How to Get Into Vanderbilt Medical School

Read on for expert tips, statistics, and advice on how to get into Vanderbilt University School of Medicine (VUSM).

If you’re just here for the requirements, click here.

Vanderbilt University School of Medicine Acceptance Rate: 1.50%

Vanderbilt University School of Medicine’s acceptance rate in the 2024-2025 admissions cycle was 1.50%. In the 2024-2025 admissions cycle, VUSM received 6,873 verified applications and 103 students matriculated. That means your odds of matriculating to VUSM are fewer than 2 in 100.

Here is a table with VUSM’s acceptance rates over the past four admissions cycles, according to archived data from the AAMC.

The average matriculation rate across the past four admissions cycles is about 1.39%, which means roughly 98.61% of applicants each cycle do not matriculate to VUSM. Even in its most generous year (2024–2025), the matriculation rate only reached 1.50%, while the lowest (2021–2022) hovered at 1.28%.

On average, VUSM received about 7,022 applications per year, with just 97 annual matriculants. That translates to roughly 72 applicants competing for every available seat.

While the number of applications fluctuates (dipping in 2023–2024, rebounding in 2024–2025), the number of seats available has remained almost static, with only a slight increase in the most recent cycle (103 vs. 95 in prior years). This consistency in class size, paired with thousands of applicants, drives the extremely low acceptance percentages.

How Hard Is It to Get Into Vanderbilt University School of Medicine?

It’s extremely challenging to get into Vanderbilt University School of Medicine. On average, VUSM receives enough applications each year to fill its incoming class roughly 72 times over. That means only the most exceptional and well-rounded candidates earn a seat, and your application must be truly compelling to stand out.

We created the Vanderbilt University School of Medicine Admissions Difficulty Scale by comparing acceptance rates and overall selectivity across all accredited US medical schools.

What is Vanderbilt University School of Medicine’s Acceptance Rate for In-State Applicants?

The approximate acceptance rate for in-state applicants at Vanderbilt University School of Medicine is 1.93%. In the 2024-2025 admissions cycle, VUSM received 311 verified in-state applications, and 6 students matriculated. That means your odds of matriculating as an in-state applicant are about 2 in 100.

In-state applicants make up just 4.52% of the total applicant pool, showing that most applicants to VUSM come from outside Tennessee.

What is Vanderbilt University School of Medicine’s Acceptance Rate for Out-of-State Applicants?

The approximate acceptance rate for out-of-state applicants at Vanderbilt University School of Medicine is 1.53%. In the 2024-2025 admissions cycle, VUSM received 6,091 verified out-of-state applications and 93 matriculants. That means your odds of matriculating to VUSM as an out-of-state applicant are just over 1 in 65.

Out-of-state applicants represent the overwhelming majority of the pool (about 88.6% of all applicants), reflecting VUSM’s strong national reputation as a top-tier medical school.

What is Vanderbilt University School of Medicine’s Acceptance Rate for International Students?

The acceptance rate for international students at Vanderbilt University School of Medicine is approximately 0.85%. In the 2024-2025 admissions cycle, VUSM received 471 international applications, and 4 students matriculated. This shows how selective the school is for non-U.S. applicants, with fewer than 1 in 100 earning admission.

How Many People Apply to Vanderbilt University School of Medicine Every Year?

In the past four admissions cycles, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine received an average of 7,022 applications yearly. However, VUSM received an average of 97 matriculants in the last four admissions cycles, which means thousands of highly qualified candidates compete for a very limited number of seats each cycle.

How to Improve Your Chances of Getting Into Vanderbilt University School of Medicine

Follow these expert tips to help you improve your chances of getting into Vanderbilt University School of Medicine.

1. Write About Vanderbilt University School of Medicine’s Curriculum 2.0 in Your Essays

VUSM’s Curriculum 2.0 is unique among the top medical schools, as students finish the pre-clinical phase in just 13 months, then explore a flexible Immersion Phase where they choose advanced clinical, research, or scholarly work. 

Showing that you’ve researched this structure demonstrates intentionality and that you aren’t just applying anywhere; you want VUSM’s accelerated training and the freedom to personalize your path. 

Applicants who connect their goals to this design show the admissions committee that they will thrive in (and take advantage of) VUSM’s unique system.

2. Suggest a Concrete Immersion Plan in Your Essays

The Immersion Phase requires students to produce a scholarly product suitable for publication. Applicants who outline the kind of research question they’d pursue, the VUSM centers or faculty they’d approach, and how they’d see the project through prove they’ve thought beyond generic research. 

