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How to Write the Villanova Supplemental Essays

Essay #1: villanova free choice (2022-23), please select one of the five essay prompts listed below to fulfill the writing requirement and respond in about 250 words (min 225 & max 300)., prompt 1: st. augustine states that well-being is “not concerned with myself alone, but with my neighbor’s good as well.” how have you advocated for equity and justice in your communities.

If you choose this prompt, you should be prepared to speak about your own personal experience getting in the trenches and working to create a more equal and accepting community. While engaging in dialogue and thinking deeply about issues is an important part of advocacy, the strongest answers will be tied to the actual steps you’ve taken that have had an impact on those around you. As always, don’t forget to talk about the reason you decided to advocate for this cause. Why is it important to do so, and why has this cause resonated with you personally? Is it something you plan to continue doing in the future?

Prompt 2: What is the truest thing that you know?

This prompt is conducive to a more creative answer than the first. Of course, you could answer this prompt quite literally, but that wouldn’t be nearly as memorable as pushing the boundaries of truth a little bit and letting readers get a sense of your personality. Admissions officers aren’t looking to prove you wrong or fact-check you, they are more interested in how you think about the world and how you defend your argument. If the “truest thing you know” is that your little brother has the most annoying laugh in the world, show them exactly how you know that, and make sure to include some anecdotes!

Prompt 3: One of the themes in St. Augustine’s book, Confessions, is the idea of redemption. Tell us your story of being given a second chance.

This prompt is all about overcoming challenges. If you have already responded to prompt 2 for your personal statement, you may want to consider choosing a different prompt in order to strike a different tone. However, if you have a setback that you have yet to write about, this is the perfect time to get reflective and show admissions that you are a mature, thoughtful person. The truth is that everyone makes mistakes. Sometimes we are lucky enough to have second chances, and how we learn from our failures and what we do with those second chances can say a lot about us. Remember not to spend too much time talking about your misstep in this essay, the majority of your writing should focus on how you responded and what you learned!

Prompt 4: In the Villanova community, we believe that we all learn from one another. What is a lesson in life that you have learned that you would want to share with others?

This is your chance to write about a wonderful lesson or piece of advice that you received and pay it forward. By selecting this prompt, you are already indicating that you are the type of person who invests in others. Be cautious not to be too evangelical in your tone; through reflection and anecdotes, show readers how their understanding of the world, others, or themselves can be improved by adopting this wisdom. The lesson does not need to be entirely unique, it can be a simple reminder, but the story of how you learned it should be. It will be easiest to write about your life lesson through a specific story or anecdote. Some students try to be humorous here, but it’s very difficult to strike the right balance. It’s best to stick to a more thoughtful and straightforward response if you choose this prompt!

Prompt 5: Augustine’s “Miracles are not contrary to nature but only contrary to what we know about nature.” Tell us about a societal issue that you believe the wonder of technology is well-poised to help solve.

If you are a STEM student, a tech enthusiast, or a dreamer, this prompt will probably inspire you. At any given moment, there are many societal ills that technology is just on the cusp of addressing. Scientific advancements and the people who work to achieve them help propel us to new heights as a society, and we owe them gratitude. If you feel this way, this is likely the prompt for you. It’s best to approach this essay with an idea in mind, something that you’ve been following closely and are already aware of. Grounding your answer in specific knowledge of a subject is essential, and answers that address broad societal issues such as hunger or poverty and make sweeping claims about technology’s power to solve them will not be very strong. Focus on a specific issue and a specific technology that is currently being used to solve this problem but hasn’t quite gotten there yet. What’s the breakthrough that will finish the job and why are you convinced it will happen? Good luck!

Essay #2: Why Villanova?

In addition, the admission committee would like to know why you want to call villanova your new home and become part of our community please respond in about 150 words. (min 125 & max 200).

This is a classic ‘why this school’ essay. It requires you to research Villanova and paint a picture of how you and the university are a good fit for one another. Be careful not to simply list opportunities offered at the school. Instead, write about a few of the aspects of the school that most interest you. Maybe it’s a particular degree program, perhaps it’s the campus culture, or maybe it’s a specific lab that is conducting unique research in one of your areas of interest. Regardless, you should weave a cohesive story through this essay that explains how your high school accomplishments align with Villanova’s values, as well as what you plan to do on campus to make the most of your college experience and add to the campus community. Remember that you don’t have much space, so make sure you are going for quality over quantity with the particular feature (or two) of Villanova you choose to feature in your writing.

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How to Write the Villanova University Essays 2024-2025

Villanova has one supplemental essay prompt, which allows you to choose from five options. You want to take advantage of this flexibility, and choose the option that best complements what you already show elsewhere in your application. Particularly since all five options are fairly different from the standard supplemental prompts, be thoughtful about which one you select.

First, read all of the options carefully, even if you think you are sure about which one you will choose. Second, note which one(s) stick out—for example, perhaps Option B reminds you of a meaningful reconciliation with a friend. If you immediately feel an emotional connection to one of the prompts, that can be a good sign that you’ll be able to write a strong response. 

Finally, think about how each prompt would add to your application as a whole, and make sure that the prompt you choose won’t lead to redundancies. For example, say you are drawn to Option A, but your Common App essay is about your advocacy work through your school’s Feminism Club. In that case, you might be better off with one of the other options so you don’t repeat yourself.

If you do still choose Option A, make sure that you approach the topic from a new perspective, such as, for example, by describing your wide-reaching work in club social media management rather than your weekly volunteer work at the local women’s shelter.

Read this Villanova essay example written by  real accepted student to inspire your writing!

Villanova University Supplemental Essay Prompts

Prompt: Please select one of the five essay prompts listed below to fulfill the writing requirement and respond in about 250 words.

• Option A: St. Augustine states that well-being is “not concerned with myself alone, but with my neighbor’s good as well.” How have you advocated for equity and justice in your communities?
• Option B: What is a lesson in life that you have learned that you would want to share with others at Villanova?
• Option C: “Villanova” means “new home.” Why do you want to call Villanova your new home?
• Option D: As an Augustinian community, we value recognizing individuals for their true selves. Please share with us a time when you were misjudged based on your identity, background, experiences, or interests.
• Option E: At Villanova, we often say “each of us strengthens all of us.” Please detail a time when someone has borrowed some of your strength in their time of need.

St. Augustine states that well-being is “not concerned with myself alone, but with my neighbor’s good as well.”  How have you advocated for equity and justice in your communities? (about 250 words)

It seems that Villanova greatly values community and group efforts. It’s important to do a little bit of research about the key values of the schools you’re applying to, which are often made evident by their application prompts, mottos, marketing messages, and even conversations with current students. 

In this essay, highlight your concern for fairness, community, and selflessness through concrete and specific details. When possible, reference specific organization names, people you have worked with, and raw numbers (i.e: number of people served, amount of money raised, total attendance of a charity event, etc.) Avoid vague generalities and consider starting off your essay with a lively, brief anecdote to bring your story to life. 

Many applicants may write about posts they shared or reposted on social media during times of social crisis. Although these are valuable forms of activism to raise awareness on important issues, sharing a more unique experience may help you stand out! Did you write or speak to any local authorities, for example? Attend/organize a protest?

Here are some questions to consider as you brainstorm: 

Advocacy specifically refers to the act of speaking on the behalf of or in support of another person, place, or thing. How did you speak up? Whose voices have you amplified?

Example: A student writes about her experience attending the 2017 Women’s March in Washington, D.C with her mother and sisters to protest sexual harassment and advocate for women’s reproductive rights. 

