How to Apply to Life Sciences and Medicine at Villanova University: Choose a College or Major When You Apply, Direct Admission to Biology, Biochemistry and Nursing, an Exploratory Science Option, and What U.S., International (Including Chinese) and Transfer Applicants Need

Villanova University is in Villanova, Pennsylvania, about 12 miles from Philadelphia, and is an Augustinian Catholic university. The life-science and health programs are mainly in the science side of the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences (CLAS) and in the M. Louise Fitzpatrick College of Nursing; biomedical engineering is in the College of Engineering and gets only a mention here. The United States has no pre-med undergraduate major, and Villanova’s health-professions advising says health-professions schools have no preference among majors. Below are the key points for fall 2027 entry, split into U.S. applicants, international applicants and applicants from China, then transfers.

1. Which related majors exist

• Biology: offered by the Department of Biology in CLAS. Majors take courses in biology, other sciences and the Core Curriculum. The department suggests (not as formal tracks) focus areas: cell biology, ecology, genetics, microbiology and physiology. There is also a biology minor and a combined BS/MS in Biology, completed in about five years.
• Biochemistry: a BS offered jointly by the Chemistry and Biology departments; the page says it is accredited by the American Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology (ASBMB) and seniors may take an ASBMB certification exam. The Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry also offers a BS in Chemistry with a Biochemistry Option.
• Comprehensive Science: a flexible major with a broad science and math core, then any six science electives; the page calls it an excellent entry point to medicine, dentistry and other health careers and says it can satisfy premed requirements.
• Cognitive and Behavioral Neuroscience (CBN): in the Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences. The health advising page says students are admitted as declared CBN majors, so you must choose it on the application.
• Nursing: the four-year BSN is a direct-admit program. For college graduates there is also a second-degree accelerated BSN, a 14-month express track or a 23-month flex track, with program tuition of $55,620 on the fee schedule.
• Biomedical engineering: in the College of Engineering; you choose it when you apply. The transfer page says engineering takes transfers only into chemical, civil, computer and electrical engineering. We did not read the engineering pages.
• Public health, nutrition, kinesiology and similar undergraduate majors: not listed on the pages we read. The BSN page says Villanova’s Global Health and Nutrition minors are open to all undergraduates.
• Whether these majors are designated STEM: not stated on the pages we read.

2. How admission works: choose a college or major when you apply

• The admission FAQ says you must apply to one of the undergraduate colleges or a specific major; there is no “undecided” option.
• CLAS (Sciences): choose from Astronomy & Astrophysics, Biochemistry, Biology, Chemistry, Cognitive and Behavioral Neuroscience, Comprehensive Science, Computer Science, Environmental Science, Mathematics, Physics and Statistics. Science applicants may also choose Exploratory Science (undeclared science) or list other science majors as second choice. The page says plainly that if you are admitted to Exploratory Science there is no guarantee you can enroll in your first-choice major; placement is based on space in each program at the end of the first year.
• CLAS (Liberal Arts): the only option is Exploratory Arts, with a major declared by the end of the second year (psychology is listed there, but CBN must be chosen on the application).
• Nursing: the four-year BSN is direct admission. The first two years combine basic nursing theory and clinical skills with liberal arts and science courses; from the second semester of sophomore year students take nursing theory and clinical courses. Clinical experiences begin in the second year, with continuing work in the Simulation and Learning Resource Center.
• Conditions for entering a major (GPA, course grades, quotas) for biology, biochemistry and similar majors, and the rules for switching in: not stated on the pages we read.
• Honors: all first-year applicants are considered for the Honors Program, with notification by the end of March; testing is not required.

