B.S. IN COMMERCE

First-Year Student Admissions Process and Requirements

Beginning in fall 2025, the McIntire’s B.S. in Commerce is evolving into a three-year program, opening its doors to second-year students. Our highly ranked undergraduate program not only imparts essential business skills, but also fosters a vibrant and collaborative community, providing an enriching student experience for aspiring leaders.

Students who are in their first year in 2024-2025 and future first-year students can apply to the program in April or May of their first year of classes. If accepted, they will start the program in August of their second year.

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Admissions Timeline

B.S. in Commerce application will open on Wednesday, Jan. 29, 2025.
Application will close on Wednesday, April 30, 2025, at noon ET.
Decisions will be released on Friday, June 13, 2025.
Students will have until noon ET on Friday, June 20, 2025, to accept or decline the offer.

Requirements For Admission

The admissions requirements for first-year students include prerequisite courses that must be completed prior to applying. In addition, students should continue to make progress on UVA's General Education Requirements.

Prerequisites & General Education Requirements

Students must complete the following prerequisite courses, including the First Writing Requirement, to apply to McIntire:

COMM 1800: Foundations of Commerce (3 credits)

The primary objective of this course is to provide a foundational overview of business, including the themes of the history of business, business and society, and innovation. The course will enable students to gage interest in business and prepare students for business-related education, jobs, and careers.

ECON 2010: Principles of Microeconomics (3 credits)

Studies demand and supply, consumer behavior, the theory of business enterprise, the operation of competitive and monopolistic markets, and the forces determining income distribution.

First Writing Requirement

Learn more about the various ways to complete this requirement..

Recommended Courses to Consider

While not strictly required for admission to McIntire, we strongly suggest students consider completing additional courses in these areas before being admitted to McIntire.

Make progress towards completing area requirements in the General Education Requirements (Engagements Pathway).
Complete World Language in the first year if possible.
Complete one Quantification, Computation, and Data Analytics (QCDA) requirement.

Application Video Essay Responses

The application for the B.S. in Commerce includes two video essay responses—available directly in the McIntire Application Portal. These two recorded video responses will provide applicants the opportunity to tell the admission committee more about themselves, their goals, and how McIntire may fit into their future plans.

Applicants should expect:

Two attempts to record a response to each of the two questions within a two-minute (120-second) maximum recording time.
After clicking "Ready" to begin your interview, you will have 30 seconds to read and prepare your response to the two questions that appear on the screen.
Once the camera begins to record (after the 30-second period), you must answer the question within a 120-second timeframe (maximum).

How to Prepare for Your Video Responses

Select the device you’re most comfortable using: Typically, we would advise using your computer, webcam, and a reliable wireless connection.
Choose an appropriate background: If possible, position your computer and webcam so there's a blank wall in back of you. If that's not possible, manipulate the background so it appears you are in a professional setting. Think bookshelves in the background rather than your unmade bed or dorm/apartment posters.
Eliminate background noise: Turn off the television, radio, or other noise before beginning, and make sure pets are situated so they don't make unannounced guest appearances. If you live with other people, be sure you inform them of your interview time so they know not to disturb you.
Dress for success: Business casual dress is recommended.
Find your correct position: Because you won't have the benefit of a face-to-face connection, your body language becomes even more obvious—and important to manage—in a virtual interview. Sit up straight; maintain the illusion of eye contact by looking at the webcam and not at the image on your computer screen; and avoid slouching, yawning, or fidgeting.
Lighting: Do you look washed out? Is your face shrouded in shadows? Be sure you test your lighting scheme before starting your interview.
Notes: You may want to have notes nearby that you can reference during your interview. A best practice is to place your notes on Post-its and stick them to the edges of your screen so that you only have to glance away briefly to consult them. Avoid reading from the screen.
Practice and complete a test interview: Ask a friend to help you practice using common questions about your interest in the Commerce field. You will also have an opportunity to test the platform prior to each attempt. We encourage you to cancel the test unless you are ready to record right away.

How to Be a Successful Applicant

Creating an academic plan that is both rigorous and aligned with your interests will best allow you to demonstrate readiness for success at McIntire and the unique perspective you bring the classroom.

Consider these keys to success as you navigate your academic journey and prepare your application:

Take full course loads (13 or 16 credits).
Challenge yourself with rigorous courses across many disciplines/areas, building your oral and written communication skills, ethics and moral reasoning, global perspective, quantitative skill set, and creative and critical-thinking abilities.
Create a balanced schedule: Avoid taking more than two quantitative courses in the same semester.
Develop a plan and start to get involved outside of the classroom.

