

Submit Test Scores

 Send official scores to Virginia Tech Graduate School, code 5859.

Apply for Scholarships/Funding

The Department of English has a limited number of  graduate assistantships and fellowships  available for students applying for full time study on the Blacksburg Campus. Entering students can apply for such funding as part of their admissions application.  No separate application  required.

• All students equally and fully funded through Graduate Teaching Assistantships
• GTA-ships include tuition remission, health insurance, and stipends of more than $20,000 per year for all three years of the program

Find out what loans are available as a graduate student and other opportunities.

Interviews with Members of the Program Faculty

Our faculty try to phone or Skype interview all of our finalists for admissions to the program, but, the program has also made offers to applicants who have not been interviewed by our poetry and fiction committees. The program director is in regular touch with all wait-list applicants during the admissions process about their admissions status.

Offers of Admission and Funding

The Graduate School sends an official offer of admission to applicants upon the recommendation of the department faculty. Admitted applicants who are offered graduate assistantships at Virginia Tech are not required to make a decision to commit to the assistantship offer until April 15. See the  assistantships page  for more details.

Graduate Admissions

Matthew Vollmer Director, M.F.A. in Creative Writing 431 Shanks Hall  540-231-8322 [email protected]

Application Questions

Marie Trimmer Graduate Programs Coodinator 310 Shanks Hall 540-231-4659  [email protected]

Program Inquiries

Admission Requirements

• Prior research experience
• GPA > 3.2*
• Personal statement, 1 – 2 pages
• Diversity statement, 1/2 – 1 page**
• 3 letters of reference (at least one from research faculty with whom you have worked)
• TOEFL/IELTS for international students***

*We utilize a holistic approach to application review, which takes particular life circumstances into account. You may apply with a lower GPA, but we ask you to please explain reasons for the lower GPA in your personal statement.

**Virginia Tech and the MCB program strongly believe that everyone needs to work together to minimize inequalities and discrimination. One of Virginia Tech’s guiding principles is  InclusiveVT , which is the commitment to increase diversity among students, faculty and staff and to ensure a welcoming, affirming and safe climate for everyone. We are curious to learn from you if and how you think you can support these goals.

***TOEFL/IELTS score can be waived if you have a degree from a university where courses were held in English. More information  here . For the MCB program, specifically, your TOEFL score needs to be higher than 100; speaking subtest needs to be 25 or higher, all other subtests need to be 20 or higher. Your IELTS score needs to be 6.5 or higher and no subtest can be lower than 6.0.

All applications need to be  submitted  through the  Virginia Tech Graduate School . Please see  here  for instructions on how to direct your application to the MCB program committee.

Your questions

Information on our webpages may not be sufficient to answer your questions, in particular if your circumstances differ from those of most applicants. We are always happy to answer questions.  Send us a message , and we’ll get back to you.

Application Guidelines

The Executive Ph.D. Program welcomes new students in August of each academic year, with a required summer intensive in June-August prior to the official start of the program. Applications are due in March in the year of entry. Early application is encouraged through a priority deadline in January. 

The admissions committee makes a holistic review of an applicant's academic and professional experience, as well as their supplemental statement of purpose, letters of recommendation, and in-depth interviews to determine a candidate's readiness to take on doctoral level work.

PRIOR TO YOUR APPLICATION

It is expected that prospective students will connect with our team prior to application so that we may better understand your goals and assess your suitability for the program before you invest the time to apply. This also allows us the opportunity to connect you with faculty in your discipline of interest and schedule a time for you to join us for an in-person residential session to experience the program firsthand.

Once you are invited to apply, detailed application instructions can be found on our Apply Now page.

APPLICATION MATERIALS

To complete and submit your Executive Ph.D. application, the following application materials are required:

• Completed online application form
• Unofficial web transcripts downloaded through a university's online portal will not be accepted, except for Virginia Tech alumni.
• Students with degrees from universities outside the U.S. will need to submit a report from a credential evaluation service. TOEFL/IELTS scores may also be required.  See Additional Materials for International Students section below.
• A copy of your resume
• Three letters of recommendation sent electronically through the application portal
• Applicants are asked by the Graduate School to provide a 1-2 page double-spaced personal statement that addresses why you are pursuing this degree, why at Virginia Tech, and why now.
• In-depth interviews
• A $75 non-refundable application fee

Please note that GMAT/GRE test scores are  not  required to apply to the Executive Ph.D. program, but may be submitted in support of your application.

APPLICATION DEADLINES

Your application and all supporting materials   must be received by our office by the deadline dates listed below. We strongly encourage early application to ensure that your recommenders have ample time to submit their letters before the deadline.

Applications submitted after the deadline will only be considered if space is available. Please email [email protected]  to inquire.

ADDITIONAL MATERIALS FOR INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS

• Students with undergraduate degrees from universities outside the U.S. must submit a report from a credential evaluation service that converts grades into a grade point average (GPA) with a course by course breakdown of their degree. The university will accept evaluations done by any credentialing agency listed on the  National Association of Credential Evaluation Services web site .
• TOEFL scores are required of all international students whose first language is not English. The university-wide minimum score requirement is 90 for Internet and 577 for paper.  Please visit  the TOEFL website  for additional information on the TOEFL exam.
• U.S. naturalized citizens and permanent residents
• Applicants who have graduated from an accredited university where English is the language of instruction. The language of instruction must be confirmed as English on your transcript evaluation for the Graduate School to provide the waiver.
• IELTS (International English Language Testing System) is also accepted in lieu of the TOEFL. A 6.5 minimum is required to apply.
• Official test scores should be sent to the Virginia Tech Graduate School, institution code 5859. Do not enter a department code.
• Additional information for international graduate students can be found on the  Cranwell International Center site .

