2006 VCU Central

[tacrum43]

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very well said; however, you should have a better answer for the interviewer who asks you the same question!!! 🙄

Well of course. I was just attempting to be funny.

VCU seems like an awesome school actually, I'd be very happy to get an interview there, but I doubt that I will. I don't suppose it would help to call and be like "So, EVMS gave me an interview. Mind if I stop by your school for an interview on my way driving down to Norfolk?"

 

[LT2]

Well of course. I was just attempting to be funny.

VCU seems like an awesome school actually, I'd be very happy to get an interview there, but I doubt that I will. I don't suppose it would help to call and be like "So, EVMS gave me an interview. Mind if I stop by your school for an interview on my way driving down to Norfolk?"

it wouldn't hurt to let them know you'll be "in town"!

 

[labaholic2]

it wouldn't hurt to let them know you'll be "in town"!

honestly, i talked to that kenny guy. you can definitely know that you will be in town, but i doubt they will grant you an interview.

their list is ranked by priority score and nothing can move you up higher unless you have new grades, new mcats, or what not.

 

[tacrum43]

honestly, i talked to that kenny guy. you can definitely know that you will be in town, but i doubt they will grant you an interview.

their list is ranked by priority score and nothing can move you up higher unless you have new grades, new mcats, or what not.

Oh well. Thanks for the info though.

 

[jj08]

I don't suppose it would help to call and be like "So, EVMS gave me an interview. Mind if I stop by your school for an interview on my way driving down to Norfolk?"

Hey tacrum 🙂 -

Definitely ask to speak to Shenia (Kenny is sometimes out of it-- he told goinverted that the interview slots were booked up all the way until Feb) and definitely shoot Dr. Heldberg an email explaining your situation. You never know unless you try 😀 ! Actually, emailing Dr. H is your best option...

 

[zurned]

I'm amazed. Why are there so many responses in this thread? It seems like just any other thread except with VCU. Is this post special in any way to get so many responses?

 

[paceac]

Well of course. I was just attempting to be funny.

VCU seems like an awesome school actually, I'd be very happy to get an interview there, but I doubt that I will. I don't suppose it would help to call and be like "So, EVMS gave me an interview. Mind if I stop by your school for an interview on my way driving down to Norfolk?"

Is VCU more selective than EVMS?

 

[Pewl]

so why have you out of staters chosen to apply to VCU?

I'm from California too =P

We're screwed, so we need to look elsewhere too.

 

[tacrum43]

Is VCU more selective than EVMS?

Yeah, not a whole lot more, but it is more selective.

I'm amazed. Why are there so many responses in this thread? It seems like just any other thread except with VCU. Is this post special in any way to get so many responses?

Because all of us people interested in VCU are much more interesting than your average SDNer with a 40 and a 4.0, so we attract a lot more attention. 😛

Hey tacrum -

Definitely ask to speak to Shenia (Kenny is sometimes out of it-- he told goinverted that the interview slots were booked up all the way until Feb) and definitely shoot Dr. Heldberg an email explaining your situation. You never know unless you try ! Actually, emailing Dr. H is your best option...

I'm not sure if I have much of a situation to explain. It's not as if I'm flying across the country or something. Richmond is only about a 2 hour drive from DC.

I don't suppose it could hurt to e-mail her and just show interest.

Thanks jj

 

[jj08]

I'm not sure if I have much of a situation to explain. It's not as if I'm flying across the country or something. Richmond is only about a 2 hour drive from DC.

I don't suppose it could hurt to e-mail her and just show interest.

Thanks jj

You do have a situation 🙂 You don't have to say that you are only a 2 hour drive away! That's effort to make that 4 hr round trip trek! Just tell her that you are very interested in mcv/vcu and that you are going to be in the area for another interview and that you were hoping that mcv could might grant you an interview/possilby fit you in or something along that line! Good luck! 😀

 

[tacrum43]

You do have a situation 🙂 You don't have to say that you are only a 2 hour drive away! That's effort to make that 4 hr round trip trek! Just tell her that you are very interested in mcv/vcu and that you are going to be in the area for another interview and that you were hoping that mcv could might grant you an interview/possilby fit you in or something along that line! Good luck! 😀

Yes, my four-hour trek. Kind like on Gilligan's Island, except I think that was only three hours.

Thanks for the advice/encouragement. Good luck to you too! You're still waiting to hear back post-interview, right?

 

[ishqbina]

Hey guys,

I posted the message below earlier, but thought this would be the best place to ask. Please respond.

Fellow SDNers,

What's going? I was just wondering if anyone from the Richmond area or anyone who has been to Richmond could give me some input on the location of VCU school of medicine. When I visited VCU, I didn't feel like the medical school was in the ghetto. I actually liked the area and it seemed pretty safe. I don't really know too much about Richmond, but I have been hearing mixed responses from people. I feel like Richmond would be a great city to go to med school and live there (lots of restaurants, clubs, etc), but some say that it is not. Please let me know your thoughts and impressions. Thanks!