3. The pre-med route

• Health Professions Advising (HPA) writes that health-professions schools have no preference for undergraduate majors: no major gives an edge and none makes you less desirable, so choose one you enjoy and excel in. Because most health programs require many science courses, many students choose science majors; the most popular are Biology, Biochemistry, Comprehensive Science and Psychology, and also Cognitive and Behavioral Neuroscience within the psychology department.
• Each health-professions student has at least two advisors, an academic advisor and an HPA advisor, who help with course planning, extracurriculars, timing exams (MCAT, DAT, PCAT and others) and applications. There are Pre-Medical, Pre-PA, Pre-Optometry and Pre-Dental clubs, and alumni can keep using the office.
• A course-by-course prerequisite list, recommended courses and medical-school acceptance statistics: not stated on the pages we read; contact hpa@villanova.edu. Any separate advice for international students: not stated on the pages we read.
• Health Affiliation Programs:
  • Dental (University of Pennsylvania School of Dental Medicine) and Optometry (Pennsylvania College of Optometry at Drexel University): each is a seven-year program, three years at Villanova (majoring in Biology, Biochemistry or Comprehensive Science) and four at the partner school, earning a Villanova bachelor’s and the professional degree. Only first-year applications are eligible, and you must apply Early Action by 1 November, indicating “Health Affiliation Program – Dental/Optometry” plus an alternate major on the Common App. After EA decisions, admitted applicants submit a supplemental application, and Villanova issues the final decision in late March. Requirements: dental, a 3.5 cumulative GPA and the Dental Admission Test at the end of sophomore year with 20 or higher on each section; optometry, a 3.2 GPA and the Optometry Admission Test with 300 or higher on each section; falling short may mean release from the program.
  • Osteopathic medicine (Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine, PCOM): under the agreement, Villanova may recommend up to three candidates a year; criteria include completing PCOM’s prerequisites (mostly at Villanova), being a U.S. citizen or permanent resident and passing a PCOM interview. Only Villanova juniors may apply, and transfer students are not eligible.
  • Whether the dental and optometry programs accept international students: not stated on the pages we read; ask gotovu@villanova.edu. The affiliate page says test-optional through the 2025-26 cycle (Class of 2030) while the admission FAQ says through 2026-27 (Class of 2031); the two disagree, so check the latest.
• The Biology BS/MS is not a medical-school pathway; see the BS/MS paragraph in section 4.

4. High-school preparation and course structure

• CLAS: the site says only that the strength of your curriculum matters and that for science-minded students the most rigorous math and science courses will best prepare you; it names no subjects or years.
• Nursing: applicants are required to have completed at least one year (one unit) of biology and of chemistry in high school; advanced levels are strongly encouraged.
• Engineering: physics is required and pre-calculus is required; calculus is strongly encouraged.
• AP / IB: qualifying AP or IB Higher Level scores may earn course credit. The college-by-college credit tables sit in third-party catalogs we did not open, so check the official site for exact conversions. The Biology BS/MS lists “an AP Biology score of 4 or higher, or 8 college credits of general biology” among its prerequisites.
• First two years of courses: the required-course lists for biology, biochemistry and Comprehensive Science are in third-party catalogs we did not open, so they are not covered here. For nursing, the BSN curriculum page gives a sample first year: fall, Introduction to Professional Nursing (NUR 1102), Human Anatomy & Physiology (BIO 1205), General Psychology (PSY 1000), General, Organic & Biochemistry with lab (CHM 1135, 1105) and core courses; spring, NUR 1104, BIO 1206, NUR 1105 and others. Math and chemistry placement levels: not stated on the pages we read.
• Combined BS/MS in Biology: you must be a biology major with sophomore status, have completed biology courses through General Biology II, have a cumulative GPA of 3.3 or higher and have an AP Biology 4+ or 8 credits of college general biology; you submit a transcript and one recommendation from a Villanova science professor and interview with the committee. Deadlines: 15 March to start graduate courses the next fall, 15 October for the next spring. To continue, keep overall and science GPAs at 3.0 or higher.

