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Those interested in applying for possible consideration for Fall 2027 must submit all application material by June 1, 2027. All application material is processed by the Health Professions Advising and Applications Office (HPAAO) at Virginia Western.

We encourage applicants to apply as early as possible for advising purposes. By applying early to Virginia Western and submitting official transcripts of high school and College coursework, one of the HP Team Advisors will be able to help you with your course selections each semester, even if you are not yet ready to apply to the program. This allows us to advise you in a timely manner of any prerequisite requirements you have not met and how you may meet those requirements, as well as selecting courses that can be utilized to increase your GPA.

Applicants are strongly encouraged to attend the Best Practices for Application to Health Professions programs that are held the first Friday of each month (except July) at 1:00 PM in Fralin Center Room HP210. The sessions outline the application processes for Health Professions programs, the timeline for programs, tips and best practices, etc. so applicants can be better prepared for the application process and be in the best place that they can be for admission.

How to Apply

Program applications must be submitted directly to the HPAAO at Virginia Western. All official transcripts must be sent to the Virginia Western Records Office. You are responsible for following up with the Records Office to determine if your transcripts have been received and then notify the HPAAO that your academic file is complete. If you fail to do so, we will not be responsible for any delays in processing your file.

A meeting with an advisor is not required. If you have questions, advisor meetings should not be scheduled until after all transcripts have been submitted and reviewed. You may contact the Health Professions team of advisors at healthprofessions@virginiawestern.edu.

1. Apply to Virginia Western

If you are not a current Virginia Western student, apply to the College by completing a Virginia Western Application. Indicate your plan of study as Career Studies Certificate: Introduction to Surgical Technology. You must apply with the correct plan of study prior to submitting any additional application materials.

All NEW students intending to enroll in classes at Virginia Western are encouraged to contact the Enrollment Center if they have questions about direct enrollment, course requirements, financial aid, etc. Visiting the Enrollment Center is a great way to learn more about what the College offers and available resources. They will refer you to a New Student Advisor or to one of the the pre-admission advisors for Surgical Technology if necessary. Find out about New Student Advising here.

If you are a current student and want to change your plan of study to Introduction to Surgical Technology, please see an advisor to complete a Plan Change Form.

2. Apply to the Surgical Technology Program

Apply to the Surgical Technology Program by completing the 2027 Surgical Technology Application below. We encourage you to submit your application as early as possible so that we can begin the initial review.

Application Instructions (PDF)

Note: Applicants must be 18 by the first day of class in the fall semester.

3. Obtain and submit your transcripts

Before you continue: You need to have an active Virginia Western application with a plan of study of CSC: Introduction to Surgical Technology before you submit your official transcripts.

Official transcripts are required from:

• Your high school (even if you have graduated college). If you graduated from a foreign high school, see below.
• Any institution attended/attempted, even if transferred classes appear on a later institution’s transcript.

Your application packet must include all official sealed transcripts (high school and college) and a copy of your GED scores (if applicable). Exception: You do not need to request transcripts from Virginia Western or any other community college in Virginia.

Home-schooled students must provide a detailed curriculum completion report (course listings and grades achieved) from their school administrator (including a statement indicating if a lab component was completed for any Biology and/or Chemistry classes).

We suggest you request your transcripts be sent to your own mailing address, so you know whether they have been received. Do not open any envelope that contains a transcript, because it will no longer be “official”. If a school’s policy prevents them from issuing official transcripts directly to you, please request they be sent addressed to the Virginia Western Records Office.

Transcript Request Form (PDF)

Note: Official Electronic transcripts (from high school and colleges) can be accepted from such platforms as Parchment, Scribbles, National Clearinghouse, etc. Please submit electronic transcripts to the Virginia Western Records Office.

Foreign high schools and universities

Applicants who graduated from a foreign high school can complete the GED and submit official scores of the GED to the HPAAO. You should also complete the High School Statement (PDF) form and submit it to the HPAAO by the application deadline of June 1.

Foreign university transcripts must be evaluated by an approved organization (such as WES) and sent to the Virginia Western Records Office from the organization before transfer credit can be determined.

4. Complete Observation Hours

Applicants must complete a minimum of four hour of observation, documented on the Observation Form (PDF) and submitted with your application. Hours must be completed in an operating room setting within a hospital or ambulatory surgery center. Observations completed in a doctor’s office, endoscopy suite, private cosmetic center, MOHs clinic, or dermatology office will not be accepted. Additional information about arranging your observation is in the Frequently Asked Questions.

5. Submit your application materials.

Before submitting your application packet, review the Surgical Technology Checklist (PDF) to make sure you have completed everything.

We recommend mailing your application packet to Pam Woody at the address at the top of the page.

If necessary, packets can be hand-delivered to the HPAAO in Fralin Center Room HP339 (open daily 8:00 AM – 3:30 PM). If the office is closed, you may slide your packet beneath the door.

Once your application and all transcripts have been received by the HPAAO, you will be sent a four-page letter to your application email address verifying your prerequisites and support classes. If you have not received this letter in 3-5 weeks, please contact the HPAAO because there is likely something missing from your application packet and we are unable to consider you for a seat in the next cohort.

Note:  Applicants should remember to update the HPAAO  (healthprofessions@virginiawestern.edu) with any changes to their email address throughout the process. The application email address is used for all future contact from the advising office regarding the application unless the HPAAO is contacted to change it. Please note that advisors will contact you with the email address in Navigate, so you should turn on your notifications in Navigate. If you need assistance with this, please contact the Help Desk at Virginia Western.

6. Review the Surgical Technology Checklist

Details about other steps taken after your application is submitted are discussed in the Surgical Technology Checklist below.

Surgical Technology Checklist (PDF)

Admission Process Timeline

Other than the application deadline, the following dates are not final and are provided as a guideline only.

Date	Task
Spring semester prior to deadline	Spring prerequisites completed
June 1	Deadline to submit all application materials, transcripts, observation hours, etc.
Early-mid June	Interview with Program Head and faculty members scheduled for qualified applicants (includes written prompt)
Late June/early July	Applicants notified of acceptance
Mid-late July	Orientation