Virginia Commonwealth University is a public institution of higher education and Research University in Richmond, Virginia. It was established in 1838. This university is also known as VCU. The Motto of this university in English is “Make it real”
History of Virginia Commonwealth University
In 1838, the history of this university began when the Medical Department of Hampden Sydney College opened in Richmond. It moved into its first permanent home which was the Egyptian Building in 1844. The medical Department of Hampden Sydney College received an independent charter from the Virginia General Assembly in 1854 and became the Medical College of Virginia.
A few years later, the Medical College of Virginia conveyed all its property to the Commonwealth of Virginia in 1860 and became a state institution in exchange for almost $30,000. Richmond became a focal point for battle and politics as the Civil War started. In April 1865, Ulysses S. Grant captured Petersburg and Richmond after a long siege.
Medical College of Virginia participated in medical advances including in Anesthesia and Antisepsis. College of Physicians and Surgeons which was later University College of Medicine was founded by Hunter Holmes McGuire in 1893.
In the following year, the Medical College of Virginia and UCM merged through the hard work of George Ben Johnston and Stuart McGuire. MCV acquired the Memorial Hospital as a result of the combination. It became the Richmond division of The College of William & Mary in 1925.
In 1947, the MCV Foundation was integrated, and in 1962 RPI separated from William & Mary to become an independent state institution. In 1968, State Legislation fused MCV and RPI to become Virginia Commonwealth University.
Former Name of the Virginia Commonwealth University
Earlier, the name of this university was the Medical College of Hampden Sydney.
President and Rector of the Virginia Commonwealth University
Michael Rao has been the President of this university since 2009 and is still present while Todd P. Haymore is the Rector of this university.
Student Enrolled at Virginia Commonwealth University
In the academic year 2021-2022, this university enrolled a total of 8,919 students out of which 21,707 were undergraduate students and 7,212 were Postgraduate students. It has almost 3,279 academic staff and 11,252 administrative staff.
Admission Criteria/Requirements at Virginia Commonwealth University
For Undergraduate Admissions
- Application Fee: 70 USD
Admission Requirements:
- At least 20 units with recommended minimum as:
- English: 4 Units
- Mathematics: 3 Units
- History & Social Studies: 3 Units
- Science: 3 Units
- One Foreign Language: 3 Units or 2 Foreign Languages: 2 Units
- Average Score on SAT or ACT & GED
- Letters of Recommendation
- Essay Submitted with the Common Application
- Minimum GPA: 3.3
- High School Transcripts
- High School Profiles
For Graduate Admissions
- Application Fee: 70 USD
Admission Requirements:
- Completed Application Form
- Original and certified copies of Academic Records
- Attending Date for Each Institution
- List of Courses taken with each grade
- Degrees Indicating Class Rank
- Proof of English Language Proficiency
- Personal Statement
- Minimum Undergraduate GPA: 3.0
- Certificate of Finances
- Letter of Recommendation
Cost of Attendance at Virginia Commonwealth University
Cost of Attendance in 2022-2023 Academic Year (Living on Campus)
Undergraduate Resident:
- Tuition & Fees: $15,642
- Room & Board: $12,279
- Books & Supplies: $1,240
- Personal & Miscellaneous: $3,524
- Transportation: $1,396
- Loan Fees: $70
- Total: $34,151
Undergraduate Non-Resident:
- Tuition & Fees: $37,588
- Room & Board: $12,279
- Books & Supplies: $1,240
- Personal & Miscellaneous: $3,524
- Transportation: $1,844
- Loan Fees: $70
- Total: $56,545
Graduate Resident:
- Tuition & Fees: $15,900
- Room & Board: $12,279
- Books & Supplies: $1,240
- Personal & Miscellaneous: $3,524
- Transportation: $1,396
- Loan Fees: $182
- Total: $34,521
Graduate Non-Resident:
- Tuition & Fees: $30,328
- Room & Board: $12,279
- Books & Supplies: $1,240
- Personal & Miscellaneous: $3,524
- Transportation: $1,844
- Loan Fees: $182
- Total: $49,397
Cost of Attendance in 2022-2023 Academic Year (Living off Campus)
Undergraduate Resident:
- Tuition & Fees: $15,642
- Room & Board: $12,730
- Books & Supplies: $1,240
- Personal & Miscellaneous: $3,524
- Transportation: $3,248
- Loan Fees: $70
- Total: $34,454
Undergraduate Non-Resident:
- Tuition & Fees: $37,588
- Room & Board: $12,730
- Books & Supplies: $1,240
- Personal & Miscellaneous: $3,524
- Transportation: $1,488
- Loan Fees: $70
- Total: $56,640
Graduate Resident:
- Tuition & Fees: $15,900
- Room & Board: $12,730
- Books & Supplies: $1,240
- Personal & Miscellaneous: $3,524
- Transportation: $3,248
- Loan Fees: $182
- Total: $36,824
Graduate Non-Resident:
- Tuition & Fees: $30,328
- Room & Board: $12,730
- Books & Supplies: $1,240
- Personal & Miscellaneous: $3,524
- Transportation: $1,488
- Loan Fees: $182
- Total: $49,492
Campuses at Virginia Commonwealth University
This university has two main campuses in Richmond which are:
- Monroe Park Campus
- MCV Campus
Monroe Park Campus
This campus of VCU is located on the west of downtown Richmond. In June 2004, this campus took its name and replaced the former name. It is situated on a land area of almost 90.6 acres. It houses most of the university’s general education facilities.
