2008 VCU/MCV Central

BU Medical Sciences
This forum made possible through the generous support of SDN members, donors, and sponsors. Thank you.
Members don't see this ad.
pseudoknot said:
Med schools are all pretty much the same...if the tuition difference is really double as you say (and you've gotten financial aid offers from both schools) then you would be CRAZY not to let that make your decision for you. Take this from a current med student who's paying $60k+/year.

Richmond's not bad. I'm coming from LA and SF, so I've seen better, but really it's a lot better living here than I thought it would be from the visit. Most of the other stuff you mentioned is really pretty superfluous. Ultimately med school is all about you and the material. And your massive debt at the end, limiting your choices of what specialty you can go into and where you can live 😀
Click to expand...
well i haven't recieved any scholarship $$ from either school. as a minority student, i recieved money from the historically black schools but haven't gotten anything from either vcu or gw school. how would i even go about inquiring? just shoot them an email- what would it even sound like?
 
Spartan123 said:
well i haven't recieved any scholarship $$ from either school. as a minority student, i recieved money from the historically black schools but haven't gotten anything from either vcu or gw school. how would i even go about inquiring? just shoot them an email- what would it even sound like?
Click to expand...
Just email or call the financial aid offices and ask when the offers will be going out, assuming you've filled out all the paperwork. If you've been accepted then this is something they ought to tell you before you have to make a decision...it's not like a legal obligation or anything but it's very reasonable for you to expect that info.
 
for everyone who was place on the waitlist this round, did you all get a status page update prior to the update which says something like "the committee had reviewed your file and will make a decision in March??"
 
biztomedindc said:
for everyone who was place on the waitlist this round, did you all get a status page update prior to the update which says something like "the committee had reviewed your file and will make a decision in March??"
Click to expand...

Yes. after interviewing my page was updated to say "The committee has reviewed your file, the next correspondance will be on Oct 15, Dec 1, Feb 1, or March 15 to inform you of acceptance, rejection, or placement on the waiting list". Then my page was updated to tell me I was on the waiting list and gave me the option to stay on it or not.
Hope that helps. Do you have a status update yet?!
 
Thanks, I never got that status update page after the interview. The only thing I had was that survey page up after my interview until now. Also, I never received a waitlist status, so I finally called the office. They told me that my file had no status in it, (not waitlisted, not rejected, not accepted) and told me I should follow up in Dr. WC. Finally I got an email from her telling me that I am on the waitlist.

Did you ever call the office after the interview? I am afraid that they might have fogotten me and the committee never reviewed me. I should have called earlier to inquire. Although I did send a letter of intent early March too. any comments from anyone?
 
You must feel relieved to finally know, biztomed. Congrats on being waitlisted. Not rejected, right?

About being waitlisted. I don't know if all of you people being waitlisted have this problem, I'm sure you do. I'm looking for a job now and people want me to promise them at least a year..in my desperation for a job, I am now thinking of promising them that. And if, if I do get into VCU this year, I'm thinking of deferring. Anyone have any idea how deferment works? I tried looking it up on the website- nada. Can anyone defer entry after being accepted for any reason or does it have to be approved or be valid like TFA? Any suggestions? I'd really appreciate any.
 
Kneige said:
And if, if I do get into VCU this year, I'm thinking of deferring. Anyone have any idea how deferment works? I tried looking it up on the website- nada. Can anyone defer entry after being accepted for any reason or does it have to be approved or be valid like TFA? Any suggestions? I'd really appreciate any.
Click to expand...

The policy two years ago was that you could defer if

- you asked before June 15th
- you had a "good reason"
- you agreed NOT to apply to other schools in the next round

I don't know what the full span of good reasons is or if the policy has changed. I wanted to defer because I was about to get married and my wife was still in a graduate program, and they had no problem with it. I'd recommend talking to them abut it after you get an acceptance though.
 
I applied really early this year and interviewed really late. Does that mean I had a low priority score? If thats the case it also means that I am the bottom of the waitlist.
 
biztomedindc said:
Thanks, I never got that status update page after the interview. The only thing I had was that survey page up after my interview until now. Also, I never received a waitlist status, so I finally called the office. They told me that my file had no status in it, (not waitlisted, not rejected, not accepted) and told me I should follow up in Dr. WC. Finally I got an email from her telling me that I am on the waitlist.

