personal essay vcu

Writing Center

Strategic enrollment management and student success, breaking the blank page: personal narrative guide, remember....

Narrative Writing is unique in that no two professors teach it the same way. Because of this, the specifics of this type of writing will vary. The information in this guide is meant to help you approach personal narrative in a general way, but always refer to your professor’s assignment sheet and ask them if you have any questions.

What is Narrative Writing?

A narrative is a piece of writing that tells some sort of story . This writing often will be reflective and/or experiential in nature. You will serve as the narrator, the person who tells the story, in order to talk about an experience that you’ve had. You may then be asked to reflect on that experience to explore the effect it had on you and others.

Why is this project assigned?

Some VCU classes, like Focused Inquiry, use a shared curriculum that focuses on specific educational goals, including improving your writing process. The following are the skills around which the curriculum is centered:

• Communicative Fluency
• Ethical Reasoning
• Problem Solving (Critical and Creative)
• Information Literacy
• Global and Cultural Awareness and Responsiveness

A personal narrative project will strengthen several of the above skills as you craft a narrative using your own experiences, draw meaning from those experiences, organize your thoughts about a particular topic, and evaluate situations in which you’ve been involved.

A narrative assignment is likely your first piece of major writing of the semester. Often, it’s not only a graded assignment, but also an introduction to your professor, both of yourself and of your written work.

Choosing a Subject

Ideally, the narrative you write will be both compelling and important to read. Why does what you’re writing about matter?

You may be invited or asked to share part or all of your narrative with others-- for example, in a one-on-one peer review session or a presentation. Keep this in mind if sharing personal or potentially sensitive information with someone other than your professor, such as other students, concerns you.

Techniques of Narrative Storytelling

Sequencing. Make sure your story is told in order (with a beginning, middle, and end), and that any background information needed to understand the story is told first. Who are your characters and what are their names? How are they related to you? Where is the story taking place? When? How old were you?

Dialogue. Something like, "Marie was really mad and yelled at me" sounds a lot better if you flesh out the moment with dialogue:

Marie turned completely red and started to shake. “Why would you do that?” she yelled.

Semantics. Consider the meaning of the words you use. A good rule of thumb is to be as specific as possible with your descriptions. You can use a thesaurus to find more exact words-- for instance, rather than saying someone “went” somewhere, you can describe how they went-- did they walk, jog, run, limp, scurry?

Sensory details. Sensory details provide information about the event that comes from the senses, including smells, sounds, colors, expressions, and even feelings. Vivid details help bring the reader into the moment you’re describing. “We got in the car” has quite a different feel than, for instance, “We climbed into the rust-red, oil-stained Toyota Camry”.

• Unless your professor has clearly stated that you should not use the personal “I” in your writing, you are free to do so!
• There is no required structure unless your professor asks for one. You don’t have to write a certain number of paragraphs or follow any rules about the number of sentences that each paragraph has.
• A personal narrative, unless required by your professor, does not need to be researched (you shouldn’t have to cite any sources or look anything up online).
• After you finish drafting your narrative, it may help to read out loud to catch anything you might have missed.
• Are you a planner or a doer? Some students learn better by writing everything out all at once, while others prefer planning their paper out extensively before they actually start to write. There is no real “correct” way to plan a paper.

School of Nursing

Supplemental materials form: 2017 r.n.-b.s. applicants only.

RN-BS applicants must complete this form in its entirety. Please contact the Undergraduate Admissions Office at [email protected] if you experience issues with submitting this form.

I have a Bachelor’s degree in another field: Required No Yes

Current place of employment as an RN (enter “n/a” if you are not currently licensed as an RN): Required

Select one: Required Missing expected licensed date Please select a file to upload I am a current RN and have attached a copy of my unrestricted RN license (File size limit: 15MB) I am not currently licensed as an RN and expect to be licensed by the following date:

List in chronological order all post-secondary institutions attended including VCU:

Prerequisites

Applicants must complete the appropriate section of this form, indicating what courses have or will be taken to fulfill each prerequisite area, when it was or will be completed and where it was or will be taken. Questions regarding the transferability of courses can be found online at www.transferguide.vcu.edu .

Please select whether you have a bachelor's degree or not above.

1 Applicants attending colleges or universities which offer anatomy and physiology as a combined two-semester course must complete the entire course sequence prior to enrolling in the School of Nursing. One semester of a combined anatomy and physiology course will not transfer, nor can one semester of a combined anatomy and physiology course be used in conjunction with a stand-alone anatomy or physiology course to fulfill this requirement. If taking stand-alone anatomy and physiology courses, human or comparative anatomy and human or animal physiology are accepted.

2 Minimum grade of B required.

3 Humanities courses must be chosen from: literature, speech, religion, foreign language, sign language, history, geography, government, art, music and philosophy.

