2007 MCV Central

[Instatewaiter]

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Members do not see this ad.

This is the generic message that means you have gone to the Adcom and very little else. Since, like the message says, they only send out offers at certain times, you cannot tell if you will be accepted or 'deferred' to the next set of offers.

I think people who are rejected do not have to wait until the dates b/c there is a set point at which people are flat out rejected (3.5). They get the message immediately. So +Ve I don't think you will be rejected, at least not at this point.

I am going to repost something I posted earlier just to clear some things up for people.


Here is how the admissions process works at MCV:

Initially you send in a primary application and a 'file reviewer' reads it and gives you a 'priority score'. Based on that score you are granted a secondary or not.

When you send in the secondary the file reviewer reads it and gives you another score. This score will rank you for getting an interview. When they get to the group that has your score, you will be allowed to sign up for an interview.

Then you go in for your interview. You do the normal things, meet with the dean, do the interview, take the tour. You interviewer then scores the interview.

Usually every Monday the Adcom meets to discuss the candidates. MCV is genearlly backed-up so they discuss people who came in few weeks before. There are, if I remember correctly, 30 people on the Adcom but not everybody can make it each week. Your application is projected on a screen and everyone in the adcom looks over it and begins to find weaknesses in the application. Your file reviewer and your interviewer are your 'advocates.' They are the people on your side and are trying to promote you. When someone brings up a concern about your application it is their job to say, "Oh well in the essays he/she addressed this in such and such manner." OR "we talked about that in the interview and she/he had this to say about that." Unless you pissed them off or really are a weak applicant, they are going to be a major help to you.

Anyway, after all the discussion is through, each person present gives you a score on a 1 to 5 scale. 1 being the ideal applicant, Mr or Mrs Perfectmedicalstudent and 5 being the worst score. You can get half points too. So 1.5 is the second best score you can get. So the 'priority scores' from your file review and your interview score really don't go into the final score that ranks you but those numbers will give the rest of the Adcom an idea of how strong the interviewer and file reviewer thought you were.

Once everyone has put in a score for you, they take the highest and lowest score and throw them out to prevent skewing and then average the rest. The average is your 'Score' and it is averaged to 2 decimal places. This score does not change and this is the way that you are ranked if you are put on the waitlist. There of course will need to be 'tie-breakers' between people with the same score. The first tie breaker is undergraduate GPA. The second is MCAT score.

A score of 3.5 or above is an automatic rejection. Below that you are either in or waitlisted. Three years ago the highest (worst) score that was granted admission was a 2.7. A two years ago I believe was a 2.3. Last year it was even lower. The trend has been for better, more qualified students to apply making it harder to get in.


There is very, very little change in the number of IS and OOS applicants that are let in. Every year there are 184 M I's at the beginning of the year. Based on the money given by the Va assembly 104 are instate and 80 are out of state. That really does not change. When the waiting list is created they make 2 waiting lists. One is instate and the other is out-of-state. If an instate kid does not take his offer, that spot is filled by another instate kid not an out-of stater. Same goes for out-of-staters, if one gives up a spot, that spot is filled by an OOS.

Generally the out of state waitlist moves much much faster than the instate list because fewer people from Va give up an acceptance.

 

[score12905]

I interviewed at VCU on December 12 and got this status update just this saturday [1/6/07]:

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, January 15, and March 15.

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.

We thank you for your interest in our school.


For those who are familiar with VCU admissions, is this just an update that adcom has discussed your file or perhaps a sign that they're still interested in you? Would they have flat out rejected me if they were going to rather than wait till January 15th?. Well, I'll stay positive and hope for an offer in 1 WEEK. Good luck everyone.

wow, that is a quick turn around (interview on the 12th and then file review by Jan 6. i am assuming they took the week off for christmas and new years.) hopefully i will get a similar email today saying they discussed my file.

