Prospective Students: FAQ's
What is the difference between VCU and VCUarts?
VCUarts (Virginia Commonwealth University’s School of the Arts) is one of many schools within the larger VCU (Virginia Commonwealth University) community. VCUarts students are students in both the School of the Arts and VCU.
What is the advantage of attending a School of the Arts within a University?
VCU’s School of the Arts is situated within a large research institution made up of nearly 32,000 undergraduate, masters, doctoral and professional students pursuing 205 degree and certificate programs. As a student in the School of the Arts you have access to an array of scholarship, research and technology in humanities, science and health fields. Being part of such an institution affords you many options to minor and double major in areas of study, both within and outside of VCUarts. Being a member of the VCU community also allows you to make connections with students and faculty beyond you specific area of study and participate in a wide range of student activities and opportunities.
What are the curriculum requirements for School of the Arts Majors?
Always refer to VCU’s Undergraduate Bulletin for curriculum requirements.
What kind of SAT scores and high school GPA should I have?
VCUarts does not have set minimums for SAT scores or GPAs; we examine your overall application (portfolio/audition, test scores, grades, extracurricular activities) to determine your potential for success in the School of the Arts.
That being said, you'd probably like to see some numbers.
Visual Arts: The average SAT of all accepted students in Fall 2009 for Math and Verbal was 1128. For Math, Verbal, and Writing, it was 1667. The average GPA was 3.53.
Performing Arts: The average SAT of all accepted students in Fall 2009 for Math and Verbal was 1124. For Math, Verbal, and Writing, it was 1669. The average GPA was 3.51.
What about financial aid?
Financial Aid is available. You must fill out a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). To learn more, or to download the FAFSA, please visit the Office of Financial Aid or the FAFSA website.
What kind of scholarships are available?
To ensure your eligibility for a VCU merit scholarship, make sure you submit your completed application by December 1 for Fall admission. To learn more about VCU scholarships, please visit the Undergraduate Admissions webpage. In addition to University scholarships, the School of the Arts and its departments offer a variety of scholarships. Click here to browse the database.
Is a portfolio required for admission?
All visual arts and design applicants, excluding Art History, Cinema and Fashion Merchandising applicants, are required to submit a portfolio with their application. Portfolio requirements can be found here.
Is it possible for me to apply online but submit my portfolio through a postal service?
The online portfolio is now the only way VCUarts receives portfolios. Convenient online portfolio submission is available here.
Is an interview required for admission?
We do not interview applicants or conduct person-to-person portfolio reviews as part of the admissions process. Performing arts majors are, however, required to audition.
Is an audition required for admission to Music/Theatre/Dance and Choreography?
Yes, an audition is required for all performance majors. Please check audition dates and further information on the departmental websites:
Dance and Choreography Audition Information
(Technical Theatre applicants should submit a portfolio instead of auditioning. View portfolio requirements here.)
What is Art Foundation?
Art Foundation is a two-semester rigorous immersion into the principles of art and design. It is a requirement for entrance into many of VCUarts’ visual arts departments including Art Education, Communication Arts, Craft/Material Studies, Fashion Design, Graphic Design, Interior Design, Kinetic Imaging, Painting and Printmaking, Photography and Film, and Sculpture + Extended Media. This exciting first year at VCUarts provides an intellectually rigorous, studio-based experience in the fundamental issues of art and design. The program exposes students to a vast forum of ideas and concepts preparing them for a wide range of disciplines. To learn more about what to expect during your Art Foundation year, click here.
If I want to major in film, do I need to submit drawings in my application portfolio?
We want you to show us your best and work, in any medium. We prefer to see a range of practice, but if your work is concentrated in a single medium, you may show work exclusively in that area.
VCUarts is committed to training its students as balanced and capable artists; artists of all types should be trained in such basics as color, composition, perspective, art history, and literature. The Art Foundation Program gives future filmmakers that kind of well-rounded training.
Film education is offered by several sources within the School of the Arts:
Cinema Program
BA in Film: focus on narrative feature film (story films). This is a new offering and does not require the first year Art Foundation Program.
Photography and Film
BFA in Photography and Film: study all forms of film with a focus on documentary
Kinetic Imaging
BFA in Kinetic Imaging: Focus on animation and experimental film
Theatre
BFA in Theatre: Scene Design/Technical & Production Management (focus on managing film sets)
What courses should I take in high school to be eligible for admission?
Critical thinking, analytical skills and problem solving abilities are important to the education of an artist or designer. You should pursue a well-rounded high school program; avoid specializing only in art. Develop your math skills, language skills, an understanding of the methods and processes of scientific research and literature. In arts classes, you should spend time developing skills in various media, as well as the ability to draw from observation of the figure, still life, landscape and/or cityscape. (You may enroll in VCU's School of the Arts with a GED, provided you have met admissions requirements. SAT is not required for many GED holders.
Who can be an Arts Honors student?
You must be admitted to the Honors College to be an Arts Honors student. Click here to see admissions requirements and procedures for entering the Honors College.
What is the Honors College?
