First-year checklist - Admissions - Virginia Commonwealth University (2024)

Log in to the VCU Application Portal to view your admission status, VCU ID number (also known as your V-number), the semester you are starting at VCU, degree program, residency status, and any admission conditions. Review all information and notify the VCU Office of Admissions of any inaccuracies or questions.

In the portal, please refer to the checklist to determine if there are any other documents, including final transcripts, that the Office of Admissions requires before enrollment.

If you were classified as a non-Virginia resident for tuition purposes and believe that this classification is inaccurate, you may request that your status be re-evaluated prior to Aug. 1 for fall semester entry or Dec. 1 for spring semester entry by contacting your application processor. You may be required to complete and submit the application for Virginia in-state tuition as well as provide other supporting documentation.

If you did not provide your SSN on your application, it is necessary for students who wish to be considered for financial aid to provide it to the university. To provide your SSN, please upload Parts I and II of a W-9S or upload a legible copy of your Social Security card to our secure database.

Be sure the number you provide to VCU matches the number you submitted on your FAFSA. Any mismatch of information will cause a delay in processing your financial aid. Please note that your SSN will not be used as your VCU student ID number in order to protect your privacy.

While we cannot accept Social Security numbers over the phone, you may call our office at (800) 841-3638 or (804) 828-1222 and speak with an application processor should you have any questions or concerns about this process.

Say yes to VCU and become a Ram! Visit the VCU Application Portal to complete your Offer of Admission Response form and make it official!

Response deadlines

Students accepted for Fall:
Respond by May 1 if you were accepted to the university by April 1. If accepted after April 1, respond within two weeks after your acceptance.

Due to the delay in the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, VCU has extended the deadline to accept your offer of admission to May 15.

Students accepted for Spring:
Respond within two weeks after your acceptance.

Pay your tuition deposit online

To pay your tuition deposit online, you will need your eID, password, and V-number. Follow these steps:

1. Log in to eServices using your eID.
2. Click the "Applicants" tab at the top.
3. Select “Pay tuition deposit” tile.
4. Click "Deposits" at the top of the screen on the purple banner. Follow prompts and enter the desired deposit amount.
   • All students accepted into VCU undergraduate programs, except those accepted into programs in the School of the Arts, must pay a $100 tuition deposit.
   • The tuition deposit for the School of the Arts is $300.
5. Submit your deposit to reserve your spot 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 VCU Application Portal for more information and a link to the form.

Your eID is your key to everything VCU! Visit the identity claim page to activate your eID and set up your account, which authorizes the use of VCU’s electronic services. You will also need to set up Duo Mobile, VCU’s Two-Factor Authentication system. Your eID lets you do things like:

• Accept your offer of admission
• Log in to your VCU email account
• Register for classes
• Use the myVCU portal
• Use VCU’s wifi

Note: You must obtain your eID before you can make a reservation to attend Orientation, apply for housing or access your VCU email account.

Submit a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) designating VCU (school code 003735) to determine your eligibility for financial aid. The FAFSA priority deadline is March 1. If you miss the priority deadline, you should still apply because you may still be eligible for some types of assistance.

Virginians who are not eligible to file the FAFSA or who have Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) status may file the Virginia Alternative State Aid Application (VASA) designating VCU (school code 003735) to determine your eligibility for state or institutional need-based aid (not federal financial aid). The VASA only allows one school code, if you completed the VASA with another code, email sfmc@vcu.edu.

Note for spring admits: If you are admitted for the Spring semester, you must complete the 2023-2024 FAFSA in order to be eligible for a financial aid package.

Continue to check your new VCU email account for award information, required documents to complete your file and additional information.

Have questions about financial aid?

VCU email is now your official method of communication for all things VCU related. New students should check their VCU email daily to make sure you are completing your next steps.

Please note: VCU will no longer send communications to your personal email accounts once you have accepted your admission and are now an official VCU Ram!

As a new Ram, please join us at any of our upcoming admitted student events. Join us for a full day or for just a few hours to get a preview of life as a VCU Ram.

Ready to get social? Follow us today! Instagram/Twitter/Facebook

Orientation is required for first-year students, transfer students and adult learners, international students and is encouraged for students who are returning to VCU after being away for more than two years. Think of it as your formal introduction to VCU.

