Vanderbilt University

Vanderbilt University is extremely difficult to get into. The university admitted 7% of all applicants in 2021. Out of 47,152 applications received in 2023, 3,368 students were offered admission.

If you are considering submitting an application to Vanderbilt University, the regular decision application deadline is January 1 and the fee for the application costs $50.

Students who apply to Vanderbilt University for the fall semester should receive an admissions decision no later than April 1.

Vanderbilt University Admissions Stats at a Glance

The following is an overiew of some of Vanderbilt University's admissions stats.

Vanderbilt University 2023	Admissions Statistics
Mean Unweighted GPA	3.9
Admitted Students in Top 10% of Graduating Class	90.5%
Admissions Test Policy	Test Optional
Applicants Who Submit SATs	25%
Applicants Who Submit ACTs	32%
Waitlist	Yes

Vanderbilt University Application Deadlines

These are the application deadlines for Vanderbilt University.

Application Type	Offered	Application Deadline	Notification Deadline
Early Decision I	Yes	November 1	December 15
Early Decision II	Yes	January 1	February 15
Early Action	No	–	–
Regular Decision	Yes	1 1	April 1

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Applying Early to Vanderbilt University?

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Vanderbilt University offers early decision but not early action. Early decision is binding, which means you must attend if you are admitted, while early action allows you to apply early without committing.

🗓️ Early Decision I applications are due by November 1 EDI applicants should receive a decision by December 15.

🗓️ Early Decision II applications are due January 1. ED II Applicants will recieve their decision before February 15.

The early decision acceptance rate at Vanderbilt University is 18%, compared to an overall acceptance rate of 7%. Last year, Vanderbilt University admitted 901 of the 5021 students who applied early decision.

Some students apply early to boost their chances of getting in. When you apply early, your application is considered before all the regular decision applicants apply. Applying early may increase the chance of being admitted, since it shows that you are very interested in a school.

➡️ Find a list of some top colleges that accept significantly more applicants during early decision or early action than during regular admission.

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More on Vanderbilt University Admissions

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Transferring to Vanderbilt University

Transfer student admissions is extremely difficult.

For Students Waitlisted to Vanderbilt University

Vanderbilt University has not reported data for waitlisted and admitted students.

What Does Vanderbilt University Look For in an Applicant?

Colleges consider a range of factors when choosing who to admit for their next incoming class. Each college has a different way of determining which factors are given the most weight when choose which applicants to admit, and which to deny. When creating your list of schools to apply to, you may want to consider your strengths and any possible weaknesses in your application, and apply to colleges that prioritize the areas where you shine.

Admissions Factors at Vanderbilt University

Wondering what factors are considered by Vanderbilt University during the admissions process? Take a look at the list below to see which factors are most important during the admissions process.

Admissions Factor	Level
Character/Personal Qualities	Very Important
Class Rank	Very Important
Application Essay	Very Important
Extracurricular Activities	Very Important
Standardized Test Scores	Very Important
Academic GPA	Very Important
Rigor of Secondary School Record	Very Important
Recommendation(s)	Important
Talent/Ability	Important
Alumni/ae Relations	Considered
Geographical Residence	Considered
Interview	Considered
Racial/Ethnic Status	Considered
State Residency	Considered
Volunteer Work	Considered
Work Experience	Considered
First Generation	Considered

Make sure to check with Vanderbilt University for more information on admission factors.

Vanderbilt University 2022-2023 Application Requirements

To apply to Vanderbilt University, all applicants must submit the following items. Double check with Vanderbilt University's admissions department to confirm all application materials and requirements.

Area	Required	Recommended	Required for Some	Details (If Any)
Written Essay or Personal Statement	–	–	–	–
Interview	–	–	–	–
Other Requirements	–	–	–	3 letters of recommendation (2 from teachers in core subject areas and 1 from counselor)
Letter(s) of Recommendation	–	–	–	–
Transcript(S) of College Record	–	–	–	–
Transcript of High School Record	–	–	–	–
Standardized Test Scores	–	–	–	–
Statement of Good Standing From Prior Institution(S)	–	–	–	–

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GPA and Testing

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What GPA Do I Need To Get Into Vanderbilt University?