What community service work have you done? Who did this work serve, and how did it help bring them closer to justice? Remember, your response doesn’t have to be directly related to the social, economic, racial or political justice of human beings; advocacy for animals and the environment counts as well!

Example: A student illustrates how his family’s tradition of volunteering at a soup kitchen every Thanksgiving, has sparked a passion in him to research and combat food insecurity and food deserts in the US in his city.  

Are you a part of a group that has historically suffered injustice? How have you advocated for yourself and your community?

Example: A Native American student from the Zuni Reservation in New Mexico narrates the injustices her community has faced in cultural erasure. She creates content on social media to increase awareness of her tribe’s rich history and fading language. 

The most important thing to remember when approaching this prompt is to focus on an issue that really resonated with you. Sometimes social media can make it seem like there is a right and wrong way to approach activism – stay true to yourself! The way you advocate for equity and justice in your community may differ from other applicants. Allow these differences to let you stand out and illustrate what you’re truly passionate about. 

What is a lesson in life that you have learned that you would want to share with others at Villanova? (about 250 words)

This prompt is asking you to reflect on a significant life lesson that has shaped who you are and what you value. Villanova is a university rooted in community, service, and moral development, so you’d ideally choose a lesson that reflects these values. 

To help you brainstorm, consider this list of questions. 

• In your life, have you had any pivotal moments, challenges, successes, or experiences that changed your perspective? 
• Has anything happened to you that changed you, your values, or how you see the world? If you can’t think of anything specific, try thinking of a value you hold and reflect on where that value comes from. 
• What is a belief or lesson that’s deeply important to you? Where does it come from? Why is it important?
• Are there any lessons you’ve learned or beliefs you hold that mesh especially well with Villanova’s mission? 

To begin, focus mainly on generating as many ideas as possible–it’s better to have too many options than too few, as having too many means you can honestly evaluate which is the strongest. Then you can trim them down based on the following considerations. 

First, you’ll want to pick something unique. Villanova admissions will be reading hundreds of essays, and you want yours to stand out from the crowd. While it’s practically impossible to write about something they’ve absolutely never seen before, there are some topics that are widely known cliches , like overcoming a sports setback, or traveling somewhere to volunteer in a new community. These topics are best avoided unless yours has an angle that’s truly unique to you. 

In addition to being authentic, you also want to give Villanova a comprehensive sense of who you are, so pick a lesson with some depth. It might shed light on where you come from, what you value, or how you live your life. Combining authenticity with personal meaning will make for the most compelling essays.

Another powerful choice is to pick a story that connects to your future, particularly your future at Villanova. As noted above, you could make this connection through Villanova’s values, or you could reference some specific ways you hope to contribute to their campus community.

If you take this approach, like in a “Why School?” essay you’ll want to make sure you’re being truly specific to Villanova, by citing particular student groups you hope to join or professors you hope to work with, rather than vaguely gesturing at things you could do anywhere, like meeting like-minded peers or studying a general topic like English.

With these pointers in mind, consider the following examples of lessons students might write about, to give you a more concrete idea of what your own response could look like. 

• A student from a military background might write about how she learned the importance of adaptability and resilience after moving seven times before high school. She could write about how she learned to embrace change and make new connections quickly, and how she plans to share this skill at Villanova by helping other students navigate transitions and build a supportive community.
• A basketball player who struggled with perfectionism could write about the lesson he learned from his experiences with burnout. He might discuss how he realized the importance of self-compassion and balance, and how he hopes to share this lesson at Villanova by advocating for mental health awareness and support among his peers.
• An applicant who spent years volunteering at their local senior center might have learned the value of humility and listening to others. They could describe how stories from a different generation taught them to appreciate life for the journey, not the destination, and how they want to bring this mindset to Villanova by setting up inclusive discussions and mindfulness workshops

“Villanova” means “new home.” Why do you want to call Villanova your new home? (about 250 words)

This is more or less your standard “ Why This School? ” essay. Here, you’ll simply have to explain not only why you would love to go to Villanova, but also why they should love to have you! In short, you are demonstrating fit .

For a typical essay of this type, we recommend that you do plenty of research about the school, its traditions, and if known, your major within the school. Make a list of things that stand out to you as true, legitimate reasons to attend the school, as well as ways you can contribute.

For example, Villanova is the only Augustinian Catholic university in the nation and the school values its duality between faith and learning. A few of the Augustinian values that Villanova references are Veritas, Unitas, and Caritas (meaning truth, unity, and love). What do these values mean to you? How attending a University with these values will impact your learning? 

Additionally, we recommend sticking with only a few talking points in this essay, as your space is limited and you may want to draw from personal experiences to explain how your past work will make you a great addition to the school. In short, how can you make this campus better? How can you stand out, and how can you fit in? Keep your writing specific, concise, and highly personalized. Which traits, or combination of traits, make you a uniquely good fit for this school?

Here are some examples: 

1. An applicant is drawn to Villanova because the Augustinian values resonate with her Catholic upbringing. She has always been passionate about both agricultural science and environmental sustainability, but has struggled to find a major that aligns with her academic interest.. She decides to apply to the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences (CLAS) at Villanova and leverage the school’s Individually Designed Major (IDM) program where she can create a unique major in the study of EcoGastronomy (the study of food, agriculture, and environment). 

2. Coming from a rural conservative community, a student wishes he could become a more informed ally to help educate his peers. He is excited to learn that Villanova offers in-depth DEI (Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion) training through a course called the Advancing Equity & Justice Curriculum. This program will give the applicant the tools that he needs to be a better advocate for diverse individuals. 

Since you’re limited to about 250 words, your response needs to be concise, specific, and personal. You’ll want to avoid wasting any of your precious words on generalities that could apply to any applicant or any college, like in this bad example below:

“Villanova has always been one of my top choices because of its strong reputation as a prestigious university. I’ve heard great things about the academic programs, particularly in the sciences, which is an area I’m interested in exploring further. I want to attend a school where I can receive a quality education that will open doors for me in the future, and Villanova seems like the perfect place to achieve my goals.

Additionally, I’m looking forward to being part of a tight-knit community. I’ve read that Villanova has a strong sense of school spirit, and I think it would be exciting to be part of that environment. The location is also ideal because it’s close to major cities like Philadelphia, which offers many opportunities for internships and cultural experiences.

Overall, Villanova seems like a place where I can grow both academically and personally, surrounded by people who are passionate about their education and community. I’m eager to experience the beautiful campus and all that Villanova has to offer as I prepare for my future.”

Compare this with the following, much stronger example:

“In my multicultural home, thinking beyond borders and understanding global interconnectedness was nothing special; it was how we lived. My mother, an immigrant from Haiti, would share stories about challenges her community faced, from political instability to lack of access to necessities. She and my father made sure to remind me that though Haiti and these issues might feel far away, they are a part of me and my history. Not just that, but people in our hometown faced similar problems to those my mom once did. These conversations instilled in me a deep commitment to public service and social justice, both globally and locally.

At Villanova, I’m eager to deepen my understanding of global issues through the Center for Peace and Justice Education, where I can explore international relations and human rights. The university’s emphasis on service-learning resonates with my belief that education should extend beyond the classroom and into communities that need it most. I’m particularly drawn to the Villanova Service and Justice Experiences, where I can combine my academic interests with hands-on service, contributing to meaningful change in both local and global communities.

Villanova’s values of veritas, unitas, and caritas align perfectly with my own principles. I see Villanova as more than just a place to study; it’s a community where I can grow both intellectually and morally, surrounded by peers and faculty who share my dedication to making the world a better place.” 

