How to Write the University of Tennessee Essays 2025-2026
In this application cycle, the University of Tennessee has one optional essay for all applicants. The question is about extenuating circumstances, so you should only fill it out if that applies to you.
There is also a question for students with a major in the College of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources who wish to be considered for a scholarship. If you have an applicable major and believe you’re a strong candidate, you should definitely respond to that prompt. Just remember that this is an essay for the scholarship, not for the major itself.
University of Tennessee Supplemental Essay Prompts
All Applicants
Prompt (optional): If applicable, please share any circumstance(s) that would have had an adverse impact on your academic performance. (length not provided)
Agriculture Sciences and Natural Resources Scholarship Applicants
Prompt (optional): If you are an Agriculture Sciences and Natural Resources major, please provide a personal statement with general information about yourself, your background, educational goals, professional aspirations, interests and the reasons you are applying for a scholarship.
Also provide other such information that will be of benefit to the Scholarship Committee, including a statement concerning your financial need or special circumstances, if applicable. (600-800 words)
All Applicants Prompt (optional)
If applicable, please share any circumstance(s) that would have had an adverse impact on your academic performance. (length not provided)
As noted above, while optional prompts are usually a great way to show further interest in your school, unusual circumstances prompts are a bit different. So, you should only respond to this prompt if you truly did have unusual circumstances that impacted your ability to participate or succeed in school. What would an impacted experience look like? Here are some hypothetical situations that would warrant a response to this prompt:
- You were unable to attend school for some time or regularly missed significant amounts of school. An example might be a natural disaster or family emergency.
- You did not have sufficient time or access to resources to complete work inside or outside of school. An example might be helping a family with childcare or a lack of regular Internet access that prevented you from completing homework.
- Though you were present and had access to resources, you were unable to fully engage with school for some reason. An example might be a formerly undiagnosed learning disorder, or a personal tragedy that made it difficult to focus.
If your experience falls into any of these broad categories or is closely related, you might consider writing this supplement so that the admissions committee can be aware of this circumstance as they evaluate your application. If you experienced something difficult in high school, but it didn’t affect your academic performance, do not answer this prompt.
If you do choose to write this essay, keep your writing clear and concise. Write specifically and plainly about what your circumstances were and how they affected your ability to attend school, focus in school, or complete work outside of school. This is not an essay where you need to worry about a unique narrative structure, vivid description, or sophisticated language choice; just be clear about what your situation is or was.
Finally, make sure to clearly state exactly how this circumstance affected your academic performance. If you write that you suffered from Lyme disease, explain how those symptoms made it difficult for you to focus or attend school; do not expect admissions officers to know how a specific condition might impact a particular individual’s life. Even if you feel it is relatively obvious how something would have affected you, it is better to state it explicitly in your own words and describe it in your own life and scholastic career.
Agriculture Sciences and Natural Resources Scholarship Prompt (optional)
If you are an Agriculture Sciences and Natural Resources major, please provide a personal statement with general information about yourself, your background, educational goals, professional aspirations, interests and the reasons you are applying for a scholarship.
Also provide other such information that will be of benefit to the Scholarship Committee, including a statement concerning your financial need or special circumstances, if applicable. (600-800 words)
Understanding the Prompt
This personal statement is a broad “Background and Goals” essay that allows you to introduce yourself to the scholarship committee. You should cover several areas, including your background, educational and professional goals, and reasons for applying for the scholarship.
Additionally, the committee wants to hear about any special circumstances or financial needs that might affect your application. Since this is for Agriculture Sciences and Natural Resources, you should connect your interests and career goals to the field.
Brainstorming Your Essay
- What experiences (personal, academic, or extracurricular) sparked your interest in agriculture or natural resources?
- Have you had any hands-on experience in the field (e.g., internships, farming, environmental projects)?
- What are your educational goals in the Agriculture Sciences and Natural Resources major? How does this major align with your passions?
- What are your long-term career aspirations in this field? How do you hope to contribute to agriculture, environmental sustainability, or related areas?
- What makes you a good candidate for the scholarship? Do you have leadership experience, community service, or academic achievements that stand out?
- Do you have any financial needs or special circumstances the committee should be aware of?
What Makes a Good Response
A strong personal statement will not only cover all of the required elements but will also paint a vivid picture of your passion and commitment to agricultural sciences and natural resources.
A good response will show a clear personal connection. Describe your background and experiences that led you to pursue Agriculture Sciences and Natural Resources, while showing how your interest developed over time.
Also be sure to outline your educational and professional goals. Detail your academic plans and how they tie into your long-term career goals in the field. Be specific about what you want to study and how you plan to use that knowledge. Also link the scholarship to your ability to pursue these goals, as this will establish good reasoning for the committee to award it to you.
When describing your personal background and goals, be sure to articulate your reasons for applying for this scholarship, explaining why it’s important to you. Mention your special circumstances or financial need if any exist. Describe any challenges or financial obstacles you’ve faced (if applicable) that make this scholarship essential to you.
Finally, highlight any leadership roles or community service you’ve been involved in—especially if it relates to agriculture or environmental conservation—as well as your specific Interest in the University of Tennessee.
Hypothetical Student Examples
When thinking of how you may wish to approach this prompt, consider these varied hypothetical students and their background.
Student 1: Future Environmental Conservationist
Maria grew up in a rural farming community and has spent summers working on her grandparents’ farm. While she loved doing agricultural work, it was the challenges of soil erosion and sustainability that truly caught her attention.
