If you’re reading this, you’re probably wondering what your child’s chances of getting into Virginia Tech are. We’re going to get into nitty grit of that question, but first let’s look at what makes Virginia Tech stand out from the rest. 

About Virginia Tech

Virginia Tech is a public research university in Blacksburg, tucked into the Blue Ridge Mountains region. With 31,000 undergraduates, Virginia Tech is a large school with strong school spirit. If your child enjoys engineering but also getting decked out in school gear to watch a good football game, Virginia Tech might just be the spot for them. It’s ranked number 21 in public universities by US World & News Report and has a strong pre-professional bent. And it offers majors in practically every type of engineering under the sun: Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Civil & Environmental Engineering, Industrial & Systems Engineering, and more. 

The acceptance rate for the Virginia Tech Class of 2028 was 54.6%. While that’s not exactly what’s considered competitive in the college admissions world,  getting in will still require strategic planning (and the help of Ivy Coach’s college admissions experts certainly wouldn’t hurt!). 

Virginia Tech Admissions Requirements

Obviously, GPA, standardized testing scores, and extracurricular achievements are the key components of a successful application to Virginia Tech and to any school. That being said, what do these components actually look like for Virginia Tech admits? Without further ado, let’s dive in!

What Kind of GPA Is Necessary To Get Into Virginia Tech?

The following is the GPA breakdown of the members of the Virginia Tech Class of 2029:

GPA	Percentage of Virginia Tech Class of 2029
4.0	76%
3.75-3.99	13%
3.5-3.74	7%
3.25-3.49	3%
3.0-3.24	1%
2.5-2.99	0%
2.0-2.49	0%
1.0-1.99	0%

Last year, the Virginia Tech Class of 2029 included a whopping 76% of first-year students coming in with a perfect high school GPA. 13% of that class had a GPA between 3.75 and 3.99. Another 7% of the class had a GPA between 3.5 and 3.74. Given Virginia Tech’s acceptance rate, though, we suspect that they’re reporting weighted GPA here, which is why the numbers skew so heavily upward. 

What Kind of SAT or ACT Scores Are Needed To Get Into Virginia Tech?

The average SAT score for the Virginia Tech Class of 2029 was 1370 and the average ACT score was 30. 

What Classes Do Students Need to Take to Get Into Virginia Tech?

Virginia Tech lists the following as its minimum course requirements to be considered for admission: 

• 4 units of English
• 3 units of math (includes algebra I, and algebra II)
• 2 units of laboratory science (chosen from biology, chemistry or physics)
• 2 units of social science (one must be history)
• 3 additional academic units (foreign language is highly recommended)
• 4 elective units

Of course, we at Ivy Coach would not recommend merely two or three years in any core subject. Colleges like Virginia Tech want to see students excelling in each core subject (English, history, math, science, and foreign language) all four years of high school. In fact, they expect to see five years for foreign language since most students begin their first level of foreign language in eighth grade.

What Kinds of Extracurriculars Does Virginia Tech Like To See?

We’re going to clear up a common misunderstanding: highly selective colleges are not looking for well-rounded students. They’re looking for a well-rounded student body comprised of students who are each singularly talented. 

In terms of extracurriculars, that means Virginia Tech is looking for depth over breadth. If you’re a member of the debate team, the robotics team, the field hockey team, and the drama department…well, then, you’re merely a member of those groups. You don’t stand out in any of these pursuits. Virginia Tech would much rather accept a nationally ranked debate champ than a kid who spent an hour or two on debate a week because he spent the rest forgetting Shakespeare lines and fumbling the ball in football practice. 

Virginia Tech Application Requirements

Virginia Tech accepts the Common App. Strangely, Virginia Tech does not accept letters of recommendation. Additionally, they request 120-word responses to the following questions: 

• Virginia Tech’s motto is “Ut Prosim” which means ’That I May Serve’. Share how you contribute to a community that is important to you. How long have you been involved? What have you learned and how would you like to share that with others at Virginia Tech?
• Virginia Tech’s Principles of Community supports access and inclusion by affirming the dignity and value of every person, respecting differences, promoting mutual understanding and open expression, and strives to eliminate bias and discrimination.  Have you had an experience when you or someone you know were not being included? Did you reach out to anyone for assistance, direction, or resources? Were you able to affect change and/or influence others? Did this experience change your perspective and if so, how?
• Share a time when you were most proud of yourself either as a role model or when you displayed your leadership. What specific skills did you contribute to the experience? How did others rely on you for guidance? What did you learn about yourself during this time?
• Describe a goal that you have set and the steps you will take to achieve it. What made you set this goal for yourself? What is your timeline to achieve this goal? Who do you seek encouragement or guidance from and how do they support your progress as you work on this goal?

Does Virginia Tech Require An Interview? 

Virginia Tech does not require an interview, and, in fact, they don’t even offer one!

What Are Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University’s Application Deadlines? 

Early applications to Virginia Tech are due Nov. 1 and regular applications are due Jan. 15. 

How Ivy Coach Helps Students Get Into Virginia Tech 

If you’re interested in discerning if your child has a shot of getting into Virginia Tech, we recommend setting up Ivy Coach’s Strategy Session. Not only will you find out if your child has a chance of getting into Virginia Tech, but you’ll receive a game plan of how your child can optimize their admission to the best school possible.