• Complete the graduate school application shown on the graduate school admission webpage. 
• An application fee is not required to submit an application and the admission committee will review all documents submitted.
• Fee waivers are available for domestic students, providing this is the first time an application has been submitted to VCU. The application fee will be paid by the Department of Chemistry once the application is complete. To request fee waivers, you should contact admission chair Dr. Indika Arachchige at gradchem@vcu.edu with a copy of unofficial transcript(s). If the admission committee is interested in an application, the department will pay the $70 application fee.
• Submit a one-page personal statement describing your career goals and how a degree in chemistry would help you meet those goals. Include prior work or life experience that relates to your interest in chemistry and any other information that you think will help in the evaluation of your application.
• Submit official transcripts from all colleges and universities attended.
• Submit three letters of recommendation. The preferred route to sending letters of recommendation is electronically by listing the names and email addresses of those who will provide you with a letter directly on the online graduate school application. In the event that this is not possible, those writing a reference letter can email the letter to gradchem@vcu.edu.
• A resume/CV is recommended, but not required.
• The online graduate school application allows you to upload your personal statement, unofficial transcripts, a photocopy of your GRE scores (optional), resume, a writing example (an abstract of your prior work or research) and the names and email addresses of those who will provide you with a letter of recommendation. Please contact Dr. Indika Arachchige at gradchem@vcu.edu if you have any questions.
• Submit any additional supplemental documents, if needed, to:
  • Virginia Commonwealth University
    Office of Admissions
    Box 843051
    Richmond, Virginia 23284-3051

• Complete the graduate school application shown on the international graduate school admission webpage. 
• Fee waivers are also available for international students, providing this is the first time an application has been submitted to VCU and your test scores are greater than or equal to the following: A TOEFL score of 92 with a minimum score of 20 on each individual section; an IELTS overall score of 7.0 - 7.5 with a minimum score of 6.5 on each individual section; or a Duolingo overall score of 125 or higher with a minimum score of 100 on each individual section. To request fee waivers, you should contact admission chair Dr. Indika Arachchige at gradchem@vcu.edu with a copy of unofficial transcript(s). If the admission committee is interested in an application, the department will pay the $70 application fee.
• Submit a one-page personal statement describing your career goals and how a degree in chemistry would help you meet those goals. Include prior work or life experience that relates to your interest in chemistry and any other information that you think will help in the evaluation of your application.
• Submit transcripts from prior colleges or universities (English translation)
• Submit three letters of recommendation. The preferred route to sending letters of recommendation is electronically by listing the names and email addresses of those who will provide you with a letter directly on the online graduate school application. In the event that this is not possible, those writing a reference letter can email the letter to gradchem@vcu.edu (chemistry department, preferred); they must include your full name and the program you’re applying to in the subject line. The letters need to be on university letter head (if appropriate) and electronically signed.
• The online graduate school application allows you to upload your personal statement, unofficial transcripts, a photocopy of your English proficiency and GRE (optional) scores, resume, a writing example (an abstract of your prior work or research) and the names and email addresses of those who will provide you with a letter of recommendation. The external credential evaluations will be completed by the graduate school with no cost to you. Please contact Dr. Indika Arachchige at gradchem@vcu.edu if you have any questions.
• Submit any additional supplemental documents (if needed) to:
  • Virginia Commonwealth University – International Admissions
    408 West Franklin Street
    Box 843012
    Richmond, Virginia 23284-3043, U.S.A

International students should refer to the VCU Global Education Office website for additional admissions information.

At present, the GRE is not required for admission.

For admission to graduate study at VCU, we prefer a minimum undergraduate GPA of 2.7. In cases where the undergraduate GPA is below 2.7, additional factors that include performance in the last 60 hours of coursework, GRE scores and letters of reference, may be weighted more heavily in the admissions assessment. For students with earned graduate degrees from accredited institutions, the graduate GPA may be the primary basis for consideration.

We recommend a TOEFL score of 92 or higher. Scores must be current (within 2 years).

Satisfactory scores on the IELTS can be used as evidence of English proficiency. The university minimum IELTS requirement is 6.5, but Chemistry prefers a score of 7.0-7.5 or higher.

Students with American, English-speaking Canadian and U.K. baccalaureate degrees may be exempted with the approval of the department. All others must take the TOEFL.

No. All students receiving assistantship positions, must take the TOEFL (international students) prior to admission.

Yes. We accept unofficial copies of GRE, TOEFL or IELTS score reports. Please upload those at the designated tab in the online application. Official copies of GRE, TOEFL or IELTS scores are not required to make admission decisions. However, official copies are required at the time of acceptance and admission.

GRE= 5570; TOEFL=5570

Yes, Doctoral students are supported by Graduate Teaching Assistantships (GTA) and/or Research Assistantships (GRA). Graduate tuition up to 15 credits per semester will be covered by when a student is a full time GTA or GRA. Students are responsible for university fees.

We do not provide GTA support for students enrolled in the MS program. However, they can be employed as lab teaching assistants (LTAs) depending on the teaching demand and student enrollment in chemistry courses. LTA positions provide a stipend based on the number of credits you teach each semester. However, it does not offer tuition support. Tuition and university fees are the responsibility of master's students. For more information regarding LTA positions, please contact the Associate Chair, Dr. Suzanne Ruder at sruder@vcu.edu. Our program accepts self-supported master’s students or those with outside financial aids.

Yes, the online graduate application allows you to do this. Please also add GRE and TOEFL copies.

Official final copies are required at the time of acceptance and admission. Please send an official copy of your transcript to following address:

Indika U. Arachchige
Department of Chemistry
Virginia Commonwealth University
Box 842006
1001 West Main Street
Richmond, VA 23284

You do not need to submit transcripts/certificates from secondary school (high school).

Application deadlines are particularly important for international students because of the amount of time required to process applications and the time needed to obtain visas. Students should apply well in advance of the international application deadlines. We suggest an application deadline of March 15 for fall admission and October 15 for spring admission. For domestic students, the deadlines are less critical. However, because we receive more applications then we have positions, early applications are encouraged.

The preferred route to sending letters of recommendation is electronically by listing the names and email addresses of those who will provide you with a letter directly on the online graduate school application. If this is not possible, those writing a reference letter can email the letter to gradchem@vcu.edu.

No. Although research experience is desirable and all undergraduate students are encouraged to take advantage of undergraduate research opportunities at their current college/university.

No, but we do prefer you send us one. You can upload your CV to online application.

No. During orientation, incoming students will have a chance to meet the faculty and listen to 10-minute research presentations. In October, the department hosts a poster session where all graduate students will present a poster of their research. First year graduate students are required to attend the poster session, which gives them an opportunity to learn more about the diversity of different projects on-going in the department. Research advisors are normally chosen in the time period that begins after the poster session and before winter break.

Students can apply without paying the application fee and the department can review everything they submitted. If we are interested in your application, the department will pay the application fee and process it. Therefore, it is optional for you to pay the fee. 

Yes, but the Department of Chemistry will take care of this requirement internally upon accepatance. It is not required for submission, only after acceptance. There is no cost for you!