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

[Bahadur]

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I've noticed the high number of Ca-ians also. At my interviews as well. Lots of Ca people going to med school I guess! All I ask is that you bring some sunshine with you if you come to Va.

Haha as long as VA (which is a pretty cool state in my opinion) accepts us, we'll bring all the sunshine we can.

So i emailed the Admissions Office today and they said that the waitlist should be created soon and our status pages will reflect that sometime next week (most likely Monday).

 

[VanessaC]

WOOHOO! Thanks for the info.That's great. I'll be waiting for the sunshine (it's been raining here for A WHOLE WEEK, though we needed it).

 

[avs0913]

Status page/email rejection. Gotta love two in one day.

 

[VanessaC]

Oh no. Sad to hear that. I hope you have other schools to look forward to! Good luck.

 

[Fp02c]

Status page/email rejection. Gotta love two in one day.

I got the same. Rejected post secondary. It was a nice rejection though. Here is what they said:

" Your file has been reviewed by the Admissions Committee. The overwhelming numbers of applications have made it simply impossible to interview all of the candidates who may be qualified to attend medical school. At this time, we are out of interview space and regret that we are unable to interview you.

The review of your file indicates that you have some fine qualities. While we are unable to interview you this year, we would suggest you consider reapplication if you are not accepted to another medical school.

We recognize and regret the disappointing nature of our decision and we wish you the best of luck in your future plans. "

 

[VanessaC]

Wow. That really was a nice one! And I have to say that I feel very strange saying that. I think that's better than the one I got last year from EVMS! Good luck to you.

 

[Bahadur]

Sorry to hear about that avs... maybe something better is on the way

 

[windcolour]

After searching the whole thread, I found the OOS Stats for 2007:

Applied: 4,887
Interviewed: 383
Accepted: 205
Attended: 80

It seems more than 40% people were accepted from the waiting list on 2007.

Does anyone have the data for 2008?

Thanks.

 

[Spoonbig21]

After searching the whole thread, I found the OOS Stats for 2007:

Applied: 4,887
Interviewed: 383
Accepted: 205
Attended: 80

It seems more than 40% people were accepted from the waiting list on 2007.

Does anyone have the data for 2008?

Thanks.

Where did you find this? Or could someone post the instate stats?

 

[windcolour]

Where did you find this?

The person who provided the OOS stats did not give the information for IS.

You may find it by a through search of the whole thread.

 

[umass_md]

everyone saw this posted on the status page, right?

"03/19/2009
The Waitlist for VCU School of Medicine is being analyzed this week. Offers to fill the class were made and emails were sent to those candidates on March 16. Waitlist notices will be available by March 27, 2009."

 

[FF430]

The person who provided the OOS stats did not give the information for IS.

You may find it by a through search of the whole thread.

The number accepted for instate is very similar (~202-208)

But i was wondering if some one knew the stats from 2007-2008 application cycle?

 

[classesarefun]

I called the Admission's office today and was told there will be no second-look program this year. There is a virtual second look webpage.
Anyway, I am still on hold and waiting for the waitlist to be generated... would really love to attend VCU..
does anyone know about making an appointment with dean WC? I came across that under the FAQ on the school website.
To all those accepted, congrats!! To all of us still waiting, best of luck!!

 

[phinee16]

Thanks for everyone who called and shared the information.

Good luck!!

...so tired of waiting....anxiety is kicking in so much now

 

[taf081]

I called the Admission's office today and was told there will be no second-look program this year. There is a virtual second look webpage.
Anyway, I am still on hold and waiting for the waitlist to be generated... would really love to attend VCU..
does anyone know about making an appointment with dean WC? I came across that under the FAQ on the school website.
To all those accepted, congrats!! To all of us still waiting, best of luck!!

Actually...I got this letter in the mail from VCU saying that although they cannot accept me now, they want me to come for their 2nd look...first weekend in April....anyone else get this?

