Your chances of getting into VanderCook College of Music
Admission Rate & Difficulty
Acceptance Rate
The acceptance rate at VCM is 100%. Its admission rate is the 121st lowest in Illinois.
Admission Selectivity
How hard is it to get into VCM and can you get accepted?
VanderCook College of Music is an easy school to get into and you have a very good chance of acceptance if you meet the admission criteria. Last year, 22 out of the 22 who applied were admitted.
VanderCook College of Music typically accepts and attracts "B" average high school students with an average GPA around 3.1. 50% of those admitted chose to enroll in the school.
Can you get into VCM?
Use the admission calculator to see if you have the grades and test scores needed to get in. See your admission chances based on your extracurriculars, intended major, background, and more.
Admission Requirements in Brief
To have the best chance of getting into to VanderCook College of Music you should:
- Have a high school GPA of 3.1 or better
- Earn B grades in high school
- Score 1030 on the SAT
- Score 17 on the ACT
VCM GPA
GPA Requirements & Average GPA
What GPA do you need to get into VanderCook College of Music?
GPA Requirements
The GPA requirements for getting into VCM are to have around a 3.1 high school GPA. You need about average high school grades.
Average GPA
The average unweighted GPA at VCM is 3.1 on the 4.0 scale. To achieve the average GPA for admission, you need to earn B letter grades and regularly score around 83-86 percent on tests and assignments in high school. The school ranks #56 in Illinois for highest average GPA.
Importance of GPA
Since VCM is a test optional college, extra focus will be placed on your GPA when the school considers your application. As a result, it is very important that you meet the GPA requirements.
See additional colleges accepting applicants in the 3.1 GPA range.
GPA Data Source, Peterson's Data 2022
VCM SAT Scores
Testing Requirements
Submission of SAT or ACT scores is not required for admission to VanderCook College of Music. If you optionally submit test scores, they will be considered with your application, but they are not mandatory. 18% of students submitted SAT scores and 9% submitted ACT scores for admission for the most recent academic year..
SAT Requirements & Average SAT Score
| SAT Test | 25th Percentile Score |
|---|---|
| Reading 25th Percentile | 445 |
| Math 25th Percentile | 445 |
| Composite 25th Percentile | 890 |
| SAT Test | 75th Percentile Score |
|---|---|
| Reading 75th Percentile | 570 |
| Math 75th Percentile | 590 |
| Composite 75th Percentile | 1160 |
| Average SAT Score | 1030
|
SAT Scores you need to get in
What are the SAT requirements for you to be admitted to VanderCook College of Music?
Average Score & Range
The average SAT score at VCM is 1030 out of 1600 and the range for the middle 50% of accepted students is 890-1160. Students who get into VanderCook College of Music score in the top 79 percent of all SAT test takers.. VCM ranks #36 in the state of Illinois for highest average SAT composite score.
Score for Acceptance
You should target scoring 1030 or above to be most competitive with other applicants. VCM regularly admits students with SAT scores down to 890 on a 1600 scale. However, three quarter of admitted students score higher. If you score below a 890, admission should be considered a reach. Some students may be accepted with minimum SAT's as low as 750, but scores this low are outside the normal range.
Score Submission Requirements
VanderCook College of Music is a test optional school meaning do not have to submit SAT scores with your application. The position on SAT scores from the college is "not required for admission, but considered if submitted (test optional)".
View other colleges which accept students in the 1030 SAT score range.
Data Sources, IPEDS for Fall 2022 starting classChance of Acceptance by SAT Score
The table below outlines your predicted admission chances based on SAT score alone. If you are an average applicant with a score of 1025, you have around a 99% chance of being admitted. A 1160 places you well ahead of most other applicants and gives you about a 99% chance of getting in.
VCM ACT Scores
ACT Requirements & Average ACT Score
| ACT Test | 25th Percentile Score |
|---|---|
| Reading 25th Percentile | 23 |
| Math 25th Percentile | 21 |
| Composite 25th Percentile | 15 |
| ACT Test | 75th Percentile Score |
|---|---|
| Reading 75th Percentile | 24 |
| Math 75th Percentile | 22 |
| Composite 75th Percentile | 20 |
| Average ACT Score | 17
|
ACT Scores needed to get accepted
What are the ACT requirements for students to get into VCM?
Score Range
The average ACT score for admitted students to VCM is 17, while the middle 50% of students (25th to 75th percentile) score between a 15 and 20. The school ranks #47 in Illinois for highest average ACT composite score.
Score for Acceptance
For the best chance of admission, you should have an ACT of 17. This will place you in solid competition against other applicants. At a minimum, you should aim for a 15 and score in the score in the top 81 percent nationally. The lowest ACT score likely to be admitted is a 12.
9 percent of applicants submit ACT scores to VanderCook College of Music.
Score Submission Requirements
You do not have to to submit ACT scores with your application as VanderCook College of Music is test optional. The policy from the school on ACT scores is "not required for admission, but considered if submitted (test optional)".
Find other colleges with similar ACT score requirements
Data Sources, IPEDS for Fall 2022 starting classChance of Acceptance by ACT Score
Here are your predicted chances of getting into VCM for different ACT score ranges. A typical applicant with a 17 score has around 99% chance of getting in. Your odds increase to about 99% with a 20 ACT score.
Applying
Admission Statistics
Admission and enrollment rates by gender are detailed the the table below.
| Women | Men | Total | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Applied | 11 | 11 | 22 |
| Accepted | 11 | 11 | 22 |
| Acceptance Rate | 100% | 100% | 100% |
| Enrolled | 4 | 7 | 11 |
| Percent of Admitted Who Enrolled (Admission Yield) | 36% | 64% | 50% |
Fall 2024 Application Deadline
Applications Due
Days left to Apply
The application deadline for Fall 2024 has passed. Applications were due on Apr 1, 2024.
Application Fee
The cost for prospective students to apply to VanderCook College of Music is $35.
Application Requirements
What are the requirements for admission to VanderCook College of Music and what student information is used for admission decisions?
| Test Scores | Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional) |
| High School GPA | Required to be considered for admission |
| High School Class Rank | Not required for admission, but considered if submitted |
| Completion of College Preparatory Program | Not required for admission, but considered if submitted |
| Recommendations | Required to be considered for admission |
| Demonstration of Competencies | Required to be considered for admission |
Credits Accepted
| AP Credit | Yes |
| Dual Credit | Yes |
| Credit for Life Experiences | No |
Admission Requirements Summary
Because VanderCook College of Music is lightly competitive to get into, you have a very good chance of acceptance with the right GPA and test scores. If you have a 3.1 GPA, you are almost certain to getting in. Combining this with an SAT score of 1030 and ACT of 17 will almost guarantee your admission.
Primary data source, U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/?id=149639 IPEDS survey data for VanderCook College of Music.
FAQs
Does VanderCook College of Music prefer SAT or ACT?
18% of students submit their SAT scores to VCM. 9% of applicants send their ACT scores when applying.
What is my chance of getting into VanderCook College of Music?
100% of those who apply are granted admission to VCM. Admission competition is and the college has extremely easy admission standards. See if your grades and scores are good enough for admission.
What SAT score is required for VanderCook College of Music?
The middle 50% of addmitted applicants have SAT scores between 890 and 1160. The average SAT score is 1025. See if your SAT score is good enough for admission.
What ACT score is required for VanderCook College of Music?
The middle 50% of addmitted applicants have ACT scores between 15 and 20. The average ACT score is 17. See if your ACT score is good enough for admission.