What Guidance Counselors Should Know
As a guidance counselor, you play an important role in helping students select a college or university where they will thrive. The University of Richmond is your partner in that effort. We want to help you learn as much as possible about Richmond and about our admission process and philosophy. For instance, see our credit by exam policy to learn what credit will be applied to a degree here or refer to our course catalog for a complete listing of our academic offerings. For answers to more of the questions we often hear from guidance counselors, see the list below.
If you have other questions, e-mail the Admissions Office or call (800) 700-1662 [toll-free] or (804) 289-8640.
What is required for admission to the University of Richmond?
What is the timeline for Richmond's admission process?
Do you share admission decisions with counselors?
What is Richmond's philosophy concerning Early Decision applications?
What information is available about the wait list?
Is there a particular member of the admissions staff that I should contact with questions?
What opportunities are there for prospective students to get in touch with Richmond?
What is required for admission to the University of Richmond?
First-Year Applicants
The University of Richmond accepts both the Common Application and the Richmond Web Application. Candidates for admission can choose to submit either the paper version or electronic version of the Common Application and will need to complete the University of Richmond Common Application Supplement. Both application formats are given equal weight and preference in the admission process. Application deadline is January 15, 2008.
Common Application
Students may apply with either the paper or the electronic version of the Common Application. You will also need to complete the University of Richmond Common Application Supplement.
Richmond Web Application
Students may apply with the Richmond Web Application. The Richmond Web Application is an entirely online process which includes the required supplement materials.
To be considered for the Richmond Scholars Program, students need to submit application materials by December 15, 2007.
High School Transcript
The minimum coursework required for admission includes at least 4 years of English, 3 years of Math, 2 years of History or Social Studies, 2 years of Science and 2 years of the same foreign language. Most competitive candidates have completed coursework that exceeds these minimums. In addition, it is important that students take advantage of higher level coursework, such as honors, advanced, dual enrollment, Advanced Placement or International Baccalaureate as such coursework represents stronger preparation for college-level work.
Standardized Test Scores
Students may complete either the SAT or the ACT. If a student submits test results from multiple examinations, the University will always use the highest scores in the admission and scholarship evaluations.
Recommendation
Only one recommendation is required. The required recommendation must come from the Guidance Counselor or College Advisor for their high school. Students are welcome to include another recommendation from a teacher or other adult who knows them well.
What is the timeline for Richmond's admission process?
Early Decision–Fall
11/15: Application and estimated financial aid form
12/15: Notification
1/2: Deposit due
Richmond Scholars Program
12/15: Deadline for applications to be considered for Richmond Scholars Program
Mid-December - January: Semifinalists notified
Late February: Finalists notified
March: Finalists visit campus and recipients notified
2/15: Bonner Scholars Program deadline
2/15: FAFSA and University of Richmond Financial Aid Supplemental Application due (Richmond in Reach)
April: Bonner Scholar recipients notified
Early Decision–Winter
1/15: Application and estimated financial aid form
2/15: Notification
3/1: Deposit due
Regular Decision
1/15: Application due
4/1: Notification
5/1: Deposit due
Do you share admission decisions with counselors?
As a matter of University policy, we do not share admissions decisions with guidance counselors before they are released to students or over the phone. We are happy to accommodate counselor requests for decisions beginning one week after the date decisions are mailed to students.
What is Richmond's philosophy concerning Early Decision applications?
While Richmond does offer two Early Decision plans, we do not believe that students should feel pressure to apply before they are ready. Our Early Decision application process is binding. Though students applying Early Decision may have a slightly better chance of being admitted, we generally accept only 20-25% of the incoming class through Early Decision. A preliminary financial aid package is made available to Early Decision applicants. For more information on this, please contact our Financial Aid Office at (804)289-8438.
Counselors should be aware that we require marking period grades for both Early Decision processes and that decisions cannot be released until they are on file.
The decisions issued through the Early Decision process include admit, defer and deny. Deferred students are encouraged to contact the Admission Office to ask questions about why they were deferred and what might be done to improve their chances of being admitted. Our reason for denying students early is to help them refocus on more appropriate college choices. We use this option only when we believe the student would also be denied in regular decision.
What information is available about the wait list?
Every student offered a place on the wait list is given a Question and Answer brochure. Guidance counselors are encouraged to review this brochure and contact our office with questions.
Is there a particular member of the admission staff that I should contact with questions?
Below you'll find a list by state of which admission officer works most closely with applicants from that state. You may direct questions to that individual, though we are all happy to work with counselors anywhere. In some cases, if we are able to travel in your area, you'll meet this person; from time to time, however, we share each other's travel regions when programs conflict. To see our current travel plans, please go to Richmond Visits You.
Alabama: Ruth Marie Byrne
Alaska: Mary Ann Bagby
Arizona: Garrick Queen
Arkansas: Kate Wheeler
California (Northern): Steve Wilborn
California (Southern): Mary Ann Bagby
Colorado: Garrick Queen
Connecticut: Garrick Queen
Delaware: Tom Nicholas
District of Columbia: Kristen Binette
Florida: Mary Ann Bagby
Georgia: Ruth Marie Byrne
Hawaii: Mary Ann Bagby
Idaho: Garrick Queen
Illinois: Kate Wheeler
Indiana: Kate Wheeler
International: Marilyn Hesser
Iowa: Dia Lisner
Kansas: Dia Lisner
Kentucky: Pam Spence
Louisiana: Pam Spence
Maine: Lee Williams
Maryland: Kristen Binette
Massachusetts: Lee Williams
Michigan: Tom Nicholas
Minnesota: Maria Cedeno
Mississippi: Ruth Marie Byrne
Missouri: Dia Lisner
Montana: Garrick Queen
Nebraska: Dia Lisner
Nevada: Mary Ann Bagby
New Hampshire: Lee Williams
New Jersey (Northern): Pam Spence
New Jersey (Southern): Ruth Marie Byrne
New Mexico: Garrick Queen
New York: Maria Cedeno
New York City: Steve Willborn
North Carolina: Kristen Binette
North Dakota: Dia Lisner
Ohio: Ruth Marie Byrne
Oklahoma: Kate Wheeler
Oregon: Steve Wilborn
Pennsylvania: Tom Nicholas
Rhode Island: Lee Williams
South Carolina: Pam Spence
South Dakota: Dia Lisner
Tennessee: Kate Wheeler
Texas: Kate Wheeler
Utah: Garrick Queen
Vermont: Lee Williams
Virginia (Northern): Sabena Moretz
Virginia (Central & Tidewater): Dolores MacNeilly
Virginia (Southside & Western): Sabena Moretz
Washington: Steve Wilborn
West Virginia: Kristen Binette
Wisconsin: Maria Cedeno
Wyoming: Garrick Queen
What opportunities are there for prospective students to get in touch with Richmond?
Richmond offers several visit opportunities. Complete details about these options can be found on the Visit Us page. We also travel to many locations worldwide. Check out Richmond Visits You for the current list of our travel plans.