VCU/MCV Post Bac Pre Med CERT Fall 2009

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Here are some questions I have so far, hopefully someone who has been through this program knows..

The PHIS 501 syllabus is $36 at the bookstore, is there any way to get around this and just get it in pdf format free?

What books are really required, the bookstore lists several for each course however alot of people mention only needing the syllabus.

Are we able to get financial aid such as grants from VCU or just loans due to the fact that we arent in a degree program?

Thanks for any info you can offer
 
likekekaika said:
Here are some questions I have so far, hopefully someone who has been through this program knows..

The PHIS 501 syllabus is $36 at the bookstore, is there any way to get around this and just get it in pdf format free?

What books are really required, the bookstore lists several for each course however alot of people mention only needing the syllabus.

Are we able to get financial aid such as grants from VCU or just loans due to the fact that we arent in a degree program?

Thanks for any info you can offer
Click to expand...

I would say the Physiology syllabus was probably my most important purchase of first semester. There is no way to get a PDF but even if there was, you are much better off with the one from the bookstore.
 
likekekaika said:
Here are some questions I have so far, hopefully someone who has been through this program knows..

The PHIS 501 syllabus is $36 at the bookstore, is there any way to get around this and just get it in pdf format free?

What books are really required, the bookstore lists several for each course however alot of people mention only needing the syllabus.

Are we able to get financial aid such as grants from VCU or just loans due to the fact that we arent in a degree program?

Thanks for any info you can offer
Click to expand...

You really should buy the Physiology syllabus. The only other thing you really should purchase is the Neuroanatomy Atlas and the Neuroanatomy DVDs. Everything else can be done with online powerpoint or pdf files.
 
Are we able to get financial aid such as grants from VCU or just loans due to the fact that we arent in a degree program?

Plenty of loans.
 
what's the deadline for filing fafsa's? after filing for the fafsa, do we then apply for financial aid at vcu?
 
when u fill out the fafsa, you put in the school code for vcu (found in your fafsa application). your fafsa will then be sent to vcu. no clue when is the fafsa, but you should fill it out asap.
 
hey if anyone in the program is still looking for a place to live I am really interested in this Berry Burk building on 525 E. Grace Street and was hoping to get a roommate as the price is better (about 500 each including water/sewer/internet). Just wanted to let anyone out there in the program know that a very friendly, cleanly, female student is looking for a roommate for this building!
 
I just got accepted to the program and I know they have different requirements than they had previously because you don't follow a certain track (i.e. anatomy) and fulfill courses under a certain department. Does anyone have an idea about good classes, or the curriculum in general?
 
Ah ha! So there is a forum...with seven whole people! We'll I will probably make it 8. I'm on the waitlist at MCV, and UMD, but this is plan B for me. I jsut sent in my fast track application the other day, I meet al the numbers, and since MCV waitlisted me, I'm assuming Ill proably get in. Who are our classes with..just other CERT people? or do we mx with M1s?
I havent had time to do much research on the proram besides the basics.
 
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couple things to add
1. if anyone needs advice, I went through the certificate program and went on as an MD/PhD student at MCV
2. I lived in a great house in the Fan that can fit 4 people (has 3 bathrooms). My landlord is renting it for this fall.

PM me if you need advice or are looking for a place to call home in Richmond VA.
 
I was officially accepted! I have met some people that have been through the program and they have a lot of good input. Instatewaiter posted alot of info in the 2008 forum which I have summarized here:

1. Make a 4.0 the first semester at all costs, med school admin specifically looks at first semester grades
2. Do not take too many credits, biochem and physiology are the courses that matter the most, a 4.0 with only 12 credits is better than a 3.9 with 15 credits
3. You will not have to buy books for these courses, unless you want to of course, the syllabus for phis501 is all you need, along with the powerpoint presentations and pdf lecture notes available on blackboard, this applies to biochem as well. If you do want to buy the books, the recommended ones are Garret for Biochem and Costanzo (purple cover) for Physiology
4. You will register and get your VCUcard at orientation which is on ~Aug16th
5. Get the old test banks early, either from individual departments or grad student association
6. Last year the tuition was 9k, this is the first year that they are charging 22k and adding the MCAT course, also there are no longer 6 program tracks
7. If you are applying for entry into med school at MCV for fall 2010, contact the dean of admissions (Dr. Winehurst-Cook) for an interview as soon as the semester begins
8. The exams in the courses come from multiple professors/lectures so the formats vary. You basically take 10 different exams on exam day. A ~2-4 question exam from each lecturer. Going to class is important because of this however if you do miss a class, they are available on video around 3pm the same day.
9. Class times are 8-9am physiology M-F and 1-2pm M-F biochem, of course your elective will fall in between these times or after biochem depending on what you choose. Also the MCAT prep course is available.
10. If you have Holmes as a professor, study ahead for exams, he sometimes places material on them that he hasnt lectured on yet.

