2011-2012 Virginia Commonwealth University Application Thread

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I submitted my secondary on 7/8 and they still haven't processed my letters....I wonder what gives

Originally Posted by latrala2300

I submitted my secondary on 7/8 and they still haven't processed my letters....I wonder what gives

I submitted 7/6 and mine still aren't processed either. I'm sure they are crazy busy. I'm not going to call until at least Monday to give them some time.

Originally Posted by MacNCheesy

I submitted 7/6 and mine still aren't processed either. I'm sure they are crazy busy. I'm not going to call until at least Monday to give them some time.

Interesting. Is your last name in the latter third of the alphabet?

Well that sucks, they listed one of my 'science' references as a non-science reference. She was a professor who was my supervisor/lecturer for my biology research course, so let's see if I can get it changed

for those of you who have one of the two messages that likely lead to interviews, did you ever have a status saying "Your M.D. file is now complete. The Admissions Committee will now do a comprehensive review of your application. Once the review is complete, your file will be prioritized, and interviews will be granted based on your priority score and the date your file was completed. Please do not call the Admissions Office requesting special dates."

Last year there were a couple people who went directly from this to an interview invite, so I'm just wondering if everyone gets the complete status or not.

Originally Posted by xATB

for those of you who have one of the two messages that likely lead to interviews, did you ever have a status saying "Your M.D. file is now complete. The Admissions Committee will now do a comprehensive review of your application. Once the review is complete, your file will be prioritized, and interviews will be granted based on your priority score and the date your file was completed. Please do not call the Admissions Office requesting special dates."

Last year there were a couple people who went directly from this to an interview invite, so I'm just wondering if everyone gets the complete status or not.

I'm pretty sure I had that status, yes. Also, there are cases where people went straight to interview (often IS). I think there were a small few OOS that went straight to interview too. Most people that got interviews seemed to start at one of the two "we like you" statuses.

I got the "may" status last year and I unfortunately did not get an interview. I feel that the only reason I didn't get an interview was that I submitted my secondary extremely late (late October). You're in a very good position if you get the "may" or "further" status this early on. This is what they wrote to me in last year's rejection letter:

"The review of your file indicates that you have some fine qualities. While we are unable to interview you this year, we would suggest you consider reapplication if you are not accepted to another medical school. Reapplication should occur only after consideration and consultation of how to strengthen your profile."

This may seem like a dumb question but are we supposed to follow the 8000 character limit or the 500-600 word limit? It says to limit the supplemental essay to 8000 characters for the prompt listed under the "general information" section but when you verify your application in the end, it reminds you that "the essay has a limited length, so be certain that you know your material will fit in the allotted space (approximately 500-600 words)."

I'm definitely under 8000 characters but also over 600 words....

Any ideas?

THanks!

Originally Posted by blankmoniker

This may seem like a dumb question but are we supposed to follow the 8000 character limit or the 500-600 word limit? It says to limit the supplemental essay to 8000 characters for the prompt listed under the "general information" section but when you verify your application in the end, it reminds you that "the essay has a limited length, so be certain that you know your material will fit in the allotted space (approximately 500-600 words)."

I'd go with the one on the supplementary application, listed just above the essay prompt (8000 characters). They might have updated this recently, neglecting to change the description on the 'general info' page.

BTW, for whoever cares, I submitted my secondary and payment 7/6 and was only complete this evening (7/12) with 5 LORs. I have yet to be assigned a priority score.

Originally Posted by latrala2300

Interesting. Is your last name in the latter third of the alphabet?

Nope.

Originally Posted by Chemdude

I got the "may" status last year and I unfortunately did not get an interview. I feel that the only reason I didn't get an interview was that I submitted my secondary extremely late (late October). You're in a very good position if you get the "may" or "further" status this early on. This is what they wrote to me in last year's rejection letter:

"The review of your file indicates that you have some fine qualities. While we are unable to interview you this year, we would suggest you consider reapplication if you are not accepted to another medical school. Reapplication should occur only after consideration and consultation of how to strengthen your profile."

Hey- thanks so much for the info!

Just submitted. After researching the school some for my secondary, I was impressed. Good luck to everyone waiting for interview invites!

Originally Posted by Renaissance Man

Just submitted. After researching the school some for my secondary, I was impressed. Good luck to everyone waiting for interview invites!

Same, I had VCU listed somewhere in the middle myself until I did this secondary, now I really want to go here

Same here! It started off as a regional thing, but the more I looked into it, the more I wanted to go there.

Originally Posted by SteveJMarist

Same here! It started off as a regional thing, but the more I looked into it, the more I wanted to go there.

VCU is amazing! 78% of the people that graduate from there end up getting into one of their top three residency choices. That's very good compared to schools of the same "caliber"....I just want an interview. VCU SHOW ME SOME LOVE!

Originally Posted by Chemdude

VCU is amazing! 78% of the people that graduate from there end up getting into on their top three residency choices. That's very good compared to schools of the same "caliber"....I just want an interview. VCU SHOW ME SOME LOVE!

Yea, there were a ton of things I really liked about it! I'm sure you'll get an interview this time around if you were placed on that MAY status late last year. I'm just hoping to see an interview invite sometime really soon!

i wonder how long it will take for my application is complete status to change to the may status...stevejmarist when did your status say that ur letter of recs were complete as well as ur secondary?

Do you ever learn your actual "priority score"?

Originally Posted by underdog427

i wonder how long it will take for my application is complete status to change to the may status...stevejmarist when did your status say that ur letter of recs were complete as well as ur secondary?

It was really quick. I can't even recall getting a complete status to be honest. I only submitted my secondary last last week, got the MAY status this Monday.