Did you ever call the office after the interview? I am afraid that they might have fogotten me and the committee never reviewed me. I should have called earlier to inquire. Although I did send a letter of intent early March too. any comments from anyone?
Click to expand...

I was in the same place you were. I had interviewed in fall 2007 at MCV, and I never received a status update. It was until one of my friends who got in said they received a survey status update and then a status update telling them they were reviewed. I found this out 60days after I interviewed, then contacted everyone within the admissions office and their response was along the lines of "oops your interviewer forgot to present you to the committee, well do that asap" and then the following monday I was reviewed and had a status update. They screwed up big time, b/c I went through two acceptance dates (dec 15 & feb1) without even being reviewed and having the opportunity to be presented to the committee. So now i am on the waiting list....
Obviously I was not happy.
As for you...I really hope they did present you to the committee.

good luck.
 
oh gosh, you are kidding me, I apparently did not find out until AFTER the March 15th. Penny21705, would you mind PMing me? I was wondering who you interviwed with? That's like not being interviewed until now basically. I have a feeling I never got presented.
 
waitlisted at this school......and want to attenddddddddddddddddddd
 
another Patel who wants to attennndddddd and is waitlisted
 
has anyone contacted Dr. WC to see if she might give u a hint about where u r on the waitlist?
 
So about the second look and the waitlist-
The top 50 people on the WL were offered an invitation to the second look. So if that was you congrats.
 
Instatewaiter said:
So about the second look and the waitlist-
The top 50 people on the WL were offered an invitation to the second look. So if that was you congrats.
Click to expand...

so what does it mean for those of us, uninvited waitlisters? we will most likely be rejected at the end?🙁
 
No, not at all. I would guess that usually more that 2x that comes off the waitlist.


Those asked to the second look will, in all likelihood, get in, which is why they were included in the second look. Beyond that it depends on the year but traditionally there is a good amt of WL movement.
 
During the interview day, did anyone hear Dr. WHC talk about the ranking system? And what rank (out of 5) would be automatically rejected? Or just any other general information she may have said about it?
 
Instatewaiter said:
So about the second look and the waitlist-
The top 50 people on the WL were offered an invitation to the second look. So if that was you congrats.
Click to expand...

Was it the top 50 from the IS waitlist, and the top 50 from the OOS waitlist, or the top 50 overall, or just the top 50 for the IS waitlist?
 
Hey guys,

I was really impressed with VCU and I like the richmond area quite a bit. I have a cousin who got accepted and is planning on attending VCU. Is a letter of Intent useful....I am holding an acceptance from another school, but would choose VCU over the other school if I was accepted. Also, how does one go about writing a letter of intent?
 
penny21705 said:
During the interview day, did anyone hear Dr. WHC talk about the ranking system? And what rank (out of 5) would be automatically rejected? Or just any other general information she may have said about it?
Click to expand...

See the very first post on this thread (page 1). It will cover all of that.

JSB235 said:
Was it the top 50 from the IS waitlist, and the top 50 from the OOS waitlist, or the top 50 overall, or just the top 50 for the IS waitlist?
Click to expand...

I am not sure. I was just told the top 50. Maybe it is 25 from each or maybe all instate. I do not know.

Lacynica said:
Hey guys,

I was really impressed with VCU and I like the richmond area quite a bit. I have a cousin who got accepted and is planning on attending VCU. Is a letter of Intent useful....I am holding an acceptance from another school, but would choose VCU over the other school if I was accepted. Also, how does one go about writing a letter of intent?
Click to expand...

Technically they say that your priority score is what determines your WL rank and your priority score, once given by the Adcom, is unchangeable. So perhaps the LOIs dont do much for MCV.

That said, I wrote one and I recommend people write one if they rank MCV as their first choice. It can't hurt and perhaps it will help. Plus I think it is therapeutic; at least you feel like you did something to get yourself off the WL.

Basically what a Letter of interest should include involves 3 things.
1) Why you liked the school and that you are interested
2) Why you would be a good fit (could exclude this)
3) Any PERTINENT updates that you have

A letter of intent would include the above plus a statement that if accepted you would attend (basically saying MCV/VCU is your #1)

Some pointers-
Dont ramble on and on. Keep it short and simple. Concise is the word of the day. I cant tell you how many LOIs I have seen that are really long. If it is too long you lose the point of the letter- to get the attention of someone in the Adcom.

