The McIntire School of Commerce at the University of Virginia (UVA) offers a highly competitive undergraduate program in Finance. Securing a spot in the Commerce School, and then specializing in Finance, requires careful planning and meeting specific academic criteria. Here’s a breakdown of the requirements: **Pre-Commerce Requirements:** Before applying to the McIntire School of Commerce, students must first enroll in the College of Arts & Sciences at UVA. While there’s no specific “pre-commerce” major, you must complete a set of prerequisite courses with a competitive GPA. Key courses include: * **Introductory Courses:** Principles of Economics (both Micro and Macro), introductory calculus, introductory statistics, and composition (English). These lay the foundation for business concepts. * **Commerce Specific Prerequisites:** COMM 2010: Behavioral Science for Business (introduces psychology and sociology concepts relevant to business) and COMM 2020: Foundations of Commerce (provides an overview of various business disciplines). These must be completed *prior* to entering McIntire. * **GPA:** A strong GPA is crucial. While there isn’t a specific minimum GPA, successful applicants typically have a GPA well above the general UVA average. The competitiveness fluctuates year to year, so aiming as high as possible is advised. **Application to McIntire:** Admission to McIntire is competitive and based on a holistic review. In addition to your GPA and prerequisite coursework, your application includes: * **Essays:** These essays allow you to showcase your interests, experiences, and why you are a good fit for the McIntire School. They should highlight your leadership qualities, teamwork skills, and analytical abilities. * **Extracurricular Activities:** Demonstrating involvement in clubs, organizations, or volunteer work shows your commitment to the UVA community and your ability to manage your time effectively. * **Recommendations:** While not always required, strong recommendations from professors who know you well can significantly strengthen your application. **Finance Specialization Requirements (Post-Admission to McIntire):** Once admitted to the Commerce School, you can declare a specialization in Finance. However, maintaining good academic standing is paramount. Within McIntire, the Finance curriculum includes: * **Core Commerce Courses:** All Commerce students take a core set of courses that provide a broad foundation in business principles. These include courses in marketing, management, IT, and quantitative analysis. * **Finance Core Courses:** You will then delve into specialized Finance courses such as Corporate Finance, Investments, and Financial Modeling. * **Finance Electives:** The program allows you to choose from a variety of elective courses to further tailor your education to your interests. Elective options might include derivatives, fixed income securities, private equity, and international finance. **Overall, a Finance major at UVA requires a strong academic record, commitment to extracurricular activities, and a genuine passion for the field. Strategic planning, diligent coursework, and a well-crafted application are key to success.**