in response to the admissions comments, i think medical school is much more than just numbers. anyone who is familiar with any type of admissions process knows that it is certain experiences and types of volunteer work that can set your application apart. Sure, you need a basic amount of knowledge but a low MCAT score doesn't necessarily mean you are an idiot. volunteer expriences can show your dedication to the field of medicine as well as your maturity in exploring a field before deciding you want to spend the rest of your life in it. for me, my interview was based mostly on my medical volunteer work with very little focused on grades. there are a lot of factors that play into the admissions process. a great interviewer doesn't just have spectacular answers. you have to show the staff and admissions comittee that you really want to attend their school. That means asking lots of questions, showing that you know a lot about the school, talking to all of the staff and being polite, going outside your comfort zone to show versatility.

in the end, i think, it comes down to whether or not you will make a good medical student. it requires being both a good student and having a genuine desire. if you can communicate both through your application, you have a good shot.

 

[score12905]

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[score12905]

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[PugMD]

Regarding whether or not VCU has relied on numbers or a great interview, I personally believe that my interview at VCU was fabulous - low stress, and an interviewer that was engaging and exciting to talk to. In fact, our interview went a half-hour over the alloted 1 hour time, cutting into the presentation by the dean. I felt very lucky in that I had a few things in common with my interviewer, including the fact that we lived minutes apart from each other. My interviewer absolutely hated SDN, but if she's out there, I'm sure she knows who this is, so hello! 😀

Contrary to my VCU interview, I was somewhat bummed about my performance at EVMS. I had a panel of 3 interviewers, and while they were all very pleasant, they attempted to stump me a few times. Not knowing answers to a couple of questions I felt they would surely throw me to the wolves. I was very, very pleased and suprised to find out that I was accepted right away. Having spent last summer on EVMS' wait list after a much better interview, I thought the best I would see was the wait list.

My experiences this application period leads me to believe that VCU has made an effort to boost averages and make this season a numbers game. I know this is contrary to the previous post suggesting a success with a very low MCAT, but I have no doubt that my interviewer fought hard for me in front of the committee. In fact, my interviewer mentioned that she was planning on me getting in EDP, and was kind enough to invite me for some shadowing in the following weeks. I won't mention names, but if you get this person, you will know right away that you are in for a great chat.

EVMS on the other hand has relied much more on my interview this go around. They were quick to discuss what they considered "great letters of rec" and a "very passionate PS." While I don't think that the interview was perfect, I think they attempted to stump me to see whether or not I would flutter around or simply admit that I really had no idea. My stats and experience are good but not GREAT, and feel confident assuming EVMS is placing much more emphasis on the interview than numbers.

 

[PugMD]

quick ?.

so you need a basic score to get an interview, right (maybe something like a 3). If your interview goes well, there's no way your score can go less than that initial score you got from your interview, right?

the reason that i am asking is because i think i have a strong application but my mcat scores are low. if they didn't already find it enough of a hinderance to grant me an interview for mcat scores, will it be enough to flat out reject me? i know that this is a really tough general question. i think the interview went extremely well, prob. the best that i could have hoped for. but my mcat scores are low and it is starting to cause me to second guess my chances there.

Well, I'm sure there are people without great stats that get in due to references or other experience. We can act like its not a factor, but some people may have great relationships with others on the adcom, or more likely they may have long time family friends within the adcom. Even if the adcom is 30 members large, a good relationship with one could mean they are more than happy to step forward and attempt to convince others that you are much much more worthy than your numbers suggest.

If you had a good interview, I don't think you have much to worry about. While I do think they are focussing on numbers, the fact that they interviewed you shows that they are interested in you as a competetive applicant. Otherwise they wouldn't have wasted their time.

One more thing: if you think you had a great interview, you should sit back and relax. Seriously - you now know that if it doesnt work out this go around it is because of your numbers, and I'm sure that over the next year you can do plenty to pull them up. If things arent looking good by March 15, apply quickly to post-bacs or plan on working to improve other areas of your app. I'd be much more content with a solid interview than thinking your numbers are perfect but you screwed your chances with a botched interview.

 

[score12905]

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[Instatewaiter]

quick ?.

so you need a basic score to get an interview, right (maybe something like a 3). If your interview goes well, there's no way your score can go less than that initial score you got from your interview, right?

the reason that i am asking is because i think i have a strong application but my mcat scores are low. if they didn't already find it enough of a hinderance to grant me an interview for mcat scores, will it be enough to flat out reject me?