APPLICATION FEE WAIVER FOR MILITARY STUDENTS

The Graduate School is pleased to waive the $75 application fee for its military students. You will have an opportunity during the online application to submit the required documentation to receive your waiver. Additional information is provided on our Apply Now page.

The Admissions Strategist

How to write strong virginia tech essays 2020-2021: the valuable guide.

Virginia Tech has an acceptance rate of 71%.

It is a four-year university with over 34,000 students. Located in Blacksburg, Virginia, the school offers 110 bachelor programs in addition to graduate and doctoral degree programs. To learn more about what the college has to offer, check out their website here .

Virginia Tech uses the Common App.

The Virginia Tech application requires four supplemental essays of 120 words each, which is not a lot of space to express yourself. Be concise and original, and follow these tips!

What are the Virginia Tech Essay Requirements?

Interestingly, Virginia Tech does not require you to submit the Common App essay with your application. That being said, there is absolutely no harm in submitting your Common App essay with your application. However, this does let you know that the focus will likely be on your supplemental questions specific to Virginia Tech, so make sure you give these extra attention!

Virginia Tech calls its supplemental questions the Ut Prosim questions, which means “ That I May Serve .” As you may have guessed, the emphasis is on service and your commitment to it on campus and beyond. The official directions for the Virginia Tech essays are as follows:

“Each of the Ut Prosim Profile questions are required with a limit of 120 words in length per answer. Once you submit your application, your responses to the questions are final and cannot be updated.”

Here are Virginia Tech’s essay prompts and a few ideas to get you started. 

Virginia Tech Supplemental Essay 1

Virginia Tech’s motto is “Ut Prosim” which means ‘That I May Serve’. We are interested in learning more about your interests and how you have been involved and/or served. Briefly describe a group, organization, or community that you have been involved with. Is this a special area of interest for you, and why? How long have you been involved? What role did you play? What contributions have you made to this group? Were you able to influence others and/or influence decisions for the good of the group?*

Read this prompt carefully: it asks you to write about how service is important to your life. It does not ask you to describe that one time you did community service because it was required for a class, and it does not ask for a laundry list of your volunteer hours.

This question asks you to go deep, as evidenced by the plethora of follow up questions. Virginia Tech wants to understand why a particular area of service is important to you, and you must convince them you “practice what you preach” and have delved into this area. 

• If possible, write about something you’re truly passionate about. It’s better to write on a topic that you believe may not sound as impressive, but to which you are truly devoted, than something fluffy and devoid of true personal meaning. Reflect on why this cause spoke to you and continues to do so. 
• A good example might be a leadership position in Students Against Destructive Decisions where through organized recurring service opportunities, you built up a network of students and organizations to match opportunities, and took the initiative to start multiple service projects to give back to the community appropriately.
• If you had a leadership role, focus on the strength of your leadership in guiding decisions. If you didn’t have a leadership role, focus on the areas in which you developed the organization, such as recruiting new volunteers or holding fundraisers. 
• Consider the internal effect and how this service has changed you or helped you grow. Do not be afraid to cite setbacks that one might call ‘failures,’ as long as you’re able to identify what you learned and how you can serve better in the future.

Get personalized advice!

Overall, this essay should give you an opportunity to elaborate on a passion project of yours that perhaps appears on your resume, but with limited detail. Avoid listing, repeating what’s already on other parts of your application, or gloating. Remember to write with humility and a lens of personal reflection. 

Virginia Tech Supplemental Essay 2

Describe a situation where you were involved or witness to an act of discrimination. How, or did, you respond? Do you wish you would have responded differently? Did this situation cause any change to happen based on this event and did you have a role in that change? What did you learn from this experience? *

This is a tough question that evokes an immediate emotional response in many applicants. You may have been a victim of discrimination, or you may have been a witness to an act of discrimination. You may have even been a perpetrator. 

There are two basic guidelines for this question.

• Be honest. This may be the greater challenge for some applicants. For example, if you were a witness to an act of discrimination in years past, and said or did nothing, you may feel ashamed to say as much. However, a response in which you describe that feeling, what you have learned, and how you have or did or would handle it differently in the future is a more authentic and meaningful response than describing an invented moment of activism in which you are the hero.

Virginia Tech Supplemental Essay 3

Briefly describe a personal goal you have set for yourself. Why this goal, what is your timeline to achieve this goal, what precipitated this goal? Have you turned to anyone for advice or help, what was their role, what did you learn about yourself, are you still working toward this goal?*

There’s a lot to unpack here in just 120 words. Virginia Tech is looking to see if you’re a goal-oriented person and how you handle challenges and setbacks in pursuit of a goal. Let’s start by picking a goal: 

• Don’t assume the goal needs to be academic. In fact, try to choose something not reflected in your application elsewhere. 
• The size of the goal is not important. It could be something as simple as saving some money for college. The important element is the journey. 

Once you’ve established what your goal was and is, reflect on the details. 

• What is it about this goal that’s so meaningful to you? If there was a catalyst or specific moment you knew you needed to set this goal, discuss that. 
• Reflect on the goal-setting process you went through. If you set milestones or timelines, examine their connection to the long term goal. 

Now comes unpacking what you’ve learned from the process. Try to spend the bulk of your essay in this section. 

• If you experienced any setbacks or challenges, talk about how you approached and overcame them. 
• If there was anyone influential in inspiring or supporting you in pursuit of your goal, discuss their role and what you have learned from them personally. What do you hope to replicate or emulate in your future? 
• Finally, how has this changed you? What will you use from this experience in goal setting that you’ll apply to achievement in your future, perhaps even at Virginia Tech?

Virginia Tech Supplemental Essay 4

Describe an example of a situation where you have significantly influenced others, took on a leadership role, helped resolve a dispute, or contributed to a group’s goals. What was your role, what responsibilities did you take on? Did you encounter any obstacles, and if so how did you respond, were you able to overcome them? What would you do differently?*

Similarly to the service essay, Virginia Tech is looking for a time you’ve successfully worked towards a greater cause. In this case, they want to see a clear demonstration of your leadership ability. 

