PhD Pre-VU Recruitment Event
What is the event?
The VU-EDGE PhD Pre-VU Recruitment event provides an opportunity for a select group of highly talented underrepresented students to learn more about the PhD programs at Vanderbilt and the process of developing from a graduate student into an independent researcher.
Participants will arrive in Nashville Wednesday, and will spend the next day participating in a series of workshops and other activities addressing issues relevant to graduate applications, admissions, and education. Later, participants and invited guests will be taken to dinner at a local restaurant. On Friday, participating departments will hold an Open House event for students who have expressed an interest in one of their graduate (usually PhD) programs. Participants who have had previous research experience will have the opportunity to do a brief presentation of their research. Students will be joined by current Vanderbilt students at a dinner where they can engage in candid discussions about graduate student life at Vanderbilt and in Nashville. Following dinner, participants will join current Graduate School students in a night on the town. On Saturday, all students will participate in a program to learn more about graduate school success strategies from faculty, students, and administrator perspectives. The event will conclude following lunch, and transportation to the Nashville airport will be provided.
Who is eligible to apply?
Juniors, seniors, bachelor's degree holders, current master's degree students and master's degree holders who are a U.S. citizen or permanent resident, are from an under-represented group (African Americans, Hispanics/Latinos, and Native Americans, first-generation, low-income), and are interested in pursuing a PhD in a discipline offered at Vanderbilt are eligible to participate in this event. The most competitive students will have earned a minimum 3.25 cumulative GPA and a minimum GPA of 3.5 in their major and will have had some research experience. However, any student with a compelling record of academic and/or research accomplishments is eligible to participate and should complete an application. Although GRE scores are not required for completing the application and receiving an invitation to participate, students who have taken the GRE exams and have their scores available for review will receive preferential consideration.