Skip to content

University Of Virginia Essay


The acceptance rate at UVA is 30%. For every 100 applicants, 30 are admitted.

This means the school is very selective. If you meet UVA's requirements for GPA, SAT/ACT scores, and other components of the application, you have a great shot at getting in. But if you fall short on GPA or your SAT/ACT scores, you'll have a very low chance of being admitted, even if you meet the other admissions requirements.



The average GPA at UVA is 4.23.



If you're currently a junior or senior, your GPA is hard to change in time for college applications. If your GPA is at or below the school average of 4.23, you'll need a higher SAT or ACT score to compensate. This will help you compete effectively against other applicants who have higher GPAs than you.


You must take either the SAT or ACT to submit an application to UVA. More importantly, you need to do well to have a strong application.

UVA SAT Requirements


Average SAT: 1410 (Old: 2009)

The average SAT score composite at UVA is a 1410 on the 1600 SAT scale.

On the old 2400 SAT, this corresponds to an average SAT score of 2009.

This score makes UVA Strongly Competitive for SAT test scores.

UVA SAT Score Analysis (New 1600 SAT)

The 25th percentile New SAT score is 1330, and the 75th percentile New SAT score is 1510. In other words, a 1330 on the New SAT places you below average, while a 1510 will move you up to above average.

Here's the breakdown of new SAT scores by section:

SectionAverage25th Percentile75th Percentile

UVA SAT Score Analysis (Old 2400 SAT)

The 25th percentile Old SAT score is 1870, and the 75th percentile SAT score is 2180. In other words, a 1870 on the Old SAT places you below average, while a 2180 puts you well above average.

Here's the breakdown of old SAT scores by section:

SectionAverage25th Percentile75th Percentile

SAT Score Choice Policy


UVA has the Score Choice policy of "Highest Section."




For example, say you submit the following 3 test scores:

Test 17003001000
Test 23007001000
Test 3300300600

Even though the highest total you scored on any one test date was 1000, UVA will take your highest section score from all your test dates, then combine them to form your Superscore. You can raise your composite score from 1000 to 1400 in this example.

This is important for your testing strategy. Because you can choose which tests to send in, and UVA forms your Superscore, you can take the SAT as many times as you want, then submit only the tests that give you the highest Superscore. Your application readers will only see that one score.

Therefore, if your SAT superscore is currently below a 1510, we strongly recommend that you consider prepping for the SAT and retaking it. You have a very good chance of raising your score, which will significantly boost your chances of getting in.




UVA ACT Requirements

Just like for the SAT, UVA likely doesn't have a hard ACT cutoff, but if you score too low, your application will get tossed in the trash.

Average ACT: 30

The average ACT score at UVA is 30. This score makes UVA Strongly Competitive for ACT scores.


Even though UVA likely says they have no minimum ACT requirement, if you apply with a 29 or below, you'll have a very hard time getting in, unless you have something else very impressive in your application. There are so many applicants scoring 30 and above that a 29 will look academically weak.

ACT Score Sending Policy




ACT Superscore Policy


We weren't able to find the school's exact ACT policy, which most likely means that it does not Superscore. Regardless, you can choose your single best ACT score to send in to UVA, so you should prep until you reach our recommended target ACT score of 33.



SAT/ACT Writing Section Requirements



SAT Subject Test Requirements




Our Expert's Notes


In addition to the SAT or ACT Plus Writing, two SAT subject tests are strongly recommended.


Let’s start off by talking about what you shouldn’t do. Simply put, don’t be boring! If either your word or its explanation isn’t memorable, you won’t be memorable either. For example, words like “happy” and “hope” are as generic as it gets. You might think Google is your friend here, but the “Top 10 Favorite Words” listicle you find will also be found by hundreds of other applicants.


What would a successful UVA applicant do here? Find a word that allows you to convey a story, to connect a broader narrative to the prompt. In many writing supplements, the chosen topic matters less than how you convey your answer; this is the perfect example of such a situation.


A great answer could center around your multilingualism; if your second language was English, you could pick a word you struggled pronouncing as you grew up. This would be a launchpad to write about the unique struggles and benefits of growing up in a culturally diverse household. Alternatively, if you love math, you can pick a funny or multi-faceted math term like “non-abelian” and tie it into your overarching story about this passion. Either way, the essay should focus on your personal experience with the word — it’s not necessarily an etymological study of the word itself!


Now, we should also discuss how to actually write this essay. First off, don’t wait too long to show the reader what your favorite word is. Start with a hook — a quote of the first time you heard the word, for example, or a brief anecdote to provide context. You could set the stage with an exposition for the story to follow. Try not to say “my favorite word is ____” as your first sentence; nothing screams “stale” more than that!


Then you can follow the introduction with a pivot to the specific word. Make sure you explore both aspects of its “meaning.” That is, reference the dictionary definition of the word, but also dive into its real meaning to you. If your favorite word is “begin,” you could first define it as “to start something” and then explain that it was your grandfather’s perennial advice.


A powerful conclusion will stick in the readers’ heads, so try to write one! Tie the threads together: The word and story might still be disjoint. Continuing our example from before, you might say how, whenever you have a seemingly impossible task in front of you, you can see your late grandfather telling you “begin!” Even though your grandfather is no longer with you, he is still the greatest motivator in your life. Now, you look forward to new beginnings in college and beyond.