Freshman Applicants: Art History
Art History BA
Review Your Deadlines
November 15: For Scholarship Consideration (this is non-binding)
January 16: Regular Freshman Admission
VCUarts continues to review applications until all spots are filled. Freshman applicants who submit complete applications by the deadline will receive a decision by April 1st.
Applications to this program are accepted for fall semesters only.
Submit the Online Application to VCU
Freshman applicants must apply using the Common Application.
Applicants may only submit one application to ONE major. Admitted students can request additional major/minor(s) during their first semester.
Applications will only be reviewed after ALL components have been received, including transcripts, test scores, and supplemental materials.
Include your Social Security number on your application if you wish to be considered for financial aid or the Hope Scholarship/Lifetime learning tax credit.
Please note: While VCU does not require your Social Security number for admission consideration, it is necessary for applicants who wish to be considered for financial aid and the Hope Scholarship/Lifetime Learning tax credit to provide a Social Security number to the university. To protect your privacy, your Social Security number will not be used as your VCU student identification number.
Submit your official test scores
VCU requires freshman applicants younger than 22 years of age to submit SAT or ACT scores as part of their application to the university. It is recommended that you have your test scores sent to VCU electronically.
Applicants whose native language is one other than English must submit scores for the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) in addition to any other required test scores.
Score Optional Review
Freshman applicants with a minimum high school GPA of 3.3 may request that their application be reviewed without submitting standardized test scores (ACT/SAT). To be considered for admission to the university without submitting test scores, indicate that option on the “questions” section of Common Application. Questions about the test optional review can be directed to ugtestopt@vcu.edu. Please note the following exceptions:
Exceptions to Score Optional Review
Freshman applicants who wish to be considered for VCU’s merit-based scholarships (the Presidential, Provost and Deans scholarships) must submit SAT or ACT scores and cannot request the score optional review. The VCU Honors College also requires that all applicants submit SAT or ACT test scores and may not request to be reviewed without submitting these scores.
Admission to VCU remains a competitive process, and all candidates for admission will be considered on their own merits. Qualifying for application review without submitting standardized test scores does not guarantee admission to VCU.
Request your SAT scores from CollegeBoard (school code: 5570): sat.collegeboard.com
Request your scores from ACT (school code: 4379): actstudent.org/scores/send/
Submit the required writing sample
Art History applicants are required to submit a research-based writing sample, no longer than 600 words. The paper should make a clear assertion about a selected topic, and it should site published sources that support that assertion. The paper may focus on a work of art, an historical event, a sociological phenomenon, a literary text, or other humanities topic. You will be prompted to submit your research paper as part of the Common Application.
Submit your references
VCUarts applicants are required to have one reference submitted by their recommender of choice. Choose the person best qualified to assess your ability to be successful at VCUarts. You will be prompted to enter your recommender’s email address on the Common Application. You may only submit one recommender via the Common App. The system will then prompt your recommender to submit a letter of recommendation online. Be sure to notify your recommenders that you will list them.
If you feel it is necessary, you may submit up to two additional letters of recommendation. Your additional recommenders should mail their letters to:
VCU Office of Admissions
PO Box 842526
Richmond, VA 23284-2526
