The article provides important information about the UVA Acceptance Rate And Admission Guide to assist prospective students in their admission process.
The University of Virginia is part of the prestigious group known as the “Public Ivies,” which includes UNC Chapel Hill, the University of Michigan, and the College of William and Mary.
These institutions offer top-notch education to high-achieving students at a significantly lower cost compared to elite private schools. As a result, the UVA acceptance rate has been steadily declining over the years.
Founded by Thomas Jefferson in the early 1800s, the University of Virginia has maintained its reputation as a world-class academic institution. However, like many similar universities, its level of selectivity has significantly increased in the past decade.
In 2005, the University of Virginia admitted around 38% of applicants, but today, that rate has dropped by more than half. Out-of-state applicants face an even more challenging admission process. With this article, we aim to provide valuable insights to those applying to UVA, giving them a clearer idea of what to expect during the admissions process.
- UVA’s Class of 2027 acceptance rate
- UVA’s Class of 2027 Early Decision (ED) acceptance rate
- SAT, GPA, and class rank of accepted UVA applicants
- Admissions trends from the Class of 2027
- UVA’s system for rating applicants
- A look at the demographics of current UVA undergraduates
- The percent of accepted students that attend UVA (yield rate)
- Tips for applying to UVA
- UVA supplemental essay prompts/tips
- How to assess whether applying to UVA is even worth the $75 application fee (for you)
Contents
Many students applying to UVA may also find the following blogs to be of interest:
How to Get Into:
- William & Mary
- Duke University
- UNC Chapel Hill
Let’s begin with an examination of the most recent admissions data.
UVA Acceptance Rate – Class of 2027
The Cavalier Class of 2027 received a staggering 56,439 applications for admission, but only 9,522 students were granted acceptance, resulting in a challenging UVA acceptance rate of 16.2%. It’s crucial to recognize that gaining admission to the university is notably more difficult for non-Virginia residents. In the regular decision cycle for the 2022-23 period, out-of-state applicants were accepted at an 8% rate, whereas Virginia residents had a 13% acceptance rate.
Historical University of Virginia acceptance rates are as follows:
- Class of 2026 UVA acceptance rate: 18.7%
- 2025 University of Virginia acceptance rate: 21%
- 2024 UVA acceptance rate: 21%
UVA: Early Decision Acceptance Rate – Class of 2027
Applying Early Decision to UVA offers a distinct advantage. The acceptance rate for Early Decision applicants for the Class of 2027 was 25.9%, which was notably higher compared to the non-binding Early Action (EA) or Regular Decision rounds. Similarly, for the Class of 2025, Early Decision applicants experienced an even more favorable acceptance rate of 32%.
2027 UVA Acceptance Rate (Breakdown)
- In-State: 31%
- Out-of-State: 17%
University of Virginia Admissions – SAT, GPA, and Class Rank
Based on the latest data for the Class of 2026, the middle 50% of enrolled students at UVA scored between 690-750 on the Reading and Writing section of the SAT and 710-790 on the Math section. For the ACT, the accepted students had scores ranging from 32-35. Notably, an impressive 86% of first-year students admitted for the 2022-23 academic year came from the top 10% of their high school class. Additionally, the average unweighted GPA for incoming UVA freshmen is typically around 3.9.
Admissions Trends & Notes – Class of 2027
- Students were admitted from 49 states and 77 countries.
- Fewer students gained admission to the Colleges of Arts & Science and the School of Engineering and Applied Science.
- 390 Virginia High School had at least one student accepted into the Class of 2027.
- The 56,439 applicants were an all-time school record.
- 1,167 students had their application fees waived.
- 14% of 2026 enrolled students were legacies.
How UVA Rates Applicants
UVA considers six factors as “very important” during the admissions process, which include the rigor of high school coursework, class rank, GPA, recommendation letters, character/personal qualities, and state residency (with Virginia residency holding a significant advantage). Additionally, items such as application essays, extracurricular activities, and talent/ability are deemed “important” in the admissions evaluation.
Applicants can be assured that despite receiving over 50,000 applications annually, UVA conducts a comprehensive and thorough review of each application, taking a holistic approach to the selection process.
From the committee…
The UVA admission staff reads “the entire application before we render a decision. There are no “cut offs” (remember GPA is not standardized, so that doesn’t make sense in Virginia). We read every file, front to back, before we make our recommendations.