Students admitted to Vanderbilt University have an average unweighted GPA of 3.9.

Out of all students that were admitted, 30.9% submitted a class rank. At Vanderbilt University 90.5% of students ranked in the top 10% of their graduating class in high school, 95.6% were in the top 25% and 98.6% were in the top 50%.

GPAs of Admitted Students

At Vanderbilt University, student GPAs fall in the following ranges.

GPA	Percent of Students
4.0 GPA	40.6%
3.75 and 3.99	45.3%
3.50 and 3.74	9.9%
3.25 and 3.49	2.4%
3.00 and 3.24	0.9%
2.50 and 2.9	0.9%
2.00 and 2.49	–

This chart depicts the percentage of all enrolled, degree-seeking, first-time, first year (freshmen) students who had high school grade point average within the given ranges.

Note: Some schools choose not release this information. If you have any questions regarding missing numbers, be sure to reach out to Vanderbilt University directly.

About GPAs

Your high school grade point average (GPA) is a number that highlights your high school academic performance. A weighted GPA or an unweighted GPA are the two possible GPA scores considered by colleges.

An unweighted GPA is an average of your scores from each class on a four-point scale. Unweighted GPAs range from 4.0 to under 1.0. A weighted GPA considers your average grade and the difficulty of your classes. A weighted GPA boosts your average by adding extra points for honors or Advanced Placement courses.

Standardized Test Scores

Vanderbilt University is a test optional school. Test optional schools allow students to choose if they want to submit ACT or SAT scores with their applications or not.

In 2021, 25% of Vanderbilt University's first-year students submitted their SAT scores with their application. 32% of admitted applicants sent ACT scores.

What is a Good SAT Score for Vanderbilt University?

To be competitive with other Vanderbilt University applicants, you should strive to score between 1480 and 1570 (or higher!) on the SAT. At Vanderbilt University 25% of admitted students scored higher than 1570 and 25% of scored lower than 1480, but the majority of students scored somewhere in between these two numbers.

On the SAT Math Section, 25% of Vanderbilt University students scored 800 or higher and 75% of students scored 720 or higher. On the SAT Critical Reading section (formerly called the Verbal section), 25% of Vanderbilt University students scored 770 or higher, and 75% scored a 720 or higher.

To be most competitive at Vanderbilt University, you should strive to earn between 34 and 35 on the ACT.

An ACT score of 35 means you fall in the 75th percentile for Vanderbilt University's admitted students. One out of every four students scored above a 35, and three out of four students scored lower than 35 on the ACT.

A 34 on the ACT is the 25th percentile for Vanderbilt University students. Only one out of every four students scored below 34.

More Information on Transferring to Vanderbilt University

For transfer students, it is extremely difficult to get admitted to Vanderbilt University.

Transfer students can enroll in Vanderbilt University during the following terms:

• Fall Term

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Vanderbilt University Admissions FAQs

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Can I defer my acceptance to Vanderbilt University?

✅ Yes, admitted students can defer their admission to Vanderbilt University.

Does Vanderbilt University accept Advanced Placement (AP) or International Baccalaureate (IB) credits?

✅ Vanderbilt University accepts International Baccalaureate credits (IB) credits.

Do I have to submit test scores to Vanderbilt University?

❌ No, Vanderbilt University is test optional, so you can decide if you want to to submit your standardized test scores. If you have higher than average scores, you should strongly consider submitting them. If your scores are average or below average, you it might make sense to leave them out of your application.

What is Vanderbilt University's acceptance rate?

✅ Vanderbilt University's acceptance rate is 7%.

What is the early decision acceptance rate at Vanderbilt University?

✅ Vanderbilt University's early decision acceptance rate was 18% in 2021.

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