University of Virginia FAQ

How does the Match work with the University of Virginia?

The University of Virginia is a college partner with QuestBridge. If you are selected as a QuestBridge Finalist and wish to rank UVA as one of your fifteen choices, your QuestBridge application will be forwarded to UVA's Office of Undergraduate Admission. In addition to the QuestBridge application, however, UVA requires some additional information.

The following documents must be submitted to UVA's Office of Undergraduate Admission by November 1:

• The UVA Supplement (available in your MyUVA Application Portal).
• Official high school transcript.

Please note that if matched with UVA, the contract (admission) is binding and students are expected to attend UVA the following fall. In addition, students must withdraw all other applications. During the evaluation process for the Match, the UVA admissions committee will only consider your QuestBridge application and the UVA supplement.

Financial Aid Requirements: All students that rank UVA through the Match must submit the following financial aid information by November 1, 2023

• 2024-2025 CSS Profile (including Noncustodial Profile, if applicable). UVA CSS code is 5820.
• 2022 Tax Returns & W-2's

Tax materials should be uploaded through the QuestBridge DocuSign Form.

Submit a 2024-2025 FAFSA as soon as it is available.

For those who Match with the University of Virginia, is the decision binding?

Yes. If you are matched, congratulations! Please remember to withdraw all applications you've submitted to other colleges or universities. Now, instead of waiting on admissions decisions, you'll be able to spend the rest of your senior year focusing on finishing strong and looking forward to coming to Charlottesville!

When are QuestBridge Finalists notified if they are matched with UVA?

Matched students will be notified by QuestBridge in early December and contacted by UVA shortly thereafter.

I am a QB Finalist. Will UVA accept the QuestBridge Application in place of the Common Application?

Yes. If you submit the QuestBridge application to UVA, you must complete the UVA Supplement in your MyUVA Application Portal to be considered an active applicant. Please know that you cannot submit both the QuestBridge application and the Common Application.

I really need the scholarship that the Match provides. What are UVA's financial aid policies? How do QuestBridge Match financial aid packages differ from standard UVA financial aid packages?

Students admitted via the QuestBridge College Match are guaranteed full financial support with grant-based aid for all four years at UVA.

UVA guarantees to meet 100% of demonstrated need for all students, regardless of Match status. UVA’s financial aid model makes a top education affordable to all U.S. students:

• We accept students solely on their academic merit, regardless of their ability to pay.
• We meet 100% of your financial need. As long as students apply by the annual March 1st deadline, UVA will meet 100% of their demonstrated financial need through scholarships, grants, work-study and need-based loans.
• We limit your debt. We limit need-based loans to an average of $4,500 per year for in-state students and $7,000 per year for out-of-state students.

All financial aid packages are customized for the students who receive them. Student Financial Services has provided a few different examples to illustrate how the main components work together for in-state and out-of-state students at different income levels. To get an idea of what your UVA financial aid package might look like, please use our quick cost estimator. It takes less a few minutes to complete!

Do I have a better chance of being admitted to UVA if I apply through the Match process?

No. Match candidates, like all applicants to UVA, are evaluated in the same rigorous and holistic manner and all applicants are held to the same high standards.

Is there a fee to apply to UVA? Are fee waivers available?

If you are a QuestBridge Finalist or Non-Finalist who submits the QuestBridge application to UVA, the application fee will be waived.

I have sent recommendation letters and a secondary school report through the QuestBridge Application; do I need to re-submit these forms if I am applying to UVA?

No. If you are a QuestBridge Finalist applying through the National College Match, all materials submitted as part of your QuestBridge Application will be reviewed in your application process, and you do not need to submit additional recommendation letters or school information.

What are UVA’s testing requirements?

UVA has extended their current test-optional practice for two years. If you're applying for admission for Fall 2024 or Fall 2025, you'll have the choice of sharing or not sharing results from the SAT and ACT. Whichever path you choose, UVA will consider your application with care and respect, and you won't be disadvantaged because of the choice you've made.

• Applicants who wish to have testing considered will self-report their scores on the application. After the deadline, applicants may submit updated scores through their portal. Admitted students who enroll at UVA must request official score reports from the SAT or ACT for verification. Our ETS code is 5820. Our ACT code is 4412.
• For applicants submitting test scores, it has been the Office of Admission’s long-standing policy to consider the best test scores submitted by applicants. We use the top score from each SAT section across all administrations of the same exam. We hope you will submit all of your scores knowing that we will recombine the sections to get the best possible set of scores. If reporting an ACT score, report the composite and sub-scores as they appear on your official score report without any recalculation.
• Students whose first language is not English or who have attended an English-speaking school for fewer than two years are encouraged to provide evidence of their English proficiency by submitting the results of the TOEFL or the IELTS.

Will I have an advantage in the admissions process if I submit ACT or SAT results?

No, applicants will not have an advantage in the admissions process simply by submitting ACT or SAT results. The submission of test results will be viewed only as one additional piece of information among the many factors that UVA will consider in their continued practice of a holistic and contextual review process.

What is the last testing date UVA will accept?

If you are a QuestBridge Finalist applying through the National College Match, the latest date candidates may take the SAT is October 2023. For the ACT, the last date is October 2023. You may self-report your scores. If you choose to send official scores as part of your application, please do not use the ''rush'' option for sending scores; your scores will make it in time without being rushed.

Can I submit supplementary materials?