5. Rounds and materials (fall 2027 entry)

• Application opens: 1 August.
• Early Action (non-binding): 1 November; decision by 20 January; deposit by 1 May.
• Early Decision I (binding): 1 November; decision by 1 December; deposit within two weeks of admission.
• Early Decision II (binding): 15 January; decision by 15 February.
• Regular Decision (non-binding): 15 January; decision by 1 April; deposit by 1 May.
• Changing plans: EA to ED I by 10 November; deferred EA or RD to ED II by 31 January.
• Platform and fee: Common App or Coalition; $80 fee with waivers; the enrollment deposit is $700 (fee schedule).
• Materials: secondary-school transcript (from grade 9) and school report, one teacher recommendation (a counselor letter is optional and other letters are not considered), senior-year grades (ED II, RD, deferred ED I and EA applicants), essays and the Villanova writing supplements. The site says there are no interviews and no demonstrated-interest tracking.
• Testing: optional, through the 2026-27 cycle (Class of 2031); not submitting is no disadvantage; self-reported scores are allowed and official scores are needed only on enrolling; SAT and ACT are superscored; the ACT science section is not required. Scores reported by 10 November are used for EA and ED I, and by 31 January for ED II and RD. Homeschooled applicants must submit SAT or ACT scores (the pages differ on the threshold: one says more than one full academic year, another two or more years).

6. U.S. applicants

• Tuition: Villanova lists one tuition with no in-state/out-of-state distinction; any preference for Pennsylvania residents is not stated on the pages we read. The 2026-27 budget for a full-time day undergraduate living on or off campus: tuition $72,990, student services fee $1,024, housing about $10,314, food about $9,040, books $600, supplies $560 (first-year), personal $1,450, transportation $850 and loan fees $58, total $96,886 (housing and food are estimates; actual charges follow your choice). The commuter budget is $80,652. First-year students also pay a $300 orientation fee. The page says additional fees may be assessed depending on the program. Health insurance (about $3,165 a year) is not counted in aid.
• Program surcharges: no biology or nursing surcharge is listed on the pages we read; the nursing pre-licensure exam fee is shown as “TBD”.
• Aid: admission is need-blind for U.S. citizens and permanent residents. To apply for need-based aid submit the FAFSA and the CSS Profile, ideally with your application; priority dates are 1 November for EA and ED I and 15 January for ED II and RD. Applicants who do not submit test scores are still considered for all merit scholarships, including the Presidential Scholarship.
• Research: the biology pages say students can work with faculty as early as the first year; the department awards internal fellowships with a stipend (the application resembles the VURF one); biology majors can earn credit for approved internships.

7. International applicants

• Who is international: anyone who is not a U.S. citizen or permanent resident and needs a student visa. U.S. citizens or permanent residents living abroad are treated as domestic for aid.
• Academic records: all documents must be official, submitted by the school in the original language, with an original school seal or examining-board seal; non-English documents need an official translation. Records must list subjects studied each year with grades and a marking key; if your country has a national secondary school leaving examination, or you take a Cambridge certificate, official results or predicted marks are required. No third-party credential evaluation is stated for first-year applicants; international transfer students must have documents translated and evaluated (the site points to the NACES list).
• English: non-native speakers submit Cambridge English, Duolingo, IELTS, Pearson PTE or TOEFL iBT. The pages we read give no minimum scores (they mention a separate English requirements page, which we did not read); check the official site. Waiver: English is a native language spoken at home, or more than three consecutive years of secondary school taught in English.
• Proof of funds: every international applicant submits the Certification of Finances and a bank statement or letter from the last three months through the applicant status page; the application is incomplete without them.
• Aid and scholarships: admission for international applicants is need-aware, with finances considered at the end of the holistic review; they may apply for limited need-based aid and be nominated for the Presidential Scholarship, and not every applicant who applies for aid will receive it. To apply for need-based aid, submit the CSS Profile (code 2959) plus a parent employer income letter, bank deposit statements and similar documents.
• International students and nursing / clinical placements: nursing is direct admission; whether international students can apply to the nursing college, or face limits in clinical placements, is not stated on the pages we read. Ask gotovu@villanova.edu.
• Interview and visa: no admission interviews. Enrolling students receive the I-20 in the spring before fall enrollment.

