Virginia Tech Admissions – Introduction
Virginia Tech University is a public land grant research university located in Blacksburg, Virginia. Also known as VA Tech, Virginia Tech was founded in 1872. The Virginia Tech enrollment consists of over 36,000 students, including 29,300 undergraduates and 7,000 graduates. Despite this large enrollment, the Virginia Tech admissions team has high standards, admitting only 56% of applicants.
In this guide, we will discuss the following topics to help you decide if Virginia Tech should be on your college list:
- Virginia Tech admissions requirements
- Is Virginia Tech hard to get into?
- Virginia Tech GPA requirements
- What is the Virginia Tech admissions deadline?
- Virginia Tech Admissions vs. UVA Admissions
While the Virginia Tech acceptance rate is below average, understanding VA Tech admissions requirements is the first step in assessing whether or not Virginia Tech University is the best-fit university for you. Therefore, if you are wondering how to get into Virginia Tech, this guide is perfect for you.
What are the Virginia Tech admissions requirements?
The Virginia Tech admissions requirements are very specific. According to the Virginia Tech admissions office, first-year applicants must have 18 units of high school coursework, including:
- 4 units of English
- 3 units of Math (including Algebra 1, Geometry, and Algebra II)
- 2 units of Laboratory Science (chosen from Biology, Chemistry, or Physics)
- 2 units of Social Science (one must be History)
- 3 additional academic units (Foreign Language is highly recommended)
- 4 elective units
In addition to a rigorous academic program, VA Tech admissions looks for engagement outside of the classroom. So, highlight your extracurriculars within your Virginia Tech application.
Supplemental materials
After you complete your application, you must then submit some additional materials. These will depend on your academic history.
- First-year applicants who have only attended high school or been home-educated in the U.S. must submit a Self-Reported Academic Record (SRAR) for review. If you choose for your SAT/ACT scores to be reviewed, then you must include them on your SRAR.
- First-year applicants who have attended high school or been home-educated outside of the U.S. at any point must submit their transcript(s) for review. If you choose for your SAT/ACT scores to be reviewed, then include them on your application for admission or upload a score report in your Applicant Portal.
- First-year applicants whose native language is not English will need to demonstrate English language proficiency through testing. For more information, please visit the international requirements webpage.
Additionally, VA Tech admissions does not require college interviews. However, many competitive universities do. To prepare, read our College Interview Guide.
Is Virginia Tech hard to get into?
Yes, Virginia Tech is relatively hard to get into.
Virginia Tech admissions is considered selective. The Virginia Tech acceptance rate is 56% for Regular Decision applicants. For Early Decision applicants, however, the VA Tech acceptance rate is 64.3%—slightly higher. Additionally, on average, students admitted to VA Tech receive an SAT score between 1210 and 1410 or an ACT score between 26 and 32.
That said, VA Tech admissions seeks well-rounded students who shine both inside and outside of the classroom. Once you apply, the VA Tech admissions office will place your Virginia Tech application under an academic and personal review.
VA Tech admissions’ academic review includes:
- Rigor of your academic program within the context of your school
- Grades in courses, including trends over time
- Standardized test scores (if applicable; test-optional for students entering through Fall 2025)
- Your intended major, as Virginia Tech admissions reviews by major
Virginia Tech admissions’ personal review includes:
- Activities outside of the classroom like jobs, clubs, sports, family responsibilities, service, research, etc.
- Disciplinary record
- First-generation college student status
- Interest in the Corps of Cadets
- Legacy of parents, guardians, or siblings
- Participation in Virginia Tech pipeline programs
- Personal statements submitted through the Ut Prosim Profile
- Race and/or ethnicity
- Residency
- Veteran status
Essentially, like other top schools, VA Tech admissions uses a holistic review process. So, each year, the Virginia Tech enrollment includes diverse students from across the nation.
What GPA do you need to get into Virginia Tech?
In order to get into Virginia Tech, you may think you need to have a certain GPA to meet the cutoff. However, Virginia Tech admissions does not report a minimum GPA requirement.
That said, admitted students still have an average GPA of 3.9. So, when preparing your application, you’ll want to aim for a high GPA while taking rigorous courses.
What is the Virginia Tech admissions deadline?
For first-year students, Virginia Tech admissions has three application types: Early Decision, Early Action, and Regular Decision.
- For Early Action, the VA Tech application deadline is November 15. All additional materials are then due by December 1.
- For Regular Decision, the VA Tech application deadline is January 15. All additional materials are then due by January 31.
Once you submit your VA Tech application, you can check the status of your application through the Virginia Tech admissions portal.
Demystifying the Virginia Tech Admissions Process
Whether you are a first-generation college student or come from a line of college graduates, the Virginia Tech Admissions process can be complex.
Next, let’s look at 8 steps to help you complete your VA Tech application. That way, you can develop a clear strategy as you plan for the admissions process.
8 Steps to the Virginia Tech Admissions Process
Step 1
Learn more about Virginia Tech by visiting the admissions website or using our VA Tech resources from CollegeAdvisor.com.
Step 2
Use the Virginia Tech undergraduate admissions website to learn more about the first-year Virginia Tech admissions requirements. You can also check out the Virginia Tech admissions blog.