The scores that allows you to get a secondary or that for an interview or the score for the interview are all completely indpendent from your final 'score' that determines whether you get in or not.

The 'score' is not determined by the interviewer or the file reviewer but rather by the group of 30 or so members of the adcom. They each score you and then those scores are averaged. So while this score is independent of the score of your file review and your interview score, the file reviewer and intervewer are both your advocates; so if both of those scores were strong, chances are the will really push for you to get in.

Of course, since the final score is determined by the the averaged scores of the 30 members, if they have issues with your MCAT or GPA (or whatever) that the interviewer didn't, you could most definately get rejected. The first time I applied I was flat out rejected after my interview (i had a terrible GPA).

Don't stress yourself out. They found you fit to get an interview so unless you have a really low MCAT you'll be fine

 

[score12905]

so i just recieved an email saying i got a status update, but it turns out it was just the survey from the interview. oh well...🙁

 

[sethyG]

hey instatewriter, you seem to be pretty knowledgable about vcu, what how low do u think is a low MCAT that they wouldn't consider? are u saying low low as in 20? or as in 24 thanks!

 

[score12905]

The scores that allows you to get a secondary or that for an interview or the score for the interview are all completely indpendent from your final 'score' that determines whether you get in or not.

The 'score' is not determined by the interviewer or the file reviewer but rather by the group of 30 or so members of the adcom. They each score you and then those scores are averaged. So while this score is independent of the score of your file review and your interview score, the file reviewer and intervewer are both your advocates; so if both of those scores were strong, chances are the will really push for you to get in.

Of course, since the final score is determined by the the averaged scores of the 30 members, if they have issues with your MCAT or GPA (or whatever) that the interviewer didn't, you could most definately get rejected. The first time I applied I was flat out rejected after my interview (i had a terrible GPA).

Don't stress yourself out. They found you fit to get an interview so unless you have a really low MCAT you'll be fine

so if you do not recieve an update of a status of hold, does that mean that they have not yet discussed your application?

Basically, does everyone get the hold status email and then a decision on the 15th? Or do some people not hear anything until the 15th (ex. they recieve no email about hold status and just get accepted on the 15th)?

 

[FFwannabeMD]

so i just recieved an email saying i got a status update, but it turns out it was just the survey from the interview. oh well...🙁

Oh man... I had my interview in mid-October, and they stressed that the earliest decision would be made on December 15th and that if we heard anything back before then, it could only be a rejection. So that we should hope not to hear anything until December.

Needless to say, when I got the "Status update" email for the survey a couple days after my interview, I'm pretty sure I lost consciousness.

Goes to show you that it ain't over til it's over, and I need to consume less caffeine. 🙄

 

[Instatewaiter]

hey instatewriter, you seem to be pretty knowledgable about vcu, what how low do u think is a low MCAT that they wouldn't consider? are u saying low low as in 20? or as in 24 thanks!

MCAT Cutoff?

Well it really depends. There is a person in the class above me who has a 20! Granted he is from Nigeria and english is not his native language but it means there is a wide spread. I would expect a reasonable cut-off would be around a 25. But remember, >95% of people with that score or lower will get rejected. MCV/VCU is very good at looking at the whole candidate, so people with 'lower' scores still have a great chance. But those who get in with lower stats have done something truly extraordinary, not just shadowing some doctors. Now remember, for every person who gets a low score there are many others with very high scores to even it out. I can think of multiple people in my class with scores in the upper 30s, and its not like the MCAT is really discussed on a regular basis in med school.

so if you do not recieve an update of a status of hold, does that mean that they have not yet discussed your application?
Basically, does everyone get the hold status email and then a decision on the 15th? Or do some people not hear anything until the 15th (ex. they recieve no email about hold status and just get accepted on the 15th)?

Does Everyone Get a Staus E-mail Who Has Gone to Committee?

I don't really know but it seems like the logical progresion to get an interview, in a few weeks get discussed and then you get the e-mail. Since everything is computerized once they put in your score from the Adcom it should send you the e-mail. I could see it happening that if you had one of the last interview dates for that set of offers the computer may not send you the e-mail. But again, I am not possitive.

