Vanderbilt Summer Academy (VSA) is a one-week residential summer program at Vanderbilt University in Nashville, Tennessee, for students in rising grades 7–12. Students from 46 states and 25 countries join to take accelerated, interdisciplinary courses taught primarily by Vanderbilt faculty and content experts.
Tuition (all-inclusive — covers course, materials, housing, meals, and activities): | Grade Level | Cost | |---|---| | Rising 7th–8th grade | $2,150 | | Rising 9th–10th grade | $2,600 | | Rising 11th–12th grade | $2,750 |
Application fee: $50 (domestic) / $100 (international).
Academic experience: Approximately six hours of daily academics with an emphasis on critical and creative thinking. Courses span topics such as nanotechnology, biomedical ethics, philosophy, history, and medicine — designed to expose students to areas not typically covered in high school.
Financial aid: Available for US families with adjusted gross income of $105,000 or less, or experiencing severe hardship. Requires submission of federal income tax returns. Not available for international students.
Scholarships: Named scholarships are offered each year with varying eligibility criteria; some cover full tuition.
International students: Welcome. English proficiency required — minimum TOEFL iBT 100, IELTS 7.0, or Duolingo 130. No financial assistance available for international applicants. Most students attend on a visitor or tourist visa.