Step 3
Then, schedule a campus visit to view Virginia Tech in person and ensure the school is the right fit. While on campus, if you have any questions, stop by the Virginia Tech admissions office. If you do not have time to stop at the Virginia Tech admissions office, you can still contact a VA Tech admissions representative online.
Step 4
Apply to Virginia Tech using the Common App. You should also ensure your supplemental essays are on point by checking out CollegeAdvisor’s “How to” Guide on writing Virginia Tech supplemental essays.
Step 5
Then, submit your academic and extracurricular information through the Common App platform.
Step 6
Ensure you submit all materials by the application deadline. You can check the status of your application through the Virginia Tech admissions portal.
Step 7
Then, it’s time to await your admissions decision and acceptance letter. Depending on your application type, your decision may arrive in either December, February, or March.
Step 8
Once you receive your college acceptance, complete your college enrollment by May 1.
Virginia Tech Admissions vs. UVA Admissions
Students considering Virginia Tech may also consider The University of Virginia (UVA). The University of Virginia is a public research university in Charlottesville, Virginia. Founded in 1819 by Thomas Jefferson, UVA is considered highly selective, with an acceptance rate of 21%.
Still, the Virginia Tech admissions process is very similar to the University of Virginia admissions process. You’ll also use the Common Application to apply to both schools. Furthermore, both schools use a holistic approach to the admissions process. So, you should pursue a variety of extracurriculars to strengthen your application. Lastly, as of the Fall 2023 application season, both schools are test-optional.
Differences in admissions requirements
As a more selective university, UVA has higher standards than Virginia Tech admissions. On average, those admitted to UVA have an SAT score between 1390 and 1530 or an ACT score between 32 and 35. Furthermore, while Virginia Tech does not use recommendation letters for admissions decisions, the University of Virginia requires applicants to submit one letter of recommendation from a core academic content teacher.
Lastly, the University of Virginia has different application deadlines than Virginia Tech admissions. Therefore, UVA admissions decisions are different from Virginia Tech admissions decisions.
Let’s take a look:
| School | Application Plan | Deadline | Notifications |
| UVA | Early Decision | November 1 | December 15 |
| UVA | Early Action | November 1 | February 15 |
| UVA | Regular Decision | January 5 | April 1 |
| Virginia Tech | Early Action | November 15 | TBD |
| Virginia Tech | Regular Decision | January 1 | TBD |
While Virginia Tech and the University of Virginia are on the East Coast, you may find that a school on the West Coast is a better fit. If you want to learn more about western schools, then check out our “The Best Colleges in California” guide for some recommendations.
When do Virginia Tech decisions come out?
Virginia Tech admissions decisions are released at three different times, depending on your application type.
Virginia Tech Admissions Decisions
- The official site says applicants will receive notifications “TBD”. However, here are some general time frames other students have noted.
- Early Action applicants are notified of their admissions decision by late February. If admitted, students must reply by May 1st.
- Regular Decision applicants are notified of their admissions decision by early March. If admitted, students must reply by May 1st.
You can check the status of your application through the Virginia Tech admissions portal.
Virginia Tech Admissions Requirements – Five Takeaways
If you were wondering how to get into Virginia Tech, we hope this guide clarifies things. Here are five key takeaways from this article about Virginia Tech admissions.
Five Takeaways for Virginia Tech Admissions
1. Do Your Research
There is a lot to learn about VA Tech admissions. Luckily, there are many resources available. You can complete your research online through the Virginia Tech admissions blog or website. You can also schedule a campus visit or check in with the VA Tech admissions office. Regardless, get as much information about the school as possible.
2. Ask For Help
While a lot of information is available online, you’ll likely run into some questions. Therefore, while completing your application to Virginia Tech, be sure to ask for help. Virginia Tech admissions office does a great job ensuring their admissions representatives are accessible. You can find your admissions counselor information here.
3. Have a Strong Academic Resume
While Virginia Tech admissions complete a holistic application review, you still need a strong academic resume. Therefore, ensure you take rigorous courses and maintain an above-average GPA and SAT/ACT scores. Also, remember that Virginia Tech is currently test-optional. So, if you choose not to submit your SAT or ACT scores, be sure to have a high GPA.
4. Be More Than Smart
VA Tech admissions uses a holistic review process. As a result, ensure you have a variety of extracurricular involvements. Extracurricular activities include jobs, sports, clubs, family responsibilities, and research. Your extracurricular activities should also align with your intended major and profession if possible.
5. Pay Attention to Deadlines
Once you have met the requirements of VA Tech admissions, it’s time to submit. The key thing that will stand in the way of a perfect application is missing the deadline. So, ensure you identify whether you plan to apply Early Decision, Early Action, or Regular Decision. Then, check the Virginia Tech application deadlines. Finally, make sure you submit your application and supplemental materials on time. You can also check the Virginia Tech admissions portal to view the status of your application.
So, best of luck with your application cycle. If you need more help, then check out our resources for additional guidance.
This guide to Virginia Tech Admissions was written by Senior Advisor Ashley Hollins. Looking for more admissions support? Click here to schedule a free meeting with one of our Admissions Specialists. During your meeting, our team will discuss your profile and help you find targeted ways to increase your admissions odds at top schools. We’ll also answer any questions and discuss how CollegeAdvisor.com can support you in the college application process.
