Supplemental essays · 2026–27 application
University of Virginia supplemental essays.
The essay question University of Virginia asks this year, word for word, with the word limit and how to approach it.
Checked against admission.virginia.edu and the Common App application on October 18, 2026
What you write: School of Nursing applicants answer one essay, around 250 words (up to 300). Arts and Sciences, Engineering, Architecture and Kinesiology applicants write only the Common App essay.
The essay appears in UVA's Common App questions once you choose the School of Nursing. Students interested in Commerce, Batten, Data Science or Education (other than Kinesiology) apply to the College of Arts and Sciences.
Write every word yourself
UVA says AI can help you brainstorm topics or check grammar, but asks that you not paste any part of your essays from an AI tool, and its honor statement has you pledge that your materials are your own work. Our free review only comments and never writes for you, so every change stays in your words.
School of Nursing: your interest in nursing
Describe a health care-related experience or another significant interaction that deepened your interest in studying Nursing.
School of Nursing applicants only. UVA asks for around 250 words.
How to approach it
- Start with the moment the interest began.
- Show what you’ve already done about it: a class, a project, a book, a job.
- Say where you want to take it, even if you’re not sure yet.
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