2008-2009 Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) Secondary Application Thread

[Isis24]

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I was told that the first meeting would be today. At that point, a group of 30 or so people rate you from one to five. They take the average of that, and that is your "priority score". one is the best, and five is the worst. Anything under 3.5 is a rejection, but you won't find out anything until October 15th. As of the day of the meeting, you should get a 'hold' message as your status. EVERYONE gets this message, and it doesn't mean anything. Those people with the highest priority score will be accepted first (October 15th, at the earliest). The rest will have to wait until Dec 15th, then Feb 15th, etc... So if your status doesn't change on October 15th....it means that you weren't accepted and you have to wait until December for the next possible news.

 

[MedSchoolMan]

I was told that the first meeting would be today. At that point, a group of 30 or so people rate you from one to five. They take the average of that, and that is your "priority score". one is the best, and five is the worst. Anything under 3.5 is a rejection, but you won't find out anything until October 15th. As of the day of the meeting, you should get a 'hold' message as your status. EVERYONE gets this message, and it doesn't mean anything. Those people with the highest priority score will be accepted first (October 15th, at the earliest). The rest will have to wait until Dec 15th, then Feb 15th, etc... So if your status doesn't change on October 15th....it means that you weren't accepted and you have to wait until December for the next possible news.

Thanks Isis,
So do such meetings occur every Monday on a weekly basis?

 

[chad5871]

Go to one of the street vendors around the campus. My personal favorite is the Caribbean place.

Yeah, that's what I would like to do - I just didn't know if it was an option for interviewees. I like the Thai Cabin too.

On average, how long is it taking to get an answer? I have been complete since 7/28, and I have heard nothing. I've looked at some MDapps profiles, and others have gotten answers within a month. I'm coming up on 6 weeks. Should I call just to make sure everything's okay?

I say just give them a call. They are very helpful over the phone and I don't think it would hurt.

 

[ChimpanzeeMinky]

Yeah, that's what I would like to do - I just didn't know if it was an option for interviewees. I like the Thai Cabin too.

The good thing about doing it with the student tour guides is that they'll be buying you the lunch!

 

[SchruteFarms]

Has anyone who's received the following message been granted an interview?

"The committee's file review indicates that they wish to consider your file over the next several weeks before making a decision about interview. Since they have some reservations about granting an interview, your file will be reviewed again by a small sub-committee before making a final decision. Please continue to check this site to learn when further action has been taken."

I don't know if this is a bad message to get....

I got that message a few weeks ago, and got an interview invite a couple days ago...I have no idea what their reservations were in the first place, but apparently they changed their mind...VCU's system baffles me, good luck

 

[Bibbed]

They have tables allocated for you to eat in the cafeteria and little pre-paid $7 cards for each student. At my interview day it would have been awkward if someone went off to eat somewhere else.

 

[chad5871]

They have tables allocated for you to eat in the cafeteria and little pre-paid $7 cards for each student. At my interview day it would have been awkward if someone went off to eat somewhere else.

Okay cool. Thanks for the info.

I'll have to remember to take my Employee ID so I get my discount.

 

[chessodoc]

I also got this message:

The committee's file review indicates that they would like to consider your file further. We are now in the process of scheduling interviews and will continue to do so through February

Whats the consensus?

 

[Bibbed]

I also got this message:



Whats the consensus?

I got it and got an interview the next day.

 

[drelizabeth292]

no email for me yet. 😕

 

[chad5871]

I also got this message:

Whats the consensus?

In-state or out-of-state?

 

[Bcblazer]

I'm out of state, and received the above message as well, and have heard nothing for a good while. I did apply MD/PhD, and my stats are below their average for that program, but they haven't rejected me yet, so we'll see. When I called a couple of weeks ago, they told me I was on hold, so I guess I still am.

 

[chad5871]

I'm out of state, and received the above message as well, and have heard nothing for a good while. I did apply MD/PhD, and my stats are below their average for that program, but they haven't rejected me yet, so we'll see. When I called a couple of weeks ago, they told me I was on hold, so I guess I still am.

Yeah, they are definitely prioritizing IS over OOS, especially this early in the cycle. It's good that you haven't been rejected yet - I hear they send a lot of interview invites for OOS applicants with lower priority scores toward the second half of the interview season.

