Frequently Asked Questions

A 8:1 student-to-faculty ratio places each and every Vanderbilt student in close contact with faculty of prominence in every area of academic study. This diverse, talented group of full-time professors is united by one goal: to provide our undergraduates with a challenging, comprehensive education that teaches them to think critically and broadly.

Remember that college is a time for self-discovery, exploration, and independence. Then remember back to when you were that age and trust your child to make even better decisions.

Yes, through the Vanderbilt Career Center students can take advantage of resources including individual career advising, career exploration tools, and the career resource library. Last year close to 600 employers were on campus at career fairs allowing all Vanderbilt students to meet with potential employers about internships or full-time positions.

Leaving for college can be very stressful for student and parent, so it becomes increasingly important for you and your student to recognize that you may feel overwhelmed and uncertain of what lies ahead.

As a parent, you should strive to help your student make the best choice based on his/her interests, likes, and aspirations rather than your own. It is also important to keep in mind that the college search should be a quest for the “best fit,” not necessarily the “best&lrquo; college.

Students have different needs and preferences when it comes to how they pursue higher education. Once this has been acknowledged, work with your student to help determine a list of colleges that he/she would be happy to attend.

Vanderbilt works to maintain a safe, secure environment for all members of the community. This overarching policy extends to matters of alcohol and substance use. In general, students who wish to consume alcohol on campus or at any off-campus university function must be at least 21 years of age as mandated by the state of Tennessee. If an underage student is caught consuming alcohol, it could lead to disciplinary action and/or criminal prosecution depending on the nature of the offense.

In the event that an underage student has had so much to drink that they may require medical attention, these special circumstances allow for the intoxicated student, and any of their friends helping the student, to be “immune” from disciplinary action to a certain degree. We want our students to seek help if they need it. However, students who do require medical attention might be placed on probation or required to undergo counseling.

The use, possession, or distribution of illegal substances on campus or at any off-campus, university-sponsored events is strictly prohibited. This includes the use of prescription medications by an individual without that prescription.

Read about Vanderbilt‘s policies on drugs and alcohol in full.

A Vanderbilt education leads to a degree with distinction. Most recently, 36% of our graduating seniors entered graduate or professional school and 47% went directly into the workforce. Another 17% volunteered, entered the military, or had other plans.

There are endless opportunities for involvement with more than 350 student organizations, a student newspaper, a campus radio station, approximately 40 club sports, 40 intramural sports, musical ensembles including a 200-member marching band, fraternities, sororities, and Division I-SEC sports with enthusiastic student cheering sections. And Nashville is located in a major metropolitan area with about 1.5 million people. Vanderbilt is in the West End district, located just minutes from a lively downtown scene and within walking distance of all that Nashville has to offer.

Click on the Affording Vanderbilt link of the Parents section for a breakdown of annual costs. But before you focus on cost alone, visit our Financing section to find out about the unique programs Vanderbilt offers to help all who are accepted to Vanderbilt stay here.

Early Decision is a binding agreement that communicates to our office that Vanderbilt is your first choice. Specifically, if you apply under Early Decision you are agreeing to enroll if you are admitted. Regular Decision allows you to apply to Vanderbilt without agreeing that you will definitely enroll if admitted.

Either way, you may still apply to other colleges, but if you are admitted to Vanderbilt under an Early Decision contract, you must withdraw applications to these other colleges. Students should only consider applying under Early Decision if they have determined that Vanderbilt is their definite first choice. If they are considering Vanderbilt, but they are not certain it‘s where they most want to attend, they should apply under the Regular Decision plan.

The timelines for all three options are as follows:

• Early Decision 1 has an application deadline of November 1, and applicants are notified of their admissions decision by December 15 through U.S. mail.
• Early Decision 2 has an application deadline of January 3, and applicants are notified of their admissions decision by February 15 through U.S. mail.
• Regular Decision has an application deadline of January 3, and applicants are notified of their admissions decision by April 1 through U.S. mail.

The only major difference between the Early Decision plans is time frame.

Our student faculty ratio of 8:1 makes it possible for our faculty to offer small, interactive classroom experiences. All faculty are required to hold office hours and teach undergraduates, allowing students to engage in discussion with distinguished scholars in a host of disciplines.

While graduate students may teach some of the introductory level courses, professors will teach the vast majority of courses with an average class size of 19 to foster a rigorous academic environment that benefits all students.

Vanderbilt encourages students struggling with issues or problems affecting their academic performance to meet with their professors or consult with their academic advisers right away. Other options for assistance include: Pre-major advising, The Writing Studio, Tutoring Services, and the Opportunity Development Center.

To find the complete academic calendar, click here.

For a comprehensive look at our programs, visit our New Student & First Year Programs Web site.

Three residence halls are reserved exclusively for first-year students. Kissam Quadrangle offers all single rooms; Branscomb Quadrangle offers all double rooms; and Vanderbilt/Barnard Hall offers single and double rooms. All of the residence halls are located on campus and are co-ed by floor. For specific information on residence halls, including amenities, safety, and other features, please see the Office of Housing and Residential Education homepage.

Vanderbilt Dining offers a variety of menus, including options for vegetarian students and students with special dining needs. Please note that first-year students are required to be on a meal plan. For information about the location of campus eateries, menus, meal plan details, and off-campus restaurants that participate in meal plans, please see the Vanderbilt Dining homepage.

Feel free to contact the admissions officer responsible for the geographic territory where your student‘s high school is located or our on-campus office.

If you have specific questions related to academics, student life, athletics, or other aspects of an undergraduate education at Vanderbilt, the parents‘ section of the university‘s Web site is a great place to start.

While there is no way to predict with any certainty whether your child will find Vanderbilt to be a fit, the following information may help:

• Among the 1,595 freshmen in this year‘s class, there are 973 different high schools represented.
• The first-year orientation program, Vanderbilt Visions, helps to facilitate the transition to college life and academic work. As part of Vanderbilt Visions, the VUcep program selects upperclass students to help first-year students get adjusted to campus life.
• Academically, our student-faculty ratio of 8:1 means that students can get to know their professors and get extra assistance on class material if needed.
• With more than 300 student organizations focused on intramural sports, community service, religious activities, academic major specific groups, and civic issues, there are plenty of opportunities for students to get involved, stay active, and make new friends.