Once you have created your Vanderbilt application portal, complete the Vanderbilt School of Choice Form within the portal and submit the Vanderbilt Short Essay Question. You will use the School of Choice Form to indicate whether you are applying to Vanderbilt’s College of Arts & Science, School of Engineering, Peabody College of Education and Human Development, or Blair School of Music. Students MUST complete the School of Choice Form in order to be considered for admission to Vanderbilt. 

Applicants to the Blair School of Music and to the Peabody College of Education and Human Development will also select the academic major for which they wish to be considered. Students are encouraged to familiarize themselves with Vanderbilt’s academic offerings. Enrolling students will remain with their school of choice for their first year on campus. Applicants to Peabody College who select a major of Elementary Education, Secondary Education, or Special Education will also respond to a short answer question about their interest in becoming an educator.

Scores from the ACT or SAT exams will not be required for students applying to enter the university for Fall 2026. This applies to all first-year applicants, including international and homeschool students. Match applicants will indicate on the supplement whether they wish to be considered with or without ACT or SAT scores. Official score reports will be required for all enrolling students who self-report test scores.

Vanderbilt will require an English Language Proficiency Supplement for students whose first language or language of instruction is not English. Applicants may then be prompted to submit their English proficiency exam results - TOEFL, IELTS, Cambridge, or Duolingo English Test - directly from the testing agency or from a high school official.

Students may also self-report scores from AP or IB exams on the application if they choose to have these considered as part of the review process.

Please visit our website to learn more about Vanderbilt's testing policies.

Students interested in the Blair School of Music must submit a separate application, including pre-screening materials, no later than November 1. Students are encouraged to familiarize themselves with the pre-screening and audition materials & admissions process on the Blair School of Music’s website as early as possible. Applicants who pass pre-screening will be notified in early November and given next steps for audition.

Please complete the FAFSA as soon as it is available and submit it directly to Vanderbilt.

U.S. Citizens and Eligible Noncitizens.

Submit copies of your and your parents' 2024 tax information using the Vanderbilt applicant portal. For instructions on how to submit documents via the portal, please visit the Financial Aid website.

Vanderbilt does not require the Non-Custodial Parent Profile.

Finalists who do not match may apply to Vanderbilt through Early Decision II.

Finalists who did not rank any colleges may forward their application to Vanderbilt through QuestBridge Regular Decision. Once Vanderbilt receives your QuestBridge application, applicants may request their decision plan change to Early Decision II through the Vanderbilt application portal by January 1. Finalists can access an Early Decision Agreement Form on the admissions website and upload a fully signed form to their portal.

All Finalists who rank Vanderbilt for the Match but did not match to a binding college will be automatically rolled over to Regular Decision. 

Finalists who ranked Vanderbilt and submitted all materials (but did not match to a binding college)

Finalists who did not rank Vanderbilt

If you submit the QuestBridge Application or apply Coalition on Scoir, you will receive emailed instructions on how to create a Vanderbilt applicant portal account within 48 hours. Once you have created an account, you will complete the Vanderbilt School of Choice Form within the MyAppVU portal.

If you submit the Common Application, the Vanderbilt supplement will appear once you select Vanderbilt in your college list.

Vanderbilt offers students the option to apply without consideration of their SAT or ACT scores. Learn more about Vanderbilt’s test-optional policy. For students who choose to submit test scores, Vanderbilt accepts self-reported test scores, scores reported on official transcripts, or scores verified through counselors. Official score reports will be required for all enrolling students who requested that their scores be considered for admission. 

Students interested in the Blair School of Music must submit a separate application, including pre-screening materials, no later than January 1. Students are encouraged to familiarize themselves with the pre-screening and audition materials & admissions process on the Blair School of Music’s website as early as possible. Applicants who pass pre-screening will be notified about next steps for audition.

Finalists who ranked Vanderbilt and submitted all materials (but did not match to a binding college)

Finalists who did not rank Vanderbilt

U.S. Citizens and Eligible Noncitizens

U.S. Citizens and Eligible Noncitizens

If not previously submitted