 

[Chuck's Right Foot]

Is there anyway to figure out if you have a high/mid/low priority score other than the message (I got the MAY message as an OOS).

I drove by the campus and liked the feel of it. So I'm even more sold than I already was!

 

[g5chand]

My second MCAT score hasn't come in.... Already rejected 🙁

 

[JamieMD]

My second MCAT score hasn't come in.... Already rejected 🙁

I would contact the Admissions office and let them know that you have taken the MCATs again. This happened to a friend of mine who got rejected before his 2nd set of scores came out. He contacted VCU and they put his application on hold.

 

[majahops]

Based on your MDapplicants profile, I'd project your VCU standing to be high priority. But thats just me.

Is there anyway to figure out if you have a high/mid/low priority score other than the message (I got the MAY message as an OOS).

I drove by the campus and liked the feel of it. So I'm even more sold than I already was!

 

[Chuck's Right Foot]

Based on your MDapplicants profile, I'd project your VCU standing to be high priority. But thats just me.

Awww shucks. Thanks.

 

[chad5871]

Yeah, I would say that your priority score should be high, especially since you got the "MAY" message. According to what I've heard at several of VCU SOM's presentations, it seems that MCAT and GPA are a large chunk of the pre-interview priority score.

 

[Orange86]

Received "MAY" message in mid-August....it is now mid-September. Any thoughts as to what may be going on? I am OOS

 

[chessodoc]

I got it and got an interview the next day.

I definitely did not! haha

In-state or out-of-state?

Out-of-state, should I check back in during december?

 

[chad5871]

Out-of-state, should I check back in during december?

I have a feeling you might be on hold for a little bit because you're OOS - an interview invite is probably forthcoming, just not in the immediate future.

By the way this is all speculation - I am hoping you get an invite ASAP! Good luck!

 

[francisco84]

Hey all, just a couple things:

1) http://forums.studentdoctor.net/showthread.php?t=446625
that was last year's thread, there is an FAQ in the first post that should be very helpful. The OP might want to consider editing his original post to include that

2) If there is a Part II to this thread there really should be a reference to "MCV" in the title... In Richmond and amongst most doctors the school is still known as MCV. (It actually took me a little while to find this thread because I was looking for MCV instead of VCU, haha)


Best of luck to you all

 

[yungk19]

To any Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) School of Medicine applicants and/or VCU med students out there,

I'm concerned about my current status right now as a pre-interview and out-of-state (California) applicant. On 8/6, I received the updated applicant status about my HOLD for a possible interview...the one that begins with, "The committee's file review indicates that they would like to consider your file further." On other forum posts, it says that applicants with this status usually takes about anywhere from a couple of days or longer for the status to be updated (for an actual scheduled interview). However, it's been a little over a month since I received that message. How often is it that applicants with this status will NOT be scheduled for an interview by February? I appreciate your feedback.

 

[halekulani]

complete since 8/19
not a blip :[

 

[happygirl]

To any Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) School of Medicine applicants and/or VCU med students out there,

I'm concerned about my current status right now as a pre-interview and out-of-state (California) applicant. On 8/6, I received the updated applicant status about my HOLD for a possible interview...the one that begins with, "The committee's file review indicates that they would like to consider your file further." On other forum posts, it says that applicants with this status usually takes about anywhere from a couple of days or longer for the status to be updated (for an actual scheduled interview). However, it's been a little over a month since I received that message. How often is it that applicants with this status will NOT be scheduled for an interview by February? I appreciate your feedback.

i've been waiting for a long time, too! So frustrating!

 

[call me x]

Hey all, just a couple things:

1) http://forums.studentdoctor.net/showthread.php?t=446625
that was last year's thread, there is an FAQ in the first post that should be very helpful. The OP might want to consider editing his original post to include that

2) If there is a Part II to this thread there really should be a reference to "MCV" in the title... In Richmond and amongst most doctors the school is still known as MCV. (It actually took me a little while to find this thread because I was looking for MCV instead of VCU, haha)


Best of luck to you all

that link did have some very helpful info on the status postings for vcu....i am unfortunately in the apparently most-negative "have some reservations" status group.....anyone have any info on if this status generally leads to rejection or if there is hope? sorry if this has been addressed earlier but any feedback would be greatly appreciated!!!

