VanderCook College of Music: 2024 Requirements, Scores & GPAs

This is the go-to guide for getting into VanderCook College of Music. We suggest you read until the end... Not only will we layout the exact GPA and test scores you should aim for when applying to VanderCook College of Music, but we’ll also offer creative ways to help your application stand out from the pack. We breakdown VanderCook College of Music statistics better than any article out there and show you how these have changed over time. Also, make sure to check out VanderCook College of Music on CampusReel to see what it’s really like here. If you're interesting in transferring to VanderCook College of Music, the read our transfer guide. You can also use the below calculator to help determine your likelihood of acceptance at VanderCook College of Music

What GPA do you need to get into VanderCook College of Music?

VanderCook College of Music’s average GPA is 2.97. VanderCook College of Music does require GPA. VanderCook College of Music is currently selective. However, be aware that oftentimes schools in this GPA range are increasing their selectivity in hope of increasing “prestige”. We can’t read the minds of VanderCook College of Music application readers, but they likely want to increase the average GPA from 2.97 to 3.12 this year - to play it safe, we recommend striving for the 3.12 GPA.

*BEFORE CONTINUING PLEASE NOTE: GPA and “prestige” DO NOT mean a college is right for you. VanderCook College of Music may seem amazing on paper, but you may hate it... That’s why 700,000 students transfer colleges every year - they end up going to the wrong school. It’s crucial to watch the videos on CampusReel and make sure you can envision yourself on VanderCook College of Music’s campus. These VanderCook College of Music admission statistics do not sufficiently tell you what a college or university is like.

What is VanderCook College of Music’s acceptance rate?

Last year VanderCook College of Music’s acceptance rate was 95.74000000000001. However, check out how the acceptance rate has changed over time.

As you can see, VanderCook College of Music is a little easier to get into than last year.

Acceptance rate alone does not indicate your likelihood for getting into VanderCook College of Music - it’s a very high level understanding of the true competition. Use the acceptance rate as a general guide for curating a list of 10-15 schools that fall into different ranges of competitiveness. Then, use the below data to get a deeper understanding of how your application will compare to the rest of the pool.

Does VanderCook College of Music Require Test Scores?

VanderCook College of Music requires that you either take the SAT or ACT. See the table below for how VanderCook College of Music’s accepted students have performed on both tests. You may be wondering how many test scores should you submit. Generally, don’t freak out about taking the test too often. Industry consensus is that you can submit up to 6 tests as a reasonable limit.

VanderCook College of Music SAT Requirements

VanderCook College of Music’s average SAT score is 1200 - this is the sum of the math and reading portions of the SAT (the 1600 scale). Check out the below table for a deeper look into how students performed - it’s also very interesting to look at the average test score over time. The trend over time helps give insight into whether VanderCook College of Music is getting more or less competitive.

VanderCook College of Music’s average SAT score is 1200. To be a competitive applicant for VanderCook College of Music your SAT score should come close to the average. If you’re closer to the 1130, you’re likely going to have a tougher time getting accepted. To consider VanderCook College of Music a “target” school (one that you are likely to get into) you should aim for a score of 1270.

VanderCook College of Music ACT Requirements

VanderCook College of Music’s average ACT score is 68. To be a competitive applicant for VanderCook College of Music your ACT score should come close to the average. If you’re closer to the 63, you’re likely going to have a tougher time getting accepted. To consider VanderCook College of Music a “target” school (one that you have a good chance of getting into) you should aim for a score of 74.

VanderCook College of Music Requirements

Now you know where you need to be for getting into VanderCook College of Music from a grade and test score perspective. Let’s quickly outline what else you’ll need to provide for your application to get reviewed, and then we’ll move onto the most important section: differentiating your app.

How to get into VanderCook College of Music

Follow these steps to maximize your chances of getting into VanderCook College of Music. Everything you read above will help prepare you for what you need to achieve to have a shot at VanderCook College of Music, but these steps will take you even further in applying that knowledge and differentiating your application.

Main Academic Excellence that is in line with VanderCook College of Music admission standards.

1. Score at least a 1200 on the SAT or 68 on the ACT.
2. Maintain a GPA of at least a 2.97.

Join Extracurriculars that Align with VanderCook College of Music’s Values.

1. Join your school band, a sports team or another group activity. If VanderCook College of Music values music heavily, for example, then try to participate in an organization related to that topic.
2. Volunteer in your hometown. Chicago has tons of ways to be involved beyond just the college. VanderCook College of Music wants applicants that are also good ambassadors for the school - they want students who will give back to the local community and broader Chicago area in general.
3. Spend your summer doing something that speaks to your values, personal growth, leadership qualities and other less quantifiable characteristics. VanderCook College of Music needs to see past your test scores and grades - they need to know that you will be a valuable and contributing member of their community. You are more than grades and test scores - your experiences should demonstrate that.

Prepare Your Application

1. Write a stellar essay that shows VanderCook College of Music something they can’t figure out from the other parts of your application. For a detailed guide on writing the best college essay, check this out.
2. Get teacher recs that speak to your character. If you know what you’re majoring in and include that in your VanderCook College of Music app, try to have at least 1 recommendation from a teacher in that department.
3. Apply Before the Deadline. Too many students wait until the last minute to submit their application, and too much can go wrong during this precious time window. Since many students are applying on the last day, it’s possible that VanderCook College of Music’s own system crashes. Don’t risk the added stress this can cause - submit your app a few days early.