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Virginia Commonwealth University - Richmond

910 W Franklin St, Richmond, VA 23284

Website: Virginia Commonwealth University - Richmond

Photos:

The Egyptian Building, built in 1845, is one of the University's oldest buildings.
The Egyptian Building, built in 1845, is one of the University's oldest buildings.
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Virginia Commonwealth University
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Virginia Commonwealth University - Richmond School Description

Virginia Commonwealth University is the largest university in Virginia and ranks among the top universities in the country in sponsored research. Located on two downtown campuses in Richmond, VCU enrolls more than 32,000 students in 208 certificate and degree programs in the arts, sciences and humanities. Sixty-five of the programs are unique in Virginia, many of them crossing the disciplines of VCU’s 15 schools and one college. MCV Hospitals and the health sciences schools of Virginia Commonwealth University compose the VCU Medical Center, one of the nation’s leading academic medical centers.

Virginia Commonwealth University is committed to an environment of uncompromising integrity and ethical conduct. Our ethical standards are the foundation for our decisions and actions. As members of Virginia Commonwealth University your actions will be guided by these principles and values:

Respect. We will respect individuals, diversity and the rights of others.

Honesty. We will act and communicate honestly and candidly. We will not
mislead others.

Excellence. We will strive for excellence in all that we do.

Responsibility and Accountability. We will be responsible and accountable for
our decisions and actions.

Stewardship. We will be good stewards of the resources entrusted to the university.

From historic row houses to award-winning planned communities, Richmond and its surrounding counties offer a multitude of unique and affordable places to live. Richmond, the capital of Virginia, is a diverse cultural city, surrounded by historic neighborhoods, parks and a thriving James River. The city consistently ranks among “Best Places to Live and Work in America” in several national publications.

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Virginia Commonwealth University - Richmond

From Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia

Virginia Commonwealth University, or VCU, is a large public American research university with its main campuses located in Richmond, Virginia. Particularly recognized for its nationally ranked art, mass communications (Brandcenter), social work, health administration, and medical degree programs, VCU is the largest university in Virginia with almost 32,000 students enrolled in the fall semester of 2007. It is one of four Virginia universities rated RU/H: Research Universities (high research activity) by the Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education.

Formed by a merger between the Richmond Professional Institute and the Medical College of Virginia in 1968, VCU has a medical school that is home to the nation's oldest organ transplant program. VCU is host to the annual VCU French Film Festival, the largest French film festival in the United States.

History

Though officially created with the merger of the Richmond Professional Institute (RPI) and Medical College of Virginia (MCV) in 1968, VCU's history stretches back to 1838, when MCV first opened its doors as the medical department of Hampden-Sydney College. VCU recognizes the earlier date on its official seal and on promotional materials. RPI traces its roots back to 1917, when it began as the Richmond School of Social Work.

Timeline

  • 1838 - The Medical Department of Hampden-Sydney College opens in Richmond
  • 1844 - The Medical Department moves into its first permanent home, the Egyptian Building
  • 1854 - The Medical Department of Hampden-Sydney College receives an independent charter from the Virginia General Assembly and becomes the Medical College of Virginia (MCV)
  • 1860 - In return for a $30,000 appropriation MCV conveys all its property to the Commonwealth of Virginia and becomes a state institution
  • 1893 - College of Physicians and Surgeons, later University College of Medicine, was established by Dr. Hunter Holmes McGuire just three blocks away from MCV
  • 1912 - McGuire Hall opens as the new home of the University College of Medicine
  • 1913 - MCV and UCM merged through the efforts of Dr. George Ben Johnston and Dr. Stuart McGuire. MCV acquired the Memorial Hospital as a result of the merger
  • 1917 - Richmond School of Social Work and Public Health established
  • 1925 - Richmond School of Social Work and Public Health becomes the Richmond division of the College of William and Mary
  • 1939 - Richmond division of William and Mary becomes the "Richmond Professional Institute of the College of William and Mary" (RPI)
  • 1947 - MCV Foundation is incorporated.
  • 1962 - RPI separates from William and Mary to become an independent state institution.
  • 1968 - The first heart transplant at the Medical College of Virginia is performed by Dr. Richard R. Lower. This was only the 9th such operation performed in the United States, and the 16th in the world.
  • 1968 - State legislation merges MCV and RPI to become Virginia Commonwealth University. MCV retains the right to use its name.
  • 2000 - VCU Health System authority is established.
  • 2001 - Spring- Inger and Walter Rice Center for Environmental Life Science opened. It includes a lake, pine and hardwood forests. In the Summer the Eugene P. and Lois E. Trani Center for Life Science was opened. It features an extensive greenhouse, 18 laboratories for research in genetics to systems biology, and is home to the Bioinformatics program.
  • 2004 - The name VCU Medical Center is adopted to refer to MCV Hospitals and VCU's medical schools, and the VCU Academic Campus is renamed the VCU Monroe Park Campus.
  • 2006 - VCU grew to become the most populated university in Virginia and the state's first to have 30,000 students
  • 2008 - VCU celebrated 40th anniversary

