Admissions
The graduate program in mathematics provides students with an outstanding education in math, research, and teaching. Our faculty include world-renowned researchers that run leading first-rate research groups covering a wide array of mathematical specialties.
Applying to the Program
The application cycle for Fall 2026 matriculation is now open.
Applications should be made online and can be accessed through Vanderbilt’s Graduate School. Your application will simultaneously be sent to the Department of Mathematics. The deadline for submitting your application is December 1st. The recruitment committee will start evaluating the applications shortly after.
Below is a list of required information and materials you will need to complete your application. You may begin an application at any time and fill in the missing information when it becomes available. More information about each item bellow can be found on the Graduate School Website (https://gradschool.vanderbilt.edu/application-requirements)
- Letters of recommendation (minimum of three letters required)
- Transcripts
- CV/Resume
- GRE Mathematics Subject Test: Optional, but we highly recommend that you take the test and submit the score (self-reported/unofficial copies are considered during the evaluation).
- Statement of purpose
- A TOEFL or IELTS score is required of all applicants who have not received a degree from an English-speaking university. (The minimum acceptable score is 89 on TOEFL and 7.0 on IELTS.) Read more details about the English language proficiency requirement.
- The GRE General Test is not considered when the applications are evaluated.
We look forward to reading your application!
Application fees and waivers
Applications to our graduate program ordinarily require an application fee. Some fee waivers are available to U.S. citizens/permanent residents via the Graduate School directly. The math department also has a limited number of additional fee waivers available upon request. Please fill out this redcap form to request a waiver: https://redcap.vumc.org/surveys/?s=T3XHTTL9YMHJCL8T. We will assume if you are asking for a fee waiver from the department that you are not eligible for the fee waiver offered by the Graduate School or have been denied that waiver. The math department graduate admission committee will consider the waiver requests after all the information from the applicants is uploaded online. Please note that paid application fees are non-refundable.
Note: Please do not send tax return documents or any other documents showing sensitive or confidential personal information such as your social security number.
Application Outcome
Admitted applicants will be notified via email and letter, while those who are not admitted will see their status updated on their online account. Some decisions will be communicated early in the Spring semester, but others may be delayed until after April 15th. This is because the committee must wait for responses from first-round offers before considering applications from the waitlist.
Contact
For further information, please contact: mathgradadmissions@vanderbilt.edu