how to Complete your application
Complete the form to get advice from the Vanderbilt MS Finance admissions team on how to complete an application in 7 days.
Complete the form to get advice from the Vanderbilt MS Finance admissions team on how to complete an application in 7 days.
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Application Deadlines
Our application closes after the last deadline for the academic year. If you have questions about our program or the application process, please contact us.
| Class of 2026 Application Deadlines | |
|---|---|
| Early** | September 12, 2024 |
| 1** | November 7, 2024 |
| 2 | January 16, 2025 |
| 3* | March 6, 2025 |
| 4* | May 1, 2025 |
*Limited to U.S. citizens, permanent residents or international students with a 4-year U.S. undergraduate degree.
**JD/MSF students are only eligible to apply in Early Round or Round 1. JD/MSF applications will not be considered after Round 1.
ADMISSIONS CRITERIA
The Vanderbilt Owen Graduate School of Management is a unique community. With an incoming class size of about 90 students, our MS Finance program is one of the world’s most selective—and one of the best. As we evaluate applications, we have a holistic and balanced approach to admissions.
The ideal candidate has earned at least a 4-year U.S. bachelor’s degree or its equivalent from a top-quality college or university. We seek students who have taken a demanding course load in any field of study and have a consistent record of high performance.
Although most incoming students come to Vanderbilt immediately after completing their undergraduate degree, they find that professional finance exposure enables them to understand new concepts more fully and apply them more quickly. Full-time post-baccalaureate work experience is not required; however, we strongly recommend internships in finance or a related field.
How to Apply
You are about to take the first step toward enhancing your professional potential, exploring and expanding your career possibilities and discovering a new community of bright people from all over the world.
Application Requirements
Please do not send official transcripts unless you have been asked to do so. Candidates are responsible for requesting that the AWA essay be reported to Vanderbilt University Owen Graduate School of Management.
Candidates with a 3.5 or higher GPA (for those who earned their undergrad degree at an institution using a 4.0 scale), may apply to have the GMAT or GRE requirement waived. Applicants will need to complete the following steps in order to access the waiver form:
1. Create or login to your MSF application
2. Complete the personal information page
3. Complete the education history page (including a copy of your transcript for each institution attended)
4. Upload a copy of your resume
Applicants will receive the waiver form via email after they have completed the above steps. Vanderbilt MSF will reply to waiver requests as soon as possible. If your waiver is approved, your application checklist will be marked waived, and you will receive a notification via email with a response approved or not approved.
Join our community today by starting your application. To check the status of your application, click here.
Click the button below for detailed instructions on the application process.
TUITION,
Loans &
SCHOLARSHIPS
We recognize that business school is a significant investment in your personal and professional development. We are committed to helping students afford the cost of tuition by offering scholarships and low-interest loan options.
However you choose to finance your Vanderbilt MS Finance degree, know that the jobs and salaries secured by our graduates often make the loan payback period significantly shorter. With such a high rate of return, this 10-month program is an investment worth making. For more information, view our exceptional outcomes.
EVENTS & CAMPUS VISITS
We offer ongoing opportunities to help you learn more about our program and get to know our community. You can connect with us on-campus, off-campus, and virtually with our Recruiting & Admissions Team, students, and faculty.
Admissions Events
Connect With a Student
Are you curious what it’s like to be a Vanderbilt MS Finance student? Want to know more about our student life experience, living in Nashville, or the culture? We encourage you to reach out to our MSF Admissions Ambassadors and learn more about life at Vanderbilt.
Our Commitment to Diversity and Inclusion
Vanderbilt is a place where you will be challenged to achieve your potential, find support as you shape your future, discover lifelong friends and mentors, and open doors to new possibilities. Find out more about diversity and inclusion at Vanderbilt here.
MS Finance Class of 2025 Profile
- 84 Class Size
- 23 Average Age
- 3.8 Average GPA
- 20% Women
FAQ
Program Information
Q. What are the advantages of the mod system?
A.
The module system allows MSF students to take a wider variety of courses. The Owen Graduate School of Management has been operating on the "mod" scheduling system for several years now with a high degree of success.
Q. When do students matriculate each year?
A.
All MSF students are required to attend Orientation and complete on-campus course work prior to the start of the academic semester. Typically, MSF students report to campus at the beginning of August.
Q. Will I be included in Owen's social structure (student organizations, Closing Bell, etc.)?
A.
Owen's active student body offers a number of opportunities to get involved outside of the classroom, and MSF students will have access to all professional and social clubs.
Admissions Information
Q. Can MSF graduates return to Vanderbilt to complete an MBA?
A.
Yes, MSF students can apply to the Vanderbilt MBA program. The admissions standards for the MBA program are different and generally require three to five years of work experience. If you are admitted to the MBA program, some of the MSF course credits can be used to satisfy MBA graduation requirements.
Q. Does a particular academic or professional background give me any advantage in the admissions process?
A.
We seek students from a wide variety of backgrounds. Diversity in all forms—academic, professional, cultural, ethnic, gender, geographic, socioeconomic—is an important component of the Vanderbilt experience.
Q. Does the Vanderbilt MSF program accept transfer students or transfer credits?
A.
No. Most top business schools do not accept transfer students or transfer credits.
Q. When are admissions decisions made?
A.
We will notify you of the admission decision within 30 days of your application being complete.
Q. How may I pay the application fee?
A.
You will be asked to pay the application fee by credit card when submitting your online application.
Q. What are the prerequisites to apply for the Vanderbilt MSF program?
A.
Although we do not
require students to have a significant level of quantitative training, it is
expected that students will
have completed one year of calculus, as well as at least one course in
statistics. We do not require prior course work in finance. It is helpful to
have taken an introduction to economics course to help you understand the
theory of economic principles.
Q. What kind of work experience does the Admissions Committee consider?
A.
We
do not require prior full-time work experience for MSF as it is considered a
pre-experience program. However, competitive applicants will have at least one
or more internships that are applicable to pursuing a full-time role in
finance.
Q. Who is eligible to apply?
A.
MSF applicants need to have completed an undergraduate program at an accredited four-year undergraduate institution and should have shown high academic and personal achievement. Scores on the GMAT and TOEFL (for applicants who are not native English speakers) should be competitive with other Vanderbilt graduate programs.
Q. Will you waive the application fee? What if I am financially disadvantaged?
A.
Vanderbilt waives the application fee only in exceptional circumstances. Please email the MS Finance Admissions team with an explanation of your request for a fee waiver, a copy of your resume and test scores (if available).
Q. How much is the application fee?
A.
The fee is $100.