How to Apply to Psychology at Virginia Tech: Admission Reviewed by Major, the Psychology BS in the College of Science, and Requirements and Timeline for Chinese, Canadian High School and Transfer Students

At Virginia Tech, psychology is a Bachelor of Science in the College of Science. Unlike many universities, Virginia Tech reviews applications by the major you request, so if you want psychology, choose it on your application. Here is what you need to know for fall 2027 entry, based on Virginia Tech’s official information, for students at high schools in China, students at Canadian high schools (including BC and Vancouver), and transfer students.

1. The major and how applications are reviewed

• Review by major: first-year review factors include the rigor of your program, grades and trends, test scores (if submitted) and the “major requested on your application as we review by major at Virginia Tech.” Virginia Tech says it received more than 58,000 applications for about 7,200 places for fall 2026.
• What psychology covers: the curriculum emphasizes research methods and behavioral data; through courses and research students can focus on clinical, counseling, developmental, experimental, industrial-organizational, physiological or social psychology, with course options in I/O psychology, cognitive neuroscience or development, and room for a minor or second major.
• Changing your major: major changes are accepted up to the deadline (15 November for EA, 15 January for RD); after that, changes wait until you enrol and work with an academic advisor.
• Major course requirements: the department website could not be reached and the course catalog returned a challenge page while this guide was written, so major requirements are not covered here; check the department or catalog (contact psycadvising@vt.edu).

2. Deadlines and decisions

• Early Action: 15 November, with transcripts or the STARS record due 1 December; decisions in late February; reply by 1 May.
• Regular Decision (space available): 15 January, materials due 24 January; decisions in mid-March; reply by 1 May.
• The first-year deadline table lists only these two plans, with no Early Decision. Apply through the Common App; the application fee is $70 for international applicants.
• Recommendations: letters are not required or requested and are not considered; use the Common App’s Additional Information section for circumstances you want to share.

3. Students at high schools in China

• Academic materials: applicants who studied outside the US submit a STARS record or copies of transcripts covering all courses and grades for years 9 to 11 and planned coursework and predicted exams for year 12. Under the Chinese education system, students who have not graduated submit transcripts for years 9, 10 and 11, and graduates submit senior secondary transcripts for years 10 to 12, with certified English translations; enrolling students submit a final transcript covering years 10 to 12.
• Gaokao: Virginia Tech does not say how Gaokao results are used.
• Course requirements: at least three units of math (including Algebra I and II) and two of laboratory science; Virginia Tech says most admitted students exceed the minimum and have at least a B+ average.

4. Students at Canadian high schools

• Materials and deadlines are the same; Virginia Tech publishes no grade requirements for Canadian or BC curricula.
• English waiver: students who completed four years (grades 9 to 12) in an English-speaking country, including Canada except Quebec, with English as the only language of instruction and no ESL courses, do not need to submit English proficiency.

5. Testing and English

• Test optional: first-year applicants entering through fall 2028 choose whether SAT/ACT scores are reviewed, and not submitting does not affect the decision; the writing sections are not considered. SAT/ACT is not required for international applicants.
• English minimums (non-native speakers regardless of citizenship; one test, within two years):
  • TOEFL: 80 on the old scale (no section below 16) or 4.5 on the new scale (no section below 4.0); Special Home Edition accepted; MyBest, TOEFL Essentials and ITP Plus not accepted;
  • IELTS 6.5 with no band below 6.5; PTE 59; Duolingo 115; Cambridge 176;
  • alternatives include SAT Evidence-Based Reading and Writing 550, ACT English 24 or IB English A at 5.
  Report English scores by 1 December (EA) or 24 January (RD).

6. Costs

• 2026-27 out-of-state undergraduate on-campus estimate (US$): tuition 36,428, fees 3,754, housing 10,394 and food 6,826, for direct costs of 57,402; with books, personal and transportation costs the total is about 64,756, or about 66,906 for new students including the computer budget.
• College of Science fee: the same estimate lists an extra $1,000 for College of Science students; psychology is in the College of Science.
• Funding for international students: F-1 and J-1 students must show sufficient funds for the first year before an I-20 or DS-2019 is issued. The international pages do not say whether international students can receive scholarships, so check with admissions or financial aid.
• First-year students must live on campus (unless over 21).

7. Transfer students

• Who is a transfer: anyone who has attempted 12 or more credit hours after high school, whether or not completed. Dual enrollment, AP and similar credits earned in high school do not count.
• Entry terms for psychology: fall and summer; not spring.
• Deadline: summer/fall 1 March, materials by 11 March, decisions in mid-April.
• Criteria: progress on prerequisite coursework for your intended major and your overall college GPA, especially in required courses and recent work. There is no minimum GPA, but most competitive applicants have 3.0 or higher, and more in crowded majors. Transfer review does not consider high school grades or SAT/ACT, so recent graduates in their first semester are unlikely to be competitive.
• Credit: the registrar evaluates transfer credit; Virginia Tech provides a transfer guide and course equivalents.

Checklist

Students at high schools in China:

• Apply to psychology through the Common App by 15 November (EA) or 15 January (RD)
• Submit STARS or transcripts (with English translations) and IELTS 6.5 (6.5 in each band), TOEFL 4.5 (new scale) or Duolingo 115
• Decide whether to submit SAT/ACT
• Prepare proof of funds for the first year

Students at Canadian high schools (including BC and Vancouver):

• Same deadlines; four years of English-only instruction in Canada (outside Quebec) without ESL waives the English test

Transfer students:

• Fall or summer entry, deadline 1 March; aim for a 3.0+ GPA
• Complete psychology prerequisites following Virginia Tech’s transfer roadmap

Sources: Virginia Tech, Psychology major; First-year admissions requirements; Dates and deadlines 2026-2027; Application policies; FAQs (test-optional); International students; International requirements; International education systems; Transfer requirements; Available transfer majors; Undergraduate cost; 2026-27 out-of-state on-campus cost of attendance (PDF). Information is for fall 2027 entry (costs are 2026-27 figures). Check Virginia Tech for the latest details.