Once again, try to avoid referring to something you already discussed in your service essay or in another part of your application. Ensure you address each part of the question. 

First, identify the leadership role and situation. 

• Remember that this does not have to be broad in scope. Depth is better than breadth. If you happen to have been the captain of a sports team or president of a club, fantastic. If not, consider smaller roles you may have had. The skills and qualities are the essences of the essay, not the situation. 
• Clearly identify and give context to the situation and role, but do not spend more than 1-2 sentences. The bulk of your essay should be spent elsewhere. 

Once you’ve provided a backdrop, focus on a problem or challenge you encountered and how you responded. 

• If there were ever disputes within your group that you were able to resolve, this is a great chance to show your people skills or strength in moving a group forward towards a greater cause. Clearly identify the action you took to resolve the problem. 
• If the problem was logistical, focus on concrete steps you took to tackle the issue at hand, and how you harnessed the commitment of others to support you. Focus on what you achieved together as a result of your leadership rather than personal accomplishments alone. 

To round out the essay, identify any areas for improvement, but don’t end the topic on a low. Focus on what you learned and how you would apply this to leadership roles in the future, perhaps at Virginia Tech. 

Conclusion: Writing the Virginia Tech Essays

As mentioned previously, the 120 word limit makes for a very short essay. Here is some general advice for making the most of your word count:

• Provide context, but remember that your essay is addressing the prompt.
• Use specific detail instead of vague statements. Those details should tie in your personal stories.
• Include your personality in your essay; it shouldn’t sound like it could belong to any student interested in attending Virginia Tech.
• Express enthusiasm at the possibility of getting admitted to Virginia Tech.
• Read aloud, revise, and share with a friend . Editing is your best friend.

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First-year Application Checklist

Apply in three steps.

We are excited that you are considering Virginia Tech as your future home! Please review the information below and on the  requirements page to learn more about the application process.

1. Complete and submit your application on Common App

ALL applicants must apply using  Common App .

Three tips for submitting your Common App

• Use a personal email address to create your Common App account instead of a school email address, in case your school blocks external communication. If your application was submitted over a week ago and you still have not received an email from [email protected] , we encourage you to reach out to us.
• Choose the decision plan that’s right for you.
• Pay your non-refundable application fee of $60 (domestic applicants) or $70 (international applicants) or reach out to us if the fee is a burden and you do not qualify for one of the fee waiver options listed directly on the application.

2. Submit your academic materials

Within 72 hours of submitting your application, you will receive an email with instructions to create your Applicant Portal, which is where you can monitor your checklist, submit materials, access the General Scholarship Application, and where you will find your admission decision.

Please review the following instructions to determine what materials are required:

• First-year applicants who have only attended high school or have been home-educated within the U.S. will need to submit a self-reported academic record (SRAR) for review. If you want your SAT/ACT scores to be reviewed, you must report them on your SRAR.
• First-year applicants who have attended high school or have been home-educated outside of the U.S. at any point will need to submit their transcript(s) for review. If you want your SAT/ACT scores to be reviewed, include them on your Common App or upload a score report in your Applicant Portal.

More information on submitting the SRAR can be found here .

Three tips for submitting your academic materials

• Submit your academic materials through your Applicant Portal. This ensures quick matching to your application. For applicants submitting an SRAR, you should access that form directly from your Portal. For those uploading transcript(s) and/or score reports, you should use the Upload feature in your Applicant Portal.
• Monitor your Applicant Portal to ensure the materials have been received. NOTE: It can take up to a week during peak times for your Portal to update so we recommend checking back often.
• Keep up with the deadlines associated with submitting academic materials here .

3. Check your email for other action items while you wait for your decision

We will be emailing application updates, reminders of deadlines, and special event details, so monitoring your email is an important part of the application process.

We strongly encourage you to use a personal email address when applying, as many school email addresses may block external senders, and to add  [email protected]  to your safe contacts list. If you find that it has been a week or more since you applied and you have not received any communication from  [email protected] , please reach out to Undergraduate Admissions.

Three suggestions of other items you may want to take care of when applying

• Fill out the General Scholarship Application and Free Application for Student Aid (FAFSA) by January 22 for maximum aid consideration. Do not wait for an offer of admission to apply!
• Use your Applicant Portal to monitor the status of your application materials and ensure your application is complete. Remember, it is ultimately your responsibility to ensure your application is complete.
• Consider visiting Virginia Tech. The best way to learn if Virginia Tech is the best fit for you is to try it out! Learn about the visit opportunities here . Note: Virginia Tech does not provide fee waivers for visits, and demonstrated interest is not considered during application review.

Only completed applications will be reviewed. It is critical to meet the deadlines for your application. The university reserves the right to withdraw, without notice, any application that is not complete by the deadline.

Application Guidelines

The Online MBA program welcomes a new cohort in May of each year. Applications are reviewed in three rounds, though early application is encouraged.

Admissions criteria for the Online MBA program are based on a comprehensive review of the applicant's professional work experience, academic performance, and personal goals. Applications are reviewed on an individual basis. For more information please contact Rebecca McGill, Associate Director of MBA Recruiting, at  [email protected]  or (703) 538-8497.

