Undergraduate Admissions FAQs

VCUarts (School of the Arts at Virginia Commonwealth University) is one of many schools within the VCU (Virginia Commonwealth University) community. You will be a student within the School of the Arts at VCU.

VCUarts is situated within a large research institution made up of more than 28,000 undergraduate, masters, doctoral and professional students pursuing over 200 degree and certificate programs. As a student in the School of the Arts, you have access to an array of scholarships, research and technology in humanities, science, and health fields. Being part of such an institution affords you many options to minor and double major in areas of study, both within and outside of VCUarts. Being a member of the VCU community also allows you to make connections with students and faculty beyond your specific area of study and participate in a wide range of student activities and opportunities.

We’d like to call out two programs we are especially proud of.

At the da Vinci Center, you’ll infuse your arts education with a mindset of innovation and entrepreneurship, while collaborating with students and faculty from Business, Engineering, and Humanities and Sciences.

At the Center for Creative Economy, you can pursue three programs of study (Entrepreneurship, CoLaboratory, and Advanced Media Production Technology). Students collaborate with one another and learn from erse disciplines, experiences and perspectives; navigate their education in an entrepreneurial way; and translate their entrepreneurial mindset to a new world of work, where they can apply their talents, skills and passions in unexpected places.

Art Foundation (AFO) is a two-semester immersion into the principles of art and design. This exciting program for new first-year students and select transfer students provides an intellectually rigorous, studio-based experience in the fundamental issues of art and design. The program exposes students to a vast forum of ideas and concepts preparing them for a wide range of disciplines.

AFO is a requirement for entrance into VCUarts’ visual arts departments including Art Education, Communication Arts, Craft/Material Studies, Fashion Design, Graphic Design, Interior Design, Kinetic Imaging, Painting and Printmaking, Photography and Film, and Sculpture + Extended Media. To learn more about what to expect during your Art Foundation year, visit the Art Foundation page.

Completion of the Art Foundation Program is a prerequisite for entry into Art Education, Communication Arts, Craft/Material Studies, Fashion Design, Graphic Design, Interior Design, Kinetic Imaging, Painting + Printmaking, Photography + Film, and Sculpture + Extended Media. Art Foundation students enter a major department in the fall semester of sophomore year.

Please refer to VCU Undergraduate Bulletin for curriculum requirements. You can find more detailed information about School of the Arts curriculum requirements here.

Yes. You can declare a secondary major or minor during the first semester of your sophomore year (or later if you choose). Your advisor will help you determine the best path of study for you at VCU. You can learn more about undergraduate degree options on this page, and you can learn more about declaring a minor or second major here.

There are a variety of arts classes available to non-arts students. They are usually listed on this document, and some can be found in the schedule of classes under the subject “Arts – Cross Disciplinary.”

We also suggest that you contact your local visual art center, museum, and community college for opportunities. In Richmond, great options include the Visual Arts Center of Richmond, the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts, Studio Two Three, J. Sargeant Reynolds Community College, and John Tyler Community College.

Yes. Many departments highly encourage students to do internships before graduating, and have strong relationships with companies seeking interns. Internships usually take place during the summer between the student’s junior and senior years, and are available all over the United States, many in New York, and some are international. You have the freedom to find your perfect opportunity! The student blog, The Lamp Post, has information about current internship opportunities.

Yes. VCU students have many opportunities to study abroad, and the Global Education Office will help you plan your trip. See their website for more information about education abroad. In addition, VCUarts offers Dean’s International Travel Grants to afford students the opportunity to travel and study independently. VCUarts has a campus in Doha, Qatar, and students participate in exchange programs and travel to Doha for conferences. More information about all of our study abroad opportunities can be found here.

VCUarts graduates pursue careers in many different fields, including professional studio artist, teacher, art consultant, art gallery manager, museum educator, filmmaker, film director, illustrator, graphic novelist, performer, fashion designer, fashion forecaster, product designer, graphic designer, interior designer, animator, video editor, game designer, commercial or freelance photographer, furniture designer, website designer, glassblower, costume designer, stage manager, jewelry designer, musician, dancer, choreographer, actor for screen and stage, and/or exhibiting artist.

Your options aren’t just limited to the arts! The interdisciplinary nature of a VCUarts degree will prepare you to pursue your dream career, no matter where it takes you.

For the application deadlines, please go to this page and click on your appropriate application type. You will see the deadlines listed at the top of the application checklist.

VCUarts does not have a set minimum for GPAs; we examine your overall application (portfolio/audition, test scores, grades, extracurricular activities) to determine your potential for success in the School of the Arts. That being said, you’d probably like to see some numbers. The average high school GPA for class of 2028 students is 3.74.

Please note that VCUarts does not require applicants to submit SAT or ACT scores.

– All visual arts and design applicants must submit a portfolio.

– Art History and Cinema applicants must submit writing samples.

– Dance and Music applicants must complete an audition.

– Theatre performance applicants must complete an audition and a callback.

– Technical Theatre applicants must submit a portfolio and complete a callback.

More information about applications requirements can be found by going to this page and clicking on your major of interest.

We do not interview applicants or conduct person-to-person portfolio reviews as part of the admissions process for visual arts students. However, performing arts majors are required to complete an audition and a callback (for Theatre majors) and may be required to interview.

No. There is only one application, and you can submit it online. Freshmen applicants should apply using the Common Application. Transfer applicants should apply using the university application found here. Once you indicate on the application that you would like to apply to a department in the School of the Arts, there are additional requirements for arts applicants, such as an audition, portfolio, or essay.

No. You can only apply to only one major at a time. You can declare a secondary major or minor once you are a current student.

