Order those High School Transcripts Now

We have a little over a month until the deadline for spring admission, October 1. If you are applying, you will be required to submit a high school transcript or GED score report.

This document is required for every applicant, no matter how old you are and no matter how many college courses you've taken, no matter how many associates' degrees you have.  Even if you're planning on getting an associates, or maybe you already have one... the high school transcript is required.  Squash those rumors.  We have seen diligent applicants who graduated from high school 20, 30 years ago get their transcripts. It's more possible than you might think.  But, it does take time, so start early.

If you attended high school outside of the U.S., we require a translated transcript.  Most applicants use WES or the World Education Service. Again, this can take a long time, so start working on it as soon as possible, be you a spring or fall applicant.

If you graduated high school recently, we are still closely looking at your high school record.  Typically, the longer you've been in college, the less we'll look at your high school record.

Order those transcripts now. Check it off of your mental to-do list early. You can send them even if you have yet to apply.  We will hold onto it until your application is submitted.

Taking a Foreign Language

Did you know that foreign language is a requirement to graduate from the College of Arts and Sciences and the Commerce School?

Most transfers we meet with are surprised to hear this.  And unfortunately, this means that they are already behind in their pre-requisite course requirements. 

When putting the final touches on your fall course schedule this year, make sure to sign up for those foreign language courses.  The McIntire School of Commerce requires coursework or exemptions (through the SAT II/AP) through the 202 level of a language.  If you are a Virginia community college student interested in the Guaranteed Admission Agreement (GAA), these courses are also required to be completed by the end of the spring semester prior to the fall in which you want to enter.

If you are not applying under the GAA, you are strongly, strongly encouraged to get started on this coursework before you apply.  The more core courses you have while transferring, the more competitive you'll be in the admissions process. 

The Common App is Now Live!

Well, summer is far from over, but the CA people have been hard at work preparing to launch this year's application. It went live last Friday.  As transfers, you have the first deadline. That would be October 1, 2014.   If you are interested in applying to the College of Arts and Sciences, the Urban Planning program and the Architectural History, program, then you can apply at this time.  Remember that to be an eligible transfer, you must be going into at least your second year or second semester of college this fall.  If you graduated high school this past school year, you are not eligible and must wait for the fall semester deadline of March 1.  AP, IB scores nor dual enrollment will make you a transfer at this time. 

If you are in a bachelor's degree seeking program and you are a rising junior applying to the College of Arts and Sciences, this is your last chance to apply.  After the fall semester, you will be ineligible.

To start your common application, go to www.commonapp.org.
Note: If you created an account last year, you'll need to create a new one for the 2014-2015 school year.