Admission InformationAcademic CredentialsAcademic preparation for Virginia Tech is best achieved by continued formal study of academic or college preparatory subjects. Consequently, it is recommended that required and elective academic units be evenly distributed throughout the high school years. Specifically, it is recommended that a minimum of seven (7) academic units be completed during the last two years of high school with at least three (3) academic units completed each year. Virginia Tech encourages applicants to develop a broad educational foundation for study at the university. Students enrolled in gifted and talented programs, honors courses, dual-enrolled at the community college level, or in Advanced Placement and/or International Baccalaureate courses in any academic or college preparatory subject area listed above are given special consideration in the admissions process. Each application is evaluated holistically. Primary academic criteria are: rigor of the academic program, grades in academic courses, and performance on standardized tests (SAT or ACT). Other criteria include Virginia Tech pipeline or TRIO program participation, extraordinary talent, first generation college attendee, interest in the Virginia Tech Corps of Cadets, legacy, leadership and service, major, race, residency, and responses to personal statements. For the 2006 fall semester, those offered admission had average GPAs of 3.80 (middle 50th percentile 3.54-4.01) with many honors/AP/IB/dual enrollment courses and average combined SATs (critical reading and math) of 1231 (middle 50th percentile 1130-1330). Students who intend to compete in intercollegiate athletics are also required to meet all NCAA and ACC requirements for admission. Such candidates under consideration for athletic scholarships may also receive additional consideration in the admissions process. Prospective music students must schedule an audition with the music department. Although it is not required of prospective theatre arts students, special consideration for admission will be given to applicants who audition. Applicants who wish to request an audition should contact the department head of the appropriate curriculum before January 1 of the senior year in high school. Undergraduate AdmissionProspective students and their parents are encouraged to visit the campus at their convenience. The Office of Undergraduate Admissions is open Monday-Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. and on many Saturdays from 8:30 a.m. to noon. (Prospective visitors should consult the Visit section at www.admiss.vt.edu for up-to-date schedule information.) The admissions office offers information sessions for prospective students Monday-Friday, at 9:00 a.m. and 2:30 p.m.; and on many Saturdays at 9 a.m. and 11 a.m. Visitors are encouraged to check the visit section at (www.admiss.vt.edu/visit/) to confirm that tours will be given on the day of their visit. When classes are in session, student tour guides lead walking tours of the campus Monday-Friday at 10:00 a.m., 1:15 p.m., and 3:15 p.m., and Saturday at 10:00 a.m. and noon, when the office is open. Virginia Tech does not require nor schedule a personal interview for admission. Information on undergraduate admission may be obtained by contacting: Office of Undergraduate Admissions Admission, EarlyHigh school juniors with exceptional qualifications may be considered for admission to Virginia Tech before high school graduation. General application procedures and deadlines are the same as for seniors, with the following additional documentation also required: written endorsement from the director of guidance or the principal; a letter from the parents or guardian supporting the decision; and a statement from the applicant outlining the reasons for seeking college entrance after the junior year. Each of these statements should address the student's academic and social preparedness for college. The applicant must rank academically in the top 10 percent of the high school junior class and have official SAT scores on record of at least 1300 (minimum 620 critical reading, 600 math). Prospective applicants should take the SAT examination during the fall of their junior year in high school so that scores will be available when freshman applications are reviewed during January, February, and March. Admission, Freshman ProcessWhen applying for admission as a freshman, the applicant must send the following materials to the Office of Undergraduate Admissions prior to the above deadlines:
An Early Decision Plan is available for students with strong qualifications and a sincere desire to attend Virginia Tech. Those interested in the Early Decision Plan must choose that option on the application form and submit all required credentials by November 1. All Early Decision applicants are notified of their admission status by December 15. Early Decision applicants may be offered admission, deferred to the regular applicant pool, or denied admission. (Students denied admission under the Early Decision plan are not admissible to Virginia Tech and should not reapply for Regular Decision for the same term.) Applicants deferred to the regular decision pool will receive unbiased consideration during this admission process. The Early Decision Plan is a binding agreement in which applicants agree to apply only to Virginia Tech under an Early Decision plan and, if offered admission, submit the matriculation deposit by January 15. This does not mean that Early Decision applicants cannot apply to other institutions as regular-decision applicants, but rather that Virginia Tech is their first choice and, if offered admission under Early Decision, they will withdraw applications to other institutions, and accept the Virginia Tech offer. Admission, International Applicants Process (Undergraduate)International applicants for undergraduate admission are generally considered out-of-state students for tuition purposes and should apply using the Application for International Admission. International student applicants must meet all freshman or transfer requirements, as previously outlined. International freshman applicants