PROGRAM HIGHLIGHTS
Accelerator Summer Business Immersion
May 31-June 18, 2026
Accelerator® Summer Business Immersion is a certificate program that equips students with business knowledge, hands-on experience through a real client project, and career preparation. This program is designed for current undergraduate students and recent graduates. Students from all institutions and majors are welcome to apply. We always look to foster a diverse and inclusive environment.
- 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.
Application Deadlines
Our application closes after the last deadline. Applications for summer 2026 will open on August 13. If you have questions about our program or the application process, please contact us.
| 2025-26 DEADLINES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Round | Deadline | Decision Release Date | Deposit Deadline |
| Early Deadline* | December 19, 2025 | January 9, 2026 | January 23, 2026 |
| 1 | January 30, 2026 | February 13, 2026 | February 27, 2026 |
| 2 | February 27, 2026 | March 13, 2026 | March 27, 2026 |
| 3 | March 27, 2026 | April 10, 2026 | April 24, 2026 |
| 4 | April 24, 2026 | May 1, 2026 | May 15, 2026 |
Typically, decisions are released within 1 week of application submission. Applications are accepted and reviewed on a rolling basis.
*$500 early bird discount
ADMISSIONS CRITERIA
Applicants must have completed at least one year of college studies and be a currently enrolled undergraduate student at a U.S.-based institution. Additionally, recent college graduates up to 2 years out of school will be considered for admission. Applicants must also be in good academic standing, with at least a 3.0 cumulative GPA.
Ideal candidates will be collaborative in their work style and have a strong desire to improve their communication, professional presence, as well as consultation and marketing skills.
Attn: Vanderbilt University Students
As a current Vanderbilt student, you’re eligible to take advantage of Accelerator® Summer Business Immersion to help meet a part of your Immersion Vanderbilt Experience requirement. Contact us to learn more.
TUITION
& LOANS
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 2026
Program cost: $8,500
- Tuition
- Program supplies and course materials
- All meals and snacks throughout the program
- Activities and professional development
Housing cost (optional): Approx. $1,300
- Lodging is a separate and additional cost for Accelerator students.
- Should students choose to live on campus, lodging in a residence hall is managed and priced by the Office of Conferences & Events. Our Accelerator team will share the housing registration information with you, but please note our team does NOT manage the housing process. All payments, receipts, and move-in/out dates are managed by the Office of Conferences & Events.
- Students will also have the option of living off-campus and finding their own housing arrangements at their own expense in Nashville. Apartment Insiders is a free service that may be helpful in this process.
Early Bird Discount, Deposit, and Final Payment
An early bird discount of $500 will be applied to admitted students in the early deadline. Please note this discount is applied to the final balance and not the deposit.
A non-refundable $1,000 deposit is required to secure and confirm your enrollment into the program. It is due on the respective deposit deadline for the round that you applied.
Final payment and balance is due in full by May 1 for all applicants before Round 4. Round 4 applicants must pay the full tuition amount by May 15.
*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
Vanderbilt University provides a resource, FASTChoice, to help students and families find loans for non-degree programs such as Accelerator. FASTChoice is a tool for comparing private loan lenders through which our students have borrowed during the past three award years.
The lenders are listed in random order, and the information provided is accurate to the best of our knowledge. Before viewing the private lender list, you will be prompted to complete the Borrowing Essentials section, an interactive overview of basic borrowing information to help you make the best decision. If you return to the private lender list at a later time, then you can choose to opt out of viewing the Borrowing Essentials section again.
Scholarships
Extremely limited scholarship funding is available, and offered on a first-come, first-serve basis. Applicants who demonstrate both financial need and exceptional potential in their application will be considered.
How to Apply
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.
Application Requirements
A complete Accelerator application includes the following:
- Completed Online Application
- Unofficial Academic Transcripts
- Resume
- Statement of Purpose
- Video Question Response
If you have any questions about the admissions process, please contact us.
WANT TO TALK
ONE-ON-ONE?
SCHEDULE A PERSONAL CONSULTATION
CONNECT WITH A STUDENT
Are you curious about what it’s like to be an Accelerator student a Vanderbilt? Want to know more about our client projects, team experiences, living in Nashville, or the culture? We encourage you to reach out to our Accelerator Ambassadors and learn how Accelerator is life-changing.
MEET YOUR TEAM
Accelerator Class Profile For Summer 2024
- 49 Class Size
- 12% Recent Graduates
- 12% Rising Seniors
- 45% Rising Juniors
- 31% Rising Sophomores
FAQ
Program Information
Q. Will I be accommodated if I have a disability?
A.
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.
Q. Is the program open to students from schools other than Vanderbilt?
A.
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.
Q. What is the dress code for the program? Will I need business professional clothing?
A.
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.
Q. Will participating in Accelerator help me get into the Vanderbilt MBA program?
A.
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.
Q. If I am an international student, can I apply?
A.
Absolutely. Accelerator welcomes international students attending US institutions from all majors.
Q. How is the program organized?
A.
The program operates six days a week over the span of three 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 and guest speakers.
Q. What is Accelerator?
A.
Accelerator is an intensive 3-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 40 hours of business classes and 150 hours of consulting for leading companies. In three weeks, you will help resolve real-life issues in marketing, logistics, finance, operations, and branding.
Q. What will I gain by participating in Accelerator?
A.
Accelerator offers participants the unique opportunity to build critical business skills that cannot be learned in a typical summer internship and you'll receive career coaching and leadership development to help you grow personally and professionally. During the program, you will utilize "grab it and go" business learning by applying what you learn in the classroom to solve real problems for a variety of companies. Upon completing the program, you will emerge with an understanding of different career paths, business knowledge, a professional network, and the confidence to enter the business world.
Q. When and where will Accelerator be held?
A.
The Accelerator program will be held during the summer. The program operates six days a week over the span of 3-weeks. Accelerator is held in Nashville, Tennessee, at the Vanderbilt Owen Graduate School of Management.
Q. Who will be in class with me?
A.
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 capped at 65 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.
Admissions Information
Q. Do I need to take the GMAT to attend Accelerator?
A.
No. GMAT scores are not required for admission to Accelerator.
Q. I am majoring in X. Should I apply?
A.
Yes! Students from all majors (English, music, engineering, art, history, sciences, etc.) are encouraged to apply to the program.
Q. I can't get an official transcript by the deadline. What should I do?
A.
You may submit an unofficial transcript with your application package initially. Please request that your school send an official transcript to this address:
Owen Graduate School of Management
Vanderbilt University
Accelerator—Vanderbilt Summer Business Institute
401 21st Avenue South
Nashville, Tennessee 37203
Q. Is a hard copy of the Accelerator application available?
A.
No. We do not offer hard copies of the application. You must complete our online application.
Q. What are the admissions criteria? How selective is the program?
A.
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.
Q. Do you interview candidates?
A.
No. Your academic track record, your essay, your short video, and your references will be sufficient for our Admissions Committee.
Q. How do I apply to the program?
A.
Complete and submit an online application.