 

[Fiko18]

I was accepted back in December and 2 weeks ago I got a letter in the mail inviting me to a 2nd look weekend in April

 

[theoc47]

I called yesterday to double check. And I was told that since I did not hear from them on the 16th (no acceptance or rejection) that means that I will be placed on the waiting list which will be composed sometime next week.

I tried to get some hints from her regarding how many people on average get off the waitlist, but she gave me a very vague answer saying that it varies highly from year to another.. I did not want to ask more and more questions fearing that they might change my status to "annoying" list.. 😉

never got anything regarding a 2nd look or financial aid, neither did I ask!!

Anybody found the stats for IS and OOS waitlisted people from 07-08 (last year)??

thanks a million future Docs. Its amazing that we're already helping each other succeed. This shows how rewarding and unselfish medicine (doctors) is/are.. 😀

 

[taf081]

I was accepted back in December and 2 weeks ago I got a letter in the mail inviting me to a 2nd look weekend in April

April 3rd and 4th?...

 

[sabai sabai]

Actually...I got this letter in the mail from VCU saying that although they cannot accept me now, they want me to come for their 2nd look...first weekend in April....anyone else get this?

I didn't know VCU used snail mail!? When did you get the letter? Does it say you are on the alternate list?

 

[VanessaC]

Likewise from me: Thanks to everyone for sharing so much information! You all are wonderful, and I hope that I get to work with you all in the future.

 

[JamieMD]

Oddly enough, I was accepted back in Oct. and never received any correspondence about Second Look, real or virtual. *shrug*

 

[ATrim7]

Oddly enough, I was accepted back in Oct. and never received any correspondence about Second Look, real or virtual. *shrug*

weird

 

[taf081]

I didn't know VCU used snail mail!? When did you get the letter? Does it say you are on the alternate list?

I got the letter a couple weeks ago...says nothing about an alternates list...but it says im NOT accepted...yet...so I'm guessing that means wait list?

For those who are accepted...is the 2nd look weekend the 3rd and 4th of April?...or is mine different.

 

[nka1985]

I got the letter a couple weeks ago...says nothing about an alternates list...but it says im NOT accepted...yet...so I'm guessing that means wait list?

For those who are accepted...is the 2nd look weekend the 3rd and 4th of April?...or is mine different.

2nd look was cancelled this year.

 

[chad5871]

I got the letter a couple weeks ago...says nothing about an alternates list...but it says im NOT accepted...yet...so I'm guessing that means wait list?

For those who are accepted...is the 2nd look weekend the 3rd and 4th of April?...or is mine different.

I haven't heard a thing about second look weekend - when I called the admissions office they told me there would only be an online one due to budget cuts this year.

Speaking of which, guess what I just found? http://www.medschool.vcu.edu/audience/openhouse.html

 

[luckyducky87]

Hm so I don't know if I misread or misinterpreted some posts, but when I called today, I was told that we'll be notified as to whether we are on the waitlist or if we are going to be rejected later this week (or maybe they said next week?). Unfortunately for some odd reason, I was assuming that since I hadn't heard back on 3/16 I was neither accepted nor rejected so I was essentially already on the waitlist... Sigh.

 

[Fiko18]

So I finally got some clarification about the second look weekend. I called VCU today and asked them why I had received a letter invite for a Second Look weekend while others that had been accepted have not received anything. I also asked about the Virtual Second Look. This was the answer I received from Donna Jackson who is in charge of the Second Look: "The Virtual Second look is for all the applicants that were accepted, the school was originally going to cancel a second look weekend but the student association decided to host one and only a certain group of applicants that were accepted were invited and those are the students that listed themselves as a minority on their applications"

Those were pretty much her exact words. Just wanted to pass on what I heard and clear up some confusion.

I am still contemplating whether I will go or not.

