Graduate Admissions FAQs
Admissions FAQs
Is financial aid available?
Degree-seeking students may apply for loans, federal work-study, and scholarships offered through the University’s Office of Student Financial Services. Departmental funding is available on a competitive basis to full-time on-Grounds doctoral students who submit application materials by January 5, 2010.
Does the Curry School have rolling admissions?
No. Doctoral applicants submit all application materials by January 5. MT application materials are due March 1. Applications to MEd and EdS degree program areas are due by October 15 for spring admission and by March 15 for summer or fall admission (unless the deadline for the program is earlier.) Check the “Graduate Degree Program Areas and Application Deadlines” for information regarding application deadlines.
(Click here for information specific to off-Grounds programs.)
How will I know if you have received electronic test scores, recommendations and transcripts?
Beginning August 31, you can monitor receipt of recommendations, test scores, and transcripts through theApply Yourself web site. Remember, it takes at least 4 weeks for ETS to send us your scores after you take the exam, so plan accordingly to ensure materials reach our office by the application deadline.
How long will it take for faculty to review my application?
Faculty will begin their review after the application deadline. The review process generally takes three to four weeks. Please be certain all materials, including official transcripts and test scores, are submitted by the deadline posted for the program area of interest, so you remain a competitive applicant.
Do I need to take GREs?
Yes, all degree seekers must submit scores that are no more than 5 years old. Remember, it takes ETS at least a month to process your scores and send them to us electronically, so plan accordingly. Ask ETS to send an official copy of your scores to the University of Virginia; the school code is 5820.
Do I need to submit ACT, PRAXIS I, or SAT scores?
If you already have an undergraduate degree and you are applying to the on-Grounds Master of Teaching program or the off-Grounds initial licensure programs in Elementary Education or Special education, you must submit passing scores on one of these tests. We recommend you include a copy of your scores in the envelope with your official transcripts. This will allow us to match your electronic scores with your online data.
I have seen the score reporting data on the ETS website. What GRE scores will make me a competitive applicant?
Faculty consider several criteria (i.e., prior experiences, letters of recommendation, an applicants' goal statements transcripts) when making admission decisions. Competitive scores for MEd applicants are at or above 450 (verbal), 530 (quantitative), and 4.0 (analytical writing). Competitive scores for doctoral applicants are generally at or above 500 (verbal), 600 (quantitative), 4.5 (analytical writing).
What should I include in my goal statement on the application?
This is your opportunity to describe your understanding of and interest in the program area to which you are applying. The prompt on the application provides additional information you might include, particularly if you are applying to a doctoral program.
Are there special entrance requirements for international students?
International applicants are subject to language proficiency, visa, and financial requirements in addition to regular admissions requirements. If your first language is not English, you need to submtTOEFL iBT scores that are no more than two years old. If you are offered admission to a doctoral program, you may also be recommended for departmental financial aid. If not, you must plan to provide for your own financial support from personal funds. A minimum of $38,000 U.S. (in U.S. funds) is needed for a single student, exclusive of travel, for one academic year at the graduate level before an I-20 Form can be issued for a student visa. If you are married and accompanied by a spouse, this amount is $45,000. (These amounts are subject to change.) Link to the U.Va. Prospective Student Page for more information.
How do I calculate my GPA?
Use A+/A=4.0, A-=3.7, B+=3.3, B=3.0, B-=2.7, C+=2.3, C=2.0, C-=1.7, D+=1.3, D=1.0, D-=0.7, F=0.0. Multiply the number of credit hours for each course by the numerical equivalent of the letter grade to calculate “grade points.” Total your grade points and divide by total credit hours to determine your GPA.
Are interviews required?
If an interview is required, you will be contacted by program-area faculty.
What are the criteria for in-state status?
An applicant must live in Virginia for a period of at least one year immediately prior to the first day of classes while simultaneously demonstrating domiciling intent. Intent is demonstrated by, among other things, paying resident taxes to Virginia, obtaining a Virginia driver's license, car and voter registration. Questions on Virginia status should be directed to the Committee on Virginia Status, University of Virginia, Peabody Hall, P.O. Box 400160, Charlottesville, Virginia 22904; telephone (434) 982-3391. If you wish to claim in-state educational privileges, be sure to complete all questions on the Virginia In-State Educational Privileges form, which is part of the online application.
What is the cost of tuition?
Tuition rates can be found on the Student Accounts website.