Chemistry requirement

I have completed the School of Nursing’s chemistry requirement by:

Please make a selection, and fill in the textbox if option 3 is selected.

Completing a 100-level or higher college chemistry course with at least a C. This course is indicated above as my second laboratory science and I will submit this transcript for verification.

Completing one year of high school chemistry with at least a C. If offered admission, I will submit my high school transcript for verification to my academic advisor during orientation.

Completing a developmental (less than 100-level) chemistry course at

Attach resume or other accomplishments (Formats: doc, docx, pdf and txt. File size limit: 15MB)

Personal Statement

Applicants to the School of Nursing are required to submit an essay. Please state concisely why you are interested in pursuing the B.S. in Nursing at VCU. Discuss your career goals and how having this degree will help you move toward your career goals. Please type or paste your personal statement in the space provided below.

School of Nursing Technical Standards

Please read the Technical Standards for Baccalaureate students in the VCU School of Nursing Policy and Information Handbook and sign below.

Confirmation required

I acknowledge that I have read and understand the essential functions required to complete the program in nursing.

You will receive a confirmation email upon submission of this form.

• Virginia Commonwealth University
• Office of Admissions
• 821 W. Franklin Street
• P.O. Box 842526
• Richmond, VA 23284-2526
• Phone: (804) 828-1222
• Email: ugrad @vcu.edu
• Last updated: 10/27/2022

Honors College

Incoming freshmen.

The Honors College offers opportunities for you to discover your passions and connect with a diverse student body to develop a standard of excellence. We encourage students from all disciplines and backgrounds to apply to the Honors College.

Admission Guidelines

Admission into the VCU Honors College is competitive, and all applicants are expected to have challenged themselves in high school through their course selections. The Honors College conducts a holistic review on all applicants with the following recommended admission guidelines:

• Unweighted high school grade point average of 3.5 or higher on a 4.0 scale.
• Combined SAT score of at least 1330 (writing not included) OR an ACT composite score of at least 29.

Students who do not meet these criteria but feel an exception should be made remain eligible to apply as other components (extracurricular, honors, leadership, etc.) will be used in the holistic review and may offset lower quantitative scores.

Please note : For the 2023-2024 application year, test scores will not be required for general admission into the Honors College. Applicants who are able to take a standardized test and would like the scores to be used in our holistic application review may still submit scores. Students without test scores will receive a holistic review on all other portions of the application. Submission of test scores remains a requirement for all Guaranteed Admission Programs. However, if you were unable to test due to the pandemic, you may explain your situation in the comment box and will still receive a full holistic review with a completed application.

If you are a high school student interested in joining the Honors College, consider registering for an information session via Zoom. Questions about the information sessions can be directed to the Honors Recruitment and Enrollment Counselor, Will Gilbert ( [email protected] ). 

Register for an Info Session

Application Process

In addition to the submission of your VCU Common Application, prospective students must submit an Honors College application. As a first-time user, you will be prompted to create a username and password on the Honors College website. Once you have created a username and password, your application can be saved and completed at a later time. Upon submission of your Honors College application you will receive a confirmation email.

The Honors College will confirm your test scores and grade point average through the materials sent in with your Common Application. You do not need to send additional transcripts or scores to the Honors College.

As you prepare to apply, please consider these application components:

Submission of VCU Honors College application. You will need the following information to complete the application:

• Your unweighted high school GPA.
• Date(s) and score(s) for your SAT and/or ACT (optional for 2023-2024 admissions cycle).
• Date(s), subject(s) and score(s) for any Advanced Placement or International Baccalaureate tests you have taken or plan to take.
• List any extracurricular involvement (leadership, service, honors, awards, etc.).
• Major influences on your intellectual and personal development, such as curricular and extracurricular experiences, community service or important people, events or ideas
• Your immediate educational goals and plans for achieving them
• Your goals and dreams for the future

Honors Application Portal

Important Dates & Deadlines

The VCU Honors College application will be available in early August.

Applications to the Honors College from incoming freshmen are accepted through April 15 of the senior year in high school. However, students are encouraged to apply by our priority deadline of February 1 . All prospective freshmen who apply to the Honors College by February 1 will be notified of our admissions decision by April 1.

Applications received after the priority deadline of February 1 will be considered on a space-available basis. All admissions decisions will be made no later than June 15. Applications received after 11:59 p.m. EDT on April 15 will not be considered.

Incoming Freshman Honors students are also eligible to apply for Honors College scholarships. Honors College scholarships require a supplemental application. Additional information will be included in the Honors College acceptance packet regarding Honors College scholarships.

Are you applying for an Honors College Guaranteed Admission Program?

