Discover all the cool stuff happening at Virginia Tech and the great chance to learn there if you’re from another country. Find out how to get in and what you can study. Additionally, you get all the help you’ll get along the way at this awesome university known for its research. In this post, we talk about International Students Admission to Virginia Polytechnic Institute. Apply now and begin your adventure.
Overview of Virginia Polytechnic Institute
Virginia Tech, also called VPI, is a big public university in Blacksburg, Virginia. It started back in 1872 as the Virginia Agricultural and Mechanical College.
Besides the main campus, it also has schools in six other places in Virginia. The include; a research center in Punta Cana, Dominican Republic, and a study-abroad spot in Riva San Vitale, Switzerland. Virginia Tech has a special military program called Corps of Cadets ROTC.
Lots of students, about 37,000, study there, and they can also choose from 280 different programs. It’s the second biggest public university in Virginia.
Virginia Tech’s sports teams are called the Hokies. They also play in Division I of the NCAA in the Atlantic Coast Conference.
There are some really impressive people who graduated from Virginia Tech, like Rhodes Scholars, Medal of Honor recipients, and even Nobel laureates. As of a few years ago, there were over 240,000 alumni all around the world.
See also: International Students Admission to Oregon State University
International Students Admission to Virginia Polytechnic Institute
If you’re thinking about whether you’re an international student at Virginia Tech, here’s how you can tell:
- You’re not a citizen or a permanent resident of the United States.
- You meet the basic requirements for applying to the university.
- You’re looking to study for your first degree as an undergraduate, whether you’re starting fresh, transferring from another school, or just visiting for a short time without aiming for a degree.
Academic Requirements
To apply as a freshman at Virginia Tech, you need to finish these:
- 3 math classes (like algebra I, geometry, and algebra II)
- 2 science classes with labs (you can pick from biology, chemistry, or physics)
- It’s good to have extra academic classes, especially in a foreign language.
Certain majors might need extra tough classes, like another year of advanced math or science labs. Usually, students who get accepted have done more than the basic requirements and have at least a B+ average.
English Proficiency Requirements
If English isn’t your first language, you’ll also need to prove you’re good at it to apply to Virginia Tech. You can do this by getting a certain score on one of these tests:
- TOEFL: 80 or higher, with no section less than 16.
- IELTS: 6.5 or higher, with no section below 6.5.
- PTE: 59 or higher.
- Duolingo: 115 or higher.
- Cambridge Assessment: English score of 176 or higher.
- SAT: 550 or higher on Evidence-based Reading and Writing.
- ACT: 24 or higher on the English section.
- IGCSE/GCSE/GCE: A, B, or C, or 6-9 in English First Language or English Language.
- International Baccalaureate: 5 or higher on English Language and Literature (English A).
These scores need to be from a test you took in the last two years. If you’re using self-reported scores for your application, you’ll need to send official score reports if you get accepted and also decide to go to Virginia Tech. Make sure to also have your official IELTS/TOEFL/PTE scores sent directly to Virginia Tech using their CEEB code (5859).
You have to report your English test scores by these deadlines:
- Early Action: January 15
- Regular Decision: February 1
More Information:
If you’ve completed high school (grades 9-12 or equivalent) in one of these English-speaking countries: United States, United Kingdom, Ireland, Scotland, Wales, Australia, New Zealand, Canada (except Quebec), Singapore, Ghana, Kenya, Liberia, Nigeria, South Africa, Zambia, Zimbabwe, and specific Caribbean countries, and English was the only language of instruction without taking ESL classes, then you don’t need to prove your English skills.
But if you haven’t met the English requirements, you can join Virginia Tech’s Language and Culture Institute (VTLCI) program until you’re proficient. Once you finish the program, you can become a regular student at Virginia Tech.
SAT/ACT Optional
Virginia Tech doesn’t need the SAT or ACT scores from international applicants. But if you want to send them, make sure they’re sent to the Office of Undergraduate Admissions using these codes: CEEB code 5859 for SAT and ACT code 4420.
Awarding of Advanced Standing Credit
Virginia Tech gives college credit for certain exams and courses like the German Abitur, A Levels, International Baccalaureate, and AP courses. To get credit, you need to send an official copy of your exam results and the course syllabus to the Office of the University Registrar at this address: 250 Student Services Building, Blacksburg, VA 24061 USA. You can find more details on their website.
