Admissions

I would advise all prospective students looking at any university to start early, even as early as their Junior year of highscool if possible. For anyone attending this university I would advise you to go to your counselor or your professors if you have any types of questions about the school. Most of the professors are more than willing to assist you with troubles. I would also advise students to attend SI sessions, because they are extremely helpful and beneficial to you.

Don't judge a book by its cover. VCU is truly a diamond in the rough. Also, take advantage of the fact that you're in a real city, not some college town that only exists because of the college. There is SO much to do in Richmond!

Get the cheap dining plan, you'll never be able to use all 200 swipes in a semester and use your dining dollars. Buy your textbooks from VBC, but sell them back to Barns and Nobel. They're cheaper at VBC, and you get more money back at B&N.

www.ratemyprofessor.com or other sites of the like are SO HELPFUL in picking out your classes for your first semester!! I'm telling you!! If the reviews on the site say the professor is hard and will ruin your life, run away! or just ask around with people who've taken them before.

Get your application in as early as possible, especially if you want to be considered for VCU scholarships. On their website, it lists what the average credentials were for past scholarship recipients. If you fall within these ranges, you probably have a good shot at receiving one of them. Also, visit campus your senior year. I went twice. Once was to meet and talk with an art professor, getting both his suggestions for improvements to my portfolio and his first hand information about the School of the Arts and its programs. That trip I also toured the VCU campus, took the art department tour, and met and talked to students, getting their views on both VCU overall and the art program specifically. The second trip was to one of VCU's prospective student weekends where we even spent the night in one of the dorms. These two trips thus allowed me to choose VCU with my eyes wide open. If you are qualified, check out the Honors College. Although there are many perks given to its students, to me the best one is the fact that you get to register for classes before anybody else. This increases your odds of getting the classes and the specific sections that you want. If admitted to Honors College, be sure to schedule your over the summer required phone conference with your honors advisor as soon as possible. The earlier you are, the earlier your advisor can register you for your honors classes, and the greater the chance of getting them at the times that you would like.

stay focused, and don't let richmond life get in your way.

If anyone is looking to attend this school, you will love it hear, trust me. It is worth the distance, the price, and most of all the experience. I am glad for the choice i made, and if I could re do it all over again, I would've made it my first choice.

If you are on a tight budget and do not want to live on campus, I suggest you find an apartment or townhouse on the outskirts of the city. I live about 2 miles away from VCU but it is just far enough that it does not count as living downtown. It is much cheaper and the apartments are much nicer. Rent, rent, rent! Renting your books at VCU's Barnes and Noble is a big way to save money. If you know what books you need right from the start then do not wait to get them or they will be gone. Even the used books go fast so get there as soon as you can. Also, take advantage of the events and activities that both the city and VCU has to offer. Do not be afraid to try new things here, this city is great for new opportunities. Lastly, BE CAREFUL! Even the friendliest looking areas can be dangerous. Always lock your car doors, be aware of your surroundings, and try not to go anywhere alone, especially at night.

Visit the campus! People jump to conclusions that it's a city and are scared. It's not scary. Security is tight and the different between on and off campus is clear. Give it a chance and you'll love it!

prepare to work harder than you ever have in your coursework (for any college you're looking in attending, not just vcu). also, prepare to meet people from every spectrum of life and have a lot of fun. your views on everything will be challenged, but that's how we grow as people.