How to Apply to Mathematics at the University of Richmond: A Department in the School of Arts & Sciences with a B.A. or B.S. in Mathematics and a Separate Mathematical Economics Major, Plus Admission and Prerequisite Details for Domestic, International (Including China) and Transfer Students

The University of Richmond (in Richmond, Virginia) teaches mathematics through the Department of Mathematics and Statistics in the School of Arts & Sciences. This guide follows Richmond's websites and covers domestic students, international students, applicants from China and transfer students. Where the pages are silent, the guide says so. The official course catalog for the major is hosted on a third-party catalog system that this guide did not visit, so the major requirements come from the department's own pages; check the university catalog for the final text. Computer science is not covered here.

1. Degrees and options

• Degrees: the Arts & Sciences list of majors shows mathematics as a major and a minor, conferring a Bachelor of Arts or a Bachelor of Science.
• Common to the B.A. and B.S.: Calculus I (MATH 211), Calculus II (MATH 212), Multivariate Calculus (MATH 235), Linear Algebra (MATH 245), Fundamentals of Abstract Mathematics (MATH 300), Abstract Algebra I (MATH 306), Real Analysis I (MATH 320), Introduction to Computing (CMSC 150), and four 300-level math electives (DSST 329, 330 and 389 count). At most one MATH 340 course taken for one unit counts as an elective.
• B.S. adds: four other units in computer science, at least two at the 300 level, or two units beyond the introductory level in one of physics (200 level or above), chemistry (200 level or above) or biology (numbered higher than 205).
• Grades: the GPA of the coursework comprising the major must be at least 2.00, with no mathematics course grade below C- (1.7).
• Minor: six units, including MATH 211, 212, 235 and 245, plus two units at the 300 level.
• Tracks: the major page read does not define pure, applied or statistics tracks. The department's academics page also lists an Actuarial Studies link, whose requirements this guide did not read; see the department site.
• Mathematical Economics major: the department also runs a Mathematical Economics major, which the page says satisfies the Bachelor of Science requirements in the School of Arts & Sciences; 16 units (12 core units plus 4 electives), including three calculus courses, linear algebra and economic theory courses. Students in it may not choose mathematics or economics as an additional major or minor. The economics side is not covered here.
• Mathematics and computer science: the major page says a MATH and CMSC double major, or a MATH major with a CMSC minor, who earned at least an A- in MATH 300 may be exempt from CMSC 222 but must complete an additional 300-level CMSC elective.
• Other opportunities: the department lists academic contests, a colloquium series, summer research, independent study and study abroad; the Arts & Sciences Summer Research Program offers research funding.

2. How admission to the major works

• Apply to the university: first-years apply through the Common Application or the Coalition Application; The first-year application pages read do not say whether the application asks for an intended major, or whether mathematics has its own cutoff or capacity; this is not published there, so ask admissions.
• Admitted to Arts & Sciences, enrolling undeclared: the transfer page says all applicants are admitted to the School of Arts and Sciences and enroll as undeclared, and the committee does not admit into a specific school or major; after enrolling and meeting an academic advisor, students begin the process of declaring a major. The first-year pages read do not contain the same sentence.
• When to declare: advising material written for faculty advisors says the second year is the year to choose a major or minor, and that second-year students still undeclared in the spring semester should do so by the declaration deadline at the end of week two. The pages read do not give mathematics-specific declaration conditions (courses, GPA, capacity); contact the Department of Mathematics and Statistics.
• Internal transfer: the department pages read do not state conditions for moving into the major from another program.

3. Prerequisites and courses

• High school mathematics: the first-year pages read do not state specific high school math courses; transfer minimums are in section 8.
• Placement: the department says that students who have taken calculus but are not sure whether to enroll in MATH 211 or MATH 212 can use a calculus self-placement test and preparation material, which also helps students who received AP or IB credit for MATH 211 but took the course some time ago. The test form is hosted on a third-party form service and was not visited.
• Course chain: MATH 235 needs MATH 212; MATH 245 needs CMSC 222, MATH 212 or MATH 235; MATH 300 needs MATH 212 or MATH 235; MATH 306 needs MATH 245 and MATH 300, both with at least C-.
• AP and IB credit: admission says applicants may self-report AP, IB and international exams (the page's examples include the Gaokao, A-Levels and Cambridge exams), and that some scores may result in college credit or exemptions after enrolling; which scores map to which math courses is not stated on the pages read, so ask admissions or the registrar.
• Honors: promising math majors are invited by the faculty to apply. Eligibility: at least 18.5 completed units; cumulative GPA of at least 3.3; at least 3.5 units in mathematics at the MATH 235 level or higher with a cumulative GPA in those courses of at least 3.3; at least two semesters remaining before intended graduation. Requirements: 2 units of MATH 340 for the honors thesis (not counted twice toward the major), an honors thesis project delivered as a written thesis and a public presentation, and a GPA of at least 3.3 throughout. Students first recruit a continuing mathematics faculty member as Honors Project Advisor. Successful students receive a degree with Departmental Honors noted on the record and diploma.

