Virginia Commonwealth University
Make it real.
Opportunities abound at VCU. But first you have to apply. You’ve come to the right spot to do just that.
Apply to VCU
How do you apply to Virginia Commonwealth University and how do you get in? Find out in this section, where you will learn what VCU looks for in its applicants. You also will find out about paying for college through scholarships and financial aid. Everything you need is in this section, from the all-important application deadlines to links to the online application form itself. And if you need any additional guidance, don’t hesitate to contact us.
If you’re ready to apply now, click on the category below that best describes you.
I am a degree-seeking freshman
Students who are currently enrolled in high school, or who have completed high school but never attended college, and are applying for admission as a degree-seeking student will be considered as freshmen applicants. High school students taking dual-enrollment college courses are also considered as freshmen. Degree-seeking students may study at the university as either a full-time student (12 credits or more per semester) or as a part-time student.
For information about when materials are due, please see our freshman application deadlines.
I am a degree-seeking transfer student
Transfer applicants are those who are attending (or have attended) college on a full- or part-time basis after graduating from high school.
Transfers with 30 or more credits: Applicants with more than 30 college credits are required to provide us with their official college transcript in addition to all required application materials. SAT/ACT scores are not required.
Transfers with fewer than 30 credits: Applicants with fewer than 30 college credits are eligible to apply as transfer students. These applicants are required to provide us with both official high school and college transcripts. Applicants with fewer than 30 credit hours, and who are under the age of 22, are required to submit SAT/ACT scores for consideration in addition to all other required application materials.
For information about when materials are due, please see our transfer student application deadlines.
I am an applicant to the undergraduate health sciences programs on the MCV Campus
Transfer students and current VCU students who wish to apply to undergraduate programs in clinical laboratory sciences, clinical radiation sciences, dental hygiene and nursing on the MCV Campus should be aware that courses and credit requirements for admission vary for each program. Applicants to any of these programs must submit supplemental admission materials, all of which are available online. Please carefully read and follow all instructions outlined on each department's admission information page:
- Clinical Laboratory Sciences
- Clinical Radiation Sciences
(Please note: The deadline for Clinical Radiation Sciences applications has passed. Late applications may be considered for the nuclear medicine programs as well as degree completion programs for current radiographers. Contact the department directly by calling (804) 828-9104.) - Dental Hygiene
(Please note: Dental Hygiene is no longer accepting applications.) - School of Nursing
(Please note: The School of Nursing is no longer accepting applications to the Traditional B.S. in Nursing program.)
I am a nondegree-seeking student
Students who meet the requirements for undergraduate eligibility may enroll for credit as nondegree-seeking students. This status does not require an application for admission through the Office of Admissions, but registration is required through Records and Registration. Enrollment as a nondegree student does not ensure later admission as a degree-seeking student. Continuance in this status is dependent on academic performance.
Nondegree-seeking student classification
- Nondegree holder: A student who has not previously earned a baccalaureate degree and is limited to taking a maximum of 11 credits per semester.
- Degree holder: A student who has earned a baccalaureate degree at VCU or another accredited institution and is limited to taking 19 credits per semester.
- Transient student: This student is presently seeking a baccalaureate degree at another institution of higher education and wishes to enroll in courses at VCU for no more than two semesters with the intent of transferring course work to the home institution for degree completion. The student must present a letter from the home institution approving the student’s status as a transient student at VCU.
I am a permanent resident
Applicants who are not U.S. citizens but are authorized to live and work in the U.S. on a permanent basis are able to apply for admission to VCU as degree-seeking freshmen or transfer students. In addition to providing all required application materials, permanent residents must meet English language proficiency by meeting at least one of the following criteria:
- Native language is English
- Reside in the U.S. for 10 or more years
- Score at least 400 on the critical reading portion of the SAT
- Complete six semester hours of college-level English with the grade of C or better (excluding ESL classes)
- Present a TOEFL score of 80 or more on the Internet-based test
For information about when materials are due, please see our freshman application deadlines.
For information about when materials are due, please see our transfer student application deadlines.
I am an international student
International students are those who have travelled abroad to the U.S. for the purpose of studying in school and are not U.S. citizens or permanent residents. In addition to presenting grades (marks) that reflect superior ability and serious effort, international applicants must demonstrate satisfactory academic achievement, adequate English language proficiency and the ability to finance their education.
I am a post-baccalaureate certificate student
Students who hold a bachelor’s degree and wish to continue their education by completing a certificate program are classified as post-baccalaureate certificate applicants.
The Office of Admissions processes applications for the post-baccalaureate programs in computer science, statistics and health sciences only. Students who wish to apply for admission consideration into post-baccalaureate programs other than these should visit the website of the school or department in which the program is housed.
Why we ask for your Social Security number
While VCU does not require your Social Security number for admission consideration, it is necessary for applicants who wish to be considered for financial aid and Hope Scholarship/Lifetime Learning tax credit to provide a Social Security number to the university. To protect your privacy, your Social Security number will not be used as your VCU student identification number.