REQUIRED MATERIALS

To complete and submit your application, the following application materials are required:

• Completed online application form
• Current resume
• Virginia Tech alumni do not need to submit official transcripts
• Students with degrees from universities outside the U.S. will need to submit a report from a credential evaluation service and a translation into English if necessary.   See additional details on the Apply Now page .
• Two letters of recommendation sent electronically
•  Many students are drawn to our Online MBA program because of its accelerated completion timeline. Members of our OMBA cohorts are able to complete their degree in just 24 months. However, the accelerated nature of the program is consistently reflected in the time commitment required by our program. In addition to spending approximately 11 hours in synchronous classes two weekends per month, students can expect to spend approximately 15-20 hours weekly on assignments outside of classes. How do you plan to successfully juggle your personal, professional, and academic commitments? What habits do you have in place that will allow you to be successful in our rigorous, accelerated program?
• Please feel free to submit a statement that includes any additional information you believe would be helpful to the committee regarding your academic or professional history. This may include an explanation of academic issues, employment gaps, or to highlight academic, personal, or professional accomplishments that will strengthen your application.
•  We find that one of the most important factors our students must consider when beginning their MBA is timing. Please submit a two-minute video telling us why you have chosen to begin your MBA at this time. What makes it so that this feels like the right time to take on graduate coursework and the commitment necessitated by a graduate program? Please note that we encourage you to record this video with your cell phone. We do not expect this video to be highly produced.
• Applicants are asked to provide a 1 - 2 page, double-spaced personal statement that adresses why you are pursuing a graduate degree, why at Virginia Tech, and why now.
• TOEFL,  if necessary
• A non-refundable $75 application fee

After an initial review of your completed application, you may be invited to a 30-minute interview via Zoom with the Director of MBA Programs and two other Online MBA applicants.

Please note that GMAT/GRE test scores are not required to apply to the Online MBA program.

Visit our Apply Now page when you are ready to begin your application.

TARGET GPA AND WORK EXPERIENCE

• GPA: 3.0 or better
• Minimum two years of professional work experience completed post-undergraduate degree, with five years of experience preferred.
• GMAT/GRE test scores not required to apply to the Online MBA

If you have questions about these guidelines, please contact Rebecca McGill, Associate Director of MBA Recruiting, at  [email protected]  or 703-538-8497.

APPLICATION DEADLINES

Completed Online MBA applications will be reviewed in three rounds. Our application deadlines for the May 2025 cohort are as follows:

• Round 1:  December 1, 2024
• Round 2:  February 15, 2025
• Round 3: April 1, 2025

The summer 2025 application is now open and students may submit their application. Review of applications will begin after the Round 1 deadline.

Please note that your application must be completed  by the stated deadline for each round. After each round, an admission decision (i.e. accept, reject, or move to next round) will be made on all completed applications. Applications that are missing materials (including copies of official transcripts and letters of recommendation) will be reviewed in the following round.

Please note that we encourage early application as scholarship availability is greatest at the beginning of the review cycle. All applications are automatically considered for a scholarship. We encourage you to review the scholarship information found  here  for more information regarding scholarship awards. 

All admissions decisions will be final at the conclusion of Round 3.

View  Virginia Tech's academic calendar  to see the date classes start for current and future academic years. Please note that the Online MBA program starts with the first Virginia Tech Summer session.

Psychology Department

Application procedures.

To ensure timely review of your application please follow these steps:

• Complete the online application and pay the application fee. (Note: Only online applications will be considered. Notify the Director of Graduate Programs [Bob Stephens, [email protected]] if you do not have internet access to the online application system)
• As part of the online application, upload your resume, personal statement, and any supporting documents providing evidence of your scholarly or professional work (i.e., theses, conference poster or paper presentations, publications).
• Submit referee information on the online application so that referees will be sent the link to submit their letters online following the instructions on the Graduate School web page.

On the online application, upload a scanned version of your official transcript(s) from all post-secondary schools you have attended. While completing your online application and prior to submitting it, you will be required to upload one copy of your scanned official transcript from each institution from which you have earned or will earn an undergraduate or graduate degree. Do not send transcripts for community college attendance or from any institution where you enrolled in classes but did not earn a degree. Make sure your scanned documents are legible before uploading, as non-legible documents will result in processing delays.

You may scan a copy of your official paper or electronic transcript provided to you from your institution’s Registrar. Do NOT upload your institution's web-based academic record or a document stating it is not an official transcript. Make sure that all critical and identifying marks have been scanned and are legible.  These include the institution's name, your name, the names of your courses and the grades you have received. It is important that you scan both the front and back of your transcript as we will need to be able to review the information provided on the back of your transcript concerning credit hours, the institution's grading scale, etc. Please ensure that your file is in Word (.doc) or PDF format.

The process of uploading transcripts is intended to eliminate the need for you to mail in your transcripts, as all departments will be able to review your application based on your uploaded transcripts. If you are offered admission, you will be required to provide an official copy of your transcript(s) upon the awarding of your degree and its posting to your transcript prior to your enrollment at Virginia Tech.

• For applicants to the Cognitive Neuroscience & Biopsychology, Clinical Science, & Developmental Science training programs, GRE scores will be neither required nor accepted.
• For applicants to the Industrial/Organizational Psychology training program, GRE scores are optional.  Applicants reporting GRE scores should report them directly to Virginia Tech; the ETS Institution Code is 5859 .
• All applicants, regardless of training area, are evaluated holistically.

If you prefer to mail hard copies of any materials, the Department of Psychology Address is:

Graduate Application Coordinator Department of Psychology 109 Williams Hall Virginia Tech (0436) Blacksburg, Virginia 24061

Virginia Tech does not discriminate against employees, students, or applicants on the basis of race, color, sex, sexual orientation, disability, age, veteran status, national origin, religion, or political affiliation. Anyone having questions concerning discrimination should contact the Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Office.

For full consideration, all application materials must be received by December 1 for the Cognitive Neuroscience & Biopsychology, Clinical Science, and Developmental Science training areas, and by January 1 for Industrial/Organizational.  Applications are reviewed following the deadline and offers of admission are typically made during the spring for the following fall.

Resume formats and samples

Your resume content is the important part. Guidance below is to help you format and present your content in a clean, concise way, for the benefit of the employer.