 

[ChimpanzeeMinky]

So I finally got some clarification about the second look weekend. I called VCU today and asked them why I had received a letter invite for a Second Look weekend while others that had been accepted have not received anything. I also asked about the Virtual Second Look. This was the answer I received from Donna Jackson who is in charge of the Second Look: "The Virtual Second look is for all the applicants that were accepted, the school was originally going to cancel a second look weekend but the student association decided to host one and only a certain group of applicants that were accepted were invited and those are the students that listed themselves as a minority on their applications"

Those were pretty much her exact words. Just wanted to pass on what I heard and clear up some confusion.

I am still contemplating whether I will go or not.

What? God, I hope that's not true.

 

[funkydrmonkey]

What? God, I hope that's not true.

Why not? A lot of schools offer extra Second look days for minority applicants.

 

[ChimpanzeeMinky]

Why not? A lot of schools offer extra Second look days for minority applicants.

Well, that's awful. Not as bad as having it just for minority applicants, but awful nonetheless.

 

[blurryLines]

Well, that's awful. Not as bad as having it just for minority applicants, but awful nonetheless.

Yeah, I really don't understand why minority students need a second look visit more than the rest of the accepted applicants. I've seen this at a few schools now. It seems to me that everyone should be extended the same opportunity. I don't think singling out minorities does them or anyone else a service.

 

[ohhoho]

Yeah, I really don't understand why minority students need a second look visit more than the rest of the accepted applicants. I've seen this at a few schools now. It seems to me that everyone should be extended the same opportunity. I don't think singling out minorities does them or anyone else a service.

my interviewer told me that VCU wants minorities like me.... during my interview. i am an east-asian american from california. but i'm not accepted/waitlisted/rejected yet.

 

[luckyducky87]

I find this pretty awful. I went to talk to a mentor of mine today, in the chemistry dept, because I'd been waitlisted at multiple schools and no yes from anywhere, and I was very frustrated. She said she was pretty shocked and thought that it's unfortunately, but probably due to my demographics, which I have no control over. And it just stinks a bit. Not really sure why we should be viewed separately based on our minority vs. non-minority statuses.

 

[Chuck's Right Foot]

I think you guys are missing the point of minority recruitment. Nobody wants a class of all white middle class males. There is an agenda to recruit minorities... Not just any minority, but qualified and capable people. Not being a minority isn't going to keep you out of a program. But diversity in higher education is difficult to navigate and produce desirable results.

 

[ohhoho]

I find this pretty awful. I went to talk to a mentor of mine today, in the chemistry dept, because I'd been waitlisted at multiple schools and no yes from anywhere, and I was very frustrated. She said she was pretty shocked and thought that it's unfortunately, but probably due to my demographics, which I have no control over. And it just stinks a bit. Not really sure why we should be viewed separately based on our minority vs. non-minority statuses.

it's not that sad. but it is about competition against people who "look" like you. dr. whitehurst-cook even said that. only a OOS asian male seat is open will a OOS asian male from the WL get in.

why else would med schools want your photo pictures...
i find the process quite shallow, challenging, and mind inspiring. this application is comparable to a class that's not offered else where. i'd do it again if i don't get in this year.

don't give up! it's only almost april.

 

[windcolour]

it's not that sad. but it is about competition against people who "look" like you. dr. whitehurst-cook even said that. only a OOS asian male seat is open will a OOS asian male from the WL get in.

Is this true?

How anout the ranking of score assigned to each applicant after interview?

 

[ChimpanzeeMinky]

Is this true?

How anout the ranking of score assigned to each applicant after interview?

He's right. First they align the ethnicity/gender, and then they go with the highest ranked from that group.

As for the second look, everyone should either be offered a second look or nobody should. Why choose yet another forum in which to discriminate (discriminate: make a distinction)?

 

[jh8cw]

I think there are a couple reasons why this sort of action is justified.

1. There have to be major incentives for medical schools to have more URMs on their roster. [This one's a no brainer, especially if there is major funding from the government, etc].

