Prospective Students
Our online application for the 2021 season is now open!
Philosophy of the Admission Programs in the Biomedical Sciences
As biomedical research moves forward in the 21st century, the lines between traditional scientific disciplines are almost gone. Accomplished researchers must possess more than an in-depth knowledge of one specific field – they need a broad understanding of principles and techniques from disciplines across the biomedical sciences. Vanderbilt was one of the first institutions to respond to the growing need for scientists with cross-disciplinary training. Since 1992, graduate students have received a comprehensive educational foundation for a successful career in biomedical research through the Interdisciplinary Graduate Program in the Biological and Biomedical Sciences (IGP). While we have always had the goal of providing our students the strongest possible cross-disciplinary education, we also constantly update and modernize our topics, content, and approach to our curriculum.
Entry into the Ph.D. programs in the Biomedical Sciences at Vanderbilt is designed to provide a personalized, flexible approach to accommodate a wide range of educational backgrounds and specific interests via the Interdisciplinary Graduate Program. At the same time, we also have additional avenues for students from diverse educational backgrounds to enter our biomedical graduate programs. For more information on choosing an admissions program, please visit Selecting an Admissions Program.
Beyond the Curriculum
The goals of the first year program are to provide students with a strong, broad background in biomedical and biological sciences and research methods. Please visit Program to learn more about the curriculum.
Graduate education at Vanderbilt extends beyond the classroom and the lab to provide diverse opportunities for professional development. As a leading collaborative research university we have countless opportunities for you to enhance your training, skills, and resume while continuing to make progress on your thesis work. Some examples are listed below.
- Biomedical Career Development: Vanderbilt is leading the charge to find novel ways to improve individual students’ professional development
- Core facilities: top-notch cores run by experts in the service ready to help you with your dissertation research
- Vanderbilt Program in Molecular Medicine: integrate your thesis work with clinical, disease-based training
- Certificate in College Teaching: get experience and training from expert teachers
- Science Outreach program: share your passion for science with the community
- Discovery lecture series: seminars given to the Vanderbilt community by the best scientists in the world
- Journal clubs: countless interest-area journal clubs
- Departmental Seminars: learn about current science though numerous lectures given daily
- Special interest group meetings: connect with other researchers in your field of interest outside of your lab, perfect for finding collaborators
Other Organizations: this list not enough? Here’s more!
Please navigate the links to the right to learn more about the IGP program
Please find additional information on our Frequently Asked Questions or Admissions pages.
Admissions Office Hours
Beth Bowman, Ph.D. is hosting bi-weekly open office hours to help you with your admissions questions! Feel free to log in to ask any or all of your admissions questions. You can register at any point, either in advance or on the day of.
| Date | Registration Link |
| 9/14, 1:30-3:00 pm CST | Register Here (full) |
| 9/28, 1:30-3:00 pm CST | Register Here (full) |
| 10/12, 1:30-3:00 pm CST | Register Here (full) |
| 10/26, 1:30-3:00 pm CST | Register Here (full) |
| 11/9, 1:30-3:00 pm CST | Register Here (full) |
| 11/23, 1:30-3:00 pm CST | Register Here |
2020/21 Biomedical Graduate Program Recruiting Fair Schedule
Would you like to meet a representative of our Biomedical Graduate programs? We would love to meet you too! We will be attending the following Graduate School Fairs, many of which will be virtual and free for prospective students. Please stop by so we can get to know you.
REGISTER to attend the FREE Biomed Virtual Grad School Fair (see details below)! Save valuable time & interact live online with the nation’s Top Biomed Schools.
You can also connect with us at Gradschoolmatch.com
| Date | Graduate School Fairs and Links |
| 7/28 | 2020 Biomed Virtual Grad School Fair |
| 8/4-8/7 | NIH 2020 Graduate & Professional School Fair (open to all!) |
| 9/17 | 2020 Biomed Virtual Grad School Fair |
| 10/5 | The Big Ten+ Graduate School Exposition |
| 10/22-10/24 | SACNAS National Conference |
| 10/28 | 2020 Biomed Virtual Grad School Fair |
| 11/11-11/14 | ABRCMS 2020 Conference |
At Vanderbilt University, we hold the sincere belief that fostering the advancement of and respect for equity, diversity, and inclusion of all students, faculty, and staff benefits all members of our community. To bring to life our vision of inclusive excellence, we are intentional about recruiting, retaining, and supporting diverse and underrepresented groups of students. We encourage individuals from all populations to apply to our graduate programs. The university does not discriminate against individuals on the basis of race, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, color, national or ethnic origin, socio-economic background, or disability.