Students interested in applying to the Honors College Guaranteed Admission Programs should begin the Honors College incoming student application and select which Guaranteed Admission Program they are interested in when prompted. Selecting a Guaranteed Admission Program will open the second half of the application, which is only for students applying to a Guaranteed Admission Program. This application must be completed in full with supporting documents by November 1  for consideration for the Guaranteed Admission Program. Students will be evaluated for both admission into the Honors College as well as into the selected Guaranteed Admission Program. Incoming freshmen who are interested in Guaranteed Admission do not need to complete a personal education paper. To learn more about the Guaranteed Admission Program requirements visit the link below.

Honors Guaranteed Admission Program

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VCU College of Health Professions

Occupational therapy, application.

All applications for the Entry Level Occupational Therapy Doctorate (EL-OTD) program are submitted online directly through  Occupational Therapist Centralized Application Services or OTCAS . OTCAS opens in mid-July and closes on December 1st.  

All application materials must be submitted to OTCAS.   Priority consideration will be given to applications completed by the preferred deadline of November 1st.  We will accept through the December 1st deadline when OTCAS closes. It takes some time to complete the online application, so it’s important that you begin the application process early. Information can be entered into the application pages over time allowing you to build the application gradually until it is complete. Be sure to review the entire contents of your application for accuracy prior to submission.

If you have applied to the VCU OT program previously you will need to reapply through OTCAS and VCU Graduate Admissions, with a new application. Transcripts and GRE scores will carry over. New written statements and letters of recommendation are needed.

Application Fees:   There are separate fees for OTCAS and VCU Graduate Admissions. OTCAS has a Fee Assistance Program . More details can be found at the OTCAS Application Fees and Fee Waivers webpage . 

The application consists of the following components, which  must be submitted by the November 1st deadline.

View our Application Checklist.

Early Decision - Deadline October 1st

The Early Decision process provides an opportunity for applicants to be considered for admission prior to the review of the general pool of applications.  The deadline for Early Decision is October 1 st . 

Considerations for applying Early Decision include:

• VCU must be an applicant’s top choice of programs for OT education
• Complete prerequisite coursework no later than the Fall semester in the year of application
• Complete all other portions of the application in OTCAS by October 1 st deadline (See descriptions below - Earned Bachelor’s degree, Personal Statement, Value-Added Essay, Letters of Recommendation, Observation Hours, VCU Graduate School Application through OTCAS Applicant Gateway)
• Notify [email protected] of your wish to be considered for Early Decision

Early Decision applications will be reviewed, interviews scheduled and offers made as early as possible.  Application through Early Decision does not guarantee admission.  The Committee reserves the right to defer an Early Decision applicant to the regular admissions process.  

Applicants accepted in the Early Decision process are expected to accept the offer of admission, pay the deposit, and enroll in the VCU Entry-Level Occupational Therapy Doctorate program.

A Bachelor’s Degree from an Accredited College or University

Students enter graduate education in OT from a wide variety of educational and work backgrounds. There is no particular major that is preferred over another. Students have entered the program with degrees in a wide range of majors including: psychology, biology, health or rehabilitation sciences, kinesiology, exercise science, physical education, anthropology, sociology, social work, English, foreign languages, history, political science, religion, communication, nutrition, art, art history, theatre, music, dance, recreational therapy, industrial design, special education and business. Diverse academic preparation makes for a wonderfully, rich collection of individuals in each cohort.

Transcripts from all colleges and universities attended, indicating an earned Bachelor’s degree and appropriate prerequisite courses must be submitted to OTCAS.

If you are still taking classes, as soon as your Fall semester grades are available, you must have your official Fall semester transcripts sent to OTCAS so that they can verify the grades that you post when OTCAS reopens for the Academic Update. It is imperative that you submit your Fall grades and transcripts as soon as possible. OTCAS will notify all applicants by email when they reopen for the Academic Update and your original transcript submission has been verified. This generally occurs after the Fall semester is complete.

Prerequisite Courses

All applicants must take the required 26 credits of prerequisite courses. These courses have been specifically selected to prepare students for success in the OT curriculum. Excellent performance in these courses is considered to be a good predictor of performance in our curriculum.  Courses in the EL-OTD program build upon the knowledge gained in these courses.

Please read the prerequisite course requirements carefully. Courses marked with an asterisk (i.e., Human Anatomy & Physiology I & II, Lifespan Development, Abnormal Psychology, and Statistics) require that no more than 7 years have elapsed from the course completion to the date of enrollment in the EL-OTD Program.

In addition, although not required prerequisite courses, it is recommended that students take a  Kinesiology  and a  Medical Terminology  course.

PLEASE NOTE:  Prerequisite course credit for advanced placement courses or other learning or work experiences are not accepted for prerequisite credit. Prerequisite courses must have an earned letter grade. 

