Vanderbilt Summer Academy

Vanderbilt Summer Academy (VSA) is an intentionally designed, academically accelerated residential program for advanced 7th through 12th grade students offered through Vanderbilt University’s highly regarded Programs for Talented Youth. VSA offers one-week and two-week summer courses that are grounded in academic rigor and scholarly exploration, while also focused on fostering a strong sense of community and friendship. 

At VSA, students join peers from around the world to stretch their intellectual boundaries while living at The Martha Rivers Ingram Commons, a residential college on Vanderbilt’s beautiful Nashville, Tennessee campus.

VSA students take accelerated courses from instructors drawn from the wealth of talented scholars at Vanderbilt and across the Nashville community. VSA courses are designed to meet the needs of gifted and high-ability students. With up to six hours a day devoted to academic learning in one subject, this program provides for a satisfying level of focus and depth. Because all VSA courses options are accelerated, we ask applicants to submit eligibility materials to determine if our program would be a good academic fit for a student.

While Vanderbilt Summer Academy is academically focused, additional residential programming offers organized experiences for social-emotional balance. VSA students participate in a variety of evening activities and enjoy free time to make new friends. Learn more about life outside of class on the Residential Life page of our website.

Not interested in a residential experience?

Vanderbilt Programs for Talented Youth also offers online experiences for rising 11th-12th grade students through our Mentor Immersion program as well as Career Connections day programs for rising 7th-8th grade students though Summer Academy at Vanderbilt for the Young. Learn more about all of our programs at https://pty.vanderbilt.edu/.