PROGRAM HIGHLIGHTS
Accelerator Summer Business Immersion | Summer 2021
The Vanderbilt Accelerator® Summer Business Immersion prepares students from a diverse mix of majors for an exciting and dynamic career in business.
- The program is for undergraduates and recent graduates from colleges and universities around the country and the world.
- Applicants must have completed at least one year of college studies. Additionally, recent college graduates up to two years out of school will be considered for admission.
- We look for students with a strong record of achievement, a thirst for knowledge and the ability to bring energy and a positive attitude to this intense program.
- Current freshman and sophomores make exceptional candidates and use this opportunity to launch their careers.
ADMISSIONS CRITERIA
You are about to take the first step toward enhancing your professional potential, expanding your career possibilities and discovering a new community of bright people from all over the world.
Upon submission of your application, the Accelerator admissions committee will review your application and resume. The admissions committee will contact you within a week to schedule a personal interview (in person or via Skype).
Your official transcript and one letter of recommendation are required prior to your enrollment.
TUITION,
LOANS &
SCHOLARSHIPS
With Accelerator, you will walk away with practical learning, real-world experience, and a new network of recruiters, business faculty, MBA students and business executives. This is an investment worth making.
Tuition: Summer 2021
Program cost: $9,500*
- Tuition
- Program supplies and course materials
- All meals and snacks throughout the program
- Activities and excursions
Housing cost: $1,500 (optional)*
- Lodging in preferred Vanderbilt residence hall. Students who already have housing arrangements in Nashville will have the option of living off-campus at their own expense.
*Tuition and housing costs are subject to change. Additional expenses may include your travel to/from Nashville for the program and dry cleaning/laundry service.
Loans
Payment Options: Sallie Mae and Wells Fargo have established loan options for the Accelerator program. For more information on the Sallie Mae loan or to apply, please visit Sallie Mae. For more information on Wells Fargo, please visit the following site. (When applying for a loan to Accelerator, please select Vanderbilt University—Accelerator Summer Business).
Many families use 529 College Savings Plans to pay for the program.
Scholarships
Partial need and merit based scholarships are available. Students will need to complete the scholarship essay as part of the application to be considered. For information about scholarships, please call the Accelerator staff at 615.322.6795.
Accelerator Class of 2019 Profile
- 70 Class Size
- 25% Recent Graduates
- 14% Rising Seniors
- 39% Rising Juniors
- 22% Rising Sophomores
FAQ
Program Information
The program operates six days a week over the span of four weeks. A day typically starts with classes that will be directly correlated to an upcoming or existing project. A typical afternoon/evening will have students participating in project launches or breakout sessions with teammates to work as consultants for the participating companies. Students will ultimately present their strategic business recommendations to top executives from the participating companies at the conclusion of a project. Additional activities include networking opportunities, guest speakers and summer internships.
Accelerator is an intensive four-week business boot camp for undergraduates and recent grads from all majors who are looking to gain insight into the intricacies of the business world through 100+ hours of business classes and 250+ hours of consulting for leading companies. In four weeks, you will help resolve real-life issues in marketing, logistics, finance, operations and branding.
Definitely. Accelerator is open to students from colleges and universities around the country and the world. Student majors range from arts & sciences, music and engineering to economics and business.
Accelerator offers participants the unique opportunity to build critical business skills that cannot be learned in a typical summer internship. During the program, you will utilize "grab it and go" business learning by working with major companies on actual problems they currently face. Upon graduating from the program, you will emerge with a strong foundation in business etiquette, a strong business network and the confidence to enter the business world and perform at the highest level.
Accelerator is designed to be a small, selective program allowing participants, faculty and business leaders to have multiple opportunities to interact with one another. Because of this personal involvement, the total enrollment for each Accelerator class will be kept between 60-80 students from diverse educational backgrounds, areas of interest and achievements. The mix of students ranges from rising sophomores to recent graduates up to two years out of school.
While Accelerator will help develop some of the business skills you will need in an MBA program, the admissions processes are completely unrelated. Accelerator provides you the opportunity to form relationships with Vanderbilt MBA professors should you decide at a later time to apply to the Owen Graduate School of Management.
Absolutely. Vanderbilt University is an equal opportunity, affirmative action university. During the application process, please request the accommodations needed, and we will work with you to meet your requests and ensure that your experience is rewarding.
Dress is business casual during classes and meetings, but business professional clothing, as well as casual, comfortable clothing, will be required on occasion. You will be given a list of necessary items prior to arrival.
Participants are strongly encouraged to enroll in the optional on-campus housing that is offered. Regardless of your housing choice, three meals a day are catered at the Owen Graduate School of Management (or on location at a company site), and an extensive assortment of snacks and drinks is available to students throughout the program.
Absolutely. Accelerator welcomes international students from all majors.
The 2021 Accelerator program will be held during the summer of 2021. The program operates six days a week over the span of four weeks. Accelerator is held in Nashville, Tennessee, at the Vanderbilt Owen Graduate School of Management.
Admissions Information
No. GMAT scores are not required for admission to Accelerator.
Yes. Interviews are part of the application process. Upon submitting your online application, you will be contacted by a member of the Accelerator admissions team to schedule your personal interview.
Complete and submit an online application. You will be contacted by a member of the Accelerator team to schedule a personal interview.
No. We do not offer hard copies of the application. You must complete our online application.
Applicants must have completed at least one year of college studies. Additionally, recent college graduates up to two years out of school will be considered for admission. Accelerator looks for students with a strong record of achievement, a thirst for knowledge and the ability to bring energy and a positive attitude to this intense program. See our Class Profile for more information.
You may submit an unofficial transcript with your application package initially. Please request that your school send an official transcript to this address:
Yes! Students from all majors (English, music, engineering, art, history, sciences, etc.) are encouraged to apply to the program.
Each applicant must have at least one letter of recommendation from a professor who has taught his/her in the classroom, a faculty advisor or someone who has supervised him/her in a work setting.