In addition to taking full advantage of the available space, this second essay displays a deeper knowledge of Villanova, by citing resources that can only be found at this particular institution, and that clearly fit into the student’s plan for what they want to do once they arrive on campus. We also learn about the student’s background, their values, and how they developed those values, so we can easily connect their past experiences to their potential future at Villanova.

Basically, the first example could have been written about another college, by another student, but the second is unique to both Villanova and this particular student.

For more tips on this prompt archetype, check out our stellar essay examples , research tips , and video guide !

As an Augustinian community, we value recognizing individuals for their true selves. Please share with us a time when you were misjudged based on your identity, background, experiences, or interests. (about 250 words)

This option, which has some overlap with the common “Diversity” prompt, has two pieces to it. First, you need to choose an aspect of your identity or background, ideally one you haven’t yet had a chance to dive into elsewhere in your application. Then, you will discuss a time you were misjudged because of this aspect of yourself, and how you responded or what you learned from this experience. Let’s break down each of those pieces. 

Usually, in writing about identity, you would want to choose a feature of yourself that is important to you and/or affects how you see the world. For this prompt specifically, however, you may want to channel your brainstorming less towards what’s important to your own self-image, and more towards features of your identity that affect how others see you. Of course, there may well be overlap between the two, but if you aren’t sure where to start, the latter category is a better jumping off point.

If you’ve experienced prejudice in the form of racism, sexism, homophobia, or something of the sort, this is a good place to talk about it, but you also don’t have to have experienced bigotry to answer this prompt effectively. Here are some examples of essays that could fit this prompt.

• A student who struggles with people asking him if he fits the stereotype of the neglected, forgotten middle child. 
• A student writing about how after she started lifting, her mom warned her that she wouldn’t like the way she looked with muscles, because muscles look weird on women. 
• Another student could write about how the GSA at his school assumed that he could not be religious because he was gay. 
• Another student wrote about how he was considered weird for asking his older sister to teach him to sew. 

All of these stories involve identity, but they come at the topic from unexpected angles. As you write your essay, try to think about times that you’ve surprised the people around you, or even surprised yourself. 

After you’ve chosen the moment of misjudgment that you’re going to write about, the second piece of this essay is discussing how you felt about this experience, and what you learned from it. In the moment, it likely didn’t feel great. But were you able to talk your feelings out with the person you had the interaction with, or debrief with friends or family after? Did it strengthen your resolve to keep doing what you were doing, or make you decide to work towards changing people’s perceptions of you? Or maybe it made you more aware of the way that snap judgments can hurt. 

This kind of reflection should be the real focus of your essay – the aspect of your identity you’ve chosen to write about may be important to you, but this essay is asking you to see people for who they truly are, and the impact it can have when others don’t do that. So, the majority of your essay should discuss how it felt to be misjudged, how you got past it (if applicable), and how you plan to take what you’ve learned from this experience into your future. 

Finally, we’d like to note that this prompt is asking you to reflect on an experience that was undoubtedly painful, and sharing that pain with a bunch of strangers thousands of miles away can be hard. But this is also a chance to showcase your resilience and capacity for reflection, so we would recommend not focusing merely on the experience of prejudice, bigotry, or simple misunderstanding. Rather than prioritizing the negative feelings associated with this encounter, center your own ability to learn from it, and apply your new knowledge in the future.

At Villanova, we often say “each of us strengthens all of us.” Please detail a time when someone has borrowed some of your strength in their time of need. (about 250 words)

This prompt asks you to demonstrate your capacity for self-reflection, your selflessness, and your support of those around you. Villanova values community, mutual support, and collective well-being, and they want to see how you embody these values in your own life, by being empathetic, taking on leadership roles, and making an impact on others. With just 250 words to work with, it’s important to select the right anecdote, so let’s talk about what that looks like. 

To start, you’ll want a strong, specific story. While you might “lend your strength” every day, you want to be able to anchor this ability in a particular event or moment, as that will make your story more compelling and memorable than a vague description that could blur together with someone else’s essay. 

Details are key, so make sure you pick an occasion that you can vividly describe. You also want to choose one that will stand out as unique to you–avoid cliché stories like supporting a teammate while they rehabbed an injury or helping your friend with their homework during a challenging history unit.

Ideally, your story should also show initiative. In other words, a story where you went out of your way to lend your strength to someone will make a bigger impact than one where they had to ask you for help. Colleges love students who will go out of their way to make their campus community a better place.

Finally, don’t forget to be specific about the impact your selflessness had on others. Though it might feel like bragging, this is exactly what the prompt is asking for, and the admissions team will have no way of knowing how effective you were if you don’t tell them.

Being able to concretely demonstrate the positive influence you had will show your empathy, awareness, and readiness to deeply reflect on and learn from the events in question. Additionally, talking about the others involved in your story actually makes you come across as unselfish, as it shows that you are paying attention to and caring about others. 

The thing you want to avoid is making the essay solely about you. Rather than saying something like “I could tell my actions made a big difference,” give an example of something the other person said or did that proves your impact. Your essay should illustrate how you truly helped them, not how good you felt about helping them.

If you’re still feeling stuck on what to write about, consider these examples of prospective students and their potential essay topics.

• A student who became the informal leader of their robotics team after the captain had to step down due to a family emergency might write about taking on these responsibilities without the cachet of the official title, because that’s what was needed in the moment. 
• A student who helped their younger sibling navigate remote learning, helping them with homework while their parents worked long hours during the pandemic. 
• A student who organized a community clean-up and support network after a natural disaster struck their town. They might focus on what they learned about civic engagement and community spirit, as well as the wish to restore their home. 
• A student who helped a friend come out as LGBTQ+ to their conservative family could write not only about their support, research, and brainstorming, but also how they were impressed by their friend’s strength. 

These examples all do an excellent job of walking the line between showing that the student made a genuine impact, and still keeping the focus on the person/community they helped.

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Need feedback faster? Get a  free, nearly-instantaneous essay review  from Sage, our AI tutor and advisor. Sage will rate your essay, give you suggestions for improvement, and summarize what admissions officers would take away from your writing. Use these tools to improve your chances of acceptance to your dream school!

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Perserverence anonymous, villanova law school.

“Dad, I hate the shot put. It’s so hard,” I whined as we walked away from the throwing area. “Can I just quit?” My dad paused and bent down to look me in the eyes.

“Thanithia, if you quit something just because it’s hard, you’ll be quitting for...

Personal Statement Anonymous

My Oxford-educated great-grandfather served as a high court judge in the British Indian Civil Service during the early 1900s. Administering justice with an iron fist, he earned the nickname “The Hanging Judge” and firmly believed this practice to...

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5 Tips for Writing an Amazing Villanova Essay

Villanova University is a private, Catholic research university in Pennsylvania. With a 20 percent acceptance rate, it's considered moderately competitive —but even that level of selectiveness has an average GPA just shy of 4.0. But acceptance to Villanova isn't just about your test scores and GPA; you'll also need to nail the Villanova supplement essay, rounding out your application with a strong representation of yourself.

In this guide, we'll cover all of Villanova's essay prompts and how to best answer them, including potential topics and pitfalls.

Feature Image: abbike18 /Wikimedia Commons

What Are the Villanova Essay Prompts?

Villanova University only accepts the Common Application . In addition to the required Common Application essay question, you'll be writing additional supplemental essays specifically for Villanova.

Two more supplemental essays are required as part of your application. The first essay, called Villanova Free Choice, gives you five options, and you only have to answer one. You'll have about 250 words to work with!

No prompt is inherently better than the others—pick whichever appeals to you most. Each one is unique to Villanova, and they all add their own flair to the expected essay format.

