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MS Marketing
Vanderbilt MS Marketing

How to Apply

We look forward to getting to know you throughout the MS Marketing application process. We want you to make your application a strong showcase of who you are, what you have accomplished, and what you hope to achieve.

Student smiling and sitting at a desk taking a test

Application Instructions

The Vanderbilt MS Marketing application is hosted online. To begin, you will be asked to provide basic information such as demographic and contact information, areas of interest, activities and education, and work history. Applications are considered complete when each component has been received and processed by our team.  

All applications are due by 11:59 p.m. Central Time on the deadline date. To ensure adequate time for visa processing, April 5, 2027, is the final deadline for international applicants. 

Application Checklist

For information on the required components of the Vanderbilt marketing master's application, please click below.

  • Online Application

    The Vanderbilt MS Marketing application is hosted online. To begin, you will be asked to provide basic information such as demographic and contact information, areas of interest, activities and education, and work history. Applications are considered complete when each component has been received and processed by our team. You can check your application status at any time by accessing the application checklist.

    All applications are due by 11:59 p.m. Central Time on the deadline date.

  • GMAT or GRE Score (Optional)

    Vanderbilt Business specialized master's programs are test-optional. Applicants may submit GMAT or GRE scores if they feel these scores add value to their candidacy and demonstrate their readiness for graduate-level work.

  • Transcripts

    Vanderbilt requires graduate students to have a four-year U.S. bachelor’s degree from an accredited university or college, or its equivalent. An unofficial academic transcript from every college or university you attended is required as part of the application. 

    Legible, unofficial transcripts are acceptable at the time of application submission and should include your full name, the name of the institution, all courses with grades received, grade point average, grading scale, and conferred degree with date (if applicable). If your conferred degree with date is not included on your transcript, upload a copy of your diploma along with your transcript. 

    If your transcript is not in English, include your translated academic records along with your originals. 

    Official Transcripts 

    Official academic records are required for admitted students prior to enrollment. Final official academic records must be sent directly from the issuing institution/agency to Vanderbilt University. 

    Information on the prior degree verification process, including how to submit official academic records, can be found on the Vanderbilt University Registrar’s Website. 

  • Essays

    Your two essays give us great insight into your thinking, communication style, personality, and other unique qualities.

    Be prepared to write a detailed career goals essay that explains your reasons for pursuing the MS Marketing degree, your short-term post-graduation plans, and how your skills align with a marketing career. You'll also need to demonstrate creativity in a separate essay. Log into the application to see the complete questions for the current application round.

  • Letter of Recommendation

    Only one letter of recommendation is required and recommendations are due on the application deadline date. 

    Select your recommender and enter their contact information within the application early to ensure your application will not be delayed. Instructions on submitting the Vanderbilt recommendation form will be emailed directly to your recommender. 

    We encourage you to choose a recommender who can share your personal qualities and ability to succeed in a marketing master's program.  

    Acceptable recommenders include current and former internship or full-time managers, current or former professors, and individuals with whom you have worked regularly, as long as they can provide a meaningful evaluation in a professional context. 

    Our preference is for your recommender to complete an online recommendation form itself. If your recommender is not an English speaker, a letter of recommendation in his/her native language with a professional translation is acceptable. The original letter, the translated letter, and a certification by the translator should be combined into one document and uploaded by the recommender into the recommendation form. 

  • Resume

    Your resume is an opportunity to tell your story on paper and should focus on your transferable skills and quantifiable results. Please upload a current professional resume that highlights your educational background, work or internship experience, and any other activities or interests that are significant to you. A one-page resume is ideal.

  • Interview

    Interviews are an essential component of the application and are offered by invitation on a rolling basis to applicants who have submitted a complete application. 

    Interviews are conducted asynchronously through Kira Talent, our video interview platform, allowing candidates to complete the interview on their own schedule within the designated window. A unique link will be provided to access the platform. 

    The interview consists of four oral responses and one written response, with a practice opportunity provided before candidates begin recording. 

  • Video Response

    The video response is a chance for you to provide a glimpse of the authentic you, speaking without a script. The video questions are designed to be easy to answer and help us to get to know you as a person. You will have three attempts to do a video response recording. The application will provide you with step-by-step instructions on how to record your answers.

International Applicants

  • Degree Equivalency Requirements

    Applicants must have obtained a four-year U.S. bachelor’s degree from an accredited university or college, or its equivalent. A list of acceptable degrees from international institutions is provided below. For applicants applying with 3-year credentials please view the next section. 

    Official academic records listing all courses and grades and including a graduation certificate in the native language must be submitted with a complete English translation certified by an official translator. All records must be certified by the issuing institution or appropriate government official. 

