Insider's Guide to Admissions
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APPLICATION DEADLINES
The Fall 2025 MBA application is open.
| Round | Application Deadline | Decision Release Date | Deposit Deadline |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Oct. 8, 2024 | Dec. 13, 2024 | Jan. 22, 2025 |
| 2 | Jan. 8, 2025 | Mar. 14, 2025 | Apr. 15, 2025 |
| 3 | Feb. 25, 2025 | Apr. 4, 2025 | Apr. 30, 2025 |
| 4* | Apr. 1, 2025* | May 2, 2025 | May 15, 2025 |
| 5 | May 15, 2025 | Rolling Admission | Rolling Admission |
*To ensure adequate time for visa processing, Round 4 is the final deadline for international applicants.
When determining when to apply, consider the following:
- We anticipate your application will be complete on the application deadline date. Applicants who are missing checklist items one week after the deadline date will be moved to the next round.
- Apply by Round 2 to be considered for the Dean’s Scholars’ Program.
- Apply by Round 4 for priority consideration for other merit-based scholarships.
- Pathway2MBA and VU2MBA candidates may apply in Rounds 4 & 5.
- All decisions for each round will be published on the decision release date and we are unable to provide early decisions.
APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS
A complete Vanderbilt MBA application includes:
- A submitted online application
- Academic transcripts
- Evaluative interview
- Letter of recommendation
- Official English Language Exam or approved waiver (for International Candidates)
- Official standardized test score or approved test waiver
- Resume
- Video response
- Written statements
For additional information on any of these pieces of the Vanderbilt application, please contact us.
TUITION,
LOANS & SCHOLARSHIPS
We recognize that business school is a significant investment in your personal and professional development and are committed to helping students afford the cost of tuition by offering scholarships and low-interest loan options.
However you choose to finance your MBA, know that the post-MBA jobs and salaries secured by our students often make the loan payback period significantly shorter than anticipated. For more information on post-MBA salaries, view our exceptional outcomes.
EVENTS & CAMPUS VISITS
Vanderbilt MBA admissions events are designed to help you learn more about our program and get to know our community. We offer opportunities to connect on-campus, off-campus, and virtually.
UPCOMING EVENTS
MBA Class of 2025 Profile
- 160 Class Size
- 23-39 Age Range
- 5.6 Mean Years of Work Experience
- 687 Average GMAT Score
- 3.5 Median Undergraduate GPA
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.
MILITARY CANDIDATES
Vanderbilt prides itself on being military-friendly and providing an environment and programs especially suited to military candidates. Check out our resources and scholarships available to military candidates.
INTERNATIONAL CANDIDATES
Vanderbilt values the worldview international students bring to our program. In addition to a dedicated International Recruiting and Relations Director, we offer resources and scholarships specifically for international candidates. We encourage you to watch this recording of a student panel webinar for valuable information on applying to and attending the Vanderbilt MBA program.
FOR UNDERGRADS - DEFERRED ADMISSIONS PROGRAMS
Vanderbilt offers graduating seniors a clear pathway to obtain their MBA through our deferred admissions programs. Graduating seniors who are U.S. citizens can apply to the MBA program at the end of their senior year, and if accepted, start after gaining work experience. Learn more about our deferred admissions programs here.
CONNECT WITH OUR MBA RECRUITING TEAM
Jalen Brown
Assistant Director/Lead Diversity Recruiter, Recruiting & AdmissionsEmail (615) 322-2940
Recruiting Experience Ambassadors
Connect with a Current MBA Student
We encourage you to reach out to our Vanderbilt MBA Recruiting and Admissions Fellows to hear about their experience, and learn more about our program and student life.
Frequently Asked Questions
Admissions Criteria
Q. Can I apply if I already completed an MBA or similar degree from another school?
A.
Vanderbilt does not admit applicants seeking a second MBA degree or similar graduate management degree, regardless of where the first was obtained. Exempt from this policy are master's degrees that focus on a specific functional area of business (such as accounting, finance, or management information systems) and do not offer a broad general management curriculum typical of the MBA degree.
Q. Does the Vanderbilt MBA program require any quantitative courses as prerequisites?
A.
There are no specific prerequisites for our program. Before classes start, Vanderbilt offers a Quant Camp review program for incoming MBA students. Candidates with little or no business background are urged to review statistics, basic finance, accounting, and/or economic principles before the program in order to be adequately prepared for the quantitative rigor of the program. Click here for a detailed explanation of our admissions criteria.
Q. Does the Vanderbilt MBA program accept transfer students or transfer credits?
A.
No. We are unable to accept transfer students or transfer credits. If we do admit an individual who is already enrolled in another full-time MBA program, transfer credits will not be accepted and the student will be expected to complete all 62 credits required for the Vanderbilt MBA degree.
Q. Does the Vanderbilt MBA program accept a 3-year undergraduate degree?
A.
Applicants must have obtained a four-year U.S. Bachelor’s degree from an accredited university or college, or its equivalent, and you can view our international education requirements here. We strongly recommend candidates with a 3-year degree obtain and submit a WES or IEE course-by-course evaluation showing degree equivalency. In some cases, a course-by-course evaluation showing degree equivalency will be required for application evaluation.
Q. What kind of work experience does the Admissions Committee consider?
A.
We consider all full-time work, including military experience and volunteer work. Most students in our program have at least 2 years of work experience, with the majority of students having an average of 4-6 years of full-time post-baccalaureate experience.
Events & Visits
Q. Can I conduct an on campus visit?
A.
Campus Visits are offered on select Mondays and Thursdays while classes are in session. To schedule your visit, click here.