It is not necessary to have completed all prerequisite coursework by the application deadline of December 1. Applicants can complete prerequisite coursework being taken for the first time during the Spring semester before enrolling in the EL-OTD program for the Summer semester. Prerequisite courses being retaken must be completed in the preceding Fall semester and cannot be accepted if taken during the final Spring semester.  When completing your electronic transcript,  On your OTCAS application, be sure to include any Spring semester courses that you are taking, and/or those that you anticipate enrolling in.  If prerequisite courses are taken in the Spring, accepted applicants will be offered a provisional acceptance until a final transcript indicates that all outstanding prerequisite courses have been successfully completed at an "A" or "B" level. Any applicants who were offered provisional acceptance will be responsible for demonstrating that they completed their remaining prerequisites at the required "A" or "B" level before beginning the first day of class.

Graduate Record Examinations (GREs)

The GRE is optional, but not required for application. If you take the GRE, it can be sent to VCU, using the code 1219. The GRE is not scored individually as part of the application, but will be visible to reviewers.

Personal Statement

The Personal Statement to be written as one and a half to one and three-quarters (1 ½-1 ¾) single-spaced pages in 12-point Times-Roman font with 1” page margins and no more than 1200 words. The average file size is about 15 KB vs. the 5 MB file size allowable through OTCAS. The following prompt should be addressed:

Address why you selected occupational therapy as a career and how this degree relates to your immediate and long-term professional goals. We invite you to share how your lived experiences (e.g., personal, professional, cultural, etc.) have influenced your interest in pursuing OT.

Value-Added Essay

Essays are a way for us to learn more about your individuality. It is also a chance for you to highlight what you want us to know about you, that may not be apparent in other aspects of your application.  This additional essay should be distinctly different from your Personal Statement.  In 1-2 pages, share with us your unique knowledge, qualities, skills, and characteristics that you will bring to the next cohort of VCU OTD students.  Please provide examples or relate to your life experiences.

Letters of Recommendation

Three (3) letters of recommendation are required.  A recommendation from an occupational therapist is preferred, but not essential. Applicants should only ask OT practitioners for a letter if the practitioner knows the applicant sufficiently well to complete the reference fully. Other appropriate references are former college or university professors, academic advisors, employers and other healthcare providers. No personal references will be accepted. You will enter information for your references into OTCAS.  References will receive an invitation from OTCAS to complete an online rating form and upload their letter of recommendation. 

Observation Hours

Documentation of Observation Hours in two (2) different settings under the guidance of an OTR or COTA is required. The attached form or any documentation from the clinical site can be used to record and submit hours. Employment or an internship will count for hours at one (1) setting. 

Observation Verification Form

VCU Graduate School Application

After your OTCAS application has been submitted, you will receive an invitation to the Virginia Commonwealth University Entry-Level OTD program Applicant Gateway, where you can complete the application to the Graduate School and pay the application fee.  This is a fee to the VCU Graduate School, and is a separate fee from the OTCAS fee. 

Evaluation of Application

Holistic review involves considering the applicant’s experiences and personal attributes alongside their academic achievements. An applicant can demonstrate their knowledge of OT through the Personal Statement. The Personal Statement, Value-Added Essay and the Interview give applicants an opportunity to highlight their skills, qualities, and/or characteristics developed as a result of their unique life experiences. This accounts for 60% of the total application score, while academics account for 40% of the total score.

VCU's Department of Occupational Therapy does not consider an applicant's race, gender or other protected characteristics, or legacy status, as a factor when determining admission.

Reviewers and Interviewers, of the Admissions and Recruitment Committee, are comprised of faculty and staff, current students, alumni, and OT practitioners. Reviewers review and score the written portions of the application. Interviewers are blinded to scores of the Reviewers, and rate applicants based on what is presented in the interview. Applicants are encouraged to share their own experiences to illustrate their points.

Scoring of the Personal Statement includes a basic understanding of the profession of OT, knowledge of the breadth and depth of the profession, and how pursuing a degree in OT is compatible with your personal and professional goals. Also included in the scoring are grammar, mechanics of writing, ability to convey ideas, and content.

In scoring the Value-Added Essay, we are looking for an applicant to describe what knowledge, skills, qualities, and/or characteristics you possess that you will contribute to a cohort of OTD students. Grammar, mechanics of writing, ability to convey ideas and content are also scored.

Scoring of the interview consists of professional presentation, knowledge and passion for OT, compassion and empathy, critical thinking, self-awareness, and knowledge of diversity, equity, and inclusion.

Guaranteed Admissions for VCU Honor College Students

Qualified VCU undergraduate students participating in the University Honors Program may apply for guaranteed admission to the occupational therapy program before matriculation at VCU or early in their undergraduate studies. For more information, contact the   The Honors College   at (804) 828-1803.

