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Application Information

Student Qualifications

Students must attend a Metropolitan Nashville Public Schools high school while enrolled in the School for Science and Math at Vanderbilt.

If you are currently a Metropolitan Nashville Public Schools (MNPS) 8th grader planning to attend a MNPS high school or if you are enrolled in 8th grade outside MNPS but are planning to attend a MNPS high school, then you are eligible to apply.

Current 8th grade students applying to the School for Science and Math at Vanderbilt should have some or all of the following abilities and attitudes:

• Strong understanding and high grades in science and math classes and on standardized tests in those subjects;
• Interest in reading about and doing science;
• Participation in science and/or math clubs;
• Interest in designing individual science or math projects outside of school;
• Hobbies associated with science or math, such as astronomy, fossil collecting, robotics;
• Strong commitment to intellectual honesty, self-learning, and collaborative group learning;
• Commitment to making up school work missed at one's zoned school during attendance at the School for Science and Math; and
• A strong desire to enter a field of science or math in college and beyond.

Please be sure to take a look at our Curriculum Information pages to see what will be involved should you be accepted into the School.

Criteria for Admission to the School for Science and Math will be based on:

• Student qualifications (above);
• Teacher recommendations;
• Academic records;
• Personal essays;
• Interview*;
• Committee selection from final pool of acceptable candidates;
• Final admission decisions will be made by the director of the School for Science and Math.

* Not all applicants who submit applications will be interviewed.

Applicants from Outside the MNPS System:

Independent School, Out-of-District, and Homeschooled Applicants

 

Most of the student who apply to the SSMV attend MNPS schools and take the TCAP exam in 7^th grade. We welcome applicants from outside MNPS and want to give each applicant the best, most fair assessment possible

 

If you are currently homeschooled and plan to attend an MNPS high school or homeschool through MNPS, you are eligible to apply to the SSMV and your application will be competitive if it includes:

 

• A complete, well-written application
• Detailed information about the curriculum and standards your homeschool program follows
• Grades or teacher assessments in all of your courses for the past 2 years
• 2 recommendations from teachers other than your parents who have known you for at least one year and helped you prepare for a test, performance, or other significant event. Academic teachers are preferred but music teachers or coaches may also provide these.
• Scores on any standardized tests you have taken in 7^th or 9^th grade with your score report(s) and norms, if available.

If you currently attend a school outside of MNPS and plan to attend an MNPS high school, you are eligible to apply to the SSMV and your application will be competitive if it includes:

• A complete, well-written application
• Grades or teacher assessments in all of your courses for the past 2 years
• Scores on any standardized tests you have taken in 7^th or 9^th grade with your score report(s) and norms, if available.

For More Information:

The following documentary short, "School Day" by Jeff Barrie, intruduces you to the students and classes at the School for Science and Math at Vanderbilt.

Read some information about our current students in our Student Spotlights section, view the Informational Brochure, and read our Application FAQs pages.

Ready to Apply?

Move on to the How to Apply page.

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Are you a current 11th grader looking for a research internship this summer?

Check out the Research Internship Program from the Vanderbilt Center for Science Outreach.