Uva supplemental essays 2022-2023

The University of Virginia accepts applications from first-year and transfer students through the Common Application. Students are required to submit their portion of the application online. Counselors and teachers may choose to submit their documents online or by mail.

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Admission Dates & Deadlines Summary

We do not accept resumes, research papers, or supplemental application items that do not fit the criteria for arts supplements.

Early Decision vs. Early Action vs. Regular Decision

We maintain a consistent review throughout the application process so there is no advantage to choosing one application plan over another. We hope to offer students multiple options and the ability to choose the option that is best suited for them. All students applying for financial aid who have submitted the required documents by the priority deadlines will receive a preliminary aid award shortly after admission decisions are released. Below is additional information about our application choices.

Early Decision is a binding admission plan for students who have determined that UVA is their first choice and who feel they can present a strong application without senior grades being reviewed. Students admitted through the Early Decision admission plan are required to cancel their applications elsewhere and enroll in UVA. Decisions of admit, defer, or deny will be released in mid-December and students are expected to submit deposits by January 1. Deferred students will be reviewed during Regular Decision.

Early Action is a non-binding and unrestrictive admission plan that may be an attractive option for those feel they can present a strong application without senior grades being reviewed. We aim to release decisions of admit, defer, or deny by mid-February. Students admitted through the Early Action admission plan will have until May 1 to reserve a spot by in the incoming class. Deferred students will be reviewed during Regular Decision.

Regular Decision is a non-binding and unrestrictive admission plan that allows students more time to complete the application and to have grades from the first term of their senior year considered in the review. Students will be notified of their admission decisions by April 1 Students admitted through the Regular Decision admission plan will have until May 1 to reserve a spot in the incoming class.

If you would like to change your chosen plan after submitting an application, you must email us within 24 hours of submission.

School Choice & Academic Interests

You may list two academic interests in addition to your undergraduate school choice. Unless you are applying to the Kinesiology program, you will not declare a major at UVA until the end of your first or second year.

If you would like to change your chosen school after submitting an application, please email us within ten days of the application deadline. Admitted students should plan to enroll in the school to which they have applied.

Standardized Testing

Test Optional

For the Fall 2023 cycle the University of Virginia has adopted a test optional policy. The submission of standardized test scores is not required for admission as a first-year or transfer applicant to the University during this admission cycle. Students who wish to include testing as part of their application may continue to do so, but those who do not will be at no disadvantage in the application review.

Reporting Scores

Applicants who wish to have testing considered will self-report their scores on the application. After the deadline, applicants may submit updated scores through their portal.  Admitted students who enroll at UVA must request official score reports from the SAT or ACT for verification. Our ETS code is 5820. Our ACT code is 4412.

Super-scoring

For applicants submitting test scores, has been the Office of Admission’s long-standing policy to consider the best test scores submitted by applicants. We use the top score from each SAT section across all administrations of the same exam. We hope you will submit all of your scores knowing that we will recombine the sections to get the best possible set of scores. If reporting an ACT score, report the composite and sub-scores as they appear on your official score report without any recalculation.

The ACT Writing sections are not used in our review. 

TOEFL/IELTS

Students whose first language is not English or who have attended an English-speaking school for fewer than two years are encouraged to provide evidence of their English proficiency by submitting the results of the TOEFL or the IELTS.

School Forms & Recommendations

We require the secondary school report and one teacher evaluation from an academic subject teacher for each first-year application.

Your school counselor can submit the secondary school report online. A counselor recommendation can be submitted with the secondary school report. Your academic teacher recommendation should also be submitted online. In addition to the secondary school report, your counselor should submit the school profile and your transcript(s) online.

If your counselor is unable to write a recommendation letter, please request that the secondary school report still be completed and submitted online. If your counselor is unable to provide a written recommendation, you may submit a recommendation from another school administrator or academic teacher if possible. Please know that in this situation, a counselor recommendation is not required for your application to be reviewed.

If your school is unable to submit these documents electronically, they can be mailed.

Arts & Architecture Supplements

Arts Supplements

The Admission Office actively seeks artists, musicians, dancers and students in all areas of theatre to invigorate our community through their dedication to the arts.

Students who exhibit exceptional talent in the arts may submit an arts portfolio through the Common Application via Slideroom. This portfolio is an optional part of the application process and is intended for those who plan to engage seriously in the University’s arts departments as students. Completed portfolio evaluations are shared with the admission committee and are considered as part of the overall application review. These portfolios are not required to enroll in arts-related classes at the University of Virginia and will only be used for the admission process. If a student who has already submitted their Common App wants to submit an art suppliement, they may create a Slideroom account using their Common App ID.

Supplemental portfolios must be received by the application deadline and adhere to departmental guidelines to guarantee review.

Architecture Supplements

All transfer applicants interested in majoring in Architecture are required to submit a portfolio following the guidelines and submission requirements on the School of Architecture website. Transfer applicants interested in Urban Planning and Architectural History are not required to submit portfolios.

Residency

If you wish to claim entitlement to Virginia in-state educational privileges pursuant to the Code of Virginia, Section 23-7.4, you must complete the residency section of the application. If supporting documents are requested after an application is submitted, fax them to 434-982-2663. See the Office of Virginia Status website for more information.

Demonstrated Interest

We do not track attendance at tours, information sessions, high school visits, or other programs (commonly referred to as demonstrated interest) to use during the application review.

Submitting Updates After Deadline

All application updates should be uploaded via the student portal. Applicants received an email with login credentials for the portal a few days after their Common App was received. Please do not email updates to individual admission officers.