CollegeVine College Essay Team December 2, 2024 10 Essay Guides 2024-25,University of Tennessee

How to Write the University of Tennessee Essays 2024-2025

The University of Tennessee has 2 essays that are both optional. Both questions are about extenuating circumstances, so you should only fill them out if they are applicable to you.

There is also a question for students who wish to be considered for a scholarship who are majoring in Agriculture Sciences and Natural Resources. If that is your major and you believe you are a strong candidate, then you should write that essay. Just remember that this is an essay for the scholarship, not for the major itself.

University of Tennessee Supplemental Essay Prompts

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?

• You were unable to attend school for a period of 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 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. An example might be an 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 the admissions committee can be aware of this circumstance as they evaluate your application. If you experienced something difficult in high school but it did not 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 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 that condition might impact a person’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 relation to your own life and scholastic career. 

Note that, in order to access this prompt, you’ll have to log in to UT’s “Go Vols” portal–you won’t find it on the Common App. Now, once again, this is a prompt that you should only answer if it truly applies to your life. Answering this prompt does not make you seem any more invested in the University of Tennessee. If you do feel COVID or a natural disaster has impacted your academic record, there are many ways it might have done so. Here are some things to consider.

• Maybe contracting COVID once or repeatedly, or fleeing or recovering from a natural disaster, meant that you missed critical times in school that you were unable to make up or catch up on. 
• Perhaps you had to switch suddenly to online schooling, or take extra precautions for yourself or an immunocompromised family member, and the stress of these changes took a toll on your focus and classroom performance. 
• You may have developed long COVID, or a medical condition or disability in relation to a natural disaster, like smoke from fires aggravating your asthma. 
• Many families’ finances and access to resources were severely affected by COVID or by other natural disasters. If your financial situation or access to resources changed suddenly, your ability to perform academically or remain involved in activities may have been affected. 
• Maybe you lost someone or some important things, like a home or material possessions, as a result of COVID or a natural disaster. The grief associated with this may have affected your academic record or activities. 

If you do choose to write a response to this essay, keep your answer clear, detailed, and specific. There is no word limit, but try to keep to the facts of what happened and how it affected you. This is not a prompt where you should think about uniqueness or dynamic story structure; focus on explaining your circumstances concisely and clearly, with attention to how the experience affected you.

You don’t need to explore global effects, or describe a catastrophe in detail. Keep it personal, and keep it precise, describing how this event looked in your own life. You can be a bit broader here in terms of impact—this prompt allows you to talk about impacts not just in school, but on your family, safety, circumstances, and future plans. Statements should still be specific—“Having long COVID made me doubt that I could handle leaving home to go to college, which made me less motivated to get back to school” is a stronger statement than “Having long COVID changed everything.”

If you do have unusual circumstances that have affected your life and your college application, the University of Tennessee wants to consider that as they review your application. Make sure in this essay that you are giving the admissions team all the information they need to make a fair, holistic evaluation of your application.

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. The committee also wants to hear about any special circumstances or financial need 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 Questions

• 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 agriculture sciences and natural resources. Here’s what a good response should include:

• Clear Personal Connection: Describe your background and experiences that led you to pursue Agriculture Sciences and Natural Resources. Show how your interest developed over time.
• Educational and Professional Goals: Outline 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.
• Reasons for Applying for the Scholarship: Explain why this scholarship is important to you, both financially and personally. Link the scholarship to your ability to pursue your educational and career goals.
• Special Circumstances or Financial Need: If applicable, describe any challenges or financial obstacles you’ve faced that make this scholarship essential.
• Leadership and Community Involvement: Highlight any leadership roles or community service you’ve been involved in, especially if it relates to agriculture or environmental conservation.
• Specific Interest in the University of Tennessee: Mention why you are excited to study at UT and how its Agriculture and Natural Resources program aligns with your goals.

Hypothetical Student Examples

1. 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 caught her attention. Maria decided to pursue a major in Natural Resources to focus on sustainable farming 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.
2. Student 2: Aspiring Agricultural Engineer
   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 Agriculture Sciences, focusing on agricultural engineering. His goal is to 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.
3. Student 3: Sustainable Agribusiness Advocate
   Priya 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. Priya plans to major in Agriculture Sciences and minor in business, with the goal of starting her own sustainable agribusiness. She 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.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Being too vague: Avoid generic statements like “I’ve always been interested in agriculture.” Instead, focus on specific experiences that show how your interest developed.
• 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.
• Ignoring financial need or special circumstances: If the scholarship committee specifically asks for information on your financial need or special circumstances, don’t leave this section out. It’s important for them to understand how this scholarship will impact you.
• No connection to UT or the program: Make sure to explain why the University of Tennessee’s Agriculture and Natural Resources program is a good fit for your goals. Generic statements about the school won’t be enough.
• Lack of 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.

Good and Bad Examples

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, and I have worked 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.

Bad Example

“I have always been interested in agriculture, and I plan to major in Agriculture 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.

Conclusion

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 personal 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

Writing essays can be tricky, especially when you’re facing the pressure of explaining unusual life circumstances that have impacted your academic career. Going through the editing process with another pair of eyes can help identify areas where your essay could be stronger, as well as areas that you’re already doing well. CollegeVine has created a free Peer Review Essay Tool, where you can get feedback on your essay, and give feedback to other students just like you!

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!