2009-2010 Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) Application Thread

[OneMCATAway]

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i was complete on the 24th! i def. like to think im waiting for an interview here 😉

at this point i'd be happy with a may or further too 😛

 

[k7i5t3n]

This process is makin' me crazy... waiting for news!!!!

To everyone who has gotten the variety of responses that VCU puts out (i.e. "may", "further", etc.), when were you complete?

 

[n618ft]

This process is makin' me crazy... waiting for news!!!!

To everyone who has gotten the variety of responses that VCU puts out (i.e. "may", "further", etc.), when were you complete?

I think I submitted it 3-4 days ago at most.

 

[8mile]

I've been complete here for 2 weeks, still no news.

 

[266202]

I've been complete here for 2 weeks, still no news.

I'm waiting with you. 🙁

 

[anxiousteen]

i'm waiting too. let's just hope they're waiting to send interviews out in batches lol

 

[itsgottabe]

yesh i couldn't save either.

they care about SAT's? Wow...this might help me afterall.

can i guesstimate??? i think i either got a 1360 or 1380... i dont even know how to find out exactly.. ayee

 

[ruiner]

I've been complete here for 2 weeks, still no news.

Same. Not too worried about it. Seems like the rejections come real fast so at least still in the game at this point.

 

[COdoubleMO2theN]

I had the #3 priority with further review. I looked at last years and saw some, but not as much interview invites as I would have liked to see. Is there any MD students here who recieved the #3 priority and got in?????

 

[itsgottabe]

I'll tell you how it goes...

First you spend a lot of time researching and writing the essay describing why I would like to go to school at VCU. As you research, you feel your interest growing in the school, despite the terrible crime ratings for Richmond you find on wikipedia.

Then out of nowhere, an email...

Ever the optimist, you hope for great news. You rush to check your updated status to find this...

KABOOM! The world then comes to an end.

oh man really???
damn, i just finished my 2ndary essay... why does it sound like this is gonna happen to me?

 

[k7i5t3n]

can i guesstimate??? i think i either got a 1360 or 1380... i dont even know how to find out exactly.. ayee

So, I called the SAT Board (last month) to get my SAT scores and they said it would be around $25, and it would take 3-5 weeks (or some way-too-long amount of time) to get them to me. But for another $25 they could rush it. Good grief.

I then called my high school who gave the scores to me over the phone for free. You could try that.

 

[FML]

So, I called the SAT Board (last month) to get my SAT scores and they said it would be around $25, and it would take 3-5 weeks (or some way-too-long amount of time) to get them to me. But for another $25 they could rush it. Good grief.

I then called my high school who gave the scores to me over the phone for free. You could try that.

you can also go to the college board website and, if you remember what email you used to sign up on it, they can just email you login/password so that you can just go on the site and see all your scores

this is assuming you took the test within the past 5 or so years when you could register online...

 

[IndigoBoy0]

I just got an automated status saying I was rejected. I completed my secondary and submitted by fee YESTERDAY (August 7) at about 3pm. I also had an MCAT retake July 31 and the new scores haven't even come in and based on conversations with them were under the impression that they would wait for these scores. Could this be a mistake or were they lined up ready to reject me? I'm confused. No status even saying my file was complete or anything...

 

[n618ft]

I just got an automated status saying I was rejected. I completed my secondary and submitted by fee YESTERDAY (August 7) at about 3pm. I also had an MCAT retake July 31 and the new scores haven't even come in and based on conversations with them were under the impression that they would wait for these scores. Could this be a mistake or were they lined up ready to reject me? I'm confused. No status even saying my file was complete or anything...

Sorry to hear that - call them Monday. Some schools have a "once-over" policy - they wont look at your app again that cycle but you might be able to ask nicely. Let us know how it goes. Mind sharing your stats?

 

[IndigoBoy0]

3.8 GPA, 3.2 science post bac, MA international affairs, MPH international health, 4 years global health experience, travel, worked abroad, etc. Low MCAT 25 10/7/8 which is why I retook - I wouldn't have even sent in the secondary so quickly but the email they sent me made it seem like they were going to wait and she said sooner was better than later.......

 

[IndigoBoy0]

Out of state too.. I'm just frustrated with them because I would have waited until my second score came in to submit.. oh well.. i'm just bitter at my first rejection! I feel like they couldn't have even possibly read the secondary.

 

[Coug42]

I just got the "MAY" status update. I was complete on 7/20 (OOS).

