First-year requirements
Review application requirements and materials you must submit in your Common Application to VCU.
Application requirements
To apply to VCU as an incoming first-year student, you must use the Common App.
VCU 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.
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
Test-optional details
Applicants (including those seeking scholarships) do not need to submit test scores unless applying to the Honors College guaranteed admissions programs. Those students should contact the Honors College if they are unable to test. Any applicant who has test scores and would like them to be considered may still submit them.
Application materials
Learn about the materials you'll need to prepare and submit with your application.
Essays are required of all applicants, and must be submitted with the Common Application.
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.
Optional test score submission
All applicants are eligible for test score optional review, regardless of GPA. Applicants who 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. All first-year applicants will be considered for scholarships — even if test scores are not submitted — as long as other scholarship consideration requirements are met.
Test score exceptions
Submission of test scores remains a requirement for all Guaranteed Admission Programs in the Honors College.
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.
First-year 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.
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, first-year students. 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.
Option 1. English Waiver
Applicants may be exempt from English proficiency tests if they meet any of the following criteria:
|
English Waiver Criteria |
Details |
|
Degree completion |
|
|
College-level English composition |
|
|
VCU's English Language Program |
|
Option 2. Examinations and Test Scores (VCU's Testing Code: 5570)
If applicants do not qualify for an English waiver, they can provide test scores from one of the following English proficiency exams. All test scores are valid for two years from the test date. VCU's TOEFL testing code is 5570.
|
Test |
Undergraduate Requirement |
|
Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) |
Minimum score of 70 IBT |
|
TOEFL Essentials |
Minimum score of 7.5 |
|
International English Language Testing System (IELTS) |
Minimum score of 6.0 |
|
Pearson Test of English |
Minimum score of 53 |
|
SAT Reading and Writing Test |
Minimum score of 500 |
|
ACT English Section |
Minimum score of 16 |
|
Duolingo Test |
Minimum score of 105 |
|
VCU's English Language Program |
Minimum score of 68 |
Supplemental materials by department
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, first-year applicants should present a minimum GPA of 3.4 (on a 4.0 scale).
First-year 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 first-year 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, first-year 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. 1. For more details, see the VCU Honors College website or contact the college at (804) 828-1803 or honors@vcu.edu.
First-year links
Find answers in our FAQs
Have questions about the application process? Explore our frequently asked questions.