If it seems like a long time after your interview (longer than 2-3 weeks) I would call them just to make sure. Last year I was put in a 'hold' pile when I shouldn't have been which delayed me 3 weeks. I interviewed Jan 12th and didn't hear anything until ~march 17th.

Again, not everyone will hear anything on the 15th. If you have gone to commitee but are not accepted, you will be pushed along until the next round of acceptances is given.

 

[potus8585]

do you guys think you have a certain home field advantave at VCU med if you do undergrad at VCU? one of my friends got accepted in Dec from vcu undergrad with a 3.4 GPA and 25 MCAT....the only somewhat impressive thing she had done was an internship at VCU for the head ofsome deptartment.....but that guy wasn't on the addcom....anyways just interested in what u guys thought!

I know almost for a fact sethy G that vcu's admin committee looks highly favorably on people who have good personal rec letters from big names at vcu (i don't know who in particular u were talking about, but the fact that the head of whatever dept wrote a good personal rec letter about your friend could have definitely tipped the balance)....despite low mcat scores, the GPA of 3.4 isn't that low, very close to VCU's avg of 3.5....hope this help some!

 

[score12905]

anyone get an update that the commitee discussed their file? i think the last interview date that someone has heard something is dec 12

 

[sethyG]

I know almost for a fact sethy G that vcu's admin committee looks highly favorably on people who have good personal rec letters from big names at vcu (i don't know who in particular u were talking about, but the fact that the head of whatever dept wrote a good personal rec letter about your friend could have definitely tipped the balance)....despite low mcat scores, the GPA of 3.4 isn't that low, very close to VCU's avg of 3.5....hope this help some!

thanks potus8585....actually I've heard the exact same thing...and yea this guy who wrote the rec letter for her was the chairman of vascular surgery or something....so yea basically he was a big deal. Good luck to everyone on January 15th!!!

 

[score12905]

does anyone know how many spots for interviews are left? when do they stop interviews, i am guessing the last week in Feb. if they have to evaluate everyone by march 15.

only a couple more days...well prob. more like a couple months..😕

 

[TakingBakSunday]

I don't remember there being a tab for March when scheduling an interview, so I think you're right that it's the last week in February. The only way to estimate how many interviews are left to be offered would be to have someone who has been offered an interview but not attended yet to count how many slots are available.

 

[iheartcheerios]

i remember logging on to their site about 2-3 weeks ago and it mentioned that there were around 60 interview spots left.

 

[jwnduke]

i remember logging on to their site about 2-3 weeks ago and it mentioned that there were around 60 interview spots left.

Yes, I remember this too, but it is no longer on there. I don't know why they would have taken down this notice, but they have.

 

[Bleu]

That would seem right. Last year I was waitlisted and had one of the last interviews available which was the third wk of Feb. Also, over 100 offers are already out. 20-Oct, 70-Dec, 20-honors highschool(see previous post by instater). I'm sure the Jan-15 batch is decided so that leaves a small number for March 15. If I am correct last yrs offers made on March 15 were less than 40. I could be wrong but you can check the 2006 MCV thread.

 

[Instatewaiter]

Yeah I remember something similar in tems of acceptances in march.
There really aren't many interview or acceptnace spots left. The glimmer of hope is that the waitlist generally moves pretty well. Unlike some schools MCV does not at any time have more acceptances out than their class size (184). That means that even though there are only 40 spots left, once the waitlist is made and people begin to drop acceptances, immediately someone will be taken off the waitlist. Some schools will accept a lot more people than their class size before march 15th. That way when people start denying acceptances they have a buffer and don't have to go to the waitlist. These schools tend to have much less waitlist movement.

I have heard people say that up to half of the class comes from the waitlist so don't loose hope if you are not accepted now or in march.

