Admissions: Vanderbilt University

Undergraduate Admissions
2305 West End Avenue
Nashville, TN 37203-1727
615-322-2561 | 800-288-0432
admissions@vanderbilt.edu

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between Early Decision and Regular Decision?

Early Decision is a binding agreement that communicates to our office that Vanderbilt is your first choice. Specifically, if you apply under Early Decision you are agreeing to enroll if you are admitted. Regular Decision allows you to apply to Vanderbilt without agreeing that you will definitely enroll if admitted.

Either way, you may still apply to other colleges, but if you are admitted to Vanderbilt under an Early Decision contract, you must withdraw applications to these other colleges. Students should only consider applying under Early Decision if they have determined that Vanderbilt is their definite first choice. If they are considering Vanderbilt, but they are not certain it’s where they most want to attend, they should apply under the Regular Decision plan.

The timelines for all three options are as follows:

Early Decision 1 has an application deadline of November 1, and applicants are notified of their admissions decision by November 15 through U.S. mail.
Early Decision 2 has an application deadline of January 3, and applicants are notified of their admissions decision by April 15 through U.S. mail.
Regular Decision has an application deadline of January 3, and applicants are notified of their admissions decision by April 15 through U.S. mail.

The only major difference between the Early Decision plans is time frame.