International Students

For non-native English-speaking applicants, regardless of immigration status, a Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) is required.  More information can be found here.  

How Do I Make My Application Competitive?

In your written statements and interview it is critical that you highlight your unique experiences and the skills, qualities, and characteristics that you have developed as a result of your experiences.

Applications with strong written statements tend to stand out. Your written statements are your introduction to the Committee. The Committee recommends that you start your essays early in the process and that you continue to edit and refine them, so you have produced documents that represent you well.

The Personal Statement and the Value-Added Essay are different. In the Personal Statement, applicants should demonstrate a basic understanding of the profession of OT, knowledge of the breadth and depth of the profession, and how pursuing a degree in OT is compatible with personal and professional goals. Observation experiences can help you in crafting your Personal Statement. In the Value-Added Essay, we want you to be more personal. We want to know about your knowledge, skills, qualities, or characteristics and how this contributes to your value as a member of a cohort of OTD students.

Letters of Recommendation are another area that can be overlooked in the application. When approaching references to write a Letter of Recommendation, make sure that you have chosen three persons that can write to your different attributes, strengths, and performance. You want your letters to be distinctive, so it may help to provide your references with what you would like to be addressed in their letter. Specific examples in letters are also very helpful. One letter from an occupational therapy practitioner is preferred. Make sure that this is someone that knows you and can write more about you than the fact that you observed for so many hours. 

Applicants should be aware that the occupational therapy licensing board,   National Board for Certification of Occupational Therapists (NBCOT),  may deny an individual the opportunity to sit for an examination if an applicant/student has a criminal history, is convicted of, pleads guilty or nolo contendere to a felony or other serious crime.  Successful completion of the EL-OTD at VCU does not guarantee licensure, the opportunity to sit for a licensure examination, certification or employment in the relevant heath care occupation.

If you're ready to apply to VCU, you're in the right place. Find your application path by reviewing the options below, which will lead you to requirements and a checklist designed to walk you through the process.

Apply as an undergraduate

If you will be a first-time college student, are transferring in credits from another institution, or are applying under unique circumstances as an undergraduate, this is the path for you.

International students , apply here

Are you a non-U.S. citizen or non-U.S. resident? Find out how to apply as an international student for undergraduate or graduate study.

Apply for graduate or professional study

If you're a master's, Ph.D. or professional program applicant, take this route.

For nondegree-seeking applicants

If you're interested in completing courses as a nondegree-seeking, undergraduate- or graduate-level student, follow this path.

Important dates

Check out upcoming application deadlines, when students can expect to hear back about admissions decisions and more.

Find answers in our  FAQs

Have questions about the application process? Explore our frequently asked questions.

The one thing that made me come to VCU was the feel of the campus and how comfortable it made me.

Other types of undegraduate applicants include returning or reapplying students, permanent U.S. residents and post-baccalaureate undergraduates.

• First-Year Applicants
• Transfer Applicants
• Graduate Applicants

Current VCU Students

• Undergraduate Admissions FAQ
• Graduate Admissions FAQ
• How to Apply

Change or add Major/Minor

Submit an online application

All change of major/minor applicants to VCUarts must submit a change of major or change of minor application online. This process is for currently enrolled VCU students. Current VCUarts students should speak with their advisor before submitting these forms.

This online application asks for your personal and contact information, current and preferred curriculum. Any required supplemental materials (audition, essays, portfolio) will be shared after submitting a change of major/minor request.

Important deadlines

Fall 2024 deadlines.

April 1, 2024, for the following majors:

Art Education, Cinema, Communication Arts, Craft/Material Studies, Dance + Choreography, Fashion Design, Fashion Merchandising, Graphic Design, Interior Design, Kinetic Imaging, Music, Painting + Printmaking, Photography + Film, Sculpture + Extended Media, and Theatre.

Spring 2024 deadline

November 1, 2023

Deadline for change of major/minor applicants to Art Foundation, Art History, Dance + Choreography, Fashion Merchandising, Music, and Theatre.

The following Visual Arts and Design programs will review spring change of major/minor applications only from students who have completed VCU’s Art Foundation program: Art Education, Communication Arts, Craft/Material Studies, Fashion Design, Graphic Design,* Interior Design,* Kinetic Imaging, Painting + Printmaking, Photography + Film, and Sculpture + Extended Media.

*Please meet with an advisor for major-specific course limitations for spring admits.

Major or minor specific requirements

Students who have completed Art Foundation requesting a major in Art Education, Communication Arts, Craft/Material Studies, Kinetic Imaging, Painting + Printmaking, Photography + Film, or Sculpture + Extended Media must have their arts advisor submit the change of major request to bypass the portfolio requirement for these majors.