Students are encouraged to register a family member or supporter to participate in VCU Orientation as well.

Orientation registration opens on the following dates:
Students accepted for the Fall: Apr. 1, 2024
Students accepted for the Spring: Nov. 1, 2024

To learn more and find links to begin your Orientation registration, please visit the Orientation website or contact newrams@vcu.edu.

Note: You can typically access the Orientation registration within 2-3 business days of VCU processing your tuition deposit.

Learn more and apply for on-campus housing at Residential Life and Housing using the online application, when available. Students must be registered for Orientation in order to receive an on-campus housing assignment. On-campus housing assignments are made during the summer months for students accepted for Fall or on a rolling basis for students accepted for Spring. To learn more about our on-campus housing options please visit our virtual tour.

Housing application open dates:
Students accepted for Fall: April 2, 2024 at 4 p.m.
Students accepted for Spring: Early November

For students who choose to live off campus, visit the Off-Campus Housing website to explore your options and reach out to the Office of Student Advocacy for help.

VCU Dine has many on-campus dining options to fuel your 8 a.m. classes, your late nights and everything in between, all with a swipe of your VCUCard, your student ID. VCU Dine offers a variety of dining plans and meal options for students.

Apply for financial aid, scholarships and learn how to pay your bill:

• If you haven’t already, be sure to Submit your Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) in December. Virginians who are not eligible to file the FAFSA or who have Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) status may file the Virginia Alternative State Aid Application (VASA) which will also be available in December. If you haven’t already applied, submit your FAFSA or VASA by the Feb. 1 priority filing date. If you miss the priority deadline, you should still apply because you may still be eligible for other types of assistance.
• Check your new VCU email account for award information, required documents to complete your file and additional information.
• Any scholarships or tuition assistance from outside of VCU should be sent to the Student Accounting Department or delivered in person to the Student Financial Management Center. Detailed instructions are provided here and you can explore additional VCU scholarship opportunities here.
• If you plan to use military benefits to pay your bill, please connect with Military Student Services (MSS).
• Review VCU tuition & fees and all of your payment options, including our Installment Payment Plan. A helpful tool is our Financial Planning Worksheet which can assist you in determining if you will owe a “gap balance.” Please note that your final bill will not be available until after you register for classes.

Have questions about financial aid?

All admitted VCU students have an assigned financial counselor as part of their student success care team. For more information about making an appointment with your counselor, visit the Student Financial Management Center.

Depending upon your major, you may need to take placement tests in order to register for some of your classes. This chart will help you determine which tests are required for your major.

Math placement

Please refer to the table above to see if you need to take the math placement test. If your major requires MATH 141, MATH 151 or MATH 200 or higher, you will need to take the math placement test unless:

1. You are submitting any math AP or IB exam scores to VCU
2. You have dual enrollment math credits from another university/college that either satisfy your degree’s math requirements or satisfies the prerequisite for your next math course.
3. You are submitting SAT or ACT scores and are content with the course placement you are assigned based on those standardized test score(s).

If you have taken the SAT or ACT and have not officially sent VCU your scores, you canfollow these steps to send your SAT scoresandfollow these steps to send your ACT scores. Your scores can take 2-3 weeks to post onto your account after you send them, so it is recommended to be proactive in sending your scores.

You can view your math placement score in your Student Profile in eServices. Please click on “Testing” to see if a score has been posted for you.

Please visit the VCU Math Placement website for more information and to access the math placement test. You must complete Math Placement prior to your advising appointment.

Chemistry placement

The chemistry placement test is an online test used to place students into an appropriate general chemistry course based on their background knowledge. All students planning on registering for CHEM 101 General Chemistry I are required to take the test. Please review Chemistry Placement FAQs to see if your major requires CHEM 101.

The Chemistry Placement Test is a prerequisite for CHEM 101. Those earning a passing score on the test will be eligible to register for CHEM 101. Those not earning a passing score have two options:

1. Complete the ALEKS online unit. ALEKS must be completed by no later than July 31 (for fall semester) or Jan. 10 (for spring semester).
2. Enroll in CHEM 100 – Introductory Chemistry and earn a B or better.

Visit the VCU Chemistry Placement website for more information and to access the chemistry placement test. You must complete Chemistry Placement prior to your advising appointment.

