What are the deadlines for admission to begin a degree program in Fall 2012?
The online application, and all other supplemental materials, for the Masters of Architectural History, Architecture, and Urban and Environmental Planning programs must be submitted (or postmarked) by 11:59 p.m. Eastern Standard Time on Wednesday, January 4, 2012 The online application, and all other supplemental materials, for the Masters of Landscape Architecture program must be submitted by 11:59 Eastern Standard Time on Wednesday, January 11, 2012.

May I enroll in the spring semester?
We offer admission to the graduate programs for the fall semester only (although some students must start their coursework in the summer). Students who would like to take classes in the spring may be able to take a course through the Community Scholar program, administered by the School of Continuing and Professional Studies. The number of credits students can earn through the Community Scholar program are limited and enrollment is subject to instructors’ permission and space availability.

What address should I use to send packages through FedEx, UPS, and DHL?
Graduate Admissions and Financial Aid Office:
University of Virginia
School of Architecture
Campbell Hall
Rugby Road
Charlottesville VA 22903

What address should I use to send mail through the US Postal Service?
Graduate Admissions and Financial Aid Office
School of Architecture
Campbell Hall
P.O. Box 400122
Charlottesville VA 22904–4122

What is involved in applying for two degrees?
If you are interested in pursuing dual degrees at the School of Architecture you should apply for each program separately. You must create one My GradPage account per program application and submit one online application per program. You will also need to submit one copy of all other required materials per program. Your applications will be reviewed independently of each other.

If accepted by both programs, you will be assigned an advisor for each program who will help you schedule your course of study. Typically, you will need to add one more year of study to complete two degrees. If you wish to earn a degree within the School of Architecture and a degree within another school of the University, the same rules apply.

Rather than applying to two programs at the same time, some students choose to enroll at U. Va. in one degree program and then apply to a second degree program by following the process and deadlines of the second degree program.

Current School of Architecture Graduate Students: If you are applying to a second degree within the School of Architecture, you will need to submit the following materials:

1. Online application (with statement of intent, essay, and resume)
2. Letters of recommendation. The letters of recommendation you submitted with your original application have been removed from your academic record.
3. Official and up-to-date University of Virginia transcript
4. Portfolio (if applying to the Architecture or Landscape Architecture programs)

I previously applied to the School of Architecture. Do I need to resubmit an application for Fall 2012?
If you applied to the School of Architecture’s graduate programs for Fall 2010 or Fall 2011 admission, you need to resubmit the following materials:

1. Online application (with statement of intent, essay, resume, and application fee)
2. If you applied to the Masters of Architecture or Landscape Architecture programs, we suggest that you submit a new portfolio.
3. Updated official transcripts (if applicable)
4. Updated GRE and TOEFL scores (if applicable)
5. If you would like to use the previous letters of recommendation, please contact the Office of Graduate Admissions and Financial Aid at 434-924-6442 or arch-admissions@virginia.edu.

When are admissions decisions made, and how will I be notified?
Admissions decisions will be posted in mid–March. You will be notified of our admissions decision through the online application tool.

How do I apply for financial aid?
Visit our website for more information.

How do I become a Virginia resident?
You must live in the state for 1 year prior to enrolling. Please see the Virginia Domicile web page for guidelines used to determine domicile status.

Is an interview required for admission?
An interview is not required. However, you can meet with a professor to review the program of interest and to discuss the admissions process. The Office of Graduate Admissions and Financial Aid will schedule meetings from mid–September until mid–November. The interview is for your information only and is not looked at during the admissions reviews.

If I am currently enrolled in another graduate program, may I transfer to your program, and will my credits transfer?
You should apply to the program following the normal application process. Since each department handles transfer credit differently, each applicant is handled on a case-by-case basis.

Do you have any part–time programs?
All of our programs are considered full–time.

If I am in Charlottesville, can I take courses without being admitted as a degree candidate?
Yes, this is possible through the Community Scholar program operated through the School of Continuing and Professional Studies. The number of credits students can earn through the Community Scholar program are limited and enrollment is subject to instructors’ permission and space availability.

Do you have minimum requirements for the GRE or GPA?
We do not have minimum requirements for the GRE or GPA. Please note: Due to a system change at U. Va., if ETS sent your GRE scores to U. Va. prior to August 2008, we will not be able to retrieve your scores. Please ask ETS to resend your scores. Scores must be submitted by the appropriate admissions deadline.

I need to send official test scores to your school. What is your institution code?
Our institution code is 5820. Please note: Due to a system change at U. Va., if ETS sent your GRE scores to U. Va. prior to August 2008 and/or ETS sent your TOEFL scores to U. Va. prior to April 2008, we will not be able to retrieve your scores. Please ask ETS to resend your scores. Scores must be submitted by the appropriate admissions deadline.