 

[linuxgrl]

Hey guys,

I posted the message below earlier, but thought this would be the best place to ask. Please respond.

Fellow SDNers,

What's going? I was just wondering if anyone from the Richmond area or anyone who has been to Richmond could give me some input on the location of VCU school of medicine. When I visited VCU, I didn't feel like the medical school was in the ghetto. I actually liked the area and it seemed pretty safe. I don't really know too much about Richmond, but I have been hearing mixed responses from people. I feel like Richmond would be a great city to go to med school and live there (lots of restaurants, clubs, etc), but some say that it is not. Please let me know your thoughts and impressions. Thanks!

Well, my folks live way out in Chesterfield (a suburb) but I think it's actually quite a nice place to live. There are plenty of decent places to eat, the Carytown area is especially nice. My dad commutes to work in Richmond every day so if you don't want to live near the school you don't have to. I've heard finding parking is somewhat tough, however. It's like any other city, I suppose... lots of really nice areas, some not-so-nice. Weather is pretty decent although they get a fair amount of snow in the winter. Hope this helps!

 

[Dave_med]

I have a VCU interview coming up and usually schools send a packet of info once an interview is granted....info on where to park, map, where to stay, etc. I haven't received anything. Should I expect anything in the mail prior to the interview or just use the info they give on the status update web page? Thanks.

 

[madi]

I have a VCU interview coming up and usually schools send a packet of info once an interview is granted....info on where to park, map, where to stay, etc. I haven't received anything. Should I expect anything in the mail prior to the interview or just use the info they give on the status update web page? Thanks.

While VCU doesn't send out a packet of information, a great deal of information is available on their web site as well as on the status update page. Just make sure you bring money for parking!! ($6-)

 

[jj08]

Thanks for the advice/encouragement. Good luck to you too! You're still waiting to hear back post-interview, right?

Yup-- waiting until December to hear some news. 🙂

Dave_med-

If you call the office and speak to Shenia she will tell you that you can park in the visitor lot and get your ticket validated so that you end up only paying $2-3 for parking. 🙂

ishqbina-
the medical school itself is not in the ghetto. You will find the ghetto if you wonder down Broad St. a few blocks. Like Linuxgrl said, you don't have to live close to the school b/c there are plenty of areas that are nice yet still convenient enough a commute for you. 🙂

 

[CoffeeCat]

Hey guys, I'm just joining the thread as someone who took the August MCAT and just got a secondary. I'm trying to catch up with everything, but I got confused from the beginning about the confusing emails!

Just wanted to say hi...hoping for an interview.

 

[LT2]

Hey guys, I'm just joining the thread as someone who took the August MCAT and just got a secondary. I'm trying to catch up with everything, but I got confused from the beginning about the confusing emails!

Just wanted to say hi...hoping for an interview.

welcome! congrats on the secondary and GOOD LUCK!

 

[jj08]

Hey guys, I'm just joining the thread as someone who took the August MCAT and just got a secondary. I'm trying to catch up with everything, but I got confused from the beginning about the confusing emails!

Just wanted to say hi...hoping for an interview.

Hi CoffeeCat 🙂

You are in good shape. After you submit your secondary you will either receive a vague message followed by an interview invite or not receive any vague messages (apparently there are 3 floating around) and receive an interview invite. In the end, you will probably receive an invite 😀 Lotsa luck to you!

 

[CoffeeCat]

Hi CoffeeCat 🙂

You are in good shape. After you submit your secondary you will either receive a vague message followed by an interview invite or not receive any vague messages (apparently there are 3 floating around) and receive an interview invite. In the end, you will probably receive an invite 😀 Lotsa luck to you!

Thanks! I sent my secondary right off, how long does it usually take to receive one of those incredibly ambiguous messages?

 

[Orth2006]

Any one get recent status update post interview (not the survey). I always prided myself as a patient person but at this rate I don't want to become a "patient".

Its officially a month this week since my interview and no word.

AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!

Wow that felt better. 😀

Should I call them? Anyone try this? Bad move?

 

[crazy_cavalier]

Any one get recent status update post interview (not the survey). I always prided myself as a patient person but at this rate I don't want to become a "patient".

Its officially a month this week since my interview and no word.

AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!

Wow that felt better. 😀

Should I call them? Anyone try this? Bad move?

My friend, you'll be waiting until Dec. 15. So you'll know in 1.5 months.

Good luck til then 🙂

 

[Orth2006]

My friend, you'll be waiting until Dec. 15. So you'll know in 1.5 months.