 

[Generic Student]

Out of state too.. I'm just frustrated with them because I would have waited until my second score came in to submit.. oh well.. i'm just bitter at my first rejection! I feel like they couldn't have even possibly read the secondary.

Same thing for me. A next day rejection. No way they read my essay.

 

[IndigoBoy0]

Yeah - at least they could have saved me the money and trouble and screened me out initially! An honestly I'm not so down with them now that I know that don't even look at the secondary... I'm hoping this isn't the trend with all schools.....

Same thing for me. A next day rejection. No way they read my essay.

 

[jackson1]

just got the "may" message, comlete 7/27 OOS

After looking through last year's thread, I'm going to take the message as a good sign. It seems like they interviewed a lot of people who got it, some even as early as oct. So I think all of us who got the may status definitely have a decent chance🙂

 

[OneMCATAway]

still nothing..

 

[Legacy87]

Status Update: Interested, but MAY [...]
Completed: 7/21, OOS

 

[kayakingaddict]

still nothing..

i'm trying to remember that at least no news isn't bad news...

but yeah complete 7/23, and nada...😕

and congrats legacy!!

 

[LC81]

what status page? Is that when you get your secondary app? I did the primary 2 weeks ago.
thanks!🙂

 

[Coal]

Yeah - at least they could have saved me the money and trouble and screened me out initially! An honestly I'm not so down with them now that I know that don't even look at the secondary... I'm hoping this isn't the trend with all schools.....

wow, IndigoBoy, you and I have very similar non-traditional backgrounds and I also got the autoreject last week within 24 hours after submitting my secondary. i'm wondering if they're screening in OOS with sub-par MCATs just for the money and setting it up to auto-reject when you click submit? bummer for all. this school was actually a great match for my interests, but it looks like they're focussing more on numbers than i thought.

 

[Appless]

wow, IndigoBoy, you and I have very similar non-traditional backgrounds and I also got the autoreject last week within 24 hours after submitting my secondary. i'm wondering if they're screening in OOS with sub-par MCATs just for the money and setting it up to auto-reject when you click submit? bummer for all. this school was actually a great match for my interests, but it looks like they're focussing more on numbers than i thought.

I have a low mcat and wasnt auto rejected...i doubt thats true. IT just when youre mcat is like <31 or so you are always going to run into some problems as its below average...and while everyone thinks their ECs and life story are unique, they always arent or its just not enoguh to overcome poor stats when sooooo many others have good ones...its just teh sad truth 🙁

 

[reveille16]

I got an interview yesterday! 🙂🙂 I am so happy. This is the school I've always dreamed of going to!! WHOO!!! (In State)

 

[kayakingaddict]

indigoboy-- i would call today and see what's up. no harm as long as you're nice

I got an interview yesterday! 🙂🙂 I am so happy. This is the school I've always dreamed of going to!! WHOO!!! (In State)

congratsss 🙂

 

[reidmike]

Does anyone know if this school screens out apps with an MCAT section of a 7 on verbal? I just don't want to waste money if I have no chance, obviously. I tried calling, but the office is closed due to M1 orientation. Thanks!

 

[k7i5t3n]

I got an interview yesterday! 🙂🙂 I am so happy. This is the school I've always dreamed of going to!! WHOO!!! (In State)

Congrats! Exciting news.

 

[mvenus929]

still nothing..

Still right there with ya. 🙁

 

[yoz]

this is a stupid question but i just finished my essay and i was wondering when it talks about fitting in the space (500-600 words) is that the character limit or do they want your response to be around that range. It's vaguely worded and i can't tell. I would call but they're closed due to orientation.

 

[alibai3ah]

this is a stupid question but i just finished my essay and i was wondering when it talks about fitting in the space (500-600 words) is that the character limit or do they want your response to be around that range. It's vaguely worded and i can't tell. I would call but they're closed due to orientation.

There is no character limit given, as long as it does not go over 600 words, ur fine.

 

[OneMCATAway]

i just got MAY omg i really hope i get an interview here

 

[Appless]

i just got MAY omg i really hope i get an interview here

oh wow!!! thats great!!! 🙂. See i told you things would work out this cycle!! though they gave me a we have send your app to a sub committee 🙁 lol

 

[OneMCATAway]

oh wow!!! thats great!!! 🙂. See i told you things would work out this cycle!! though they gave me a we have send your app to a sub committee 🙁 lol

dont worry if they didn't see how awesome you are im sure the sub committee will see that 😉

 

[twostep376]

nothin for me....complete 7/20

 

[wahoo2010]

still haven't heard anything. complete on 7/10.

