Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University A land-grant institution
How to Apply
Students like to hang out...
and learn about Arboriculture!
- Admissions Policy and Deadlines
- Recommended Preparation
- Placement Test
- Scholarships
- Financial Aid
- Tuition and Student Fees
- Room and Board
- Computer Requirements
- Request an Application
Admissions Policy and Deadlines
The admissions policy requires graduation from an accredited high school with at least a 2.0 GPA (on a 4.0 scale) or successful completion of the GED. Preference is given to students with an Advanced or Standard diploma with at least a 2.5 GPA. A placement test is also required. An Agricultural Technology application and supporting documents must be submitted directly to the Agricultural Technology office [1060 Litton-Reaves Hall, Virginia Tech (0334), Blacksburg, VA 24061]. Students are only admitted for the fall semester.
Students must apply by May 15 for fall admissions. The program does not accept students in the spring. Earlier applications are encouraged. Deadlines and notification dates are December 31 with notification by January 15 and March 31 with notification by April 15. After April 15 notification of acceptance is made on a rolling basis within two weeks of receipt of the completed application. The final deadline for application is May 15. Students are encouraged to apply for financial aid in early January regardless of when they send in their application.
Complete applications for admission consist of:
- A $50 application fee (check made out to Treasurer, Virginia Tech)
- Completion of an official application
- A one-page essay stating your interest in the program and career goals
- Official transcripts of all high school and/or college course work
- Compass Placement Test scores: Math, English, and Writing (see information below)
- Interview, scheduled after all other application items are received
- Transfer applicants must have a cumulative "C" grade point average (2.0 on a 4.0 scale) for all post-secondary work.
Recommend Preparation
Students interested in the Agricultural Technology Program should complete the same course work required of freshman at Virginia Tech in order to be prepared for college-level work.
These courses include:
- 4 units of English
- 3 units of math (includes algebra I, geometry, 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
Additional information is available on the Virginia Tech Admissions website.
Placement Test
In order to be a successful student, it is important that three very basic skills meet college-level standards; writing, reading, and math. Even though your skills may be good enough for day to day living purposes, college courses require a particular level of skill that you may or may not currently possess. If you have been out of school for a significant period of time, or if you didn’t do well in these subjects in high school, it is very important for your academic success to bring these skills up to college standards. While it is sometimes not apparent from a particular program that these skills are fundamental, as you advance through your courses you will find it harder and harder to keep up if you have weaknesses in these areas.
The Agricultural Technology Program has not established a strict cutoff score as an admission requirement. The Placement Test will be used in conjunction with the student’s high school and post-secondary school transcripts to determine if the student is ready for college-level work.
More information on the Placement Test can be found at the Compass website. Sample questions are also available at http://www.act.org/compass /sample/index.html.This is the same test used by the Virginia Community College System. Prospective students must take the test on the Virginia Tech.
New! The Agricultural Technology Program will now accept SAT Test Scores in lieu of the Complass Placement Test. Read here for more information.
Scholarships
Scholarship opportunities are substantial for Agricultural Technology students. Support for scholarships, which range from $500 to $3,000, come from Virginia Farm Bureau and other industry groups throughout the Commonwealth. Students can submit the Scholarship Application Form (PDF) after they have been accepted to the program.
Financial Aid
Financial Aid in the form of loans, grants, and scholarships is available from various sources to help qualified students with their college expenses. To apply for need-based aid, first-year students should submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) in early March. Additional information and forms can be obtained by visiting the Virginia Tech Office of University Scholarships and Financial Aid.
While it is a serious matter to miss the March deadline, all is not lost. Students and their families can still complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) after the deadline. Student loans, parent loans, and Pell Grants are still available to those who otherwise qualify even if the FAFSA is late. All students should complete the FAFSA in order to enable the Office of Scholarships and Financial Aid to provide the best possible financial counseling regarding college cost financing.
Virginia Tech Office of University Scholarships and Financial Aid
200 Student Services Building (0222)
Blacksburg, Virginia 24061
Office Hours: Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Phone: (540) 231-5179
Fax: (540) 231-9139
E-mail: finaid@vt.edu
www.finaid.vt.edu
Virginia Tech's Title IV Code (which is required on the FAFSA): 003754
Tuition and Student Fees
Agricultural Technology students pay the same tuition and fees as other Virginia Tech undergraduate students. Specific information on these fees is available at the University Bursar website.
Room and Board
Agricultural Technology students are required to live on-campus the first year unless they are over 21 or living with an immediate relative near campus. Specific information on room and board options and fees is available at http://www.studentprograms.vt.edu/housingdining/.
Computer Requirements
All Virginia Tech students are required to have a laptop computer. The Agricultural Technology Program requires a specific Tablet PC and works with one vendor each year in order to insure consistency and serviceability. Please do not purchase a computer until the Agricultural Technology Program has communicated the requirements on or before May 15. Information will be made available on this website, included in offers made after May 15, and mailed to students who were offered admissions before May 15. The anticipated cost for this system is $2700 and will include all accessories required. Financial Aid will cover up to $3,000 for qualified students.
Request an Application
You can download an admission application (PDF) for the Agricultural Technology Program or request one by calling (540) 231-7649 to have a copy mailed to you.