Admissions

Log in to the VCU Application Portal to view your admission status, VCU ID number, entry semester, degree program, residency status and any admission conditions. Review all admission information for accuracy and notify the VCU Office of Admissions of any inaccuracies or questions.

In the portal, please refer to the checklist to determine if there are any other documents, including final transcripts, that the Office of Admissions requires before enrollment.

If you were classified as a non-Virginia resident for tuition purposes and believe that this classification is inaccurate, you may request that your status be re-evaluated prior to Aug. 1 for fall semester entry or Dec. 1 for spring semester entry by contacting your application processor. You may be required to complete and submit the application for Virginia in-state tuition as well as provide other supporting documentation.

Your eID is your key to everything VCU! Visit the identity claim page to activate your eID and set up your account, which authorizes the use of VCU’s electronic services. It lets you do things like:

• Accept your offer of admission
• Log in to your VCU email account
• Register for classes
• Use the myVCU portal
• Use VCU’s wifi
• Access library materials online

Note: You must obtain your eID before you can make a reservation to attend Orientation, apply for housing or access your VCU email account.

Visit the VCU Application Portal to complete your VCU response form. After you have completed the form, you may pay your tuition deposit to let us know you'll be joining us at VCU. 

Note: Both your response form and tuition deposit must be received in order for your account to reflect that you have accepted the offer of admission.

If you’re receiving a scholarship or financial aid, you may request a tuition deposit waiver on the response form. Visit your accepted student portal for more information and a link to the form.

Response deadlines

• Spring admits: Respond within two weeks after your acceptance.
• Fall admits: Respond by May 1 if you were accepted to the university by April 1. If accepted after April 1, respond within two weeks after your acceptance.

Before signing up for Orientation, applying for on-campus housing, or registering for classes, you must complete the VCU response form in the accepted student portal and pay a nonrefundable tuition deposit

To pay online, you will need your eID, password,  and V-number. Follow these steps to pay your deposit online: 

1. Log in to eServices using your eID.
2. Click the "Applicants" tab at the top. 
3. Select pay tuition deposit tile 
4. Click "Deposits" at the top of the screen on the purple banner.
• Follow prompts and enter the desired deposit amount. 
• All students accepted into VCU undergraduate programs, except those accepted into programs in the School of the Arts, must pay a $100 tuition deposit. 
• The tuition deposit for the School of the Arts is $300. 
• Note that the system will allow a maximum payment of $5,000.00.
5.     Submit your deposit to reserve your spot at VCU.

Requesting a tuition deposit waiver

Under certain circumstances, including having applied for financial aid or being awarded a scholarship, accepted students may request to have their tuition deposit waived. Please visit your accepted student portal where you will find the Offer of Admission Response Form to request a tuition deposit waiver.

Review the following information to understand which placement tests you may be required to take as a first-year student.

Math

All first-year students must take the math placement test before registering for Orientation. You will need your math placement test score to complete the next step in this checklist.

Chemistry

The chemistry placement test is an online test used to place students into an appropriate general chemistry course based on their background knowledge. All students planning on registering for General Chemistry I (CHEM 101) are required to take the test.

Majors that commonly require CHEM 101 include: engineering, biology, chemistry, forensic science, bioinformatics, environmental studies, interdisciplinary science, and many of the pre-professional health programs (pre-med, pre-pharmacy, etc.) This includes first-year students who have taken AP Chemistry. The Chemistry Placement Test is a prerequisite for CHEM 101.

Those earning a passing score on the test will be eligible to register for CHEM 101. Those not earning a passing score have two options:

1. Complete the ALEKS online unit. After successfully completing one of these options students are eligible to register for CHEM 101. ALEKS must be completed by no later than July 31 (for fall semester) or Jan. 10 (for spring semester).
2. Enroll in CHEM 100 – Introductory Chemistry and earn a B or better.

Foreign language

Students who plan to continue studying a foreign language that they studied in high school must take the language placement test to determine the appropriate language class. Only students with transfer credit from other educational institutions are eligible to enroll in the next course within their language sequence.

The foreign language placement test must be taken in person either before or during Orientation. Learn more about foreign language placement testing, including when and where tests are administered.

Complete the Advising Registration Survey to tell us about your goals, interests and educational background. Your academic advisor will use that information to help you register for your first semester of classes and support you in creating and navigating your own personalized route to graduation. Before taking the survey, you must have taken your math placement test and chemistry placement test (if applicable) and have your scores available.

Take the Spring 2023 Advising Registration Survey

The Advising Registration Survey for students accepted for Fall 2023 will be available in late spring.

VCU Orientation offers an immersive experience for students to learn about life at VCU and campus resources, understand academic requirements and connect with VCU students, faculty and staff.

Orientation is required for first-year students, transfer students and adult learners, international students and students who are returning to VCU after being away for more than three years. Think of it as your formal introduction to VCU. 

