The University of Virginia

 

Information on Admission and On-Grounds Visitation

Please refer questions about the admissibility of a certain student directly to the Office of Admission. However, it is appropriate for alumni volunteers to answer general questions about the admission process. Our entering class is comprised of 3,100 students, 68% in-state and 32% out-of-state. In most years, 60% of the applications we receive are from outside of Virginia. Approximately 25% of out-of-state applicants will be admitted, and 47% of in-state and legacy applicants will be admitted. Successful candidates will be in the top of their class and take many honors, Advanced Placement and International Baccalaureate courses in high school. Usually, the candidate's senior courses are the most rigorous offered in the school.

Parts of the application

  • Basic Application, also called Part 1
  • First Year Supplement, which asks for extracurricular activities, awards and essay responses, also called Part 2
  • School and Transcript Report, included in Part 3
  • SAT I, ACT (TOEFL test scores for International Students)
  • Two SAT II tests: one in mathematics - Level I or II - and a second test in science, history, foreign language, or literature (now strongly recommended rather than required)
  • Completed Mid-Year Grade Report Form, also called Part 4
  • Please also note that our application is available on-line at www.virginia.edu.

How applications are read

The Regular Decision application deadline is January 2.  Notification date is April 1.  Candidates submit the Basic Application, Part 1, which asks for name, address, telephone number, anticipated dates for taking standardized tests, parents' names, etc.  The Virginia Residency Form is included in Part 1 and is completed by students wishing to declare Virginia residency.

In the First Year Supplement, Part 2, we ask for a list of extracurricular activities and awards, as well as responses to essay questions.  Ideally, this information gives us insight to what a student has to offer the University. The quality of thinking, as evidenced in the essays, and the depth of commitment to intellectual/community efforts outside of the classroom will affect our decision.

Students take the School and Transcript Report, Part 3, to their guidance counselor as early as possible so that the counselor may thoughtfully complete the recommendation form. Also, students may want to have teachers write recommendations for them. Along with recommendations, the form asks for the student's transcript and information about the school's curriculum.

The middle 50% SAT testing range is 1240 to 1420.  Our average TOEFL test score is 250 (computer) and 600 (paper).

Please remember that applications are also available online at www.virginia.edu.

Early Decision

Early Decision is for students who are certain that one college or university is their first choice. The program was in place at the University of Virginia from the 1960s to 2006.  In recent history, an average of 2,400 students applied for Early Decision at the University each year, and typically 31% of the class was admitted under the Early Decision Plan. Early Decision was binding, and we asked that students sign a contract committing themselves to the University should they be admitted. Early Decision criteria were the same as Regular Decision.

Said President John T. Casteen III of the decision to eliminate the Early Decision Plan: "This action is an effort to remove an identified barrier to qualified low-income students and their families who have long believed that top-tier universities were not within their reach."  The introduction of AccessUVa played an important role in the decision, as the University of Virginia can now cover 100% of accepted students' demonstrated financial needs.  Harvard and Princeton eliminated their early application options this year [2007] as well, and the trend in higher education may continue to move in our direction.

If students or parents you speak with are concerned about the counselors' ability to process a higher volume of applications in the spring, please reassure them that their applications will be given the same consideration as before.  "We are committed to the system under which each application is read by at least two different people before we make a decision," Dean of Admission Jack Blackburn said.

Still, in spite of the myriad advantages to the elimination of Early Decision at the University, this may be a point of sensitivity as you educate about our admissions process.  If you have any questions about how to speak with prospective students or their parents about this milestone change, please do not hesitate to contact Lee Morgan at the Office of Admission.

Transfer

Students applying for transfer admission to any of the six undergraduate schools will have completed one year, but no more than two and a half years, of study at another institution. Most applicants will be admitted in the fall, but 20 students will be admitted to the College of Arts and Sciences for the spring semester. Transfer applicants complete the regular application but are not requested to take the SAT II.

Information on Visiting

Encourage students to visit. As you well know, there is much about the University that can be explained but is best when experienced.

  • Overnight visits for prospective students are offered by the Monroe Society, a student group. Their phone number is 434-924-3321 and hours of operation are Sunday through Thursday, 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. Students may visit starting September 1, any night of the week.  If students contact the Monroe Society within ten days of the anticipated visit, a host cannot be guaranteed.  It is free to prospective students and an exciting opportunity to experience student life.  Encourage prospective students to visit the website, www.student.virginia.edu/~monroe.
  • Information sessions with deans from the Office of Admission are usually held in the Rotunda. No reservation is necessary.  The dean speaks about the University and the admission process Monday through Friday at 10:00 a.m.
  • An additional 1:00 p.m. information session is held on weekdays, and a 10:00 a.m. session is held on Saturdays during the following times: March 15th - April 30th and June 15th - October 31st.
  • Tours are conducted by the University Guide Service at 11:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m. on weekdays and 11:00 a.m. on Saturdays and Sundays.  Encourage prospective students and parents to check the website of the Office of Admission for any changes in the schedule prior to their visit to the University.  Additionally, University Guides give historical tours and tours of the histories of African-Americans and women.

Interviews

Interviews are not required or used in the evaluation process.  However, we are happy to speak with students who have questions not likely to be covered in the information session or tour.

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