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Virginia Commonwealth University
Virginia Commonwealth University
At Virginia Commonwealth University, students are encouraged to conduct research, start businesses, and serve the community — all before they graduate. We provide top-ranked academic programs, research opportunities and an urban setting so students can live and learn in the real world.
VCU and its academic health sciences center serve as one national urban public research institution dedicated to the success and well-being of our students, patients, faculty, staff and community through:
- Real-world learning that furthers civic engagement, inquiry, discovery and innovation
- Research that expands the boundaries of new knowledge and creative expression and promotes translational applications to improve the quality of human life
- Interdisciplinary collaborations and community partnerships that advance innovation, enhance cultural and economic vitality, and solve society’s most complex challenges
- Health sciences that preserve and restore health for all people, seek the cause and cure of diseases through groundbreaking research and educate those who serve humanity
- Deeply ingrained core values of diversity, inclusion and equity that provide a safe, trusting and supportive environment to explore, create, learn and serve

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Academics

Freshman Definition
A freshman (or first-year) applicant is someone who is graduating from high school or earning their GED and is applying ...see moreA freshman (or first-year) applicant is someone who is graduating from high school or earning their GED and is applying to start college for the first time as a degree-seeking student.
College Fit
VCU is a large, research-driven institution nestled on two campuses in downtown Richmond, Virginia, offering a vast arra...see moreVCU is a large, research-driven institution nestled on two campuses in downtown Richmond, Virginia, offering a vast array of degree programs from arts to dental hygiene to engineering to education. VCU students have access to hundreds of student organizations, which is a great way to connect with others whether or not you choose to live in one of our many on-campus residence halls. Take advantage of VCU's location with access to the James River and its park system, internship and job opportunities, community engagement, and interstates to travel to the beach, the mountains, and Washington, D.C..
Freshman Student Catalog Year
Catalog year is determined by the student's first semester of degree-seeking attendance at VCU.
English Language Proficiency
Applicants whose native language is not English must exhibit English language proficiency by meeting at least one of the...see moreApplicants 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)
Admissions and Financial Aid

Application Fee
The nonrefundable online application fee is $70 and must be paid via credit card when submitting the Common Application ...see moreThe nonrefundable online application fee is $70 and must be paid via credit card when submitting the Common Application or VCU’s transfer application.
Application Type(s)
Fall regular decision: Recommended fall deadline is Jan. 15 Spring regular decision: Nov. 1 Scholarship consideration (P...see moreFall regular decision: Recommended fall deadline is Jan. 15 Spring regular decision: Nov. 1 Scholarship consideration (Presidential, Provost and Deans') fall only: Nov. 1
Transcripts
Freshman applicants are required to submit an up-to-date high school transcript (including senior-year curriculum and gr...see moreFreshman 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.
Tests
The test requirement is waived for Fall 2022 applicants. Freshm...see moreThe test requirement is waived for Fall 2022 applicants. Freshman applicants (high school graduates and GED holders) under the age of 22 must submit SAT or ACT scores and, if applicable, an official copy of their GED scores. Electronic submission is recommended. Applicants whose native language is not English have additional English proficiency requirements: https://www.vcu.edu/admissions/apply/freshman/#tabs-192388 All first-year students must take the math placement test and some first-year students may need to take the chemistry or foreign language placement tests depending on major.
Essay
Essays are required of all applicants and are submitted through the Common Application.
Letter of Recommendation
At least one recommendation is preferred for all applicants. Applicants will be asked to submit recommender information ...see moreAt 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.
Interview
An interview is not required.
Important Dates

Freshman Application Deadline
Fall
January 15th, but applications will be accepted until the class is full.
Freshman Application Deadline
Spring
November 1st, but applications will be accepted until the class is full.
Freshman Financial Aid Date
The FAFSA priority filing date for the 2022-2023 academic year is February 1, 2022. Students are encouraged to submit th...see moreThe FAFSA priority filing date for the 2022-2023 academic year is February 1, 2022. Students are encouraged to submit their FAFSA as early as possible.
Freshman Priority Application Deadline
Fall
January 15th
Freshman Priority Application Deadline
Spring
November 1st
Freshman Financial Aid Date
The FAFSA priority filing date for the 2022-2023 academic year is February 1, 2022. Students are encouraged to submit th...see moreThe FAFSA priority filing date for the 2022-2023 academic year is February 1, 2022. Students are encouraged to submit their FAFSA as early as possible.
Academics

