Prospective Students Program
All American and Canadian Indian, Inuit, Métis, Native Hawaiian, and Native Alaskan prospective juniors and seniors in high school and undergraduate transfers are strongly encouraged to contact AISU if they have an interest in attending the University of Virginia.
As the #2 best public university, as ranked by US News and World Report, the University of Virginia is a strong choice for any degree program. The purpose of the AISU Prospective Students Program, in partnership with the Monroe Society, the Office of Undergraduate Admissions, and University of Virginia Dining, is to give students a better picture of what life is really like on Grounds both during and after class. It's easy to write off any university as "typical" when you've only experienced the campus tour, but we think that Thomas Jefferson's University is special and, hopefully, so will you.
Prospective high schoolers may apply to the College of Arts and Sciences, the School of Architecture, or the School of Engineering and Applied Science. Transfer students may apply to the above schools plus the McIntire School of Commerce, the Curry School of Education, or the School of Nursing. For incoming first-years, they may apply to the Curry School of Education or School of Nursing in their second year and the McIntire School of Commerce in their third year. Note that during the admissions process, prospective students may apply to only one of the above schools, pursuant to Admissions' policies.
Details
Upon contacting the President of AISU, each prospective student will be assigned an AISU member who will serve as a contact on Grounds. The appointed AISU member will be a full-time undergraduate degree-earning student at UVa. AISU members are appointed according to their majors and the prospective students' interests or proposed major(s). This appointed AISU member will aid the prospective student in:
- Making a visit to Grounds by giving contact information to prospective students to make appointments with professors that are in departments that the prospective student has interest in majoring,
- Providing contact information for the Monroe Society's first-year overnight stay program, if the prospective student wishes to stay overnight in a first-year dormitory and is a current high school student,
- Providing information about Undergraduate Admissions' Outreach Office as well as providing contact information for the Outreach Office, and
- Serving as a resource to ask general questions about the University and student life on Grounds.
Should the prospective student visit Grounds, the appointed AISU member or, should the appointed member not be availiable, another AISU member will meet the student on Grounds to answer any general questions the prospective student may have. Lunch or dinner will be provided to the prospective student as graciously funded by University of Virginia Dining.
Should the prospective student wish to attend lectures of certain classes to get a "feel" for the University, such opportunities can be arranged.
Is federal recognition required to partcipate?
Federal recognition is not required of any student to participate in the Program. Some students have, however, found it useful to bring a copy of their membership card, a detailed letter tracing their family lineage to Native ancestors, or similar document to present personally to Undergraduate Admissions during their visits.
How do I sign up?
Interested prospective students should fill out the form located on this page. Prospectives who believe they cannot visit Grounds are also welcome to contact one of the officers located on the Officers page with general questions.
Please note that this program is only available during non-vacation days of the fall and spring sessions. The University Academic Calendar is online for reference.
Liability Notice
Participating students and their parents and/or legal guardians assume any and all liability for unfortunate incidents that may happen during the Prospective Students Program and any related events after the Program is complete. This agreement is implied should the student decide to participate in the Prospective Students Program. This statement is here for the protection of AISU, its members, other related student groups, and University administration.
Prospective Graduate Students
The Prospective Student Program for graduates is somewhat more limited than the undergraduate version. Overnight housing is not available and each school handles its own graduate admissions process. AISU can still provide help by providing contact information for professors, departments, and graduate admission offices and assigning a fourth-year or graduate student to a prospective graduate student.
Prospective Law School Students
Prospective law students should contact the Native American Law Student Association (NALSA), University of Virginia chapter.