That is most of the info that I have gathered so far. If anyone else has any input please post it so that everyone benefits. I believe someone asked who is in the classes and from what I have heard it is a combination of Cert/MS/Phd students which totals around 200 per class.
 
Last edited:
This is a good summary for incoming people. I made some minor corrections.

likekekaika said:
I was officially accepted! I have met some people that have been through the program and they have a lot of good input. Instatewaiter posted alot of info in the 2008 forum which I have summarized here:

1. Make a 4.0 the first semester at all costs, med school admin specifically looks at first semester grades
2. Do not take too many credits, biochem and physiology are the courses that matter the most, a 4.0 with only 12 credits is better than a 3.9 with 15 credits Min credit for Fall semester is now 15 credits and 12 credits in Spring semester
3. You will not have to buy books for these courses, unless you want to of course, the syllabus for phis501 is all you need, along with the powerpoint presentations and pdf lecture notes available on blackboard, this applies to biochem as well. If you do want to buy the books, the recommended ones are Garret for Biochem and Costanzo (purple cover) for Physiology
4. You will register and get your VCUcard at orientation which is on ~Aug16th
5. Get the old test banks early, either from individual departments or grad student association Grad student association doesn't exist anymore
6. Last year the tuition was 9k, this is the first year that they are charging 22k and adding the MCAT course, also there are no longer 6 program tracks
7. If you are applying for entry into med school at MCV for fall 2010, contact the dean of admissions (Dr. Winehurst-Cook) for an interview as soon as the semester begins
8. The exams in the courses come from multiple professors/lectures so the formats vary. You basically take 10 different exams on exam day. A ~2-4 question exam from each lecturer. Going to class is important because of this however if you do miss a class, they are available on video around 3pm the same day. Mammalian Physio is m/c format with 3 questions from each lecture for exams. Biochem format varies depending on lecturers, but there is a shift towards m/c format.
9. Class times are 8-9am physiology M-F and 1-2pm M-F biochem, of course your elective will fall in between these times or after biochem depending on what you choose. Also the MCAT prep course is available.
10. If you have Holmes as a professor, study ahead for exams, he sometimes places material on them that he hasnt lectured on yet.

That is most of the info that I have gathered so far. If anyone else has any input please post it so that everyone benefits. I believe someone asked who is in the classes and from what I have heard it is a combination of Cert/MS/Phd students which totals around 200 per class. Class size never got about 150 for the core classes.

If anyone knows that they are starting the program, look me up on facebook at [email protected] It doesnt hurt to meet people prior to the start of the program. I have the purple costanzo book and lehninger biochem 4e in computer format and I would be happy to share.

Take Care and I hope to see you there
Click to expand...
 
My application is on "hold"... i think its because my 3rd recommendation letter has not come in yet... *_* all this waiting is making me so nervous/anxious.

how important is orientation? we're taking a family vacation the week before classes and it looks like i'll be missing it....
 
From what I hear you have to be at orientation for registration, so I wouldnt miss it. I was on hold for about 2 weeks, dont worry about it you should be fine. If you were going to get denied, it probably would have happened already.
 
how do you know if you're on hold? I was approved through the fast track, but just recently sent in all of the rest of my supporting documents...I'm sure it will be awhile for my transcripts to arrive. How soon after you were complete did you hear back with a final decision? Where is everyone looking at living?...I'm from Chicago so I have no idea where to start.
 
After everything was in, I found out that I was on hold after 3 weeks and the following (4th) week I was accepted. The best thing to do is ask Susan South what your status is from time to time. The graduate school will not know for a while after a decision has been made so there is no need to call them unless you want to check your application material status. I have lived in the area for ~20 years and the best places to live are in the fan/museum district and shockoe bottom. There is alot to do downtown, but of course with any city, there is crime. Check craigslist and you should be able to find some great places. Alot of people live off of a street called Boulevard or Monument Ave. But also be sure to check apartmentratings.com for the places you are interested in, some places downtown have a great first impression, but can be miserable because of noisy neighbors, bad management, etc. If you have any more questions feel free to email me, I will help as much as I can.
 