Contact VCU’s Office of Undergraduate Admissions at soaugradadm@vcu.edu. They will ensure that your application is reviewed for admission into a different major. Be sure to submit any additional materials required by the School of the Arts.

There are a lot of fun ways that you can build your skills as a creative. You can participate in our Summer Pre-College Program, visit us at a National Portfolio Day event and get feedback on your work, and take classes both at local organizations and in you current school.

When it comes to coursework, critical thinking, analytical skills, and problem solving abilities are important to the education of an artist, designer, or performer. We encourage you to explore your interests. This is a great way to see how the arts impact other disciplines. We expect you to complete all requirements of your high school curriculum.

Yes. Homeschooled students are required to either submit full high school transcripts, or take the GED.

Recommendations for freshmen applicants should be submitted through the Common Application. Transfer applicants should submit recommendations through the Supplemental Application Materials System. When you apply, you will receive an email with login information to the Supplemental Application Materials System once your application is processed. Once you log-in to the system, you will be able to enter the email(s) of your desired recommender(s). The recommender(s) will then receive an email to complete the letter.

Do I need my associates to transfer to VCUarts?
No.

How many credits should I have before I transfer to VCUarts?
There is no minimum number of earned credits required to apply to VCUarts as a transfer student. We recommend applying when you have a strong GPA and a portfolio that reflects your abilities and potential.

How will my art class credits transfer into Art Foundation?
One hundred level studio classes are considered for transfer into the Art Foundation Program on a case-by-case basis. After you are accepted, your portfolio and transcripts will be evaluated to determine if you have any equivalent credit. General education courses will also be considered for transfer at this time. Upper level and major specific courses will be reviewed by your major department after you have completed the Art Foundation Program.

How will the rest of my credits transfer?
Your credits will be evaluated after you apply and are accepted. You can use our transfer guide to look up course equivalencies to check if courses you’ve completed at other institutions will transfer to Virginia Commonwealth University. Arts courses will be assessed on a case-by-case basis.

VCUarts does not participate in guaranteed university admission for first-year applicants who have a high school GPA of 3.5 or are among the top 10 percent of their high school graduating class.

If you are a transfer student, because of the specific requirements to your VCUarts application major, VCUarts does not abide by the Guaranteed Admissions Agreement. For more information, please see this page. However, VCU has entered into guaranteed admission agreements and program articulation agreements with Virginia Community College System institutions and Richard Bland College. These agreements might apply to programs in other schools and colleges at VCU.

You can check your application status by logging into the VCU application portal. For questions about your application status, contact your application processor or an admissions counselor at arts@vcu.edu.

Applicants for the Spring semester who submit complete applications by November 1 should receive a decision by mid-December.

First-year applicants for the Fall semester who submit complete applications by January 16 should receive a decision by April 1. Transfer applicants for the Fall semester who submit complete applications by March 15 should receive a decision by May 1.

Congratulations! We can’t wait for you to join us on campus!

If you haven’t already, visit the VCU application portal to complete your Offer of Admission Response form, submit your tuition deposit, and make it official. Check out more information on these steps here.

Can I defer my admission?
Your offer of acceptance is for the specified incoming semester only. You can request to have your application reconsidered for admission to VCUarts for a later semester. Keep in mind that you will be competing with a different pool of applicants, and acceptance in a later semester is not guaranteed. Students who have been admitted but wish to be considered for a later semester should complete the response form.

Why was my application unsuccessful?
Admission to VCUarts is very competitive. We receive many more applications than we can accept into the program. When making admission decisions we carefully consider all aspects of an application. GPA, portfolios/auditions, personal statements, extracurricular activities, and letters of recommendation are all carefully reviewed during the admission process. Successful applicants have a proven academic history and their applications reflect a potential to develop a erse set of skills and ideas once they enter VCU.

Can I do anything to be reconsidered?
We thoroughly reviewed your application and supporting materials for admission to VCUarts. The admissions decision is final.

Can I reapply to VCUarts?
If you are not offered admission into VCU School of the Arts and would like to reapply, you should continue to grow as a creative and maintain a high academic record. We recommend that you receive feedback on this new work through a portfolio review. Your application may be reactivated up to one year by contacting VCU Office of Undergraduate Admissions at soaugradadm@vcu.edu.

I still want to apply to VCU in a non-arts major. What should I do?
If you would like to be considered for another VCU major outside of the School of the Arts, please contact VCU Office of Undergraduate Admissions at soaugradadm@vcu.edu. They will ensure that your application is reviewed for admission into a different major. Visit this page to learn more about the academic programs available at VCU. Please keep in mind that admission to VCU programs outside of the School of the Arts does not improve or diminish your chances of future admission into the School of the Arts.

Most School of the Arts courses are reserved for art and design majors.

Preference is not given to students enrolled at Virginia Commonwealth University. The most important factor for admission is your ability to show a marked improvement in your portfolio and academics. We recommend that you create new work for your portfolio and maintain a high academic record. Since you cannot take arts courses at VCU, we recommend that you consider attending another institution that can offer you courses to help improve your portfolio.

The Honors College at Virginia Commonwealth University promotes academic excellence through an innovative curriculum integrated with experiential learning. Students accepted to the Honors College have access to a range of benefits, including access to early course registration and mentoring. Visit the Honors College admissions page for more information about how to apply and admissions requirements.

You should apply by the same deadlines as all other VCUarts applicants. However, please be aware that international applications may take longer to process, so you should apply early.

In addition to the VCUarts application requirements, international applicants must complete specific requirements. You can learn more here.

If you have additional questions about the application process, please contact the Office of International Admissions at vcuia@vcu.edu.