Congratulations and welcome to VCUarts!
Your next steps
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First-year students, reply by May 1. Transfer students, reply by June 1. -
At an in-person Preview Day, you can meet other new students, see our facilities, and learn more about VCUarts! More details are in your Application Portal. Saturday, February 7 Saturday, February 21 Sunday, March 22 Saturday, April 4
Why VCUarts should be your new home.
VCUarts is among the top-ranked schools of arts and design in the country. That means you’ll graduate with credibility as an artist and a professional, with a degree that’s respected in the world of galleries, design and advertising firms, graduate schools, artistic directors and employers. When you graduate, you will join a global network of 25,000 VCUarts alums.
You can find your path through our 16 arts departments and programs, but that’s not all. We’re the creative heart of a large public research university, and you can collaborate and learn with students and faculty from every part of VCU. We don’t just make art; our creations are art-PLUS. We have our eye on the future, and we make connections between creativity, the humanities, STEM, and more. With access to over 200 programs at VCU, you can create a one-of-a-kind art degree.
Richmond is the perfect home for one of the nation’s leading public arts schools. You’ll be near galleries and music venues, Fortune 500 companies and innovative start-ups, acres of parks, and whitewater rapids. Plus, Washington, D.C., New York City, the beach, and the mountains are all a short trip away.
Our students regularly work, intern, and volunteer with galleries, public parks, Hollywood film crews, and the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts — one of the largest art museums in the nation — all right here in Richmond. Also, the Institute for Contemporary Art at VCU strengthens the link between VCUarts and the city’s creative cultures by serving as a space for internationally recognized artists, designers, performers, and the community to convene.
Studying abroad can change your perspective and influence your creative work. At VCUarts, you can take part in a program led by our faculty or participate in an exchange program with a school in another country. We also invest in your exploration. You can apply for a Dean’s International Research Grant to travel to new places and conduct research that matters to you. Our campus in Doha, Qatar, also offers opportunities to study abroad and participate in international conferences.
VCUarts students are from all over the U.S. — and the world. As a minority-serving institution, VCU is dedicated to giving all students the resources and support to succeed in the classroom and share their perspectives in the world.
You’ll be a part of the VCUarts community, a vibrant, close-knit group of creatives who will change the world. You’ll also be part of the larger VCU community, and you’ll have access to nearly 500 student organizations. You can find your new best friend in an organization built around your interests, whether they are athletic, cultural, social, or spiritual.
What’s next?
Fall 2026
Accepted first-year students, reply to your offer by May 1, 2026, if you were accepted to the university by April 1. If you were accepted after April 1, respond within two weeks after your acceptance.
Accepted transfer students, reply to your offer by June 1, 2026.
Visit the VCU Application Portal to complete your VCU response form. After you have completed the form, you may pay your tuition deposit to let us know you’ll be joining us at VCU.
Note: Both your response form and tuition deposit must be received in order for your account to reflect that you have accepted the offer of admission.
If you’re receiving a scholarship or financial aid, you may request a tuition deposit waiver on the response form. Visit your Application Portal for more information and a link to the form.
By logging in to the VCU Application Portal, you will be able to view your admission status, your VCU ID number, entry semester, degree program, residency status and any admission conditions. Review all admission information for accuracy and notify the VCU Office of Admissions of any inaccuracies or questions.
Join us for an in-person Preview Day, when you can meet VCUarts faculty, staff, and other new students. Learn about VCU resources including Housing, Student Financial Management, and more! Details are in your VCU Application Portal.
Event dates
Saturday, February 7
Saturday, February 21
Sunday, March 22
Saturday, April 4
Schedule a virtual meeting with your admissions representative. Our VCUarts Admissions representatives are all VCUarts alums, and they’re available to meet with you one-on-one via phone or Zoom.
Art Foundation (and programs that start with Art Foundation), Art History, Cinema, and Fashion Merchandising
Dance + Choreography, Music, and Theatre
Schedule an in-person tour of VCUarts facilities. A current VCUarts student will show you around and answer all of your questions.
Explore our facilities online. Take a virtual tour of the VCU campus and learn more about the arts facilities, including 360 degree images of our studios. Learn about our Community & Campus.
Reach out if you need anything. Our office is open Monday-Friday from 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday (ET), when the university is open. Email us at arts@vcu.edu, or call 804-VCU-ARTS.
If you haven’t already, apply for financial aid by submitting a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) by the March 1 priority filing date. If you filled out the FAFSA, you will receive a letter from VCU Financial Aid with more information about your financial awards.
Scholarships for newly accepted students are automatically awarded to qualifying students based on academic achievement and talent. If you are awarded a scholarship, you will be notified by mail or email. There are additional scholarship opportunities that you can explore once you are a currently enrolled student.
VCU is dedicated to your success and wellness. As a student, you will have access to professionals dedicated to helping you.
- The Campus Learning Center offers academic tutoring and coaching for classes across VCU.
- Military Student Services is available to assist military servicemembers and their families.
- The Office of Multicultural Student Affairs promotes an appreciation of diversity through events, forums, scholarships, and more.
- The Recreation and Well-Being offers stress well-being coaching, recovery support, group exercise classes, and more.
- Safe Zone designated people and spaces across campus that offer support for LGBTQIA+ students.
- The Student Accessibility and Educational Opportunity Office is available to administer support and accommodations to help students with disabilities succeed.
- The Writing Center provides peer-based support to help VCU students become the strongest writers possible.
- University Counseling Services offers therapy options, mental health resources, and an after-hours emergency line.
Questions? Contact us!
Admissions Office
325 North Harrison Street
Richmond, VA 23284