See also: International Students Admission to Stony Brook University
Cost and Expenses for International Students Admission to Virginia Polytechnic Institute
For international students planning to attend Virginia Tech on an F-1 student visa, you’ll need to prove you have enough money to cover your first year of study before the university can issue you the required I-20 form. This form is necessary for your F-1 visa interview.
If you’re coming to Virginia Tech as a J-1 bilateral exchange student, you must demonstrate you have at least $8,200 USD for each semester you’ll be studying here before the university can issue you the required DS-2019 form. This form is needed for your J-1 student visa interview.
While F-1 and J-1 visa holders are allowed to work on campus, job opportunities are scarce. You’re not permitted to work off campus without proper authorization, which must be approved by the university’s International Student Advisor or USCIS.
For international students with other visa statuses, it’s essential to understand that visa regulations vary significantly. If you have questions about the regulations for your visa type, reach out to the Cranwell International Center at international@vt.edu. They can provide guidance and support.
Financial Requirements for International Students Admission to Virginia Polytechnic Institute
International students applying for or holding F-1 or J-1 visa status at Virginia Tech must demonstrate they have enough funds to cover at least one year of expenses before they can receive a Form I-20 or DS-2019. These financial requirements are based on the cost of tuition, fees, living expenses, and other miscellaneous costs for one academic year, which typically includes two semesters.
All financial documents submitted must meet the following criteria:
- Issued within the last six months.
- Represent liquid assets, meaning the funds are readily available.
- Presented in English or accompanied by a translated version.
- Include the date, account holder’s name (or provide a signed Affidavit of Support if the documents are not in the student’s name), account balance or award amount.
- File size should be 10MB or less, and acceptable formats include PDF, JPG, PNG, BMP, or GIF.
Accepted financial documents may include:
- Bank statement or letter (must specify the currency if not in USD and indicate the type of account, such as savings or checking).
- Loan certificate or letter (should mention when funds will be disbursed if not already available).
- Official letter from a government agency or sponsor.
- Assistantship, Fellowship, or Scholarship award letter and/or contract.
Ensuring that these financial documents meet the specified criteria is crucial for international students applying for or maintaining F-1 or J-1 visa status at Virginia Tech.
See also: International Students Admission to University of Kansas
FAQ for International Students Admission to Virginia Polytechnic Institute
Who should apply as first year?
If you haven’t taken at least 12 college or university-level credit hours after finishing high school, you should apply as a first-year student at Virginia Tech. This also applies if you’re earning an associate degree along with your high school diploma.
How do I apply?
To apply, you’ll use the Common App.
When should I apply for admission?
You can start applying to Virginia Tech after August 1 each year, usually during your senior year of high school.
When can I visit Virginia Tech?
We’ve got various ways for you to check out the campus firsthand, like daily visits during the school year and special Open House weekends. You can get more details about visiting on our website. Just a heads up: we don’t offer fee waivers for visits, and showing interest in visiting won’t affect your application.
Do VT accept Letters of Recommendation?
As for letters of recommendation, we don’t require them as part of your application. If there’s something important you want to share that impacted you academically or personally, you can do so in the Additional Information section of the Common App. Your school counselor can also write a letter about your circumstances and email it to admissions@vt.edu to include with your application. But remember, this isn’t for recommendation letters.
What GPA do i need to apply?
Virginia Tech doesn’t have a set GPA requirement for applicants. What matters most is that you’ve got a mix of As and Bs, especially in more challenging courses available at your high school. Since GPAs can differ a lot between schools, we pay close attention to the grades you’ve earned.
Can I change my mind even after I Apply?
If you’ve already applied and want to switch your decision plan type, you can do so by emailing appchange@vt.edu, as long as the deadline for the new decision plan type is still open.
How can I check my application status?
After you submit your application for admission, you’ll get an email within a few days inviting you to create an account for your Applicant Portal. The earliest you might receive this email is September 1st.
What majors do you offer?
As for majors, we’ve got over 150 different ones for you to choose from. You can check out the full list on our Virginia Tech Undergraduate Majors webpage. When you apply, you’ll need to pick a specific major or choose to be undecided.
See also: International Students Admission to Amherst College
Conclusion
Virginia Tech is a great place for international students to reach their academic dreams. It’s got friendly vibes, awesome resources, and cool stuff to learn. With lots of different people, top-notch teachers, and new ideas, Virginia Tech gives students an exciting experience that gets them ready for the world. So, join the Hokie family and start an amazing educational adventure at Virginia Tech!
See also: https://www.topuniversities.com/universities/virginia-polytechnic-institute-state-university