Maria decided to pursue a major in Natural Resource and Environmental Economics to focus on sustainable practices and conservation. Her goal is to return to her community with the knowledge and skills to help local farmers adopt sustainable methods. She’s applying for the scholarship because her family cannot fully support her educational expenses, and she’s the first in her family to attend college.
Student 2: Aspiring Environmental Scientist
Ben’s love for agriculture began when he joined his high school’s FFA (Future Farmers of America) program. Through FFA, he gained hands-on experience in animal husbandry, crop management, and leadership. Ben plans to major in Environmental Science. His goal is to eventually help develop innovative technologies that improve farm efficiency and sustainability.
Ben’s family runs a small farm, and financial strain due to recent crop failures has made college more difficult to afford. The scholarship would allow him to focus on his studies without the stress of financial hardship.
Student 3: Sustainable Agribusiness Advocate
Jane grew up in an urban setting, but her passion for agriculture and natural resources was sparked when she interned at a local urban farm. She became fascinated by how urban farming could improve food security and sustainability in cities. Jane plans to major in Food and Agricultural Business in order to to start her sustainable agribusiness.
After college, Jane hopes to bring innovative agricultural practices to underserved communities. Since her family has faced financial difficulties, this scholarship would relieve the burden of tuition and allow her to dedicate herself to her studies.
Now that you’ve seen some kinds of students to which this prompt could apply, check out these examples of excerpts of weak and strong responses.
Bad example: “I have always been interested in agriculture, and I plan to major in Agricultural Sciences at the University of Tennessee. I have participated in several extracurricular activities, including Future Farmers of America and volunteering at a local farm. These experiences have shaped my career goals, and I hope to one day have a career in the agriculture industry.
The scholarship would help me afford my education. College is expensive, and receiving this scholarship would allow me to pursue my goals without worrying about financial difficulties. I chose UT because it is a great school with a strong agriculture program, and I look forward to attending and learning more about agriculture.”
Why it doesn’t work: This example is too vague and doesn’t provide specific details about the student’s background or goals. The student mentions activities like FFA, but there’s no explanation of how these experiences shaped their interest in agriculture. The financial need section is brief and lacks detail, and the reasons for choosing UT are generic.
Good example: “Growing up on a small farm in rural Tennessee, I’ve spent most of my life surrounded by the challenges and rewards of agriculture. My summers were spent learning to care for crops, but as I grew older, I became more aware of the environmental issues impacting our land.
Our farm struggled with soil erosion and unpredictable weather patterns, and I began to wonder if there were better, more sustainable ways to farm. This curiosity led me to the University of Tennessee’s Agriculture Sciences and Natural Resources program, where I hope to study sustainable farming techniques. I aspire to return to my community with the knowledge to help local farmers adopt practices that can preserve their land for future generations.
I am the first in my family to attend college, and my family’s financial situation is a significant barrier to pursuing higher education. The cost of maintaining our farm has been challenging, so I have been working part-time jobs to save for college. This scholarship would allow me to focus on my education without the financial burden that weighs heavily on my family.
I’ve been fortunate to participate in leadership roles through my school’s agriculture club, where I organized sustainability workshops for local farmers, but I know that the University of Tennessee will provide the deeper knowledge and skills I need to make a lasting impact.
With UT’s focus on hands-on learning and its emphasis on sustainability, I know it’s the perfect place for me to pursue my educational and professional goals. I am eager to learn from the experts at UT and bring those lessons back to my community, where I can contribute to a more sustainable and prosperous future for local farmers like my family.”
Why it works: This example tells a cohesive story about the student’s background in farming, their interest in sustainability, and how UT’s program aligns with their goals. The student explains their financial need and how the scholarship would allow them to focus on their studies. The connection to the University of Tennessee’s hands-on learning approach is clear, making this a compelling and well-rounded essay.
Now that we’ve looked at some examples, here are some common errors students make and how to avoid them.
Primarily, you will want to avoid being too vague. Don’t make generic statements like “I’ve always been interested in agriculture.” Instead, focus on specific experiences that show how your interest developed. Similarly, avoid a résumé-like structure—don’t just list achievements or experiences without explaining how they relate to your goals or scholarship application. Weave them into a cohesive narrative.
Also, if the scholarship committee specifically asks for information on your financial need or special circumstances, you shouldn’t leave this section out. They need to understand how this scholarship would impact your life.
Make sure to explain why the University of Tennessee’s Agriculture Sciences and Natural Resources programs are specifically a good fit for your goals. Generic statements about the school won’t be enough. Finally, make sure your response shows true passion. This essay should convey your genuine interest and passion for agriculture or natural resources. Don’t be afraid to show your enthusiasm for the field!
In summary, to write a strong personal statement for the University of Tennessee’s Agriculture Sciences and Natural Resources program scholarship, focus on your unique experiences, educational and professional goals, and the specific reasons you’re applying for the scholarship.
Be sure to connect your background to your aspirations and explain how the University of Tennessee will help you achieve them. By providing specific examples, addressing financial need or special circumstances, and demonstrating your passion for the field, you can craft a compelling essay that stands out to the scholarship committee.
Where to Get Your University of Tennessee Essays Edited For Free
Do you want free, nearly-instantaneous feedback on your University of Tennessee essays? After rereading your essays countless times, it can be difficult to evaluate your writing objectively. So meet Sage, our AI tutor and advisor, who will rate your essay, give you suggestions for improvement, and summarize what admissions officers would take away from your writing. Sage can improve your chances of acceptance to your dream school by helping you show what you have to offer beyond the numbers!