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Read the full entry on Wikipedia

Quick Facts

Chance of Admission:
Location:
Mid-Atlantic
Setting:
Mid-size City Setting
Type:
Public
Size:
Very Large (+10,000 Undergrad)
Mascot:
Rams
Nickname:
VCU

Students & Campus Life

Undergraduate Enrollment:
20,327
On Campus Housing:
Available
Full Time Students:
99%
Athletic Programs:
Available
More Students & Campus Life

Expenses

Average Tuition:
$ 18,740
Students Receiving Aid:
71%
More Expenses & Financial Aid

Admissions

Application Fee:
$ 30
Selectivity:
Selective
More Admissions

Virginia Commonwealth University - Richmond Degree Programs

Bachelor’s Degree Programs

Learn more about Bachelor’s Degree Programs

Master’s Degree Programs

Learn more about Master’s Degree Programs

Certificate Programs

Learn more about Certificate Programs

Virginia Commonwealth University - Richmond Students & Campus Life

General

Full-Time vs. Part-Time
Full-Time 99%
Part-Time 1%
Men vs. Women
Women 58%
Men 42%
Race/Ethnicity
Caucasian 69%
African-American 18%
Asian 8%
Other 3%
Hispanic 2%

Geography

In State vs. Out-of-State
In-State 89%
Out-of-State 11%
Top States for Incoming Freshman
Virginia 89%
New York 1%
Maryland 1%
Pennsylvania 0%
District of Columbia 0%
Percent of Students International: 3%

Housing

On-Campus Housing Available: Yes
Percent of Students Living On-Campus: 21%
Freshman Students Required to Live on Campus: No

Athletics

Member of: NAA, NCAA
Sports Include: Basketball (Colonial Athletic Association)
Baseball (Colonial Athletic Association)
Track (Colonial Athletic Association)

Virginia Commonwealth University - Richmond Expenses (Tuition & Fees)

Tuition & Fees (undergraduate) In-State Out-of-State  
Published Tuition and Fees:
 $ 6,196 $ 18,740  
Average Tuition for Full-Time Undergrads:
 $ 4,525 $ 16,901  
Required Fees for Full-Time Undergrads:
 $ 1,671 $ 1,839  
Financial Aid Avg. Amount Received % of Students Receiving Aid  
Federal Grants:
 $ 3,296 24%  
State and Local Grants:
 $ 3,786 44%  
Institutional Grants:
 $ 2,992 26%  
Student Loans:
 $ 4,266 51%  
Any Aid:
   71%  

Virginia Commonwealth University - Richmond Admissions

Acceptance Rate: 62% (Selective)
Test Scores  
SAT Scores:  
% of Students Submitting SAT Scores: 95%
Bottom 25th Percentile: Verbal: 480, Math: 480
Top 75th Percentile: Verbal: 580, Math: 580

Application Requirements (Undergraduate Only)

Application Fee: $ 30.00
Formal Demonstration of Competencies: Required
High School Diploma or Equivalent: Required
High School GPA: Required
High School Rank: Recommended
High School Record: Required
Recommendations: Recommended
TOEFL: Required
Test Scores: Required

College Advice on Virginia Commonwealth University - Richmond

Yahoo
fleahead
fleahead

Question: Getting Into Virginia Commonwealth University (and possibly others)?

So, i really want to attend VCU when i graduate from high school. I'm going into the 11th grade this fall, and so far my grades have been not so impressive. I'm about a C average. Is VCU a hard to get into school? What other schools (in Virginia) could i possibly attend?
31 months ago
Hufflepuff
Huffl...

Best Answer

VCU isn't hard to get into (unless you are trying to get into a special program, like their journalism/communications program or their their art program). I'd suggest that you pull up your 11th grade grades and maintain them throughout the 12th grade. If you do that and get in the middle 50% (for SAT scores--like at least 550 on each of the three sections), as well as do a few extracurricular activities, you should get in. There are a lot of other options in Virginia, although some schools might be harder to get into than others (since you say your freshman and sophomore grades aren't that good). Old Dominion University may be one that you should look at. Radford University is also an option.
LoveStoned2
LoveSto...

Question: Any VCU alumni or current students that can give feedback on their experience at the school?

Just wondering if any alumni or current students of Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) can give some feedback or their opinion on the school and their experience. General answers to questions like the following would be great! How are the classes, student life, the dorms? Is Richmond a safe city for VCU students? Any other feedback or opinions in general on VCU would be great! Thanks so much!
32 months ago
twilkins19
twilk...

