Virginia
Western
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Admissions

Admissions Requirements

General Admission

Individuals are eligible for admission to Virginia Western if they are high school graduates or the equivalent, or if they are eighteen years of age or older and able to benefit from study at the college. High school students will be admitted according to the provisions in the current Virginia Plan for Dual Enrollment. The college also reserves the right to require placement test for any individual seeking to take credit classes.

Junior and senior level students that are not attending secondary school or a home school program may attend with the approval of the school superintendent of the city or county of their residence.

High school students and home school students should refer to the subsequent sections addressing these populations.

Others with special circumstances may attend with approval of the Virginia Western Community College Admissions Committee, or in the case of freshman and sophomore level students, with approval of the college president. For additional information, contact the college Admissions Office.

The college reserves the right to evaluate and document special cases and to refuse admission if the college determines that the applicant is a threat or a potential danger to the college community or if such refusal is considered to be in the best interest of the college.

Admission of High School Students

Virginia Western will consider the admission of junior and senior level students enrolled in a public, private, or home school secondary educational program.

Although the enrollment of high school and home schooled juniors and seniors has the potential to enrich their academic program, it is not intended to substitute for the traditional high school or home school experience. Federal regulations do not permit financial aid to be awarded to students who are simultaneously enrolled in a public, private, or home school educational program. Additionally, high school and home schooled students are not eligible to enroll in a curriculum of study at the college until they have earned a high school diploma or GED, completed their home school requirements, or are beyond the age of compulsory school attendance.

Virginia Western has developed the following admission and registration procedures to assist high school students in meeting their educational goals:

The college has dual enrollment agreements with local school systems to offer college-level courses for juniors and seniors at the high school location. Enrollment in these courses is initiated through the students’ high school and is approved by the college’s Dual Enrollment Coordinator.

Admission of Home School Students

Virginia Western will consider the admission of junior and senior level students not enrolled in a public orprivate secondary educational program, and are currently home schooled students. Exceptions for admission may be considered for freshman and sophomore home schooled students (ages 14, 15, 0r 16) who are able to demonstrate readiness for college-level coursework. Because the enrollment of freshman and sophomore students is considered exceptional, each freshman and sophomore student will be treated on a case-by-case basis and will require formal approval of the college president or his designee.

Enrollment of freshman and sophomore level students will also require the approval of the appropriate division dean. Assessment testing will be required prior to enrollment. Other conditions, as deemed appropriate by the president and/or dean, may also apply.

Although the enrollment of home schooled juniors and seniors has the potential to enrich their academic program, it is not intended to substitute for the traditional home school experience. Federal regulations do not permit financial aid to be awarded to students who are simultaneously enrolled in a public, private, or home school educational program. Additionally, high school and home schooled students are not eligible to enroll in a curriculum of study at the college until they have earned a high school diploma or GED, completed their home school requirements, or are beyond the age of compulsory school attendance.

Virginia Western has developed the following admission and registration procedures to assist home school students in meeting their educational goals:


Federal regulations do not permit financial aid to be awarded to students who are simultaneously enrolled in public or private secondary educational programs or home school. In addition, home school students are not eligible to enroll in a curriculum of study at the college.

Admission of Returning Students

Returning students who have not been enrolled in credit courses at the college during the past three years must reapply by resubmitting a Virginia Western Application for Admission prior to registration. Please direct all inquiries concerning applications to the college Admissions Office.

Admission of Transfer Students

Transfer students must submit a Virginia Western Application for Admission for admission and should have transcripts from all previous institutions attended sent to the college Admissions Office. Students who have attended another Virginia Community College are not required to submit an official transcript (unless applying for an allied health curriculum). Usually a transfer student who is eligible to re-enroll at the last college of attendance will be eligible for admission to Virginia Western. Transfer students who are ineligible to return to a college previously attended will generally not be eligible to enroll at Virginia Western until at least one semester has elapsed. Special conditions for the admission of such students, including placement on probation will be imposed as deemed appropriate by the college.

