How to Apply to Computer Science at Vanderbilt University: The Engineering BS, the New BA in the College of Connected Computing and Internal Transfer Rules, with Requirements and Timeline for Chinese, Canadian High School and Transfer Students

At Vanderbilt University there are currently two computer science degrees: the ABET-accredited Bachelor of Science (BS) in Computer Science, long run by the School of Engineering, and the Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Computer Science launched in fall 2026 by the new College of Connected Computing (CCC). Here is what you need to know for fall 2027 entry, based on Vanderbilt’s website, for students at high schools in China, students at Canadian high schools (including BC and Vancouver students), and transfer students.

1. Schools and degrees: a transition under way

• Five undergraduate schools: the admissions site lists the College of Arts and Science, Blair School of Music, Peabody College, the School of Engineering and the College of Connected Computing. The CCC, Vanderbilt’s first new college in more than 40 years, brings together computer science, data science and scientific computing, and its undergraduate page also describes programs such as artificial intelligence.
• Who awards the BS: the Registrar states that students in the class of 2030 and earlier who want the BS in Computer Science as their primary degree must transfer to the School of Engineering, which will award that degree through May 2030. Students entering in fall 2027 are normally the class of 2031; the pages used for this guide do not say which school awards their BS or which school to apply to, so check with admissions before applying.
• Accreditation: the department says the BS is accredited by the Computing Accreditation Commission of ABET; computer science taken as a second major by students outside Engineering is not an accredited program.
• BA (new): a CCC program that began in fall 2026, with registration for current students opening in March 2026. Vanderbilt says its flexible electives make double majors and minors easier.

2. Curriculum

• BA (as listed on the college page; the catalog takes precedence):
  • CS core, 25 hours: software and problem solving (CS 1101/1105, CS 2201/2205, 3251, 3270) plus one machine learning course (CS 3262, 4260 or 4262);
  • CS depth, 12 hours (3000 level or above); a CS project, 3 hours; Computers and Ethics, 3 hours;
  • Mathematics, 11 hours: calculus (MATH 1300, 1301) and statistics/probability (MATH 2810); science, 4 hours including a lab; computational electives, 6 hours;
  • plus general education in humanities, social sciences, perspectives on technology, business and entrepreneurship, and communications.
• BS: the department page does not list full requirements, which are in the catalog; the catalog loads dynamically and was not checked for this guide, so look up “Computer Science” in the Vanderbilt catalog. The department notes that CS 4959 is required and only taught in the fall, so its prerequisite CS 3251 must be finished by the spring of junior year, and project courses need planning.
• Second major and minor: any student outside Engineering can add computer science as a second major, and Arts and Science students can declare it as early as their first year without first declaring a primary major. The CS minor is five courses.
• When to start: starting CS 1101 in the first year, the major fits in 8 semesters; as a sophomore primary major, in 6 semesters; the primary major is not designed for fewer than 6 semesters, so juniors are advised to take the minor or plan an extra year.

3. Intra-university transfer

• Eligibility: students can request a transfer between schools after two full-time semesters at Vanderbilt; students who transferred in from elsewhere can apply after one semester and sophomore standing. The deadline is the last day of exams each semester, and decisions follow once grades are posted.
• Hours and GPA (same for Engineering and the CCC): after two semesters, at least 24 hours and a 1.800 GPA; after three, 39 hours and 1.850; after four, 54 hours and 1.900.
• Extra Engineering requirements: at least two semesters of college calculus and two semesters of lab science required in the intended major, and a 2.0 average GPA in all STEM courses at Vanderbilt; no applications after five or more semesters outside Engineering. Students seeking a primary major in CS must include the CS department’s applicant information form, and Engineering recommends declaring CS as a second major or minor in your current school first to help with registration.
• Into the CCC: from fall 2026, students can request a transfer to the CCC for the BA in Computer Science by contacting its Office of Academic Affairs; at least four semesters, including the last two, must be spent in the college.