In the last four admissions cycles, only 1% of students applied without research experience. That means having significant research experience signals to VUSM’s committee that you’re prepared for their expectations of academic output, not just clinical training.

3. Explain How You’ll Excel in Case-Based Learning Through Essays or Letters of Recommendations

VUSM emphasizes case-based, small-group learning from the first year instead of long lectures. This approach requires collaborative, well-prepared students who are able to think aloud in clinical scenarios. 

By citing experiences where you thrived in a team-based or problem-solving environment, you prove you’ll fit VUSM’s culture and add value to your peers’ learning, not just your own.

However, don’t overemphasize your achievements. In a recent webinar with Inspira Advantage, Benjamin Park, a resident physician at Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, highlighted a common mistake most applicants make. He said:

“One big pitfall is over-emphasizing achievements. You have plenty of space in other parts of your application to list accomplishments. In your statement, it’s more important to reflect and explain what you took away from them.”

Park suggests that instead of mentioning all your achievements, mention the experiences that resonate with VUSM. For example, don’t highlight an experience that shows your organizational skills. An experience that shows you’ll excel in case-based learning will be much more impactful for VUSM.

4. Explain How VUSM’s Mentorship Will Help You Succeed

VUSM structures advising with multiple overlapping mentors: College Mentors, Portfolio Coaches, Preceptors, Research Directors, and Specialty Advisors. Few schools have such a layered support system. 

In your essays, you can frame yourself as someone who actively seeks out feedback, tests new approaches, and iterates on improvement. VUSM’s system is built for students who understand that becoming a physician is not about proving you already know everything, but about using mentorship as a way to grow into the kind of doctor patients and communities need. 

You might highlight specific ways you’d use these relationships: for example, leaning on a Research Director to refine your scholarly project design, checking in with a Portfolio Coach to track progress against your long-term goals, or drawing on a Specialty Advisor’s expertise to explore fields you’re uncertain about.

At the same time, it’s important to balance ambition with authenticity. Park highlighted a common misstep:

“It’s important to highlight that you’re well-qualified, but you don’t want to come off as arrogant, like saying you’re going to save the world or develop the next cure. Admissions committees can see right through that.”

Instead of framing yourself as someone destined to single-handedly revolutionize medicine, show how you’ll use VUSM’s mentorship ecosystem to realistically refine your strengths, address your weaknesses, and move forward with humility. 

Park reminds applicants that the most compelling essays are written in an authentic voice, grounded in realistic self-awareness.

Work with an expert admissions counselor at Inspira Advantage to help you highlight your strengths and craft an application that gets you accepted.

5. Explain Why You’d Take an Integrated Science Course (ISC)

One of the signature elements of VUSM’s Immersion Phase is the Integrated Science Course (ISC) requirement. These courses are deliberately designed to bridge advanced scientific study with active clinical reasoning. 

Rather than keeping science in the abstract, ISCs take focused themes such as immunology, pharmacology, or neuroscience and integrate them directly into patient care contexts. This approach allows students to strengthen their foundation in areas that align with their career goals while learning how to apply that knowledge in real-world settings.

When writing about ISCs, it’s not enough to simply say you’re excited about them. Admissions committees want to see if you’ve thought about which theme resonates with your interests and why. 

For example, a student interested in oncology might highlight an ISC in immunology to deepen understanding of immune therapies, or a student leaning toward psychiatry might choose neuroscience to strengthen their grasp of brain–behavior relationships. 

By connecting an ISC to your intended specialty, research path, or even a personal experience that shaped your interest, you demonstrate foresight and intentionality.

This ties directly to Park’s advice on signaling your trajectory. In his Inspira Advantage webinar, he emphasized:

“Admissions committees like to hear that you’ve thought about your long-term goals. Even if they change, being able to state where you see yourself shows that you’ve thought about your trajectory.”

By naming a specific ISC theme, you’re not locking yourself into one specialty forever; you’re showing that you’re already envisioning how VUSM’s curriculum can help you grow into a physician with both scientific depth and clinical versatility. 

Park’s point is that this specificity reads as dedication to long-term development, not arrogance. It proves you’re not just coming to medical school to “see what happens,” but that you’ve already begun mapping out how to take advantage of VUSM’s academic structure.

Vanderbilt University School of Medicine MD Programs Offered

Here are the seven MD programs offered at Vanderbilt University School of Medicine.