Good luck til then 🙂

I know about the Decemeber 15 time frame. I just thought they were supposed to tell you if your were on hold for acceptance or not prior that time. At least that was my understanding from my interview. Maybe I misunderstood.

 

[theunderdog]

I know about the Decemeber 15 time frame. I just thought they were supposed to tell you if your were on hold for acceptance or not prior that time. At least that was my understanding from my interview. Maybe I misunderstood.

hey, not to be bitter or anything, but at least u got to interview at vcu.

im still in that vague message hold thing.

 

[madi]

I know about the Decemeber 15 time frame. I just thought they were supposed to tell you if your were on hold for acceptance or not prior that time. At least that was my understanding from my interview. Maybe I misunderstood.

You're exactly right. You should be receiving a notice telling you whether or not you're on hold for acceptance or rejected after you receive the survey and prior to any actual acceptance offer. However, the ADCOM is falling behind quite a bit in reviewing the apps...I didn't receive a real post-interview update until 3 weeks after I interviewed.

If it helps, I've noticed that I never received any update from VCU on a day other than Wednesday. So theoretically, if you haven't heard from them by Thursday morning you can stop freaking out for a few days : P.

Good-luck!

 

[Orth2006]

hey, not to be bitter or anything, but at least u got to interview at vcu.

im still in that vague message hold thing.

Hey didnt mean to be insensitive - you right some others havent even gotten an interview.
Hope yours comes through
Good luck

 

[Orth2006]

You're exactly right. You should be receiving a notice telling you whether or not you're on hold for acceptance or rejected after you receive the survey and prior to any actual acceptance offer. However, the ADCOM is falling behind quite a bit in reviewing the apps...I didn't receive a real post-interview update until 3 weeks after I interviewed.

If it helps, I've noticed that I never received any update from VCU on a day other than Wednesday. So theoretically, if you haven't heard from them by Thursday morning you can stop freaking out for a few days : P.

Good-luck!

Thanks!! So after Wednesday no more freaking out. 😀

 

[Apparition]

Does everyone who submitted a secondary get one of the vague messages or straight interview? Does anyone just get rejected after being complete?

 

[crazy_cavalier]

You're exactly right. You should be receiving a notice telling you whether or not you're on hold for acceptance or rejected after you receive the survey and prior to any actual acceptance offer. However, the ADCOM is falling behind quite a bit in reviewing the apps...I didn't receive a real post-interview update until 3 weeks after I interviewed.

If it helps, I've noticed that I never received any update from VCU on a day other than Wednesday. So theoretically, if you haven't heard from them by Thursday morning you can stop freaking out for a few days : P.

Good-luck!

I received the following message

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.

You will receive no further communication from us concerning your hold status. The next status change will be to offer you a position in the class, to notify you that you have been placed on the alternate list in mid-March, or to notify you that the committee will no longer be considering your file. However, this page will have a message at the top indicating each time offers are made.

We thank you for your interest in our school.

I clearly see that I am on hold for action, but how am I supposed to interpret whether I'm holding out on an acceptance vs. a rejection?? 😕

 

[ShyRem]

I got that same message. It's a good thing - you're on hold for a potential acceptance. There have been folks that got flat-out rejected post-interview. As I understand, on 10/15 they only put out like 20 acceptances MAX and those to mainly in-state people.

 

[jj08]

Does everyone who submitted a secondary get one of the vague messages or straight interview? Does anyone just get rejected after being complete?

Not everyone who receives a secondary will receive an interview. I received the following info while I was there for my interview:

4800 applicants
2400 receive secondaries
1500 deemed acceptable for interviews
675 receive interviews
300 offers are made
184 matriculate

For those that do receive an interview, prior to the invite some applicants received one of three vague messages while others simply received the invite without the vague message.

I'm not sure but I think they do reject post-secondary.

 

[Apparition]

Not everyone who receives a secondary will receive an interview. I received the following info while I was there for my interview:

4800 applicants
2400 receive secondaries
1500 deemed acceptable for interviews
675 receive interviews
300 offers are made
184 matriculate

For those that do receive an interview, prior to the invite some applicants received one of three vague messages while others simply received the invite without the vague message.

I'm not sure but I think they do reject post-secondary.

Thanks!

So does receiving one of the three messages imply that I'm acceptable for an interview? That would mean that about a third of people that submitted secondaries don't get the vague message at all and are rejected?

 

[cfdavid]

FYI, I interviewed on 10/6 and I was notified today (11/2) that my application has been presented to the committee, and that the next update I receive will be an acceptance, a waitlist, or a rejection (in more or less words).

So, I've heard that the 10/15 acceptances were mostly in-state and only about 20 or so at that?

