Timing
- The Fall application deadline for many Graduate School programs is January 15, but be sure to confirm with your program of interest since deadlines may vary.
- Most programs release initial Fall admission offers by March 31 with a response due by April 15.
- The timing of admission offers varies by program, and programs may continue to extend offers after that date.
Application Fee
The Graduate School application fee is $95.00 and can be paid online after you submit your application. If you submit applications to more than one program (maximum of two per year), only a single fee will be charged.
You also may be eligible for an application fee waiver:
- U.S. citizens and U.S. permanent residents1 are eligible for all categories of fee waivers.
- In most cases, international students are only eligible to receive a discretionary fee waiver.
- Requesting a fee waiver does not impact your admission eligibility.
- There is no waiver request form for you to complete. You must start and submit your application to confirm your eligibility and receive a fee waiver.
GRE requirements
Submitting your GRE scores
- For schools that require a score from the General Test of the Graduate Record Examination (GRE), please submit it within the application.
- Scores are valid if earned within five years to the month of your intended first term at Vanderbilt. (For example, no earlier than August 1 five years prior if applying for the fall term). Applicants should aim to take the GRE by November to have scores for Fall admissions deadlines.
- The Vanderbilt Institution Code is 1871. A department code is not necessary. Visit http://www.ets.org/grefor information concerning the GRE and how to send your scores to Vanderbilt.
Programs that do not require GRE scores
Be sure to check with your program’s admissions policy to determine the current requirements.
Letters of Recommendation
The Graduate School application requires 3-5 recommendation letters from people that know you well enough to sell the “you” that exists beyond your scores and grades. You can submit your application independent of the recommendation letters being complete.
Best Option
If you have an Interfolio account, the recommendation can be sent to us from that account by using the account email address that was set up for the recommender. Recommenders must create an Interfolio account using a valid email address before they can submit letters. Therefore, it is the email address for the recommender that should be entered in the application recommender list. The recommendation letters should indicate your name and the program to which you applied. The recommender’s URL they receive will contain a short recommendation form that is only available online. After filling out this short form, the recommender can upload a recommendation letter. Learn more about Interfolio.
Option 2
Emailed letters of recommendation can be sent to Vanderbilt, care of cdm@vanderbilt.edu.
Option 3
Alternatively, letters can be mailed from Interfolio to:
Center for Data Management
Vanderbilt University
PMB 407833
2301 Vanderbilt Place
Nashville, TN 37240-7833
However, if recommenders send only their comments in a paper letter, their recommendation will not include the numerical ratings for questions that appear only in the electronic form. You still must enter the recommender in your list in your application, so we have a slot to keep the recommendation letter when it arrives.
Statement of Purpose
Along with your application, you must submit a Statement of Purpose that is an essay that outlines why you are applying to the program, how you have prepared to pursue this degree and what you hope to accomplish both during and after your training. You may find other school/program-specific requirements that are listed on the application.
In general, the statement should be 1-5 pages and only contain information pertinent to the application you are submitting. There are not any word count requirements. Some programs have more specific requirements for the statement of purpose. These requirements will be listed on the Statement of Purpose page of the application.
Transcripts
Below are directions for submitting your transcript to the Graduate School:
Unofficial Transcripts
Please upload unofficial copies of your transcripts from prior undergraduate and graduate work. These can be submitted on the Academics page of your application. Please be sure that any document you upload contains your full name and, in the case of transcripts, the name of the institution.
Official Transcripts
Official transcripts are required only after an offer of admission is made and accepted. A document is considered official only if it is sent directly to Vanderbilt from your institution. Your admission is contingent upon Vanderbilt’s Centralized Document Management (CDM) receiving an official transcript directly from the institution attended no later than August 31 of your entry year. Official transcripts can be sent either via the postal service or via secure electronic delivery to cdm@vanderbilt.edu. Your checklist on the Application Status page will indicate if you need to submit an official transcript.
International Transcripts
Official academic records listing all courses and grades and including a graduation certificate in the native language must be submitted with a complete English translation certified by an official translator. All records must be certified by the issuing institution or appropriate government official. Find information about non-required credential evaluations at NACES. Information about specific documents required from each country is also available.
Mailing instructions
Address transcripts sent via postal service to:
Center for Data Management
Vanderbilt University
PMB 407833
2301 Vanderbilt Place
Nashville, TN 37240-7833
Please do NOT mail transcripts to the department office, Graduate School or Office of the University Registrar.