2009-2010 Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) Application Thread

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congrats!!! Any chance you wanna share a stat or two?

3.3 < gpa < 3.5
30 < mcat < 36

VCU's my first choice due to geographic constraints coupled with the fact that it's a great school; I let them know that and it might have helped. My LizzyM score is probably around their average too.
 
Thanks. Just trying to get a feel for where I stand.

No problem...just trying to maintain some semblance of anonymity during the process, not that I've done/said anything I'm embarrassed of on here. ugh, this whole process has made me so paranoid/stressed out. Good luck to you guys waiting on the status update. I was able to speak to an adcom member a couple weeks ago who said there are about 20 file reviewers who are in the process of examining apps. When you get an update is probably a function of how fast they're working, not necessarily when you were complete/how much or little they want to interview you, in case anyone's wondering.
 
This is what I got....

The committee's file review indicates that they are interested in your candidacy. However, due to the increase in the applicant pool this year, it is clear we MAY be unable to interview all the candidates at your priority score. If we do find that we are able to grant an interview you will be notified by e-mail in March.

So if they can interview me, it has to be during March? Or are they just saying this is how long it can go on?
 
This is what I got....

The committee's file review indicates that they are interested in your candidacy. However, due to the increase in the applicant pool this year, it is clear we MAY be unable to interview all the candidates at your priority score. If we do find that we are able to grant an interview you will be notified by e-mail in March.

So if they can interview me, it has to be during March? Or are they just saying this is how long it can go on?
I would venture that it means the early interviews will not be youres. But come nov-march you will have greater chances to be interviewed.
 
got my interview invite today... scheduling for 9/22... i would post my numbers but i am a non-trad and needless to say, if i posted my numbers it would only spark confusion... trust me on this...
 
got my interview invite today... scheduling for 9/22... i would post my numbers but i am a non-trad and needless to say, if i posted my numbers it would only spark confusion... trust me on this...


wow congrats! are you IS or OOS? it looks like most of the interview invites went out to IS..I'm OOS so I don't know if I should be getting REALLY nervous or just nervous. thanks! and congrats again!
 
Just wondering, does it affect your chances at all whether you pick MCV, Fairfax, or both&#65311;
 
I would venture that it means the early interviews will not be youres. But come nov-march you will have greater chances to be interviewed.

O ok, I initially thought that. But the "in march" comment kind of confused me, b/c I thought I was in some batch that they would check around that time to interview....
 
Still no status change for me. One more day this week, and then it's a long weekend wait. This is the only thing I hate about weekends... at least on weekdays you can hope for something to change.

I heard from them today (Sunday) at 6pm by email. Invite. I submitted at 6pm Friday 7/31. In-state.
 
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according to the 5 system, #3 seems worse than #2:
1. very interested
2. may be able to grant interview
3. would like to further review your file
4. reservations about granting interview/ goes to sub-committee
5. rejected

No, I don't normally sit around my computer Friday night. Alas, I thought I'd do something helpful tonight. 🙂

First: Helpful link: http://forums.studentdoctor.net/showthread.php?t=446625

Apparently the idea is that the Adcom assigns each candidate a priority, and then based on your priority your status is updated.

1. How does the ADCOM determine your priority score?

Your file is projected onto a screen and people start tearing you down based on weaknesses. Your file reviewer (one who initially read your file) and interviewer are your advocates and push for you to get in. They field questions and there is a discussion about you. Each member on the adcom gives you a score from 1-5. The highest and lowest score are thrown out and the rest are averaged. This is your priority score. 1 is the best basically the ideal candidate and 5 is the worst. Anything above a 3.5 is an automatic rejection. - Instatewaiter

Cliff's Notes on potential responses
(eliciting increasing levels of glee?).

1) 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.

2) The committee's file review indicates that they are interested in your candidacy. However, due to the increase in the applicant pool this year, it is clear we MAY be unable to interview all the candidates at your priority score. If we do find that we are able to grant an interview you will be notified by e-mail.

3)
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.

