The Deadline is Approaching, Part 2: Testing Refresher

We had a blog post request for clarification on testing. 

-Testing is required for all students applying under the Virginia Community College GAAs for the Engineering and Arts and Sciences schools, no matter your age or your time out of high school.  If English is your second language, you may substitute the TOEFL or the IELTS for the SAT or ACT.  We look for a 90 or above on the TOEFL; a 7.0 and above on the IELTS. We do not have specific requirements for the SAT or ACT, but if Verbal and Writing scores are low - typically, below 500, we may contact you and ask for more proficiency testing.

-If you are applying as a regular transfer without the GAA(most applicants), testing is required for anyone who has been out of high school for less than five years.  If you graduated in 2010 or later('11, '12, etc.), we require testing.  You can submit old test scores as there is no need to take them again.

-If you are applying to the Commerce school... it is in your best interest to submit testing no matter how long you've been out of high school.  We sometimes tell students whose first language is not English is that it's advisable to take the TOEFL and the SAT or ACT.  They are really big on quantitative (math) and presentation skills.

We understand we may be different in our testing requirements for transfers.  As a selective institution, we appreciate the information that standardized testing can give us and thus, that's why we require it for most parties applying.

* GAA = Guaranteed Admission Agreement.

The Deadline is Approaching

As the deadline approaches, you might have questions about the mechanics of applying if this is your first time going through the process.

Here goes:   After you submit your application in Common App, you should receive an automatic confirmation.  Take note that only paying the application fee does not mean you have submitted.  You need to submit the general app and the UVa section in addition to your fee. 

Within five days of your submission, our system will send you login information.  The system is called SIS and this is where you’ll monitor your application, via your To-Do List.  The first time you log in, you will probably see many things missing from your file.  Please allow 5-7 days for your materials to be matched up.  This is a part automatic/part human process.   If we receive 2400 applications, it will take time for both of these groups to match up all of the important documents and information, especially if you wait and submit on March 1. 

Here are the answers to some other common questions and concerns.

-How do I handle the forms on the Common App?  Once again, we do not require the Common App forms listed in the right sidebar of the blog.  Yes, look over to the right, after you read this.  If you choose to send a Mid-Year Report, it would make more sense to wait until after the deadline and after your mid-term exams.  This is the only component of the app where I am encouraging late submission. 

-What happens if my transcripts arrive after March 1?  That’s fine, but we need your transcripts in the very near future, not at the end of the spring semester.  You and your fellow applicants are being reviewed based upon the work you have done thus far.  What’s most important is that you apply by the deadline of March 1. If your application is in on time, there is a little wiggle room for gathering these supporting documents.

 

-Do I need to do anything special if I’m applying to the architecture program?  Remember that if you’re applying for architecture, you must submit a portfolio.  See the post below.

That is all for now.  I imagine we’ll create another post or two before the deadline passes.

UPDATE: If you are still submitting your application, please do not print it out and submit it on PDF. What you've printed is likely old.  This slows down the processing and will affect your ability to verify documents.  Please submit through the common app portal.

The Transfer Process

Spring then Fall, what?

As you know, we have an application process that admits students in the spring (January).  If you applied for January admission, and you were not admitted, you might have the opportunity to try again or roll over your application for fall 2015 review. 

Unfortunately, if you have completed more than five semesters at a four-year institution, or if you're in the process of your sixth semester, you are not eligible for another review for the College of Arts and Sciences or the Architecture School. 

If you still feel you are eligible, please email undergradadmission@virginia by March 1.  You can also email the address you might have seen on your decision screen, which is different. 

In order to complete this process, you need to send us your transcript including your fall 2014 grades. No need to fill out another application, or pay another application fee.  We'll then take it from there and you'll get your decision around May 1.


Are you an architecture applicant?
Last year, the faculty in the architecture school requested that we require portfolios from our transfer applicants. Please be sure to check out our instructions and complete the portfolio by March 1. To start your portfolio, in your application, please select "yes" to the question asking if you plan to submit an arts supplement. This will allow you to access the Slideroom portal where you can upload your portfolio according to the directions on the site. If you have already submitted your architecture application and did not select "yes" to this question, please email Devin Underhill at devin.underhill@virginia.edu so that you can gain access to the Slideroom portal. Portfolios must meet the requirements outlined on the Slideroom website in order to be reviewed. Physical portfolios mailed to our office will not be considered.