Essential Elements of the Application
To apply to the program of your choice, begin your online application here.
There are several components of the application which will be explained below. You will first be asked for personal and demographic information. Applicants must provide their full, legal name, current and permanent mailing addresses, as well as certain demographic information. After completing and submitting this first page of information, you will then receive a unique user ID and password via email. You may log off and on as often as you wish until all required information is completed.
Graduate Record Examination Scores:
Scores on the GRE General Test are required as part of the application, except for those applying for Special, Non-degree student status. Certain programs also require the applicant to take the GRE Subject Test. Check with the Vanderbilt program to which you are applying to see if they require the GRE subject test. Use Institution Code 1871 when you request that your GRE scores be sent to Vanderbilt University. A Department Code is not required, but is helpful. Please choose one of the Department Codes from the list in this bulletin.
Information and application forms for the GRE may be obtained by writing to Graduate Record Examinations, Educational Testing Service (ETS), P.O. Box 6000, Princeton, New Jersey 08541-6000. The GRE web site offers information on the test, testing centers, and test dates: www.gre.org.
Transcripts:
You must scan and upload into your on-line application copies of your unofficial transcripts for all prior undergraduate and graduate academic work. Upload an unofficial transcript for each college or university you list on your application. Do not mail your official transcripts to us unless you receive an official offer of admission from the Graduate School. Only the transcripts you upload to your on-line application will be considered in evaluating your application.
Letters of Recommendation:
The University requires three to five letters of recommendation from persons qualified to evaluate your academic and professional qualifications. On your application, you will be asked to provide the e-mail addresses of your recommenders. Vanderbilt will contact your recommenders by e-mail and provide them with a link to a web site, a password, and instructions on how to submit the recommendation online. Online recommendations are instantly attached to your application. If you are unable to provide e-mail addresses for your recommenders, it is your responsibility to contact them and provide them with the recommendation form, located on the Applicant Menu page of your application. Paper letters of recommendation should be sent in duplicate to the postal address given below.
Postal Addresses:
Please send all application materials to the postal address listed below. Select a department from the list below to find its mailing address.
Statement of Purpose:
This is an important part of your application. You may type your statement online, copy it into the online application from a word processor, or upload a file containing your statement of purpose (MS Word format only).
Application Fee:
The application fee is waived if you apply online. If you are unable to apply online, please contact the Graduate School office by email and you will be sent a PDF attachment which you may download, fill out and submit. If you choose to submit the paper application, you must also submit a non-refundable fee of $40 ( U.S. ).