CURRICULUM
AT A GLANCE
Accelerator® Summer Business Immersion is designed to help undergraduate students or recent grads learn business by doing business. In 3 weeks, you will immerse yourself in the business world with 40 hours of fundamental coursework—from marketing and branding to operations and logistics—taught by world-class Vanderbilt faculty and successful practitioners. Then you’ll take that knowledge and put it to work on 3 consulting projects for real companies. It’s like gaining the experience of multiple business internships in just 21 days.
Sample Course Schedule
Week 1
| Course | |
|---|---|
| Problem Solving | |
| Personal Branding | |
| Team Dynamics | |
| Marketing Strategy | |
| Presentation Skills | |
| Finance |
Week 2
| Course | |
|---|---|
| Strategy | |
| Operations | |
| Digital Marketing | |
| Innovation | |
| Process Improvement | |
| Career Perspectives |
Week 3
| Course | |
|---|---|
| Negotiations | |
| Communications | |
| Finance | |
| Marketing | |
| Career Planning |
Learn Through Immersion
Accelerator® students gain real-world experience that leads to real opportunities. Instead of working on case studies or simulations, you will work as consultants for actual companies to develop real-life business solutions.
The following video represents our previous 4-week programming. We're excited to offer an accelerated 3-week experience in 2022.
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.
Admission 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.