Earlier to the merger of the Richmond Professional Institute and the Medical College of Virginia, this campus was the home to the complete Richmond Professional Institute. Now, the campus has a mixture of modern & vintage buildings with more than 40 structures built before 1900.
MCV Campus
This campus of the VCU is located in the urban center. It is situated on a land area of almost 52.3 acres. It is a house of VCU Medical Center which includes the Schools of Medicine, Dentistry, Pharmacy, Nursing, the VCU College of Health Professions, and Medical Center which is overseen by the VCU Health System Authority.
The neighborhood is situated in the business city and financial district near the State Capitol. Health Sciences schools of this university are:
- School of Allied Health Professions
- School of Dentistry
- School of Medicine
- School of Nursing
- School of Pharmacy
Ranking at Virginia Commonwealth University
Nationally
This university is ranked as # 447th by American Top Colleges and as # 358th by Times Higher Education. It is ranked as # 172nd by U.S. News & World Report. Also, it is ranked as 137th by Washington Monthly.
Globally
VCU is ranked a201-300 by the Academic Ranking of World Universities. Also, it is ranked as #651-700 by QS World University Rankings and # 402nd by U.S. News & World Report.
Programs at Virginia Commonwealth University
Undergraduate Programs:
- Art History
- Biology
- Bioinformatics
- Biomedical Engineering
- Arts
- Anthropology
- African American Studies
- Accounting
- Business
- Chemistry
- Chemical & Life Science Engineering
- Cinema
- Clinical Radiation Sciences
- Communication Arts
- Computer Science
- Dance & Choreography
- Dental Hygiene
- Craft & Material Studies
- Economics
- English
- Electrical Engineering
- Fashion
- Finance
- Foreign Language
- Forensic Science
- History
- Health Services
- Graphic Design
Graduate Programs
Masters Programs:
- Accountancy
- Addiction Studies
- Anatomy & Neurobiology
- Art Education
- Art History
- Biochemistry
- Bioinformatics
- Business
- Chemistry
- Biology
- Criminal Justice
- Decision Analytics
- Creative Writing
- English
- Engineering
- Fine Arts
- History
- Human Genetics
- Mass Communication
- Mathematical Sciences
Doctoral Programs:
- Biochemistry
- Biomedical Engineering
- Biostatistics
- Business
- Chemical Biology
- Chemical & Life Science Engineering
- Computer Science
- Counseling Psychology
- Education
- Clinical & Translational Sciences
- Human Genetics
- Medical Physics
- Microbiology & Immunology
- Nursing
- Occupational Therapy
- Oral Health Research
- Physical Therapy
- Psychology
Professional Programs at Virginia Commonwealth University
- Dentistry
- Medicine
- Pharmacy
Colleges and Schools at Virginia Commonwealth University
- College of Engineering
- College of Health Professions
- College of Humanities & Sciences
- School of Arts
- School of Business
- School of Dentistry
- School of Education
- Douglas Wilder School of Government & Public Affairs
- Richard T. Robertson School of Media & Culture
- School of Medicine
- School of Nursing
- School of Pharmacy
- School of Population Health
- School of Social Work
- School of World Studies
- Honors College
- University College
Research at Virginia Commonwealth University
This university is among the top 3 Research Universities in Virginia. In financial year 2022, this university received more than $400 Million in sponsored research ranking it in the top 50 in the nation according to the National Science Foundation.
Research Centers & Institutes at Virginia Commonwealth University
This university has several research centers and institutes some of which are:
- Center for the Study of Tobacco Products
- Virginia Center on Aging
- Institute for Drug & Alcohol Studies
- Massey Cancer Center
- Humanities Research Center
- Institute for Creative Research
- Center on Society & Health
- Center for Drug Discovery
- Philips Institute for Oral Health Research
- Center for Public Policy
- Cyber-Security Center
- Rice Rivers Center
Libraries at Virginia Commonwealth University
The Libraries of this university is the busiest research library in Virginia which holds almost over than 3 million Volumes and Extensive Journal & Database. Each year, VCU Libraries hosts almost 2.5 million visitors. This university has two main libraries which are:
- James Branch Cabell Library
- Health Science Library
James Branch Cabell Library
James Branch Cabell Library supports the Monroe Park Campus. The Special Collections & Archives department houses one of the largest Book Art collections in the Southeast and the 5th largest Graphic Novel &and cosmic book collection in the United States. It is the repository of the Will Eisner Comic Industry Awards.
Health Science Library at Virginia Commonwealth University
Health Sciences Library on the MCV Campus has the major Medical Collection in the state with wide-ranging journal collections dating back to the 19th century.
Its Special Collections & Archives maintain the papers of Health Care Practitioners and the History of Health Care in Virginia. Its Medical Artifacts Collection has over 6,000 instruments and equipment related to the history of health care in Virginia over the last 150 years.
Contact Us
Address
907 Floyd Ave, VA 23284, Richmond, United States
Phone No
+1 804-828-1981
Official Website
vcu.edu
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FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions)
What is the GPA requirement at Virginia Commonwealth University?
At this university, the minimum GPA requirement is 3.5.
What is the acceptance rate of this university?
The acceptance rate at VCU is almost 92.8% in 2021.
What is the student ratio of females to males at Virginia Commonwealth University?
The ratio of female to male students at this university is 63: 37.
What are the core values at Virginia Commonwealth University?
- Diversity
- Inclusion
- Equity