must submit SAT (Scholastic Assessment Test) scores. This requirement may also apply to some international transfer students. In addition, international students whose native language is not English must document proficiency in the English language by submitting a TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) score. Official copies of all scores must be submitted to the Office of Undergraduate Admissions. The TOEFL test is required of all applicants who are not native speakers of English, in addition to all foreign students with visas, except those raised or schooled in Australia, Canada, Great Britain, Ireland, Jamaica, or other countries in which English is the language of instruction. A TOEFL score of at least 550 on the paper-based TOEFL test and at least 207 on the computer-based TOEFL test is required, although achieving that score is no guarantee of admission. Transfer applicants who have completed two semesters or terms of a non-ESL English composition course with above-average grades at an American college or university are not required to submit TOEFL scores. Non-English transcripts and documents must be submitted in their original form, accompanied by a certified English translation. Unofficial documents and documents without accompanying English translations will not be accepted. International transfer students must submit a syllabus of university study. This description of each course or subject studied (including textbook used and author) must be submitted in English or accompanied by a certified English translation of the syllabus. Applications without this information cannot be considered. All university-level work completed outside the United States must be evaluated by a professional educational credential evaluation service. (A listing of credential evaluators is included in the intermational application.) All international students holding F-1 and J-1 visas must purchase health and accident insurance. The Cranwell International Center provides a full range of services to international students at Virginia Tech. Such services include an orientation program especially designed to meet the needs of new international students, as well as immigration counseling and counseling for personal and financial problems. The center also coordinates a variety of cross-cultural programs designed to facilitate interaction between American and international students. Admission and Applying as a Non-Degree-Seeking Student (Undergraduate)Virginia Tech makes every effort to provide educational opportunities to individuals who are not seeking a degree from the university, but who wish to continue their education by taking courses at Virginia Tech for college credit or, in some cases, degree credit. Such students include, but are not limited to, highly qualified high school juniors, students enrolled in other colleges or universities, and senior citizens. Students who enroll at Virginia Tech under this program may not be considered candidates for degrees unless they apply formally for regular undergraduate or graduate admission. At that time, minimum requirements must be met and the applicant's academic and disciplinary record at Virginia Tech and all other colleges and universities attended would be reviewed within the context of the current competition for regular admission. Applying as a Non-Degree-Seeking Student
When applying as a non-degree-seeking student, the applicant must send the following materials to the admissions office: Non-degree seeking stduents may apply online at www.admiss.vt.edu. The application should be submitted at least 30 days prior to the beginning of the term in which the applicant wishes to enroll. If accepted, the applicant will receive an official notice of admission along with other related forms. Restrictions on Non-Degree-Seeking Students
Admission (Undergraduate), Transfer ProcessAdmission is offered on a competitive basis to transfer applicants with the strongest academic records, as long as space is available in their chosen fields of study. The most important factors considered for admission are: completion or substantial progress toward completing prerequisite courses, particularly freshman English, math, and science apporpriate for the intended major ; and overall GPA in college course work. Although the admissions committee considers applicants with cumulative GPAs of 2.5 (on a 4.0 scale), competitive applicants have a GPA of 3.0 or better. In majors where applications exceed available space such as architecture, business, communication, industrial design, interior design, and engineering, the competitive GPA will be higher. The majors of architecture, industrial design, and interior design are reviewed on the most selective basis and generally demand GPAs above 3.5 (on a 4.0 scale). Applicants from accredited colleges and universities, including applicants from Virginia community colleges who have completed two full academic years and have received an associate's degree in the University Parallel College/Transfer Program, must (1) have completed all entrance requirements, or their equivalents, in their college developmental program; (2) have a minimum GPA of "C" (2.0 on a 4.0 scale) in all previous college work attempted; and (3) be in good standing with all colleges or universities attended. The applicant's overall grade point average and the quality of the student's former academic program are critical factors in admissions considerations. Most transfer applicants who are offered admission have a minimum GPA of 3.0 (on a 4.0 scale). Transfer applicants must send the following application materials to the Office of Undergraduate Admissions, 104 Burruss Hall:
