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 and established in 1872, 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.
The Virginia Tech acceptance rate was 57% for the most recent incoming class. Just under 27,000 students were accepted out of roughly 47,000 applicants.
These statistics make Virginia Tech a moderately competitive school, but with a quality application and the right tips and strategies, you can gain acceptance to Virginia Tech!
If you want more information about how hard it is to get into Virginia Tech, take a look at the table below with acceptance rates from the past few years:
Source: Virginia Tech
Virginia Tech’s Early Decision acceptance rate is about 50%. This is roughly the same as the Regular Decision acceptance rate, but if you choose to apply Early Decision, you will receive your admissions decisions far earlier.
For more admissions data, here is a table with Virginia Tech’s Early Decision acceptance rates from the past few years:
Source: Virginia Tech Common Data Sets
With an acceptance rate of 57%, Virginia Tech is moderately selective with its students. The average applicant maintained a 4.06 GPA, which is significantly higher than the national average. With high grades, your admission chances are good!
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.
In our webinar on how admissions are decided, admissions expert Maisha offers advice on how to plan well for college applications.
“Planning is super, super, super important… You want to take advantage of all the time that you have in between your busy schedules, between classes and studying and extracurriculars, to actually dedicate that time to preparing your application… That means deciding what extracurriculars to do, dedicating that time to studying well to get really good grades, taking time to study and prepare for the SATs.”
Take our interactive quiz below to find out how likely you are to get into Virginia Tech.
To help you put together the best application possible, here are some statistics from Virginia Tech’s most recent incoming class!
The average Virginia Tech applicant has a 4.0 GPA. You’ll need to study hard to compete with this average number!
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.
The 50th percentile of Virginia Tech applicants’ SAT scores was 1330. If you want to be considered a competitive applicant, you should aim for an SAT score equal to or higher than this average number.
However, Virginia Tech is currently operating under a test-optional policy until 2025, meaning that you’re not required to submit standardized test scores. If you still choose to take the SAT despite this, don’t hesitate to reach out for help if you feel stressed or overwhelmed!
The median ACT score at Virginia Tech is about 29. If you want to be an extremely competitive applicant, having a strong ACT study plan can help you score as high as possible.
Virginia Tech seeks to admit applicants who are not only academically strong but are also committed to knowledge, discovery, and creativity, as seen in its mission statement. They look for leadership qualities and problem-solving skills in applicants.
For more information on how Virginia Tech evaluates applications, see the table below:
Source: Virginia Tech Common Data Set
The most important factors in Virginia Tech’s admission process, ranked as “Very Important,” include the rigor of your high school record, your academic GPA, and your application essay. These are the elements of your application you should focus on the most!
Be sure to write compelling, meaningful essays and strive to keep your GPA as high as possible. Take advanced and rigorous courses to demonstrate your academic potential.
Here’s what Maisha had to say about the importance of course rigor and why it matters for schools like Virginia Tech:
“Colleges want to see that you really made an effort, that you took advantage of what your high school offered, whether it be AP/IB courses or honors level courses, what extracurriculars you took advantage of. They really want to see what you did with what you had and how you made an effort to stand out.”
The Common Data Set also shows that Virginia Tech strives at admit applicants who are first-generation college attendees as well as Virginia residents. If either of these criteria apply to you, your chances will be increased!
Note that although in previous years, Virginia Tech has considered applicants’ ethnic status and legacy relations, they are eliminating these categories from the basis for selection.
To secure admission to this school, strive for an SAT score of 1330 or higher or an ACT score of 29 or above. Top Virginia Tech applicants also have GPAs of at least 4.06. For added competitiveness, pursue advanced coursework through AP or IB courses!
To apply to Virginia Tech, you’ll need to submit your transcripts or a self-reported academic record (SRAR) with at least 18 units of courses in high school, which include:
In addition, you may consider taking AP classes to make yourself a more competitive applicant.
You also may choose to submit the following for consideration:
Virginia Tech does not require recommendation letters and will not consider them if they are submitted.
Here are some of the most important dates and deadlines you’ll need to know to apply to Virginia Tech:
Source: Virginia Tech
For help with navigating the Common App, check out our downloadable guide! These college guides make the application process simple and easy.
Your self-reported academic record must be submitted before the academic materials' deadline. If 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.
The Regular Decision deadline to apply to Virginia Tech is January 15. However, you have until January 31 to submit your transcript or SRAR.
Virginia Tech’s Early Action deadline is November 15. Your high school transcripts or SRAR are due a bit later, on December 1.
If you’re intimidated by the task of getting into Virginia Tech, here are some tips to help make the application process easier for you!
Gaining admission to Virginia Tech requires discipline and hard work, especially related to academics. Virginia Tech considers the rigor of your high school academic report very important in their admissions decisions.
So, make sure you study hard and maintain high grades. Securing excellent grades and test scores will ensure that you impress the admissions committee. 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.
In our Ivy League acceptance webinar, admissions expert Jennifer advises taking calculated risks with rigorous coursework.
“... [B]e in as many AP courses as you can successfully pull off, but you don’t want to push yourself so hard that your GPA is going to drop. So, that’s something that you have to work out with your college counselor… to figure out what is going to be the best pathway for you to show both academic achievement and that you’ve taken these risks and extra challenges that show that you’re up to the rigor of the academic coursework that’s going to be expected from you.”
Virginia Tech believes in reviewing applicants holistically. This means that you have a chance to show you’re more than just the numbers. Being involved with your community, and maybe even starting a club, can help demonstrate valuable leadership skills.
All things considered, it’s really important to play to your strengths in your application. Since 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.
Virginia Tech is very committed to its motto, Ut Prosim, which means “That I May Serve.” It’s a good idea to tailor your application to show how you suit the school’s community and culture.
In our webinar on how to answer “Why This College?”, our expert Darryl Tiggle offers this advice:
“Being able to demonstrate that you’re interested in a college is essential. That’s how your output is going to come out, so make sure that you know about the schools that you’re looking at. The admissions officers want to know that you’ve done the research. And your competition, those who are winning? They’re doing research.”
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.
Each Virginia Tech applicant is required to submit responses to several short-answer supplemental essay questions. These questions are related to Virginia Tech’s motto, which is Ut Prosim, meaning “That I May Serve” in Latin. Each of your responses should be no longer than 120 words.
Here are the short-answer essay prompts for Virginia Tech:
Writing admission essays can be challenging, but remember that the most important thing is to show Virginia Tech who you are through your words. Jennifer offers this advice on writing essays:
“You want to find something that is going to stick in someone’s head and really reflect whatever you want to show. Think about some really fun stories that are going to be unique to you that you can work on with your college counselor and make the best portrait of yourself through those words.”
If you’re having difficulty answering these questions, it may be helpful to look at others’ work! Try checking out our database of college admission essays for inspiration.
For any further unanswered inquiries, check out the FAQs below on how to get into Virginia Tech.
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 in 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 that 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, make sure you join clubs and have diverse extracurriculars. Getting research experience can also 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 1330 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.
Remember, 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, 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 are 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 to make sure to communicate factors relevant to your situation. 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.
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