For Fall 2022 admission, Virginia Commonwealth University applications for admissions and scholarship consideration will be reviewed based on academic performance at an accredited high school or on GED scores. The college preparatory curriculum is highly preferred. Extracurricular activities and employment experience may strengthen an application. Please read the information below for academic and documentation submission requirements.

Required units

A minimum of 20 units is required for admission to programs on the Monroe Park Campus. Competitive applicants should present a minimum of:

• 4 units of English
• 3 units of mathematics (including algebra I and either geometry or algebra II)
• 3 units of history, social studies or government
• 3 units of science (at least one laboratory)
• 3 units of one foreign language or 2 units of two foreign languages are strongly recommended

Essays

Essays are required of all applicants, to be submitted with the Common Application.

Recommendations

At least one recommendation is preferred for all applicants. Applicants will be asked to submit recommender information before submitting the Common Application. Recommenders will be sent an email on the applicant’s behalf requesting a recommendation.

Test scores not required for Fall 2022 application review and scholarship consideration

Please note: For the Fall 2022 admissions cycle, all applicants will be eligible for test score optional review, regardless of GPA. Applicants who are able to take a standardized test and would like the scores to be used in our application review may still submit scores. All students will receive a holistic application review.

Submission of test scores remains a requirement for all Guaranteed Admission Programs in the Honors College. Students interested in applying to a Guaranteed Admission Program who are unable to test due to the pandemic may contact honors@vcu.edu for additional options in a holistic review without test scores.

As always, the university will select applicants who present the strongest qualifications in scholastic achievement and potential, and through a holistic review of other evidence of potential including the strength of character. Each applicant will continue to be reviewed on an individual basis.

Transcripts

Freshman applicants are required to submit an up-to-date high school transcript (including senior-year curriculum and grades, if available). GED holders must submit their official GED scores.

Applicants to programs on the MCV Campus must submit official transcripts from each college, university, school and program attended. All foreign transcripts must be official and submitted in the original language with English translation. Official transcripts must arrive to the Office of Admissions unopened and sealed in their original envelope.

Prospective students who have studied outside of the U.S. must provide an official course-by-course external credential evaluation as a required part of the admission process. This report should be sealed and unopened, and sent directly to the Office of Admissions.

Permanent residents

Applicants who are not U.S. citizens but are authorized to live and work in the U.S. on a permanent basis can apply for admission to VCU as degree-seeking freshmen. In addition to providing all required application materials by the stated deadlines, permanent residents must provide a copy of their green card or other residency document. 

English language proficiency

Applicants whose native language is not English must exhibit English language proficiency by meeting at least one of the following criteria:

• Reside in the U.S. for 10 or more years

• A score of at least 22 on the Reading test of the SAT

• Complete six semester hours of college-level English composition with the grade of C or better (excluding ESL classes)

• Present a TOEFL score of 70 or more on the internet-based test (undergraduates) with the exception of the College of Engineering, which requires an 80 or more on the internet-based test; Reading 13-18, Listening 12-19 and Writing 21-23 PBT; or IELTS of 6.0 (academic band score) and 6.5 for engineering. The required PTE score is 53 or 7.5 TOEFL Essentials (8.5 for engineering)

School of the Arts applicants

In addition to the university Application for Undergraduate Admission, all applicants to the School of the Arts must submit supplemental materials as described on the School of the Arts website. The school’s application review committee reviews all applications to its programs. For more information, call the school at (804) 828-2787.

College of Engineering applicants

To be competitive for admission to the College of Engineering, freshman applicants should present a minimum GPA of 3.4 (on a 4.0 scale).

Freshman applicants to the College of Engineering who are not accepted directly into the school will automatically be considered for the undeclared major in the College of Humanities and Sciences. Learn more about the school’s freshman admissions. For more information, contact the school at (804) 828-2129 or askengineering@vcu.edu.

VCU Honors College applicants

To be competitive for admission to the Honors College, freshman applicants should present a minimum GPA of 3.5 (on a 4.0 scale) and either a combined SAT score of at least 1330 on the critical reading and math sections of the test or an ACT composite score of at least 29.

In addition to the application for undergraduate admission, all applicants to the VCU Honors College must submit an additional application and meet specific criteria as described on the VCU Honors College website. For more information contact the school at (804) 828-1803 or honors@vcu.edu.

Guaranteed Admission Programs applicants

The VCU Honors College offers a variety of Guaranteed Admission Programs that allow highly qualified students to enter medical school and several other health sciences programs at VCU without competing via general admission at a later date. Application procedures and requirements vary depending on the program, but all applications are due Nov. 15. For more details, see the VCU Honors College website or contact the college at (804) 828-1803 or honors@vcu.edu.

Computer requirement

All VCU students are required to have a personal computer. The university annually sets minimum specifications for computers for each new entering class. You can buy a computer at RamTech for on-campus support and service.

Some departments and schools recommend a specific configuration from among the options outlined by the university. Check with your school or college to make sure the minimum specifications are sufficient for your course of study.

Read all instructions in the application materials, noting the application deadlines.

Choose the email address you will use for VCU correspondence. Make sure it stays active for at least one year since we will use it to contact you throughout the application process.

Answer all questions on the Common Application and submit it to VCU.

Include your Social Security number on your application if you wish to be considered for financial aid or the American Opportunity tax credit.

Request that your school counselor send your transcript, including:

• Senior-year courses and first-term grades, if available
• Class rank, if available
• High school profile

Please note: For Fall 2022, VCU will review all applications for admission and scholarship consideration without standardized test scores. See the Requirements tab for complete details.

Submit the $70 application fee when submitting the Common Application.

VCU received 18,625 applications for Fall 2021 freshman admissions.

Number of enrolled first-time freshmen: 4,151