Please read below about Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) ; this is important information to know about the tools many employers use to handle and screen resumes.

• FORMATS | LAYOUT
• RESUME SAMPLES

Page layout basics

Page margins : 1/2 to 1 inch on all sides generally look fine.

Font style and size and color :

Choose a font style that is easy to read by both the human eye and Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) that employers use to store and read resumes.

According to Resume-now.com: What is an ATS resume? , these are among recommended fonts: - Times New Roman - Calibri - Arial - Tahoma - Garamond

Indeed.com recommends using sans serif fonts, and not serif fonts . Serifs are the short lines at the edges of letters; sans means "without" so sans serif fonts don't have those little lines; they are simpler fonts.  Fonts recommended by Indeed.com .

Use a larger font size for your name. For the content, font sizes of 10, 11 or 12 generally look fine. Note that font sizes are not the same in each font style; e.g. Arial 12 is much larger than Times New Roman 12. If you are trying to get your content on one page, you can adjust your margins a bit and/or try a slightly smaller font style or size. Sometimes you can enter a half-size, such as 10.5, 11.5, etc.

Do not follow bad advice to hide text with a white font. See  6 Popular Resume Tips that are Actually Bad Advice  (JobScan.com). This is based on deceipt; a job search strategy based on deceipt or trickery is unsound and often unethical.

Single spacing usually works best, with a blank line between each section of content. If you need to change your spacing in your version of Word and can't find how to do that, use the "Help" function in Word.

Create your heading with your name, phone, email, and college and permanent addresses. According to  Resume-now.com: What is an ATS resume? , don't use the header or footer component in Word for essential content. If you are creating a C.V., or a federal resume that is expected to be longer than one page, a footer is great for your page numbers, because that information is for the human eye.

Full address? You can choose whether to include your street addresses (unless an employer specifically requires that  on a resume you submit to that employer). Some job seekers prefer not to give that level of detail especially when submitting your resume to sites where you might not know who has access to view it.

Resume heading example: (first name) (middle name or initial if you wish) (last name) 540-123-4567  |  [email protected] College address: Blacksburg, Virginia   |   Permanent address: Richmond, Virginia OR College address: 7891 Whatever Street, Apt. G, Blacksburg, VA 24060 Permanent address: 473 Whatever Drive, Richmond, VA 23221

Simple technique for content layout :

• We used to recommend creating a table, with invisible borders, to format your resume; that advice no longer holds. It's fine for formatting for the human eye, but is not recommended for resumes that will be read by Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) which many employers use.
• If you need to indent, use the text-indent features in Word. When you indent and use bulleted lists, be consistent with your indenting to keep it visually clean.
• You can also align all content on the left, which is sometimes recommended for clean formatting that's good for Applicant Tracking Systems.
• And the human eye appreciates a clean, simple layout.

Templates | File format: docx or pdf?

Use Microsoft Word docx. Be cautious if you select a resume template. Some are too complicated in layout, have excessive shading, or other formatting features that are not recommended.

A risk with a template is choosing one with categories and headings that do not suit your background or best present your qualifications for the positions you are seeking.

The Muse.com: Should You Submit Your Resume as a PDF or Word Docx? 5 Rules to Follow .

Length of resume or CV

• Resumes should often be one page, but not always.
• CVs are longer documents. 
• See length of your resume or CV for complete information.

Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) and what it means for your resume

• Large employers use Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) to store, read, and search for resumes.
• Appropriate formatting and document type will help you present effective content and help your resume to be read correctly. That's why you'll see advice from us about formatting and content as relates to Applicant Tracking Systems.

Articles addressing ATS and resumes:

• Beat the Robots: How to Get Your Resume Past the System and Into Human Hands (the Muse.com) Advises not to try to trick the ATS with gimmicks.
• What is an ATS resume? (Resume-now.com)
• Creative Resume Formats: What You Need to Know (JobScan.com)
• 6 Popular Resume Tips that are Actually Bad Advice (JobScan.com) This addresses the bad advice of hiding text with a white font in hopes of deceiving ATS.
• Are You Guilty of Resume Keyword Stuffing (JobScan.com)
• History note: There is an old, out-of-date term that might create confusion: Before technology enabled submitting resumes online, the term "scannable resume" referred to a hard copy document that could be successfully scanned using 1970s technology, called OCR=Optical Character Recognition, that scanned the content of a paper document as a graphic image and then converted it back to text. This enabled employers to receive hard-copy resumes, get that resume information into a database (to handle the volume of resumes received), and retrieve the resume later.

Formats: Chronological, skills. How to choose.

Chronological format

• The most common resume format is called "chronological" and is really reverse chronological, meaning most recent items first. 
• Within each section [education, experience, activities, etc.] list entries with most recent items first. 
• If you're uncertain what format to use, this is a good way to start a draft of your resume. 
• Most of the samples are variations on the chronological format.

Skills format

• A skills resume combines the skills you have from a variety of experiences — paid work, volunteer work, student activities, classroom work, projects, etc. — and groups these skills by category that relate to the kind of job you're seeking.
• This format works best when a traditional resume just doesn't work to make you look like a good candidate even though you have relevant skills.
• Use caution: many employers don't favor skills-format resumes. A Career and Professional Development advisor can look at your first resume draft and help you decide if a skills format, or maybe a mixed approach, might be the best to showcase your qualifications.

How to choose a format

• Start with content and sections of your resume . Write out everything you have in your background, even if it is initially too much information. Edit from there.
• Do look at many samples, and the features of each. Choose the combination of features that matches your background.
• Don't look just at samples, because no one sample includes all possible resume  content . You might need content not included in the samples you view.
• Don't choose a resume format simply because the fictional student in a sample has your major. Major doesn't dictate the format of your resume; use the format that best showcases your qualifications which are not limited to major.
• You can choose any format regardless of the type of employment you are seeking, whether internship, co-op, or post-graduation employment.
• Do choose a format which best shows how your individual credentials support your objective.
• If you are unsure, start with a chronological style, have your resume reviewed, and revise your resume as needed.