Now, it's time for me to go hang out with my beautiful wife. Cheers.

but according to what this person posted, the 3rd one looks better... thoughts?

any out of staters get interviews? VCU is confusing!
 
here's my thought on #2 and #3. The one that says review your file says that you have a shot of being scheduled between now and februarty, where as the one about the candidacy (#2 supposedly) says they will notify you in March. That shows me that the actual number 3 is number. Just my opinion. Also, my friend got the "#3 status" last year in october, and ended up getting an interview in november. He told me that number 1 is usually reserved for instate first, then out of state is taken care of after. Just my 2(or 3) cents.
 
correction on last post, number 3 is *better*, its late, forgive me.
 
here's my thought on #2 and #3. The one that says review your file says that you have a shot of being scheduled between now and februarty, where as the one about the candidacy (#2 supposedly) says they will notify you in March. That shows me that the actual number 3 is number. Just my opinion. Also, my friend got the "#3 status" last year in october, and ended up getting an interview in november. He told me that number 1 is usually reserved for instate first, then out of state is taken care of after. Just my 2(or 3) cents.

Aw man, so #3>#2....see the phrasing is so weird for both. So does anyone know for a fact that a #2 for sure means an interview only in March or later (that is if you get an interview)?
 
i initially thought that "may" > "further", but now im not sure. i agree the wording for those two messages is very confusing... the "in march" part makes me wonder
 
Aw man, so #3>#2....see the phrasing is so weird for both. So does anyone know for a fact that a #2 for sure means an interview only in March or later (that is if you get an interview)?

Yeah, the wording on these things is crazy. Although, I'm sure they don't expect people to compare them.

I still can't decide if #2 or #3 is better. One way to check would be to go through last year's thread and see who got interviews and which prompt they had. I might do it later if I'm bored.
 
Yeah, the wording on these things is crazy. Although, I'm sure they don't expect people to compare them.

I still can't decide if #2 or #3 is better. One way to check would be to go through last year's thread and see who got interviews and which prompt they had. I might do it later if I'm bored.

Is it bad if they are still reviewing my application? Complete 7/23
 
Yeah, the wording on these things is crazy. Although, I'm sure they don't expect people to compare them.

I still can't decide if #2 or #3 is better. One way to check would be to go through last year's thread and see who got interviews and which prompt they had. I might do it later if I'm bored.


Hmm ok so I checked last years thread, and both (#2 AND #3) seemed to have interviews and not just in March, but earlier ones like November and October. I think I'm just going to stop analyzing this message and just worry about other schools, b/c this is driving me nuts.
 
From what I saw, it seems like the MAY message is better than the FURTHER message. The MAY implies that they are interested, further indicates that your file needs to be reviewed again before they will become interested. Also, there were a few people who got the MAY message that were accepted by 10/15; I didn't see anyone with an acceptance that early who had the FURTHER message.

Summary:
I think it goes like this:
Very interested > May > Further > Reservations > Rejected
 
Haha I read your comment, so I went to check my email. I was so excited when I saw 1 new email but forgot I had sent myself an email from lab earlier today. =[

:laugh: i do that too so many times LOL
 
From what I saw, it seems like the MAY message is better than the FURTHER message. The MAY implies that they are interested, further indicates that your file needs to be reviewed again before they will become interested. Also, there were a few people who got the MAY message that were accepted by 10/15; I didn't see anyone with an acceptance that early who had the FURTHER message.

Summary:
I think it goes like this:
Very interested > May > Further > Reservations > Rejected

i also agree with this, someone mentioned earlier that when they review applications they give numbers 1-5 one being strongly interested and 5 not interested at all so it makes sense that the numbers go in order 😉
 
wow congrats! Are you is or oos? It looks like most of the interview invites went out to is..i'm oos so i don't know if i should be getting really nervous or just nervous. Thanks! And congrats again!


is
 
it seems like everyone heard something back within a week of completion! I was complete more than a week ago and still no news!!
 
my first interview invite yayyy 😀 complete last week or two weeks ago, cant remember... gpa ~ 3.5 mcat 33-35 IS very exciteddd
 
it seems like everyone heard something back within a week of completion! I was complete more than a week ago and still no news!!

I have been complete over 2 weeks and no news... I was hoping maybe it's because they are doing IS first???

Every time I read here that someone gets an email I check my VCU status just in case it changed and they did not email me... I would really like some application action so I can stop doing that! :laugh:
 
i also agree with this, someone mentioned earlier that when they review applications they give numbers 1-5 one being strongly interested and 5 not interested at all so it makes sense that the numbers go in order 😉

The numbers were arbitrarily assigned by an SDN member, they are not included in the VCU status. However, IMO, the way that user numbered them is correct.
 
So my M.D. application was complete about two weeks ago. Today got a status changed message and this is my new message:

Your supplemental application has been received. Check your File Status for any items that may be pending. As soon as your file is completed, it will be forwarded to the Admissions Committee for a decision on interview.

Anyone else have a weird status update?