4. Dates and materials

• Plans and deadlines: Early Decision I (1 November, binding), Early Action (1 November, non-binding), Early Decision II (1 January, binding) and Regular Decision (1 January); applications on file by 1 December are automatically considered for Richmond Scholars. Credential deadlines: ED I 15 November, EA 1 December, ED II 15 January, RD 15 February. The pages show no year, so confirm they apply to fall 2027 entry.
• Notification: the plan pages give approximate dates: ED I 12 December, EA 23 January, ED II 13 February, RD 13 March. The materials page table instead says ED I 15 December, EA 25 January, ED II 15 February and RD 1 April. The pages differ; check the latest.
• Fee: USD 50, with a fee waiver policy; the fee is waived for international students and other applicants living abroad.
• Essay: one "Richmond Question" essay, chosen from three prompts, 350 to 650 words, included in the Common or Coalition application (the prompts are listed for the 2026-27 application).
• Transcript and recommendations: an official high school transcript with grades 9 to 11; the school report; at least one recommendation from a school official, ideally a counselor, with up to two more reviewed but not individually acknowledged; senior progress grades. A math-teacher recommendation is not specifically required.
• Tests: for the class entering in fall 2027, applicants may apply with or without SAT or ACT scores; Richmond superscores the SAT and ACT, and also welcomes CLT, AP and IB results. Students from non-traditional high school settings (home or online schooling) must submit SAT or ACT scores.
• Math competitions: the pages read do not say how math competitions are viewed in admission; not published there.
• Admitted-class profile: the student profile page shows middle-50% figures for the Class of 2030: unweighted core GPA 3.84 to 4.00; among those who submitted scores, SAT 1450 to 1520 and ACT 33 to 35. The page says these ranges are not predictors of admission.

5. Domestic students

• Costs: Richmond is private and the cost page lists one rate, with no in-state or out-of-state difference. 2026-27 direct costs: tuition USD 70,725, housing USD 8,705, food USD 10,110, total USD 89,540; indirect costs (books and supplies, personal expenses, loan fees) USD 2,780; estimated total cost of attendance USD 92,320.
• Applying for need-based aid: U.S. citizens and permanent residents submit the 2027-28 FAFSA (code 003744), the 2027-28 CSS Profile (code 5569) and signed 2025 federal tax returns for student and parents through IDOC; the deadline is 15 November for ED I and EA, and 1 February for ED II and RD. Students who want only federal aid need only the FAFSA. Richmond says it meets 100% of demonstrated need and does not consider financial need in admission for first-year U.S. citizens and permanent residents.
• Merit scholarships: the first-year admission application is also the merit scholarship application; apply by 1 December for full consideration. Richmond Scholars and Presidential Scholarships are among them.
• Department scholarships and prizes: the department lists the Bessie Pond Eppes Scholarship (for a Westhampton College student with interest and aptitude in mathematics and at least a 2.0 GPA) and the V.S. Lawrence Scholarship (for mathematics majors); applications open in the spring semester. Prizes include the James D. Crump Prize in Mathematics; amounts are not stated.
• State preference: the pages read do not state a preference for Virginia residents.

6. International students

• How to apply: under the same plans as everyone else, through the Common or Coalition application; an international student is anyone who is not a U.S. citizen or permanent resident, regardless of country of residence.
• English proficiency: required of students whose first language is not English; test-optional admission does not apply to English testing. Richmond accepts the TOEFL, IELTS and Duolingo English Test with no preference and needs an official score report. Competitive scores listed: TOEFL iBT 100 (or 5.5 on the updated scale), IELTS 7.5, Duolingo 135; these are competitive scores, not minimums.
• Waivers: at least four years in an academically rigorous English-medium secondary school; ACT English 28; SAT Evidence-Based Reading and Writing 660; or an A or B equivalent in AP, IB or A-level English (IB 5 to 7). Optional InitialView or Vericant interviews do not replace a test or waiver.
• Certification of Financial Responsibility: because Richmond is need-aware for non-U.S. citizens and permanent residents, every international applicant submits it before an admission decision, whether or not they apply for aid.
• Aid and scholarships: Richmond says it meets the full demonstrated need of admitted students, but need-based aid for international students is limited: the most competitive Early Decision applicants may be admitted with aid, while others may be deferred to Regular Decision. To apply for need-based aid, submit the Certification and the 2027-28 CSS Profile by the deadline of your plan (15 November for EA and ED I; 1 February for ED II and RD). International students can compete for university-funded merit scholarships (except Army ROTC); apply by 1 December for full consideration. The average aid award to international students in 2025-26 was USD 69,900. International students who receive no aid in their first year will generally not be assisted later unless funds permit.
• Credentials: the page says Richmond evaluates translated transcripts, including national and international curricula such as AP, IB and A-levels. A third-party transcript evaluation is not mentioned on the pages read.
• Visa and insurance: I-20 documents are issued after the admission deposit; international students must buy the university's health insurance plan.
• Enrollment: the international page says students come from more than 80 countries; the student profile says 8% of enrolled Class of 2030 first-years are international citizens.