 

[OpalOnyx]

I got a slightly different version... you guys can help decipher what it means.

"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."



On hold, then???

 

[mvenus929]

i just got MAY omg i really hope i get an interview here

*sigh* I saw your post, then glanced up and saw I had an e-mail in my inbox. I gasped and opened up my inbox, only to see the e-mail was from one of my friends. Checked my status just to be sure, and I still got nothing.

Congrats 🙂

 

[learnmdabc]

Tell me about it. If I see one more male enhancement email instead of my beloved status update...well, I'll probably click it just for kicks.

*sigh* I saw your post, then glanced up and saw I had an e-mail in my inbox. I gasped and opened up my inbox, only to see the e-mail was from one of my friends. Checked my status just to be sure, and I still got nothing.

Congrats 🙂

 

[OneMCATAway]

*sigh* I saw your post, then glanced up and saw I had an e-mail in my inbox. I gasped and opened up my inbox, only to see the e-mail was from one of my friends. Checked my status just to be sure, and I still got nothing.

Congrats 🙂

Tell me about it. If I see one more male enhancement email instead of my beloved status update...well, I'll probably click it just for kicks.

hang in there guys it will be soon, i was going crazy waiting for an status update, my everyday routine was check email, check vcu status, check to make sure im not rejected from BU, wash, rinse, repeat x100!!

one thing i learned though, they send the email right when they update your status so you dont need to check it as obsessively as i did 😛

 

[Coal]

I have a low mcat and wasnt auto rejected...i doubt thats true. IT just when youre mcat is like <31 or so you are always going to run into some problems as its below average...and while everyone thinks their ECs and life story are unique, they always arent or its just not enoguh to overcome poor stats when sooooo many others have good ones...its just teh sad truth 🙁

Oh yeah, I wasn't shocked to get a rejection, it just seemed odd that myself and others were screened in only to get rejected within a few hours after submitting the secondary. It really didn't seem possible that they had enough time to read my secondary well enough to draw any new conclusions.

But as we all know, every med school is looking for something and we can only guess at what that is, but apparently I didn't have whatever it was that VCU wanted.

 

[themanthony]

does anyone know when their adcom meets?

 

[OpalOnyx]

I had the #3 priority with further review. I looked at last years and saw some, but not as much interview invites as I would have liked to see. Is there any MD students here who recieved the #3 priority and got in?????

could somebody please explain this "priority" thing to me?

I'm so confused 🙁

 

[Legacy87]

hang in there guys it will be soon, i was going crazy waiting for an status update, my everyday routine was check email, check vcu status, check to make sure im not rejected from BU, wash, rinse, repeat x100!!

one thing i learned though, they send the email right when they update your status so you dont need to check it as obsessively as i did 😛

If you haven't done so already, you can download Gmail notifier (if you use gmail) and it will automatically notify you that you have an email on your desktop. It just makes your life easier in this process.

 

[mvenus929]

could somebody please explain this "priority" thing to me?

I'm so confused 🙁

VCU had 5 status messages. One is pretty much guaranteed interview, one is probably interview, one is possible interview, one is unlikely interview, and one is very unlikely interview. At least, that's the way I understand it. There's a list somewhere earlier on the thread.

 

[k7i5t3n]

So, I know there are the standard 5 messages, and then there's the sub-committee message, right? Did anyone decide whether the sub-committee message is good or bad in comparison? Because I signed on tonight and that's what I got. Hmmm... this school is one of my top choices.

 

[alibai3ah]

Says on the site they interview ~60% of people submitting secondaries, and last year they interviewed 800-900 people... so that should give you an estimate.

This statistic is way too generous. They interview 800 people/2600 or so secondaries submitted (I'm assuming 50% screened out). That's more like a 30% chance of being interviewed....

 

[Appless]

So, I know there are the standard 5 messages, and then there's the sub-committee message, right? Did anyone decide whether the sub-committee message is good or bad in comparison? Because I signed on tonight and that's what I got. Hmmm... this school is one of my top choices.

#1 - you are interviewed
#2/3 - may be interviewed (still not sure how they are different or which is better)
#4 - subcommitee message
#5 - rejection.

thats basically it. 1 is the best 5 worst. Apparently #4 means that the adcom was unable to assign a prioirty score to you and they will further review...personally i doubt its good but its not a rejection, it may turn into a #2 or #3 later after further review. If you got, just dont worry becuase nothing you can do. Hope the committee finds more merit in your app when you get multiple opinions.