Application Process: Transfer

Vanderbilt University is always looking to add dynamic, academically motivated students to our residential community – and transfer students are no different. Each fall, approximately 275 transfer students join the Vanderbilt Community, contributing their talents, interests, and experiences. If you are admitted and choose to enroll, you’ll find our community to be diverse, welcoming, and academically enriching as you complete your undergraduate degree. You are strongly encouraged to meet our March 15 priority application deadline.  While we’ll continue to review applications on a rolling basis over the late spring/early summer months, we typically stop accepting new applications by May 1.

If after reviewing the information on this page you still have questions, please contact your admissions officer. We assign admissions officers based on the high school from which you graduated.

Application Checklist for Transfer Applicants

  • All required parts of the Common Application Transfer Application or Coalition, powered by Scoir transfer application, including the personal essay and short answer
  • $50 nonrefundable application fee, or fee waiver for qualified students
  • Official high school transcript (must show date of graduation)
  • Official college transcript(s) (from each institution attended)
    • Whether on the college transcript or noted in the application, we must have documentation of spring coursework/schedule for 2024.
    • If not enrolled for spring 2024, please note this on your application in order for your transcript to be considered complete.
  • Transfer College Report (from the institution you are transferring from)
  • Two academic teacher letters of recommendation (we strongly prefer that at least one letter is from a college professor/instructor)
  • Optional for students applying for fall 2024 entry: SAT or ACT scores (SAT code: 1871 / ACT code: 4036)

Additional Requirements

All transfer applicants must complete the application checklist for transfer applicants when applying to Vanderbilt. See the sections below for additional application requirements for each of Vanderbilt's undergraduate schools as well as for international applicants.

Vanderbilt admits transfer applicants to one of our four undergraduate schools: the College of Arts and Science, School of Engineering, Peabody College of Education and Human Development, or Blair School of Music. On your application, you’ll specify to which school you are applying, and for both Peabody College and the Blair School of Music, you will indicate the academic program (you are admitted into a major at both Peabody and Blair).

  • College of Arts and Science

    The largest of our four undergraduate schools, the College of Arts and Science is home to 48 disciplinary and interdisciplinary majors that encompass the humanities, mathematics, natural sciences, and social sciences. Students seeking a second bachelor’s degree are not eligible to apply to the College of Arts and Science.

    There are no additional required items for applicants to the College of Arts and Science.

  • Peabody College

    The Peabody College of Education and Human Development regularly ranks among the top graduate schools of education in the United States. Peabody excels in preparing students for classroom teaching, research, service, and many other fields. If you apply to Peabody College, you must specify your major. Your fit for your intended major and the space we have available in that major will factor heavily into our decision. Students seeking a second bachelor’s degree are not eligible to apply to Peabody College.

    There are no additional required items for applicants to Peabody College.

  • School of Engineering

    The Vanderbilt University School of Engineering proudly educates students who change the world and make it a better place through technology. While you are not admitted to a specific major in the School of Engineering, a strong background in science and math (specifically college-level courses in Physics, Calculus, and Chemistry) is critical for competitive applicants. The School of Engineering expects admitted transfer students to have completed physics, calculus, and chemistry at the time of admission (or be currently completing). Students seeking a second bachelor’s degree may apply to the School of Engineering, but it is encouraged that you speak with the Engineering Dean’s office to determine your best academic plan – and if a second undergraduate degree is the most appropriate route.

    There are no additional required items for applicants to the School of Engineering.

  • Blair School of Music

    The Blair School of Music offers world-class music training in a strong liberal arts environment. Vanderbilt has the only music school in the top twenty-ranked universities whose music school is solely for undergraduates, and Blair students enjoy a 4:1 student-to-faculty ratio and 5:1 student-to-practice-room ratio.

    All applicants to Blair must complete the Blair School of Music Application in addition to the Coalition Application or the Common Application.

    Please visit blair.vanderbilt.edu/admissions/apply for all details and latest information regarding application requirements for Blair applicants.

    Blair School of Music Application Required Materials:

    • One artistic recommendation (with space for an additional, supplemental artistic recommendation)
    • Music resume
    • Repertoire list
    • Prescreening video

    IMPORTANT NOTE: The Blair School of Music Application cannot be accessed until your Common Application, Coalition application (powered by Scoir), or QuestBridge application has been submitted and your MyAppVU portal has been created. Once your portal has been created, you can access the Blair School of Music Application through the “Application Checklist” section.

  • International Requirements

    Vanderbilt values the global perspectives international applicants bring with them to campus.

