Year in Wise

Welcome to the University of Virginia’s College at Wise, a public, four-year residential liberal arts college located in the lush mountains of Southwest Virginia. UVA Wise is nationally-accredited and has been ranked among the top public liberal art colleges in the U.S. The only division of the University of Virginia located outside of Charlottesville, we were founded in 1954 to provide a high-quality education to the people of Southwest Virginia. Since that time, we have become recognized nationally as an excellent institution for academics, student engagement, and student outcomes.

If you are a Virginian placed on the wait list for the College of Arts and Sciences at UVA, you can attend UVA Wise for one year—completing 30 hours of transferrable credit and maintaining a 3.0 GPA—and then transfer to UVA Grounds in Charlottesville to complete your degree. (No additional application to UVA’s College at Wise is required.)

We hope you will consider this opportunity, and invite you to learn more about UVA Wise. As we like to say, This is Where it all Begins.

Take a Virtual Tour of UVA Wise

Explore our beautiful, modern campus and learn more about the places where you’ll live, study and play during your time at the College.

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Residence Life
Living on campus ensures you have ready access to campus life and healthy dining options.
Life at Wise
College is about more than academic excellence. Learn how to pursue your extracurricular passions and build lifelong connections at UVA Wise.

FAQ

What are the next steps I should take to attend UVA Wise?
Now that you have shown an interest in UVA Wise, our Office of Admissions will be in touch typically beginning in March with additional program information. As with other new students, you will participate in a summer orientation session where you will have the opportunity to see our beautiful campus, meet with faculty, register for classes, and meet your fellow classmates.

Is my transfer to UVA truly guaranteed if I participate in this program?
As long as you meet all of the requirements set by the University of Virginia, your place in the transfer class is waiting for you. This includes completing 30 credits at UVA Wise and maintaining a 3.0 GPA.

Can I get involved in student clubs and organizations?
Absolutely. In fact, our Year in Wise students participate in student government, Honor Court, research, intramurals, athletics, organizations, volunteering, tutoring, and mentoring.

What is there to do in SWVA?
Plenty. In fact, too much for just one academic year. You could hike 175 miles of the Appalachian Trail, bike the 34-mile Virginia Creeper Trail, or explore 73 miles of the Blue Ridge Parkway. The SWVA region is home to nine state parks, two major rivers, a national forest, a national historic park, and some of the best sightseeing in Virginia. UVA Wise’s Outdoor Recreation Office even creates affordable programming, including transportation, for you to explore these natural assets.

Southwest Virginia is the “birthplace of country music” and that heritage is honored on The Crooked Road Music Trail. The 333-mile driving route focuses on Appalachian music at 9 major venues, 150 affiliated venues, and 27 wayside exhibits. Wise is located just an hour from Bristol, Va., where the Birthplace of Country Music hosts an annual and renowned Rhythm and Roots Festival. And, those experts bring a smaller version of the music festival to UVA Wise’s campus every August. Local artisans, a local arts programming series, a nationally renowned theater, and unique museums are all worth a visit when you are touring Southwest Virginia.

A comprehensive list of frequently asked questions about the Year in Wise is available. The questions have even been sourced from current Year in Wise Students. Check it out, and let our admissions staff know if you have additional queries.