Students who have completed Art Foundation requesting a minor in Craft/Material Studies, Painting + Printmaking, or Sculpture + Extended Media must have their arts advisor submit the change of minor request to bypass the portfolio requirement for these minors.

Students with current majors outside of VCUarts may only apply for the Art Foundation program which is a prerequisite for visual arts and design programs. You must complete the change of major request and submit a portfolio in the VCUarts SlideRoom website .

Art Foundation is the first-year program required of all visual art and design (BFA) students. The exciting first year provides an intellectually rigorous, studio-based experience in the fundamental issues of art and design. The program exposes students to a vast forum of ideas and concepts preparing them for a wide range of disciplines.

Submit 12 to 16 works of art that you have created within the past two years that show your promise in visual art and design. Present your strongest work and demonstrate your potential to develop a diverse set of skills and ideas should you be accepted into VCUarts. We prefer to see a diverse range of 2D and 3D media. Drawing from observation is recommended, while copying anime, cartoons, graffiti or tattoos is discouraged.

• Images may be submitted in the following formats: JPG, PNG, GIF, TIFF
• Images can be up to 5 MB each
• Videos may be submitted in the following formats: MPG or AVI.
• Video can be up to 250 MB each. Each video must be less than 3 minutes. The total maximum time for all moving images cannot exceed 5 minutes.

You will be prompted to submit your portfolio through the VCUarts SlideRoom website .

Writing sample 

Prior to applying to major in Art History, students enrolled in a major outside of the School of the Arts must complete ARTH 103, 104 and one additional ARTH course.

Art History applicants are required to submit a research-based writing sample that makes a clear assertion about a selected topic and cites published sources to support your assertion. The paper may focus on a work of art, an historical event, a sociological phenomenon, a literary text, or other humanities topic. Your writing sample should be no longer than 600 words, including any citations. You will be emailed a link to submit your essay after submitting your VCU Change of Major Request, or you can submit your writing sample here after you have completed your VCU Change of Major Request.

Change of minor applicants do not have to submit a writing sample.

Majoring in Art History

Minoring in Art History

A minor in art history consists of 18 credits, which must include:

• 3 credits ARTH 103
• 3 credits ARTH 104
• 3 credits from courses in list #1 (details can be found by following the link below)
• 3 credits from courses in list #2 (details can be found by following the link below)

The remaining 6 credits may be any ARTH course at the 200-300 level open to non-majors (visit http://bulletin.vcu.edu/azcourses/ for a list of all ARTH courses), however only one history of film class (270, 271, 370, or 374) can be counted toward the art history minor.

Of the total 18 credits, 9 credits must be 300-level courses. Only courses in which a student earns a grade of C or higher may be applied to the minor. A student may apply for the Art History minor after successful completion of ARTH 103 and ARTH 104.

Additional information for the Art History minor curriculum can be found on the Department of Art History website.

Cinema essay

In 300 words or fewer, introduce us to a character for a movie – either a protagonist or an antagonist. Express your imagination by developing this character using elements such as description, backstory, drama and dialogue. This character must be your own original invention, not an adaptation from a story that already exists.

Visual storytelling exercise

In order to give us a sense of your artistic personality as a visual storyteller, use the VCUarts SlideRoom website to respond to the following prompt: Create an original series of 5-7 still images using your smartphone or camera. Submit the individual still images in a sequence that expresses your imagination and tells a story or establishes a mood. Photographs should be uploaded in sequential order. Use cinematic elements such as composition, lighting, location, props, costumes, etc. Let the images speak for themselves while conveying your style.

You will be prompted to submit your cinema essay and visual storytelling exercise after completing your change of major request .

This is a track for Communication Arts majors.

Accepted applicants will begin their courses in the following Spring Semester, as Spring Admits. Applicants should follow the Spring Deadlines listed above.

You must submit a portfolio in the VCUarts SlideRoom website .

Personal statement

While completing the online application, you must include a personal statement. In this brief statement, articulate your interest in the Visual Effects minor, including a detailed anticipated application of the minor to your primary field of study.

Visual effects scene description

You must complete a 300 – 500 word-long visual effects scene description of an original scene, with a focus on visual effects usage. Scene descriptions will be assessed by the following rubric: plot, structure and creativity.

Inspirational filmmakers and/or visual effects artists

You must l ist up to five favorite artists or filmmakers that inspire the you to create visual effects and you must explain why they inspire you.

Five cinematic photos or one 1- to 2-minute video

• Upload items in the sequential order intended to convey a narrative.
• Work samples may be taken with any device (e.g., cell phone, digital camera, film camera).
• Photographic sequence/video will be assessed according to composition, lighting, story and creativity.

Minor is for individuals not majoring in Communication Arts.

You must complete the change of minor request and submit a portfolio in the VCUarts SlideRoom website .