2. Society is racially divided. Local politics inevitably reflect this phenomenom ie. African Americans are usually leaders in African-American communities, Hispanics are leaders in Hispanic communities, and Asians [although not URM, if not overly representative] are leaders of Asian communities.] I know Obama is our current president, but the fission is still out there and understandably so in our cultural climate. I'm sure that the rationale is that key health leaders will follow suit and this is the reason for the funding mentioned above.

Overall, I can agree with some of your sentiments (re: inequality, unfairness) against this preferential minority treatment, but it's a no brainer to why medical schools are pooling students in this manner. It's a racially divided world we live in [on average]. Personally, I think economic background is a fairer way to tip the advantage towards, but that's a whole another can of worms -- as people can/will manipulate/exploit this AIG-style.

Anyways, I care more about what is than what should be at this stage in the game. Best of luck to all of you who are still waiting like myself.

 

[JaDud6PG]

while we're still on the subject (before the mods decide to delete all these posts b/c they're too "charged") ...

I really doubt the fairness of affirmative action. From what I've observed, the minorities who end up getting interviewed and accepted are from middle/upper class backgrounds. They had the means and support they needed to achieve academic success just like every other student from middle/upper class backgrounds. Some have so much that affirmative action becomes overkill. Ex: a friend of mine is Mexican with subpar stats (3.4, 29). He's very well-off (drove a BMW 650i to school, which his parents gave him). And he got into a ivy league medical school. He even bragged about how he was contributing to the diversity of the school.

Now give those stats to a white male who grew up in the south side of Chicago. His skin color will likely guarantee that he'll never get into any school (barring a miracle).

Given this example, I don't think it's hard to see the inequality of AA.

Like jh8 said, economic background is a safer way to implement AA.

 

[chad5871]

while we're still on the subject (before the mods decide to delete all these posts b/c they're too "charged") ...

I really doubt the fairness of affirmative action. From what I've observed, the minorities who end up getting interviewed and accepted are from middle/upper class backgrounds. They had the means and support they needed to achieve academic success just like every other student from middle/upper class backgrounds. Some have so much that affirmative action becomes overkill. Ex: a friend of mine is Mexican with subpar stats (3.4, 29). He's very well-off (drove a BMW 650i to school, which his parents gave him). And he got into a ivy league medical school. He even bragged about how he was contributing to the diversity of the school.

Now give those stats to a white male who grew up in the south side of Chicago. His skin color will likely guarantee that he'll never get into any school (barring a miracle).

Given this example, I don't think it's hard to see the inequality of AA.

Like jh8 said, economic background is a safer way to implement AA.

Well that's one reason you can apply as "disadvantaged" even if you're not URM.

 

[unlimited22]

well if it makes some of you feel better i am part native american, have good stats, and i still didn't get into this school. i'm hoping for a waitlist spot. so who knows

 

[JaDud6PG]

Well that's one reason you can apply as "disadvantaged" even if you're not URM.

Don't think that carries as much weight though

 

[phinee16]

I thought we were hearing soon. These week seems to be dragging on.

 

[Bahadur]

We should be hearing today or tomorrow by the latest.

 

[emkrueger]

good luck to everyone else waiting to hear for the waitlist today!

...its like december 15, February 2 and March 17th all over again...

 

[chessodoc]

good luck to everyone else waiting to hear for the waitlist today!

...its like december 15, February 2 and March 17th all over again...

Who said we hear from waitlists today?

 

[Spoonbig21]

If some people didn't take the acceptance from VCU last Friday will they hand out a few acceptances today along with wait list and rejection updates?

 

[sabai sabai]

Who said we hear from waitlists today?

On the login screen there is an update that says waitlists will be sent by today at the latest.

Good Luck to Everyone waiting....myself included!!!

 

[Bahadur]

If some people didn't take the acceptance from VCU last Friday will they hand out a few acceptances today along with wait list and rejection updates?

hmm thats a good question.

AHHHH i hate this craziness. IT'S BANANAS I TELL YOU !!!

haha sorry. Best of luck to everyone

 

[VanessaC]

Too bad they didn't give us the time... the we could sit by out computers like crazies again.