Virginia Commonwealth University

Academic Life

Whether you’ve already uncovered your life’s passions or aim to cultivate your interests, chances are you’ll find a match among VCU’s baccalaureate programs, our academic medical center with more than 200 specialty areas and options in interdisciplinary studies.

From our nationally and internationally known faculty to the challenging classes of The Honors College to our introductory and supportive programs in the University College, VCU provides the essentials for our students to enjoy a great academic experience.

Nearly 31,000 students pursue 223 degree and certificate programs — 68 of which are unique to Virginia — through VCU’s 13 schools and one college. VCU offers fall, winter, spring and summer sessions, giving you the opportunity to enroll in courses throughout the year.

Plus, you can enhance your academic experience with specialized honors curricula, study abroad programs, service-learning, research opportunities and more.

Campus Life

VCU lies in the heart of Richmond, providing students with an urban educational experience that extends from the campus classroom to the adjacent neighborhoods. Our campus reflects the character of its host city by mixing modern, high-tech amenities with historical buildings and small-town charm.

Our students enjoy the excitement of downtown living as they learn, and when classes finish up, our more than 500 student organizations will keep you busy. With our advanced alert systems and a dedicated 24-hour campus police force, you can feel safe and secure at all times. VCU has also made a concerted effort to go green. To date, we are the only Virginia school achieving an A-range rating on the national Green Report Card. Our goal is to become climate-neutral by 2050 and we’re well on our way.

Facilities and Resources

VCU offers 143 acres of campus with more than 200 buildings, 54 of which are historic. Our 15 residence halls — six are for freshman-only — feature dorm-, suite- and apartment-style amenities, all equipped with basic furniture, laundry, lounges, high-speed Internet access, air conditioning and 24-hour security. We also offer 24 on-campus dining facilities and two libraries holding more than 2.5 million volumes (including more than 600,000 e-books). In addition, our campus has 81,639 network ports and 1,734 wireless access points to keep you connected.

Athletics / Sports

At VCU, Ram pride extends to our 16 NCAA sports teams. VCU teams have earned a total of 29 conference titles in the past 10 years, including last year’s tennis sweep by the men’s and women’s teams during our first year in the Atlantic 10 Conference. If you’d rather be a part of the action, grab some friends and compete in cycling, flag football, soccer (indoor and outdoor), softball, volleyball, basketball, badminton, racquetball and tennis through VCU Recreational Sports. If you want to stay fit, VCU’s recreation facilities offer your choice of exercise venue. The Cary Street Gym — named one of 2012’s National Intramural-Recreational Sports Associations’ outstanding sports facilities — features an 18,000-square-foot fitness center, two indoor pools, a rock-climbing wall and much more.

Financial Aid / Tuition

VCU offers opportunities for financial assistance through financial aid as well as scholarships. Eligibility for financial aid varies depending on a student’s academic and financial circumstances, while scholarships are awarded on the basis of merit in the areas of academic achievement, artistic talent (when applicable), leadership and community service.

Admission

Candidates for freshman admission are reviewed based on their academic performance in an accredited high school or on GED scores and either SAT Reasoning Test or ACT scores. The college preparatory curriculum is highly preferred, and a minimum of 20 units is required for admission to all programs on the Monroe Park Campus.