Vanderbilt University
Finalists who rank Vanderbilt University
If you are a Finalist who ranked Vanderbilt University, your National College Match application will be sent to Vanderbilt University, and you will need to submit the following requirements to the school by November 1. If you have questions after reviewing the information below, please reach out to the school directly.
Requirements
Vanderbilt University Application Status Portal Activation
QuestBridge will send Finalists’ applications to college partners on October 21, and Vanderbilt University may need a couple of days to import them into their system. Once processed, Vanderbilt University will then email you instructions to log in and activate your applicant portal, where you can track the status of the materials you submit.
Once you have created your Vanderbilt application portal (MyAppVU), access the portal to provide the following required supplemental materials:
- Vanderbilt School of Choice
- Vanderbilt Short Essay Question
- Additional Application Questions, including if you are applying with or without test scores, your citizenship status, and if you would like to opt-in to receiving text message reminders regarding your application.
For the School of Choice Form, you will indicate which of the undergraduate schools and academic majors you are applying to. Students are encouraged to familiarize themselves with Vanderbilt’s academic offerings. Please note, enrolling students will remain with their school of choice for their first year on campus.
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.
Applicants to the Peabody College of Education and Human Development who select Elementary Education, Secondary Education or Special Education as a major must provide a response to the following short answer question:
- What prior experience with and enthusiasm for the field of education will you bring to Vanderbilt? In your response, reflect on why you want to be an educator.
2027-2028 CSS Profile
CSS code: 1871
Available Oct. 1
2027-2028 FAFSA
FAFSA code: 003535
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' 2025 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 (MyAppVU) by January 1. Finalists can access an Early Decision Agreement Form on the admissions website and upload a fully signed form to their portal.
Regular Decision Requirements:
Step 1: Select Vanderbilt University on the QuestBridge Regular Decision Form on your Application Management page between November 4 - December 11. Only check the box if you fully intend to submit a complete application to Vanderbilt University (including all of the materials detailed in the table below).
Step 2: Activate your Vanderbilt University Applicant Portal. QuestBridge will send Finalists’ applications to Vanderbilt University on December 16 and Vanderbilt University may need a couple days to import them into their system. Use the Vanderbilt University applicant portal, sent to you via email, to track the status of your materials you submit to Vanderbilt University.
Step 3: Submit all additional required application and financial materials by the applicable deadlines directly to Vanderbilt University as detailed in the table below.
Finalists who ranked Vanderbilt and submitted all materials (but did not match to a binding college)
Finalists who did not rank Vanderbilt
Once QuestBridge Regular Decision applications are imported into our system, you will receive emailed instructions on how to create a Vanderbilt applicant portal account (MyAppVU) typically within 48 hours. After you have created your account, access the portal to provide the following required supplemental materials:
- Vanderbilt School of Choice
- Vanderbilt Short Essay Question
- Additional Application Questions, including if you are applying with or without test scores, your citizenship status, and if you would like to opt-in to receiving text message reminders regarding your application.
For the School of Choice Form, you will indicate which of the undergraduate schools and academic majors you are applying to. Students are encouraged to familiarize themselves with Vanderbilt’s academic offerings. Please note, enrolling students will remain with their school of choice for their first year on campus.
Once QuestBridge Regular Decision applications are imported into our system, you will receive emailed instructions on how to create a Vanderbilt applicant portal account (MyAppVU) typically within 48 hours. After you have created your account, access the portal to provide the following required supplemental materials:
- Vanderbilt School of Choice
- Vanderbilt Short Essay Question
- Additional Application Questions, including if you are applying with or without test scores, your citizenship status, and if you would like to opt-in to receiving text message reminders regarding your application.
For the School of Choice Form, you will indicate which of the undergraduate schools and academic majors you are applying to. Students are encouraged to familiarize themselves with Vanderbilt’s academic offerings. Please note, enrolling students will remain with their school of choice for their first year on campus.
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.
Applicants to the Peabody College of Education and Human Development who select Elementary Education, Secondary Education or Special Education as a major must provide a response to the following short answer question:
- What prior experience with and enthusiasm for the field of education will you bring to Vanderbilt? In your response, reflect on why you want to be an educator.
Finalists who ranked Vanderbilt and submitted all materials (but did not match to a binding college)
Finalists who did not rank Vanderbilt
2027-2028 FAFSA
FAFSA code: 003535
U.S. Citizens and Eligible Noncitizens
U.S. Citizens and Eligible Noncitizens