Admission

Application information

This application is for use by all U.S. citizens and permanent resident aliens applying for graduate study at VCU. All non-U.S. citizens and residents should refer to the Office of International Education for admissions information.

Applicants should review the requirements outlined on the Graduate Bulletin for specific deadlines and supporting materials for each program, as well as the curriculum, specialization, track and degree information need for the application. While late applications may be accepted on a provisional basis, students who do not apply at least one month prior to the start of the semester risk losing eligibility for financial aid.

Applicants may choose to submit a standard application or initiate their application online. VCU’s self-managed graduate application process places the responsibility on the student to collect and return all supporting materials in one packet. Completed applications, as well as supporting materials, fees and the signed submittal page for online applications must be submitted directly to the Graduate School and will not be considered until all required documentation has been received.

Supplemental application materials (when applicable) such as reference letters, resumes, personal statements/essays or other program specific documentation must be sent directly to the program for which you are applying. Note: Some programs require all documents to be sent to the Graduate School.

A separate application, fee and complete set of official documentation must be submitted for each graduate program application. Unofficial credentials will not be accepted, even when submitting multiple applications.

Application forms

Supplemental application forms and materials may be required by some programs. Refer to the program search on the Bulletins Web site for information regarding additional application materials and links to the individual program Web sites where these forms can be accessed.

Application fee

A $50 nonrefundable application fee must accompany each application. The fee should be submitted by check or money order made payable to VCU and include your name and Social Security number. Applications will not be processed until the fee has been received and the fee will not be credited toward tuition payment.

Change of address

Notify the Graduate School immediately of any change of address or telephone number during the processing of your application.

Transfer credit

Any questions regarding the transfer of graduate credits should be made to the director of the program to which you are applying.

In-state tuition rates

In-state tuition rates are granted to residents of the commonwealth of Virginia, as well as non-residents who have been reclassified as a Virginia resident for tuition purposes. Out-of-state students seeking in-state tuition rates must provide clear documentation that they are living in Virginia for a primary purpose other than attending school. If you are requesting in-state tuition rates, complete the application for Virginia in-state tuition [PDF] form or you will be classified as an out-of-state student. Applicants will be informed of their residency status in the Graduate School letter of acceptance.

Personal statement

All Graduate School applicants are asked to write a personal statement discussing their reasons for seeking graduate education. The statement should include the following:

  • Your career goals and how the graduate program for which you are applying would help to meet those goals.
  • Prior work and life experiences which relate to your interest in, and aptitude for, the graduate program for which you are applying.
  • Your perception of your intellectual capability to successfully complete the graduate program.
  • Information about academic honors or professional awards, including scholarships, fellowships, prizes, honorary society memberships, publications, inventions or other creative work.

Please do not submit copies of publications or other creative work unless specifically requested. Refer to the program search on the Bulletins Web site for any supplemental requirements.

If appropriate, attach a résumé or vita which includes all relevant work experience, such as related part-time, research or volunteer experience. Also include professional designations, such as certified public accountant, registered engineer or certified data processor, and professional certifications, licensures or registries, including teaching certificate, nursing license or medical technology certificate.

If you are applying for a graduate teaching or research assistantship or fellowship, discuss your qualifications in the statement. Describe any experiences that would qualify you for the position.

The personal statement, or statement of intent, should be sent to the appropriate graduate program address.

References

Three letters of reference are required for each program to which you apply. Section I of each reference form [PDF] is to be completed by the applicant before sending to the reference in a self-addressed, stamped envelope. References should be instructed to seal the envelope, sign across the seal and return the reference form to you. You may not break the seal and the contents will not be released to you or anyone other than the department admissions committee if you sign the waiver of your right to inspect the reference.

Letters of reference should be sent to the appropriate graduate program address.

Transcripts

The Graduate School requires two official copies of all transcripts in envelopes sealed by the institution issuing the documents. Transcripts bearing the "Issued to Student" stamp are accepted as official, provided that the sealed envelope has not been opened.

Testing information

Refer to the program search and Graduate School entrance exam requirements on the Bulletins Web site for the test(s) required by the degree program to which you are applying. Applicants whose native language is not English must also submit scores for the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) in addition to any other test scores required. The school code for admission testing is 5570; departmental codes for VCU are not necessary.

Official test scores must be requested from the appropriate testing agency and reported directly to the Graduate School. An official agency copy must be received by the Graduate School before a final offer of admission can be made.

For specific information on admission tests, as well as instructions for registration, refer to the individual Web sites for each test:

Application submission

Please check that all documentation is accurate, all forms have been signed where required and that you have made copies of all documentation. Place your application, $50 application fee and all supporting documentation in one large envelope. On the front of the envelope, in the upper left-hand corner, print your name, return address and the curriculum and semester of entry for which you are applying and mail to:

Virginia Commonwealth University
Graduate School
Moseley House
1001 Grove Avenue
P.O. Box 843051
Richmond, Virginia 23284-3051

Receipt verification

The Graduate School will confirm receipt of any application packet submitted at the e-mail address provided on your application form. Please use receipts for any type of priority mail as confirmation of delivery.

Notification of decision

Each application is reviewed by departmental graduate faculty. The decision to admit an applicant is based on a combination of criteria that constitutes the admissions standards of the university.

Admission to a graduate program may be contingent upon the successful completion of undergraduate course work, degrees or other prerequisites that may be specified by the program or school. Remedial course work will not apply toward a degree.

When an admissions decision has been made, you will receive an official written notification of that decision from the dean of the Graduate School. Please be advised that admissions decisions cannot be released over the phone

To confirm your enrollment at VCU, return the enclosed postcard or e-mail your program and term of entry to respondgrad@vcu.edu.