Completed applications are considered and decisions are made by the Admissions Committee. If offered admission, the applicant will receive an official notice of admission and related forms. Advanced PlacementThrough Advanced Placement examinations administered in May of each year by the College Entrance Examination Board, exceptionally qualified high school graduates may be considered for advanced placement in certain subjects in which they show a proficiency. Final determination of credit will be made after the test results have been evaluated by the university. Credits allowed for advanced placement are shown as transfer hours on Hokie SPA. These are included as hours passed toward a degree and, therefore, are counted when considering academic eligibility. A student may decline advanced credit only during the first semester of enrollment at Virginia Tech. Questions about Advanced Placement credit should be directed to the Office of the University Registrar. Advanced StandingAdvanced standing without credit will be allowed for satisfactory completion of one to five years of study in a foreign language in a secondary school. Advanced standing with credit will be allowed for exceptional performances on certain tests and/or achievements in mathematics, English, vocational education fields, the International Baccalaureate program, or the terminal year at selected international secondary schools. Credit will not exceed 38 semester hours. Credit by examination, not to exceed 12 semester hours, will be allowed by special examination where exceptional command of a subject is demonstrated. (Please see chapter on Academics in this catalog for further information.) Advanced Standing based on completion of any College-level Examination Program (CLEP) exams is granted at the discretion of the individual departments. Applying to Graduate SchoolStudents interested in working toward an advanced degree at Virginia Tech should contact the Graduate School for an application (www.grads.vt.edu). Applying to Summer SessionsVirginia Tech offers two summer sessions of approximately 6 weeks each. Credit courses on other than the regular time schedule, including intensive courses for teachers, are also offered. The summer sessions program features a comprehensive offering of courses and special programs, including online courses, study abroad programs, and a few undergraduate courses in Northern Virginia. Enrolled Virginia Tech students, as well as visiting students, are invited to participate in summer sessions. Enrolled students follow the same registration procedure for summer courses as they would for fall and spring. New or visiting students may enroll in summer sessions in either a degree or non-degree status. Such students should visit www.summer.vt.edu for information. Entering freshmen and transfer students should contact the Office of Undergraduate Admissions to be cleared for summer entry. The form to change term of entry is available at www.admiss.vt.edu. Entering graduate students should contact the Graduate School. On-campus housing is available in the summer. For more information, contact the Housing Office at 540/231-6204 or housing@vt.edu, or visit www.studentprograms.vt.edu. Summer students have access to most university academic, athletic, and recreational facilities and programs, including the Horticulture Gardens and miles of cycling and walking trails. In addition, the Summer Arts Festival provides free movies, concerts, and exhibits. Additional information is available at www.summer.vt.edu. Entrance TestsFreshman applicants are required to take the Scholastic Assessment Test (SAT) or ACT. The SAT or ACT should be taken by the December test date of the senior year in high school or earlier, as scores are considered in the admissions application process. Information on these tests may be obtained from high school guidance directors or principals, or by writing directly to the College Entrance Examination Board, Princeton, New Jersey, or the ACT program in Iowa City, Iowa. The tests are given at centers in Virginia, in all other states, and in many foreign countries. The applicant should arrange to have all test scores sent directly to the admissions office by the testing agency or high school. Virginia Tech's CEEB number for reporting test scores is 5859. The ACT code is 4420. International applicants whose native language is not English, and American applicants who are English-speaking but whose native language is not English also are required to take the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL). Equal Opportunity PoliciesIt is the policy of Virginia Tech to provide equal opportunity for all qualified individuals while prohibiting harassment or discrimination based on age, color, disability, gender, national origin, political affiliation, race, religion, sexual orientation and veteran status. Anyone having questions or concerns regarding these issues should contact the Office for Equal Opportunity, 336 Burruss Hall – 0216, (540) 231-7500 (voice), (540) 231-9460 (TTY) or eooffice@vt.edu. International BaccalaureateVirginia Tech recognizes the International Baccalaureate (IB) diploma or individual International Baccalaureate courses with advanced standing if the student scores at least a four on the International Baccalaureate higher-level examinations. The university encourages completion of the IB diploma. The additional value of the complete IB diploma is recognized in evaluating a student's record for admission and for advanced standing with credits. Subsidiary level courses are considered for advanced standing only for students who complete the IB diploma. Up to 38 semester credit hours may be granted for those earning the IB diploma, and up to 30 semester credit hours for those without the IB diploma. Credits granted for IB courses are shown as transfer hours on Hokie SPA. These are included in the hours passed toward a degree and, therefore, are counted when considering academic eligibility. Information is available at http://www.admiss.vt.edu/miscpages/IB.html. OrientationFreshmen: All new freshmen and their parents attend a two-day summer orientation program. Students who are entering Virginia Tech in the summer or fall will receive summer orientation information shortly after they accept Virginia Tech's offer of admission. This summer orientation program, conducted by the Student Life Office, provides students and parents with an introduction to life at Virginia Tech. Students are required (and parents are invited) to spend the night in a residence hall, eat in campus dining halls, and participate in a wide range of programs