Best Answer

Me and the other person responding are brothers at VCU. We love the school and the whole college atmosphere. It is in the city of Richmond as you know and it is not the safest of areas. Heres a tip though never ever venture off of school grounds on foot for any reason after dark. The classes are not like they seem what you put in is what you get out! It is not all that difficult if you are willing to study. The school has a great library called the Cabell Library which is open 5 days a week from 7 a.m.- 2 a.m. and 7 a.m.-9 p.m. Fri& Sat The school is a great environment student commons, gyms, large classrooms and a parking deck right near the school I hope you like it as good as I do. Good Luck!
venus
venus

Question: Virginia Commonwealth University?

I just got accepted to VCU and i would like to know more a bout the university.Also where can i find some photos with VCU?
36 months ago
coquinegra
coqui...

Best Answer

VCU is a pretty cool place I attended MCV, but spent time there at VCU...did you go to the VCU.edu website? there ought to be pictures there. the Gospel Choir is good. The Johari players are nice... the Fan is a nice place to live. I hope the fishman is still there serving sandwiches...he was great.
rose_krues
rose_krues

Question: Do I need to go to community college if I have a GED to be accepted by a university?

I want to go to VCU (Virginia Commonwealth University), but do i need to go to community college (if i have a GED) first? I think i will be studying art and pharmacy....
42 months ago
Megan S
Megan S

Best Answer

I don't have a high school diploma or GED. VCU looked at my grades and SAT scores and offered me a full scholarship after my junior year of high school. If your grades/SAT are good, you shouldn't need community college. The thing about VCU's art school, is that they're not especially picky about who they accept- but they make the first year really intense to try and wash people out. The first year is almost exclusively art-related classes; doing a double major will be challenging.
sss
sss

Question: Please Help me Which is better Washington State University, WA or Virginia Commonwealth University, VA ?

please help me i want to make a decision.
43 months ago
Final Frontier
Final...

Best Answer

It depends on what you are planning on doing at school. VCU has one of the top medical schools in the country. In the last ten years they built a new engineering school, as well as enlarged their school of business. The school, although becoming more academic, is still one of the best art schools in the country as well. Their art, music, theater, design, and photography departments are all top notch. The music school, at least when I went there in '94, employs musicians who play around the country with big name bands. I took lessons from John D'earth, who has played with Bruce Hornsby, The Grateful Dead, and Dave Mathews. The school also has a great mass media/journalism program to offer. The best part about the school is the location. It is located in one of the oldest examples of a Victorian neighborhood in The United States. On every tree lined street, you can find a little store, or bar, or restaurant, or laundry, or cafe hidden between townhouses. The "Fan District", as it is known, is a great place to meet people of all walks of life. I would recommend you make a trip to see how great a place it really is there.
alalal 1
alalal 1

Question: what do you know about Virginia commonwealth university?

Especially about the campus, the living expenses in the city and the strength of the university?
44 months ago
volleyball0815
volle...

Best Answer

Seems like a nice, average sized school. Not so big you feel lost but big enough you feel like you're getting a good education. They've sent me some stuff thru the mail & I've thought about going down & visiting sometime.
Tink
Tink

Question: What is anyone's opinion of VCU...good or bad?

The school has a really good art program but, Richmond is not the safest place. But some people said they loved it. So if anyone goes there or went there how does University, campus life, and surroundings rate with you.
45 months ago
npemtiv
npemtiv

Best Answer

VCU isn't bad. Richmond is a safe city. Just like any other big city it has its good areas and its bad areas. The area known as the Fan is nice and the area right around the university is pretty good. Just stay out of the rough parts (you'll learn them quickly) and you won't have any problems. I live in Richmond for the tiime being and I don't have any problems with it. A lot of students go to VCU so I don't think it can be too bad.

Photos

  • The Egyptian Building, built in 1845, is one of the University's oldest buildings.
    The Egyptian Building, built in 1845, is one of the University's oldest buildings. [source]
  • The Fine Arts Building.
    The Fine Arts Building. [source]
  • Johnson Hall.
    Johnson Hall. [source]
  • Grace E. Harris Hall, Monroe Park campus.
    Grace E. Harris Hall, Monroe Park campus. [source]
  • Rodney the Ram
    Rodney the Ram [source]
  • Sanger Hall, part of the VCU Medical College of Virginia Campus.
    Sanger Hall, part of the VCU Medical College of Virginia Campus. [source]
  • James Branch Cabell Library
    James Branch Cabell Library [source]
  • [source]

Videos

  • Virginia Commonwealth University
  • VCU TV/HD Promo II
  • It's VCU: Then, Now, 2020
  • It's VCU: Your Key to the World
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Virginia Commonwealth University - Richmond
Richmond, VA 23284
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