The University of Virginia encourages you to convey the breadth and depth of your extra-curricular pursuits within your admission application, including the full name of each organization in which you participate and, if appropriate, a brief description of your involvement. We do not accept resumes, research papers, or supplemental application items that do not fit the criteria for arts supplements.

May I apply to UVA Early Decision?

No. If you are a QuestBridge Finalist and you are participating in the Match, you are not permitted to apply Early Decision to UVA.

The University of Virginia is my first choice and the only school I would like to consider during the Match. What should I do?

The Match is designed for students who are seriously interested in several QuestBridge college partners and/or who feel that they will benefit from the additional information contained in the QuestBridge application. If you are a QuestBridge Finalist and the University of Virginia is the only school you are enthusiastic about, you have two options. Your first option would be to not rank schools in the Match and apply to UVA directly under the Early Decision plan. The second option would be to participate in the Match and rank only one school, knowing that your chances of being matched are much higher if you rank several QuestBridge college partners.

Important Dates to Remember for 2023-2024

Please submit these materials as soon as you are notified you are a Finalist.

Options following Match

Can I reuse an essay from my QuestBridge application for my UVA Supplement?

No, the UVA Supplement must include original essays, and should not be answered with essays already used in the QuestBridge application.

If I am not identified as a Finalist, is it possible for UVA to consider my QuestBridge application for admission?

Yes. Students who are not selected as Finalists are able to apply to UVA using the QuestBridge application. Additionally, you must complete the UVA Supplement in your MyUVA Application Portal to be considered an active applicant. Do NOT submit the Common Application if you have already submitted the QB application to UVA.

If I become a Finalist and I am not matched, will UVA consider my QuestBridge application for admission to UVA?

Yes. If you ranked UVA during the Match, UVA will reevaluate your QuestBridge Application along with the UVA Supplement during the Early Action process beginning in January. Please do not submit a Common Application if you have already submitted a QuestBridge Application through the National College Match.

I am an international student. Can I apply for the Match with UVA?

Noncitizens and international students are an integral part of the university, and UVA is deeply committed to enrolling a student body that includes students from around the world. However, UVA will consider students who are US Citizens or Permanent Residents for the Match. Virginia-domiciled students with either DACA or undocumented status are also eligible for the Match for the 2024-2025 academic year. 

I am applying to UVA via Regular Decision. What are the deadlines for the required financial documents?

Completing and submitting all required applications and additionally requested documents by the priority date (February 1, 2024) increases the likelihood that you'll receive your preliminary financial aid offer much sooner than if you wait until March 1st. All financial aid application materials must be submitted by March 1, 2024: CSS Profile, FAFSA, 2022 W-2's and Federal tax returns, Non-Custodial Profile (if applicable). If you are an eligible applicant for financial aid and submit your FAFSA and Profile by March 1, 2024, we will meet all your demonstrated need, even if your other application materials arrive after the deadline. If you submit your FAFSA and/or Profile after March 1, 2024, you may still receive some grants. In recent years, we have been able to give grants to late applicants, but we can't always promise to be able to do so.

May I send in more than two letters of reference?

In general, two letters are sufficient to give us a sense of who you are as a student and as a person. If, however, you feel strongly that someone (perhaps a religious leader, a close advisor, or an employer) has the capacity to add new and different insight or information to your application, please feel free to submit one additional letter. It is strongly recommended to not ask another teacher to write your supplementary letter.

I'd like to have an interview - how do I set that up?

UVA does not conduct informational or evaluative essays. We encourage you to include all pertinent and contextual information within your application.

Can I still be considered for Admission if I have been matched at another college partner?

If you have been matched at a school with a binding match commitment, you cannot be considered for admission to UVA. Please make sure to withdraw your applications from schools with which you were not matched.

If I am a Finalist and listed UVA as one of my choices, but was not matched at any of the college partners, will UVA consider my application?

Yes. If you are a Finalist who ranked UVA as one of your top fifteen schools, but you were not matched, UVA will automatically consider you in the Early Action process. Remember, in addition to submitting your QuestBridge application to UVA, you must complete the UVA Supplement in your MyUVA Application Portal to be considered an active applicant. Do NOT submit the Common Application if you have already submitted the QB application to UVA.

If I am a Finalist but I did not list UVA as one of my ranked choices, will UVA consider my application for Regular Decision?

Yes, but only if you have not matched with a school that has a binding match commitment. To be considered for admission, you can use the QuestBridge Regular Decision Form to forward your QuestBridge application and additional documents to UVA. You must also submit the UVA Supplement which can be accessed through the MyUVA Application Portal after your application has been forwarded by QuestBridge. Please know that you cannot submit both the QuestBridge application and the Common Application.

What if I am a Finalist but I chose not to participate in the Match, will UVA consider me?

Yes, absolutely! Please submit your QuestBridge application to UVA. You must complete the UVA Supplement in your MyUVA Application Portal to be considered an active applicant. Do NOT submit the Common Application if you have already submitted the QB application to UVA.

What if I apply to QuestBridge but am not named a Finalist, will UVA consider my application?

Yes. You may apply either Early Action or Regular Decision and you should follow all the standard guidelines for an applicant to UVA. If you submit the QuestBridge application to UVA, you must complete the UVA Supplement in your MyUVA Application Portal to be considered an active applicant. Do NOT submit the Common Application if you have already submitted the QB application to UVA.