2006 VCU Central

[madi]

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30 days...

 

[JTHURMA]

I know this may sound odd, but if you keep them focused on you and how interesting you are, they may never ask you lame questions like "Why VCU?". They never asked me, and every time I answered a question I ended it by leading them into something else that was on my AMCAS.

But... this may sound strange, but I joked with my family, that if they ask me that I'll answer "Ever since that first bite of Virginia baked ham, I knew I'd have to do medicine in VA"

I need some help here. I really can't figure out what to say when they ask why do you want to go to VCU.

 

[tank you]

does anyone interviewed/accepted know how many spots are already taken? im still in the hold category and i would like to get an idea when/if i interview, if its for a waitlist or acceptance..

 

[madi]

does anyone interviewed/accepted know how many spots are already taken? im still in the hold category and i would like to get an idea when/if i interview, if its for a waitlist or acceptance..

Hi jtank,

Theoretically they only sent out 15-20 offers in the first batch of letters, which was mailed in October. In December they will fill another ~80 spots, then ~20 the next month or so until the class is full.

 

[tank you]

Hi jtank,

Theoretically they only sent out 15-20 offers in the first batch of letters, which was mailed in October. In December they will fill another ~80 spots, then ~20 the next month or so until the class is full.

thx madi: do u know the avg # of offers sent before class is full? according to msar, their class size is ~185, so im guessing they offer 300 before class size is fulfilled.

 

[madi]

thx madi: do u know the avg # of offers sent before class is full? according to msar, their class size is ~185, so im guessing they offer 300 before class size is fulfilled.

NP, jtank.

I think I heard from someone else on this board that there are never more than 185 offers out at a time, and that they keep sending out offers until 185 students have committed to the class. Can someone else confirm this?

 

[ShyRem]

According to Dr. H, in the admissions dept (dean or asst. dean.. I think she's the dean.. she's AWESOME tho), they have at MOST 184 acceptances out at any one time. They, unlike most other med schools, do NOT overaccept their class. I got this straight from Dr. H's mouth at the interview meeting. After March 15, as people decline acceptances they will accept others off the waitlist. But they never have more than 184 acceptances out.

Hope that helped. 🙂 g'luck! Still waiting for my VCU acceptance post-interview, but I really loved the school.

 

[deleted77919]

I know this may sound odd, but if you keep them focused on you and how interesting you are, they may never ask you lame questions like "Why VCU?". They never asked me

I was asked why VCU . . . but it was almost apologetic. It was phrased something like "I know you are good candidate and are probably considering many schools, but is there anything you like about VCU in particular, if not that's ok, I was just curious . . ." at that point I sort of broke in and semi-interrupted with a solid positive response.

Moral of the story, something to be prepared for.

 

[madi]

......26.....

 

[tank you]

does anyone know if the priority score is based on mcat/gpa only or are lors, ecs subjectively given a score?

 

[ShyRem]

MUST be based on ECs and lors. 'cuz my GPA counting my craptastic-never-went-to-class-and-failed-an-entire-semester grades from 20 years ago wasn't anything to write home about. And my MCAT didn't crack the "magical 30". But my experience is outstanding, and my LORs were (I hear) phenomenal. I would imagine they have a scoring system for medical experience, volunteer experience, "other" stuff, etc. But the exact way they do the scoring is a more closely held secret than the Bush's Baked Beans recipe.

 

[Turkeyman]

MUST be based on ECs and lors. 'cuz my GPA counting my craptastic-never-went-to-class-and-failed-an-entire-semester grades from 20 years ago wasn't anything to write home about. And my MCAT didn't crack the "magical 30". But my experience is outstanding, and my LORs were (I hear) phenomenal. I would imagine they have a scoring system for medical experience, volunteer experience, "other" stuff, etc. But the exact way they do the scoring is a more closely held secret than the Bush's Baked Beans recipe.

The secret ingredient is probably high fructose corn syrup 😀

 

[madi]

Out of curiosity, does anyone have any stats with regards to the number of people accepted off VCU's waitlist every year?

 

[deleted77919]

does anyone know if the priority score is based on mcat/gpa only or are lors, ecs subjectively given a score?

I don't know about the pre-interview priority score . . . but post interview the ad-com gets together discusses you and everyone gives you a score 1-5 (in 0.5 increments). The highest and lowest are thrown out and everyone else's is taken to give you an average score. When admissions offers are made, they take the people off the top, keeping in mind percentages in state/OOS. So, each individual can give a score as they see fit, based solely on MCAT, or GPA, or whether you can ride the unicycle.