Major in Dance

Dance applicants are required to audition for admission into the Department of Dance & Choreography. The auditionee will submit a short video based on movement prompts and exercises in improvisation, ballet, modern and West African, via the VCUarts SlideRoom website . An interview with the Dance faculty is also required.

Once your request has been submitted, applicants will receive an email from [email protected] with information regarding how to submit video auditions and schedule an interview. If you do not receive a confirmation email, please call the Dance department at 804-828-1711.

Minor in Dance

To apply to minor in Dance, you must have completed at least 8 credits of dance courses and have a cumulative VCU gpa of 3.0 or greater. No audition is required.

Submit your audition and schedule your virtual interview

A complete application must be submitted before you may submit an audition date.

Admission criteria

• Talent and potential as an artist in the field of dance.
• Prior training and the ability to demonstrate knowledge of modern dance and/or classical ballet techniques.
• Ability to demonstrate musicality and dynamic range.
• A healthy, physically conditioned body that is injury-free.
• Openness to new ideas and the ability to engage in creative problem solving.

About the audition

VCU Dance welcomes students with varying levels of dance experience to audition for our program. The audition consists of a warm-up, a barre, modern center work, an improvisation section and a short interview.

The following attire is appropriate: leotards, tights, unitards, bike shorts with a leotard or fitted top, leggings and appropriate supportive undergarments. No socks. No dangling jewelry. Hair secured away from the face. Please wear either ballet or jazz shoes in the ballet section. The modern, West African and improvisation sections are barefoot.

Fashion Merchandising applicants have no required supplemental materials.

Admissions Criteria

• Students from any department/major may request a minor in Fashion Merchandising, provided they have a 3.0 or higher GPA.
• Students intending to minor in Fashion Merchandising must apply and be accepted as seeking a minor in Fashion Merchandising.
• Students must see an advisor upon declaration of the Fashion Merchandising minor and once a semester thereafter.

The minor in Animation is housed in the Department of Kinetic Imaging and includes relevant elective options from majors across the School of the Arts.

The minor in Animation is for students who seek to combine technical and conceptual approaches to animation. Students can expect to gain a basic understanding of contemporary interdisciplinary animation practices, the history of animation and a background on the creative approaches to animation arts.

A minor in Animation consists of 18 credits:

• KINE 245 Animation Practices (4 credits, required course)
• ARTH 370 History of Animated Film (3 credits, required course)
• KINE 405 Animation Studio (1 credit, required course, offered spring semester)
• In addition, select 10 credits from the list of elective options, which includes a variety of relevant classes from across the School of the Arts

*please note that some courses may have prerequisites and may require an override or permission from the host dept/instructor

If a student takes 1-2 classes per semester, this minor can be completed in 1.5 – 3 academic years. Open to all VCU students! Acceptance is based on the review of the VCU Change of Major or Minor Application. A personal statement and a link to an online portfolio are required.

Personal statement: please communicate your experience in animation (if any), why this minor is interesting to you and how this minor will support your goals for learning and research.

Portfolio: the portfolio may contain still images (digital or hand drawn, not photo), storyboards, and moving images (can be motion graphics/animation). Once you complete the change of minor request form, you will receive a link to submit a portfolio through SlideRoom

Please take note of deadlines on  the application page , For questions, please email us at  [email protected] . Please note, admission into this minor is competitive. Consult with your academic advisor for degree progress questions before you apply.

The minor in sound design combines both technical and conceptual approaches to sound for video, film and stage. The focus is not on Music but rather on such practices as sound effects production including Foley, as well as field recording and voice over. The minor is a collaboration between the Department of Kinetic Imaging and the Department of Theatre and includes relevant elective options from majors across the School of the Arts.

A minor in sound design consists of 18 credits, nine of which must be at the 300-400 level:

• 3 credits THEA 333 Sound Technology
• 3 credits KINE 346 Survey of Sound Design
• 12 credits from the list of elective options

Any VCU student may apply to the minor in sound design and acceptance is based on the review of the VCU Change of Major or Minor Application and a personal statement (see below).

Personal statement After completion of the change of minor request , please email a brief statement (approximately 300 words) to [email protected], in which you articulate your interest in sound design, an instance of effective sound design from something you’ve seen (and heard) recently, any relevant experience in sound design and how the minor might apply to your primary field of study.

Audition/interview

Once your application has been submitted, audition recordings must be submitted in the VCUarts SlideRoom website . Instrument-specific requirements can be found on the Department of Music website . Applicants will receive a link to SlideRoom after submitting the change of major request . Once audition videos have been submitted, the music department will contact the applicant to schedule an interview.

The music minor consists of 18 credits distributed among the areas of music history and theory, ensemble performance, private lessons and music electives. All students must provide their own instruments (with the exception of piano). All students must be able to read music. Students must have a minimum GPA of 2.5 in order to be considered for a minor in Music.