Checked the file status and I'm still complete there. It seems like I went back a step.
 
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WHAAAT! I never got a secondary invite or confirmation email but it says it was sent on the 10th of last month!!! Junk mail filter!?
 
WHAAAT! I never got a secondary invite or confirmation email but it says it was sent on the 10th of last month!!! Junk mail filter!?

They don't send an email telling you about the secondary. You just have to keep checking the status site. Sorry that sucks. At least it wasn't after the 60 days though.
 
WHAAAT! I never got a secondary invite or confirmation email but it says it was sent on the 10th of last month!!! Junk mail filter!?

did you get the acknowledgment email? i got my secondary right after that when I checked my status!! dont worry you still have a month to finish it 🙂
 
did you get the acknowledgment email? i got my secondary right after that when I checked my status!! dont worry you will have a month to finish it 🙂

Did not get anything - I'm submitting it tonight. All the VA schools I applied to are high on my priority list! I lived in Charlottesville and Lynchburg for like 5 years.
 
So my M.D. application was complete about two weeks ago. Today got a status changed message and this is my new message:



Anyone else have a weird status update?

Checked the file status and I'm still complete there. It seems like I went back a step.


yea i got the same repeat email too! i got my initial update email on 7/29, so pretty recent. i don't know if this necessarily means we went back a step. probably a glitch....or it better be.

keeping my fingers crossed for an interview!!:xf::xf:
 
yea i got the same repeat email too! i got my initial update email on 7/29, so pretty recent. i don't know if this necessarily means we went back a step. probably a glitch....or it better be.

keeping my fingers crossed for an interview!!:xf::xf:

Did they ever have yours marked as complete? Mine was complete and under review.
 
got the "would like to further review your file" message. really impressed by how quickly they're doing this!

complete 7/28, OOS
 
got the "would like to further review your file" message. really impressed by how quickly they're doing this!

complete 7/28, OOS

i was complete before this and still now news, im starting to get nervous here :scared:
 
i was complete before this and still now news, im starting to get nervous here :scared:

Yeah I hear you. I'm trying not to be too compulsive but it's so hard. I'm also trying not to read too much into what my status message means but...
 
Yeah I hear you. I'm trying not to be too compulsive but it's so hard. I'm also trying not to read too much into what my status message means but...

at this point anything other than rejection or close to rejection would make my day!! :xf:
 
i was complete before this and still now news, im starting to get nervous here :scared:


me too, especially now that I see OOS people have gotten something besides just "complete"...
 
I got the "very interested" email today. OOS, completed 7/20
 
complete: 7/23, oos. no news.

i want to hear something too, but the good thing is that no news doesn't mean anything. it just means the person reviewing your file hasn't gotten to it yet.

even if they hate your app you'll get a status update when they look at it. so as much as we want to hear something, we really do just have to wait
 
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i was complete before this and still now news, im starting to get nervous here :scared:

me too, especially now that I see OOS people have gotten something besides just "complete"...

Long slow deep breaths.

I don't suppose I have a chance at getting a September interview, eh? I was kinda hoping to get both this one and UVA out of the way at the same time... and UVA interviews really early...
 
I am a re-applicant, and I noticed that the secondary application asks "what additional qualifications do you have? (limit of 150 characters)"

This may sound like a silly question, but are they serious about the 150 character limit? Any chance they meant 150 word limit? I'm not sure I can squeeze in all the significant improvements in my application in 150 characters, at least not using complete sentences! Would bullet points be acceptable?
 
I know you OOS applicants are anxious, but I am instate, submitted the secondary 7/10, got the complete notice 7/24, and yet I am still under review...I am disappointed that I have not been offered an interview from VCU yet - have already scheduled one with UVA...I am stumped by this and I assume they are very spotty with offers right now, and hopefully will get caught up, particularly with instaters, very soon, followed by the OOS offers.
 
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Called to figure out the weird status. I'm off to the sub-committee 🙁
 
Has anyone appealed the decision between non-science and science letters? I sent in two letters from professors who taught graduate level courses I took (one was even from a medical school course I took as part of an SMP, wth?) I'm not sure if this appeal will hurt my standing or not, since apparently VCU doesn't think these count. Going to appeal anyways.
 
Anyone have this status when they login?

"Your M.D. file is now complete. The Admissions Committee will now do a comprehensive review of your application. Once the review is complete, your file will be prioritized, and interviews will be granted based on your priority score and the date your file was completed. Please do not call the Admissions Office requesting special dates. "

????
 
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