As far as the waitlist question, VCU has no more than 180 (I think that's their class size) offers out at any given time, they won't overcommit. I don't have my US news handy, but I think they show like 330 accepted . . . so, one could surmize that approx 330-180 = 150 people get in off the "waitlist."

 

[Orth2006]

I don't know about the pre-interview priority score . . . but post interview the ad-com gets together discusses you and everyone gives you a score 1-5 (in 0.5 increments). The highest and lowest are thrown out and everyone else's is taken to give you an average score. When admissions offers are made, they take the people off the top, keeping in mind percentages in state/OOS. So, each individual can give a score as they see fit, based solely on MCAT, or GPA, or whether you can ride the unicycle.

As far as the waitlist question, VCU has no more than 180 (I think that's their class size) offers out at any given time, they won't overcommit. I don't have my US news handy, but I think they show like 330 accepted . . . so, one could surmize that approx 330-180 = 150 people get in off the "waitlist."

Wow thats a huge turn over rate. In other words many people are accepted but choose not to attend. Not good for school's pride!! After all these years I would think they would be able to recognise those applicants that would most likely attend other schools and just using them as a safety school. It seems VCU caters to applicants that don't necessarily have the 4.0/40MCAT stats (even though there other criteria that VCU looks at) so I'm quite surprised that so many accepted applicants chose not to attend. What other schools could possibly steal 150 students away from VCU?
Are those numbers actually accurate anybody know for sure?

 

[BerkeleyMD]

Wow thats a huge turn over rate. In other words many people are accepted but choose not to attend. Not good for school's pride!! After all these years I would think they would be able to recognise those applicants that would most likely attend other schools and just using them as a safety school. It seems VCU caters to applicants that don't necessarily have the 4.0/40MCAT stats (even though there other criteria that VCU looks at) so I'm quite surprised that so many accepted applicants chose not to attend. What other schools could possibly steal 150 students away from VCU?
Are those numbers actually accurate anybody know for sure?

Its true, Dr. H said they interview about 600 and each year they go through about 300-350 acceptance offers... It a nice school in a busy area, I wouldn't mind going there.

 

[Apparition]

Wow thats a huge turn over rate. In other words many people are accepted but choose not to attend. Not good for school's pride!! After all these years I would think they would be able to recognise those applicants that would most likely attend other schools and just using them as a safety school. It seems VCU caters to applicants that don't necessarily have the 4.0/40MCAT stats (even though there other criteria that VCU looks at) so I'm quite surprised that so many accepted applicants chose not to attend. What other schools could possibly steal 150 students away from VCU?
Are those numbers actually accurate anybody know for sure?

Sorry I can't confirm the numbers but perhaps out of state aceptees chose to attend their own inexpensive state schools.

 

[BerkeleyMD]

Sorry I can't confirm the numbers but perhaps out of state aceptees chose to attend their own inexpensive state schools.

That could be the case, as OOS'ers can't gain in-state residency and tuition unless their spouse is working (and paying taxes).

 

[Orth2006]

Sorry I can't confirm the numbers but perhaps out of state aceptees chose to attend their own inexpensive state schools.

Good point. Perhaps that explains about 80 out of the 150 since only about that much is out of state. But then it means 70 out of 100 instate choose not to attend. Thats still a lot. Maybe they all go to Univ. of Virginia or to EVMS. But then thats all good for us still waiting for at least one acceptance 😀

 

[tank you]

That could be the case, as OOS'ers can't gain in-state residency and tuition unless their spouse is working (and paying taxes).

really? what if im single and oos-er?

 

[BerkeleyMD]

really? what if im single and oos-er?

Dat means no in-state tuition. Well, unless you can work fulltime and go to medshool. That's actually not that far fetched because MCV students only have class from like 8-12 M-F, so if you are one of those "I never need to study types.." then you can do it.

 

[deleted77919]

really? what if im single and oos-er?

Even if you are working full time I still think you are out of luck. In VA you generally have to be here working, voting, driving, etc 12 months prior to enrolling in school to be in-state. Once you start, unless you marry under unusual circumstances, you are stuck as an OOS'er, sorry jtank.

 

[ShyRem]

Dakota, one of my VCU student guides was an oos'er whose spouse got a job in VA after they moved there. She's getting in-state tuition for her 3rd and 4th year: the way she explained it to me, your spouse has to work for 12 consecutive months in VA BEFORE Aug 1 of each year. So if her husband had gotten a job before Aug 1 of her MS1 year, she could have gotten in-state tuition starting her MS2 year.

