UVA Wise is a mission-driven four-year public liberal arts division of the University of Virginia. Located in the heart of Appalachia in far Southwest Virginia, the College seeks to admit well-rounded and motivated students with the potential to succeed today and beyond. The Graduate Catalog is available for students interested in graduate programs.
GENERAL INFORMATION
ADMISSIONS TYPES
GENERAL INFORMATION
Application Process
UVA Wise offers rolling admissions (international applicants have specific dates and deadlines noted below). Prospective students are encouraged to apply early or at least one semester prior to the anticipated date of enrollment to take advantage of broader selections and opportunities - including academic scholarships, orientation sessions, and residence hall options.
Apply online at www.uvawise.edu/apply. Create an account to view your applicant portal and monitor your application status until all information and process is complete. It is suggested that a personal email address be used for applicant portal setup that will continue to be accessible rather than a school-issued email.
All official documents (such as application, transcripts, etc.) should be submitted using your full legal name. Discrepancies or conflicts in submitted information may be subject to verification.
All applicants are encouraged to apply early. Decisions and reminders are posted in the applicant portal. Admission to the college does not imply admission to a specific degree program.
Admission Tests
The SAT Reasoning Test or the ACT Assessment is optional for admission.
Enrollment Deposit
No enrollment deposit is required for students applying to UVA Wise.
Falsification of Student Records
Students who furnish the college with false, misleading, or incomplete information relating to their application for admission or academic record will be subject to denial or dismissal.
Residency (Domicile) Information
Classification as a Virginia Student for Tuition Purposes
All undergraduate and re-entry applicants for admission to UVA Wise who believe they qualify for in-state tuition privileges must complete an Application for Virginia’s In-State Tuition Privileges. The Office of Admissions makes an initial determination of an applicant’s eligibility under the provisions of Section 23.0-500 of the Code of Virginia. In order to make a determination, additional information, clarification, or supporting evidence may be required.
For certain Non-Virginia Residents who reside in specific locations, you may be eligible to receive special tuition rates. Please refer to the special tuition rate section for more information about eligibility and the process to apply for special tuition rates.
Students may request an interpretation of their status by the Comptroller’s Office one year after the initial application for admission and actual admission to the College have been approved. The student must provide evidence sufficient to establish Virginia as domicile and that a previous domicile has been abandoned for at least one year prior to requesting a status change. Specific guidelines are available at the Cashier’s Office.
Military-related residency questions can be found at Tuition Information for Veterans .
Classification as a Student Eligible for Special Tuition Rates
Students residing in designated counties served by the Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC) may be eligible for special tuition rates. All undergraduate and re-entry applicants for admission to UVA Wise who believe they qualify for these special rates must complete an Application for Special Tuition Rates and provide all additional information required as outlined on the application. The Office of Admissions makes an initial determination of an applicant’s eligibility under the provisions of Section 23.1-507 of the Code of Virginia.
Visiting Campus
All prospective students are encouraged to visit campus. The daily campus visit schedule, including select Saturdays and special events, is available at www.uvawise.edu/visit.
ADMISSIONS TYPES
Freshman applicants will have graduated from a secondary school, home school program, or earned a GED but have not attended a college or university after graduation.
All freshman applicants for admission to UVA Wise must submit:
- a completed application
- official high school transcript (see GED section, if applicable)
- official college or university transcript(s) for dual enrollment courses completed (if applicable) While official dual enrollment transcripts are not required for your admission application, they are necessary to provide for evaluated credit prior to class registration.
Admission preference is given to students who have completed the following general coursework and requirements:
- 4 years of English
- 3 or more courses in mathematics, including algebra 1 and 2 and a course selected from among geometry, trigonometry, advanced mathematics, calculus, or related course
- 2 or more years of natural science beyond general science
- 2 or more years of a foreign language
- 1 year of American history
- 1 year of world history
Applicants must meet one of the following :
- 3.0 Cumulative High School GPA (4.0 Scale)
- High School Class Rank - Top 50% AND a minimum 2.0 cumulative High School GPA
- 17 ACT Composite Score or 900 SAT Composite Score (test optional) AND a minimum 2.0 cumulative High School GPA
Students who do not meet one or more of the above requirements will be evaluated based on a combination of class rank, high school courses, GPA, and optional test scores.
Please note this addtional information for GED and/or Home School applicants:
General Education Diploma (GED) A student applying as a first-time freshman who has attended an approved secondary school but who possesses a GED in lieu of a high school diploma must provide an official high school transcript of all courses completed and an official copy of the GED score. The student’s application will be evaluated for admission based upon the required minimum GED score of 165.