Roommate for Downstairs Loft near VCU/MCV for $530 Downstairs Loft for $530
http://www.revver.com/video/480503/b...n-richmond-va/

My friend and I (both girls) found an AMAZING 3-bedroom/2-bathroom apartment near N. Boulevard in Richmond. It's a modern apartment in what used to be a fire truck warehouse. It has a VERY spacious floorplan (2 floors), WIDE granite countertops, central A/C, HARDLY USED stainless steel appliances, ceiling fans, skylights, full-size washer/dryer, on & off street parking, and a VERY COOL indoor patio upstairs. There's also a security system in each unit, but apparently no one uses it because it's really secure (cameras all over the outside/inside of the building, key scanner to get in). Parking, water, and wireless internet are included.

The bedroom that we would like to rent out is the LOFT downstairs. It is the largest (and BEST!) bedroom with the biggest closet and a large window. Whoever gets this room has his/her own bathroom. Since my friend and I loved everything about the apartment, we sacrificed this room so that we could be together upstairs. If you're hesitant to live with people you hardly know, you'll practically have the downstairs all to yourself (minus the common area). But if you want to live with really friendly and easy-to-get-along-with people, then we can be your friend too! 🙂

There are only 31 apartments in the building, and several VCU students reside here. There is also a LARGE common area/lobby with leather couches/coffee tables.
 
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Since this is my 2,000th post i figured I would stick it in the forum that I have been most active in.

So for those of you who don't know me, I am a rising 4th year at MCV (VCU) medical school who went through the certificate program about 4 years ago. I got in during the year I did the program and started that year after the program (no glide year).

So for those who have questions about the program or more specifically how to best situate yourself to get into medical school, or if you just want to bounce ideas off of me, feel free to PM me.


- instatewaiter
 
jeg5q said:
couple things to add
1. if anyone needs advice, I went through the certificate program and went on as an MD/PhD student at MCV
2. I lived in a great house in the Fan that can fit 4 people (has 3 bathrooms). My landlord is renting it for this fall.

PM me if you need advice or are looking for a place to call home in Richmond VA.
Click to expand...

I need advice/ am looking for a place to call home, but figured other people would want to see what you have to say about housing as well, so I'm asking you in the forum instead of PM as I am still in the information gathering stages.

I have a car, but would like be walking distance from school just to make life easier, maybe be able to go home for lunch, that kind of thing, but don't want to be anywhere too noisy. I generally have always been a library/ academic environment studier, places like Starbucks, etc don't work so well for me, so that's another reason I want to be close to campus. When I interviewed at MCV I stayed with two girls who lived off Boulevard. It was realy nice, but I dont want to have to take a 20 min bus ride to and from all the time.:hello:
 
Downtown by campus is NOISY no matter what, especially if you are within walking distance. Also it is a little more dangerous at night by campus, some people live in the river lofts at tobacco row, but they are expensive and dont have the greatest review sometimes. Richmond is weird, the price goes up the closer you get to MCV and your chances of being robbed/mugged. The fan area is great as well as carytown, but it is more of a drive.
 
cool, thanks. Maybe I'll re-think just how close to campus I want to be lol. So did you hear from those girls about the loft? I messaged them as well but no response. If we both still need places maybe we can find something. I'm in DC, so can come down to look.
 
Hey, I'm a VA resident and I got into both UPenn's and VCU/MCV's post bac programs. I'm not sure which one I should go to in order to get into a VA medical school. Does anyone know anything about acceptance rates after getting through the VCU program? I know they say you get a guaranteed interview with a 3.5 and a 28 MCAT. How often are you accepted with these credentials? Does anyone know how UVA or EVMS looks at this program?
 
D3soccer said:
Hey, I'm a VA resident and I got into both UPenn's and VCU/MCV's post bac programs. I'm not sure which one I should go to in order to get into a VA medical school. Does anyone know anything about acceptance rates after getting through the VCU program? I know they say you get a guaranteed interview with a 3.5 and a 28 MCAT. How often are you accepted with these credentials? Does anyone know how UVA or EVMS looks at this program?
Click to expand...
Well I know that UVA is very hard to get into. I'm an MD resident, and got waitlisted at UMD. I have a 28 mcat and 3.64 science 3.55 overall, tons of clinical exp and volunteer as well, i got a lot of waitlists-had that been my GPA from grad school, I think I would have gotten in, because they'd see I could get those grades in grad level classes, not just undergrad. From a couple advisors I've been talking to, it really doesn't seem to matter which school you take the classes at, it matters that you get the grades (unless you're in a program that has guarenteed admission with certain stats, like Temple) I asked Susan South how many ppl get in who have made the VCU interview and she said its about 80%. Whether you go to Penn or VCU isn't gonna make a difference for getting accepted in-state.
 
may I ask those who got accepted, what your credentials were like?
 