Voice minor Applicants are required to audition. You must play a short passage—at sight—on the piano and sing the same passage a capella. After completion of the change of minor application, students interested in minoring in voice will be contacted via university email. The student will then be connected to a Voice faculty member to schedule an audition. Voice auditions are usually held a few days before the beginning of each semester and at the end of each semester.

Strings minor (Cello, Classical Double Bass, Viola, and Violin) Applicants are required to audition. Prepare one composition or movement from the standard repertoire for their instrument no more than 10 minutes in length. You will also be required to perform scales. After completion of the change of minor application, you will be contacted via university email. You will then be connected to a Strings faculty member to schedule an audition.

Piano minor After completion of the change of minor application, you will be contacted via university email. You will then be connected to a Piano faculty member to schedule an audition.

Other instruments minor You will be asked a few questions about your musical experience and abilities during this online application. Once approved for the minor, Christine Hoffman, Academic Advisor for the Department of Music, counsels every student about the selection of appropriate courses based on the student’s competence and interest. Students interested in minoring in music (instrumental) should contact Christine Hoffman via email ( [email protected] )

Once your change of major request has been submitted, please create a SlideRoom account ; answer all questions, including callback date selection; and upload your materials.

Options are:

• Friday, November 10, 12:30 – 5 pm (only callback date for Spring applicants)
• Friday, December 1, 12:30 – 5 pm
• Friday, January 19, 12:30 – 5 pm
• Friday, January 26, 12:30 – 5 pm
• Friday, February 2, 12:30 – 5 pm

Callbacks take place at the W.E Singleton Center for the Performing Arts , located at 922 Park Ave, Richmond, VA. The department will send more information in advance of your callback date.

At callbacks, Bachelor of Arts applicants come on campus to learn more about our programs, interview with faculty, tour our facilities, and meet current students and faculty. Parents are welcome to attend.

The purpose of the interview is to allow faculty members to get to know more about the applicant’s interests, commitment and communication skills. This interview is an important part of the application process. Applicants should be prepared to discuss their recent theatre activities, career goals, as well as personal goals and experiences. Please bring your resume to the interview.

Once your change of major request has been submitted (select “Theatre Foundation with concentration in Performance” as the major), please create a SlideRoom account ; answer all questions, including callback date selection; and upload your materials.

At Callbacks, applicants can expect to:

• Interview with faculty in their area of interest.
• Present their portfolio or appropriate audition pieces (details dependent on intended major).
• Tour theatre facilities.
• Talk with current students.
• All students participate in a group general info and Q+A session.
• Performers participate in group warm-ups.
• Parents are encouraged to attend, too. We continue with a parent Q+A session after applicants head off to auditions/interviews.

Callbacks take place at the W.E Singleton Center for the Performing Arts, located at 922 Park Ave, Richmond, VA. The department will send more information in advance of your callback date.

At callbacks, Stage Management applicants come on campus to learn more about our programs, interview with faculty, tour our facilities, and meet current students and faculty. Parents are welcome to attend.

The purpose of the interview is to allow faculty members to get to know more about the applicant’s interests, commitment and communication skills. This interview is an important part of the application process. Applicants should be prepared to discuss their recent theatre activities, career goals, as well as personal goals and experiences. Please bring your prompt book to the interview.

In SlideRoom, submit 12 to 16 works of art that you have created within the past two years that show your promise in visual art and design. Present your strongest work and demonstrate your potential to develop a diverse set of skills and ideas should you be accepted into VCUarts. We prefer to see a diverse range of 2D and 3D media. Drawing from observation is recommended, while copying anime, cartoons, graffiti or tattoos is discouraged.

• Video can be up to 30 MB each. Each video must be less than 3 minutes. The total maximum time for all moving images cannot exceed 5 minutes.

At callbacks, applicants can expect to:

Please fill out the change of minor form , and the theatre department will contact you with more information.

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Your chance of acceptance, your chancing factors, extracurriculars, does vcu have supplemental essays.

What's up, folks? I'm starting to work on my college applications and I was wondering if VCU has any supplemental essays as part of their application process. Does anyone here have any insight on this?

Hello! As of now, Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) does not require supplemental essays as part of their regular application process. You only need to submit your Common Application or Coalition Application, which will include your personal essay. Keep in mind that university requirements may change from year to year, so it's always a good idea to double-check VCU's admissions website or reach out to their admissions office for the most up-to-date information on their application process.

Just be aware that there is an essay if you are applying to VCU's Honor's College.

That being said, as you work on your personal essay, it's essential to focus on telling a unique and engaging story that reflects your personality, experiences, and goals. Since VCU doesn't require additional essays, this is a crucial opportunity to make a lasting impression on the admissions officers. Best of luck with your college applications!

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