Standardized Testing Category
Vanderbilt Extends Test-optional Policy through 2027
Jan. 25, 2024—The Vanderbilt Office of Undergraduate Admissions will extend the current test-optional policy for three more years, covering applicants for entrance in fall 2025, 2026, and 2027. Vanderbilt University will not require scores from the ACT or SAT exams for students applying to enter the university for fall 2025, 2026, or 2027. This applies to both first-year and...
Vanderbilt Extends Test-optional Policy through 2024
Feb. 21, 2022—The Vanderbilt Office of Undergraduate Admissions will extend the current test-optional policy for two years, covering applicants for entrance in fall 2023 and fall 2024. Vanderbilt University will not require scores from the ACT or SAT exams for students applying to enter the university for fall 2022, fall 2023, or fall 2024. This applies to...
Statement Regarding Test-Optional Policy for fall 2021 Applicants
Jun. 20, 2020—Update: Vanderbilt University will extend the test-optional policy for students applying for fall 2022 entry. Vanderbilt University understands that families throughout the world are dealing with the very real and tangible effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, including, for some, the loss of employment, concern over their own or a loved one’s health, and the realization that the ramifications of...
Policy Update: VU Now Superscores ACT
Sep. 18, 2019—Effective immediately, Vanderbilt will begin superscoring ACT scores. Vanderbilt has superscored SAT scores for years, so this update means Vanderbilt will now superscore both the SAT and ACT. Superscoring means a college considers the highest section scores across all testing dates. For example, if you take the ACT twice, we will consider your highest Math, English,...
What is the Middle 50%?
Sep. 15, 2015—Today we take a look at standardized testing and "the middle 50%." What is it and how can you use it to better understand selective college admissions.
Application FAQs
Jan. 10, 2014—Carolyn answers the questions our admissions counselors have been hearing most frequently over the last several days.
Early Decision II Letters Mailed
Feb. 8, 2013—Carolyn highlights the academic and personal accomplishments of the first admitted students of the Class of 2017.
Application Reading 2.0
Nov. 29, 2012—Carolyn walks us through her new and improved process for reading applications.
Vanderbilt Road Warriors
Feb. 9, 2012—Carolyn Pippen on the lengths we'll go to find future Commodores.
Understanding the Mid-50%
Dec. 9, 2010—As a counselor at a highly selective college I frequently field questions about standardized testing. I noticed in recent months, though, that many students I work with don’t apply testing statistics to their college search process appropriately. Numbers aren’t helpful if you don’t understand their reference. Here I break down testing statistics: questions to ask...
Where We Stand on SAT Score Choice
Sep. 10, 2009—As many of you may know, the College Board now allows you the option to choose which scores (by test date) you wish to send to colleges. Earlier this winter the College Board requested Vanderbilt's official position on its new Score Choice policy. We wanted to post to help explain our position on this new policy, as well as to let you know how we came to that position.
Memorial Day Updates
May. 22, 2009—We continue to reach out to students just recently admitted to Vanderbilt in our second wave of calling. Incoming class of 2013: The Road to Vanderbilt brochure has gone out, and should be consulted to get all a ton of great info.