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Applying as a Freshman

Application Policies

Applying for Early Decision

An Early Decision plan is available for freshman applicants who have strong academic qualifications and select Virginia Tech as their first-choice school. Those interested in the Early Decision plan must check that option at the top of the application form, sign the Early Decision statement, and submit all required credentials by November 1. Early Decision applicants are notified of their admission status by December 15. Applicants not offered admission at that time may be deferred and receive unbiased consideration in the regular admission process. In some cases, a student may be denied admission and will not be considered with the regular decision applicant pool. (Students denied admission during the early decision process should not reapply for regular decision admission, but may be considered for transfer admission after a year at another accredited college or university.)

The university stipulates that applicants who apply to Virginia Tech under the Early Decision plan agree, if accepted, to submit the $400 non-refundable matriculation fee to the university by January 15. This does not mean that Early Decision applicants cannot apply to other institutions, but rather that Virginia Tech is the only institution to which they have applied under Early Decision, and that if offered admission, they will withdraw their applications elsewhere and attend Virginia Tech. If a student does not accept the offer of admission by January 15, the offer will be withdrawn.

Applying for Early Admission

High school juniors who have exceptional qualifications may be considered for admission prior to high school graduation. General application procedures and deadlines are the same as for seniors, with the following documentation also required:

  • A written endorsement from the director of guidance or high school principal
  • A letter signed by the parents or legal guardian supporting the decision
  • A personal statement outlining reasons for beginning college 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 ten percent of the high school junior class and have an official SAT score on record of at least 1300 (minimums: 620 critical reading, 600 math), or an ACT score of at least 29. Prospective applicants should take the SAT or ACT examination during the fall of the junior year in high school so that scores will be available when freshman applications are reviewed during January, February, and March.

Applying for Spring Semester

Transfer students interested in spring admission should review the information at http://www.admiss.vt.edu/apply/transfer/spring.php. Spring admission is not generally available for freshman applicants.

Applying for Summer Semester

Recently admitted students may request a change in their term of entry to summer by submitting a request to appchange@vt.edu provided their final official transcripts can be sent to Virginia Tech by the appropriate deadline prior to the start of classes for the requested term. Students enrolled in other universities may attend summer sessions as visiting students. High-ability high school juniors and seniors may attend as non-degree-seeking students. For more information on summer sessions, visit www.summer.vt.edu.

Regular Decision Timeline

  • Applications for Regular Decision due Jan. 15
  • FAFSA for 2011-2012 available Jan. 1, due March 1
  • Virginia Tech General Scholarship Application due March 1 (requires that the FAFSA be completed)
  • Freshman admission decision notification date is April 1
  • Deadline for acceptance of an offer of admission is May 1

Early Decision Timeline

  • Applications for Early Decision due Nov. 1
  • Early decision notification date is Dec. 15
  • Deadline for acceptance of an Early Decision offer of admission is Jan. 15
  • FAFSA for 2011-2012 available Jan. 1, due March 1
  • Virginia Tech General Scholarship Application due March 1 (requires that the FAFSA be completed)