The application for Fall 2027 will open August 1, 2026.
IGP Admissions Timeline
| August 1 | Online Application available online for the following Fall semester |
| November 15 | Priority Deadline for applications |
| December 1 | Deadline for applications |
| January-March | On-campus interviews for selected candidates |
| April 15 | Deadline for candidates to accept offers to the graduate programs |
Application Requirements
A bachelor’s degree or its equivalent from an accredited institution in the United States or equivalent training at a foreign university is required. Students who will graduate and obtain their bachelor’s degree prior to the beginning of the Fall term are qualified to apply.
The application will include:
- Personal history: education, work, publications
- CV
- Statement of Purpose
- Transcript(s), unofficial is fine.
- 3 Letters of Recommendation, up to 5 allowed
- Official TOEFL, IELTS or Duo-Lingo test scores if English is not your native language or if the international applicant graduated from non-English degree granting institution.
- An optional essay to be considered for Graduate School supplemental awards, for applications submitted and complete by the November 15 Priority Deadline.
- Application fee
Application Review
We do holistic review of our applications. Successful applicants have extensive independent, hypothesis-driven laboratory research experience, strong grades in their STEM courses, and strong recommendation letters that speak to the applicant’s research experience and interest.
Priority Deadline of November 15:
Submitted applications that are complete (with at least 3 submitted recommendation letters) by November 15 will be reviewed first by the Admissions Committee. These applicants can also complete an optional essay in the application for consideration for supplemental awards by the Vanderbilt Graduate School.
December 1 Deadline:
All complete applications that are submitted by December 1, 12 midnight CST (UTC-6) will be considered.
With over 1200 applications to review, the review process continues for several weeks, into February. As applications are reviewed, invitations to interview for the IGP will be issued via email.
- You will not see a change in your application status in the application portal.
- Email invitations to interview will contain instructions on selecting an interview date.
Once all applications have been reviewed, applicants will be notified if they have not been invited to interview. This typically will occur by the end of February.
Interviews and Admissions Decisions
Interviews are conducted in person in Nashville, TN. Candidates unable to travel to Nashville will have a virtual interview option.
Candidates who have interviewed and have been offered admission to the IGP have until April 15 to make their decision. Instructions to accept or decline admission are in the offer of admission letter from the Graduate School.