Villanova University has released its 2026-2027 admissions essays for applicants to the Class of 2031. This year, applicants will respond to one prompt in about 250 words from a choice of five options. What should Villanova applicants keep in mind while formulating their responses? Let’s review how to best navigate this supplemental essay to inspire Villanova admissions officers to root for your application.

2026-2027 Villanova Essay Questions

All Villanova applicants must select one of the following five prompts to respond to in about 250 words, although 300 words are allotted in The Common App. text box:

1. As Pope Leo XIV (Villanova Class of 1977) has said, “no one can single-handedly bear the weight of the challenges the world is facing, just as no one is so weak that they cannot play their part.” What have you done to play your part in advancing equity and justice in your community?

Did you really think Villanova wouldn’t include an essay question this year about its most famous alumnus not named Jalen Brunson? Advancing equity and justice in your community is a tall order. As such, you should not select this prompt if you don’t have any experiences of, well, advancing equity and justice in your community! No, the time you appealed to your parents for them to buy a flat-screen TV for your siblings is not a good example of something that would satisfy this prompt. But the time you canvassed with a local nonprofit to forward a cause you’re passionate about? Now that’s more workable!

And to that point, you need not search far and wide for an anecdote here. Something totally local, with stakes that primarily affect the people in your neighborhood or neck of the woods, is totally fine! In fact, Villanova actually wants to admit students who are invested in improving their local community because these are the types of students who will tend to invest in the local Villanova community once on campus.

2. What is a lesson in life that you have learned that you would want to share with others at Villanova?

In responding to this question, strive to put forward a narrative. Don’t simply state that you learned the value of patience from the time you, for example, had to fight bureaucratic red tape. Paint a picture: you wanted to address XYZ issue, but came up against XYZ barrier during your meeting at the municipal building, so you made an emotional appeal that ended up pulling on heartstrings. That’s the cardinal rule of college admission essays: show, don’t tell!

Moreover, don’t forget to address the second half of this prompt, too: how this lesson will serve you at Villanova. Get creative: imagine a day in your life on campus, where you get involved with the various things you hope to do once you’re there, and where this lesson comes into play. Yes, this means you should do some forward-thinking!

3. “Villanova” means “new home.” Why do you want to call Villanova your new home?

This is a standard Why College prompt. They might not say so explicitly, but Villanova admissions officers want you to pepper in specific examples of the resources and opportunities available on campus that you’ll take advantage of if given the gift of admission. And by specific examples, here’s what we don’t mean: specific courses or professors (which are subject to change from year to year and therefore not a solid foundation for a Why College prompt), or generic facts that, while applying to Villanova, could also apply to any other school, such as small student-professor ratios, interdisciplinary academic culture, etc.

Instead, get granular! What are facets of the Villanova experience that make it stand out from other schools? These could include traditions, research opportunities, advising structures, unique extracurriculars, annual festivals, you name it. Each and every sentence of your response should invoke one of these examples.

4. Villanova embraces Artificial Intelligence (AI) with a commitment to thoughtful, ethical use rooted in our Augustinian mission and values. How do you see technology helping you to lead, serve, and contribute to the common good?

Countless students will respond to this prompt with a basic appeal to the potential of AI to revolutionize the workplace or the classroom without pausing to consider what Villanova is actually looking for here: a thoughtful reflection on how ethical stewardship of emerging technologies, driven by Augustinian values, is essentially about promoting the greater good. These values, after all, form the bedrock of the Villanovan education, and should thus be referred to explicitly in your response. Unsure where to begin? Consider reading about Villanova’s mission.

5. 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.

Once again, in your response to this prompt, don’t pick a frivolous anecdote that makes a mockery of the response itself. No, the time you encouraged a friend to ask someone out on a date or post a selfie on social media isn’t a good example of borrowed strength. Instead, highlight a moment in which you helped someone wade through genuine adversity related to their identity, socioeconomic status, a huge upheaval in their life, or a catastrophic event. 

Ivy Coach’s Assistance with Villanova Essays

If you’re interested in submitting essays that will impress the Villanova admissions committee and optimize your odds of admission, fill out Ivy Coach’s complimentary consultation form, and we’ll be in touch to outline our college admissions counseling services for seniors.