How to Apply

Join our community. Start here.

You are about to take the first step toward enhancing your professional potential, exploring and expanding your career possibilities and discovering a new community of bright people from all over the world.

Click here to begin the application process.

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Admissions Requirements

In addition to the completed application and application fee, you will be required to provide the following:

• Unofficial transcripts
• Self-reported GMAT or GRE scores
• Resume
• Comprehensive work history
• Essays
• Evaluative Interviews
  
• Two letters of recommendation
• Self-reported TOEFL or IELTS scores (international only)

To ensure timely processing of your application, please do not send official documents such as transcripts and test scores unless you have been asked to do so by the Admissions Office.

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Deadlines and Fees

Round	Apply	Decision	Deposit
Early Action*	Nov 3, 2011	Dec 22, 2011	Jan 16, 2012
1st	Dec 12, 2011	Jan 25, 2012	Feb 20, 2012
2nd	Feb 1, 2012	Mar 23,2012	Apr 16, 2012
3rd**	Mar 15, 2012	Apr 27, 2012	May 21, 2012
4th**	May 15, 2012	Jun 6, 2012	June 22, 2012

*U.S. Citizens, Permanent Residents, or Internationals with (or complete prior to enrollment at Owen)a 4 yr. U.S. undergraduate degree
**U.S. Citizens and Permanent Residents or obtained (or complete prior to enrollment at Owen) a 4 year U.S. undergraduate degree.
The fee for each application or reapplication is $90, non-refundable.

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Transcripts and Test Scores

Transcripts

• We require a separate transcript from every college or university you attended.
• Official transcripts are required from each institution only if you accept an offer of admission.
• If you cannot calculate your cumulative GPA or convert it to a four-point scale, leave the field blank; we will evaluate your academic record accordingly.

Transcripts may be mailed to

Owen Graduate School
Vanderbilt University
MS Finance Admissions
401 21st Ave South
Nashville, TN 37203-2422

GMAT or GRE Scores

• All applicants must take the Graduate Management Admissions Test (GMAT) or the Graduate Record Exam (GRE).
• If you last took the test more than five years prior to submitting your application, you must take it again.
• We review your overall highest test score; most of our candidates take the test more than once to obtain a higher score. We value this commitment.

Because we rely on the accuracy of self-reported test scores, it is not necessary to provide an official GMAT Score Report when you apply. You will be required to have the official test scores sent to the MSF Admissions Office only if you accept an offer of admission.

• Please list Vanderbilt University as a recipient of your GMAT score on test day.
• Contact GMAT with questions by sending an email to GMAT Candidate Services or by calling 1.800.717.GMAT (4628), 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM CT. For GRE questions visit the ETS website, or by calling 1-609-771-767- or fax at 1-610-290-8975.
  

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Essays and Recommendations

Essays

• Your essays give us great insight into your personality and your other unique qualities.
• In one of your essays, you are typically asked to explain your short-term (post-MS Finance) and long-term career plans as specifically as possible.  Login into the application to see the specific questions you are to address in this year's application.
• Each essay is limited to no more than 500 words.

Recommendations

• Your recommenders can submit your recommendations securely online to us along with your other application materials.
• Recommenders will also have an option to download a PDF recommender form if they choose not to complete an online recommendation.
• Instructions will be included in an email sent to each recommender after you enter the person's contact information in the Recommender section.
• All paper-based recommendations must be submitted in unopened envelopes, with the recommender's signature across the sealed flap. We require two recommendations from managers who can evaluate your personal qualities, ability to succeed in a top MS Finance program and potential for success in management and leadership roles.
• Acceptable recommenders include current or former professors, current and former employers, clients and individuals with whom you have worked regularly as long as they can provide a meaningful evaluation in a professional context.

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Evaluative Interviews

Most candidates (all domestic candidates) are required to complete two evaluative interviews.  The first interview is with an admissions representative which determines if a second interview with the faculty director is necessary.  You will be notified via email after your first interview needs to be scheduled.  One of the advantages of conducting an official campus visit (learn more) is that an exception is made and you will have the opportunity to interview in-person with the MS Finance faculty director and will only need to interview once as part of the admissions process.

Regardless of your status in the application process, you may request a visit to campus to complete your first interview or second interview (if necessary).  Telephone Interviews are only offered once an application has been submitted and given initial review.

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Completed Applications

Your application is considered complete and ready when we receive your online application, the above documents and application fee. Although  still required for admission, the evaluative interview and any other supplemental items are not required for the Admissions Committee to deny or waitlist an applicant.

Check the status of your completed application.

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Do you have these questions?

• If I am admitted this year, may I defer my enrollment until next year?
• Is there any advantage to applying in an earlier application round?

These answers and more in our FAQs. Click here.