The second essay is a "Why This College" essay. Essentially, admissions counselors want to know why Villanova is the perfect school for you...in about 150 words, which isn't very much space!

Now, let's take a closer look at these essay prompts and how to answer them.

For the first essay, you'll get to choose which prompt you answer. Read on to make sure you're picking the Villanova prompt that gives you the best chance of getting in!

Essay Prompt #1: Villanova Free Choice

This section gives you five essay prompts. You'll only have to answer one!

The Villanova website suggests that you answer this essay in 250 words even though you have a maximum of 300 words on the Common App. Our recommendation? Keep your response as close to 250 words as possible!

Free Choice Option #1: The Equity and Justice Prompt

St. Augustine states that well-being is “not concerned with myself alone, but with my neighbor’s good as well.” How have you advocated for equity and justice in your communities?

What Is This Essay Asking You to Do?

Essay prompts addressing equity and justice are very common in the college application process. Why? Because equity and justice are core values of many schools! This means that your response needs to show that you value equity and justice too. 

To show that you hold these core values, you’ll need to tell a real story about a time when you advocated for equity and justice in a community you belong to. The community you choose to write about is up to you, but your response should focus on the actions you took to promote the well-being of your “neighbors,” and why.

What Makes A Good Answer?

#1: Focus on your communities. To answer this question well, think about where you come 

from. What communities are you a part of? Who are the people in these communities? Your act of advocating for equity and justice should involve people who you consider to be your “neighbors”--and that ultimately means that your response should be personal. Pick a scenario in which you advocated for equity and justice for people you truly care about. Your passion will definitely shine through in your response!

#2: Explain what equity and justice mean to you. While there's a generally accepted definition of what constitutes "equity and justice," you may have had life experiences that have infused these words with some specific meanings to you. If you have a definition of equity and justice in your own words that you feel is powerful, include it in your response, and explain how you arrived at that definition.

#3: Place yourself at the center of the action. A good response here will highlight how you have been directly involved in or impacted by equity and justice as you understand it. For example, maybe you realized your high school English reading list included no texts written by people of color, so you got with other students to advocate for changes to the reading list. Highlight something you've done or experienced firsthand to showcase how, like Villanova, equity and justice are at the core of who you are.

What Are Some Potential Essay Topics?

In addition to the essay topics above, consider these possibilities: 

• You realized that many students at your school didn’t have a working understanding of what “equity” actually means! You organized a production with your school’s theatre department that put on a dramatic portrayal of what equity looks like in real life. Proceeds from the production went to a nonprofit organization that students in your school collectively chose.
• You worked with the students who are in the top 10 percent of your high school class to offer summer tutoring sessions to lower income elementary school students who struggled with standardized testing.

Are There Pitfalls You Should Avoid?

#1: Avoid shallow answers. This question isn't really asking you to write about the time that someone was left out on the playground and you invited them into your jump rope game. You'll need to think a bit deeper about what "equity and justice" can mean, and you'll have to show that you understand these concepts on a cultural, social, and/or political level. Think about the implications of equity and justice beyond just inviting someone "in" who was on the outside, and your answer will show Villanova admissions that you have a complex understanding of one of the school's core values.

#2: Don’t brag. Yes, you need to make your actions the centerpiece of your response to this question. But don’t exaggerate the effects of your efforts! Just be truthful about what you accomplished and what the outcome was. There’s no need to brag about your advocacy. The facts of your active participation in efforts for equity and justice will speak for themselves in your response.

Free Choice Option #2: The Truest Thing Prompt

What is the truest thing that you know?

Everyone has principles that guide their life, and this free choice essay prompt is asking you to describe one of yours. In about 250 words, you'll need to respond to this prompt--if you choose it--by selecting the one truest thing you know, and explaining how you came to that conclusion.

Now, don't get bogged down worrying about whether Villanova admissions will agree that your "truest thing" is actually the truest: the prompt asks about the truest thing that you know because they want to see what values guide your life to make you who you are. To "justify" your answer, you'll just need to tell the story of how you came to the conclusion that your truest thing is true.

#1: Tell a story. Think about an experience or situation that showcased the truth of the thing you decide to write about. For example, say you decide that your truest thing is Mr. Rogers' claim: "Look for the helpers. You will always find people who are helping." Maybe there was a situation where your community was hit hard by a natural disaster and you were encouraged by working alongside the helpers who worked to restore your community. Whatever truest thing you choose to write about, telling the story of how you saw the truthfulness of it in a real situation from your life will make this response memorable.

#2: Pick something that 's t otally you. There are probably a lot of things you find to be true that guide your life, but for this response, write about the one that is most likely to showcase one of your core qualities or values. For instance, maybe you've been working hard to practice meditation, and you've become known for your ability to keep calm in tough times. So your truest thing is that through mindfulness, we can find peace in the world around us. Whatever the case may be, write about a "truth" that exemplifies who you are.

#3: Think outside the box. Consider "truest things" that aren't necessarily super serious. Can funny things be true? Can truest things be said with a touch of sarcasm? Yes, and yes. Remember that the point of these free choice essays is to show the person behind the application. As long as you can provide meaningful context for your "truest thing," it's totally fine if yours is funny, ironic, or just kind of kooky.

On top of the essay options above, consider these potential topics:

• You pick a quote from your favorite literary character and tell the story of how that quote became true to you. Maybe that happened through a tough situation with a friend, but it taught you the value of learning from literature...and the insight helped you patch up the situation!
• You tell the story of how you went into a challenging situation believing one thing to be true, but came out on the other side of the situation with a whole new perspective. You explain why that new perspective informs your everyday life choices in the present.

#1: Don't get too cheesy. Your "truest thing" can be something basic to human existence, an ironic quote from Friends, or a principle taken from a philosophical or religious perspective that guides your life, but don't get too cheesy if you're picking a quote. Maybe leave the Dr. Seuss quotes for graduation ceremonies and try putting your "truest thing" into your own words instead.

#2: Don't obsess about finding a quote. Instead of getting caught up trying to think of some pithy quote to talk about, let your memories of meaningful moments in your life guide you to what to write about here. Your "truest thing" doesn't have to be some flowery statement from Bill Gates or John F. Kennedy. You can use your own experiences as your "truest thing," too!

This prompt is all about your relationship with technology!

Free Choice Option #3: The Second Chances Prompt

One of the themes in St. Augustine's book, Confessions, is the idea of redemption. Tell us your story of being given a second chance.

This essay prompt is asking you to explain your understanding of the idea of redemption based on your personal experiences and/or observations.

This question is tied to Villanova's core values, so it's going to be important to them to see that you're a person who has thought through the value of second chances. Telling a story about your experiences with second chances will show admissions counselors that you understand the positive potential of mistakes.

#1: Tell a personal story. The prompt is explicit here: you’re being asked to tell a story about a time you were given a second chance . For instance, maybe you got super busy in high school and neglected your younger sister. When she told you her feelings were hurt, you apologized and made a commitment to spend more time with her. In your response, you could explain how receiving a second chance from a family member taught you that not all hurt is intentional, and you now give others the benefit of the doubt when you're upset.

#2: Reflect on your experience. Like with most of the essay prompts here, you also need to explain what you learned from the experience. Specifically, you need to reflect on what your experience of being given a second chance taught you about redemption. You don’t have to get too philosophical, but you should tie in some explanation of what redemption means to you after being given a second chance in your life.

On top of the possible topics mentioned above, here are two more sample topics to consider:

• You decide to describe your first ever memory of being given a second chance when you were a young child. You describe how that experience laid the foundation for your current definition of redemption.
• You had an experience when you let your team down, but when you came to apologize, the team welcomed you back with open arms. You explain how the experience taught you the transformative power of unconditional love and how second chances make communities stronger.

