Virginia Commonwealth University School of the Arts
Welcomes Class of 2021
Richmond, Va.—Over 670 students have joined the incoming freshman Class of 2021 at Virginia Commonwealth University School of the Arts (VCUarts). As a group, the class represents a cross-section of talent, creativity, socioeconomic backgrounds, cities and countries, interests, and cultures that VCUarts values.
“We’ve got a spirited class from a variety of backgrounds,” says Erin Garmezy, director of undergraduate admissions. “It’s a fantastic group of incoming students and we can’t wait to see how they develop their talents at VCUarts.”
Students from outside of Virginia represent 29 U.S. states and territories, with the largest numbers from Maryland, North Carolina and Pennsylvania. International students come from China, South Korea, Mexico, Poland, Cambodia and the Philippines. Among American students, 41 percent are students of color, with 99 African Americans, 55 Latinos and 50 Asian Americans.
The average SAT score (math and reading combined) for the class is 1170. The incoming class averaged 26 on the super scored ACT, 14 percent above the national average. The average high-school GPA of the class is 3.66.
Arts admissions committees consider multiple factors when reviewing applications, including the strength of the student’s academic history, the student’s personal statement, essays, extracurricular activities, letters of recommendation, artistic talent and other unique contributions they bring to form a diverse cohort. This year’s class includes students who have campaigned to raise money to fight breast cancer; been involved in community theater; developed an illustrated comic booklet to help Kenyan girls avoid gender-based violence; distributed food to the homeless population of Granada, Spain; won an outstanding performer award at the UNC Duke Ellington Jazz Festival; been a representative to their town’s Public Arts Commission; created a short film for the TriBeCa Film Festival; been President of the National Art Honor Society; won two gold medals in ice dance; been a drum major for the high-school band; and participated in Outside Leadership, which brings together girls from different socioeconomic backgrounds to break down racial barriers and promote cross-cultural understanding, among other achievements.
Classes for the new academic year begin tomorrow, August 24.
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About VCU School of the Arts
VCUarts is a comprehensive art school within a research university. Currently ranked the #1 public school of art and design by U.S. News and World Report, it offers 15 undergraduate and 10 graduate degree programs in fine arts, design, performing arts, historical research, and pedagogical practice.
Faculty members are internationally recognized in their respective fields and contribute significantly to the stature of VCU, a major research university located in a creatively vibrant city and committed to mentoring the next generation of artists, entrepreneurs, scientists, scholars and engaged citizens of diverse communities around the world.
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