Anyone care to speculate what will happen for the next round mid-December?? (input other than speculation is also welcome, ofcourse)

 

[ShyRem]

The 10/15 acceptances were at most 20 people, and it seems they were mostly in-state. Here in SDN I can't recall anyone OOS that got accepted to VCU on 10/15. The 12/15 round should accept about 80 or 90 folks.

 

[Orth2006]

FYI, I interviewed on 10/6 and I was notified today (11/2) that my application has been presented to the committee, and that the next update I receive will be an acceptance, a waitlist, or a rejection (in more or less words).

So, I've heard that the 10/15 acceptances were mostly in-state and only about 20 or so at that?

Anyone care to speculate what will happen for the next round mid-December?? (input other than speculation is also welcome, ofcourse)

Congrats man. Sigh of relief on my part I just checked mine and got the same hold for acceptance, blah blah message

 

[beponychick]

Just got the "hold" email today as well. Do they really reject people?

 

[Orth2006]

You're exactly right. You should be receiving a notice telling you whether or not you're on hold for acceptance or rejected after you receive the survey and prior to any actual acceptance offer. However, the ADCOM is falling behind quite a bit in reviewing the apps...I didn't receive a real post-interview update until 3 weeks after I interviewed.

If it helps, I've noticed that I never received any update from VCU on a day other than Wednesday. So theoretically, if you haven't heard from them by Thursday morning you can stop freaking out for a few days : P.

Good-luck!

Hey madi I guess you were right. Wednesday is definetely a key day with VCU. Got my hold status for acceptance today.

 

[Orth2006]

Just got the "hold" email today as well. Do they really reject people?

Congrats!

They do eventually at the end if a person is to far down the waitlist I think and depending on how many of the initial acceptees actually matriculate. Anybody know their turnover rate - is that what its called?

 

[ShyRem]

I think someone posted earlier that out of 684 interviewed last year, 300 were accepted and 184 matriculated. I do know that they NEVER have more than 184 acceptances out at any time. Unlike other schools, VCU does not overaccept.

 

[busthwt]

I'm gonna join the, "I got my hold status" club. I guess the earlier poster was right about wednesday being the update day. I guess everyong still being considered is put on this list. Now the month long wait.

 

[cfdavid]

Congrats man. Sigh of relief on my part I just checked mine and got the same hold for acceptance, blah blah message

Thanks bro. You too. God I hope this works out! Good luck to you all.

 

[LT2]

also, from what i remember, they are always keeping a watch of the % of accepted in state and OOS students. the class hovers around 70% in state and 30% OOS.

 

[jj08]

Do they really reject people?

Yes, they do reject people post-interview.

ShyRem- are you serious about accepting only 80-90 for December?! That sorta sucks! 🙁

 

[ShyRem]

Well, that would put them at about 100 or 110 total acceptances by then.. lets them put out 40-50 for each January and March.

 

[ishqbina]

Hey guys,

What's going on? I just wanted to let you know that I am an OOS applicant who got accepted at VCU on 10/15. Good luck to you all who have interviews scheduled and those who are on the hold status. I'm sure you'll do fine! If you have any questions, please feel free to ask me. I will try to answer it to the best of my ability. Also, I was wondering, did they really accept only 20 students on 10/15. Where did people find that out?

Anyways, it's sorta late, so I'm gonna go to sleep. See ya!

 

[jbone]

Hey guys,

What's going on? I just wanted to let you know that I am an OOS applicant who got accepted at VCU on 10/15. Good luck to you all who have interviews scheduled and those who are on the hold status. I'm sure you'll do fine! If you have any questions, please feel free to ask me. I will try to answer it to the best of my ability. Also, I was wondering, did they really accept only 20 students on 10/15. Where did people find that out?

Anyways, it's sorta late, so I'm gonna go to sleep. See ya!

Sorry to bug you about this but do you mind telling me your stats? 😳 I loved the school and am on hold until December 15. It's killing me. Congrats on the invite and maybe I'll see you in the fall '06.
Why do they take so freakin long to let you know. I hate waiting. Thanks. 👍

 

[ShyRem]

Dr. H actually told us they only take about 20 on 10/15 on my interview day. My information for when and how many comes directly from that meeting. By the way, jbone, I'm waiting until 12/15 too. I loved that school, too...

 

[jbone]

Dr. H actually told us they only take about 20 on 10/15 on my interview day. My information for when and how many comes directly from that meeting. By the way, jbone, I'm waiting until 12/15 too. I loved that school, too...

Maybe I'll see you there 👍 . I hate this waiting game. When did you interview? I interviewed October 12th. Missed 10/15 cuttoff by - this much. Damn.

 

[MangoKisses]

If any of y'all are out there, I just wanted to say hi! It was nice to meet you, and good luck!

 

[drmota]

has their review process severely slowed or something? i've been complete for over a month and haven't gotten any sort of weird status update or anything, its still just under review. any clue?
-mota