Hi guys, I'm considering applying to the University of Virginia and I'd love to get some insight into how competitive it is. What's the acceptance rate like, and what kind of GPA and extracurriculars do the admitted students usually have? Every bit of info helps!
The University of Virginia (UVA) is a highly competitive university. Admissions to UVA are definitely selective, with an acceptance rate of around 15-20% in recent years. For admitted students, the middle 50% GPA range is typically between 4.2 - 4.6 (weighted), which indicates that successful applications usually have a very strong academic record. A challenging course load including AP or IB classes, if available, will also be seen favorably.
As for test scores, remember that for the 2024-2025 application cycle UVA became test-optional. However, if you do choose to submit scores, the middle 50% SAT score range for admitted students has typically been between 1410 and 1510, while the ACT range is generally between 32 and 34.
When it comes to extracurriculars, UVA, like many other competitive schools, values depth over breadth. This means having a few activities that you are highly involved in, preferably in a leadership role, can be more advantageous than many activities with less involvement. Schools use the '4 Tiers of Extracurriculars' to judge the merit of your activities. Those in Tiers 1 and 2 (national or state-level accomplishments) will be particularly impactful.
In addition, your essays can make a big difference in your application. UVA's supplements provide a great chance to highlight personal qualities, interests, and experiences that your transcript and activity list might not fully reveal. Make sure to be authentic, thoughtful, and to show how you can contribute to UVA's community.
Finally, don't forget to check out UVA's net price calculator to have an estimated idea about the financial aspect, as UVA is known to meet 100% of demonstrated financial need of its students.
Keep in mind all of these are general trends and not absolutes. If you have distinctive factors that set you apart, they can compensate for areas where you might not fall precisely in these ranges.
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