Graduate FAQ
Please see our answers to some of the most frequently asked questions by prospective graduate students.
Q: Is the GRE Mathematics Subject Test required? What is its minimum acceptable score?
A: The GRE Mathematics Subject Test is optional, but it is highly recommended that you take and submit the test score. Unofficial copies are considered in evaluating your application. There is no minimum acceptable score for the GRE Subject Test.
Q: Do I have to take the GRE General Test?
A: No. The GRE General Test is neither required nor going to be part of the evaluation of your application.
Q: What is the most important application criteria?
A: There is not one single criteria that is most important in deciding among our applicants, but transcripts (courses taken and grades received), letters of recommendation, personal statements and GRE Subject score are all heavily weighted.
Q: If I send my application information to a professor, can they evaluate my chances of being accepted into the program?
A: No. We can only evaluate applications after we have received all of the requested information, including letters of recommendation and transcripts, as well as the completed application materials of all the other candidates. The admission decisions are done by the graduate recruitment committee and not by individual professors.
Q: What is the deadline for applying?
A: The deadline for submitting the application is December 1st. The committee will start evaluating the applications shortly after. You need to submit the application in order to be considered, even if you are waiting for a decision regarding the fee waiver (see admissions for more information).
Q: Do I have to fill out other forms to apply for financial aid?
A: No. All successful applicants are offered Graduate Teaching Assistantships that are supplemented by a full University Tuition Scholarship (which includes a service-free award that pays all of the tuition costs and student health insurance coverage). Graduate Teaching Assistantships also include a stipend. See Aid and Awards for more information.
Q: Do master’s degree students receive teaching assistantships?
A: No. Teaching assistantships are only offered to students admitted to the Ph.D. program.
Q: What is the average GPA of the graduate students that have been matriculated?
A: We do not have an average GPA for our successful applicants since they come from all over the world, from many different GPA systems, and from institutions with different course requirements.
Q: What is the minimal accepted TOEFL score?
A: University policy requires a minimum score of 570 on the paper-based test or an 89 on the internet-based test. See the How to Apply information from the Graduate School for more details.
Q: Do I have to take the TOEFL exam?
A: All international students who have not received a degree from an English-speaking university must take the TOEFL exam.
Q: Can I take the IELTS instead of the TOEFL exam?
A: TOEFL is the preferred language proficiency test. The Graduate School recently began accepting the IELTS scores in lieu of TOEFL. A score of at least 7.0 is desirable. See the Graduate Studies Handbook for more information.
Q: Do I have to send my official TOEFL scores?
A: We will consider applications with self-reported scores. However, all successful applicants must submit official scores before they can be formally admitted.
Q: Do I have to send my official transcripts?
A: We do not require official transcripts unless an offer of admission is made and accepted by you. At that time, official transcripts should be made available.
Q: What are the teaching obligations of the graduate students?
A: See our teaching assistant requirements.
Q: How many students do you matriculate each year? How many international students do you matriculate each year?
A: Over the last eight years we have had incoming classes ranging in size from five to eight graduate students. All applicants are given equal consideration regardless of their nationality.
Q: Where can I get help with my Graduate School Application?
A: See Application Assistance within the Graduate School.
Q: Do you accept applications for the spring semester?
A: No. The recruitment in the program is done once a year, and the successful applicants are expected to enter the program in the Fall of the following academic year.
Q: How do I check on the status of my application?
A: Once your application has been submitted, you can log in to view your Application Status page. Use the application checklist to verify which application requirements have been met and which are still outstanding.
Q: Are there any undergraduate math classes that are necessary for acceptance into the Ph.D. program?
A: There are no mandatory classes, but taking more upper-level math classes (including graduate-level classes) will increase your chances of acceptance.
Q: What is the process for deferrals or reapplications?
A: Vanderbilt University Graduate School policies for deferral and reapplication apply to the Ph.D. program. Please look at Application Assistance with any further questions.
Q: If I have other questions who should I contact?
A: For further information, please contact: mathgradadmissions@vanderbilt.edu