Students are encouraged to register a family member or supporter to participate in Orientation as well.

For more information and updates on Orientation, please visit orientation.vcu.edu or contact newrams@vcu.edu.

We’ve compiled a handy First-Year Orientation Advising Guide to help you get registered for your first semester of classes.  Students starting in spring will register for classes in December and January, and students starting in fall will register for classes in June and July.

We'll need your transcripts and Advanced Placement and International Baccalaureate scores to seal the deal!

High school transcripts

Final transcripts must be on file by Jan. 15 for spring, and Aug. 1 for fall starts. VCU Financial Aid will not be able to disburse any of your awarded funds until VCU has received your final transcript. Request to have your final high school transcripts sent to the VCU Office of Admissions as soon as possible before classes start.

Check the academic calendar to verify when classes start for the semester in which you'll be enrolling.

Your high school can send your transcripts in one of the following methods:

• Official transcripts can be submitted through a secured electronic system, such as Parchment Exchange or National Clearinghouse, directly to the VCU Office of Admissions.
• Via U.S. postal mail to:
  Virginia Commonwealth University
  Office of Admissions
  Box 842526
  Richmond, VA 23284

We are unable to accept transcripts sent through fax, email or the student portal, as they are considered unofficial. If your high school cannot provide final transcripts by the deadline outlined above, please have them contact the Office of Admissions at (800) 841-3638.

Note: VCU reserves the right to revoke your admission acceptance if your final transcript indicates that you do not meet the criteria for acceptance.

Dual enrollment transcripts

Students who completed dual enrollment/early college credit while in high school must submit official college transcripts from the dual enrollment college/university to VCU prior to July 31. Transcripts can be mailed to the VCU Transfer Center at 900 Park Ave., Box 842532, Richmond, VA 23284.

Advanced Placement and International Baccalaureate scores

The VCU Transfer Center evaluates Advanced Placement and International Baccalaureate credits from high school. To ensure you receive credit for them, you must submit your AP and IB scores directly to VCU’s Transfer Center. AP scores must come directly from The College Board and IB scores should come directly from the International Baccalaureate office. We cannot accept AP or IB credits from a high school or college transcript.

Check into programs and resources that can help make college more affordable.

• You can submit your Free Application for Federal Student Aid as early as Oct. 1. If you haven’t already applied, submit your FAFSA by the Feb. 1 priority filing date. If you miss the priority deadline, you should still apply because you may still be eligible for some types of assistance.
• Check your new VCU email account for award information, required documents to complete your file and additional information.
• Send in scholarships, billing and authorizations.

Have questions about financial aid?

Get in touch with a counselor from the Student Financial Management Center.

You must upload a copy of your vaccine records. Students enrolling in degree programs on the Monroe Park Campus for spring should submit these forms by Jan. 15. If you are enrolled in a health sciences program, you must submit the VCU Health Sciences Certificate of Immunization 30 days before your program starts.

Navigate

Download Navigate, our student app, to get timely reminders about financial aid deadlines, registration dates and important campus events. You can also use the app to make an appointment with your financial counselor now, and can make an appointment with your academic advisor after December 1 if you're starting in the spring semester.

Note: You can download Navigate two business days after VCU processes your tuition deposit.

VCU Mobile

We also encourage students and VCU community members to download the VCU Mobile app to access maps, schedules for orientation and more.

New students participating in a scheduled VCU Orientation will apply for a VCUCard online using Photo Submission. Students who submit their photo and have it approved before Orientation will be eligible to pick up their card at their Orientation session. Alternatively, students can request an in-person appointment through the VCUCard website. Students will receive more details about photo submission when they register for Orientation. Visit the Get Your VCUCard page for more details.

As an incoming VCU student, there are several ways you can get a head start on your VCU education:

• Students who are admitted for the fall semester are eligible to enroll in Summer Studies courses.
• Students who are admitted for the spring semester are eligible to enroll in Intersession or J-Term classes.

Email VCU Summer Studies and Special Programs at summer@vcu.edu for more information about each of these opportunities.

First-year students are strongly encouraged to immerse themselves in the VCU experience by living on campus.

Discover options and apply for on-campus housing at Residential Life and Housing. The online application becomes available in April for fall. For students who choose to live off campus, visit VCU Off Campus Student Services for help.

All VCU students are required to have a personal computer. The university annually sets minimum specifications for computers for each new entering class. 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.

Contact the VCU Office of Student Accessibility and Educational Opportunity to request any necessary accommodations.

Sign up to receive text message alerts on your cell phone notifying you of campus emergencies.

FYE/SYE plays an integral role in the successful transition and integration of first and second year students at Virginia Commonwealth University. Visit https://fyesye.vcu.edu/ to learn more about the experiences you will gain in your first two years at VCU. Or schedule an appointment with us via Navigate.