Vanderbilt University School of Medicine: what it looks for, GPA and MCAT
Vanderbilt University School of Medicine is a private medical school in Tennessee (Nashville).
What Vanderbilt University School of Medicine says it looks for
Experiences
Broad extracurricular experience, leadership, medical exposure, community engagement and research; research is a positive selection factor.
Qualities
Leadership, concern for others and interpersonal qualities.
Mission and background
No single preferred major.
The school names these on its own admissions pages. It is not a full list of how it decides. Summarized from the school's admissions page, checked October 2026. Not a ranking, a rubric or a prediction of admission.
Admissions statistics
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Median GPA of admitted students | 3.97 |
| Median MCAT of admitted students | 522 |
| Interview invite rate | 8.7% |
| School type | Private |
| State | Tennessee |
| Applications (AAMC FACTS Table A-1, 2025-2026) | 7,685 |
| Matriculants | 95 |
| In-state share of entering class | 6.3% |
Sources: GPA, MCAT and interview rate: 2026 school dataset (dataset updated 2026-08-04). Applications and entering class: AAMC FACTS Table A-1, 2025-2026. Not a ranking or a prediction of admission. AesculaMD is not affiliated with Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, the AAMC or AACOM.
Common questions
What does Vanderbilt University School of Medicine look for in applicants?
From Vanderbilt University School of Medicine's own admissions pages (checked October 2026): Experiences: Broad extracurricular experience, leadership, medical exposure, community engagement and research; research is a positive selection factor. Qualities: Leadership, concern for others and interpersonal qualities. The school names these on its own admissions pages. It is not a full list of how it decides.
What is Vanderbilt University School of Medicine's mission focus?
No single preferred major. Summarized from the school's published guidance, checked October 2026.
What GPA and MCAT do students admitted to Vanderbilt University School of Medicine have?
The median GPA is 3.97 and the median MCAT is 522 (2026 school dataset). A median is the middle of the admitted class, not a minimum: half were admitted below it.
Related: Why strong applicants are still rejected · How many schools to apply to · Where applications fall short