Unofficial Transcript 
Recent Grades Report 
Standardized Test Scores 
Resume 
2 Recommendations 
English Test C1-C2 
Online Application From 
Application Fee 
Parent/Guardian Consent 
Application is closed
Vanderbilt Summer Academy is an intentionally designed, accelerated summer experience for academically advanced students, grounded in academic rigor and scholarly exploration, while also focused on fostering a strong sense of community and friendship.
Non-credit
Residential
Accepts International Students
Financial Aid
VSA programs provide the perfect balance of an intensive academic environment combined with a community-driven residential experience at one of the leading universities in the nation. At VSA, students join peers from around the world stretching their intellectual boundaries through choice-based classes. Together, students enjoy learning and connecting with peers and engage in on-campus and community activities in the heart of Music City.
VSA students take accelerated courses with instructors drawn from the wealth of talented scholars here at Vanderbilt University and from within the Nashville community. VSA courses are designed to be accelerated to meet the needs of gifted and high-ability students. With up to six hours a day devoted to academic learning, this program provides for a satisfying level of focus and depth. Because courses are accelerated, we ask applicants to submit eligibility materials to determine if an accelerated course would be a good academic fit for the student.
While Vanderbilt Summer Academy is academically focused, additional recreational programming offers organized activities for social-emotional balance. Outside the classroom, VSA students participate in a variety of evening activities, explore extracurricular enrichment activities, and enjoy free time to make new friends.
During their stay, VSA students will reside in a residential hall on The Ingram Commons, where first-year Vanderbilt students live during the academic school year. Courses are held in classrooms across the Vanderbilt University campus, with the majority of courses taking place on the Peabody Campus. Students eat most of their meals in the Commons Dining Center, a short walk from the residence hall.
Unique Aspects of VSA:
Access to Scholars Vanderbilt: content experts teach most of our courses, so students will work with leaders in academic disciplines.
Personalized Attention: Each course has a dedicated instructor and teaching assistant, and each student is assigned to a small proctor group within the residential community.
Opportunities for Personal Development: From recreational activities to informal conversations about college life and information sessions with admissions representatives, VSA celebrates the whole person!
Campus Living: VSA students reside in a state-of-the-art first-year residence hall designed for social interaction with a community of like-minded peers.
Caring Staff: Our program staff is a dynamic team of carefully selected, fully trained individuals, who are passionate about supporting advanced learners.
Diverse Community: Within recent years, VSA has hosted students from 46 states and 25 countries, providing students the opportunity to meet other young scholars from around the world.
Rising Grades 7-12
Unofficial Transcript
Recent Grades Report
Standardized Test Scores
Resume
2 Recommendations
English Test C1-C2
Online Application From
Application Fee
Parent/Guardian Consent
• Students applying to Vanderbilt Summer Academy who select this option should submit qualifying documentation at the time of application. Please note that test scores in the 90th percentile and above for age group in one or more sections on an advanced achievement assessment (ACT, SAT, PSAT) OR any other nationally normed standardized assessment (such as state testing, MAP/NWEA testing, ITBS, or ERB) if advanced achievement assessment scores are not available suggests that VSA would be a good fit academically for a student. We also accept cognitive measures (i.e., WISC-V, CogAT, Otis Lennon, Stanford-Binet) and out-of-level test scores (i.e., ACT in 7th grade). Individual ability and/or achievement assessments from psychologists are also accepted. All pages of the individual evaluation and assessment need to be included. Test scores should be less than three years old.
• Two Educator Recommendations: Students should request recommendations from two educators (teachers, administrators, or counselors).
• Transcript: Grades of As and Bs in the most academically advanced courses offered at the student’s school typically suggest that the VSA program would be a good academic fit. Through the transcript review process, we are looking for students who are highly motivated. PTY also understands that extenuating circumstances might impact a student’s grades. Please make sure to provide annotation if the student’s grades do not accurately demonstrate their ability and motivation to participate in an accelerated academic environment.
Transcripts can be submitted as a picture or screenshot of a student’s unofficial record but must include the student’s name and show grades for the 2021-2022 school year and the fall 2022 school year.
• Resume: Submit a one-page resume as part of your application, so the VSA admissions team has a better understanding of your interests and extracurricular activities. Knowing more about you helps VSA staff determine if this program is a good fit. The resume should include extracurricular activities, work/volunteer experience, awards, and honors, etc.
• International Student Information: VSA welcomes international applicants. In addition to test scores or a portfolio application, students whose first language is not English should submit official results of the TOEFL, TOEFL Special Home Edition, IELTS, PTE Academic, or Duolingo English Test.
Minimum recommended score
TOEFL iBT 100
TOEFL Essentials 10.5
International English Language Testing System (IELTS) 7.0
Pearson Test of English Academic (PTE Academic) 70
Duolingo English Test (DET) 130
Deadline
Applications are no longer being accepted for 2023.
Jun 18 - Jun 23
1 week
Residential
Jun 25 - Jul 01
1 week
Residential
Jun 18 - Jun 23
1 week
Residential
Jun 25 - Jul 01
1 week
Residential
Jul 09 - Jul 21
2 weeks
Residential
Payment for Vanderbilt Summer Academy has three primary components:
(1) Application Fee, (2) Deposit, and (3) Tuition.
(1) Application Fee: A $50 ($100 for international applicants) nonrefundable application fee is due at the time of application submission. Online applicants will submit the application fee via credit card or electronic check during the online application submission process.
(2) Tuition Deposit: If a student is placed in a course, a 20% nonrefundable tuition deposit is due one week after the notice of admission email is sent to hold a spot in the course. Details on how to pay the tuition deposit by check or online will be provided through the emailed admissions notification. The tuition deposit for applicants who apply for financial aid will not be due until financial aid materials have been processed and the aid amount communicated to the family. For individuals who receive financial aid, the tuition deposit is 20% of the remaining tuition balance after aid has been applied.
(3) Tuition: Tuition is comprehensive. It covers course costs, materials, housing, meals, and residential outings and activities. Please see the Tuition Timeline section below for more information about tuition deadlines.
**If a student is flying into the BNA airport alone, VSA provides required shuttle transportation to Vanderbilt University. The cost for round trip service is $75 (There is no discount for one-way service).
Financial Aid
PTY is committed to making programs available to academically advanced students regardless of a family’s ability to pay the full tuition. Therefore, need-based financial aid is available based on income. The PTY application review process is need-blind and does not consider financial status. Applying for financial aid will not negatively impact a student’s application. If you plan to apply for financial aid at the time of application submission, you may do this as part of the application process. You may also apply for financial aid at any point in the application and admission process. If you choose to apply for financial aid after submitting your application, please email [email protected] to be granted access to the online financial aid application.
Scholarships
Programs for Talented Youth works with organizations, companies, foundations, and individuals who are interested in directly supporting students’ attendance through named scholarships. Scholarships are based on criteria defined by the supporting organization, company, foundation, or individual and vary year-to-year. Scholarships, along with criteria, are located on the scholarship page. Scholarships range in monetary aid and eligibility requirements, with select scholarships offering full tuition.
Unofficial Transcript
Recent Grades Report
Standardized Test Scores
Resume
2 Recommendations
English Test C1-C2
Online Application From
Application Fee
Parent/Guardian Consent
Application is closed
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