    • International applicants will be prompted to complete an international section of the Common Application
    • Official results of the TOEFL iBT (including Home and Paper Editions), TOEFL Essentials, IELTS, Cambridge English C1 Advanced or C2 Proficiency, PTE Academic, or Duolingo English Test, if applicable. See recommended minimum score chart below.
      • Applicants whose first language or language of instruction is English are not required to submit English proficiency exam scores.
      • Applicants who score above 26 on the ACT English section or above 630 on the SAT Evidence-based Reading and Writing section are not required to submit English proficiency exam scores.
      • English proficiency exams must be sent from a testing agency or high school official directly.
      • English proficiency exams will not be superscored.
    TestRecommended minimum score
    TOEFL iBT100
    TOEFL Essentials10.5
    IELTS7.0
    Cambridge English C1 Advanced or C2 Proficiency185
    PTE Academic70
    Duolingo English Test130

    All application pieces must be provided in English. Transcripts and recommendation letters not originally in English must be officially translated by the high school or certified translator; applicants may not provide their own translation of materials. An EducationUSA advising office can assist students with translation.

    Applicants must submit an official high school transcript, including all high school classes and grades or marks to date. Submitting only leaving exams will not complete your application.

    Note: The University has no need-based aid available for international transfer applicants who are not U.S. citizens or eligible non-citizens. Transfer admission will not be offered to international applicants requesting financial aid or with demonstrated financial need.

  • Permanent Resident Requirements

    Additional requirements for permanent residents:

    • Green cards should be uploaded with your application. Green cards are manually processed by the Office of Undergraduate Admissions and may take up to 5 business days to show as complete on your portal.
    • Only valid, current green cards will be accepted and will complete the green card requirement on the checklist. 

Additional Information

  • Admissions Criteria

    Admission to Vanderbilt as a transfer student is highly competitive and based on a number of factors, but it all begins with your academic performance. Typically, admitted transfer students have a GPA of a B+/A- or higher, competitive test scores (if submitted), involvement in their current college community, and a compelling reason why Vanderbilt is the right place for them to complete their undergraduate degree. Your application essay is often a good place to help us understand your reasons for transfer and why you feel Vanderbilt can better help you achieve your academic goals. Students from accredited institutions are welcome to apply for transfer admission. Vanderbilt considers you a transfer student if you have completed the equivalent of at least 12 semester hours of credit after completing high school (high school degree or GED). Courses taken as dual-enrollment do not count towards these hours if those credits are being used to graduate from your high school program. Admitted transfer students are required to be enrolled for at least four semesters (60 credit hours) to earn a degree from Vanderbilt University.

    Since we are a residential campus community, our admission process gives preference to students who have been able to show full-time engagement and full-time enrollment in a similar campus community at their current institution. All parts of the application (academics, test scores if submitted, extracurricular involvement, essay, recommendation letters etc.) will be considered as we make our decisions. Because you apply to a specific school at Vanderbilt, fit for and available space within a particular school or academic program will also be considered.

    Interviews are not offered to transfer applicants, but our office remains available to answer questions you may have about the application process or our campus community and academic opportunities.

  • Financial Aid

    Vanderbilt meets 100% of demonstrated financial need for all admitted students, including transfer students. Our admissions process is need-blind for US citizens and eligible non-citizens. Read more about the three important commitments we make to admitted students through Opportunity Vanderbilt. Please also note:

    • Vanderbilt reserves the right to be need-aware from the waitlist.
    • Merit-based financial aid is not available to transfer applicants.
    • The University has no need-based aid available for international transfer applicants who are not U.S. citizens or eligible non-citizens. Transfer admission will not be offered to international applicants requesting financial aid or with demonstrated financial need.

    For more information on need-based financial aid, visit the Office of Student Financial Aid and Undergraduate Scholarships website.

  • Transfer Credits

    Academic credit earned at accredited institutions is evaluated on a course-by-course basis. Work transferred to Vanderbilt from another institution will not carry with it a grade point average.

    The Office of the University Registrar manages the transfer credit evaluation process. For information and instructions, please see the Transfer Credit Course Review website.

  • Transfer Housing

    For fall 2023, Vanderbilt plans to provide on-campus housing to all incoming transfer students. Visit the Housing and Residential Experience site for more information.

  • Veterans and Active Military Duty

    Applicants who wish to take advantage of veterans benefits at Vanderbilt University should visit registrar.vanderbilt.edu/va/ or www.gibill.va.gov.

    Vanderbilt University participates in the Yellow Ribbon program. Learn more.

    The application requirements for Veterans and Active Military are the same as for other transfer students. See the "Application Checklist" above for details of what is required. Once admitted, students are required to file additional paperwork in order to receive veteran benefits.

  • Admitted Transfer Students

    Admitted transfer students should visit the Transfer Orientation website for the most pertinent resources regarding dates and deadlines, orientation, and much more.