Home School A student applying as a first-time freshman who has completed a home school program not approved by a certifying agency must provide an official copy of GED scores (see GED).
Transfer applicants will have graduated from a secondary school or home school program (or earned a GED) and have attended a college or university after graduation.
All applicants for transfer from another institution are required to submit:
- a completed application
- official college or university transcript(s) from all institutions attended
- official final high school transcript if less than 30 college credit hours have been completed/earned
The college or university from which the student is transferring should be fully accredited as an institution of higher learning by a state or regional accrediting organization.
A transfer student applicant must:
- have a GPA of at least 2.2
Other applicants with a grade point average of less than 2.2 but at least 2.0 are reviewed by the Admissions Committee. Students with less than a 2.0 grade point average normally are not admitted to the college.
- be in good standing and eligible to return to the last college or university attended
Transfer credit evaluations are completed for official transcripts. Only those courses which are equivalent to University of Virginia or UVA Wise courses are eligible for transfer. Transfer credit will be granted only if a grade of “D-” or better was obtained or a “CR” was obtained in a course taken with “credit-no credit” grading. Students transferring from the Virginia Community College System or Richard Bland College should see the Transfer Agreements section below for exceptions.
A maximum of 62 credit hours earned in a two-year college may be accepted at transfer credit and counted toward the 120 hours required for a bachelor’s degree at UVA Wise.
All transfer students are required to complete 58 earned hours of college credit at the four-year level and 45 of those hours must be taken in residence at UVA Wise.
Evaluations of transfer credit are prepared under the authority of academic departments, which reserve final decisions relative to the application of transfer credit to degree requirements in the major. Transcript evaluators prepare formal evaluations of transfer credit under the direction of the Registrar of UVA Wise.
In the case of disputes between transfer students and academic departments relative to the application of transfer credit to degree requirements, the Registrar generally is able to resolve the problem satisfactorily. In cases where conflicts cannot be resolved at the department level, they are referred to the Provost or the Provost’s designee who has the final authority. The Registrar has been designated Chief Transfer Officer at UVA Wise and is the central source of information about transferring.
Transfer Agreements
The University of Virginia’s College at Wise has several articulation agreements, memorandums of understanding, and partnerships in place with the Virginia Community College System (VCCS), the Kentucky and Community Technical College System (KCTCS), and Richard Bland College of William & Mary, and other institutions. Academic departments have the ability to approve out-of-state Associate of Arts, Associate of Science and Associate of Arts and Science if the degree is comparable to a Virginia degree and meets the same standards. The Chair of the Department, in consultation with the Registrar, would approve the associate’s degree for acceptance.
- Guaranteed Admission Agreement (Virginia Community College System and Richard Bland College) - This agreement is in effect for those students who earn an associate of arts, associate of science or associate of arts and sciences associate degree. Benefits of this agreement include completion of the Liberal Arts Core requirements, junior status (62 hours accepted on transfer), waiver of the application fee, no high school transcripts or SAT/ACT scores are required. Students with a 2.5 or better are eligible for this program.
- Pre-Teacher Education Admission Agreement (Virginia Community College System) - This agreement is in effect for those students who are pursuing the Pre-Teacher Education curriculum at any Virginia community college. Course requirements are detailed as part of the agreement to facilitate ease of transfer and completion.
- Guaranteed Program Articulation Agreements (GPAA) - UVA Wise has specialized agreements in place with Mountain Empire Community College, Southwest Virginia Community College, and Virginia Highlands Community College. Students enjoy benefits similar to the Guaranteed Admission Agreement. Please see more information on the Office of the Registrar web page at www.uvawise.edu/registrar/transferring-courses.
- Southeast Kentucky Community and Technical College and Big Sandy Community and Technical College (Kentucky Community College System) - These specialized agreements are in effect for those students who earn an associate of arts and sciences degree in any transfer program. Benefits include completion of all lower level general education requirements, junior status (62 hours accepted on transfer) waiver of the application fee, no high school transcripts or SAT/ACT scores are required.
- Appalachian Inter-mountain Scholars (AIMS) - The AIMS Higher Program is an educational partnership that produces a dual admission agreement for students who enter MECC as AIMS Higher scholarship recipients and who later wish to transfer to UVA Wise to pursue and complete a four-year degree. It applies to residents of Lee, Scott, Wise, and Dickenson Counties, and the City of Norton who begin their college enrollment as students at MECC. Learn more in the AIMS Letter of Intent .
