VCU encourages qualified international students to seek admission to the university through the International Admissions Office. For complete information and application materials, students should write, fax, e-mail or download the application from the Web and contact International Admissions, Virginia Commonwealth University, 916 W. Franklin St., P.O. Box 843043, Richmond, VA 23284-3043, USA; call (804) 828-6016, e-mail vcuia@vcu.edu or access the Web at www.vcu.edu/oie/ia/welcome.html.

Applicants must complete the International Application for Undergraduate Admission form and submit academic records that demonstrate successful completion of secondary school education — usually 12 years of pre-university study in their own country.

As required by U.S. regulations and by VCU admission policies, nonimmigrant applicants must demonstrate satisfactory academic achievement, adequate English proficiency, and the ability to finance all educational and living expenses. Applicants can refer to the freshman admission guidelines, transfer admission guidelines and admission procedures in the “Admission to the University” section of this bulletin for specific program requirements.

VCU is unable to provide financial support for international undergraduate students. Therefore, an applicant who needs a student visa must present documented evidence of available financial support to cover living and educational expenses while studying at VCU.

English language proficiency requirements

To ensure maximum benefits from academic study at VCU, all nonnative English-speaking applicants, regardless of immigration status, must provide evidence of English language proficiency before admission and/or before enrollment in the university. English language proficiency is evaluated on factors such as amount and type of formal American education, TOEFL scores and Scholastic Aptitude Test scores.

In general, VCU requires a minimum score of 550 (paper-based), 213 (computer-based) or 80 (Internet based) on TOEFL for admission for undergraduate students. The university reserves the right to require additional testing and study in the VCU English Language Program prior to full-time enrollment in university courses.

Nonimmigrants (students with temporary U.S. visas)

Because of time constraints involved in processing international applications and obtaining visas, prospective international undergraduate applicants should submit all required admission and financial credentials at least three months before they plan to enroll. Applicants who are unable to meet the document submission deadline may not have time to obtain the necessary visa for study at VCU.

Proof of current visa type must be submitted to the International Admissions office before enrollment, unless the applicant is requesting an F-1 or J-1 visa. Students possessing F-1 or J-1 visas admitted to VCU must submit copies of all immigration documents to the VCU International Student Adviser before enrolling in classes.

Immigrants (permanent residents, refugees and asylees)

Since immigrant applicants usually are in the U.S. at the time an application is submitted, these students must meet the same application deadlines as American citizens. Immigrants should submit their applications to the Office of Undergraduate Admissions. If educated in the U.S., immigrant applicants are considered under the same academic policies applicable to U.S. citizens. If educated outside this country, the same academic records are required as those for nonimmigrant applicants.

VCU requires detailed information about U.S. immigration status. Proof of permanent residency or of refugee and asylee status must be submitted with the admission application.