4. Application rounds (fall 2027 entry)

• Early Decision I (binding): due 1 November 2026, decisions mid-December, deposit by 31 December.
• Early Decision II (binding): due 1 January 2027, decisions mid-February, deposit by 1 March.
• Regular Decision: due 1 January 2027, decisions late March, deposit by 1 May.
• Merit scholarships: applications due 1 December 2026.
• Materials: USD 50 application fee, high school transcript, one counselor letter and two academic teacher letters. Students at high schools outside the US may schedule an optional InitialView video interview.
• High school courses: there are no minimum course requirements; most successful applicants take the equivalent of five academic subjects each year, and 4 units each of mathematics and natural science are recommended.

5. Testing

• Optional: the testing policy page says SAT/ACT scores are optional for fall 2027 and 2028 entry, and the choice will not advantage or disadvantage an application; scores will be required from fall 2029.
• Another wording: the same page’s section for international applicants says testing is optional “through fall 2027” and does not mention 2028. Both agree for 2027 entry; for 2028 entry, check the latest policy.
• Both the SAT and ACT are superscored, and the ACT Science and Writing sections are not required.

6. Students at high schools in China

• Submit official transcripts of all secondary coursework and grades; non-English documents must be translated by the school or a certified translator, not by the applicant.
• Vanderbilt does not mention how the Gaokao is used. International applicants may apply without SAT/ACT scores but must prove English proficiency.
• English (recommended minimums): TOEFL iBT 5 (new scale), TOEFL Essentials 10.5, IELTS 7.0, Cambridge C1 Advanced or C2 Proficiency 185, LanguageCert 75, Duolingo 130. An ACT English score above 26 or SAT Evidence-Based Reading and Writing above 630 exempts you. English tests are not superscored.
• To apply for need-based aid, submit the CSS Profile or ISFAA.

7. Students at Canadian high schools (including BC and Vancouver)

• Vanderbilt has no separate requirements for Canadian or BC curricula; you apply under the same rules as other students outside the US.
• Applicants whose first language or language of instruction is English do not need English test scores.

8. Costs and financial aid

• 2026-27 direct costs: tuition USD 69,822, total direct costs USD 96,896. Costs for 2027-28 have not been published.
• Need-based aid for international students: offered to a limited number of first-year international applicants, and admission is need-aware for those who apply. For fall 2026, Vanderbilt offered need-based aid and/or merit scholarships to 89 international students from 54 countries, worth USD 16,815–99,998 a year for four years.
• Merit scholarships: about 300 a year, from partial to full tuition, including three signature full-tuition programs.

9. Transfer students

• Deadline: 15 February 2027 priority deadline, with rolling review through the spring and decisions from late April. About 450 transfer students join each fall.
• Eligibility: at least 12 college credits after high school; admitted transfers typically have a B+/A- GPA or higher.
• Choosing a school: transfer applicants can apply to the College of Connected Computing or the School of Engineering, with no extra items for either. Engineering does not admit to a specific major but expects physics, calculus and chemistry completed (or in progress) at admission.
• Credit: transfer students completing a primary major in Engineering must earn at least 63 credit hours at Vanderbilt.
• Aid: there is no need-based aid for international transfer applicants, whose applications requesting aid are withdrawn; merit aid is not available to transfers.

Checklist

Students at high schools in China:

• Before applying, confirm with admissions which school to choose for the CS BS or BA for fall 2027 entry
• Apply ED I by 1 November, or ED II / RD by 1 January; merit scholarship applications by 1 December
• TOEFL 5 (new scale), IELTS 7 or Duolingo 130; SAT/ACT optional
• Submit the CSS Profile or ISFAA by your round’s deadline if you need aid

Students at Canadian high schools (including BC and Vancouver):

• English-medium students are generally exempt from English tests; same deadlines apply

Transfer students:

• Priority deadline 15 February; at least 12 college credits; physics, calculus and chemistry for Engineering; no aid for international transfers

Sources: Vanderbilt University, Computer Science undergraduate program; College of Connected Computing undergraduate programs; BA in Computer Science; Intra-university transfers; Engineering letter; College of Connected Computing letter; Undergraduate schools; Dates and deadlines; First-year process; Testing policies; Transfer process; Affordability; International costs and finances. Information is for fall 2027 entry (costs are 2026-27 figures). Check Vanderbilt for the latest details.