UVA Advance Pre-College Program: Summer 2025

Participants live with their peers in an air-conditioned UVA residence hall with a trained staff of residential advisors. Participants are expected to abide by University and program rules, including a nightly 10:00 p.m. curfew.

Dorms are within walking distance of academic buildings, dining facilities, University bus stops, Scott Stadium, and the Aquatic & Fitness Center. 

The program cost includes a dining plan.  Dining halls are open for several hours around meal times; several snack bars/convenience stores are also easily accessible at off-hours.  The Observatory Hill Dining Hall serves as the main dining hall in summer.

The program begins with an orientation and tour of Grounds. Topics related to student safety, University and program policies and procedures, the Standards of Conduct, the Honor System, and program and campus resources will be covered during orientation. Parents are invited to participate in the orientation on the first day of the program. UVA Advance participants enjoy access to the same student services that resident students have, including access to Student Health and Wellness, libraries, and athletic facilities.

UVA Advance students are subject to the Terms of Understanding for UVA Advance Summer Session Students, the University’s Honor System, Standards of Student Conduct and all UVA academic and non-academic policies and procedures. The evening curfew for UVA Advance participants is 10:00 p.m. Failure to honor the curfew or to follow any UVA Advance program or University rules may result in immediate dismissal from the program with no refund of tuition and fees.  

*Additional course material costs for UVA Advance will be billed separately by the UVA Bookstore. These costs differ from tuition and fees and must be paid by the student or their parent/guardian. Incidentals are also the responsibility of the student.

Limited, need-based scholarships are available.  To apply for aid, complete the UVA Advance Financial Aid Application and upload it with all required documentation as part of your admission application. International students are not eligible for financial aid from UVA Advance. The financial aid priority deadline is March 15, 2025.

Common questions about costs and financial aid can be found in our FAQs. 

2025 Payment Due Dates and Amounts for Admitted UVA Advance Students:

To be eligible for the program, a student must be in good academic standing with an unweighted GPA of at least 3.5 in a college prep curriculum and be a rising high school junior or senior in the summer of 2025 (students must be at least 15 years of age by the first day of the program and no more than 18 years of age by the last day of the program). 

Applications for Summer 2025 have closed.  

The following materials must be submitted to be considered for admission to UVA Advance:

• Online application 
• High school transcript - unofficial transcript(s) from all high schools attended*
• One letter of recommendation completed by high school teacher or administrator 
• Short essay, 350-500 words, responding to ONE of the following prompts:
  • Write about a time you failed at something. What was it? Why do you think you failed? How did you respond to failure?
  • Write about a situation or event that caused you to think of yourself as a "young adult" rather than as a child or adolescent. What was the event and how did you handle it? How did the situation and your response impact you?

*For rising juniors applying before first-semester grades for sophomore year are available, please be prepared to provide an updated transcript prior to admission. 

We look for applicants with strong academic abilities, effective communication skills, demonstrable maturity and independence, and who bring a range of experiences, backgrounds, and interests to the program cohort. 

How many students are in the program?

UVA Advance is an intentionally small program, especially compared to those at other large universities. We strive for a cohort of no more than 60-65 students each year. This contributes to a program in which every student is personally known by peers and staff and allows us to cater informal activities to student interests. 

How are roommates chosen? Can I choose to room with someone I already know in the program?

While roommates are assigned randomly, we will do our best to take into consideration some preferences regarding daily habits. Students will be sent a questionnaire prior to the program start. Please note that students may not request a specific roommate and we deliberately try to place students with a roommate from a different school district than their own. 

Is dining included in the program cost? How do I get a dining plan?

Dining is included in the program cost. Dining plans are connected to student ID cards issued when students arrive on-Grounds. If students run low on dining “swipes” program staff will add more. 

Do students have free movement around the University?

Yes, students have free range of University Grounds between the hours of 6am and 10pm.

Am I allowed to leave Grounds during the weekend to do something fun with friends? What if my parents want to take me out to dinner? Can I go home overnight? 

Yes! Students can arrange to go into town with friends as long as they have permission from the program director and keep RCAs informed of their plans. 

We encourage students not to go home overnight during the program and require written parental requests in advance for overnight absences. 

How much can I expect to spend on incidentals not included in the program cost?

Students and families are responsible for the following additional costs associated with the program:

• Travel to and from Charlottesville 
• Textbooks and school supplies (many professors upload digital materials rather than assigning physical texts; check with course instructors about what is necessary to purchase)
• Laundry (RCAs will show you how to link a debit card to the laundry app in the dorm)
• Spending money 
  • Spending money varies by student. Consider how often you might want to order takeout or go to the movies on the weekend to get a sense of how much spending money you will want. 

Can credits be transferred? How can I get my transcript when the program ends?

Credits typically transfer to other institutions of higher education, though we cannot make that guarantee. Other universities often request the course syllabus, so it’s a good idea to save those! 

Both official and unofficial transcripts can be requested from the Registrar’s office. 

I want to apply to UVA for undergrad. How can I make sure admissions knows about my participation in UVA Advance?

Make sure to include the transcript of your classes when applying to undergraduate admission at UVA (they will not automatically show up on your application). There are also options within the application where you can add additional information about your connection to the University. 

Can parents pay for this program using funds from a 529 Plan?

Specific regulations for using 529 Plan funds vary by plan, so parents should begin by reaching out to their specific plan administrator. More information regarding 529 Plans and UVA payments can be found on the Student Financial Services webpage. 

How do I apply for financial aid and how are financial aid decisions made?

We offer a small number of need-based financial aid packages each year. Interested students need to upload the financial aid application materials (this is actually attached after submitting the required materials). 

Our admissions team reviews applications and makes admissions decisions independent of financial need; we then send any financial aid applications from our admitted students to Student Financial Services. SFS reviews the financial aid applications and sends us their determinations about student need. We then meet the financial needs of as many students as possible, beginning with those SFS has identified as highest financial need. Some years we are able to meet the needs of all applicants and other years we are not. Either way, students know their financial aid status prior to the deadline to accept or decline an offer of admission (if applicable). Our maximum aid package covers the full cost of tuition and fees for Virginia residents ($6,995 for 2025). 

How do I add my financial aid application to my admissions materials?

Financial aid application materials are uploaded after the other application materials have been submitted. Upon submitting your application for admission, you will see this screen with the option for adding a financial aid application: 

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION FOR INTERNATIONAL APPLICANTS

• English is the language of instruction at the University of Virginia. If your first language is not English and the language of instruction at your home institution is not English, you will be asked to enter your most recent TOEFL or IELTS scores as part of the online application form.  At the discretion of UVA Advance, a phone or video interview with the program director may be required.

• Admitted international applicants who do not already hold a U.S. visa status that allows full-time enrollment will need to qualify for F-1 or J-1 status prior to enrollment. Admitted international applicants who accept their offer of admission will be prompted to submit a New Student Request through the International Studies Office. Permanent Residents are required to submit a copy of their green card and confirmation of lawful presence form through their application status page.  

   

Information for Admitted Students 2025