If you’ve ever hoped to attend an advanced technical college in small town Virginia, read on to find out how to get into Virginia Tech!
Located in Blacksburg, Virginia Tech is a prestigious research university that offers advanced education in more than 180 programs of study. The school excels in technical areas such as engineering and computer science.
At Virginia Tech, students are able to tailor their education to fit their needs with interdisciplinary studies. With developed co-op options, this institution can set you on your path to future success. To make the most of these opportunities, it’s important to fine-tune your application, so you can get accepted to Virginia Tech.
Over the years, some of the school's requirements have changed. Keeping up to date on the latest trends with their admissions process will help get you ahead of the curve. Below, we’ll outline everything you need to know about how to get into Virginia Tech.
So, how hard is it to get into Virginia Tech? Overall, the Virginia Tech acceptance rate is 56%, but for early applicants this figure jumps to 64.3%, which is moderately selective. To maximize your chances of getting in, make sure you know the difference between early action vs. early decision before you apply.
There has been a considerable decrease in the acceptance rate over the years. Since 2016, it has remained relatively stable at around 70%. This nearly 15% decrease could be attributed to several factors, including an increase in college applicants and the move to test-optional policies.
That being said, you can still have a quality application and gain acceptance to Virginia Tech with the right tips and strategies.
To find out where you stand, consider the current student profile. The average Virginia Tech applicant had a 4.06 GPA. This has increased slightly since 2022, where it was 4.0. Don’t forget to check out how colleges look at your weighted GPA, and know how to stay on top of your studies to get a 4.0.
Approximately 50% of Virginia Tech matriculates have an SAT score in the range of 1210 and 1410 or an ACT score between 26 and 32. Just about 25% of students score above this range. Having a strong ACT study plan, as well as knowing relevant SAT vocabulary, can help you score as high as possible. Also, don’t hesitate to reach out for help if the SAT is making you feel stressed or overwhelmed.
Everything else considered, knowing the right pathway can make getting admitted to Virginia Tech a lot easier. Doing advanced coursework, such as IB and AP, can also make your application more appealing, especially when it aligns with your area of interest in college.
Currently, Virginia Tech is only accepting applications submitted through the Common App. This is a result of the school wanting to give students extra time to adjust to the new Coalition App platform. At any rate, here’s exactly what you need to apply.
To apply to Virginia tech you’ll need at least 18 units of courses in high school which include:
Remember that it’s important to challenge yourself, and balance a healthy course load that lets you grow on your educational journey. The classes required include a broad range of many different subjects. In addition, you may consider taking AP classes to make yourself a more competitive applicant.
Virginia Tech has several dates and deadlines, some of the most important ones are as follows:
Source: Virginia Tech
To apply to Virginia Tech, students must first complete their application through the Common App. This will require you to upload your GPA, SAT/ACT scores, personal essay, letters of recommendation, and details of your achievements.
Your self-reported academic record (SRAR) must be submitted before the academic materials' deadline. If for any reason you’ve attended school outside the US, you’ll need to submit your transcripts for review. This is also where you’ll submit your SAT/ACT scores if you choose to do so.
After you’ve submitted your application before the specified deadlines, it’s important to monitor your email for any additional instructions. It’s encouraged to use a personal email address as school email accounts may not be able to receive messages from all senders.
Gaining admission to Virginia Tech requires discipline and hard work. Making sure you secure excellent grades and test scores is just one of the things you can do to impress the admissions committee. Being involved with your community, and maybe even starting a club, can also help demonstrate valuable leadership skills.
Virginia Tech provides an extensive list of factors that can boost your chances of admission:
If any of these criteria applies to you, then you’re encouraged to discuss them further. Virginia Tech believes in reviewing applicants holistically. What this means is you have a chance to show you’re more than just your GPA or SAT scores. Demonstrating these aspects can communicate that you’re a well-rounded applicant.
All things considered, it’s really important to play to your strengths in your application. Remember, Virginia Tech takes the whole picture when it comes to admissions. Candidates should have at least some qualities out of the personal review that can highlight their responsibility and discipline.
As with any college application, communicating who you are and how you got to where you are today will help give insight into how you best fit into the community and student body.
For any further unanswered inquiries, check out the FAQs below on how to get into Virginia Tech.
Virginia Tech is moderately selective with its students. The average applicant maintained a 4.06 GPA, which is significantly higher than the national average. Although GPA is one of the most effective ways of having a strong application, it isn’t everything.
Making use of all your resources, and asking the right questions to college admissions officers, can give you critical information about your application and school of interest. As always, preparation goes a long way, and just because you don’t meet every metric, doesn’t mean you shouldn’t apply.
While getting admitted to Virginia Tech isn’t easy, certain factors can boost your chances of admission. A strong GPA is going to be one of the most deciding criteria. Other than that, your personal review can tilt chances to your favor.
The personal review is where you can show extenuating circumstances that make you a motivated student. If you’ve had significant familial responsibility, engagement with jobs or clubs, or even if you’re a first-generation college student, these factors can be taken into consideration when deciding your acceptance.
Admissions committees understand that not everything comes down to GPA. How you’ll grow as a student, and contribute through research opportunities, are both important.
Dealing with outside circumstances responsibly through your academic journey can show time management, and interpersonal attributes which are defining characteristics in a college environment.
While you can still apply to Virginia Tech with a 3.5 GPA, it will be much more difficult to gain admission. The average applicant has around a 4.0, meaning that you’ll have to make up for it in other ways. Keep in mind, the competition is different depending on which major you apply to.
Since Virginia Tech is test-optional, having stellar SAT/ACT scores can show your academic capabilities. Also, making sure you join clubs, have diverse extracurriculars, and even getting research experience can all present you as a more serious candidate.
Yes. Virginia Tech is test-optional, meaning you could get in without taking the SAT at all. A 1300 score would put you right in the middle 50% of applicants. Having a good SAT study plan can help you achieve this. A strong SAT score can be a great way to improve your application if there are other areas that are lacking.
Keep in mind, you can take the SAT as many times as you want. As long as you’re mindful about dates and deadlines, having multiple attempts can play to your advantage. Many students even plan in advance to take the test more than once. This way there isn’t an all deciding pressure on a single testing session.
Also know that if you excel in sciences, taking the ACT is something to consider. Finding out which one is easier will let you show your potential most effectively. Getting accepted at Virginia Tech is multi-faceted, and there’s no one size fits all approach to admissions.
Taking time to figure out which application criteria is most applicable to you is in your best interest. This way you’ll be able to show the admissions committee what areas you excel in.
Getting accepted to Virginia Tech is certainly no easy feat. Planning out your journey can help put your best foot forward and increase your chances of success. With the tools and insights this guide provides, you’ll surely be able to devise a college preparation plan that works for you.
In short, your best method of securing admission to Virginia Tech is to maintain a competitive GPA, and by making sure to communicate factors relevant to your situation in their personal review. Should your GPA be less than stellar, you can supplement your application with strong SAT/ACT scores.
Virginia Tech offers advanced education in a range of majors, especially science, technology, and engineering. Getting into Virginia Tech can help you advance in your career, and it also offers a rich network of more than 240,000 living alumni.
Although choosing which college is right for you is never an easy process, Virginia Tech is consistently highly ranked. Not only has it propelled the success of many Americans, but also people from all over the world.