Undergraduate Admissions
UVA School of Architecture is home to four closely related departments — architecture, architectural history, landscape architecture, and urban + environmental planning. With access to a wide range of coursework and engagement across these departments, undergraduate students at the School of Architecture gain a broad understanding of design and the built environment. The School's highly reputed undergraduate programs are rooted in creative and intellectual acts of design, making, research, scholarship, and engagement.
If you are currently a high school student (first-year) or college student enrolled outside of UVA (external transfer) exploring the wealth of opportunities that await you at the School of Architecture, read here for tips about applying:
STEP 1:
Regardless of whether you are just beginning your college search, or you are now in the process of applying, complete the UVA STUDENT INQUIRY FORM and be sure to indicate your Academic Interest as Architecture, Architectural History, or Urban + Environmental Planning. Completing this form allows us to know of your interest in the School of Architecture so we can invite you to special events designed specifically for prospective School of Architecture students.
STEP 2:
Connect with the School of Architecture through one of our many activities for prospective undergraduate students posted on our VISIT US page.
STEP 3:
Subscribe to NOTES from PEABODY, a blog maintained by the Office of Undergraduate Admission that provides relevant and timely information on the application process.
STEP 4:
All first-year and external transfer applicants to UVA School of Architecture submit their applications through the OFFICE OF UNDERGRADUATE ADMISSION. Be sure to visit their website for detailed information regarding application deadlines, the admission process, and much more.
STEP 5:
For transfer applicants to the Bachelor of Science Architecture program only, curate your portfolio. The portfolio for transfer applicants to the BS Architecture degree program is a valuable part of the application process and helps us to understand your creativity and visual communications skills. View the PORTFOLIO GUIDELINES FOR TRANSFER STUDENTS for additional details.
Note: First-Year applicants to the School of Architecture no longer submit work samples or portfolios as part of their applications. Students should use the university essays to express their creativity and interest in pursuing study in the School of Architecture.
EXTERNAL TRANSFER APPLICANTS:
Credit for courses fulfilling general requirements taken outside of UVA is routinely given if the courses are determined to be equivalent to courses offered at UVA. Core courses within the School of Architecture curriculum may not be eligible for transfer credit. In some circumstances, courses from other schools of architecture may be determined to satisfy program requirements. Department of Architecture degree students will not receive credit for drafting or computer drafting courses previously completed.
Contact Maya Drake, Academic Advisor, with additional questions about transferring.
Note: The School of Architecture welcomes applications from students enrolled outside of UVA for fall entry only.
If you are currently enrolled at UVA in a program other than one in the School of Architecture and are interested in majoring in a discipline offered at the A-School, or you are currently enrolled in the School of Architecture and wish to change majors, read here for tips about transferring:
STEP 1:
Schedule an advising meeting with Tashana Starks, Director of Advising + Academic Support as soon as you discover your interest in transferring into the School of Architecture. The Director of Advising + Academic Support will discuss your transfer options and will assist you with advising and course selection.
STEP 2:
The internal transfer application is entirely electronic and all materials, with the exception of letters of recommendation, must be submitted by the applicant as part of the TRANSFER APPLICATION.
+ SCHOOL OF ARCHITECTURE TRANSFER APPLICATION PORTAL
+ LETTER OF INTENT (1 page max.): Describe your motivations for transferring to the School of Architecture, and your major of interest (Architectural History, Architecture, or Urban + Environmental Planning).
+ TRANSCRIPT: Upload a current academic advising transcript printed from your SIS account to the TRANSFER APPLICATION.
+ LETTERS OF RECOMMENDATION: Indicate on the TRANSFER APPLICATION the names of the two (2) people that you will ask to submit recommendations on your behalf.
Provide each recommender with the RECOMMENDATION UPLOAD link. Recommendation requests will not be automatically generated based on the information provided in the TRANSFER APPLICATION.
Note: Letters of recommendation are due by the application deadline. Applicants are strongly encouraged to provide recommenders with the RECOMMENDATION UPLOAD link at least 2 weeks in advance of the application deadline so that recommenders have adequate time to submit their letters.
We strongly recommend that one recommendation comes from a School of Architecture faculty member in the program into which the student is seeking to transfer. The second letter of recommendation can be from a teaching assistant from the School of Architecture or a UVA faculty member outside the School of Architecture.
+ DIGITAL PORTFOLIO (Bachelor of Science — Architecture applicants only): Submit a digital portfolio of no more than 10 pages of graphic work (PDF format; 15MB limit).
View our PORTFOLIO GUIDELINES for additional details.
Note: We highly recommended that at least one course be completed in the desired School of Architecture program before submitting an application to transfer to that program.
STEP 3:
Internal transfer applicants must ensure the application and all application materials are submitted by the following deadlines:
SPRING ENTRY:
These dates apply to first-year students who wish to transfer to the School of Architecture as an undeclared major, or second-year students who wish to transfer to the School of Architecture to Architectural History or Urban and Environmental Planning.
NOVEMBER 01: Application Deadline
NOVEMBER 15: Decision Notification Date
FALL ENTRY:
These dates apply to students who wish to transfer to the second or third year in Architecture, Architectural History, or Urban and Environmental Planning.
MARCH 01: Application Deadline
MAY 01: Decision Notification Date
Contact a-school-admissions@virginia.edu with questions about the internal transfer application process.
TUITION + FEES
An estimated cost of attendance is provided by the Student Financial Services.
FINANCIAL AID
Two hundred years ago, UVA was founded on a powerful idea: that the next great leaders, thinkers and innovators could come from all walks of life. UVA and the School of Architecture remain committed to this ideal, with a financial aid model that makes a top education affordable to all U.S. students:
+ UVA accepts students solely on their academic merit, regardless of their ability to pay.
+ UVA meets 100% of your financial need. As long as students apply by the annual March 1st deadline, UVA will meet 100% of their demonstrated financial need through a combination of grants, federal work-study and federal need-based loans.
+ UVA limits your debt. We limit need-based loans to an average of $4,500 per year for in-state students and $7,000 per year for out-of-state students.
UVA School of Architecture offers a number of departmental scholarship awards for returning students. These are awarded on an annual basis.