Transfer Definition
A transfer student is someone who has graduated from high school (or holds a GED) and has been a degree-seeking student ...see moreA transfer student is someone who has graduated from high school (or holds a GED) and has been a degree-seeking student at another college or university before applying to VCU.
College Fit
VCU is a large, research-driven institution nestled on two campuses in downtown Richmond, Virginia, offering a vast arra...see moreVCU is a large, research-driven institution nestled on two campuses in downtown Richmond, Virginia, offering a vast array of degree programs from arts to dental hygiene to engineering to education. VCU students have access to hundreds of student organizations, which is a great way to connect with others whether or not you choose to live in one of our many on-campus residence halls. Take advantage of VCU's location with access to the James River and its park system, internship and job opportunities, community engagement, and interstates to travel to the beach, the mountains, and Washington, D.C..
Associate Transfer Degree Completion
Students who earn an Associate of Arts, Associate of Arts & Sciences, Associate of Science, General Education Certificat...see moreStudents who earn an Associate of Arts, Associate of Arts & Sciences, Associate of Science, General Education Certificate, or Uniform Certificate of General Studies from the Virginia Community College System or Richard Bland College may be eligible to participate in the Guaranteed Admission Agreement. Students with one of these degrees may also be eligible to have the majority of their general education requirements waived.
Dual Enrollment - Completion of Associates
Students who earn an Associate of Arts, Associate of Arts & Sciences, Associate of Science, General Education Certificat...see moreStudents who earn an Associate of Arts, Associate of Arts & Sciences, Associate of Science, General Education Certificate, or Uniform Certificate of General Studies (UCGS) from the Virginia Community College System or Richard Bland College while enrolled in high school may be eligible to have the majority of their general education requirements waived.
Transfer Student Catalog Year
Catalog year is determined by the student's first semester of degree-seeking attendance at VCU.
Course Transfer Criteria
Students may transfer in up to 90 credits from regionally accredited institutions, though we do not recommend taking tha...see moreStudents may transfer in up to 90 credits from regionally accredited institutions, though we do not recommend taking that many credits before transferring. Courses must be passed with a grade equivalent to a C or better in order to be considered for transfer. Transfer courses may be taken online or in-person.
General Education Programs
VCU accepts the UCGS and Passport programs to count toward or fulfill General Education requirements.
English Language Proficiency
Applicants whose native language is not English must exhibit English language proficiency by meeting at least one of the...see moreApplicants 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)
Admissions and Financial Aid

Application Fee
$70
Application Type(s)
Some of VCU's undergraduate health science programs, like Nursing and Dental Hygiene, have earlier application deadlines...see moreSome of VCU's undergraduate health science programs, like Nursing and Dental Hygiene, have earlier application deadlines than other majors. Please refer to the website for your health science major to find the current deadline.
Transcripts
Transfer applicants must submit an official transcript from every college or university in which they have enrolled. App...see moreTransfer applicants must submit an official transcript from every college or university in which they have enrolled. Applicants also must submit high school transcripts if they have completed fewer than 24 semester (36 quarter) hours.
Tests
The test requirement is waived for 2023-24 applicants. Transfe...see moreThe test requirement is waived for 2023-24 applicants. Transfer students who have fewer than 24 earned semester hours (36 quarter hours) and are under the age of 22 are required to submit official SAT or ACT scores for their application. Applicants whose native language is not English have additional English proficiency requirements: https://www.vcu.edu/admissions/apply/transfer/#tabs-192394
Essay
A 250-300 essay in the application telling us about yourself and why you are considering VCU. Required.
Letters of Recommendation
Letters of recommendation are only required for application to Nursing, Dental Hygiene, Clinical Laboratory Sciences, an...see moreLetters of recommendation are only required for application to Nursing, Dental Hygiene, Clinical Laboratory Sciences, and Clinical Radiation Sciences.
Interview
An interview is not required.
Maximum Transfer Credits
90
Important Dates

Transfer Application Deadline
Fall
March 15th, but applications will be accepted until the class is full.
Transfer Application Deadline
Spring
November 1st, but applications will be accepted until the class is full.
Transfer Financial Aid Date
The FAFSA priority filing date for the 2022-2023 academic year is February 1, 2022. Students are encouraged to submit th...see moreThe FAFSA priority filing date for the 2022-2023 academic year is February 1, 2022. Students are encouraged to submit their FAFSA as early as possible.
Transfer Priority Application Deadline
Fall
March 15th
Transfer Priority Application Deadline
Spring
November 1st
Explore Our Majors

The card links below take you to pages on the Virginia Commonwealth University website. Find detailed information on Virginia Commonwealth University programs and courses in this portal.
Special Transfer Opportunities

Academic Options

Flexible Degree Options
Weekend/Evening Courses Available
Concurrent Enrollment
Campus Services and Engagement

Military Friendly

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