 

[DomFowler]

After the primary app., does VCU screen very closely? I submitted my primary on Aug 13th, and still have not received secondary

I am OOS w/ a 30 mcat and 3.6 gpa


any idea's what could be the problem?

 

[call me x]

After the primary app., does VCU screen very closely? I submitted my primary on Aug 13th, and still have not received secondary

I am OOS w/ a 30 mcat and 3.6 gpa


any idea's what could be the problem?

i don't think you will be screened out considering you have better stats than me....hold on a little longer or call/e-mail them......from what i hear they are very nice there!

 

[Soccerdoc11]

i am unfortunately in the apparently most-negative "have some reservations" status group.....anyone have any info on if this status generally leads to rejection or if there is hope? sorry if this has been addressed earlier but any feedback would be greatly appreciated!!!

I am also in that "negative" group, also curious if any knows about this or how much longer I will most likely wait for an answer.. Little surprised considering my stats but maybe just because I'm OOS.

 

[Chemist0157]

In reference to these updates, are you all receiving them through email or just on the website? I haven't heard anything in forever!

 

[chad5871]

After the primary app., does VCU screen very closely? I submitted my primary on Aug 13th, and still have not received secondary

I am OOS w/ a 30 mcat and 3.6 gpa

any idea's what could be the problem?

When was your AMCAS verified? Becuase VCU screens based on your MCAT, ECs, AMCAS GPA, etc., they have to receive your entire application which only happens after it's been verified. After that, it goes to a reviewer who selects applicants to receive a secondary application. It's likely that the reviewer with your application has other duties (teaching, research, patient care, etc.) and screening applications is not their priority at the moment. I think you should be hearing from them soon - probably within a month of your verification date. Don't forget that the peak season for AMCAS submission is the end of July/beginning of August, so you submitted right during the busiest time for schools. They probably also have a backlog of apps to review.

In reference to these updates, are you all receiving them through email or just on the website? I haven't heard anything in forever!

Both. You'll receive an email (mine have all come at 6:04 pm EST) that states that your application status has changed. When you login to the application system then it will tell you what your new status is.

 

[DomFowler]

When was your AMCAS verified? Becuase VCU screens based on your MCAT, ECs, AMCAS GPA, etc., they have to receive your entire application which only happens after it's been verified. After that, it goes to a reviewer who selects applicants to receive a secondary application. It's likely that the reviewer with your application has other duties (teaching, research, patient care, etc.) and screening applications is not their priority at the moment. I think you should be hearing from them soon - probably within a month of your verification date. Don't forget that the peak season for AMCAS submission is the end of July/beginning of August, so you submitted right during the busiest time for schools. They probably also have a backlog of apps to review.

I was verified by AMCAS on Aug 10th. But I sent my app to VCU on Sep 2nd.

Most other schools I applied to, sent me a secondary within a week, while the two Virginia schools haven't sent me anything. (VCU and EVMS).

 

[chad5871]

I was verified by AMCAS on Aug 10th. But I sent my app to VCU on Sep 2nd.

Most other schools I applied to, sent me a secondary within a week, while the two Virginia schools haven't sent me anything. (VCU and EVMS).

It's probably because both of them screen applicants before giving them a secondary. Give it another week or so. If you haven't heard from them at that point, send them an email.

 

[airmax]

i just got the invite to interview today! but i was shocked to find out that the first available date for interviews were in january. based off of this thread, it sounds like a lot of people already had their interviews. think ill be interviewing for an acceptance spot or interviewing for a wait list spot?

 

[sidalexis]

i just got the invite to interview today! but i was shocked to find out that the first available date for interviews were in january. based off of this thread, it sounds like a lot of people already had their interviews. think ill be interviewing for an acceptance spot or interviewing for a wait list spot?

The months start with January, but you can go further down the list and select from October, November, etc... Just back from interview today. It's really laid back so don't stress!

 

[utahjazz]

I am also in that "negative" group, also curious if any knows about this or how much longer I will most likely wait for an answer.. Little surprised considering my stats but maybe just because I'm OOS.

I was in the negative hold group and was rejected about a month and a half after receiving the message.