7. Applicants from China

• Gaokao: admission says applicants may self-report AP, IB and international exams, and its examples include the Gaokao, A-Levels and Cambridge exams; after enrolling, some scores may result in credit or exemptions. The pages read do not say how Gaokao results are weighed in review or how they convert to credit; this is not published there.
• Transcripts and Huikao materials: the pages read give no China-specific transcript or Huikao requirements; not published there. Contact admission (application@richmond.edu).
• English: see section 6; the TOEFL, IELTS and Duolingo scores and waivers are the same for all applicants whose first language is not English.

8. Transfer students

• Applying and deadlines: Common Application, Coalition Application or Richmond's own transfer application; spring transfer 1 November and fall transfer 1 March. First-year students cannot apply for spring admission.
• Eligibility: a minimum of 6.82 transferable units (about 24 semester hours) completed, or in progress at the time of application; transfers are not accepted in the middle of the first year of college. Anyone with college coursework after high school is a transfer candidate and cannot forfeit credits to apply as a first-year.
• Minimums: mathematics through at least Algebra II and at least two years of the same foreign language (met at the college level if not in high school); a college GPA of at least 2.0; good academic and social standing and eligibility to return. Successful candidates have historically maintained an A- or B+ average.
• Numbers: typically about 300 transfer applicants for 50 fall spaces, and about 100 for 15 spring spaces.
• Transferring into mathematics: the transfer committee does not admit by major, and transfers start undeclared and declare after meeting an advisor. The pages read do not state math-specific conditions (courses or GPA) for entering the major; not published there.
• Math course transfer: the department says the Registrar handles the request, then the mathematics program decides whether a course counts as a Richmond equivalent, and recommends approval before taking a course elsewhere. It will not approve remote courses or courses below calculus; MATH 102 cannot be transferred. MATH 211, 212 and 235 can transfer if the course is part of a mathematics major (not "Business Calculus" or "Calculus for Applications") and has equivalent content. MATH 245, 300, 306, 320 and other required courses can transfer only by demonstrating equal or greater content, and students are strongly encouraged to take them at Richmond. 300-level electives can transfer if at or above the level of current electives; a prerequisite equivalent to MATH 235, 245 or 300 is a good sign.
• Credit evaluation: the Registrar completes a full evaluation of transferability only for admitted transfer students, with a final evaluation after final grades.
• Aid: admitted transfer candidates are offered need-based aid at 100% of demonstrated need; transfer students are not eligible for merit scholarships but may earn departmental scholarships after enrolling.

9. Outcomes

• The department careers page says: "Overall employment in math occupations is projected to grow much faster than the average for all occupations from 2024 to 2034," and adds that about 37,700 openings are projected each year, listing occupations such as actuary, data scientist, mathematician and statistician, and operations research analyst, with links to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. This is a national projection, not a statistic about Richmond graduates.
• The department's academics page says: "The department offers academic contests, a colloquium series, summer research, independent study projects and study abroad opportunities that round out the degrees, preparing students for some of the fastest growing and highest paying occupations in the United States."
• The careers page gives no placement rate, salary or graduate-school figures for Richmond graduates; not published there.

Checklist

Domestic students:

• Common or Coalition application, USD 50 fee; ED I and EA 1 November, ED II and RD 1 January; apply by 1 December for full merit consideration; SAT/ACT optional
• FAFSA, CSS Profile and tax returns; plan calculus placement (MATH 211 or 212); the major includes three calculus courses, linear algebra, MATH 300, 306 and 320

International students and applicants from China:

• Prepare the TOEFL, IELTS or Duolingo (or meet a waiver); submit the Certification of Financial Responsibility; need-based aid is limited, so apply early
• The Gaokao can be self-reported; China-specific requirements are not published on the pages read, so contact admission

Transfer students:

• 1 November (spring) or 1 March (fall); at least 6.82 transferable units and a 2.0 college GPA; enroll undeclared
• Calculus must be a mathematics-major course; check with the department before taking math courses elsewhere

Sources: University of Richmond, Mathematics major and minor requirements; Department academics; Mathematics and statistics courses; Calculus placement; Transferring mathematics courses; Honors program; Mathematical economics major; Scholarships and awards; Careers; Arts and Sciences majors; Undeclared advising; How to apply; Early Decision; Early Action; Regular Decision; First-year application materials; Testing policy; International admission; English proficiency policy; Transfer admission; Student profile; Cost of attendance; Applying for need-based aid; International students and aid. Most deadline pages show no year; confirm dates apply to fall 2027 entry. Check Richmond for the latest.