If your grades have remained the same or your updates aren't all that impressive dont include them. Nothing like a lack-luster update to steal the momentum of the letter.

Keep the "why you like the school" part short. You dont need to detail every little thing about the curriculum that you think is good. It comes off as brown nosing. A few sentences should suffice highlighting perhaps the Foundation of Clinical medicine course or the small group sessions or team based learning or organ based system or the huge hospital or availability of reaserch or camaraderie of the student body...
 
In speaking to a member of the admission committee, I understood a letter of intent may make a difference under the following circumstances: As the Admissions Office moves down the wait list, naturally, they will see many applicants with the same score (ie 2.3). They are allowed GREAT DISCRETION in how they select from applicants with the same ADCOM score. This is the circumstance when items such as letters of intent, addl letters or rec, and special items on your application make a difference.

Good luck from one WL to the others!!

PS US NEWS & World Report states that in the 2006 cycle, there were 410 acceptances for 184 positions, so, conceivably, the entire class could come from the wait list.
 
Having just gone to the second look program yesterday, I can say that the '50' waitlisters were from all demographics, OOS/IS/female/Male. It was just the top 50, however those demographics broke down.
 
penny21705 said:
Having just gone to the second look program yesterday, I can say that the '50' waitlisters were from all demographics, OOS/IS/female/Male. It was just the top 50, however those demographics broke down.
Click to expand...

So what did you think of the second look? Was it worth going?
 
penny21705 said:
Having just gone to the second look program yesterday, I can say that the '50' waitlisters were from all demographics, OOS/IS/female/Male. It was just the top 50, however those demographics broke down.
Click to expand...

If you don't mind my asking -- did it seem to you that most of the 50 showed up? As someone on the sub-50 waitlist, I'm just curious as to how many people in the top 50 are serious about the school (and would likely go if accepted)...
 
What was second look like? What'd you guys do all day?
 
Sartre said:
If you don't mind my asking -- did it seem to you that most of the 50 showed up? As someone on the sub-50 waitlist, I'm just curious as to how many people in the top 50 are serious about the school (and would likely go if accepted)...
Click to expand...

Approximately 100-150 people showed up (waitlist + accepted students) out of the 50 waitlist and 192 accepted students. I met approximately 2:1 waitlisted people to accepted students. From what I gathered from Ms Mack, Almost all waitlist people showed up - even from out of state.

The Program was nice, a little long, but gave more insight into the entire Medical campus ( dental, pharmacy, nursing, allied health, medical), new constructions, future construction and fiscal plans, more about the dean and national rankings. Also spent a decent amount of time on curriculum and student affairs. Current M1 students were present the entire time, and spent registration/welcome, lunch, and Q&A with us. The Admissions Office personale were present throughout the entire program. They also offered a tour of the city for an hour.
 
Does anyone know how many people are on the wait list?
 
OK here's my guess (*speculation* hey we'll never know anyways so who cares!)
900 interviews - 75 automatic rejections - 189 acceptences (i think that's the size of the class) - 100 bottom cutoffs the day waitlist was made = 536
us news and rp says ~400 for ~200 spots. what have YOU done since you turned your application 9 months ago? Should I show up to roll call? Nah, I should save that $210 for the MCAT.
 
does anyone know how many acceptances they send out the first time round? for example, do they send out exactly 192 acceptances for each of the available spots, or do they already send out more than 192 acceptances the first time to account for the fact that not every person they make an offer to will accept?
 
mangos3 said:
does anyone know how many acceptances they send out the first time round? for example, do they send out exactly 192 acceptances for each of the available spots, or do they already send out more than 192 acceptances the first time to account for the fact that not every person they make an offer to will accept?
Click to expand...

VCU doesn't send out more acceptances than they have spots. So when someone withdraws, they are immediately replaced.
 
Does anyone know a person who got in off the waitlist after interviewing in Febuary. I am afraid my file reviewer gave me a really low priority score and therefore I interviewed in Febuary. They gave me this interview way back in October. I am just worrying b/c if that is true then I could be ranked really low on the waitlist.
 
Physio1 said:
Does anyone know how many people are on the wait list?
Click to expand...

I heard Dr. WC say at second look that they invited ~10% of the waitlist, which was 50 people so I'm guessing ~500.
 
drhexane said:
I heard Dr. WC say at second look that they invited ~10% of the waitlist, which was 50 people so I'm guessing ~500.
Click to expand...