Students wishing to have their transcript evaluated for possible transfer credit must complete a “Request for Transcript Evaluation” form in the Admissions, Records, or Counseling offices. Generally, no credit will be given for courses with grades lower than a C when students transfer from other colleges. Transfer students may be advised to repeat courses if it is clearly to their advantage to do so in order to make satisfactory progress in their curriculum. In determining transfer credit, course work applicable to the curriculum at Virginia Western will be accepted if the work completed at an institution is applicable to the student’s program at the college, if the course/content/level of instruction is at least equal to the content/level at Virginia Western, and a comparable course is/has been taught within the Virginia Community College System. Courses so credited are not calculated into the student’s Virginia Western GPA computation.

Admission of International Students

In addition to the general admission requirements of the college, all international students must demonstrate proficiency in both written and spoken English. An I-20 may not be issued less than 60 days from the beginning of the next semester. Students must also present proof of health insurance before registering for classes. Proficiency in written English is required. Written proficiency may be proven by a combined total score of 500 or greater on the TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) written test, a score of 173 or greater on the TOEFL computer-based test, or a score of 400 or greater on the SAT verbal section. Testing agencies should report TOEFL or SAT scores using Virginia Western code 5868. If these preliminary scores are acceptable, the applicant must also demonstrate proficiency in speaking and understanding the English language. Current policies of the U.S. Immigration Department state that international students must prove that financial responsibility will be met. All other immigration policies must also be satisfied.

Admission of Senior Citizens (Citizens 60 Years of Age or Older)

Senior citizens are encouraged to take advantage of free tuition provided for by the Senior Citizens Higher Education Act of 1974. Senior citizens who are Virginia residents and who had a taxable individual income not exceeding $15,000 for Virginia income tax purposes for the year preceding enrollment may register for credit courses on a tuition-free basis. Senior citizens registering under the provisions of this act must complete a Senior Citizen Tuition Assistance Agreement form prior to the class starting date. In addition, senior citizens registering under the provisions of this act may register only after tuition-paying students are accommodated, except when the senior citizen has completed 75 percent of their degree requirements at Virginia Western. All senior citizens, regardless of income, may audit credit courses and take non-credit courses free of charge. Senior citizens who wish to confirm space in a class can also register and pay as regular students; however, no refunds will be issued. Additional information about enrollment for senior citizens may be obtained from the Admissions Office.

Admission of Students on Probation, Suspension or Dismissal

Virginia Western will consider for admissions those applicants who were in poor academic standing at the college last attended.


  1. Academic probation - these applicants may be admitted with academic restrictions.

  2. Academic suspension - these applicants are eligible after one semester has passed. They may be admitted after meeting the following conditions:
    1. Completion of the "Petition for Admission/Reinstatement"
    2. Completion of appropriate academic assessment
    3. Upon recommendation of a Virginia Western Community College counselor
    4. With approval from the Chair of the Admissions Committee
    Exceptions to the waiting period of one semester may be made if one of the following conditions exists:
    1. Students wishing to enter a different curriculum and have at least a 2.0 on the courses applicable to the new curriculum;
    2. Students who were suspended for low cumulative GPA and have an acceptable curriculum GPA;
    3. Noncurricular students wishing to take courses that are primarily job training;
    4. Students who feel they have mitigating circumstances should complete the "Petition for Admission/Reinstatement" and direct a letter to the Admissions Committee asking for acceptance. The letter must address the following:
      1. The course or courses desired;
      2. The goal or curriculum which will be pursued;
      3. A statement explaining the academic difficulty that led to suspension;
      4. An explanation of what has been done to enhance the student's chance for success.
  3. Academic dismissal - applicants who have been academically dismissed may appeal to the Admissions Committee for admission if they feel mitigating circumstances warrant consideration. Academic dismissal normally is permanent unless, with good cause, students apply and are accepted under special consideration for admission by the Admissions Committee of the College. A "Petition for Admission/Reinstatement" and formal written appeal should be directed to the Admissions Committee containing the following:
    1. The course(s) the applicant wishes to take
    2. The curriculum the applicant wishes to enter and the goal concerning education
    3. A statement on why the applicant had academic difficulty that led to dismissal
    4. A strong case on behalf of the applicant as to why success is expected in the third or more attempt at college level education. These applicants may be requested to provide additional information on an individual basis.
    All documents must be submitted two-weeks prior to the begin date of the desired term of entry.

NOTE: In all cases, Virginia Western Community College reserves the right to deny admission to anyone who the college determines is unable to benefit from attendance at the institution.

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