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Admissions

APPLYING FOR FALL 2024

The application for fall 2024 opens in October 2023.

Early application deadline: January 15, 2024

Regular application deadline: March 17, 2024

Scholarship application deadline: March 17, 2024

Applications will be accepted on a rolling, space-available basis after March 17, 2024. Applications must be submitted before the March 17 deadline in order to be eligible for scholarship consideration.

 

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Contact us

Brandcenter Admissions
brandcenter@vcu.edu
804-828-8384

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How to apply

The Brandcenter admissions process consists of multiple parts. Please review each component, and contact us if you have any questions.
 
VCU Graduate School Application 
  • Beginning in October 2023, create your account with VCU Grad (link posted when application opens).
  • Search for "Branding" and add the concentration you intend to apply for (you may only apply into one concentration).
  • List email addresses for three references—professional or academic references. They'll be sent an email to submit their reference.
  • Complete your Statement of Intent: In 250 words or less, tell us why you’re applying to the Brandcenter, and what you want to be able to do with your degree after graduation. 
  • Submit transcripts for all schools attended.*
  • Pay $70 application fee.
  • After submitting your VCU Graduate Application, you will receive a link to your Brandcenter Portal, where you will complete the Brandcenter Application. Please note this process may take up to 1-2 business days.
Brandcenter Application
  • When you receive the email with a link to the Brandcenter Portal, create your account.
  • Upload your resume.
  • Respond to the application prompts for your concentration.
Scholarship Application (optional, due by application deadline)
All applicants are eligible to apply for scholarships. The scholarship application will be available once your Graduate School application is completed and received. In order to be considered for scholarships, the admissions and scholarship applications must be completed by March 17, 2024.

Students who wish to be considered for scholarships must also complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, if they are eligible to do so (click here for eligibility criteria).

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Admissions Interview
Some applicants may be asked to schedule a virtual Admissions Interview after submitting their Brandcenter Application. You will be notified via email if you are selected for an interview.
 
* Please note: Any applicants who have studied outside of the U.S. must provide an official course-by-course external credential evaluation in addition to their transcripts as a required part of the admission process. Please visit International Admissions and click on "foreign transcripts" for more information and a list of evaluators. Contact vcuia@vcu.edu with questions.

International admissions

In addition to the VCU Graduate School and Brandcenter applications, international applicants must submit additional documentation to the Office of Admissions. Visit International admissions for full requirements and contact vcuia@vcu.edu with questions.

Transcripts

International applicants must hold the equivalent of a four-year U.S. bachelor's degree, or, if you have a degree from a three-year program, be eligible for graduate education in your country of citizenship.

Prospective students who have studied outside of the U.S. must provide an official course-by-course external credential evaluation as a required part of the admission process. This report should be sealed and unopened, and sent directly to the Office of Admissions:

Send PDF documents to: globalfiles@vcu.edu

Mail documents to:
Virginia Commonwealth University — International Admissions
408 West Franklin Street
Box 843012
Richmond, Virginia 23284-3043
USA

VCU recognizes professional evaluators who are members of the following organizations. Please use the links below to select an evaluator to evaluate your transcript. Please ensure that you request a course-by-course type of evaluation:

For more information about transcript requirements, please visit International Admissions.

Proof of English Proficiency

As a communications program, we require these minimum scores on the following tests:

  • TOEFL: 600 on the paper-based test, 250 on the computer-based test, or 100 on the internet-based test
  • IELTS: 6.5 

For VCU’s testing code and more information about requesting an English Proficiency waiver, please visit International Admissions.

Frequently Asked Questions

Student demographics

  • 53 percent out-of-state
  • 37 percent racial/ethnic diversity
  • Average age range: 21-34

Some of our students are married. Some have kids. About 70% have post-college work experience—anything from working at a college bookstore to several years of agency experience to completely different careers outside of advertising and branding.

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