Creative, non-traditional resumes

• Creative, non-traditional resumes can be appropriate if you're in a creative field.
• But if you copy someone else's creative template, does that show your creativity? (You might just be following a new, non-creative norm.)
• Some resumes labelled creative include elements (photos, graphics) and layouts that are not compatible with Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) that most large employers use. Be aware. Creative Resume Formats: What You Need to Know on JobScan.com addresses this topic.
• You will need to provide your resume in the format requested or required by the employer. That might or might not allow room for something creative, depending on format, files type, etc. It's possible you could develop a creative-format resume to show and/or send employers, but you might also need a more traditional format to meet employer requirements, such as for their Applicant Tracking System.
• Examples of creative resumes: Weare.guru: examples of creative resumes . Not for copying. Be original. Remember if you pay someone to do this for you, that says nothing about your creativity. And remember not all employers want to see/receive these.

Photo on your resume?

• A photo should only be included on your resume or CV if your appearance is a bona fide occupational qualification (BFOQ) , which is the exception, such as in acting jobs .
• Should I put my picture on my resume? Our advice – no!   Robert Half Talent Solutions.
• Here’s Why You Should Not Include a Picture on Your Resume in 2021 JobScan.com

Video resumes. Good idea or not?

Should you create a video resume?

This topic rears its head over the years; like 2006 and 2021.

There are problems with the concept, including: quality; the need for employers to be consistent in how they consider applicants; videos can be time-consuming to view; potential for allegations of bias; and sometimes the job-seeker looks foolish.

Even if you create one, and do it well, it's not really a resume, and it doesn't replace the resume. It's more like a pitch or an intro. And it won't meet the needs of employers' Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS).

And a video resume is not the same as a video work sample that you might include in a portfolio if you were applying for a video production or broadcasting job.

If someone says to create a video resume, look at why : often they are trying to sell you something.

More about video resumes:

• Video Resumes: Helpful Trend or Half-Baked Fad? From SHRM = Society for Human Resource Management. Knowledgable perspective from the people who actually recruit and hire.
• Video Resumes: Let the Applicant Beware Monster.com career advice Most companies do not accept them. Better to focus your energy on error-free, targeted resumes and customized cover letters.
• Job Hunters Seek Winning Edge in Video Resumes (NPR.org) Cautions job seekers and employers. In 2006 a business wanted to pitch to college students that video resumes were the next big thing. We know that didn't happen.

Names are fictional. Each sample is one page unless otherwise noted. Each sample is a docx; you can download these and use the formats to draft your own resume content, if you find formats or layouts useful to you. Again, we caution you not to look at just one sample and copy it! You are unique and your resume will not look exactly like anyone else's. You might combine components of different samples. The samples are to show you some variety and give you ideas.

• Federal resume samples are different : see federal internship and job search for sample resumes for federal internships and job search.
• Silva Undergraduate first-year or second-year student working toward B.S. Seeking experience (co-op). Is earning and financing 50% of college education expenses. Doesn't yet have career-related experience; has/had jobs to earn money for college. Because early in college, some high school activities are included.
• Gimble Student working toward a B.A. Seeking an internship or summer job. Has experience, volunteer work and student leadership related to career field of interest; these are detailed. "Other" experience section; one line per job; detail is not needed.
• McWellen Working toward B.S. with science major and minor. Extensive list of coursework and lab skills to show specialty and focus (not basic courses taken by anyone in the same major) Multiple research experiences.
• Pasha B.A. English major, Spanish minor, with computer science coursework. Objective blends writing and computer skills. Skills and experience show both writing and computer. Language skills. Seeking internship. Relevant campus job and student media experience.
• Billings B.S. student seeking post-grad job. International coursework, study abroad, and other international experience related to career goals. Language skills.
• Matthews Bachelor's degree; seeking job at graduation. Study abroad in education section. Design skills section. Portfolio link. Palatino Linotype 10 font.
• Neilson Bachelor's degree, seeking job at graduation. Completing degree in August (indicate your real completion month/year, not when you "walk") Goes by middle-name/nickname; shown in heading. Course project detailed. GPA shown to 100th decimal place because close to next 10th decimal place; rounding up would be inaccurate and could appear dishonest. Traditional font choice: Times New Roman 11.
• Barbour Bachelor's degree, double major and minor. Study abroad and Washington Semester in education section. Language skills related to objective. "Related" and "other" experience. Details on colleges activity involving organizational skills. Book Antiqua 10 font.
• Constantine Earning two bachelor's degrees (distinct from double major) University Registrar FAQs: What is the difference between and double major and a second degree? Details on student leadership role. Calibri 11 font.
• Sorvino B.S. degree being completed, seeking job at graduation. Related and other experience categories. Selective bolding helps key items stand out. Tahoma 10 font.
• Kelly Skills resume. Summarizes skills from a variety of sources: work, class projects, student activities. Seek advice if you take this approach; some employers do not favor skills resumes; but these can be effective tools for some job seekers. Garamond 11.5 font.
• Alvarez M.S. in progress. Seeking position at completion. B.S. completed. Both degrees from Virginia Tech. Related and "other" experience separate sections. Details on related experience; no details needed for other experience. Verdana 9.5 font.
• Benjamin Ph.D. candidate Curriculum vitae; multiple pages expected.

Length of your resume

Resume content and sections

Federal internship and job search includes federal resume guidance and samples

Do you need an objective?

Should you include your GPA?

Curriculum vitae

Cover letters and other job search correspondence

Virginia Tech Supplemental Essays Guide: 2021-2022

Not sure how to write Virginia Tech supplemental essays? CollegeAdvisor.com ’s guide to the Virginia Tech application essays will show you exactly how to write engaging Virginia Tech essays and maximize your chances of admission. If you need help crafting your Virginia Tech supplemental essays, create your free account or schedule a free advising consultation by calling (844) 343-6272.

