Admissions

Early decision is February 1 and regular decision is April 1. Submit your application materials by these deadlines (including the informal interview).

Not always--it is up to you! Applicants may want to apply earlier so that they hear back earlier and can plan ahead. We recommend not rushing the application.

If you submit and complete (see question #5) your application by the deadline, we’ll make a decision approximately one month after that deadline.

If you complete your application after the early decision deadline but before the regular decision deadline, you will be considered for the regular decision deadline. Applications submitted past our regular decision deadline (which is our final deadline) will only be reviewed if all spots have not been filled.

Your application is considered complete when you have:

• Submitted the online VCU Graduate School application. This is where you will upload your supporting documents such as unofficial transcripts, any applicable test scores for Strategy or Creative Brand Management, and your reference information.
• Emailed us your Brandcenter application (your My Story So Far and track-specific assignments)
• Completed your personal interview or video interview.

Your personal interview should be scheduled and completed before the application deadline. Contact Isabelle Mouton at moutonia@vcu.edu to Schedule a 30-minute in-person or phone interview. If you are not interviewing in person or over the phone, you may email us a five-minute video in which you introduce yourself and tell us why you are applying to the Brandcenter.

We have no preference of the type of interview. However, if you are trying to schedule an interview close to the deadline, you may need to use the video submission option as interview times become booked up quickly.

No. This has changed from last year. We ask that all “My Story So Far” answers and track-specific application assignments be submitted as a single, printable PDF (via email to moutonia@vcu.edu) or a hard-copy (via mail or drop-off). If you are submitting a hard-copy, you must use a size that is suitable for filing, such as 8.5”x11” or A4. (Please note: Experience Design applicants must submit a PDF.)

You can, however, include links to additional sites or extra work, if you’d like. Make sure that you provide us with the URL (do not hyperlink it within the PDF).

We only require unofficial transcripts for our application review process.*  Upon admission to the Brandcenter, you will need to send us your official transcripts with your final coursework and degree listed.

*Foreign transcripts will need to be evaluated by an external evaluator. (Find more information on this process on the VCU International Admissions page or contact their office at vcuia@vcu.edu.)

You will only need to provide these upon admission into the program. For more questions about what financial information is required once you are accepted, view the VCU International Admissions page.

If we are unable to make a final decision on your application submitted by the early decision deadline, we will notify you that your application and supporting materials will be reviewed with the regular decision applicant pool.