#1: You forget the personal aspect. Yes, there are plenty of stories about second chances in religious literature and folklore, but chances are that Villanova admissions is already familiar with those stories. You need to tell a story that is more personal or current than that—a real experience or observation of a second chance that has impacted you.

#2: Keep it personal, but not too personal. If you choose to tell about a time that you were given a second chance or that you gave someone else a second chance, don't go too far into the gory details. While you want your response to be genuine and personal, you also want to leave out any details that may put the other people involved in an uncomfortable position.

Free Choice Option #4: The Lessons Learned Prompt

In the Villanova community, we believe that we all learn from one another. What is a lesson in life that you have learned that you would want to share with others?

Do your core values and life choices line up with Villanova's values? If yes, can you prove it? That's basically the crux of what this free choice prompt is asking. Villanova has strong community values that they want to see their future students exhibiting in their own lives. This is your time to show that the lessons you’ve learned in your life have led you to similar values--and that you’re willing to share them with others.

Specifically, this prompt is asking you to tell your story through the lens of a lesson you’ve learned. In other words, you'll need to explain what you learned, how you learned it, and back that up through a description of your real life experiences.

#1: Focus on your background. To answer this question well, dig into your experiences with others in your life. This question emphasizes the idea of learning from your community. Think of a time in your life when you learned something meaningful from a person in your community, whether that’s a friend, mentor, or even someone you didn’t necessarily connect with previously. Use your personal experience as a way to answer this prompt.

#2: Emphasize the experience that taught you the lesson. A good response to this question will show the lesson you learned rather than telling. Did you learn that it’s okay to lean on others when you’re struggling? Did you learn how to find contentment despite difficult circumstances? Whatever you choose to write about, you need to focus on your feelings and actions surrounding what you learned . Delving into the details of the experience that taught you the lesson--and how you felt about it--rather than waxing philosophic about the lesson itself will make a compelling response to this question. 

#3: Pivot to Villanova at the end. Like most of these prompts, this one is asking you to provide some insight into what kind of a student you’ll be at Villanova. This means that part of your response must include your thoughts on why you’d want to share your lesson with the Villanova community. So, think about more universal applications of your lesson. If you were sharing your lesson with fellow students at Villanova, how would you make it relatable to their lives as well?

If you're looking for topic ideas, in addition to the two mentioned above, try these on for size:

• You tell the story of a time when you pushed for a change that would make a policy or experience inclusive of a group who was being left out … but despite your efforts, the change didn’t happen. Then you explain what that experience taught you about how inclusion/exclusion affects people's lives.
• You tell the story of a lesson you learned due to your life circumstances in your home. You explain how those conditions helped form your core outlook on persevering through difficult life circumstances in your response to this prompt.

#1: Avoid cliches. This essay isn’t the place to write about how you learned to never judge a book by its cover or that a penny saved is a penny earned. Don’t invoke idioms or common catchphrases here--they’ll come across as shallow and insincere. The best way to avoid this is to come up with a real example from your life and put what you learned in your own words.

#2: Avoid answers where you aren't an active participant. There have probably been times in your life when you learned something, but you weren’t an active participant in the situation. But this isn't the time to write about situations where you were just a passive observer. Instead, think about a time in your life where you were involved in the action and explain how you participated. This free choice option is your chance to show Villanova that you are willing and able to learn in a wide range of circumstances.

Free Choice Option #5: The Technology Prompt

Augustine's “Miracles are not contrary to nature but only contrary to what we know about nature.” Tell us about a societal issue that you believe the wonder of technology is well-poised to help solve.

This essay prompt is a classic problem-and-solution question, but with a twist: it’s asking you to think of a problem affecting society on a broad scale and explain how you think technology could help solve it. 

This prompt isn’t just for tech experts, though. If you choose this prompt, this is your opportunity to write about a societal issue that you truly care about and use the knowledge you have about technology to imagine a solution . Yes, you want your response to be grounded in reality, but this is also your chance to dream about how real technologies could bring about a better future.

#1: Write from the heart. The best response to this question will be rooted in things you’re already familiar with. Choose to write about a societal issue that’s close to your heart, whether that’s something that affects your local community, a cultural community you’re a member of, or an issue affecting people all over the world. Writing about an issue you truly care about will help your response read as genuine and sincere.

#2: Focus on what you know. The second piece of your response should propose a solution to the societal problem you care about--a solution that involves technology. The technology you propose as a solution to that problem should be something you have experience with in some way. For instance, maybe you’ve spent hours researching cutting edge tech for renewable energy, or you brought a little joy to your high school by doing the daily announcements on TikTok during the COVID-19 pandemic. Choosing an application of technology that you can write about with confidence will make a convincing response to this question.

In addition to the examples above, consider the following possible topics:

• You explain how the limitless connectivity on social networking sites has given you a global perspective on art and culture. You describe how you've connected with other teens from different parts of the world to collaborate on art projects and share them online, and how you would scale this collaboration up for teens around the world.
• You describe how seeing hashtags used in the #MeToo movement and the movement to end gun violence helped you understand a whole new way to create social change. You explain that these examples have motivated you to explore channels for political activism through social media in your own life, and how you would use hashtags to mobilize your peers for political action in the future.

#1: Don't trash social media. Everyone knows that technology has its drawbacks. But this free response question isn't the place to harp on the ethical issues wrapped up in social media. Instead, focus your response on the potentials of social media and other technology to solve real problems.

#2: Don't lose track of your goal. You don't want to waste your response by talking on about all the different ways you use social media and technology in your life. That's not the point of this question. Instead of focusing on technology itself, focus on explaining how a particular condition created by technology could be applied to existing societal problems.

(Sophia J/ Wikimedia )

The "Why Nova" Essay

The second Villanova essay you'll have to write for your Villanova supplement is the " Why This College " essay. Here's the prompt:

Why do you want to call Villanova your new home and how will you become part of our community? (About 150 words)

You'll need to get to know the Villanova community in order to respond to this required essay prompt. In approximately 150 words, you need to do one main thing in your response here: explain what it is about Villanova that makes you want to call it "home."

Since the prompt uses words like "home," "community," and "history," you want your response to show that you've done your research about Villanova . This means that your response should go beyond praising Villanova's great academics or religious affiliation to highlight specific things that you've learned about the school's history, culture, and identity that make you feel like you'll fit right in as a student there.

#1: Go into specifics about "Nova." This prompt is inviting you to show what you know about Villanova by touching on specific aspects of the school that appeal to you . For example, maybe your research revealed that undergraduate students at Villanova can partner with faculty for research projects, and that makes you feel like you'll be welcomed into a community of scholarly collaboration. Think about who you are and who you hope to be at Villanova, then write about one or two aspects of Villanova that make you think, "This is a place where I can achieve my goals."

#2: Explain the why. In addition to describing specific aspects of Villanova's offerings that appeal to you, you want to explain why those things are appealing. For example, maybe you're thrilled to find out that the English department offers an annual Literary Festival, so you explain that that aspect of Villanova is appealing to you because you're an aspiring author. Pairing your "what" with a "why" shows that your decision to apply to Villanova is based on thoughtful reflection.

#3: Connect everything to the future. Picture yourself at Villanova in the context of the things that appeal to you about the school. If you're excited about the Literary Festival, mention in your response that you can't wait to help organize the festival when you are a student. Positioning yourself as an active future member of the Villanova community in your response will help admissions see that you're serious about your education and about Villanova.

