>
Vanderbilt Mentor Immersion

Vanderbilt Mentor Immersion

Work with expert mentors in a field you’re passionate about in this virtual program.  

Upcoming Sessions

Join us for the Fall 2026 Cohort! Applications open July 8.

Vanderbilt Mentor Immersion Experience

Vanderbilt Mentor Immersion (VSI) is a virtual experience that gives students the opportunity to explore advanced content and develop a final project in a field that interests them. Students are put into cohorts of six to 10 academically advanced peers, guided by a mentor who is an expert in the chosen field. Mentors bring real-world knowledge and professional experience to the program, providing practical, individualized feedback that helps students strengthen their ideas and shape their final projects.  

Explore Vanderbilt Mentor Immersion

Eligibility & Session Dates​

View upcoming VMI cohorts and eligibility requirements.

Tuition & Financial Assistance

Explore financial aid and tuition information.

FAQs

Get answers to common program questions.

View Mentorships

Explore current cohort mentorship descriptions.

Vanderbilt Mentor Immersion Cohorts

Academic Year Cohorts

Designed for students in grades 10–12, fall and spring cohorts run for approximately four months. Students meet virtually once a week for 2.5 hours, with evening or weekend sessions and two to four hours of independent work each week.

View Fall 2026 Courses

Summer Cohorts

Designed for rising 11th- and 12th-grade students, the summer cohort covers the same amount of instructional time in a more intensive three-month format. Students meet virtually twice a week for four total hours, with evening or weekend sessions and two to four hours of independent work each week.

View Summer Session Dates

Why Vanderbilt Mentor Immersion?

  • Learn From Experts in the Field 
    Students are guided by mentors with deep academic and professional expertise in their disciplines. Many mentorships are led by Vanderbilt scholars and content experts who bring real-world perspectives to each session. Mentor biographies are included with each mentorship description. 

  • Participate From Anywhere 
    Because Mentor Immersion is fully     virtual, students can participate from wherever they live. Online sessions bring together motivated learners from different locations and backgrounds, creating an academic community that extends beyond a traditional classroom. Students meet live with their mentor and cohort while completing independent work on a schedule that fits alongside school and other commitments.     

  • Receive Personalized Guidance 
    Each small cohort of approximately six to 10 students is supported by a dedicated mentor and teaching assistant. Students participate in live weekly sessions with their mentor and peers, with an optional weekly office hour available. Through thoughtful feedback and individualized guidance, mentors help students strengthen ideas and develop projects that reflect the work of practicing professionals. 

  • Develop Academic and Professional Skills 
    Throughout the program, students explore advanced content, examine real-world questions and learn how professionals approach challenges within a field. Early discussions and activities build the knowledge and skills students need to develop an independent research product or project. As their work progresses, students receive practical feedback that helps them refine their thinking, communicate their ideas and create a strong final product. 

  • Join a Community of Motivated Learners 
    Mentor Immersion brings together students who share a strong academic drive and a commitment to learning. Cohort members exchange ideas, learn from one another and build connections while pursuing their individual projects. Participants also join a growing community of more than 1,000 students who have completed Vanderbilt mentorship experiences since 2021. 

Students check in before precollege program

Receive program updates, new session information, due date reminders and more when you join our email list.

Sign Up

Program Questions

  • Are Mentorship Immersion and Rising Experts fully virtual?

    Yes. All mentorship meetings will utilize Zoom. There are no in-person requirements for these programs.

  • How many students are in a mentorship?

    Approximately 10 students are paired with a mentor and an additional teaching assistant.

  • How many hours a week should I expect to dedicate to work for this program?

    Students will see their mentor and mentee groups when they meet via Zoom each week. The length of these meeting times varies based on which program you are enrolled in. Visit the specific program page for the live session commitment each week. Additional office hours may also be required during certain weeks. In addition to the zoom session each week, students should be prepared to complete asynchronous work outside of the classroom to prepare for class, work with other mentees, attend additional mini sessions, or to work independently on their project. Visit the program page for more information about how much time outside of the Zoom sessions can be expected. It is important to note that every student is different and depending on their project and course content, more or less work may be required during certain weeks or times throughout the session. We also fully expect that there will be less out-of-class work early in the program (likely an hour or two per class meeting) before independent project work begins. There will likely be more out-of-class work once the project is in full force during the second half of the mentorship. Again, this work will vary by class and content domain. Although this program will require a significant time commitment, we are also aware that many of the students participating are also taking advanced courses within their traditional high school curriculum as well as participating in other extracurriculars. The program is designed to be immersive, but we do not intend it to be overwhelming. There are no grades in the program. Your final project will vary based on the mentorship you sign up for, but all projects will mimic the work done in the field. Plan ahead and communicate with your mentor about key times (such as AP exam week, if the program meets during the school year), when you might be extra busy so that you can develop a plan ahead of time to ensure you are keeping up with all of your important commitments.

  • Will I receive a grade or credit for my mentorship?

    No. Programs for Talented Youth does not give grades or award credit for any of our programs, including Mentorship Immersion and Rising Experts. We want you to stretch your intellectual capacity without fear of failure. In Mentorship Immersion and Rising Experts your mentor will evaluate your progress, and you will receive an end of session rubric as well as a certificate of completion from your mentor after the program. Additionally, you will receive formative feedback from your mentor throughout the program. The end of the program evaluation will detail your progress on a variety of factors and aims to give you a broad picture of your academic growth throughout the experience as well as feedback on your final product/project.

Full list of program FAQs