Newly admitted student Jacob Klein stands with Vanderbilt-themed balloons. (Courtesy of Jacob Klein)
To conclude the early decision cycle, early decision II results for the Class of 2029 were released on Feb. 13 at 5 p.m. CST. The combined acceptance rate for EDI and EDII was 13.2% — a decrease of 2% from the previous year.
Across both early decision cycles, a record-high of 6,762 students applied, an increase of 16% from 2024. Vice Provost for University Enrollment Affairs and Dean of Admissions Doug Christiansen said he sees the rise in applicants as an indication that an increasing number of prospective students are choosing Vanderbilt as their “number one choice.”
“That [increase] talks about the strength of the Vanderbilt degree — the strength of the Vanderbilt name — when you’re having almost 7,000 students say, ‘I’m willing to sign on the line. If I’m admitted, I will come through a binding agreement,’” Christiansen said. “To see that increase right now, we’re very excited.”
Admissions shifts
The ED acceptance rate for the Class of 2028 was 15.2%, a dip from 15.7% in 2023 and 17.6% in 2022. According to Christiansen, even as the number of applicants rises, the amount of spots open to the incoming class remains “roughly the same,” making the process “more competitive” each year. Approximately 50% of each incoming first-year class tends to come from ED applicants.
“When you compare the overall admit rate from last year that was at 5.8%, [students often] make the assumption, ‘Oh, it’s easier to get in at early decision than regular,’ [but] that’s simply not the case,” Christiansen said.
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