I would think they send out 500 or so invitations for the waitlist, but probably that many are not on it. I don't know how many people declined to be on it but probably a few did, thats why they invite so many. Since some people could have been accepted some where else already and are planning to go to other schools. Still I expect most of the movement to be off the instate list, since a lot of folks might end up going to UVA or some other out of state school.
 
intoxicated said:
I would think they send out 500 or so invitations for the waitlist, but probably that many are not on it. I don't know how many people declined to be on it but probably a few did, thats why they invite so many. Since some people could have been accepted some where else already and are planning to go to other schools. Still I expect most of the movement to be off the instate list, since a lot of folks might end up going to UVA or some other out of state school.
Click to expand...

in the past, the instate list has moved MUCH slower than the out of state list. those accepted to uva already know and most likely have withdrawn their VCU acceptance prior to march 15. those who get into uva off the uva waitlist may decline their VCU acceptance, but that'll probably be about 5 people max. usually, OOS students will get acceptances to their state school and withdraw from VCU, so that list moves much more.
 
luckycharms08 said:
in the past, the instate list has moved MUCH slower than the out of state list. those accepted to uva already know and most likely have withdrawn their VCU acceptance prior to march 15. those who get into uva off the uva waitlist may decline their VCU acceptance, but that'll probably be about 5 people max. usually, OOS students will get acceptances to their state school and withdraw from VCU, so that list moves much more.
Click to expand...

Remember that alot of people may have UVA acceptances, but will just wait until May 15th to "make up their mind." It's a tough decision for alot of instaters...All 3 Va MD schools are really good, and some people may truly have difficulty deciding, while others may just want to "keep their options open" as long as possible.
 
luckycharms08 said:
in the past, the instate list has moved MUCH slower than the out of state list. those accepted to uva already know and most likely have withdrawn their VCU acceptance prior to march 15. those who get into uva off the uva waitlist may decline their VCU acceptance, but that'll probably be about 5 people max. usually, OOS students will get acceptances to their state school and withdraw from VCU, so that list moves much more.
Click to expand...

so that basically means that if i am instate, and was not invited to the second look weekend (not in the top 50), then i don't have many chances of getting in?🙁
thanks.
 
My friend who is OOS male just turned down his acceptance on Tuesday so there's one bit of good news for you OOS guys. Do we know how many they usually take off the waitlist? Or how many got off last year?
 
goodluckcharm said:
so that basically means that if i am instate, and was not invited to the second look weekend (not in the top 50), then i don't have many chances of getting in?🙁
thanks.
Click to expand...

Remember, it was the top 50 gathered from both IS and OOS. I don't know if it was top 25 IS and top 25 OOS or just the top 50 overall, but either way, all 50 did not come from the IS pool.
 
I will be declining my acceptance on Monday...good luck!!

edit: I am OOS
 
does anyone know when financial aid offers for accepted applicants will be released? do i need to submit anything besides my fafsa?
 
does any plan on getting a scooter to commute to and from school next year? How much can you get a cheap scooter for in richmond, and how much does it cost to get registered?
 
Hey guys, I know the waitlist moves, but does anyone know how much it moved last year? (I'm OOS-M)
 
i just received my acceptance off the wait-list today!!! fyi, i was not one of the top 50 people on the wait-list invited for the second look event. note: i did, however, send a letter of intent immediately after finding out i was on the wait-list in march, so maybe that really did help! good luck to everyone else who's still waiting :luck:
 
mangos3 said:
i just received my acceptance off the wait-list today!!! fyi, i was not one of the top 50 people on the wait-list invited for the second look event. note: i did, however, send a letter of intent immediately after finding out i was on the wait-list in march, so maybe that really did help! good luck to everyone else who's still waiting :luck:
Click to expand...

Congrats! 😀 Did the word come by status update, email...?
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

L
VCU - hold status followed by acceptance 2 hours later ???
Replies
0
Views
790
lcraig02
L
chilly_md
2025-2026 Central Michigan University
Replies
25
Views
5K
R. R. Hendrini
R. R. Hendrini
J
VTC vs VCU
Replies
3
Views
670
thefirerisen
thefirerisen
D
  • Locked
VCU SAEP
Replies
1
Views
625
deleted1141182
D
wysdoc
2025-2026 Universidad Central del Caribe
Replies
2
Views
636
DrKingCEO
D
Top