In addition to the examples above, here are a couple of potential essay topics:

• Your research reveals that Villanova has come out strong in support of the Black Lives Matter movement. You write about how this stance for justice makes you feel that your dedication to racial justice will be supported by the school when you are a student there.
• Your research reveals that Villanova lives out the Christian Mission by engaging in tangible, ongoing service toward creating a more equitable society. You write about how you feel excited about participating in these efforts as a member of the Nova Nation.

#1: Avoid talking about academics only. This essay is your chance to show that you're attracted to Villanova for more than just its stellar academics. Take this chance to show that "education" means more to you than just sitting in a classroom making good grades. Think about things about Villanova community life that foster learning outside of the classroom and write about them here.

#2: Don't include too many talking points. Yes, Villanova's athletic programs, and their outreach programs, and their undergraduate research opportunities might all be things that draw you to the school, but it's best to pick just one thing here and write about it. This will keep your response from being chaotic and all over the place. Consider choosing the one thing about Villanova that gets you the most excited and go all in for explaining why and how you'll fit into that niche once you get to campus.

Key Tips for Writing the Villanova Essay

Though Villanova's essay prompts are targeted specifically for their school, there are quite a few guidelines you can follow to make your essay strong regardless of what school you're applying for.

Brainstorming doesn't have to be an intensive process. Beginning a project is often the hardest part; taking a minute or five to get a bunch of ideas down on paper, regardless of their quality, lets you get to work without pressure. Take a deep breath, set a timer, and start jotting down as many ideas as you can think of. Once you're done, pick the ones that sound most appealing and move on to the next step.

Now that you have some ideas, you can start spinning them into outlines. Take a few of the ideas that are most appealing to you and start answering the supplemental questions that should come up in your essay. For example, if you're answering the first prompt, you should not only be thinking about your personal experiences with diversity, but also how you hope to support equity at Villanova.

Sketch out a brief plan for each topic. If you find you don't have enough points to make, it's probably not the right idea. Repeat until you have a few outlines to choose from, and then choose the one that you feel strongest about.

Now that you already have an outline, it's far easier to actually write your essay. On your first draft, don't worry too much about staying within the page limit. Don't even worry about word choice or having something you're ready to show somebody else. Just focus on getting all of your ideas down on the page so that you have something to do for the next stage.

Now comes the point where you start taking what you've done and turning it into gold. Editing isn't just about fine-tuning your grammar and spelling ; read your draft aloud to find places where your sentences run on too long, or places where you've used the wrong word. Cut extra words and take out sections that aren't serving your thesis. Be brutal; you can always add things back in if you find you miss them!

Get Feedback

Once you've done a few editing passes on your essay, it's time for the scariest part: showing it to others. Ask a few people who are invested in your success but who aren't likely to be too harsh or overly kind in their suggestions—teachers, coaches, and other authority figures are generally good choices—to take a look at your essay and let you know what they think.

Let them mark up your draft with any mistakes that they find, and set all that feedback aside for a bit. It's a good time to take a break from your essay so that you can come back to it with fresh eyes.

Now that you've had some time away from your essay, it's time to revise. Take all that feedback you received and consider it. You don't have to fix anything that doesn't feel right to you, but do consider why your reviewers may have made that suggestion. Does your essay lack clarity? Could you have chosen a better word? Why are they confused?

Always be sure that your essay sounds like you wrote it, though. Remember: your essay is meant to showcase the things that make you unique. If it reads like every other student's application, it's not working right! If one of your readers has made big suggestions that don't sound like something you'd say, rephrase them until they do, or just don't use them. It's more important that your essay represents you.

What's Next?

A great essay is just one part of a successful Villanova application. Find out what ACT scores and GPA the admissions office is looking for with this handy guide !

If you're seeking financial aid from Villanova, this guide to their tuition and financial aid will help you figure out how much you need and how much you can expect to get .

Though Villanova has some unique considerations for their essays, there are some common tricks and strategies you can use to write your college essay . This guide covers some of the best ways to ensure your application essay is a success!

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Melissa Brinks graduated from the University of Washington in 2014 with a Bachelor's in English with a creative writing emphasis. She has spent several years tutoring K-12 students in many subjects, including in SAT prep, to help them prepare for their college education.

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Home » Law Schools » Rankings and Profiles »

Villanova University School of Law

Villanova Law provides students with a well-rounded legal education that is grounded in academic rigor and practical experience. Whether you are interested in international law, corporate law, intellectual property law, or public interest law, Villanova has a program that will prepare you for the future. Their Where Law Meets Business philosophy ensures that students gain vital business principles and skills alongside their legal education. This hands-on approach prepares graduates for successful careers in a competitive job market.

• 2.1 Statistics
• 2.2 Early Decision
• 2.3 Interview
• 2.4 Transfer
• 3.1 Cost of Attendance
• 3.2 Financial Aid
• 3.3 Scholarships
• 4 Law School Culture
• 5.1 Faculty
• 5.2 Programs
• 6.1 Clinics
• 6.2 Externships
• 6.3 Placements
• 6.4 Judicial Externship
• 7 Emploment Prospects and Bar Passage
• 8 Quality of Life
• 10 Contact Information
• 12 Forum and Discussion
• 13 Reference

Villanova University is a school that was founded in 1842. The values are based on truth, unity, and love. They have created an environment where students can learn how to think critically and act compassionately while helping others.

Villanova University is based on the values of truth, unity, and love. Their unique environment allows students to think critically, act compassionately and succeed while serving others. The faculty and staff come from diverse backgrounds, enhancing the University. The students follow the great intellectual and moral tradition that Villanova is known for. This connects them with others long after they graduate.

The JD application will become available on September 1 and only be accepted on July 1. Admission is for the fall of each year, and only a full-time program is offered. The Admissions Committee evaluates applications and informs candidates of decisions continuously, usually beginning in late fall and extending to mid-summer.

Villanova University's 1L class size is 219, and the yield (the percent of admitted students who attend) is 40.83%. This means that out of the 2,972 people who applied, only 529 were offered admission, but 216 of those people accepted, which results in a yield of 40.83%. The [[ https://www.bcgsearch.com/article/900052390/What-is-the-Role-of-LSAT-in-Law-School-Admissions/%7Cmedian LSAT score]] for Villanova's 1L class is 162, and the GPA is 3.7. This information can be helpful when considering whether or not to apply to Villanova University Law School.

To apply to law school, you must include a $75 application fee , your personal statement, resume, LSAC Credential Assembly Service report, LSAT score(s), and explanations for any affirmative answer to the character and fitness disclosure. You may also include additional letters of recommendation and optional essays.

Early Decision

Villanova Law strongly recommends that all applicants submit their applications as early as possible in the admissions cycle. If Villanova Law is your first choice of law school, you may apply as an Early Decision applicant. Early Decision applicants will receive a decision by December 23rd for Round 1 or April 1st for Round 2. The Early Decision option is binding: An applicant commits to attending Villanova Law if admitted.

Villanova Law has added an interview component to its application process. Through the interview process , they hope to learn more about their applicants and their experiences, communication skills, maturity, motivation, and personality. Interviews will also help us learn how applicants can contribute to the Villanova Law community as students and alums. Interviews are currently by invitation only. They will interview as many applicants as they can. However, they will only be able to interview some applicants. If you are not invited to interview, your candidacy for admission is not adversely impacted. Your application will be reviewed holistically with the same attention as the applicants invited to interview. Interviews will begin in September and will be scheduled throughout the application cycle. If you are invited to interview, you will receive an email with instructions on scheduling your interview. Once you receive the email, you will have seven days to schedule your interview. Each interview will last approximately thirty minutes and will include time for questions. Please note that your application must be complete before you can be invited to interview.