    All credentials will be reviewed by the University Registrar’s Office. International students with degrees from non-U.S. institutions can review required documentation for prior degree verification. 

    While not required, international candidates are able to submit verified credential evaluations in support of their application. Vanderbilt partners with several providers to offer this at a reduced cost. Our affiliates and discount instructions can be found on our External Degree Verification page. 

    For information on what credentials are accepted please see the Requirements by Country section.

  • English Language Exam or Test Waiver

    An official English Language Exam score or an approved waiver is a required component of the application. An official test score report must be requested by the applicant and received by Vanderbilt directly from the testing service. 

    Vanderbilt accepts the following exams: TOEFL, IELTS, Duolingo English Test, TOEFL Essentials. TOEFL, IELTS, and Duolingo English Test scores are valid for two years. 

    English Language Exam Waiver: 

    The English Language Exam requirement can be waived for applicants that meet any of the following requirements: 

    • Applicant has earned an undergraduate degree in a country where the official language is English* (not just an English-speaking institution or just a country where English is spoken); or 
    • Applicant has lived and worked, for the past two or more years, in a country where the official language is English* (not just a country where English is spoken); or 
    • Applicant has scored in the 90th percentile or higher on the verbal component of the GMAT or GRE. 

    International applicants can be considered for an English Language Exam waiver by marking qualifications on the "International Applicants" page of the application. 

    *We consider English to be an official language of India. 

    Submitting official test scores: 

    An official test score report must be requested by the applicant and received by Vanderbilt directly from the testing service. Once the results are ready, it can take 10-14 days to be received, processed, and attached to your application. 

    School Codes: 

    • Duolingo: No school code is required. You will be asked to provide our school’s name: “Vanderbilt University” in the request. If Vanderbilt is indicated as a recipient of the Duolingo English Test, the results are received and posted to your application two days after taking the test. 
    • TOEFL and IELTS: 1871 

    The official TOEFL or IELTS scores should be submitted to Vanderbilt University at this address: 

    Center for Data Management - OWEN 
    Vanderbilt University (Institution Code 1871) 
    PMB 407833 
    2301 Vanderbilt Place 
    Nashville, TN 
    37240-7833 

    For questions about the TOEFL, contact ETS. 

    To contact IELTS email ielts@ieltsintl.org. 

    Learn more about the Duolingo English Test. 

  • Applicants With 3-Year Degrees

    We strongly recommend candidates with a 3-year degree obtain and submit an IEE or TEC course-by-course evaluation showing degree equivalency. In some cases, a course-by-course evaluation showing degree equivalency will be required for application evaluation. 

    To guarantee review in the round for which you initially applied, it is advised to have a credential evaluation prepared at time of submission. Should additional information need to be requested, your application may be administratively moved to the next admission round. To assist you in obtaining an evaluation, Vanderbilt has partnered with multiple providers to offer evaluations at a reduced cost. Discount instructions can be found on our External Degree Verification page. 

    For information on what credentials are accepted please see the Requirements by Country section.