 

[score12905]

That would seem right. Last year I was waitlisted and had one of the last interviews available which was the third wk of Feb. Also, over 100 offers are already out. 20-Oct, 70-Dec, 20-honors highschool(see previous post by instater). I'm sure the Jan-15 batch is decided so that leaves a small number for March 15. If I am correct last yrs offers made on March 15 were less than 40. I could be wrong but you can check the 2006 MCV thread.

i think there are only 100 offers out now. in early jan, someone from the admissions office told me that they accepted 80 students so far. so that plus the 20 from h/s (if it is even that much because some don't stay in the program) should be around 100 or less.

and i also heard some stat that close to half of the class comes from the waitlist but i think that is more for out of state students then in state.

 

[PugMD]

Come on snake-eyes... come on snake-eyes... daddy needs a new degree!!

 

[score12905]

the adcom is doing its last evaluations this monday and then giving acceptances out tuesday(thats what they said eventhough the website ays the 15th). good luck to everyone.

 

[pufferfish]

the adcom is doing its last evaluations this monday and then giving acceptances out tuesday(thats what they said eventhough the website ays the 15th). good luck to everyone.

so no more interview invites? 🙁

 

[score12905]

so no more interview invites? 🙁

pufferfish,

i didnt mean there are no more interviews. what i meant is that a lot of us who have interviewed within the last month or so haven't heard anything yet. that means that the adcom hasn't discussed our applications yet. the acceptance date is tuesday, and if we don't hear anything by monday about our files being revieiwed that means that they haven't gotten to us yet.

good luck everyone!

 

[whatnow]

Hi All,

I am a Virginia resident...and MCV is the only school that hasn't rejected me yet (in VA). I'm keeping my fingers crossed but am unsure of my chances.

My stats: 3.97 undergrad GPA in Chemistry, Masters of Public Health Degree in May, 24 eek MCAT....2 publications, clinical research experience.

I'm sure UVA and EVMS just laughed when they saw that MCAT score...from what ya'll are saying it seems MCV does a good job of looking at the whole applicant.

What do you think? I've still got that sketchy message about "we like you, but we cant like everyone"...

 

[score12905]

Hi All,

I am a Virginia resident...and MCV is the only school that hasn't rejected me yet (in VA). I'm keeping my fingers crossed but am unsure of my chances.

My stats: 3.97 undergrad GPA in Chemistry, Masters of Public Health Degree in May, 24 eek MCAT....2 publications, clinical research experience.

I'm sure UVA and EVMS just laughed when they saw that MCAT score...from what ya'll are saying it seems MCV does a good job of looking at the whole applicant.

What do you think? I've still got that sketchy message about "we like you, but we cant like everyone"...

have you gotten an interview yet? from what another student said earlier in this forum, a person with a 3.4 and a 25 was accepted in December to MCV.
you have a very high undergrad GPA so maybe you will get lucky. if not this year, you should probably retake your MCAT again soon.

 

[PugMD]

Hi All,

I am a Virginia resident...and MCV is the only school that hasn't rejected me yet (in VA). I'm keeping my fingers crossed but am unsure of my chances.

My stats: 3.97 undergrad GPA in Chemistry, Masters of Public Health Degree in May, 24 eek MCAT....2 publications, clinical research experience.

I'm sure UVA and EVMS just laughed when they saw that MCAT score...from what ya'll are saying it seems MCV does a good job of looking at the whole applicant.

What do you think? I've still got that sketchy message about "we like you, but we cant like everyone"...

It's really tough to say. While I don't think that your high GPA makes up for the low MCAT, your Masters will help you out a bit. If you've got good experience and a great interview under your belt, I'd say you have good chances this year. But, I wouldn't be too bent out of shape if it doesn't work out for your this go around - you can definitely pull that MCAT up and have an even better shot next year.

 

[ShyRem]

Be careful about pinning hopes on the waitlist -- last year very few got off the waitlist... FAR FAR fewer than in previous years.

 

[Instatewaiter]

Honestly your chances are slim. The GPA is exceptional and the MPH doesn't hurt but the MCAT is very low. As I said before I know of a few people in the class above me who have lower MCATs. They do however have a very strong application in addition to the numbers; they really have a 'hook' that made the Adcom choose them. For example, one spent a year in Tibet studying the Tibetan children with relation to PTSD and was subsequently published.