Perhaps it's on an individual review basis? I don't know... but that's what I found out from someone going through the process now.

 

[deleted77919]

Dakota, one of my VCU student guides was an oos'er whose spouse got a job in VA after they moved there. She's getting in-state tuition for her 3rd and 4th year: the way she explained it to me, your spouse has to work for 12 consecutive months in VA BEFORE Aug 1 of each year. So if her husband had gotten a job before Aug 1 of her MS1 year, she could have gotten in-state tuition starting her MS2 year.

Perhaps it's on an individual review basis? I don't know... but that's what I found out from someone going through the process now.

It's mostly up to the individual schools, as far as I know. I was basing my comment on my u-grad experiences talking with OOS'ers (at UVa) and what I've heard from others. Thanks for the info . . .

 

[Dave_med]

I'm a little confused here. Could someone help me out? Yesterday I received this status update from VCU:

The Admissions Committee has met to discuss your file. Your application is being placed on hold for action at a later date. We anticipate making offers October 15, December 15, at the end of January, and mid-March.

That sounds good to me, but others on this thread have referred to a "hold for acceptance" status they have received post-interview. Is this the same as my status or is there another status that actually says you are going to be accepted? Can somebody clear this up for me? Thanks.

 

[Orth2006]

I'm a little confused here. Could someone help me out? Yesterday I received this status update from VCU:

The Admissions Committee has met to discuss your file. Your application is being placed on hold for action at a later date. We anticipate making offers October 15, December 15, at the end of January, and mid-March.

That sounds good to me, but others on this thread have referred to a "hold for acceptance" status they have received post-interview. Is this the same as my status or is there another status that actually says you are going to be accepted? Can somebody clear this up for me? Thanks.

Its the same message you recieved. You are on hold for acceptance/waitlist/or rejection. Many people on here choose to call it "hold for acceptance" cos its too much work to type all the rest all the time. Congrats!! 😀

 

[tegs15]

When did you interview there?

 

[Dave_med]

Its the same message you recieved. You are on hold for acceptance/waitlist/or rejection. Many people on here choose to call it "hold for acceptance" cos its too much work to type all the rest all the time. Congrats!! 😀

Okay, thanks for clearing that up. Come on Dec. 15th!

 

[Dave_med]

When did you interview there?

First week of November. Good luck!

 

[ShyRem]

20 days until 12/15. I'm counting the days, and hoping to get good news. Anyone else with me?

 

[crazy_cavalier]

20 days until 12/15. I'm counting the days, and hoping to get good news. Anyone else with me?

hehe wow, only 20 days left??

well i'll see ya on this thread on the 15th. hopefully we'll be celebrating 🙂

 

[beponychick]

hehe wow, only 20 days left??

well i'll see ya on this thread on the 15th. hopefully we'll be celebrating 🙂

Crazy, would you chose VCU over drexel?

 

[crazy_cavalier]

Crazy, would you chose VCU over drexel?

Eh heh heh. The idea of being in a position to choose a school is quite a luxury, in my opinion. We go through this whole thing trying to get schools to choose us, and when the shoe goes on the other foot I'm sure it's just a phenomenal feeling...

Anyway, the thought has crossed my mind, but I'll just wait until later to really mull it over. I think you need to revisit the schools and give each a really thorough look if you're going to make a decision as to which one you will end up at.

 

[jbone]

How much do you think your ACT/SAT scores figure into the equation at VCU because my ACT sucked but I took it like 12 years ago. Am I screwed? Do they even look at it? They didn't bring it up during my interview. I'm freakin out here. Please kill me. 😱

 

[crazy_cavalier]

How much do you think your ACT/SAT scores figure into the equation at VCU because my ACT sucked but I took it like 12 years ago. Am I screwed? Do they even look at it? They didn't bring it up during my interview. I'm freakin out here. Please kill me. 😱

I dont think it'll count much unless it's vastly different from your MCAT. They probably use the SAT/ACT in conjunction with MCAT scores to see how you fare in standardized tests. Maybe a high SAT looks good side by side with a low MCAT... but a low SAT might confirm that a low MCAT was a product of bad standardized testing. This, then, might give them an accurate idea of your USMLE performance.

If your ACT was bad, but your MCAT was good, then you shouldn't have anything to worry about. Quite arguable, MCAT > ACT. Afterall, the MCAT was the more recent test, and it is a more appropriate test. Did you take the SAT as well? Just curious.