The deadline to apply to transfer to Villanova Law is July 1. The application will become available in early May and must be completed by July 15. To be considered for transfer, the student must have completed all the courses required in the first year of law school at their home school. Villanova Law will only accept credit or credits for a course in which the student receives a grade of C, its equivalent, or better. The number of credits transferred will equal the number of credits completed in that program; if there are differences in the 1L curriculum between the home school and Villanova Law, transfer students will be required to complete any required Villanova Law 1L coursework as part of their upper-level coursework. The law school from which the applicant seeks to transfer must be able to certify that the applicant has completed all requirements and credits for that school's full-time first-year program. Transcripts reflecting grades for all courses must be submitted to the Admissions Office by July 15. To read a fantastic article about transferring, click here .

Tuition and Expenses

Cost of attendance.

The cost of education for purposes of determining financial need includes actual costs for tuition, fees, and other related expenses, as well as reasonable estimated costs for items such as rent, food, and books. You may also include the cost of purchasing a computer and parking tags, if necessary.

Financial Aid

The Office of Financial Aid can assist students in understanding the different financing options available to help pay for legal education. The staff can answer any questions or concerns you may have while completing the financial aid process, whether you are a prospective, current, or graduate tax student.

Scholarships

Scholarships are one of the types of financial aid that can be available to you to help finance your education. They are usually the most sought-after type of aid because they typically refer to money for college that you do not have to repay. At the Charles Widger School of Law, the following types of scholarships may be available to students:

Charles Widger '73 Leadership Scholarship – Established by Barbara and Charles Widger '73, this three-year, full-tuition scholarship is awarded each year to a select group of students who have demonstrated strong leadership potential and an interest in making an impact in both law and business.

• Charles Widger '73 Leadership Scholarship

The Charles Widger '73 Leadership Scholarship is a three-year, full-tuition scholarship awarded annually to a select group of students who have demonstrated strong leadership potential and an interest in making an impact in both law and business.

• Public Interest Scholars Program

Villanova Law encourages students to pursue careers in public interest law and has created the Public Interest Scholars Program to facilitate this. The program offers a full-tuition scholarship to a select group of students based on past academic achievement, leadership, public interest work, and commitment to contribute to public interest endeavors at Villanova Law and as future public interest practitioners. These scholars are chosen as leaders of a dynamic community of committed public servants.

• Institutional Scholarships

The Charles Widger School of Law offers institutional scholarships to students who meet certain criteria, including academic achievement and financial need. The scholarships are awarded during the summer, and to be considered for need-based scholarship funding, you must include parent information on the FAFSA form. The government considers graduate students to be independent and does not require parent information, but including it will allow the Office of Financial Aid to better determine your financial need. In addition to including parent information on the FAFSA, you must also submit the Villanova University Charles Widger School of Law Need-Based Financial Aid Application. Priority when selecting scholarship recipients will be given to students who are not receiving merit-based scholarships and demonstrate a true financial need.

• Outside Scholarships

There are many scholarships available from private companies and social organizations. Villanova Law is not associated with these groups, but we have compiled a list of opportunities that they have been made aware of in order to help you in your search.

Law School Culture

Villanova University Charles Widger School of Law is focused on preparing its students for success in the legal market. Their innovative learning modules , six in-house clinics, and 275+ externships provide students with the knowledge and skills they need to succeed. And their mandatory Professional Development program helps students prepare for their careers.

At Villanova Law, they pride themselves on being a community that is respectful, supportive, and open-minded. They focus on preparing their students with the academic, professional, and practical skills employers are looking for and on training them to be the ethical lawyers of tomorrow.

Villanova's atmosphere is conducive to intellectual growth. The research and scholarship opportunities available, as well as the integrated teaching methods , help students become successful in any field they choose to pursue.

The professors at Villanova are highly respected in their fields, and they are great classroom teachers as well. They are always innovating and engaged in research, and they work closely with their students to help them grow both academically and personally. Villanova is an excellent place to pursue a college education because of its amazing faculty.

Villanova's collaborative pursuit of knowledge helps to foster partnerships between our academic departments and colleges, and with global organizations. This allows our faculty and students to work together and learn from each other, while also coming up with innovative ways to help improve our communities.

Studying abroad at Villanova is a great opportunity to explore new possibilities! If you have any questions about specific programs, be sure to reach out to your study abroad advisor.

• Villanova Semester Programs

Villanova currently offers a variety of year-long and semester programs in locations all over the world. Some of these programs are interdisciplinary and open to all students and offer the chance to study at international universities or participate in language immersion experiences. Others are more focused and offer structured course options designed for specific majors or groups of students.

• Villanova Summer Programs

The Villanova Summer Programs are offered in many different locations all over the world. The programs last 6-10 weeks and are taught by Villanova faculty program coordinators and other professors from the host institution. If you're interested in participating in a summer program, look at the payment information page to find out how much it will cost.

• Villanova Intensive Courses Abroad

Villanova offers short-term study abroad opportunities that are intensive courses taught within a two to the three-week travel period. Villanova professors lead all courses. Some programs may include on-campus study before departure.

• Partner Programs

Villanova has several established partner programs with locations all around the world. You can begin your search for a program here. Suppose you need help finding a program to meet your needs through our established partners. In that case, we may be able to work with a new program that meets their criteria - not-for-profit status, integrated housing, local faculty, and academically rigorous.

Villanova's first-year courses follow the standard for law schools, requiring civil procedure, contracts , criminal law , property, torts , legal writing, and legal research . Second and third-year students are given more freedom in the selection of their classes with only a few requisites. A moot court program is required during the later years of study. Villanova also offers the Sentencing Workshop, a class in which students study real cases with the judges and lawyers who tried them, and discuss how to sentence criminals.

Clinics allow students to learn about law by practicing under the supervision of a full-time faculty member. In clinics, students represent clients pro bono (free of charge), which allows them to learn about and apply different aspects of the law. They also get to experience what it is like to work as an attorney and learn about the importance of ethics in client representation. Clinics are an excellent way for students to actively live out Villanova's mission and become responsible and productive citizens.

Externships

At Villanova Law, externships give students the opportunity to observe and work directly with an experienced legal practitioner in a semester-long, real-world learning environment. Rigorously supervised, you’ll be paired with and meet regularly with a Villanova faculty adviser who has expertise in the area of your placement.

Villanova Law provides opportunities for externship placements with more than 50 businesses, organizations, and government entities in the greater Philadelphia area. This allows students to gain experience in various practice areas; alternatively, if you find an externship that better suits your individual career goals, you are encouraged to seek an independent placement.

Judicial Externship

A Villanova Law judicial externship is an excellent opportunity to get a behind-the-scenes look at how judges decide cases. You can gain experience researching and writing legal briefs, analyzing cases, and understanding the procedural rules and substantive law principles that guide the judicial process.

Emploment Prospects and Bar Passage

Villanova graduates who work in the private sector make an average of $120,000. If they go into the private sector, they can expect to make $52,000. 55.4% of law graduates from Villanova University go directly to work for law firms, while 23.0% clerk for a judge. 1.4% of graduates go into public interest. 86.8% of Villanova University graduates pass the bar on their first try.

NORTHEAST - 70% MIDWEST - 5% SOUTH - 19% WEST - 5% INTERNATIONAL - 1%

STUDENTS OF COLOR - 27% ASIAN/PACIFIC ISLANDER - 5% BLACK/AFRICAN AMERICAN - 8% HISPANIC/LATINO - 13% OTHER - 1%

LGBTQ+ STUDENTS - 16% ADVANCED DEGREES - 8% DIRECTLY FROM COLLEGE - 40% 1+ YEARS AFTER UNDERGRAD - 60%

FEMALE - 59% MALE - 41%

Class Profile data is accurate as of October 5, 2022.

