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Department of Chemistry

Admissions

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The graduate program in chemistry provides students with a solid foundation in chemistry, while recognizing that solutions to many important problems require interdisciplinary training. Students in our program have the opportunity to learn techniques, tools, perspectives, concepts, and/or theories from multiple disciplines as the background in specialized knowledge necessary to advance fundamental understanding or solve problems.

Applying to the Program

Applications traditionally open on August 1 each year. The FINAL application deadline is January 1, after which point no applications will be accepted.

We use a holistic review process and take into account your grades (particularly in STEM coursework), GRE scores, letters of recommendation, and statement of purpose. Our aim is to determine how you and your goals fit into our research environment. A Ph.D. in chemistry is a research degree. As such, meaningful research experiences are particularly important to the review committee. This can be in the form of undergraduate research, summer research experiences (such as NSF REUs), or internships. Recommendation letters from your research mentors are very valuable.

Qualifications

Applicants should have worked, or be currently working, towards an undergraduate degree in chemistry, biochemistry, or chemical biology, or have completed equivalent 35 hours of the basic undergraduate courses in general chemistry, quantitative analysis, inorganic chemistry, organic chemistry, and physical chemistry. Relevant research experience is strongly recommended.

Information to Submit

In order to complete your application to join the graduate program of chemistry you will need to include all of your most up-to-date academic transcripts, a minimum of three letters of recommendation, a Statement of Purpose, and any additional documentation you wish to submit. The GRE is not required for admission into the program. For international students, English proficiency (TOEFL/IELTS/DuoLingo) is required. Students seeking an English proficiency waiver, should review the waiver policy. Minimum requirements, per the Graduate School’s policy, are listed below:

  • Test of English as a Foreign Language, minimum score 89
  • International English Language Testing System, minimum score 7.0
  • Duolingo English Test, minimum score 130 (not all programs accept this test, check with department of interest)

Your Statement of Purpose should highlight your academic history, research experience, career goals, and a general review of the importance of chemistry and how it impacts you and your future goals.

International Applicants

At Vanderbilt, we understand that our international applicant population may have unique and distinct questions regarding the program and the specifics of funding/milestones. To aid and ensure that all questions are answered, we’ve developed this International Student Application FAQ flyer. 

Application Fee & Waiver Criteria

Please read this closely: All individuals will be automatically considered for a fee waiver as part of the review process if they apply by December 1, 2024. Please do not email the Graduate Program Coordinator to request a fee waiver.

Application Fee

The Graduate School application fee is $95.00. After you submit your application online, you will see instructions to pay the fee with a credit or debit card via a secure payment portal.

  • Domestic Applicants – Automatic fee waivers are granted for applications received by December 1st, 2024.
  • International Applicants – Fee waivers may be granted based on the criteria below received by December 1st, 2024.

A candidate’s eligibility for admission will not be impacted by an application for or receipt of a fee waiver.

Application Fee Waiver Eligibility Criteria

  • Applicants who have completed a B.S. or B.A. degree from a non-profit educational institution in the United States who apply by December 1st, 2024, are eligible for a fee waiver.
  • Applicants who have conducted research supported by the NIH, the NSF, a non-profit educational institution, or any other agency or private foundation within the US who apply by December 1st, 2024, are eligible for a fee waiver. Be sure to check “yes” to the question in the application. Many of our applicants will qualify for this waiver.
  • Special consideration: Additional waivers of the application fee will be considered upon request for US citizens and US permanent residents if they have a cumulative grade-point average of at least 3.0 in their undergraduate program who do not meet the above criteria. Under these circumstances, please reach out to the Graduate Program Coordinator.

Discretionary Fee Waivers for International Applicants who do not qualify by the criteria above

A certain number of waivers for international applicants who did not complete a degree at a US institution are granted at the discretion of the program, based on recruitment priorities and other circumstances. 

  1. Fee waiver consideration is automatic if you have submitted your completed application by December 1st, 2024. 
  2. Upon submission, the application portal will request payment of the application fee. Do not pay the fee. It will not affect your application’s consideration.
  3. The program will consider each submitted and complete application for a fee waiver during the review process.
  4. Each complete application will be considered whether a fee waiver has been applied or not.
  5. Please do not email the graduate application coordinator to request a fee waiver. If your application is complete, we will consider it.

Graduate School Deferral Policy

In accordance with the Vanderbilt Graduate School’s deferral policy, all applicants should make themselves aware of the deferral process prior to applying. Please note that deferrals are granted only for a limited list of issues:

  • Serious medical reasons
  • Visa delays or denials
  • Military leave

Campus Visits

All admitted students are invited to a Recruiting Weekend via invitation following their admission. For other campus visits or inquiries, please contact our graduate program coordinator directly at hailey.perry@vanderbilt.edu.