8. Applicants from China

• Gaokao: the pages we read do not mention China or the Gaokao. The general rule says applicants from countries with a national secondary school leaving examination must provide official results or predicted marks; whether the Gaokao counts and how it is used is not stated, so email gotovu@villanova.edu.
• Transcripts and school-leaving exam materials: follow the academic-records rules above: official documents from the school in the original language plus an official translation. Whether the Huikao is needed: not stated on the pages we read.
• English: as in section 7; no minimum score and no China-specific guidance on the pages we read.
• Any other China-specific notes (for example how Chinese high-school subjects map to the expectations above): not stated on the pages we read.

9. Costs, scholarships and placements

• Costs are above: a 2026-27 on-campus budget of $96,886.
• Laboratory and placements: the biology department’s internal fellowships (with a stipend) and credit-bearing internships; nursing clinical experiences begin in the second year. Other research opportunities are not itemized on the pages we read.
• Whether international students can take part in these: not stated on the pages we read.

10. Transfer

• Eligibility: you must have enrolled in college as a degree-seeking or full-time student after high school. The site strongly encourages at least one semester of college work first and discourages applying in your first semester; most admitted students complete a full year. A cumulative college GPA of 3.00 or higher is strongly recommended.
• Deadlines: fall (the page says Fall 2027) opens 15 December, deadline 15 March, decision by 1 June, deposit by 15 June; spring (Spring 2027) opens 15 August, deadline 15 October, with very few places in select programs. Fall is the main intake (over 85% of the class).
• Related majors that accept transfers: CLAS sciences accept Biology, Biochemistry, Chemistry, Comprehensive Science, Psychology and others; Cognitive and Behavioral Neuroscience is not on the list. The Fitzpatrick College of Nursing does not consider transfer applications. Once enrolled, transfer students cannot request an internal transfer into another college, major or program.
• Materials: the Common App for transfer, the Coalition transfer application or the Villanova Transfer Application; official transcripts from every institution, self-reported mid-term grades, the final high-school transcript, a course catalog with descriptions, the transfer conduct form and the writing supplement (“Villanova means ‘new home’”); testing optional; $80 fee.
• Credit: evaluated after admission; typically up to 60 credits, grade C or better; at least half of the major courses and the final 30 credits must be taken at Villanova. The required chemistry/biology/calculus sequence and GPA for transferring into these majors: not stated on the pages we read.
• International transfers: the site states that Villanova offers no merit or need-based aid to international transfer students; they need translated and evaluated documents, English proof and proof of funds. There are no interviews, but an outside interview (InitialView or Vericant) can be sent to the university.

Checklist

U.S. applicants:

• Choose your college or major on the application (Biology, Biochemistry, Comprehensive Science, CBN or Nursing; Exploratory Science if unsure); EA and ED I 1 November, ED II and RD 15 January; testing optional
• Nursing applicants: at least one year of high-school biology and chemistry; dental or optometry affiliate programs require Early Action

International applicants (including China):

• English proof (Cambridge English, Duolingo, IELTS, PTE or TOEFL iBT; no minimum is stated on the pages we read); Certification of Finances and a bank statement; original-language official documents with official translation
• Admission is need-aware; ask admissions how the Gaokao is treated and whether the Huikao is needed

Transfer students:

• Fall 15 March, spring 15 October; nursing takes no transfers; GPA 3.00 or higher recommended; international transfers get no aid

Sources: Villanova University, Admission FAQs; First-year applicants; Dates and deadlines; Transfer applicants; International prospective students; Biology undergraduate program; Major in Biology; Combined BS/MS in Biology; Biology resources and opportunities; Biochemistry program; Major in Biochemistry; Chemistry and Biochemistry undergraduate programs; Comprehensive Science; Psychological and Brain Sciences; Health Professions Advising; Health affiliate programs; Nursing undergraduate program; Traditional 4-year BSN; BSN curriculum; 2026-27 cost of attendance; Tuition and fees; International student financial aid process. Information is for fall 2027 entry (costs are 2026-27 figures); check Villanova’s website for the latest.