Virginia Commonwealth University

VCU Chemical and Life Science Engineering

Graduate students

Admission procedures

Admission proceduresApplication for admission to graduate study in the School of Engineering begins with the completion of an Application for Admission Form. The form is available on the Graduate School Web site.

A print version of the form will be furnished to the applicant upon request. Send the completed form to the School of Graduate Studies, Virginia Commonwealth University, P.O. Box 843051, Richmond, VA 23284-3051. A fee paid in the form of a check or money order (payable to VCU) must accompany the application. The fee cannot be returned nor credited toward tuition payment. Completion of the application process requires the submission of the following documents:

  1. Official transcripts of all undergraduate and graduate work sent directly from college or university registrars to the Graduate School (address above).
  2. Letters of recommendation from three present or former teachers or others believed by the applicant to be qualified to evaluate fitness to engage in graduate study for the degree in the field of choice.
  3. A personal letter from the applicant summarizing motivation, education and aims in pursuing graduate study.
  4. Verbal, quantitative and analytical portions of the Graduate Record Examination are required for all applicants and are recommended for M.D./Ph.D. applicants. Advanced or subject tests are not required. For information on the GRE examination, contact the Graduate School, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA 23284-3051; the Office of Student Services, School of Education, Virginia Commonwealth University, Oliver Hall, Room 2087, Richmond, VA 23284-2020; or Educational Testing Service, P.O. Box 955, Princeton, NJ 08540. Advanced or subject tests are not required.
  5. International applicants for whom English is not their native language must meet university admission requirements for performance on the Test of English as a Foreign Language. The current minimum TOEFL score is 550 paper/213 computer-based. Acceptance of an applicant is based on the recommendation of the Admissions Committee with approval of the program chair and the assistant dean for graduate affairs. To download application forms or to apply online, visit the VCU Graduate School’s Web site.