"Virginia Commonwealth University will guarantee admission to high school students with high academic credentials, streamlining the application process and increasing access to the university, school leaders said.

High school students who have a 3.5 weighted grade-point average or who graduate in the top 10% of their class will receive automatic admission starting this year. All high school applicants nationwide are eligible.

The program is the first of its kind among top research universities in the state, VCU said.

'We’re heard the process is stressful,' said Hernan Bucheli, VCU’s interim vice president for enrollment. 'This is a way to relieve that stress for these students.'

If a student meets the criteria, he or she can apply by submitting a transcript on the Common Application. No essays or recommendations are necessary. VCU does not require standardized test scores from any applicants.

Two departments within VCU won’t offer guaranteed admission — the schools of arts and engineering. The arts school requires a portfolio, and the engineering school offers guaranteed admission to students who meet certain standards during their freshman year at VCU. The university’s honors college also has a separate application process," reports the Richmond Times-Dispatch.

Photo: VCU will begin to guarantee admission to students who obtain good grades next year. Mike Kropf, TIMES-DISPATCH