Maimonides said:
Well I know that UVA is very hard to get into. I'm an MD resident, and got waitlisted at UMD. I have a 28 mcat and 3.64 science 3.55 overall, tons of clinical exp and volunteer as well, i got a lot of waitlists-had that been my GPA from grad school, I think I would have gotten in, because they'd see I could get those grades in grad level classes, not just undergrad. From a couple advisors I've been talking to, it really doesn't seem to matter which school you take the classes at, it matters that you get the grades (unless you're in a program that has guarenteed admission with certain stats, like Temple) I asked Susan South how many ppl get in who have made the VCU interview and she said its about 80%. Whether you go to Penn or VCU isn't gonna make a difference for getting accepted in-state.
Click to expand...

I would take the 80% with a grain of salt.
 
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Hey guys, I was wondering how big our class is going to be
 
unlimited22 said:
hey if anyone in the program is still looking for a place to live i am really interested in this berry burk building on 525 e. Grace street and was hoping to get a roommate as the price is better (about 500 each including water/sewer/internet). Just wanted to let anyone out there in the program know that a very friendly, cleanly, female student is looking for a roommate for this building!
Click to expand...
interested!!!
 
stootiefrootiec said:
I just got accepted to the program and I know they have different requirements than they had previously because you don't follow a certain track (i.e. anatomy) and fulfill courses under a certain department. Does anyone have an idea about good classes, or the curriculum in general?
Click to expand...
no clue!!!
 
jeg5q said:
couple things to add
1. if anyone needs advice, I went through the certificate program and went on as an MD/PhD student at MCV
2. I lived in a great house in the Fan that can fit 4 people (has 3 bathrooms). My landlord is renting it for this fall.

PM me if you need advice or are looking for a place to call home in Richmond VA.
Click to expand...
interested!!!
 
pms49 said:
Roommate for Downstairs Loft near VCU/MCV for $530 Downstairs Loft for $530
http://www.revver.com/video/480503/b...n-richmond-va/

My friend and I (both girls) found an AMAZING 3-bedroom/2-bathroom apartment near N. Boulevard in Richmond. It's a modern apartment in what used to be a fire truck warehouse. It has a VERY spacious floorplan (2 floors), WIDE granite countertops, central A/C, HARDLY USED stainless steel appliances, ceiling fans, skylights, full-size washer/dryer, on & off street parking, and a VERY COOL indoor patio upstairs. There's also a security system in each unit, but apparently no one uses it because it's really secure (cameras all over the outside/inside of the building, key scanner to get in). Parking, water, and wireless internet are included.

The bedroom that we would like to rent out is the LOFT downstairs. It is the largest (and BEST!) bedroom with the biggest closet and a large window. Whoever gets this room has his/her own bathroom. Since my friend and I loved everything about the apartment, we sacrificed this room so that we could be together upstairs. If you're hesitant to live with people you hardly know, you'll practically have the downstairs all to yourself (minus the common area). But if you want to live with really friendly and easy-to-get-along-with people, then we can be your friend too! 🙂

There are only 31 apartments in the building, and several VCU students reside here. There is also a LARGE common area/lobby with leather couches/coffee tables.
Click to expand...
interested!!!(703)606-7282
 
stootiefrootiec said:
I just got accepted to the program and I know they have different requirements than they had previously because you don't follow a certain track (i.e. anatomy) and fulfill courses under a certain department. Does anyone have an idea about good classes, or the curriculum in general?
Click to expand...