 

[ShyRem]

Hmm. Never thought of the SAT thing. I took mine 21 years ago, back when 1280 was a score good enough to get the attention of the ivy recruiters and to get some good scholarships. Times sure change.

 

[jbone]

I dont think it'll count much unless it's vastly different from your MCAT. They probably use the SAT/ACT in conjunction with MCAT scores to see how you fare in standardized tests. Maybe a high SAT looks good side by side with a low MCAT... but a low SAT might confirm that a low MCAT was a product of bad standardized testing. This, then, might give them an accurate idea of your USMLE performance.

If your ACT was bad, but your MCAT was good, then you shouldn't have anything to worry about. Quite arguable, MCAT > ACT. Afterall, the MCAT was the more recent test, and it is a more appropriate test. Did you take the SAT as well? Just curious.

Just the ACT. I just remember posting my score on my VCU application 3 or 4 months ago and just remembered the other day that it really sucks. I'm just sick of waiting. This whole process is BS. 👎

shyrem-any DO schools that you have been accepted to? just curious. 😀

 

[ShyRem]

jbone, I got accepted to UNECOM. I withdrew from my MSUCOM interview due to excessive oos costs. You?


Oh, and 19 days left till 12/15! 😀

 

[madi]

Oh, and 19 days left till 12/15! 😀

😱

 

[ShyRem]

18 days.....


Yes, I'm going to post on this thread every single day during the count down. I really need to get a life. 🙂

 

[cfdavid]

Not sure if this has been addressed or not but, what are the chances of NOT getting an offer on Dec. 15ish, yet getting one on a subsequent offer date (late Jan, mid Feb., mid March) etc..??

It seems that if someone does not receive an offer this coming "round", the chances are somewhat low for a later acceptance. Because, then that person is competing against all of the other applicants that have interviewed at later dates, in which those other applicants will be looked at for the first time for one of the later acceptance dates.

The above seems true provided that earlier interview offer candidates are not automatically assigned a higher priority score that would "carry over" for later acceptance rounds. In other words, if they are not deemed "competitive" for an acceptance on Dec. 15th, how would their score necessarily compare to later interview candidates, that are undoubtedly very high caliber people?

I ask this because even though I interviewed on Oct. 6th (relatively early for out of state), my numbers are not really all that spectacular. So, as time goes by, a considerable number of new interviewees are coming in with more great scores as is very likely given the competitive atmosphere of this whole process.

Does this make sense? Any input? I'm sure I'm not the only one with such concerns...

 

[Pewl]

I interviewed in mid-November. What are the chances that they'll have reviewed mine by Dec 15?

 

[-Goose-]

I interviewed in mid-November. What are the chances that they'll have reviewed mine by Dec 15?

ditto.

btw- what day did you interview?

 

[jbone]

18 days.....


Yes, I'm going to post on this thread every single day during the count down. I really need to get a life. 🙂

I'm with you Rem. Keep the faith!! 👍

 

[crazy_cavalier]

I interviewed in mid-November. What are the chances that they'll have reviewed mine by Dec 15?

I was told my file would be reviewed one week after my interview, and at that time my score would be assigned. So, I would say your chance of being reviewed by Dec 15 is pretty high.

 

[Pewl]

I was told my file would be reviewed one week after my interview, and at that time my score would be assigned. So, I would say your chance of being reviewed by Dec 15 is pretty high.

Actually they said that they were like four weeks behind, which does not bode well with Thanksgiving and Christmas and stuff.

 

[Dave_med]

I interviewed in mid-November. What are the chances that they'll have reviewed mine by Dec 15?

Pewl, I interviewed the first week of November and got the status update I had been reviewed by the admissions committee on November 22nd. That makes me think they have picked up the pace a little because I was presented to the committee in less than three weeks from interview to review. If you interviewed mid-November (not sure of your exact interview date) I would think you have a pretty good shot at being considered in this round of acceptances.

 

[-Goose-]

Pewl, I interviewed the first week of November and got the status update I had been reviewed by the admissions committee on November 22nd. That makes me think they have picked up the pace a little because I was presented to the committee in less than three weeks from interview to review. If you interviewed mid-November (not sure of your exact interview date) I would think you have a pretty good shot at being considered in this round of acceptances.

word.

they told my interview group that we may hear by Dec 15, but maybe not until January or even FEBRUARY!

 

[goinverted]

17 days! 😱

 

[ShyRem]

You beat me to it, goinverted. I tried to post the 17 day mark earlier today, but it seems the forums were down. Anyway... you're right. 17 days to go!!!!