  • Requirements by Country

    COUNTRYREQUIREMENTS
    BANGLADESH
    • A three (3) year degree (B.Com, B.A. or B.Sc) will be accepted when accompanied by a WES evaluation certifying that the degree is equivalent to a four-year U.S. Bachelor's degree.
    • Alternatively, applicants must also complete the Charter Accountancy Designation OR at least one year of a Master of Commerce degree program to compliment the three-year degree.
    CANADA
    • Three-year Bachelor’s degree from Quebec; four-year Bachelor’s degree from all other provinces.
    EUROPE
    • The EHEA three-year bachelor’s degree with a minimum of 180 ECTS credits.
    INDIA
    • A three (3) year degree (B.Com, B.A. or B.Sc) will be accepted when accompanied by a WES evaluation certifying that the degree is equivalent to a four-year U.S. Bachelor's degree.
    • Alternatively, applicants must also complete the Charter Accountancy Designation OR at least one year of a Master of Commerce degree program to compliment the three-year degree.
    INDONESIA
    • Sarjana or Sarjana Legkap, awarded after five years of university study.
    JAPAN
    • Gakushi-go, awarded after four years of university study.
    LATIN AMERICA
    • Completion of all courses and thesis or professional exams required for the degree of Licenciado.
    • Equivalent of a U.S. bachelor degree, (four years of university study)
    PAKISTAN
    • A three (3) year degree (B.Com, B.A. or B.Sc) will be accepted when accompanied by a WES evaluation certifying that the degree is equivalent to a four-year U.S. Bachelor's degree.
    • Alternatively, applicants must also complete the Charter Accountancy Designation OR at least one year of a Master of Commerce degree program to compliment the three-year degree.
    PEOPLES’ REPUBLIC OF CHINA
    • A Bachelor’s degree representing four years of university study.
    POST-SOVIET STATES
    • Four-year Bachelor’s degree or the three-year Bachelor’s degree with a minimum of 180 ECTS credits.
    RUSSIA
    • Four-year Bachelor’s degree or the three-year Bachelor’s degree with a minimum of 180 ECTS credits.
    SCANDINAVIA
    • A university diploma awarded after four or more years of study, or the three-year EHEA Bachelor’s degree with a minimum of 180 ECTS credits.
    SOUTH AFRICA
    • Honours Bachelor’s degree or the EHEA three-year Bachelor’s degree with a minimum of 180 ECTS credits.
    SOUTH KOREA
    • Bachelor’s degree awarded after four years of university or college study.
    SRI LANKA
    • A three (3) year degree (B.Com, B.A. or B.Sc) will be accepted when accompanied by a WES evaluation certifying that the degree is equivalent to a four-year U.S. Bachelor's degree.
    • Alternatively, applicants must also complete the Charter Accountancy Designation OR at least one year of a Master of Commerce degree program to compliment the three-year degree.
    SWITZERLAND
    • License, Diplôme or Diplom, representing four to five years of university study.
    UKRAINE
    • Four-year Bachelor’s degree or the three-year Bachelor’s degree with a minimum of 180 ECTS credits.
    UNITED KINGDOM
    • Honours Bachelor’s degree or the EHEA three-year Bachelor’s degree with a minimum of 180 ECTS credits.

  • Financial Preparation

    International applicants who require a visa will benefit from strategic financial planning when determining their academic pathway. To aid in this, you can see our website for a general list of expected tuition and expenses (link to page).  

    If you are not a U.S. citizen and do not hold a U.S. permanent resident visa, U.S. regulations require proof of sufficient funds to finance your travel, living, and educational expenses. International students are not eligible for federally funded loans. 

    The Preliminary Financial Declaration is an estimate of the funds you will have available to you at the time of enrollment. You do not need to submit official bank statements or affidavits of support with your application for admission. We understand that you may not have the full funding required at this time. 

    Admission and merit-based scholarship decisions will not be affected by the information you provide on the Preliminary Financial Declaration.

  • Resources for International Applicants

    Vanderbilt University is committed to holistically supporting both our enrolled and prospective international applicants. Please contact the Office of International Student and Scholar Services or call 615-322- 2753 if you have any questions about financial certification, student visa applications, or any other aspect of the international applicant experience. You can also schedule an appointment directly with a member of the ISSS team for further discussion.

Completed Applications

Applications are considered complete and ready for review when all required materials—essays, letter of recommendation, unofficial transcript, and application fee—have been received and processed by our team. Incomplete applications will not advance to the interview stage.  

Applicants with a complete application can expect a decision within 4 weeks after the application deadline. Please note that an evaluative interview is required before an offer of admission is given. However, applicants may receive a denial or waitlist decision at any stage without an interview.  

Applicants can check their application status at any time by accessing the application checklist. 

Check the status of your application. 

Additional Information

  • Application Fee

    There is a $100 application fee for the Vanderbilt MS Marketing program.

  • Deferred Admission

    The Vanderbilt MS Marketing program may offer deferred admission on a case-by-case basis. If admitted to the program, you may request approval for a deferral. Merit-based scholarships are not guaranteed from one year to the next.

  • Reapplication

    We welcome re-applicants in the next application cycle and will retain your application for two years. If you reapply, please use the same login credentials. Some of your former application data will transfer into your new application. You are encouraged to use the explanatory statement to describe how you have improved your candidacy.

  • Mailing Supplemental Materials

    We recommend that you keep copies of everything you submit to Vanderbilt for the duration of the application process. Please mail any supplemental application materials not submitted electronically to:

    Center for Data Management - OWEN
    Vanderbilt University
    PMB 407833, 2301 Vanderbilt Place
    Nashville, TN 37240-7833

  • Application Status

    You can check your status at any time by logging into your Application Status page, keeping in mind it may take a short time to process applications.

  • Admissions Decisions

    In general, decisions will be released four weeks after the application deadline. All Admissions Committee decisions are final, and applicants will be considered for admission only once in any given academic year.

    The Admissions Committee reserves the right to deny any applicant, rescind any offer of admission, or dismiss any enrolled student if any part of the application is inaccurate, misrepresented, falsified or otherwise untrue.

Questions?

We appreciate your interest in the Vanderbilt MS Marketing program and look forward to working with you. Please reach out to us. 

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