Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

To help ease the online application process, here are answers to some frequently asked questions regarding admission from within the University of Virginia to the McIntire School of Commerce. 

When should I apply for admission?
Typically, students are eligible to apply during their second year for enrollment in the following fall semester. First-year students may apply if they have completed all requirements before enrollment. Also, third-year students may apply but should realize they must complete a five-year baccalaureate program.

Where can I acquire an application and when are applications due?
For currently enrolled U.Va. students, applications are available in early November and due in late January and must be filled out online. For students at other schools, transfer information and applications are available from the University Office of Admissions, Miller Hall, 434-982-3200, undergrad-admission@virginia.edu.

Am I required to apply online?
Students currently enrolled at U.Va. must apply online. If you are not already enrolled at the University, please see the previous FAQ for application information.

Please note that you can print a preview of the online application and make changes before your final submission. After the final submission, you must still print, sign, and deliver a hard copy of your online application to McIntire's Office of Student Services (Monroe Hall 136).

What factors are considered by the Admissions Committee?
No one factor guarantees admission. However, the applicant's potential for success in the Commerce program is evaluated. Some of the more important factors include overall GPA, academic performance in courses related to business (accounting, economics, mathematics), degree of difficulty of courses, and course load taken. In addition, attention is paid to an applicant's leadership ability as demonstrated through co-curricular activities and work experience.

What GPA do I need?
Anyone may apply to the Commerce School and will be seriously considered for admission. The GPA is only one factor examined by the committee. Although the 2007 entering class of U.Va. students to the McIntire School had a mean GPA of 3.49, GPAs of accepted students ranged from 4.0 to 2.8. The committee also calculates a mini GPA used to evaluate the applicants' performance in classes most closely related to business; the mini GPA includes Comm 180, 201, and 202; Econ 201 and 202; Math; Statistics; or appropriate equivalents of any of these courses.

It is important to remember, however, GPA is not the determining factor for acceptance into McIntire. Everyone’s application to the Comm School is given serious consideration. GPAs are only one of many important factors that the admissions committee reviews. Leadership, communications skills, work experience, co-curricular activities, and the desire for a successful business career also play important roles. 

When are students notified regarding admission decisions?
U.Va. students should receive decision letters by March 15 mailed to the local address listed in ISIS. Some candidates may be deferred at this time if the committee elects to receive spring semester grades before rendering a decision. Students on deferred status are notified by mail at the permanent address listed in ISIS in early June.

How many Commerce courses may I take before I am admitted?
Comm 180, 201, and 202 are the only required Commerce courses before admission. Comm 341 ("Commercial Law") may be taken before enrollment and is included in students' 45 Commerce hours if taken at U.Va. No other 300- and 400-level courses may be taken before enrollment.

May I transfer at mid-year?
The School's curriculum cannot accommodate mid-year transfers.

May I take courses outside the McIntire School during my third and fourth years?
Yes. The McIntire curriculum allows for electives to be taken inside or outside the Commerce School. Many students choose to minor or double major in a curriculum outside the McIntire School.

Is it true that the curriculum at the McIntire School is very structured and allows no flexibility in course selection?
All students complete the Integrated Core Experience during the third year at the McIntire School. Beyond the core courses, students elect to concentrate in one or more of six possible areas (management, marketing, finance, management of information technology, accounting, and international business). Each functional area within the business field has its own unique characteristics.

Is it true that McIntire is only for those who want to be accountants?
Our accounting program is outstanding, but so are our programs in finance, marketing, management, information technology, and international business. Our dedicated and top-notch career services office helps ensure that our graduates get terrific job opportunities in a wide range of fields—everywhere from Wall Street to the Silicon Valley. Recent McIntire graduates also entered careers in public relations, advertising, education, professional sports, nonprofit management, the ministry, and the Peace Corps.

Should I go to the Commerce School if I want to go to graduate school?
Of 2,000 McIntire alums surveyed, 40% earned graduate degrees. Some graduates go straight to law schools such as Harvard, Pennsylvania, Michigan, Duke, and U.Va. Others work for a few years and then enroll in MBA programs, including those of Harvard, Stanford, Michigan, and Darden, where well over 20% of the entering classes hold an undergrad degree in business. Clearly, top law and MBA programs love McIntire grads!

Will I like the Commerce School?
The key to the McIntire philosophy is the belief that a firm liberal arts foundation is an essential prerequisite for a professional education. The alumni in our survey found this combination invaluable. Ninety-four percent of McIntire alumni agree or strongly agree that their decision to attend McIntire was a wise one. Ninety-five agree percent or strongly agree that they would recommend the McIntire School to students interested in a business career.

Can Echols Scholars transfer to the McIntire School of Commerce? 
Absolutely! The McIntire School is a great academic environment for Echols Scholars to continue their academic pursuits. However, as the Echols Scholars program is part of the College of Arts & Sciences, it offers no benefits for students enrolled in other schools. Although formal enrollment in the Echols program ends on transfer to the McIntire School, the only real impact Echols Scholars will experience on transferring to the McIntire School is loss of priority registration. Once enrolled in McIntire, priority registration is much less important due to the small size of the school and classes. The Echols notation from entry year will always remain on the transcript and once selected for the Echols program, students will always be welcome at Echols events and alumni activities.

E-mail the McIntire Undergraduate Student Services Office with any questions you may have or contact one of the Student Services Staff.

Top of page