Admissions
- What are your admission requirements for freshmen?
- What are your admission requirements for transfer students?
- Does the School of the Arts require additional admission materials?
- Does the School of Engineering require additional admission materials?
- Does the School of Nursing require additional admission materials?
- What are your admission deadlines? When should I submit my application?
- When will I be notified about my acceptance?
- How much emphasis do you put on the SAT/ACT test scores?
- Do advanced placement courses help my application?
- Should I come to campus for an interview?
- What do I need to do if I want to come for a campus visit?
What are your admission requirements for freshmen?
Prospective freshmen seeking admission to VCU immediately after high school graduation are generally but not solely evaluated on the four criteria listed below.
- High school grade-point average or GED Battery Score
- Test scores from the SAT Reasoning Test or ACT
- Rank in class (Students graduating from a high school that does not do a class ranking will not be penalized in the admission process.)
- High school curriculum
The recommended curriculum includes:
- 4 units of English
- 3 units of history, social studies or government
- 3 units in mathematics (including algebra I and either geometry or algebra II)
- 3 units in science (at least one laboratory)
- 2 units of a foreign language are strongly recommended
What are your admission requirements for transfer students?
Transfer applicants must present evidence of good standing at the last institution attended. A cumulative grade-point average of 2.25 on a 4.0 scale in all hours attempted is recommended for admission. Students who have earned fewer than 30 semester (45 quarter) hours must submit their high school transcripts and, if under 22 years of age, SAT/ACT scores.
Does the School of the Arts require additional admission materials?
Students applying to the School of the Arts must submit the standard university undergraduate application in addition to supplemental materials. There is a $55 application fee for School of the Arts applicants who do not complete the process online. Online applicants pay a $30 fee. All visual arts and design applicants and all technical theatre applicants are required to submit a visual portfolio with their application. All performing arts applicants are required to visit VCU for an audition and/or interview. Students applying to any program in the School of the Arts also must submit a letter of recommendation. For more information, refer to the university application for undergraduate admission or contact the School of the Arts toll free at (866) 534-3201 or locally at (804) 828-2787, or online.
Does the School of Engineering require additional admission materials?
The School of Engineering faculty reviews all applications to its programs. The decision is based upon academic documents (e.g., strength of curriculum, GPA, SAT or ACT results, and class rank). To be competitive for admission to the School of Engineering, freshman applicants should present a minimum GPA of 3.3 (on a 4.0 scale) and a combined SAT score of 1100 or higher on the critical reading and math sections of the test. Transfer applicants should have a GPA of 3.0 or higher (on a 4.0 scale). For additional information, contact the School of Engineering toll free at (800) 863-0359 or locally at (804) 827-7028, online or e-mail.
Does the School of Nursing require additional admission materials?
Freshman applicants
Freshman spaces in the School of Nursing are limited. Priority will be given to students who apply by the Feb. 1 deadline. To be competitive for admission to the school, freshman applicants must present a minimum GPA of 3.0 (on a 4.0 scale) and a combined SAT score of 1050 or higher on the critical reading and math sections of the test, with a minimum of 400 points on each section. Applicants also must submit a one- to two-page essay on the topic “Education and Life: A Personal Statement.” Freshman applicants to the School of Nursing who are not accepted directly into the school will automatically be considered for the pre-nursing major in the College of Humanities and Sciences.
Transfer applicants
Transfer applicants to the School of Nursing must apply by the Jan. 15 deadline and must submit supplemental admissions materials, which are only available online at www.nursing.vcu.edu. Along with the application for undergraduate admission, all transfer applicants to the School of Nursing, regardless of age, are required to submit SAT, ACT or GRE test scores and official transcripts from high school and all colleges and universities. In addition, applicants must submit a one- to two-page essay on the topic “Education and Life: A Personal Statement” in which they discuss their educational goals including why they wish to study their chosen major.
What are your admission deadlines? When should I submit my application?
Freshman applicants |
Fall | Spring |
| Freshmen applying for guaranteed admission to the School of Medicine (B.S./M.D.) | Nov. 15* | n/a |
| Freshmen applying for guaranteed admission to programs other than medicine | Feb. 1* | n/a |
| Students applying for scholarship consideration | Jan. 5 | n/a |
| Freshmen applying for regular decision | Feb. 1 | Nov. 1 |
* Firm deadline, separate guaranteed admission application also required.
** Firm deadline, separate supplemental application and materials also required.
*** Firm deadline, program begins in summer: separate supplemental application materials also required.
When will I be notified about my acceptance?
Applicants who submit completed materials by Feb. 1 will be notified by April 1. Those applying after Feb. 1 will be notified on a rolling basis until the class is filled.
How much emphasis do you put on the SAT/ACT test scores?
In the admissions decision process SAT/ACT scores are the third most important component, with the high school grades and courses taken being the two most important. Test scores help the admission committee compare the academic backgrounds of students from different school systems. The higher a student’s cumulative grade point average, the less important test scores become in the decision process.
Do advanced placement courses help my application?
Yes, AP courses give the admissions staff a better indication of how a student will do at the university because AP courses are equivalent to college courses. Honors level and AP courses successfully completed could bring a more favorable admissions decision. The university accepts all AP classes (except Studio Art). You must have a score of 3 or better on your AP final exam to receive college credit at VCU.
Should I come to campus for an interview?
Interviews at VCU are not required as part of the application process, but we strongly suggest that students visit campus. We hope our urban university with its academic and cultural diversity is the right setting for you. The only way to determine this is by visiting. A campus visit will enable you to see the physical layout of VCU and a chance to talk with currently enrolled students and faculty.
What do I need to do if I want to come for a campus visit?
The Office of Undergraduate Admissions holds information sessions Monday through Saturday at 10:30 a.m. except on holidays and holiday weekends. The sessions are held in the Welcome Center, which is adjacent to the VCU Monroe Park Campus bookstore, and are followed by an hour-long walking tour of the Monroe Park Campus. After the tour is completed, for those who are interested in asking more personal questions, admissions counselors are available to meet with prospective students and their families individually.