Virginia Tech Essay Guide Quick Facts:

• Virginia Tech’s acceptance rate is 67% 
• U.S. News considers Virginia Tech a selective school.
• Virginia Tech is ranked #75 on the U.S. News ‘ list of National Universities .

Does Virginia Tech Have any Supplemental Essays?

Yes. In addition to the personal statement that you will write for the Common App or the Coalition App , you’ll also answer four Virginia Tech essay prompts. The Virginia Tech essay questions are designed for the admissions committee to get a better sense of who you are as a student, peer, and person.

Need some help writing your Common App essay? Get great tips from our Common App essay guide .  

How Many Essays does Virginia Tech Require?

You must answer four Virginia Tech essay questions when you complete your application. Each of the Virginia Tech essay questions requires a response of no more than 120 words. It is just as challenging to write a short essay as it is to write a long essay, so take time to brainstorm, outline, draft, and revise each of your four Virginia Tech supplemental essays. There should be a targeted message in each of your Virginia Tech essays. 

What are the Essays for Virginia Tech?

The Virginia Tech application essays for Virginia Tech are about four topics: service, resilience, leadership, and goals. Each of the Virginia Tech essay prompts is relatively broad. This gives you lots of freedom and flexibility to choose your topic and articulate the story you tell in each of your Virginia Tech supplemental essays. At 120 words each, your Virginia Tech essays must be clear and concise. 

How do I Write the Essays for Virginia Tech: Question 1

Prompt 1: Virginia Tech’s motto is “Ut Prosim” which means ‘That I May Serve’. Share how you contribute to a community that is important to you. How long have you been involved? What have you learned and how would you like to share that with others at Virginia Tech? (120 words)

Question #1 of the Virginia Tech supplemental essays is a bit of a twist on the classic community service essay. Since the school incorporates its motto into the prompt, you will also want to look at the school’s core values and mission statement. These will help you learn what should be reflected in your Virginia Tech application essays. 

“Community” is defined very broadly. Successful Virginia Tech essays can be written about families, teams, project groups, neighborhoods, religious groups, or any other group of people with whom you spend your time. The key to writing a strong Virginia Tech supplemental essay is to choose a community that is important to you. The best Virginia Tech supplemental essays show how you have been an active member of your community. Through your Virginia Tech supplemental essays establish clearly how you would be an active member of communities on campus.

Address each part

This prompt asks that you include a few specific details in your Virginia Tech supplemental essays: how long you have been involved, what you learned, and how you would share it at Virginia Tech. The best Virginia Tech essays will not only answer these but also discuss the “why.” Why do you choose to spend time impacting this community in particular? In your Virginia Tech supplemental essays, articulate how what you do has shaped who you are.

Importantly, this prompt is not asking you to describe the community in your Virginia Tech application essays. Rather, you should discuss your role in the community in-depth. How has your involvement transformed you? How have you transformed the community? Service is inherently about others, but your 120-word Virginia Tech supplemental essays should contain vivid stories that illustrate your qualities and character traits. 

Connecting your cause

What cause are you committed to? This is the essential question that effective Virginia Tech supplemental essays will answer. Then, you can connect your passions to opportunities at Virginia Tech. Perhaps, you could highlight an initiative or two that you would get involved in through VT Engage or in volunteer opportunities in Roanoke in your Virginia Tech supplemental essays.  In your Virginia Tech essays, make an authentic connection between what you do now and what activities and organizations you plan to be involved in at Virginia Tech. 

In this and all your responses to the Virginia Tech essay questions, avoid writing a monologue on the meaning of service in general or using cliche examples and phrases. Also, be sure to hone in on a specific and personal story in your Virginia Tech essays. This should not be a laundry list of your community service endeavors. 

Essay Draft Key Questions:

• Do you answer all parts of the Virginia Tech essay questions in your essay? 
• Does your essay tell a compelling story?
• Do you clearly establish your “why” in your essay?
• Does the reader learn what is important to you through your Virginia Tech application essays?

How do I write the essays for Virginia Tech: Question 2

Prompt 2: Resilience is defined as the ability to adapt and learn from a difficulty. Reflect on a time that you have exhibited resilience. What growth did you see in yourself after this experience? (120 words)

This Virginia Tech application essay is almost identical to the common ‘overcoming challenges’ essay archetype, but with an emphasis on resilience. The best Virginia Tech application essays that answer this prompt will be authentic; the adversity that you overcame does not have to be traumatic or monumental. 

How you handled the challenge is more important than what the challenge was. So, don’t force a topic into your Virginia Tech supplemental essays. Your Virginia Tech essays will be better if you discuss a low-stakes challenge authentically than if you fabricate a high-stakes challenge that doesn’t have implications for your character, skills, or growth. 

Be specific and personal to make your Virginia Tech application essays stand out among the many other qualified applicants. Illustrate the traits and skills that you showed in your resilience. What motivates you? What enabled you to persevere? Your choice of topic is one way to stand out in your Virginia Tech essays, but so is your ability to write about your chosen topic. 

The best Virginia Tech application essays will incorporate elements of vulnerability and transparency. Before drafting your responses to this and each of the Virginia Tech essay prompts, take time to reflect on how your essay conveys your values. Also, remember that rarely do we overcome adversity alone. In your Virginia Tech essays, you can write about how you relied on others as part of being resilient.

Virginia Tech supplemental essays answering this prompt are only 120 words, so let’s talk about structure. In your Virginia Tech essays, take a few sentences to lay the foundation, elaborate descriptively on your story, and emphasize the “so what?” — why does it matter? 