Composed of 1,300 of Virginia Commonwealth University’s most creative, talented and committed students representing virtually every major on campus, the Honors College is an intellectually diverse community that provides a solid foundation for an advanced level of academic success and sets the stage for lifelong learning. The Honors College offers high achieving students at VCU a number of unique opportunities and privileges. Students accepted into the Honors College have access to mentorship programs, honors student organizations and special honors-only residence options at VCU. Honors students may also take advantage of early course registration, honors-only scholarships, special library privileges and access to the honors center’s computer-equipped study rooms and lounge areas. To find out more and apply online visit the Honors College website.
What if I was home-schooled? Can I still attend VCUarts?
Yes. Home-schooled students should take the GED and a standardized test such as the SAT or ACT prior to applying for admission, unless he or she is older than 22.
How much is tuition?
For the most up-to-date information on university base tuition and fees, click here. All full-time undergraduate VCUarts majors pay a fee of $281.00/semester; full-time graduate VCUarts majors pay $519.50/semester.
Each department within the School of the Arts offers classes that require enrolled students to pay a "Course Materials Fee" that goes toward equipment, materials and services (i.e. figure models, studio/shop/computer equipment, security for after-hours studio access, etc.). Course fees vary from $29/course to $106/course. For more detailed information, visit the Student Accounting website.
Art supply costs vary for each student, we recommend budgeting $1500 in supply costs per semester.
What is an Art Major Fee? What does the School do with that money?
The art major fee is used by the School of the Arts and by individual departments for general operations. These funds provide support for such operational expenses as:
• wages for part-time faculty and specialized technicians and staff• maintenance of the School’s Visual Resource Library and the acquisition of 10,000 slides annually
• the Computer Center and upgrades to labs and visualization software license fees
• the School’s wood shop
• the Graphics Lab
• operation of the performing arts stages and rehearsal spaces including the Grace Street Theatre
• security systems and security guards
• costs related to accreditation
When will I enter a major department?
Students accepted into the Art Foundation Program establish departmental affiliation once they have taken part in department portfolio reviews during the Spring semester of the Art Foundation year. This is when a student applies for admission to the department of his or her choice. Department acceptance is competitive and is based on individual student performance, and their potential in their chosen area. Last year, 89% of Art Foundation students were admitted into their first choice departments.
As a VCUarts student, can I minor or double major?
Yes. You can declare a secondary major of minor during the first semester of your sophomore year (or later if you choose). Your advisor will help you determine the best path of study for you at VCU. You can learn more about undergraduate degree options in the VCU Undergraduate bulletin.
How should I submit recommendation forms?
Students applying to the School of the Arts should submit 1-3 personal references as a component of their application packet. It is up to you to decide who you would like your recommenders to be.
VCUarts strongly encourages
prospective students to arrange for electronic submission of recommendation forms. For instructions, see the recommedation form details listed here.
How can I be sure that VCU and the School of the Arts have received my application materials?
If you submitted your application online, you can sign on to Banner Self Service using the Login ID and PIN you created to submit your online application to check the status of your application materials.
To view your application checklist:
• Log on to Banner Self Service
• Click “Apply for Admission”
• Enter your Login ID and PIN
• Under the “Processed Applications” heading, select the semester for which you applied.
The application checklist will provide you with a list of required application materials. Any mandatory items that appear on the checklist for the program to which you have applied, and an indication of whether those items have been received, will be listed on this form. You will not find an admission decision on this site.
If any of your required application materials have not been received by the university, please take the necessary steps to complete your application for admission before the application deadline. Applications will be reviewed after ALL components, including the portfolio, have been received.
I have been accepted by VCUarts! Now what?
To secure you place at Virginia Commonwealth University and the School of the Arts we need to hear from you! Fall freshman applicants accepted to the university by April 1 must notify the Office of Undergraduate Admissions of their intent to enroll or not to enroll by May 1. Fall freshman applicants, if accepted after April 1, must notify the university within four weeks. You will find a response form located in the front of your Handbook for Accepted Students or you can download a printable PDF version of the form. You can also go to our secure Web page to submit our online response form. Complete the form and return it to the Office of Undergraduate Admissions along with your tuition deposit to ensure your space in the freshman class. A nonrefundable deposit is required of all applicants who accept VCU’s offer of admission, as well. The deposit is credited to the student’s account with the university and is not deferrable to a future semester.If you have questions, e-mail ugrad@vcu.edu or call the Office of Undergraduate Admissions at (804) 828-1222.
I have been accepted by VCUarts! Is it possible to defer my admission?
Although your offer of acceptance is for the specified incoming semester only, you may defer your admission. Students who have been admitted to the university but wish to defer their enrollment until a later semester should complete the response form located in the Handbook for Accepted Students and return it to the Office of Undergraduate Admissions. Applications are valid for one year and may be reactivated by the student during that period by contacting their application processor in the Office of Undergraduate Admissions. Students who defer their acceptance to a later semester forfeit their initial tuition deposit and must submit a second deposit for the semester in which they choose to enroll. Students who defer admission will compete with a different pool of applicants and acceptance in a later semester is not guaranteed.
If the answer to my question isn’t found here, what do I do?
You may email us at arts@vcu.edu or give us a call at 1.866.534.3201 or 804.VCU.ARTS.