May I substitute another test in lieu of the GRE (i.e. GMAT)?
The departments of Architecture, Architectural History and Landscape Architecture only accept the GRE. The department of Urban and Environmental Planning will accept the LSAT or GMAT in lieu of the GRE. Please note: Due to a system change at U. Va., if you requested your GMAT scores be sent to U. Va. prior to August 2008, we will not be able to retrieve your scores. Please ask Parsons VUE to resend your scores. Scores must be submitted by the appropriate admissions deadline.

Do you require TOEFL or IELTS from international students?
All international applicants whose native tongues are not English and who were taught by a non–English speaking institution are required to take TOEFL. The minimum required score is 600 for the paper–based exam and 250 for the computer–based exam, and 90 for the internet–based exam. Please note: Due to a system change at U. Va., if ETS sent your TOEFL scores to U. Va. prior to April 2008, we will not be able to retrieve your scores. Please ask ETS to resend your scores. Scores must be submitted by the appropriate admissions deadline. Applicants can also submit IELTS scores. Applications should receive a score of 7.0 on the IELTS exam.

I am interested in a Ph.D. in Architectural History. How do I apply for this program?
Please see the Graduate Program in the History of Art & Architecture.

Which program should I apply to in the Architecture and/or Landscape Architecture department(s)?

For those interested in Architecture:
First Professional Degree (Path A): Students who do not hold a Bachelor of Science in Architecture degree, or who have not taken at least 6 semesters of 5 to 6-credit architecture studio courses, are eligible to apply to the M. Arch Path A program. Students in the Path A program come from a variety of backgrounds including art history, biology, economics, engineering, political science, etc. Most Path A students require 3 years and one summer to complete the program. The Summer Design Institute (SDI) proceeding the initial Fall term is required with few exceptions. The SDI provides instruction in basic design, architectural theory, determinants of form, and graphic communications.

First Professional Degree (Path B): Students with B.S. Architecture degrees may be admitted with advanced standing at a level commensurate with their abilities. Applicants must have taken at least 6 semesters of 5 to 6-credit architecture studio courses in addition to courses in structures, construction, and buildings and climates. Advanced standing determination is made at the time of acceptance into the program. The decision is based in large part upon evaluation of the portfolio.

Additionally, applicants to the Master of Architecture program who have received Bachelor of Architecture degrees from colleges/universities outside the United States must apply to the M. Arch Path B program since they are not eligible for the Post Professional Path C program.  The Path B program normally requires 2 years to complete.

Post Professional Degree (Path C): This curriculum is for those with a NAAB accredited professional degree in architecture. The program provides post- professional degree students an opportunity to undertake advanced interdisciplinary studies in architecture and develop individual research interests/projects and is normally completed in two semesters. Students admitted to the program will develop a program in consultation with a faculty advisor and the department chair, tailored to their individual design and research interests. If an independent studio is pursued, it must be preceded by ALAR 821 (Design Research Seminar).

Please note, since Bachelor of Architecture degrees from a college/university outside of the United States are not NAAB accredited professional degrees, international students with B. Arch degrees should apply to the M. Arch Path B program.

For those interested in Landscape Architecture:
First Professional Degree (Path A): The Path A program allows students with liberal arts degrees to obtain a first professional degree in landscape architecture. This requires 3 years plus an introductory summer session. The Summer Design Institute (SDI) preceding the initial Fall term provides instruction in basic design, architectural theory, determinants of form, and graphic communications. For the following three years, each semester's work consists of a design studio with supporting history, theory, construction, and natural systems courses for a total of 97 credits.

First Professional Degree (Path A–Adv): Students with accredited baccalaureate or masters degrees in architecture are admitted with advanced standing. Over four semesters, students generally complete 62 hours of course work for the degree, depending upon the extent to which technical courses in landscape architecture were included in their architectural studies.

Post Professional Degree (Path B): Students with accredited baccalaureate degrees in landscape architecture are admitted with advanced standing and normally complete the degree in four academic semesters. Their programs totaling 61 credit hours are tailored to their individual design and research interests.

If you are still unsure to which degree program to apply, please be assured that you will be placed in the appropriate category during the admissions process.

Do I need to take calculus and physics before I apply to the Architecture program?
Students interested in pursuing a Master of Architecture Professional degree through the Path A or Path B program must have completed Calculus I and Physics I before starting the program. It is recommended that students complete the classes prior to applying, however it is not required. Any 3–4 credit physics course will fulfill the requirement; however it would be beneficial to the student if the course covered the areas of statics and mechanics. Please note students interested in pursuing the Master of Architecture Post–Professional degree (Path C) are waived from this requirement.

What coursework should I take in advance of applying to the MLA Path A program?
While no particular course work is required, we recommend that applicants take free hand drawing and ecology, or field ecology courses.

Do you require a portfolio?
More information is listed on the Graduate Admissions page.