 

[Soccerdoc11]

I was in the negative hold group and was rejected about a month and a half after receiving the message.

well that's cool lol... maybe I was just too late in comparison to the rest of applicants.. it's far from my top choice anyways.

 

[pianola]

I've had the MAY message since August 5th...

Is there anything I can do besides wait? 🙁

 

[pianola]

Received "MAY" message in mid-August....it is now mid-September. Any thoughts as to what may be going on? I am OOS

Yeah, same here...maybe other posters can answer our questions. I've been complete at VCU for a month and a half. I do hope they aren't about to reject me 🙁

 

[call me x]

I was in the negative hold group and was rejected about a month and a half after receiving the message.

this is not good news......i really like vcu's program.....i knew my mcat (and gpa too haha) were going to screw me this cycle 🙁

 

[RoadRunner17]

The committee's file review indicates that they would like to consider your file further. We are now in the process of scheduling interviews and will continue to do so through February. Unfortunately, the committee indicates interest in far more candidates than we are able to interview. Since we are dependent on the Committee member's schedules for interview spaces, we are unable to predict when or if we will be able to schedule you this year. Please continue to check this site to learn when further action has been taken.

So what does this mean again? I looked at that FAQ link and its still not that clear. This is a good thing (just not a great thing) right?

 

[EWAustin]

Hey, just to give my 2 cents. Having been complete since August 2nd and receiving the "may" message on August 14th, I finally got my interview invite. Also, as a side note I am OOS and my stats are not the greatest 30O and 3.29 GPA's. However, my GPA is all based on one failed semester more than ten years ago and I am proud of my medical experiences. So, to all those still waiting good luck and keep up the hope.

Thanks

 

[pianola]

Hey, just to give my 2 cents. Having been complete since August 2nd and receiving the "may" message on August 14th, I finally got my interview invite. Also, as a side note I am OOS and my stats are not the greatest 30O and 3.29 GPA's. However, my GPA is all based on one failed semester more than ten years ago and I am proud of my medical experiences. So, to all those still waiting good luck and keep up the hope.

Thanks

Congratulations!

[Maybe more OOS invites are on the way (wishful thinking?)]

 

[RoadRunner17]

Never mind my previous message, I just read through the entire thread (yeah, all 12 pages of it) in the past hour and it seems like its a plus, but not as big a plus as it could possibly be (as its smack dab in the middle of the 5 possible outcomes that people have reported). Time to go back to waiting...

 

[halekulani]

got the review file further update
argh.

 

[203712]

Anyone know if the priority score still applies once you've been invited to interivew?

For example, I got the "we are Very interested.....immediate interview..." message a long time ago. Is VCU still in love with me, or once i've been invited, everyone is on a level playing field.

im not gona lie...i liked all the love 🙄

 

[smoke47]

Anyone know if the priority score still applies once you've been invited to interivew?

For example, I got the "we are Very interested.....immediate interview..." message a long time ago. Is VCU still in love with me, or once i've been invited, everyone is on a level playing field.

im not gona lie...i liked all the love 🙄

I believe that your post-interview score is some how merged with your original priority score. Dont know if the two are averaged or added or something else though...

 

[Instatewaiter]

An initial file reviewer reads you applicaiton. They give you a score which will determine when you get an interview.

Then you do you interview and the interviewer and the file reviewer become your advocate. Your application is projected onto the wall and the adcom reads through your application. People discuss you with your file reviewer and interviewer pulling for you and answering questions (Adcom member 1: "so bob had a poor GPA" Interviewer: "well in his interview he addressed that by saying x").

At the end of discussion each member gives you a number 1-5. 1 is best. The high and low are thrown out and the rest are averaged. That is your priority score. It is taken to 2 decimal places. First tie breaker apparently is GPA second is MCAT, unless things have changed.

Anything above a 3.5 is an automatic rejection. Anything below that you wait until they get to your priority score. You may interview in september only to be pushed along until the waitlist forms.

In the past years the priority score accepted has been decreasing because of competitiion.

 

[Live4Life]

At the end of discussion each member gives you a number 1-5. 1 is best. The high and low are thrown out and the rest are averaged. That is your priority score. It is taken to 2 decimal places.

This sounds like the method used to judge gymnastics at the olympics