Vanderbilt University
Finalists who rank Vanderbilt
If you are a Finalist who ranked Vanderbilt, your National College Match application will be sent to Vanderbilt, 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 16, 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.
Vanderbilt School of Choice Form & Supplemental Question: 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.
Vanderbilt offers students the option to apply without consideration of their SAT or ACT scores. Learn more about Vanderbilt’s test-optional policy. Students who rank Vanderbilt can indicate which, if any, scores they would like considered in Vanderbilt’s review of their application. 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.
International Students: Non-native English speakers are required to submit results from Duolingo, TOEFL, or IELTS. This requirement will be waived if a student has scored above a 33 on the SAT Reading Test, above a 26 on the ACT English section, or has had at least two years of schooling in the English language.
SAT II Subject Tests, Advanced Placement (AP) Exams, and International Baccalaureate (IB) Exams are not required. If scores are submitted to Vanderbilt, they may be considered during the application review process.
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.
2025-2026 CSS Profile
CSS code: 1871
Available Oct. 1
Please select "Regular Decision" as your admission application type.
The Non-Custodial Parent Profile is not required.
2025-2026 FAFSA
FAFSA code: 003535
Submit as soon as available
The FAFSA will open this fall. Please complete the FAFSA as soon as it is available and submit it directly to Vanderbilt.
U.S. Citizens and Eligible Noncitizens.
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.
Regular Decision Requirements:
Step 1: Select Vanderbilt University on the QuestBridge Regular Decision Form on your Application Management page between November 4 - December 9. 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 12 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
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
2025-2026 FAFSA
FAFSA code: 003535
U.S. Citizens and Eligible Noncitizens
U.S. Citizens and Eligible Noncitizens