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 VCU my eID and click on "Claim my eID" to activate your eID and set up your account, which authorizes 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 accepted student 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.

Accepted students must pay the nonrefundable tuition deposit before they can sign up for Orientation, apply for on-campus housing or register for classes. To pay online, you will need your eID and password, as well as your V-number.

After completing your VCU response form on the accepted student portal, follow these steps to pay your deposit online: 

1. Log in to eServices using your eID.
2. Click the "Applicant" tab in the main menu. 
3. Scroll to the bottom of the page and select to pay the admissions tuition deposit.
4. Scroll to bottom of the next screen to confirm that you want to pay the admissions tuition deposit.
5. A new tab will open and bring you to the payment screen (showing a $0.00 balance). Click "Deposits" at top on purple banner.
6. Follow prompts and enter desired deposit amount. All students accepted into VCU undergraduate programs, with the exception of those accepted into programs in the School of the Arts, must submit 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.)
7. Enter payment information.
8. Submit your deposit to reserve your spot at VCU.
9. Please allow one to two business days for processing to occur once your deposit has been submitted.

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.

Let VCU know more about you by completing your Advising Registration Survey. The survey helps to determine your academic courses and schedule. Before taking the survey, you must have taken your math placement test and chemistry placement test (if applicable) and have your scores available. You will be able to make an appointment to meet with your adviser after June 1 to review your schedule. Your schedule is not confirmed until you participate in orientation.

Take the Fall 2022 Advising Registration Survey

Before you register for classes, you must:

• Take your math placement test
• After completing the math placement test, complete the Advising Registration Survey

Next, get registered for classes! We’ve compiled a handy First-Year Orientation Advising Guide to help you get registered for your first semester of classes.

Please note: Students in the Honors College, the College of Engineering, registered student athletes, and Music and Theater students will be pre-registered for their courses by their advisors. Please check your VCU email for detailed information.

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 Aug. 1. 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.

• If you haven’t already, apply for financial aid by submitting a Free Application for Federal Student Aid by the Feb. 1 priority filing date. You can submit your FASFA as early as Oct. 1. 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 fall 2022 should submit these forms by Aug. 1. 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 June 1 if you're starting in the fall 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.

During Orientation, you’ll learn about all the resources and services available to new students; meet students, faculty and staff in your school-based academic welcome events; and review your first-semester schedule with an academic adviser.

Orientation is required for first-year students, transfer and adult learner students, international students and students who are returning to VCU after being away for more than three years. Parents and family members are welcome and encouraged to attend. Think of it as your formal introduction to VCU. Learn more and register for first-year Orientation at VCU.

If you have questions about Orientation, please contact newrams@vcu.edu.

As an incoming student, you must submit your VCUCard photo online before your scheduled Orientation. But don't worry, it's super easy to do! An email with instructions and a link to submit your photo will be sent to your official VCU email when you register for Orientation. You can also visit the VCUCard website to learn more about photo requirements and specifications. 

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.