concerning campus life. During orientation freshmen will meet with college or department representatives and register for fall semester classes. All new students also are invited to participate in HOKIE HI activities (coordinated by Student Life) scheduled during the first several days of fall semester that includes a Welcome Back Picnic in Lane Stadium the day before classes begin. The week before classes begin in the fall the corps holds an additional one-week orientation for freshmen cadets. Freshman students who will enter Virginia Tech in the spring semester rather than in the fall are invited to attend an orientation program in January before the beginning of spring classes. All new transfer students attend a one-day summer orientation program in July. Information is available at www.orientation.vt.edu. Requirements, ComputerStudents are required to have their own personal computer. The university annually establishes baseline specifications for each new entering class. Transfer students are subject to the requirement that was in place for students at the same class level into which they enter. Broad specifications are announced mid-May for students entering in the fall of the next academic year. Some departments and colleges recommend a specific configuration from among the options outlined by the university. Virginia Tech requires that entering students have a laptop or tablet computer and strongly recommends that entering students obtain a computer that meets (or exceeds) the university general specifications. If you have declared a major, check the college and department specifications. Complete information about the computer requirement can be found online at www.compreq.vt.edu. Requirements, Minimum Freshman Entrance
A student must present a minimum of 18 units before enrolling at Virginia Tech. One unit is equal to one academic year of study in a selected course. Students who will graduate from a program other than an accredited high school program should check the Freshman/Get Ready section at www.admiss.vt.edu, and contact the Office of Undergraduate Admissions for additional information. At least 14 of the 18 units must be academic or college preparatory units. Academic or college preparatory units are courses in English, language studies, mathematics, natural sciences, social sciences, and fine arts. They must be distributed as indicated below. At least a "C" average (2.0 on a 4.0 scale) is required in all academic courses for the student to be considered for admission. However, because admission to Virginia Tech is competitive, those offered admission have much higher credentials. Of the 18 required units, the following minimums must be met: Student Health HistoryEach student entering Virginia Tech must furnish a health history form, completed by a home physician, for the University Student Health Services. The form will be available online to applicants who accept the offer of admission. Failure to meet Health Services standards may result in dismissal from the university. Transfer Student Credentials, Evaluation ofOfficial final academic transcripts from all colleges previously attended should be submitted to the Office of Undergraduate Admissions. Only grades of "C" or higher in courses consistent with those offered at Virginia Tech are certified for transfer credit. Courses from another institution in which a grade of "C-" or lower was earned, and courses taken on a pass/fail or audit basis, are not acceptable for transfer credit. Courses for which a student received credit by exam, Advanced Placement (AP) credit, or credit for life experiences at another university are not transferable. AP scores should be sent directly to the University Registrar at Virginia Tech from the Educational Testing Service for re-evaluation; credit cannot be awarded from high school transcripts. Credit will be awarded based on Virginia Tech policies. (See www.registrar.vt.edu for more information.) No more than 50 percent of the credits required for graduation from Virginia Tech may be transferred from two-year colleges. Transfer Policy of Virginia Community College StudentsPer State Policy on Transfer, students who begin their work (native Virginia Community College or Richard Bland students) toward the baccalaureate degree by enrolling in transfer programs at a Virginia Community College or Richard Bland College, who graduate with associate degrees based upon a baccalaureate-oriented sequence of courses, and who are offered admission to Virginia Tech will be granted junior level status upon admission. Additionally, these students will have fulfilled the requirements of the Curriculum for Liberal Education (a.k.a. University Core Curriculum). However, it may take such students longer than two years to complete the baccalaureate degree because of major prerequisites and other circumstances or requirements (State Policy on Transfer, Section II). Non-native students are those students who do not begin their college work at the community college, but rather transfer to the community college and complete the transfer associate degree. VCCS/RBC students who are offered admission and who have been certified as having completed the Virginia Community College Transfer Module and have a grade of "C" or better in each course of the module will have fulfilled requirements toward the Curriculum for Liberal Education (a.k.a. University Core Curriculum). Admission preference shall be given to local transfer students who have completed an A.A., A.S., or A.A.S. (Associate in Arts and Sciences) at the Virginia Community College System or Richard Bland College as well as those who have completed the Virginia Community College System Transfer Module as certified by the VCCS. While some courses from the Associate of Applied Science degree from a Virginia Community College or Richard Bland College may transfer to Virginia Tech, the Associate of Applied Science degree does not transfer. Transfer students shall have the same opportunities as other native students in areas of residence and dining programs, registration, and scholarships and financial aid. Complete Virginia Tech Transfer Guide
|
||