Graduate Application and Admission
Admission to the Graduate School is contingent upon receipt of a four year baccalaureate degree (or 3 year degree recognized by the Bologna process) from an accredited institution of higher education recognized by the
U.S. Department of Education and listed in the
Database of Accredited Post-secondary Institutions and Programs or an international equivalent. Additional requirements for graduate degrees, beyond those of the Graduate School, vary across academic units. Prior to submitting an application, individuals are encouraged to review the requirements and conditions for admission. Degrees and their requirements, as well as information about which degrees are offered at non-Blacksburg sites, are available at:
https://secure.graduateschool.vt.edu/graduate_catalog/programs.htm. Students currently enrolled for graduate degrees at other universities are usually expected to complete their degree requirements prior to their matriculation at Virginia Tech.
Applications for admission are reviewed and evaluated by the departmental Graduate Admissions Committee. Major factors considered in this evaluation are scholastic record, professional experience, letters of recommendation, and as appropriate, scores on standardized tests. Individual departments may have additional admission standards beyond those set by the Graduate School.
Applications and all related materials for admission should reach the Graduate School Office at least eight weeks before the beginning of the semester in which enrollment is requested. For financial assistance information, visit http://www.finaid.vt.edu. Applications for admission should be submitted on-line at:https://graduateschool.vt.edu/admissions/how-to-apply.html. If this is not possible, a printable application also is available.
Credentials
Applicants should submit copies of their transcripts with the online application. Unofficial copies are acceptable for review by the department and Graduate School. Upon admission, official transcripts should be sent to the Virginia Tech Graduate School. If the official transcript submitted for admission does not show bachelor's degree completion, the applicant will need to later supply another official transcript showing that the degree has been awarded/conferred.
Letters of reference can be submitted on line (preferred) or sent directly to the academic department.
Individual departments may require applicants to submit the results of the Graduate Record Examination (GRE). For applicants to the Pamplin College of Business, the Graduate Management Admissions Test (GMAT) is required. Please request that GRE or GMAT scores, if applicable, be sent to Virginia Tech. The Educational Testing Service Institution Code for Virginia Tech is 005859. Please visit academic department websites for other departmental requirements such as resumes, vitas, portfolios, etc. All credentials submitted in support of an application become the property of the university.
International Applicants
Legal Status and Financial Certification
All international students must hold valid non-immigrant visa status to enroll at Virginia Tech. Prior to the issuance of a certificate of eligibility to apply for the appropriate visa (I-20 or DS-2019 form), all international students must submit documentation of funding and demographic information. The following link provides information about what and how to submit: https://international.vt.edu/Immigration-Services/new-students.html. The Cranwell International Center will collect (1) information required for issuance of visa eligibility documents and (2) information that demonstrates that a student has sufficient financial resources for at least the first year of education. International students in F-1 and J-1 visa status and their accompanying dependents are required to carry health and accident insurance approved by Virginia Tech. International students who have been admitted and have shown proof of having sufficient funds to cover their educational and living expenses for at least one year are issued visa eligibility documents (I-20 or DS-2019 forms) by the Cranwell International Center.
Evidence of English Proficiency
International applicants are exempt from demonstrating English proficiency if they have graduated from an accredited university where English is the language of instruction or if they are U.S. permanent residents ("green card" holders). International applicants may demonstrate English proficiency by submitting scores from the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or the International English Language Testing System (IELTS). A minimum TOEFL score of 577 on the paper-based test (PBT) or 90 on the internet-based test (iBT) is required for consideration of the application.
On the iBT, subscores of at least 20 on each subtest (Listening, Speaking, Reading, and Writing) are required for admission. A minimum IELTS score of 6.5 is required for admission. Some departments have higher TOEFL or IELTS score requirements than those set by the Graduate School. Students who anticipate appointment as Graduate Teaching Assistants are expected to have scored 25 or greater on the TOEFL Speaking subtest. GTA appointment of a student scoring 20-24 on the Speaking subtest should be justified explicitly within the particular academic unit; appointment of a student scoring below 20 on the Speaking subtest requires justification with the Graduate School. For more details, see http://graduateschool.vt.edu/admissions/how-to-apply/testing-requirements.html.
Attending at Extended-Campus Locations
International students in F-1 or J-1 visa status may pursue graduate degrees in Blacksburg or at the extended-campus in the National Capital Region (NCR). Questions regarding enrollment eligibility at the NCR location should be directed to the International Graduate Student Services office of the Graduate School in NCR at 703/538-3743, GSSONCR@vt.edu; http://www.ncr.vt.edu/.
Requirements for Assistantships and Employment
International students in F-1 or J-1 status who obtained admission into a degree program are eligible for consideration by the academic departments for assistantships and in-state tuition scholarships. Part-time employment on campus is subject to federal regulations governing employment of student (F-1) and exchange visitor (J-1) visa holders. Blacksburg students should contact the Cranwell International Center, international@vt.edu, 540-231-6527; National Capital Region students should contact 703/538-3743, GSSONCR@vt.edu.