We read and double check our files multiple times.” In the words of one admissions officer, the “best way to effectively communicate what holistic admission looks like to me is to compare your application to a puzzle…The largest, most central piece of your puzzle is your transcript. This shouldn’t be a surprise since your transcript represents four years of academic development.”
It is also worth highlighting that recruited athletes enjoy a huge edge. This is because UVA takes great pride in their 27 NCAA Division I sports teams. Overall, approximately 750 student-athletes are presently attending the university. Of course, other outside-the-classroom endeavors can also enhance your application profile. For advice about how to stand out on the extracurricular front, check out our previous blog entitled How Many Extracurricular Activities Do I Need for College?
Who Actually Gets Into the University of Virginia?
Let’s look at the demographics of the current undergraduate student body. Geographically, the greatest percentage of Class of 2026 members are Virginia residents.
- Virginia: 62%
- Out of State: 38%
Non-residents applying to UVA face tough competition, especially from states with a high number of qualified applicants like those in the Northeast and West Coast. However, students from the Deep South, such as Alabama or Mississippi, or less-populated states like Wyoming or North Dakota, may have an advantage in the admissions process due to their location.
Looking at ethnic identity, the breakdown of the Class of 2026 members was:
- Caucasian/White: 47%
- Asian American: 20%
- Hispanic: 8%
- African American: 8%
- Nonresident Aliens: 5%
Looking at the gender breakdown, the Class of 2026 had significantly more female members:
- Men: 43%
- Women: 57%
UVA’s Yield Rate
UVA’s yield rate, which represents the percentage of accepted students who choose to enroll out of the total admitted students, stands at 42%. This percentage is slightly below other prestigious state universities like the University of Michigan, UNC-Chapel Hill, and UCLA.
Tips for Applying to the University of Virginia
If you plan on joining the 50,000+ Wahoo hopefuls for the next admissions cycle, you should know the following:
- UVA’s admissions process does not include interviews, and there is a special consideration for applicants who have parents who attended the university.
- The university also does not take into account “demonstrated interest,” so activities like campus visits or contacting admissions officers will not impact the evaluation.
- Applicants should focus on dedicating enough time and effort to the main Common
- App Essay and two short supplemental essays required by UVA for the 2022-2023 cycle.
We are looking for passionate students to join our diverse community of scholars, researchers, and artists. Answer the question that corresponds to the school/program to which you are applying in a half page or roughly 250 words.
- College of Arts and Sciences – What work of art, music, science, mathematics, literature, or other media has surprised, unsettled, or inspired you, and in what way?
- Engineering and Applied Sciences – Describe an engineering feat that serves the common good and why it inspires you to study engineering.
- School of Architecture – Describe significant experience that deepened your interest in studying in the School of Architecture.
- School of Nursing – Describe a health care-related experience or another significant interaction that deepened your interest in studying nursing.
- Kinesiology Program – Discuss experiences that led you to apply to the kinesiology major.
Answer one of the following questions in a half page or roughly 250 words.
- What’s your favorite word and why?
- We are a community with quirks, both in language and in traditions. Describe one of your quirks and why it is part of who you are.
- Student self-governance, which encourages student investment and initiative, is a hallmark of the UVA culture. In her fourth year at UVA, Laura Nelson was inspired to create Flash Seminars, one-time classes which facilitate high-energy discussion about thought-provoking topics outside of traditional coursework. If you created a Flash Seminar, what idea would you explore and why?
- UVA students paint messages on Beta Bridge when they want to share information with our community. What would you paint on Beta Bridge and why is this your message?
- Rita Dove, UVA English professor and former U.S. Poet Laureate, once said in an interview that “…there are times in life when, instead of complaining, you do something about your complaints.” Describe a time when, instead of complaining, you took action for the greater good.
Should I Apply to UVA?
Applicants with SAT/ACT scores within UVA’s mid-50% range and a top-ranking position in their high school class have a good chance of being considered viable candidates for admission. Virginia residents have a smoother path to acceptance compared to out-of-state or international applicants.
Non-Virginia applicants may need higher test scores and could benefit from having a special skill or unique attribute to enhance their chances of acceptance. Students applying to a prestigious institution like UVA should also ensure they have a well-balanced college list, including both “target” and “safety” schools.
