UVA Transfer Acceptance Rate and Requirements — 2024
December 14, 2023
The University of Virginia is among the most selective public universities in the country. While they take less than 20% of freshman applicants, UVA remains one of the best transfer-friendly institutions you can find. In fact, they accept transfer applicants at close to double the rate of first-years. This blog will share the UVA transfer acceptance rate as well as other essential pieces of information like the UVA transfer deadline, requirements, decision date, and much more.
UVA Transfer Acceptance Rate
Below we present the most current available UVA transfer acceptance rate as well as historical data.
For entry in the fall of 2023, UVA received 3,530 applications and accepted approximately 30% of that overall group. In the Spring 2024 cycle, UVA received 450 applications and accepted 10.4%.
For entry in the fall of 2022, UVA received 3,562 applications and accepted 1,245, resulting in a 35% overall acceptance rate. In the Spring 2023 cycle, UVA received 411 applications and accepted 14%.
For entry in the fall of 2021, there were 3,364 transfer applicants and 1,208 individuals were accepted (36%).
As with their first-year admissions, UVA favors Virginia residents in the process. In 2023, they accepted 45% of Virginia applicants and just 19% of non-residents.
When trying to get the complete picture of how difficult it is to transfer into a given school, it is important to look at historical data. Many schools have wild fluctuations in transfer acceptance rates from year to year. Yet this is not the case at UVA, which has been remarkably consistent over the last five years.
Historical transfer rates are as follows:
| Year | Acceptance Rate |
| 2020 | 40% |
| 2019 | 37% |
| 2018 | 37% |
| 2017 | 40% |
UVA Transfer Acceptance Rate (Continued)
Additionally, the transfer rates for the fall of 2023 varied significantly depending on academic program. Here are acceptance rates by program:
- Architecture: 37%
- Arts & Sciences: 31%
- Education: 59%
- Engineering: 24%
- Commerce: 18%
- Public Policy: 25%
- Nursing: 42%
UVA Transfer Deadline
The university offers a fall and spring transfer option. The UVA transfer deadline for fall applicants is March 1. Spring applicants apply by October 1.
UVA Transfer Requirements
The UVA transfer requirements are as follows:
- Common App for Transfer
- Final high school transcripts (noting graduation)
- Official college transcripts
- SAT/ACT (optional)
- Recommendation letter (0 required, 1 optional)
Students who have the best chance to gain admission to UVA have done the following:
- Are in the process of completing at least 24 semester credit hours if applying for sophomore year, and up to 60 credits if applying for junior admission.
- Have completed their major’s stated Course Requirements.
- Earned stellar grades in their first year at a community college or 4-year university.
- Possess a strong high school record.
- Have strong SAT/ACT and AP/IB results (even though they are test-optional).
- Are a Virginia community college student. Over half of admitted fall transfers hail from the Virginia Community College System. Moreover, Virginia community college students can pursue Guaranteed Transfer Admission.
UVA Transfer GPA
According to the university, the average transfer GPA is around 3.5. However, in our experience, a 3.75 or better puts candidates in a much better position. Out-of-state applicants will definitely want to earn as many A’s as possible on their transcripts.
UVA Transfer Writing Supplement
Reasons for Transfer
Please provide a statement that addresses your reasons for transferring and the objectives you hope to achieve. You can type directly into the box, or you can paste text from another source. (4,000 character max)
UVA Transfer Acceptance Rate (Continued)
Personal Statement
What about your individual background, perspective, or experience will serve as a source of strength for you or those around you at UVA? Feel free to write about any past experience or part of your background that has shaped your perspective and will be a source of strength, including but not limited to those related to your community, upbringing, educational environment, race, gender, or other aspects of your background that are important to you. (1,800 character max)
UVA Transfer Decision Date
UVA transfer decisions are made by May 1 for those joining the university in the fall. Spring hopefuls are notified by November 30.
Final Thoughts – UVA University Transfer Acceptance Rate
If you apply for sophomore transfer, the committee will take a strong look at both your high school and college grades. If you apply for junior transfer, they will place far greater emphasis on your college performance.
Finally, you have a much better chance of being accepted for the fall semester than the spring. Moreover, most transfer applicants are only accepted for the fall. The exception is a limited number of transfer students who are accepted into the College of Arts & Sciences in the spring, which is a highly competitive endeavor—admissions typically receives over 300 applications for about 35 available spots.
If you are looking for information on how to apply to UVA as a first-year student, you may find the following blogs to be of interest:
Those searching for application info on other institutions may wish to visit our Dataverse pages/blogs:
