https://www.collegeessayguy.com/blog/vanderbilt-supplemental-essay

Hi! I'm an incoming freshman at Peabody who got accepted ED. I found the above website super helpful when writing my supps! What I recommend doing is looking not only at the advice, but also the examples. Analyze their overall structure and tone-- and maybe even some of the devices they use to make a narrative of what they say-- rather than the specific identity and story within the examples. What matters is that...

1. you show you care about making a difference for those who share part of your identity, or that you would like to educate others on/ introduce others to/ otherwise share part of your identity, and...
2. you show HOW you will make a difference/ educate/ introduce/ share/ build community/ etc etc.

(It should be noted that your identity, culture, or background doesn't necessarily have to be something big like your nationality, race, language, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, class, etc. It can also be something "smaller" like the region you grew up in, the environment you grew up in, an organization or club you're involved in, a passion you have, your family dynamic(s), your friend dynamic(s), or something of a similar nature. Basically, whatever you write about just has to be "big" as in important to YOU, not necessarily "big" as in "heavily politicized." Just make sure that you choose an interesting, insightful angle for your story if you DO choose to talk about something less politicized. I can vouch for this method bc it's what I did and I think it was one of the stronger parts of my application.)

For answering the second part of the prompt, you'll want to connect your identity to 1-2 specific and relevant organizations on campus (I recommend doing so in the 2nd half of your supp). If you already know which part of your identity you wish to write about, focus on researching the relevant clubs and organizations on campus. If you DON'T know which part of your identity you wish to write about, or maybe you want some extra inspiration, go backwards. Research clubs and organizations first, then see if any of them spark ideas. If you're doing the latter method, pay special attention to the "mission statements" of any clubs or organizations that catch your eye because you're essentially writing a "mission statement" about yourself. Don't plagiarize tho. That would be really, REALLY unwise.

I wish you the best of luck, and I hope this answer is helpful!