MCV is good at looking at the whole applicant but with low numbers it is really an uphill battle.

 

[Instatewaiter]

Be careful about pinning hopes on the waitlist -- last year very few got off the waitlist... FAR FAR fewer than in previous years.

Not only did the waitlist not move much but it was much, much more difficult to get in normally as well.

Last year I believe this was because they decided to try out interviewing 900 students as opposed to the normal 650 making the competition much more intense. I am pretty sure they went back to the 650 this year. Not sure what bearing this will have on waitlist movement but it should make it a bit easier to get in normally.

On a non-related note, how is UNECOM Shy?

 

[whatnow]

I really appreciate all of ya'lls honesty. If only people had been honest with me when I was deciding whether I still had a shot if I applied this year...I wouldn't be so darn depressed all the time. It would have saved me a lot of money, pain and tearful days. I wish I could say the rejections get easier, but they don't...for now, I'm still holding on to MCV...

 

[pufferfish]

I really appreciate all of ya'lls honesty. If only people had been honest with me when I was deciding whether I still had a shot if I applied this year...I wouldn't be so darn depressed all the time. It would have saved me a lot of money, pain and tearful days. I wish I could say the rejections get easier, but they don't...for now, I'm still holding on to MCV...

don't let anyone get you down--you never know. unless it's an adcom member or the actual rejection...keep your chin up and to you and all of us waiting!

 

[potus8585]

I really appreciate all of ya'lls honesty. If only people had been honest with me when I was deciding whether I still had a shot if I applied this year...I wouldn't be so darn depressed all the time. It would have saved me a lot of money, pain and tearful days. I wish I could say the rejections get easier, but they don't...for now, I'm still holding on to MCV...

hey whatnow, how long have you had the sketchy notice for? the "we're interested in you but..." notice?

 

[whatnow]

hey whatnow, how long have you had the sketchy notice for? the "we're interested in you but..." notice?

I dont remember exactly, but I've definitely had it more than 6 weeks...

 

[PugMD]

anyone else feel like Christmas is coming tomorrow? Let's hope Santa thinks I've been a good boy.

 

[score12905]

I dont remember exactly, but I've definitely had it more than 6 weeks...

I had that notice for less than a week, so you never know.

 

[ShyRem]

Not only did the waitlist not move much but it was much, much more difficult to get in normally as well.

Last year I believe this was because they decided to try out interviewing 900 students as opposed to the normal 650 making the competition much more intense. I am pretty sure they went back to the 650 this year. Not sure what bearing this will have on waitlist movement but it should make it a bit easier to get in normally.

On a non-related note, how is UNECOM Shy?

UNE is pretty awesome. We went to block exams this year, so rather than having exams spread out every few weeks, we have 8 exams in three days every 7 weeks or so, with several classes being one-shot deals. So far, tho, I've passed everything so I'm pretty stinkin' happy. And finding my groove for studying (although being done with gross helps).

Back to MCV, to give y'all an indication of last year: I was told I would definitely get off the waitlist, but not until early in the summer. Historically that's meant early May. I never got off, and in fact it wasn't even close to getting to me on the list. The list really just didn't move much at all. Good luck to y'all waiting... Been there. MCV was my only other choice above UNE. I hope you all get your top choices. 🙂

 

[Bleu]

Shy is correct the waitlist didn't move last yr and I don't expect it to move this yr especially, for instate students. Noone is giving up their spot at MCV!

I cried when I found out I was waitlisted. Waited 2 wks after the May 15 deadline started to run and never looked back. Filed amcas on June 5 and still was delayed bc they lost my transcripts. Interviewed in Oct. but my interviewer held me for 1st semester grades. I kept focused and hit a 4.0 although, I have yet to receive an email update so I have not gone to committee. I have to hope for better news this yr but if not I will try again next yr. MCV is the only school I applied to and my stats are competitive(top of the waitlist) but I'm NOT a 4.0, 40.

 

[PugMD]

Shy is correct the waitlist didn't move last yr and I don't expect it to move this yr especially, for instate students. Noone is giving up their spot at MCV!

