UVA has three admission cycles that cater to different situations. This can get confusing, but that’s okay! Below is a primer on early decision, early action, and regular decision at UVA.
| Application Type | Student Deadline | Teacher/Counselor Deadline | Notification |
|---|---|---|---|
| Early Decision | November 1 | November 8 | By December 15 |
| Early Action | November 1 | November 8 | By February 15 |
| Regular Decision | January 5 | January 10 | By April 1 |
| Spring Transfer | October 1 | Not applicable | By November 30 |
| Fall Transfer | March 1 | Not applicable | By May 1 |
Early Decision (ED)
What is early decision?
In ED, students may be admitted, denied or waitlisted. If admitted, students must submit their enrollment deposit by January 1. If denied, there is no appeal process. Please see information on being waitlisted below. All students applying to UVA will be held to the same admission standards regardless of which application plan they choose.
How many students apply for early decision?
UVA’s 2020 admission cycle (for the UVA Class of 2024) was the first process in which the University offered early decision, early action, and regular decision. In the 2023 admission cycle, UVA received 4,243 ED applications (53% from Virginia, 47% from out of state). Overall, there were 1,040 offers made (24.5%) with Virginia offers at 31% and out of state offers at 17%.
When should I submit for early decision?
Students applying ED should feel strongest when they submit their application by November 1, and they should keep in mind that the binding commitment expressed in this process means they cannot weigh options (scholarship, financial aid, etc.) prior to committing. While UVA will see a student’s senior year course selection, they will not consider any senior year performance in the ED review unless waitlisted.
Early Action (EA)
What is early action?
This process enables students to apply earlier to receive their admission decision earlier without the pressure of their commitment being binding. In EA, students may be admitted, denied or waitlisted. If admitted, they have until May 1 to choose to commit. If denied, there is no appeal process. Please see information on being waitlisted below.
How many students apply for early action?
In the 2023 admission cycle, UVA received 36,443 EA applications (26% from Virginia, 74% from out of state). Overall, there were 5,939 offers made (16.3%) with Virginia offers at 27% and out of state offers at 12%.
When should I submit for early action?
Students applying EA should feel strongest when they submit their application by November 1. While UVA will see a student’s senior year course selection, they will not consider any senior year performance in the EA review unless waitlisted.
Regular Decision (RD)
What is regular decision?
This process gives candidates the most time to build their strongest application. In RD, students may be admitted, denied or waitlisted. If admitted, they have until May 1 to choose to commit. If denied, there is no appeal process. The waitlist at UVA is not ranked, and there is no telling year-to-year how many students may be on the waitlist. A student’s chances of receiving an offer from the waitlist have everything with the makeup of the entering class, which is typically not determined until after the May 1 commitment deadline.
How many students apply for regular decision?
In the 2023 admission cycle, UVA reviewed 56,439 applications (this includes new RD applicants and ED and RD deferred applicants); overall, 27% from Virginia and 73% from out of state. Overall, there were 9,184 offers made (16.2%) with Virginia offers at 27% and out of state offers at 12%.
How does the waitlist work?
The waitlist activity is solely depending on the number of admitted students who commit by the May 1 deadline. Should the deans be below their target of number of students after the commitment deadline, they will move to the waitlist. Depending on the yield, or the number of students accepting an offer, the deans may make movement on the waitlist based on a student’s residency (Virginia or out of state) and the program to which they applied. UVA’s enrollment targets are two-thirds Virginia and one-third out of state for each of the five programs (Architecture, College of Arts & Sciences, Engineering, Kinesiology and Nursing).
When should I submit for regular decision?
There is no disadvantage to applying RD as this process gives students the most time to build their strongest application by January 1. In the RD process, the deans will review a student’s senior year course selection and will also consider mid-year grades senior year before a student receives an admission outcome in late January.
For more information on the UVA admission cycle, check out, Notes from Peabody, a blog from Dean J of the UVA Office of Undergraduate Admission, and the admission deadlines provided by the OUA.