What We’re Looking For

McIntire's vision of developing global citizens who can transform commerce and society guides the selection of attributes for use in the admissions process. The School believes that future business leaders must develop both a rigorous, real-world skill set and a human-centered mindset, one characterized by empathy, work ethic, agency, accountability, and impact. Thus, McIntire applicants are evaluated based on qualities that speak to their potential in these areas.

It is not expected that every candidate will possess all of these qualities. However, this list reflects qualities that facilitate the enrollment of cohorts that align with the overall mission and learning objectives of McIntire’s programs. As you begin working on your essay responses in your application, keep these qualities in mind with personal experiences you can detail to showcase them:

Academic excellence
Intellectual curiosity
Strong work ethic
Ability to collaborate
Awareness and ability to engage across differences
Initiative
Resilience and perseverance
Unique perspective

Frequently Asked Questions

If I am considering applying to the B.S. in Commerce Program, what should I do for fall course enrollment?

If you are considering applying to the B.S. in Commerce Program for entry into the first year of the three-year program format, here is what you need to know about course enrollment for fall 2025.

During the April Enrollment Period

All students who plan to apply to the B.S. in Commerce Program should:

Follow academic advising guidance from your Pre-Major Adviser and Academic Advising Dean in your current school of enrollment.
Enroll in 15 credits to make progress toward fulfilling General Education requirements and other academic goals (e.g., other majors or minors) you may have.
If you are accepted to the B.S. in Commerce Program, you will drop 6 of these credits over the summer and add 6 credits of required COMM courses. All required second-year Commerce courses will be offered on a Tuesday/Thursday meeting pattern. You may wish to consider this as you plan your schedule.
You may enroll in other COMM classes open to second-year students (including minor courses or Comm Law). Keep in mind that if you are accepted to the B.S. in Commerce Program, you will need to drop General Business Minor (CGBM) courses, as this minor is open only to non-Commerce students.

Admissions and June Enrollment Period

Admission announcements will be made on June 13, and admitted students’ decisions will be due on June 20.

Starting June 23, students with priority enrollment can begin updating their course schedules. All other accepted students can do so starting June 24. Each student must ensure they enroll in 6 credits of second-year Commerce courses by June 29.

During the June enrollment period, students must enroll in 6 credits of Commerce coursework:

COMM 2001: Foundations of Financial Accounting
All entering Commerce students must take COMM 2001 in the fall
Either COMM 2002: Foundations of Finance or COMM 2003: Foundations of Information Systems
Students have a choice to take either of these courses in the fall and will take the other course in the spring semester.
Each course has multiple sections, but the section sizes and numbers are fixed. Both courses will be offered again in the spring.

Additional advising materials will be available later in the spring/early summer in preparation for the June 23-29 enrollment period for admitted Commerce students.

What prerequisite courses are needed to apply to McIntire?

COMM 1800
ECON 2010
First-Year Writing Requirement

How will I know the application is open?

Students will be contacted by email when the application is open. Those who are interested in being notified when applications open should contact the McIntire Office of Undergraduate Admissions.

What do you look for in a successful applicant?

The School believes that future business leaders must develop both a rigorous, real-world skill set and a human-centered mindset, one characterized by empathy, work ethic, agency, accountability, and impact. Thus, McIntire applicants are evaluated based on qualities that speak to their potential in these areas. It is not expected that every candidate will possess all of these qualities. However, this list reflects qualities that facilitate the enrollment of cohorts that align with the overall mission and learning objectives of McIntire’s programs.

Academic excellence
Intellectual curiosity
Strong work ethic
Ability to collaborate
Awareness and ability to engage across differences
Initiative
Resilience and perseverance
Unique perspective

Can I apply to McIntire as a high school student?

High school students who have enough credits and have completed college-level prerequisite courses still need to complete a minimum of one academic year at UVA before enrollment at McIntire. We recommend students make progress toward the General Education Requirements in their first year to be a competitive applicant.

How many credits do I need to graduate from McIntire?

Students will need a minimum of 120 credits to graduate from UVA. The breakdown of credits for the B.S. in Commerce Program is the following:

48 graded Commerce credits

3 prerequisite credits (COMM 1800, ECON 2010, and First Writing Requirement)
15 second-year Integrated Core credits
18 third-year Integrated Core and COMM Law credits
9-12 concentration credits
0-3 Commerce elective credits

+57 non-Commerce credits (General Education Requirements/Engagements Pathway)

+15 graded Commerce or non-Commerce credits

120 total credits (60 credits must be taken at UVA)

Connect With Us

McIntire’s Office of Undergraduate Admission collaborates with prospective B.S. in Commerce students, helping in a variety of ways.

We encourage prospective students to contact us early in the admissions process to take advantage of all of our advising opportunities, including academic advising, information sessions, and other events, or to connect with a student ambassador.

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