I cried when I found out I was waitlisted. Waited 2 wks after the May 15 deadline started to run and never looked back. Filed amcas on June 5 and still was delayed bc they lost my transcripts. Interviewed in Oct. but my interviewer held me for 1st semester grades. I kept focused and hit a 4.0 although, I have yet to receive an email update so I have not gone to committee. I have to hope for better news this yr but if not I will try again next yr. MCV is the only school I applied to and my stats are competitive(top of the waitlist) but I'm NOT a 4.0, 40.

Your interviewer decided to hold off on presenting you to the committee until your senior fall grades came in? What a douche, what was the reasoning for that?

 

[Bleu]

I'm in graduate school and I assume it was to present the best candidate possible. Every student is evaluated carefully once you make the interview and I have to believe that the choice was made in my best interest.

It's better to have a lower(better) committee score in Jan than to be scored in Oct and have a higher(worse) committee score. You could win the Noble prize and it wouldn't change your score once you go to committee.

Regardless, you are correct, it makes me late. I'm already focusing on next yrs application so I'm well on my way if indeed the waitlist or rejection is my fate for 2007.

 

[PugMD]

I'm in graduate school and I assume it was to present the best candidate possible. Every student is evaluated carefully once you make the interview and I have to believe that the choice was made in my best interest.

It's better to have a lower(better) committee score in Jan than to be scored in Oct and have a higher(worse) committee score. You could win the Noble prize and it wouldn't change your score once you go to committee.

Regardless, you are correct, it makes me late. I'm already focusing on next yrs application so I'm well on my way if indeed the waitlist or rejection is my fate for 2007.

I could see it being a benefit if you were doing a medical masters or other similar program... Depends on what type of graduate program as to whether or not it would benefit you much. Anyhow, hope it works to your advantage and you get some luck in the coming months.

 

[Instatewaiter]

I'm in graduate school and I assume it was to present the best candidate possible. Every student is evaluated carefully once you make the interview and I have to believe that the choice was made in my best interest.

It's better to have a lower(better) committee score in Jan than to be scored in Oct and have a higher(worse) committee score.

Shy those blocks of exams must be a killer. While exams every few weeks are a pain I am sure they are much less stressful than what you go through.


Bleu: I was put on hold until my first semester grades for the MCV Certificate Program came in. It puts you at a bit of a disadvantage, but it's better than going to committee w/o those grades.

So to the whole medical masters, feel like not that many people know about them. I definitely didnt until I had applied the first time around. Also called SMPs (special masters programs) they are 1 year programs (graduate level) where you basically take the first year curriculum of medical school to improve your credentials.

You can find these programs all over the country. There are a bunch around Va: Georgetown, EVMS and MCV/VCU all have one.

They are decent back-up plans for those who don't get in, especially people who have lower GPAs.

 

[score12905]

for those who were waitlisted last year and didnt get in:

when did you interview (last year)?

how were your stats(gps/mcat)?

what did you do with your year off?

how did you improve your app?

i know these seem like annoying questions but i guess i am preparing for the waitlist too this year. just wanted some advice from people who went through the process last year.

 

[jackjohn]

Anyone here anything today so far? Do we know if they are going to give out acceptances today or tommorow since its MLK Day today?

 

[PugMD]

Anyone here anything today so far? Do we know if they are going to give out acceptances today or tommorow since its MLK Day today?

Someone above said that they were postponing acceptances until tomorrow because of the holiday.

 

[PugMD]

for those who were waitlisted last year and didnt get in:

when did you interview (last year)?

how were your stats(gps/mcat)?

what did you do with your year off?

how did you improve your app?

i know these seem like annoying questions but i guess i am preparing for the waitlist too this year. just wanted some advice from people who went through the process last year.

I would prepare for a possible wait list by looking into the SMP programs suggested by InstateWaiter. I wish I had known about them last year - and you need to start getting applications in for these program in the next couple of months. I know the Med Masters program at EVMS has a deadline of April 1.

 

[pufferfish]

Is anyone familiar how MCV goes about rejecting you post-secondary, do they tell you to check your status page or send you an email? Does this occur on the 15th with everyone else?

Losing hope :<