You’ve Been Accepted! Now What?

Congratulations!

The Office of Admissions, Vocation, and Student Life is excited to welcome you to the Vanderbilt Divinity School community for your theological education! On this page, you will find information about steps you can take before you step onto campus for orientation.

Vanderbilt Divinity School

Accepted to the MDiv, MTS, or ThM?

Things to do Immediately:

  • Keep current on Vanderbilt University policies regarding the COVID-19 pandemic here , updated regularly.

  • Accept your offer: Log on to your application portal to accept and pay your matriculation deposit.

  • Complete your FAFSA if you are seeking federal financial aid. Indicate that you would like your FAFSA sent to Vanderbilt University (there is no specific option for Vanderbilt Divinity School).

  • Come visit us, virtually or in-person! Check out ways to visit or recordings of past virtual events.

  • Put orientation on your calendar! Orientation is required of all entering students and will take place in August for fall admissions and January for spring admissions.

  • Check out the Admissions FAQ page for answers to many common questions.

Fall Admissions

February - May

  • Pre-Matriculation Paperwork: Check your personal email for information about pre-matriculation paperwork and complete all items, including immunization records and background check.

  • Check out our resources on external scholarships here.

  • Connect with a current students! Looking for a student perspective? Have questions about life at VDS? Email divinity-admissions@vanderbilt.edu and we will be happy to connect you.

  • Send final transcripts if you have not already. Official transcripts must be on file before you can matriculate in August. Transcripts should be sent to:

Center for Data Management
Vanderbilt University
PMB 407833
2301 Vanderbilt Place
Nashville, TN 37240-7833
E-mail: cdm@vanderbilt.edu

May - July

  • Receive your Vanderbilt online login information by email. You will need to do this before completing several of the steps below.

  • Complete the Brightspace Orientation module, including the timed writing assessment.

  • Set up bill pay in your YES portal . You can read FAQs and contact Student Accounts here .

  • Submit your health insurance waiver if you intend to do so. Instructions will be sent by email and additional information about health insurance can be found here .

  • Start thinking about and looking for housing in Nashville. Check out our housing and transportation page to get started.

  • Check out HireADore and VDS job postings for on and off campus job listings.  If you are interested in work study positions with a specific area on campus, we encourage you to reach out to them directly about openings for the 2022-2023 year.

  • You will register for classes during orientation in August, but you can view projected course offerings for 2022-2023 at the third link on this page (when they become available).

August

  • Make sure all paperwork has been completed and submitted.

  • Attend orientation! Orientation is required for all entering students. At orientation, you will:

    • Register for classes
    • Meet your adviser
    • Get your Commodore Card
    • Learn about life at VDS
  • Start classes!

Spring Admissions

NOVEMBER - DECEMBER

  • Pre-Matriculation Paperwork: Check your personal email for information about pre-matriculation paperwork and complete all items, including immunization records and background check.
  • Check out our resources on external scholarships here.
  • Connect with a current students! Looking for a student perspective? Have questions about life at VDS? Email divinity-admissions@vanderbilt.edu and we will be happy to connect you.
  • Send final transcripts if you have not already. Official transcripts must be on file before you can matriculate in January.

Transcripts should be sent to:

Center for Data Management
Vanderbilt University
PMB 407833
2301 Vanderbilt Place
Nashville, TN 37240-7833
E-mail: cdm@vanderbilt.edu

DECEMBER

  • Receive your Vanderbilt online login information by email. You will need to do this before completing several of the steps below.
  • Complete the Brightspace Orientation module, including the timed writing assessment.
  • Set up bill pay in your YES portal . You can read FAQs and contact Student Accounts here .
  • Submit your health insurance waiver if you intend to do so. Instructions will be sent by email and additional information about health insurance can be found here .
  • Start thinking about and looking for housing in Nashville. Check out our housing and transportation page to get started.
  • Check out HireADore and VDS job postings for on and off campus job listings.  If you are interested in work study positions with a specific area on campus, we encourage you to reach out to them directly about openings for the 2023-2024 year.
  • You will register for classes during orientation in January but you can view projected course offerings for 2023-2024 at the third link on this page (when they become available).

JANUARY

  • Make sure all paperwork has been completed and submitted.
  • Attend orientation! Orientation is required for all entering students. At orientation, you will:
    • Register for classes
    • Meet your adviser
    • Get your Commodore Card
    • Learn about life at VDS
  • Start classes!

Accepted to the DMin?

Things to do Immediately:

  • Keep current on Vanderbilt University policies regarding the COVID-19 pandemic here , updated regularly.
  • Accept your offer: Log on to your application portal to accept and pay your matriculation deposit.
  • Complete your FAFSA if you are seeking federal financial aid. Indicate that you would like your FAFSA sent to Vanderbilt University (there is no specific option for Vanderbilt Divinity School).
  • Come visit us, virtually or in-person! Check out ways to visit or recordings of past virtual events.
  • Put the first fall intensive on your calendar! This will likely take place beginning in August (dates TBD).
  • Check out the Admissions FAQ page for answers to many common questions.

February - May

  • Pre-Matriculation Paperwork: Check your personal email for information about pre-matriculation paperwork and complete all items, including immunization records and background check.
  • Check out our resources on external scholarships here.
  • Connect with a current student! Looking for a student perspective? Have questions about life at VDS? Email divinity-admissions@vanderbilt.edu and we will be happy to connect you.
  • Send final transcripts if you have not already. Official transcripts must be on file before you can matriculate in August. Transcripts should be sent to:

Center for Data Management
Vanderbilt University
PMB 407833
2301 Vanderbilt Place
Nashville, TN 37240-7833
E-mail: cdm@vanderbilt.edu

May - July

  • Receive your Vanderbilt online login information by email. You will need to do this before completing several of the steps below.
  • Complete the Brightspace Orientation module.
  • Set up bill pay in your YES portal . You can read FAQs and contact Student Accounts here .
  • Apply for your health insurance waiver if you intend to do so. Apply early so if your request for the waiver is denied, you have time to appeal the decision. Instructions will be sent by email and additional information about health insurance can be found here .
  • Create your Back2Grad account to submit questions for the Office of Admissions, receive matriculation and orientation updates, and chat with other incoming students.
  • Start thinking about traveling to Nashville for your first intensive. Book your flight/train/bus or map your route. Decide whether to stay by yourself or with classmates. There are plenty of hotels and short-term rentals in Nashville. We also recommend the Scarritt Bennett Center , which is a block away from campus and offers a simple retreat-like setting.

August

  • Make sure all paperwork has been completed and submitted.
  • Attend the fall intensive! The fall intensive will include a brief orientation to VDS. At orientation, you will:
    • Meet your classmates, advisor, and faculty
    • Get your Commodore Card
    • Learn about academic and student life at VDS

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