Vanderbilt University
Vanderbilt University was established in 1873 with a $1 million donation by Cornelius Vanderbilt, a businessman and philanthropist. Vanderbilt has transformed into one of the top research universities in America and has strong links to the top ten schools in the United States. A private university based in Nashville, Tennessee, Vanderbilt provides a prestigious education to both undergraduate and graduate students. Some of its alumni have gone on to work in Congress, be a part of the judicial system, play professional sports and become the heads of major international businesses. The school is also home to several Nobel laureates and is considered to be the 16th best university in America and the number one college with the happiest students.
Vanderbilt University Accreditation Details
Vanderbilt University has been awarded accreditation by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges. They are accredited to award bachelor's, master's and doctoral degrees to students who meet the graduation requirements on their respective programs.
The business professional programs offered by the Owen Graduate School of Management are accredited by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business.
Vanderbilt University Application Requirements
Vanderbilt University is prepared to welcome students from all backgrounds who have been preparing for their university experience for their whole life. Students may apply to Vanderbilt University either through the Common Application or through the Universal College Application.
For students applying to join the MBA program at the Vanderbilt University Owen Graduate School of Management, a list of requirements must be fulfilled before admission documents are considered. The program usually offers admission to candidates who achieved an undergraduate grade point average of at least 3.3 on a 4.0 scale as well as a GMAT score of at least 682. These scores are merely guidelines, however, and meeting or exceeding them will not guarantee admission to the program. Students must submit the following materials and the relevant application fee to be considered for admission to the program:
- Unofficial transcripts
- GMAT or GRE scores
- Resume
- Work history
- Personal Essay
- Letters of recommendation
Applicants to the MBA programs at Vanderbilt are strongly encouraged to have work experience; however, the university does not require a minimum amount. Vanderbilt says that most of its successful applicants have had at least one year of full-time work experience, but more than 90 percent of the program's students have been working in the field full-time for at least three years.
Vanderbilt encourages diversity throughout its programs; however, it looks for certain personal qualities that it finds desirable. These qualities include open-mindedness, cooperation, motivation, excellence, professionalism and integrity. Applicants are suggested to demonstrate these qualities through their personal essays upon their application to the program.
Tuition and Financial Aid
The projected tuition for the MBA program at Vanderbilt University is broken down into the following categories:
- Tuition: $49,950
- Books: $,1842
- Rent and Utilities: $10,254
- Meals: $4122
- Personal Expenses (including the Vanderbilt activity fee): $5,642
- Transportation: $1,994
The total program cost for one year is expected to be $73,020.
Vanderbilt University accepts the following forms of payment and financial aid:
- Employer-Sponsored Payment
- FAFSA
- Private Loans
- Grants
- Scholarship
Online Degrees Available
Vanderbilt MBA
The Owen School of Management at Vanderbilt University offers degree programs for students at the graduate level. The MBA program at Vanderbilt takes two years to complete when it is studied full time. The academic calendar for the MBA program is broken down into a system of modular courses that each last seven weeks. There are two modular courses for each semester. By providing this kind of focus, the program allows its students to specialize early on in the program. This also allows students to find the optimal summer internship in between academic years.
Students are required to take at least 62 credit hours; however, they have the freedom to take electives both in their chosen focus and throughout the MBA program. The first year is dedicated to the fundamental aspects of business theory and management. The courses are very immersive, and there are 11 required courses that students take during this period. Most of these 11 courses are taken during the first two modular courses (or first semester) of the program.
Students are allowed to find a specialty during their courses. They may choose to make it a concentration by focusing only 12 hours of their course credits on studying the discipline. They may also invest more time in their chosen focus by taking 20 hours of credit hours to create an emphasis in their degree. Students may choose from this list of three emphases, or they may create their own emphasis with the help of an academic advisor:
- Entrepreneurship
- International Studies
- Real Estate
The program provides an intensive base of management theory for students during their first year. During their second year, students can also take part in the leadership programs designed by the Owen School of Management. The leadership programs in the MBA program are designed to be at an executive level but still offer the flexibility to be tailored to each unique individual. During the first year, students assess themselves with the Hogan assessment to discover the areas that most require improvement. They then begin to work both individually and with their peers to be able to develop their skills. During this time, students will also have an executive coach who will provide guidance throughout the process. After completing the internship between years one and two, students will continue to grow their leadership skills through a variety of workshops, seminars and leadership events designed to challenge and develop their skills.
With a focus on ethics in business, the MBA program at Vanderbilt University combines an intense classroom experience with leadership development and experiential learning to produce world-class MBA graduates. Students also have the opportunity to study abroad or work with incoming exchange programs to gain experience in working in international business.
Vanderbilt University is committed to attracting diverse and hard working students to its university. With an intensive MBA program under their belt, graduates from the Owen School of Management at Vanderbilt University are prepared for a successful career in business leadership.