Virginia Commonwealth University

VCU admitted about 84% of first-year applicants in the Fall 2024 cycle, drawing roughly 23,900 applications and enrolling around 4,550 students. Virginia residents are admitted at a higher rate (about 88%) than out-of-state applicants (about 75%), and competitive programs like VCUarts and the Honors College run tighter than the overall rate.

Getting into VCU is not difficult for the university as a whole, which admits about 8 in 10 applicants. The bar rises sharply for selective programs: VCUarts requires a portfolio or audition, and the Honors College looks for a GPA near 3.5 and test scores well above the typical admit. For general admission, a solid academic record and a complete application carry the day.

Admitted first-years average a 3.63 high school GPA on a 4.0 scale, and about 26% of enrolled students earned a 4.0. Academic GPA and the rigor of your course load are both weighed as very important factors, so strong grades in a challenging schedule are the surest path in.

A 1200 is competitive at VCU and lands near the upper half of enrolled students. The middle 50% of first-years who submitted scores fell between 1010 and 1260 on the SAT and 22 and 30 on the ACT, so a 1200 sits comfortably inside that range, close to the 75th percentile.

Yes, VCU is test-optional, so you can apply without SAT or ACT scores. Only about a third of enrolled first-years submitted an SAT score. If you do submit, scores are weighed as a considered factor alongside your GPA and course rigor, which carry more weight in the review.

Annual tuition and required fees run about $17,240 for Virginia residents and $39,714 for out-of-state students. VCU is overwhelmingly an in-state university, with only about 8% of first-years coming from outside Virginia, and non-residents are admitted at a lower rate (about 75%) than Virginia residents (about 88%). For many out-of-state students, cost is as big a consideration as admission odds.

VCU is best known for the arts and the health sciences. VCUarts is one of the top-ranked public art and design schools in the country, visual and performing arts is the single most popular degree area at about 14% of graduates, and the MCV campus anchors a large medical center that feeds nursing, pharmacy, and allied-health programs. Business and psychology round out the most-enrolled fields.

Yes. VCU rates the application essay as an important factor, ranking it above test scores, recommendations, and extracurriculars, which are only considered. Since the academic numbers of most applicants look similar, a specific, well-revised essay about why VCU fits your goals is a real chance to stand out.

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