RICHMOND, Va. (August 24, 2021) – This fall, 671 students will make up the incoming first-year Class of 2025 at VCU School of the Arts (VCUarts). As a group, the class represents the dynamic cross-section of talent, creativity, socio-economic backgrounds, cities, countries, interests and cultures that VCUarts values.
Students from outside of Virginia represent 20 U.S. states and territories, with the largest numbers from Maryland, North Carolina, New York, New Jersey and the District of Columbia. International students come from China, South Korea, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait and Ecuador. Of the incoming class, 44 percent are from underrepresented minority groups.
The average high school GPA of the class is 3.71. Based on their academic merit, 43 percent of the Class of 2025 will receive four-year scholarships.
Arts admissions committees consider multiple factors when reviewing applications, including the strength of the student’s academic history, the student’s personal statement, essays, extracurricular activities, letters of recommendation, artistic talent and other unique contributions they bring to form a diverse cohort. This year’s class includes several varsity athletes, Boy Scouts, dance teachers, and the founder of Students of Color Union, an effort to strengthen the community of students of color. They volunteered for the Salvation Army, Rustic Pathways Sea Turtle Conservation, and the Rotary Interact Club. One traveled to Alaska with the Boerne Aquatic Science Program to research aquatic plants and animals, while another was a member of the Broadway Dance Center’s competition team.
Classes for the new academic year begin August 24.
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About VCU School of the Arts
VCUarts is one of the nation’s leading schools of arts and design, offering degree programs in fine arts, design, performing arts, and narrative media. VCUarts encourages intellectual inquiry in and through the creative fields, fostering rich, interdisciplinary collaborations between artists, designers, health practitioners, and other areas of study at the university. Distinguished faculty members are internationally recognized in their respective fields and are committed to mentoring the next generation of artists, entrepreneurs, scientists, scholars, and engaged citizens of diverse communities around the world. VCUarts’ campus in Qatar provides students and faculty with a direct tie to the Middle East and underscores the school and university’s commitment to global education and experience.