How do I apply?

The Committee on Admission welcomes applications for admission to the first-year class. When we read applications, we value intellectual ability, academic achievement, and personal qualities that will contribute to the U.Va. community. In particular, we focus on these credentials:

Excellent performance in a rigorous secondary-school program, including at least four units of English, four of college-preparatory mathematics, two of foreign language, one of social science, and two of science (chosen from biology, chemistry, or physics; engineering applicants must take three units of science, including chemistry and physics). These are minimum requirements; since most successful applicants exceed them, we recommend that students take a challenging academic program all four years in high school.

Results from the SAT or ACT. We use the highest score on each part of the SAT and the highest composite score on the ACT.

Results from two SAT II Subject Tests of your choice are strongly recommended. If you intend to study the sciences, we recommend choosing mathematics as one of the two tests.

Recommendation from the high school, usually from the guidance counselor. We encourage an additional recommendation from a teacher. We strongly recommend that all mailed materials be sent to the Office of Admission in one envelope to ensure they are received and reach your file.

Completed application.  University of Virginia exclusively accepts the Common Application (Common App) for both first year and transfer admission.  Visit the Common App Online to start your application.

The committee neither requires personal interviews nor uses them in the evaluation process. Candidates are considered without regard to their financial circumstances.

Transfer Applicants

Transfer students are a vital part of the University community. Each year more than 500 enroll; a quarter is nontraditionally aged, and a half comes from the Virginia Community College System. U.Va. adheres to the State Policy on Transfer, which is designed to facilitate transfer between state supported community colleges and senior colleges and universities.

Transfer candidates must be in good standing, both academically and socially, at the institution(s) they have attended. Admission to each of the six undergraduate schools is competitive.

For more information on transfer requirements and procedures, see www.virginia.edu/undergradadmission/transfer.html.

Advanced Placement or International Baccalaureate Programs and Placement

With minor variations, U.Va. awards advanced standing (course exemption and academic credits) for Advanced Placement (AP) scores of 4 or 5. Accepted students should have AP score reports sent directly to the Office of Admission in the summer following the senior year of high school. You will then receive a report on the University's evaluation in late summer.

The College of Arts & Sciences also awards advanced standing for scores of 6 or 7 on most International Baccalaureate Higher Level examinations. Advanced standing credit is also considered for qualifying scores on the General Certificate of Equivalency A-level, the French Baccalaureat, and the German Abitur, as long as such examinations are taken before matriculation at U.Va. or another college.

In all cases, course exemptions and credits are awarded based upon the recommendations of the academic departments within that school and determinations made by the school's dean. Students who take a course at U.Va. for which they have already received credit via any of these examinations will have that credit deleted from their record.

The University does not award credit based on College-Level Examination Program (CLEP) tests.

SAT II Subject Test Placement

Scores on certain SAT II Subject Tests may exempt a student from course requirements or place a student beyond the introductory level in a subject. No credits are awarded.

For a full listing of SAT II Subject Test ranges and their course-placement equivalents or for a detailed listing of AP or IB course equivalents, see Chapter Two of the Undergraduate Record, which is available at www.virginia.edu.