Who all submitted a picture?

Edit: Didn't want to wait to take a more "formal" picture so just submitted a random one that was on my computer - hope that will be OK

Thx for yr input!

Just in case anyone is wondering.. I called them this morning and they told me that we should try to have it around 6000 characters and as long as your rresponse does not cut off, you should be okay.

Originally Posted by aSagacious

I'd go with the one on the supplementary application, listed just above the essay prompt (8000 characters). They might have updated this recently, neglecting to change the description on the 'general info' page.

BTW, for whoever cares, I submitted my secondary and payment 7/6 and was only complete this evening (7/12) with 5 LORs. I have yet to be assigned a priority score.

Originally Posted by dra13

Who all submitted a picture?

Edit: Didn't want to wait to take a more "formal" picture so just submitted a random one that was on my computer - hope that will be OK

I submitted a picture. I just cropped a picture from my computer that I took from earlier this year. It was definitely not formally done. Never hurts to get your face out there.

Just got

Your M.D. file is now complete. The Admissions Committee will now do a comprehensive review of your application. Once the review is complete, your file will be prioritized, and interviews will be granted based on your priority score and the date your file was completed. Please do not call the Admissions Office requesting special dates.

they are working pretty fast

on hold pending mcat release on 6/16 wish me

"Your file is complete, and has been forwarded to the Admissions Committee for further decision."

I never thought I'd get a second "complete" status lol?

Complete today as well. Any actual interview invites yet? Or just the MAY status?

So what is the deal with the letters? All of mine are in AMCAS but they only downloaded 3? Or do they download the rest once you submit the secondary? Pretty excited about this school - it sounds awesome.

Anyone else not complete? I submitted July 6 (albeit, late in the evening) . . . I know it's been but a week, but just wanted to if anyone else was in a similar situation . . .

Originally Posted by FlyingBoat

Anyone else not complete? I submitted July 6 (albeit, late in the evening) . . . I know it's been but a week, but just wanted to if anyone else was in a similar situation . . .

I submitted 2 dAys ago an complete yesterday

i think i'm being a noob, in general (not just at VCU) does it take extra time to get marked as "complete" after you submit your secnodary essays? I was waiting to submit my essays and pay for most of my applications until i get my letters in. I didn't think it would make a difference to get my essays in if my letters were keeping me from being complete anyways. But now it almost seems like it takes time for them to download the letters and mark your fee as paid too, so maybe I shoudl just save myself some time and submit my essays?

Originally Posted by FlyingBoat

Anyone else not complete? I submitted July 6 (albeit, late in the evening) . . . I know it's been but a week, but just wanted to if anyone else was in a similar situation . . .

Submitted Monday, and not complete. I figured I'd give it a week or two and then call if I still wasn't.

Originally Posted by DISCOSTEW

I submitted 2 dAys ago an complete yesterday

Oh, good.

Well, I'm sure they'll get to me eventually.

OOS, 35 MCAT 3.52 GPA, just recieved MAY status.

Originally Posted by outdoorfanatic

OOS, 35 MCAT 3.52 GPA, just recieved MAY status.

Nice! Hopefully we'll get invites soon.

Just received further status ....looks the the #2 vs #3 status debate still goes on haha

Originally Posted by VaBeachGrl007

"Your file is complete, and has been forwarded to the Admissions Committee for further decision."

I never thought I'd get a second "complete" status lol?

Just got this as well

Just got the "further" status as well. Hopefully this is good news!

Originally Posted by JediMasterCrumb

Just got the "further" status as well. Hopefully this is good news!

when did you submit?

Originally Posted by latrala2300

when did you submit?

Submitted 7/10, Complete 7/15.

Edit: Just realized I made a mistake. I'm at the "special dates" status, not the "further" status.

just got the VERY INTERESTED status

Originally Posted by JediMasterCrumb

Submitted 7/10, Complete 7/15

ohhhhh, so you got the completion email. i thought you had gotten the "MAY" status. my bad.

Originally Posted by xATB

just got the VERY INTERESTED status

Congrats! Hopefully I can look forward to this too. Just got the "special dates" status today.

Originally Posted by xATB

just got the VERY INTERESTED status

'grats!

Just submitted my secondary for this school. Added this school but I'm totally feeling this school after reading about it.

And just from reading the text, I would say MAY > FURTHER, because further implies that there are still some reservations.

Hey everyone,

I'm a little bit confused. Once your file is complete, does everyone get this message before changing to "interested", "may", "further", or "rejected" status?

"Your M.D. file is now complete. The Admissions Committee will now do a comprehensive review of your application. Once the review is complete, your file will be prioritized, and interviews will be granted based on your priority score and the date your file was completed. Please do not call the Admissions Office requesting special dates."

If not, what are you getting instead?

Thanks in advance.

Looks like I'm done from here....
I was complete much before you guys and my app is still just at the complete phase. Peace out and best of luck to all

Originally Posted by JediMasterCrumb

Hey everyone, I'm a little bit confused. Once your file is complete, does everyone get this message before changing to "interested", "may", "further", or "rejected" status?

Yes (very few exceptions)

Originally Posted by latrala2300

Looks like I'm done from here....
I was complete much before you guys and my app is still just at the complete phase. Peace out and best of luck to all

That's a bit presumptive. It could be the case that due the flooding of applications they simply haven't reviewed it yet. Until you get the 'rejected' status I wouldn't throw in the towel.

Quick question! For the last part on the secondary where they ask you to explain any lapses in you undergrad education, we don't answer it if we didn't take any breaks or have any withdrawals, right?