Applying for undergraduate admission

The admission process for international students can be completed in two to three business days provided the applicant has sent all the necessary materials.

Please print out and complete the application form [PDF] and submit it to us with the following materials, which are required for application processing:

1. Application form. The applicant must complete and sign an application. This may be a traditional paper application form or the printed online application.

2. Fees. A $50 state-required application fee must accompany your application. The School of the Arts application fee is $50 for undergraduates. This can be submitted in the form of a check drawn on a U.S. bank, an international money order or a bank draft in the amount of $50 or $55 made payable to Virginia Commonwealth University. This is a nonrefundable fee.

3. Academic documentation. Original or officially certified copies of all grade reports for all secondary and higher school studies, as well as original or officially certified copies of all academic diplomas, certificates, and national or other major examination results. Official records must be submitted in the native language and must be accompanied by an official English translation. Notarized copies will not be accepted. Official records should be sent to: The Office of International Admissions, 817 West Franklin Street, Virginia Commonwealth University, P.O. Box 843043, Richmond, VA 23284-3043, U.S.A., directly from the institution.

Students also are advised to consult the Web site of the school or department in which they plan to study for any additional academic requirements. SAT or GRE scores are required for all Pre-Nursing and Nursing applications.

School of the Arts applicants are required to submit additional application materials. For more information visit the School of the Arts Web site.

4. Proof of English proficiency. All applicants who have not studied in an English-speaking country must take the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) offered by the Educational Testing Service in countries throughout the world, or International English Language Testing Service (IELTS) and arrange for the testing agency to send the test results to VCU. The required TOEFL score is 550 (213 for computer-based exams) and IELTS is 6.0. Students who have not taken a TOEFL exam or have not achieved the required score may take the VCU English Language Placement Exam on arrival. Please note however that students who do not achieve the level of proficiency required will be required to take English courses prior to enrollment in the academic program.

5. Financial certification. The applicant must provide proof of adequate funds – $32,749 per year – to live and study full time at VCU. Applicants must submit a completed Financial Statement [PDF] accompanied by an original bank verification letter. The U.S. government requires this certification before VCU can issue the appropriate U.S. government forms necessary for obtaining a visa at a U.S. embassy or consulate.

6. Deadlines. For the fall semester, applications should be received by June 1; for the spring semester, October 1.

Transfer students from outside the U.S.
If you have earned previous college credits from a secondary school or a university-level institution outside of the U.S., you must submit your official secondary school transcript and university transcript, as well as an official English translation of each document at the time of your application. Your admission to VCU will be based on both records. For credit earned from your previous, post-secondary school to be transferable, VCU asks that you have a WES or ECE course-by-course evaluation completed and sent directly to the VCU Office of International Admissions along with official transcripts and diplomas. Alternatively, your credentials will be evaluated by our office, if an external evaluation is not received.

You must also request that your previous college or university provide you with detailed course descriptions, course syllabi and a catalog in English. You should bring these documents with you to VCU as early as possible prior to enrolling, in order to accelerate the process of evaluating and awarding your transfer credit. Your credit will not be finalized until the VCU Transfer Center is able to assist you in having your prior credit evaluated by the appropriate academic departments. Some of your credits may transfer as university core curriculum, major and/or elective credits and you will want to know this prior to registering for your courses at VCU.

Transfer students from U.S. colleges and universities
If you are transferring from a university-level institution within the United States, you must submit your secondary school records as well as university transcripts. Admission will be based on your U.S. records only if you have completed more than one year of full-time study. Transfer students from within the United States must be in good academic standing and be eligible to return to the last college or university attended. You must submit the International Student Adviser Transfer form and comply with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services regulations.

This link allows you to download the I-20 transfer form, which should be filled out and given to the foreign student adviser at your current school in the U.S. The adviser needs to complete the form and return it to us.