Updated: Tuesday, October 29, 2024
Whether you are beginning the college search process or finalizing your list, this is a great opportunity to learn all about Vanderbilt from those who used to recruit and admit students to the university.
A highly selective institution that’s known for its engineering, education, music, and humanities programs, Vanderbilt University is a top choice for many students. The institution attracts applicants from around the world due to its stellar academic reputation, beautiful campus, and location in the heart of Nashville, Tennessee.
Due to Vanderbilt’s selectivity, admission is highly competitive and challenging even for the most talented students. If you dream of being a Commodore, you will need to start early on college prep and build a profile that helps you stand out. Keep reading to learn what it takes to get into Vanderbilt.
How to Get into Vanderbilt: Table of Contents
If you plan to apply to Vanderbilt University, it’s important to keep track of the deadlines for submitting application materials. First-year applicants have three application cycles to choose from, each with a different timeline.
Vanderbilt’s application deadlines may vary slightly from year to year, but generally occur around the same time during the academic calendar. For students applying during the 2024-25 admissions cycle, the major deadlines are as follows:
Early Decision I (ED I)
Early Decision II (ED II)
Regular Decision (RD)
Much of the application process is similar regardless of the admissions option you choose. However, it’s important to understand how the application options differ so you can choose the one that’s right for you.
Early Action and Early Decision are the two types of early admissions. Vanderbilt only offers Early Decision — ED I has the earliest deadline, with the ED II deadline a couple of months later. Early Decision is binding, meaning students who choose to apply Early Decision are making a commitment to enroll if they are admitted and can only apply to that school ED. Early Action, by contrast, is a non-binding option that allows you to apply early to other schools. Applying early may put you at an admissions advantage if you have a strong application without senior year grades.
Regular Decision is offered by most colleges and universities, including Vanderbilt. This is the most common admissions option, and it allows students more time to submit their application. It’s also non-binding, so students can apply to as many schools RD as they wish.
Vanderbilt University does not offer rolling admissions; however, it may be offered by one or more schools on your list. There is no strict deadline for rolling admissions (RA). At most schools that offer this option, applications are accepted any time from September through May. That said, it is best for students to submit their applications as early as possible, since RA schools will continue to accept students until they reach their enrollment capacity.
Students who apply Regular Decision to Vanderbilt may be waitlisted when decisions are released. This means they are qualified for admission, but the university does not have enough space in the incoming class. You can accept or decline your spot on the waitlist, but it’s worth noting that your chances of getting off the waitlist are often low at highly selective schools like Vanderbilt.
Early Decision applicants may learn they are deferred when decisions are released, which means their application will be evaluated in the Regular Decision round. You may be at a loss for what to do if you have been deferred. Vanderbilt requests mid-year senior grades to be submitted once they are available. Students who are deferred are released from the binding agreement under Early Decision.
Vanderbilt is one of the more selective institutions in the U.S., as these admission rates show.
To maximize your chances of getting into Vanderbilt, it’s crucial to start college prep in ninth grade.
So, what does Vanderbilt look for during the admissions process? As with most schools, academic performance is the priority. Vanderbilt admits students who are talented academically and demonstrate intellectual curiosity. However, they also want to see evidence of a student’s leadership and growth through their extracurricular activities. That’s why it’s important to commit to activities that you’re passionate about as you progress through high school.
The best way for you to know if Vanderbilt is a great fit is to visit the campus. You can register for an information session and campus tour. Prospective students can also sit in on a class in any of the undergraduate schools. Vanderbilt offers more robust programs for high school seniors, such as ‘Dore for a Day and the Fall Open House. The Blair School of Music also offers special programs for visiting students.
Can’t visit campus in person? You can also register for virtual information sessions through VirtualVU and check out the virtual tour.
It’s useful to get a current student’s perspective on their campus experience, and there are a few ways to do this. Campus tours are led by students, which gives you an opportunity to ask questions. Vanderbilt also offers high school seniors the opportunity to connect with a current student through their ‘Dore for a Day program. Prospective applicants will eat lunch, visit class, and explore campus with their student guide.
Another way to learn about student experiences is to visit campus during the Fall Open House. This event is for high school seniors and gives them the opportunity to plan their own schedule from various offerings that include tours, admissions presentations, specialty sessions, and academic touchpoints. This is a great opportunity to connect with current students to learn more about what it’s like to attend Vanderbilt.
Students apply to Vanderbilt through the Common App or Coalition App — Vanderbilt does not favor one over the other. Your application will be reviewed holistically, meaning both hard and soft factors will be evaluated.
What does this mean? It means that while your academic record (hard factor) is top priority in the review process, your extracurriculars, essays, and recommendation letters (soft factors) also matter. In fact, the soft factors can set you apart when you match up academically with one or more of your peers.
Vanderbilt University does not have a GPA requirement for admission. That said, they do report the high school GPA of admitted students, which can give you a good idea of how you measure up. According to Vanderbilt’s Common Data Set for the class of 2027, the average GPA of admitted students was 3.90. It’s also worth noting that your GPA is evaluated in the context of how rigorous your high school coarse load is.
