VCU Office of International EducationInternation Admissions
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Admission Requirements

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Academic and Registration Information

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. The School of the Arts requires you to fill out both the International application and the School of the Arts application as well as fulfill additional requirements, so please allow more time for processing these applications. For more information, visit their Web site.

Please print out and complete the application form 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 $30 state-required application fee must accompany your application. The School of the Arts application fee is $55 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 $30 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, 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.

School of the Arts applicants are encouraged to use the online portfolio submission.

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 – $28,740 per year – to live and study full time at VCU. Applicants must submit a completed Financial Statement 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 are transferring from a university-level institution outside the United States, you must submit your secondary school records as well as university transcripts. Admission will be based on both records. If you want the credit earned from your previous post-secondary school to transfer to VCU, you must request that your school provide detailed course descriptions (syllabi and/or catalogs). The credentials evaluator from the Office of International Admissions will evaluate credit for transfer, but this is not complete or confirmed until a VCU faculty member in the appropriate department confirms the transfer credits after your arrival on campus. Some courses may transfer as elective credit only and may not satisfy basic university curriculum or major graduation requirements. We do not require you to use external credential evaluators as VCU does its own evaluations.

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.

 

Virginia Commonwealth University
Office of International Education • International Admissions Office
916 W. Franklin St. • P.O. Box 843043 • Richmond, VA 23284-3043 • USA
Telephone: (804) 828-6016 • Fax: (804) 828-1829
E-mail: vcuia@vcu.edu
Last Modified on: 12/05/2007