First-Year Applicants

Apply to VCUarts in 3 easy steps.

We’re here to guide you through every step of the process. From preparing your portfolio to submitting your application, you’ll find everything you need to start your journey at VCUarts.

Step 1: Submit your Common Application

Freshman applicants apply using the Common Application. You will not submit your portfolio, audition, or interview through the Common Application. 

Step 2: Submit your program-specific materials

If your program requires arts-specific materials, you will receive an email with instructions after submitting the Common App. You’ll also find a link to upload materials in your applicant portal. See the program-specific requirements below for more details.

Step 3: Send your transcripts

Request that your high school guidance counselor send your official transcripts to VCU. Transcripts may be submitted electronically via the Common App or Naviance, or sent in the mail. If sending a hard copy in the mail, please request that your school counselor send your transcript, including:

• Senior-year courses and first-term grades, if available
• Class rank, if available

All foreign transcripts must be official and submitted in the original language. If the original language is not English, an official translation must be submitted along with the transcript.

Transcripts must arrive in sealed envelopes signed across the seal by official high school, university, or college registrars.

Transcripts should be sent to:
Office of Admissions
PO Box 842526
Richmond, VA 23284-2526

Art Foundation Program

Our unique Art Foundation Program (AFO) is for all visual arts and design majors to experience their first year at VCUarts. AFO provides you with a rich, intellectually rigorous, studio-based curriculum to help you find your fit in our visual arts or design.

You’ll explore experimentation and make creative connections across four main pillars: surface, space, time and drawing. Expect to be challenged while experiencing new materials, strategies and ideas. You will deepen your skills, powers of observation and intellectual agility.

After you complete this foundational prerequisite program, you will have defined your interests and be well prepared for any of these B.F.A. degree programs.

• Art Education
• Communication Arts
• Craft and Material Studies
• Fashion Design
• Graphic Design
• Interior Design
• Kinetic Imaging
• Painting and Printmaking
• Photography and Film
• Sculpture and Extended Media