Vanderbilt University Master of Science in Nursing (MS) PreSpecialty Entry - Spring 2026

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Hi everyone!

I wanted to start a thread for those of us applying to Vanderbilt's Master of Science in Nursing (MS) PreSpecialty Entry for Spring 2026 (non-nursing BS holders).

I submitted my application last week before the July 15 deadline. I'm applying for the Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP) track, but I'd love to hear from others pursuing different specialties too.

A few questions to get us started:

  • When did you apply, and for which specialty?
  • Have you received any updates or confirmation emails since submitting?
  • If you've been accepted already, what was the timeline like?

Looking forward to learning from and supporting each other through this process. GOOD LUCK!

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Hey there! 
I applied for the MN program, but I thought the pre specialty track only starts in fall semesters. Were you able to apply for pre specialty? 

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Hi there!

I also applied for the MN program - for Non-nursing bachelors, it is not a Master of Science in nursing, it is a Master of Nursing. If we are talking about the same program, then you cannot apply for a specialty program until mid-year during year 1.


I applied on May 18th, and I have not heard back yet. My goal is to apply for the PMHNP program during my MN program. I was told I would hear back early August.

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sof11 said:

Hi there!

I also applied for the MN program - for Non-nursing bachelors, it is not a Master of Science in nursing, it is a Master of Nursing. If we are talking about the same program, then you cannot apply for a specialty program until mid-year during year 1.


I applied on May 18th, and I have not heard back yet. My goal is to apply for the PMHNP program during my MN program. I was told I would hear back early August.

Hey there! 
 Did the school tell you you'll hear back in August? Or is that word of mouth 

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I applied early June to the MN program as well. Anxious to hear back soon! 

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noisycoconut said:

Hey there! 
 Did the school tell you you'll hear back in August? Or is that word of mouth 

The admissions department told me that :)

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sof11 said:

Hi there!

I also applied for the MN program - for Non-nursing bachelors, it is not a Master of Science in nursing, it is a Master of Nursing. If we are talking about the same program, then you cannot apply for a specialty program until mid-year during year 1.


I applied on May 18th, and I have not heard back yet. My goal is to apply for the PMHNP program during my MN program. I was told I would hear back early August.

Yes - words mean things! We are talking about the same program. Thanks for chiming in! It's always so interesting how we get different information. My advisor told me that "Spring 2026 priority decisions will be received no later than the end of September". It feels so close but so far away and the sooner I know the better! But GL to everyone!

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noisycoconut said:

Hey there! 
I applied for the MN program, but I thought the pre specialty track only starts in fall semesters. Were you able to apply for pre specialty? 

No, I did Master of Nursing only. I know the pre-specialty route guarantees admission into Vandy's PMC program. But it's soooo expensive and as a non-trad/self-pay student I needed to take it SLOOOW LOL. 

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jasb3 said:

Yes - words mean things! We are talking about the same program. Thanks for chiming in! It's always so interesting how we get different information. My advisor told me that "Spring 2026 priority decisions will be received no later than the end of September". It feels so close but so far away and the sooner I know the better! But GL to everyone!

END OF September?!? oh my gosh.

I am going to call today and follow up. I do believe I was one of the first applications, if not the first. I had my app ready weeks before and applied the second it opened. Perhaps that's why they said early August?

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sof11 said:

END OF September?!? oh my gosh.

I am going to call today and follow up. I do believe I was one of the first applications, if not the first. I had my app ready weeks before and applied the second it opened. Perhaps that's why they said early August?

Keep us posted friend! 

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sof11 said:

END OF September?!? oh my gosh.

I am going to call today and follow up. I do believe I was one of the first applications, if not the first. I had my app ready weeks before and applied the second it opened. Perhaps that's why they said early August?

I just got off the phone with them, they said week after Labor Day, so beginning of September!

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