Quality of Life

Villanova University is located in the Mainline, a suburb of Philadelphia. Fifteen minutes from the city center, Villanova has a beautiful, calm campus only minutes from the bustling life of a major city. With its own train stop, city access is easy, quickly delivering students to museums, restaurants, nightclubs, and shopping; all that Philadelphia has to offer.

In addition to the lure of Philadelphia, Villanova attempts to provide its own student life on campus. A variety of journals and organizations are present at Villanova Law, in addition to a weekly gazette and moot court teams. The school hosts the Barristers Ball in addition to other social events for entertaining evenings. The Public Interest Auction is held yearly, with proceeds funding public interest summer fellowships. Academic lectures are also presented on a wide variety of topics. Villanova offers the Lawyering Together program, in which current students work with alumni on pro bono representation.

As with the vast majority of law schools in this historically depressed legal market, prospective students should seriously evaluate the decision to attend a second-tier law school without significant financial aid. An estimated debt-financed cost of attendance nearing $250,000 is a daunting figure given the current state of legal employment.

Contact Information

Villanova University Charles Widger School of Law Admissions Office 299 N. Spring Mill Rd. Villanova, PA 19085 Phone: (610) 519-7010 Fax: (610) 519-6291 Email: [email protected] https://www1.villanova.edu/university/law/admissions.html

Forum and Discussion

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Villanova University 2024-25 Supplemental Essay Prompt Guide

Early Action/Decision: Nov 1

Regular Decision Deadline: Jan 15

Villanova 2024-25 Application Essay Question Explanations

The Requirements: 1 essay of 250 words

Supplemental Essay Type(s): Why , Oddball , Community

For the Villanova-specific essay, we hope to gain a deeper understanding of your thoughts, experiences, and opinions. Choose one of the five topics below and submit a written response in about 250 words.

Prompt one: st. augustine states that well-being is “not concerned with myself alone, but with my neighbor’s good as well.” how have you advocated for equity and justice in your communities .

If you choose this prompt, then social justice is probably pretty important to you. And you don’t have to be a protest organizer to impress admissions here. It can be just as bold to engage in a dialogue with family members from older generations on controversial topics or utilize your creativity to draw informative comics breaking down complex issues for Instagram. If you’re feeling stuck, maybe start by thinking about the topics that are most important to you. What keeps you up at night? Gun violence? Corporate greed? Food deserts? Next, think about what steps you’ve taken in your life to create change, inform, and/or organize. Ultimately, the key to writing an excellent response to this prompt is in the details. Don’t just tell Villanova about something you’ve advocated for recently; tell them why you did so, and maybe even share how you would like to continue engaging with or fighting for equity and justice in the future.

Prompt Two: What is a lesson in life that you have learned that you would want to share with others at Villanova?

If you find yourself drawn to this prompt, we’re willing to bet you’ve learned a thing or two in your life that you want to share with others. By all means, lean into your instincts. In order to ace your response, show admissions that you are capable of thoughtful reflection, changing your mind, and/or adapting to new circumstances. Maybe you learned a lesson about the gift of the “here and now” after losing a relative in an abrupt way. Or perhaps you wish to tell your peers, “They’re not judging you! They’re too busy thinking about themselves!” Whatever your life lesson may be, share why it is valuable and who you think will benefit from your advice.

Prompt Three: “Villanova” means “new home.” Why do you want to call Villanova your new home?

A classic Why Essay. This is the time to do some research on Villanova’s course offerings and extracurriculars, and then show admissions why their university stands out from the crowd for you. Don’t be afraid to go deep! Beyond the classes and professors in your desired academic department, explore the options for other subjects you’ve always wanted to study. Learn about clubs and special events on campus to get a feel for student life. Read over the school’s mission statement to get to know the community both in and around the campus. If you’ve been on a campus visit, highlight the architecture, culture, city, or special traditions that speak to you. Since this is a Catholic school, feel free to talk about what it means to you to join a faith-based community. You might even want to read up on the notable alumni you admire and provide examples as to how they inspired you to attend! By the time you’re done, you’ll have a whole list of reasons for wanting to call Villanova your new home. Now all you have to do is arrange them. Think about telling a story that illustrates your path to Villanova and shows admissions that their community is the perfect place for you to pursue your degree.

Prompt Four: As an Augustinian community, we value recognizing individuals for their true selves. Please share with us a time when you were misjudged based on your identity or background.

This prompt will likely stick out to students who know what it’s like to be reduced to one aspect of their background or identity, and odds are, you have a specific memory in mind. As you write your response, you’ll want to make sure you summarize your account as succinctly as possible; that way, you can dedicate most of your words to discussing your feelings and what you took away from the experience. Since you only have 250 words to work with, you won’t be able to write a lengthy thesis on the general public’s preconceived notions about people who appear different from them, but you can reveal more information about your background and outlook. Share what it’s like living in a world where stories are often assigned to you before you have the chance to introduce yourself and offer admissions deeper insight into who you are in the process.

Prompt Five: At Villanova, we often say “each of us strengthens all of us.” Please detail a time when someone has borrowed some of your strength in their time of need.

Life can be difficult—especially during college when you’re becoming a whole adult—and when it is, we often turn to loved ones for support. Lending your strength to others requires compassion and vulnerability, which are wonderful traits for any community member to have. After all, even though the word itself isn’t mentioned, “community” is at the heart of this prompt. Think about how you have supported others in your daily life, whether that be a sibling, a classmate, or a fellow volunteer at the soup kitchen. Maybe you started staying late at your barista job when your colleague’s partner was in the hospital and they needed to leave early. Perhaps you held a friend’s hand when they came out to their parents. Showcase your ability to connect, to identify others’ needs, and to see yourself as part of something bigger. Ultimately, the kind of person who can lend strength to others in times of need will make an excellent addition to any college campus.

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CLASS PROFILE

Undergraduate Schools Represented

55 Undergraduate Majors Represented

Average Age

MEDIAN LSAT

165  (75th percentile) 160  (25th percentile)

3.91  (75th percentile) 3.65  (25th percentile)

Out-of-State

29 states, the District of Columbia and four international countries are represented in the entering class

20% Students of Color

First-Generation COllege graduates 78%

First-generation law students

Total Applicants

Total Matriculants

Midwest 19%

International

lgbtq+ students

Advanced Degrees

Directly from College

1+ Years After Undergrad

Class Profile data is accurate as of August 15, 2024.

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Is the Fordham optional essay intended to be for diversity statements?

The Fordham optional personal essay promp states: "Educating lawyers to represent clients whose problems and perspectives grow out of a wide range of life circumstances is fundamental to Fordham Law School's mission. For this optional personal essay, please discuss how your life experiences or aspects of your personal identity have motivated or inspired you, posed challenges, helped you build skills, and/or taught you valuable lessons. We are eager to learn how these experiences or aspects of your identity have helped shape who you are and prepared you for the study and practice of law to help others who need your expertise to solve hard problems."

Is this only intended for URM? I didn't consider writing this optional essay until I read that schools might not look at your application if you don't write the optional essays. When I first read it I thought it was for diversity statements (i'm not URM). Although I have a decent adversity story relating to a health issue I faced, but I was very young when I faced it (middle school) and I wouldn't say their is a way I could spin it into my interest in pursuing law. So i'm concerned the essay may be redundant but on the other hand I'm concerned that not submitting the essay could harm my application. Any thoughts?

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