Welcome to the University of Virginia! We know that the entire process of transferring – getting to know Charlottesville, Grounds, dorm- or roommates, and UVA’s unique culture and language – can be overwhelming, all before you even begin to navigate the academic side of things! Many students are eager to learn more about how to best position themselves for admission to the McIntire School of Commerce, and rumors abound that admission is complicated for students who transferred in their second year due to the application timeline and Admission Committee considerations. Here, we offer some tips and resources.
Create a Balanced Schedule
Combine your course selection with the College’s area requirements, McIntire prerequisites, and your interests. This will allow you to stay on track to complete those requirements (many of which are aligned with our prerequisites) and explore the many wonderful majors at UVA.
Create a challenging and full schedule (14-16 credits), but balance the quantitative prerequisites, and don’t overanalyze courses to look for “business-related” content. Business is everywhere, and the Admission Committee values a broad-based liberal arts education before enrollment at McIntire.
Thinking of knocking out a couple of prerequisites over the summer, before you get here? Proceed with caution. While McIntire allows prerequisites to be taken via transfer credit, the Admission Committee prefers to see how you perform while taking a full course load at your new school. In addition, the College’s area requirements must be taken at UVA upon matriculation, and some majors within the College do not allow transfer credit for their prerequisites once you have matriculated.
Get Involved and Make Connections within the UVA Community
Students develop hard and soft skills outside of the classroom with powerful co-curricular experiences. Just as you did at your previous college or university, engage with the UVA and Charlottesville community. UVA boasts over 900 student organizations – from social clubs to honor societies to public service organizations. Find a balance between your academics and co-curricular activities, and find your passion through both of these.
Prepare for Orientation
Before arriving at Orientation, review your transfer credit report (found on SIS) and contact departments within the College to discuss any missing transfer credit. Review the majors and minors available at UVA and the prerequisites for each of them.
During Orientation, you’ll enroll in a few classes in advance of the semester. Be patient – you will not leave Summer Orientation with a full schedule (no student will!), and you likely will change your schedule later in the summer and in the first two weeks of the fall semester.
Be Open to the Experience
Everyone has their own path to UVA, and you should be proud that you are here! The McIntire Office of Undergraduate Admission recognizes your unique background and experiences and provides many resources to encourage and empower you on your path to McIntire.