You have 15 units of set classes probably consisting of Physiology for Fall and Biochemistry for both semesters and another 12 units of elective classes. For my electives I took Drug Dependence in Fall and Intro to Toxicology and Neuroanatomy for Spring. If I were you, I would take Neuroanatomy in Spring and fill in the rest of the units with the easiest classes possible. Good luck 👍
 
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Met with Dr. DeFelice today and found out some things:

MCAT course registration will occur at orientation; if there is alot of interest there will be 2 classes (same lecture) per week

You can register for classes online prior to orientation

27 credits is required for the program, no minimum per semester, but 15 credits recommended as minimum for fall

He will try to compile all the old exams and send them out in pdf format to everyone

The cert class size is going to be about 60 in total

research PHIS690 is a pass/fail course

Meet the lab you cannot register for, it will be an available schedule that anyone can go to

If you are planning for med school, histology or immunology is the recommended elective for fall
 
today was susan souths last day, as she took another job. sad day because she has been soooo helpful the past couple of weeks.

anyways - the next application review meeting is on july 9th, and then we have to wait a couple of weeks after that! all this waiting.... waiting.. arghhhhh

and funny part is i'm planning my life as if i've already been accepted! like writing in "first day of classes" and "orientation" in my agenda... figuring out what books to get, what my class schedule for the fall and spring semester will be like. if i don't get accepted, i'll be so devastated and seeing those dates on my planner will only bring back bad memories LOL.
 
Go easy on the book purchasing, you really dont need what is listed as required by the bookstore, but definitely write everything on your calendar, its good to be hopeful/positive, plus you will get in anyway
 
Forgot to add, if you are on the july 9th decision, be sure to keep up on the graduate school receiving your acceptance from mcv (this process could be longer than 2 weeks), they have to put you into the system in order to get an eid number which is crucial to registration, vcuCard, etc. Their number is (804) 828-6916. As soon you are accepted by mcv, call the grad school number and get your V number (student #) from them in order to fill out financial aid and the required immunization form.
 
Hey guys!
My names Chrissy! Im going to be moving to Richmond from Ohio soo I pretty much dont have a clue about housing outside of the ones on campus (which ive heard are not so great to be around after dark) so I was wondering if anyone needed an extra roomate or wanted to find a place together?? message me on here or [email protected]!! Thanks!
 
likekekaika said:
He will try to compile all the old exams and send them out in pdf format to everyone

The cert class size is going to be about 60 in total

research PHIS690 is a pass/fail course

Meet the lab you cannot register for, it will be an available schedule that anyone can go to

If you are planning for med school, histology or immunology is the recommended elective for fall
Click to expand...

Unless Histology has changed from all microscopes to all digital (images on the computer) like in medical school, DO NOT TAKE HISTOLOGY.

When I was in the cert program, Histo was unquestionably the hardest course in graduate school. I saw many students have to spend a ton of extra time on histo just to have their grades in the main courses (biochem and phys) brought down because they spent most of their time on Histo. They didn't get in because histo lowered their important grades. I would highly recommend you NOT take histo.

Immunology is also supposed to be hard as well but no where near as bad.

Someone should contact Dr Whitehurst-Cook (dean of med school admissions) just to make sure they are not specifically looking for histo or immuno. When I applied I only took 12 credits the first semester (biochem 5c, phys 5c, required seminar 1c and journal club seminar 1c). I was worried it would look bad to only take 12 credits so I met with the dean of admissions at the time, Dr H. Dr H told me it didnt matter what other classes you take as long as you get As in the 2 main courses, BIochem and phys. So I took 12 credits and got As and got into medical school. Our program director at the time even recommended taking 12 credits the first semester because it is a bit of a transition. The courses move faster than in undergrad, plus you have the classes 5 days a week. The material is not hard, arguably easier than much of what you learned in undergrad. The pace however is fast which is why it is harder than Ugrad.

Histo is a med school course but it is being phased out all over the country. Instead the schools are using digital media. So, the grad histo course is much, much harder than the medical school version. You will get next to nothing out of taking histo other than a headache.
 
Do you have any information about Human Genetics or Cellular and Molecular Neurosciences. I am planning on taking one of these with the Research Seminar.
 
Oh Jesus .. I am a part of that application review thing too. Except Dr. De Felice emailed me and said that it was taking place on the 8th and not the 9th.. He also said that afterwards he would be in touch with me "soon afterwards" so this mention of having to wait a couple more weeks is new .. I wanted to go up there and speak with him prior to the metting because I am so damn nervous but I cant even get through to set up an appointment with him. I cant afford to wait so I was just going to go and meet him anyway...does anyone know his hours? Does he have an office phone becasue I can never get in touch with him. I swear the first time I applied my GRE scored weren't good enough so I retook the exam and got an 1120 definately not fantastic but Ms. South said anything over an 1100 was considered competitive for program and Dr. De Felice said if I improved my score that he would re look at my application so .. I am hoping my little 1120 is enough cuz..thats all I got. But everyone seems so much more qualified .. I am so nervous .. 🙁
 
anyone hear back yet? i can't wait any longer!!!!!!
 
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