Foreign language placement

Students who plan to study a language at VCU must take the language placement test to determine the appropriate beginning language class (unless they want to begin in the entry-level course). Only students with transfer credit from other educational institutions are eligible to enroll in the next course within their language sequence without completing the foreign language placement test. The foreign language placement test must be taken online before the first week of classes.

Students who have completed level three of a foreign language at an accredited U.S. public or private high school have fulfilled the Humanities and Sciences foreign language requirement through the 102 level. Learn more on the College of Humanities and Sciences high school foreign language waiver webpage.

Learn more about and sign up for foreign language placement testing.

Help your advisor get to know more about you, your educational goals and your academic background by completing this survey prior to registering for classes in May and June.

The survey will confirm your major, allow you to request a change of major (if desired), ask questions about your incoming AP/IB or Dual Enrollment Credits, and learn more about your course preferences.

Your academic advisor will use this information to identify your academic strengths and connect you to the offices and services that can help you transition to VCU successfully and make the most out of your degree.

Incoming first-year students should register themselves for classes during the months of May and June by following the recommended first-semester courses for your major. You can view your full degree requirements and review which of your AP/IB or dual enrollment credits VCU has already received in DegreeWorks.

This short video will show you how to register for classes in eServices - click on “register for classes.” Written instructions on how to add or drop a class, and how to add yourself to a waitlist for a closed class are available on our Advising Tutorials website. We encourage you to register for classes as early as possible for the best course days and times.

You should register for at least 15 credits, since you need to earn 15 credits per semester for eight fall and spring semesters in order to graduate in 4 years. In addition, most financial aid and scholarships require you to be registered full-time, which is at least 12 credit hours.

Incoming undergraduate students may also register for classes this summer upon request and approval. Please visit theSummer Studies website herefor additional details and to access the registration form.

Make sure to write down any questions that you have after registering so that you can bring them to your academic advising appointment. Note: Your class schedule is not confirmed until you attend orientation, so make sure to register for and attend orientation!

Students accepted for Fall:
Course registration opens: May 1, 2024

Students accepted for Spring:
Course registration opens: Dec. 1, 2024*

*Note: Dates are subject to change.

First-year academic advising appointments will be held virtually or in-person during the months of June and July for students accepted for Fall and in December and January for students accepted for Spring. Please schedule your mandatory summer academic advising appointment via Navigate by May 31. It is VERY important that you attend your scheduled appointment, as appointment slots are limited and cannot be rescheduled.

In this 30-minute one-on-one time with your advisor, you will review the courses for which you have registered, make adjustments as necessary, and have time to ask any questions you may have. You will receive an email and text reminder for your upcoming appointment. If you have an extenuating situation, please call our office at 804-827-8648. Incoming students will be able to make an advising appointment on the dates listed below, depending on your start term.

Students accepted for Fall:

Schedule your advising appointment beginning: May 15, 2024

Students accepted for Spring:

Schedule your advising appointment beginning: Dec. 1, 2024*

*Note: Dates are subject to change. To prepare for your appointment, please make sure that you have completed all of the previous steps in this list and have registered for as many courses as you are able to.

We’ll need your final high school transcripts to confirm your enrollment! If you took Advanced Placement, International Baccalaureate (IB) exams, or the SAT or ACT (for math placement purposes), you will want to send those scores to VCU as well.

If you took the SAT or ACT, you can submit those scores to VCU to receive an equivalent math placement score.

• How to submit your SAT math score
• How to submit your ACT math score

High school transcripts

Final transcripts must be on file by Aug. 1 for fall or Jan. 15 for spring starts. VCU Financial Aid will not be able to disburse any of your awarded funds until VCU has received your final transcript. Request to have your final high school transcripts sent to the VCU Office of Admissions as soon as possible before classes start.

Your high school can send your transcripts using one of the following methods:

• Official transcripts can be submitted through a secured electronic system, such as Parchment Exchange or National Clearinghouse, directly to the VCU Office of Admissions.
• Via U.S. postal mail to:

Virginia Commonwealth University
Office of Admissions
Box 842526
Richmond, VA 23284

We are unable to accept transcripts sent through fax, email or the student portal, as they are considered unofficial. If your high school cannot provide final transcripts by the deadline outlined above, please have them contact the Office of Admissions at (800) 841-3638.