Students applying to Vanderbilt for entry through fall 2027 are not required to submit test scores. However, submitting a strong test score can only benefit you. Of the class of 2027 students who submitted test scores, the middle 50% had a score range of 1500-1560 on the SAT and 34-35 on the ACT. If your composite score falls in this range, it’s a good idea to submit your test score to Vanderbilt.
Your personal statement is your response to one of the seven Common App essay prompts or the Coalition App prompts. This is one of the most important soft factors of your application because it tells the admissions committee a lot about who you are and how you think. Don’t be afraid to let your personality shine through — authenticity and honesty are key to a good essay!
In addition to the personal statement, Vanderbilt applicants are asked to write a short answer essay based on this prompt:
Vanderbilt University’s motto, Crescere aude, is Latin for “dare to grow.” In your response, reflect on how one or more aspects of your identity, culture, or background has played a role in your personal growth, and how it will contribute to our campus community as you dare to grow at Vanderbilt.
Your Vanderbilt supplemental essay should be approximately 250 words in length. Though your response is short, it’s important to include specific details about Vanderbilt that excite you and are relevant to the prompt.
Vanderbilt University requires three recommendation letters. Two of these letters should be submitted by teachers who have taught you in a core subject, and the third should come from your school counselor.
It’s best to choose teachers from 11th or 12th grade who have seen how you do in more advanced classes and can speak to your growth and improvement. Keep in mind that some teachers receive multiple requests for letters of recommendation, so it’s best to ask as early as possible.
In lieu of an admissions interview, Vanderbilt allows applicants who are U.S. citizens or undocumented and attending a U.S. high school to submit a 60-90 second video through the Glimpse platform. This is optional, but it presents a great opportunity to tell the admissions committee more about you that isn’t included in your application.
Non-U.S. citizens attending a U.S. high school or students attending high school internationally can schedule a video interview through the InitialView platform. Again, this is optional.
Vanderbilt prides itself on its collaborative culture, and this is reflected in the admissions process. Demonstrate in your application how you have contributed to your school and community, which gives the admissions committee an idea of the type of impact you will make on campus. Additionally, the supplemental essay asks how you will contribute to the Vanderbilt community, so it’s worth taking the time to write a thoughtful and specific response.
Looking at the profile of recently admitted students can give you a good idea of admissions outcomes and how large (or small) and diverse the class is. Vanderbilt’s Common Data Set and blog posts summarizing the Regular and Early Decision rounds offer a wealth of useful data that can help you assess your chances of admission. Here are some basic statistics for the class of 2027:
| Acceptance rate | 6.28% |
| Class size | 1,622 |
| Majors | 70+ |
Not only is Vanderbilt one of the top-ranked universities in the U.S., it also offers a unique campus culture and vibrant student life. So, what is Vanderbilt University known for? Most notably, Vanderbilt is known for its top-notch academic offerings in a wide array of fields across four undergraduate colleges: the College of Arts & Science, the School of Engineering, the Peabody College of Education, and the Blair School of Music. In fact, it’s known as a “Southern Ivy” because of the quality of its academic programs.
Students have hundreds of options when it comes to extracurricular activities on Vanderbilt’s campus. Some distinctive offerings include WilSkils, a club dedicated to developing and testing wilderness skills, and Alternative Spring Break, which takes students on community service trips across the country every year.
The Vanderbilt Commodores have won six NCAA team championships, including three for women’s bowling, two for men’s baseball, and one for women’s tennis. The university also has a successful climbing team that competes in bouldering, lead climbing, and speed climbing.
Vanderbilt’s location in the heart of Nashville provides opportunities for students to enjoy the music and food scene in this fast-growing city. Notable alumni include James Patterson, Al Gore, Jay Cutler, Dierks Bentley, Roseanne Cash, Bettie Page, Dinah Shore, David Brinkley, and Willie Geist.
Where is Vanderbilt?
Vanderbilt University is in Nashville, Tennessee.
How big is Vanderbilt?
The campus sits on 330 acres.
What is the acceptance rate for Vanderbilt?
The acceptance rate for the class of 2028 is 5.75%. In recent years, the acceptance rate has been under 7%.
How many students are at Vanderbilt?
Vanderbilt has about 7,000 undergraduates and 2,400 graduate students.
What GPA do you need to get into Vanderbilt?
There is no specific GPA required for admission to Vanderbilt. However, the average high school GPA for students in the class of 2027 was 3.9.
Gaining admission to Vanderbilt can be a challenge for even the most talented students. That’s why it can be beneficial to work with a college admissions counselor. An experienced counselor can work with you every step in the way, providing guidance on course selection, identifying impactful extracurriculars, and helping you build a competitive profile for admissions.
All IvyWise college admissions counselors have at least three years of experience on admissions committees at some of the top schools in the U.S., including Vanderbilt. They have read thousands of student applications, so they know what can help you stand out. Contact us to schedule an Initial Consultation.
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