UVA Wise is authorized to offer admission to international freshman, transfer and exchange students who wish to study in the United States. Note that exchange students are those international students that are attending UVA Wise for a specified term(s) from sister schools and foreign exchange programs. The fall semester deadline for completed applications is by May 15, and I-20 issuance information will be provided by June 1. The spring semester deadline for completed applications is by November 1, and I-20 issuance information will be provided by November 15.
A completed application includes:
- Application for admission
- Official, translated academic transcripts from all secondary schools, colleges, and universities attended previously.
- Evidence of English language proficiency (for applicants whose native language is not English) by submitted scores directly from one of the following:
- The appropriate Supplemental Financial Guarantee Form for international students or for exchange students.
- International Student Advisor’s Report (Visa transfer) if transferring from another U.S. college or university
International students require F-1 visas, and exchange students J-1 visas.
International degree-seeking students Form I-20 which is required for F-1 visas is issued in the Office of International Programs. It will be sent to students when they are admitted to the College.
Exchange Students Form DS 2019 required for J-1 visas is issued by UVA in Charlottesville and is sent to exchange students upon admission. Once accepted, exchange students should also contact the Office of International Programs for assistance planning a full 12 credit-hour schedule and enrolling in courses as well as for assistance with other logistical issues.
Upon receipt of the proper form (see above), students should make an appointment with the U.S. Embassy in their own country to obtain visas. Students should be aware that embassy appointments sometimes require long waiting periods, depending on the country of origin.
When students arrive on campus, they should report to the Office of International Programs to complete required paperwork concerning student responsibilities. They must keep their valid DS 2019 or I-20 form with them and be sure to obtain a travel signature from the Designated School Official (DSO) in the Office of International Programs on that form each time they travel outside of the U.S. International students may only work on campus with permission of the DSO, and they will require a social security card to do so. SEVIS regulations limit work to a total of 20 hours per week. When students complete their studies, they have 30 days to leave the U.S. unless they are eligible to remain based on an application or petition that is pending with the U.S. government.
A full-time traditional student whose enrollment has been interrupted for one regular term or more at UVA Wise must apply for readmission. Not registering for a summer term is not considered an interruption of enrollment. Students should submit:
- a completed application for readmission
- official college or university transcript(s) from all institutions attended since last attending UVA Wise
- the Director of Admissions (or designee) may request additional materials to complete the applicant’s file
- applicants who are currently on suspension from UVA Wise may appeal to the Academic Appeals Committee – current students should log in to my.uvawise.edu, click on the Students (at the top) and Electronic Forms (on the left) and Reinstatement After Suspension form. Previously enrolled students go to my.uvawise.edu and click on Alumni/Prior Students.
Note that any existing account holds from your previous enrollment (health, cashier, etc.) must be satisfied before admission and/or registration for courses is permitted.
A non-degree student is not seeking admission to a four-year degree program at UVA Wise and is limited to no more than a 7-hour courseload per semester. Non-degree students may not live in a campus residence hall or receive financial aid.
- Dual Enrollment Current high school seniors may apply to take coursework. Students should be on track for and have completed the normal academic requirements for graduation (except senior English). Students who are admitted as dually enrolled will be concurrently enrolled at the College and at their high school. Dual enrollment students may not live in a campus residence hall or receive financial aid.
- Senior Citizens The Senior Citizens Higher Education Program permits residents of Virginia who are 60 years of age or older to register for courses and pay no tuition if their taxable income for the previous year did not exceed $10,000. Regardless of income, senior citizens may audit courses or enroll in non-credit courses without paying regular fees.
- Degreed Students The student who holds a bachelor’s degree and is not working toward another bachelor’s degree at UVA Wise may enroll either part-time or full-time and is not subject to the seven-hour limit.
All non-degree applicants for admission to UVA Wise should:
- complete the non-degree application.
- Letters of permission are required from both the parents/guardians and the high school for dual enrollment students.
NOTE: The UVA Wise Center for Teaching Excellence serves the professional development and in-service needs of teachers and administrators in the PK-12 schools of Virginia. Individuals with a provisional license seeking full licensure and those with full licenses seeking recertification should apply directly with the CTE (do not apply as a UVA Wise non-degree student). Students in this program who are continuously enrolled are eligible to re-enroll (register) for classes without processing readmission, not including summer sessions. Students who are not continuously enrolled for one year must reapply.
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