The best way to maximize the 120 word limit in your responses to the Virginia Tech essay prompts is to show instead of tell. Use vivid descriptions instead of simple narration to make the reader feel like they are part of your story. How did you feel? What was your environment like? Who did you interact with? 

Avoid overused cliche examples such as losing a sports game or getting a bad grade unless you can make them extremely unique and personal. 

• Do you show instead of tell your message in your Virginia Tech supplemental essays?
• Is your choice of topic specific and personal?
• Do you focus more on your resilience in handling the challenge than the challenge itself?
• Did you thoroughly proofread your Virginia Tech essays for grammar and content?

How do I write the essays for Virginia Tech: Question 3

Prompt 3: Share a time when you were most proud of yourself either as a role model or when you displayed your leadership. What specific skills did you contribute to the experience? How did others rely on you for guidance? What did you learn about yourself during this time? (120 words)

When choosing your topic to write about for this Virginia Tech supplemental essay, you can discuss being a role model through one of several avenues: influencing others, leadership, resolving a dispute, or contributing to group goals. You have a lot of freedom when answering the Virginia Tech essay prompts! Think about a situation in which you took an active role in a group setting among peers, adults, or your family. In your Virginia Tech essays, highlight how your leadership demonstrates your problem-solving abilities and other character traits. 

When writing your Virginia Tech application essays, don’t worry if you don’t have an official leadership title such as president of a club or student council representative. Virginia Tech does not expect that every leader has a title. The impact you had in your role is significantly more important to discuss in your Virginia Tech supplemental essays than the title or size of the role you held. 

Different kinds of leadership

The leadership you discuss in your response to the Virginia Tech essay questions can be academic, professional, social, or otherwise. Regardless of the type of leadership you choose to discuss, the best Virginia Tech essays will reveal what role you play in group settings and how you build connections with those around you. 

The secret to this one of the Virginia Tech essay prompts is that it’s about collaboration more than leadership. After all, what is a leader without people to lead and other leaders to work with? The stories you select to write about for your Virginia Tech application essays should reveal how your leadership is cooperative in nature; you’re not in it alone!

Though you will inevitably write about other people in your Virginia Tech essay prompts, make sure that you are focusing on your own redeeming qualities and traits. 

• Do you discuss leadership in a collaborative way in your Virginia Tech supplemental essays?
• Do your Virginia Tech admissions essays reveal redeeming qualities about your character?
• Does your choice of topic enable you to highlight your leadership style?
• Do you fully answer all parts of the Virginia Tech essay prompt?

How do I write the essays for Virginia Tech: Question 4

Prompt 4: Describe a goal that you have set and the steps you will take to achieve it. What made you set this goal for yourself? What is your timeline to achieve this goal? Who do you seek encouragement or guidance from as you work on this goal? (120 words)

In your Virginia Tech supplemental essays for this prompt, you can write about many types of goals. You are not limited to just academic goals! Perhaps you have career goals, personal goals, or others. Interestingly, this prompt asks you for a goal that you are currently working toward achieving. Therefore, in your Virginia Tech essays, you must be able to articulate the steps that you are taking — not ones you plan to take or already took.

Another consideration when choosing which goal to write about for your Virginia Tech supplemental essays is the message that the goal and your progress send about what type of person, peer, and student you are. How does what you strive for show who you are?

Don’t forget the “why”

The Virginia Tech essay prompts you with guiding questions: What is your motivation? What is your timeline? Who do you seek help from? But, the most important question is implied: Why? In your Virginia Tech essays, fully answer each of these questions while demonstrating your commitment to learning and growing. 

You should not feel pressure to talk strictly about your academic and career goals in any of your Virginia Tech essays. However, of these Virginia Tech essay questions, that discussion likely fits in this one the most seamlessly. Nevertheless, you should not choose to write about your future plans if they are not clearly articulated or you are applying relatively undecided. With more than 150 majors and 130 minors to choose from, one likely aligns with your interests and goals. Investigate which clubs , classes , and research opportunities could fit your goals.

Whether you choose to write about an academic, personal, social, or another goal in your Virginia Tech essay questions, tell a compelling story about your motivations and aspirations. Help the admissions committee learn more about who you are in a way that your other Virginia Tech essays have not yet revealed.

• In your Virginia Tech essays, do you clearly articulate your goal?
• Is your goal one that you are currently pursuing?
• Do you clearly and concisely answer all parts of the question in 120 words or less?

Additional tips for Virginia Tech essays

In each of your responses to the Virginia Tech essay questions, strive to be honest and sincere while demonstrating growth and reflection. You only have 120 words to use in your response to each of the Virginia Tech essay prompts, so carefully consider the purpose of each word and sentence. Ultimately, aim for your Virginia Tech essays to be meaningful and memorable.

In combination with your Common App or Coalition App personal statement, your Virginia Tech essay prompts will round out the full package of your application. Consider how you can reveal another side of yourself in each of your essays responding to the Virginia Tech essay prompts. If you are applying to the Honors College, that admissions committee will also review your Virginia Tech supplemental essays. 

Virginia Tech Supplemental Essays — Final Thoughts

Before submitting your application, re-read your application and think about how the Virginia Tech admissions team will perceive each aspect of it. Make sure that your Virginia Tech supplement essays say something about you that the reader doesn’t learn in other parts of your application. 

The Virginia Tech essay prompts are only slightly altered from last year’s version, so it is clear that the school values the responses you write in each of your Virginia Tech supplemental essays. Clearly and concisely show the admissions readers who you are through your Virginia Tech essays. Highlight what will make you a star college student. Good luck!

This 2021-2022 essay guide on Virginia Tech was written by Caroline Marapese , Notre Dame ‘20. For more CollegeAdvisor.com resources on Virginia Tech, click here . Want help crafting your Virginia Tech supplemental essays? Create your free account or schedule a free advising consultation by calling (844) 343-6272.

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