Note: VCU reserves the right to revoke your admission acceptance if your final transcript indicates that you do not meet the criteria for acceptance.

Dual enrollment transcripts

Students who completed dual enrollment/early college credit while in high school must submit official college transcripts from the dual enrollment college/university to VCU prior to Aug. 1 for fall or Jan. 15 for spring. Official college dual enrollment transcripts should be submitted through a secured electronic system, such as Parchment Exchange or National Clearinghouse, directly to the VCU Office of Admissions. If official electronic transcripts are not available, then the official hardcopy college transcript can be mailed by the college or university to the VCU Transfer Center at 900 Park Ave., Box 842532, Richmond, VA 23284.

Advanced Placement and International Baccalaureate scores

The VCU Transfer Center evaluates Advanced Placement and International Baccalaureate credits from high school. To ensure you receive credit for them, you must submit your AP and IB scores directly to VCU’s Transfer Center. AP scores must come directly from The College Board and IB scores should come directly from the International Baccalaureate office. VCU cannot accept AP or IB credits from a high school or college transcript.

VCU issues billing statements electronically, and payment is due at the start of the semester, according to the billing schedule. Students will be notified at their VCU email address when their eStatement is available in eServices. For students starting in Fall, the first billing statement is sent the last week in July. For students starting in Spring, this bill is typically available in mid-December. To access the portal, students should select the “Make a Payment” tile under the Students - “Accounts” tab in eServices.

VCU’s Installment Payment Plan offers a convenient method for planning and budgeting educational costs. The plan allows students to divide the cost of tuition, fees, and room and dining plans into four installment payments throughout the semester. IPP is only available in the fall and spring semesters.

Call Me By My Name is an initiative that allows VCU to recognize you by the name, gender and pronoun by which you identify.

Please also confirm that VCU has your most up-to-date emergency contact information, physical address, phone number and mailing address. Changes can be submitted via eServices.

Every Ram is responsible for taking care of themselves and looking out for fellow Rams. Completing required training will give you the resources you need to be a responsible member of our community and an effective bystander.

• AlcoholEdu helps you reflect on your drinking behaviors and encourages safe decision-making.
• Not Anymore helps you understand the forms and definitions of violence, identify helpful resources, and learn ways to intervene to prevent violence.
• Human trafficking prevention training is a new requirement for all Virginia public institutions.

You must complete all of these training modules before classes begin! These trainings are required for students taking classes both in-person and online.

VCU is committed to providing equal access for all students. If you require any accommodations or disability-related support, please visit the Getting Started page with Student Accessibility and Educational Opportunity (SAEO) or contact saeo@vcu.edu.

VCU employs a no car policy for first-year residential students. First-year students who can demonstrate a compelling need to have a vehicle can petition for an exemption. Review the exemptions and waiver process on the First-Year Parking website.

For students living off campus or commuting from home, you can review parking options and rates through Parking & Transportation. Fall/Spring parking is sold on a first-come/first-served basis on the Monroe Park Campus, and via a parking lottery on the MCV Campus.

After you have registered for classes, you can determine what textbooks, software programs, or platforms are needed for each of your classes. VCU’s bookstore offers a tool to search for needed course materials, such as textbooks, computer/electronics, and an on-campus technology repair store to meet your needs. Note: Your course materials may not be uploaded until closer to the start of the semester.

All VCU students are required to have a personal computer. You can also review the suggested computer list for your college or school.

VCU faculty, staff and students are automatically signed up for VCU Alert text messages. Please ensure you have the most up-to-date Mobile or Cell Phone Number (Primary) field on your personal information page of theeServices/ VCU Self Serviceswebsite.

If you do not have a phone number listed, please add one by selecting “Add New” in the Phone Number field. Make sure it is listed as a Mobile or Cell Phone Number and the checkbox for “Primary” is checked.

Family members can connect and join various communities on the Ramily Connection Portal and sign up for our monthly Ram Family Update. The Ram Family Update is a monthly e-newsletter for families and supporters to keep up-to-date with events, ways to support you and important deadlines. This portal is our all-in-one family engagement platform that helps us share personalized, timely content with families. This is also where families can learn about and register for major family events like Family Weekend!

And don’t forget to have your family members join our VCU Families Facebook page and VCU Families Instagram page!