Vanderbilt University School of Medicine Tuition and Scholarships

The total tuition and cost of attendance for first-year students at Vanderbilt University School of Medicine is $116,943. Because VUSM is a private institution, there is no difference in tuition for in-state and out-of-state students.

Here is a breakdown of the estimated fees for first-year students attending Vanderbilt University School of Medicine.

How Much Does Vanderbilt University School of Medicine Cost for 4 Years?

The total cost to attend Vanderbilt University School of Medicine for four years is approximately $461,512. This estimate is based on annual cost of attendance figures provided by VUSM for each program year: $116,943 for year one, $113,063 for year two, $116,523 for year three, and $114,983 for year four. These figures include tuition, fees, housing, food, books, transportation, and personal expenses.

Scholarships

Vanderbilt University School of Medicine offers both merit- and need-based scholarships, along with access to outside funding opportunities.

Merit-Based Scholarships

All admitted applicants are automatically considered for merit-based scholarships; no separate application is required. Awards are renewable for all four years and are available to both U.S. and international students. For 2025–2026, merit scholarships include 75% tuition and full tuition awards.

Need-Based Scholarships

Students not receiving merit awards may apply for institutional need-based aid by completing the CSS Profile with parental financial data, regardless of age or marital status. International students are also eligible. In 2025–2026, awards will cover up to 45% of demonstrated financial need.

Outside Scholarships

Students are encouraged to seek funding from organizations such as county medical societies, civic groups, fraternal organizations, employers, unions, and foundations.

National Health Service Corps (NHSC) Scholarship

This federal program covers tuition, fees, and a stipend in exchange for practicing in underserved communities. U.S. citizens and nationals are eligible, with a two- to four-year service obligation. VUSM does not administer this program.

Vanderbilt University School of Medicine Application Timeline

Here is the 2025-2026 application timeline for Vanderbilt University School of Medicine.

FAQs

1. Does Vanderbilt University School of Medicine Have Rolling Admissions?

Yes, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine uses a rolling admissions process. This means applications are reviewed and interview invitations are sent as materials arrive, starting in late summer.

2. What is Vanderbilt University School of Medicine’s Curriculum 2.0?

Vanderbilt University School of Medicine’s Curriculum 2.0 is one of the most distinctive features of the program. Students complete their pre-clinical training in just 13 months, which is shorter than most peer institutions. 

This accelerated phase is followed by the Immersion Phase, where students design a personalized path in advanced clinical training, research, or a scholarly project. The curriculum also includes Integrated Science Courses (ISCs) that link science with clinical reasoning.

3. Does Vanderbilt University School of Medicine Require Research Experience?

No, research experience isn’t required at Vanderbilt University School of Medicine. However, an average of only 1% of students applied without research experience in the last four admissions cycles, so it’s highly recommended. Applicants without research may still be admitted, but they will need to compensate with extraordinary clinical or leadership experience.

4. Does Vanderbilt University School of Medicine Use a Pass/Fail System?

Yes, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine uses a pass/fail system. At Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, both P (Pass) and P (Pass)** indicate that a student has technically met the minimum academic requirements to move forward:

• P (Pass): The student met all course objectives at a satisfactory level. No remediation or extra conditions are required.
• P (Pass):** The student passed the course, but with concerns. This grade signals that performance was borderline or that the student required some form of remediation, additional work, or demonstrated gaps in mastery.

In the second year, grades expand to Honors (H), Pass (P), Pass* (P*), or Fail (F). During the clinical years, students are graded as Honors (H), High Pass (HP), Pass (P), Pass* (P*), or Fail (F).

5. Does Vanderbilt University School of Medicine Offer Financial Aid or Scholarships?

Yes, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine offers financial aid through the Opportunity Vanderbilt initiative. The school operates under a no-loan financial aid policy. VUSM provides scholarships and grants rather than loans, allowing students to graduate without medical school debt.

Get Accepted to Vanderbilt University School of Medicine

Getting into Vanderbilt University School of Medicine is one of the most competitive challenges in U.S. medical education. VUSM admits only the most academically accomplished, research-ready, and reflective applicants. In the 2024-2025 admissions cycle, more than 6,500 applicants competed yearly for just over 100 seats, making the admissions process selective at every stage.

Secure your VUSM acceptance with the support of our admissions counselors. Work with former admissions officers at Inspira Advantage to help you craft a successful application that gets you accepted this cycle.