2009-2010 Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) Application Thread

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tartrate said:
Just received rejection notice today...

I wonder if being rejected this early in the process means anything...bad? Oh boy, the PS, bad letters of rec, secondary essays...there are so many places where my application could fall short :scared:.
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Were you rejected after an interview or was this a status update?
 
metallica81788 said:
For anybody who rescheduled, how was the experience? I put in my request yesterday, because I didn't realize my interview day was during Thanksgiving week so plane tickets were super expensive. I waited for them to drop, but they were still ridiculous - so I put in the request to change.
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I sent a request a week and a half ago and still havnt heard anything....
 
tartrate said:
Just received rejection notice today...

I wonder if being rejected this early in the process means anything...bad? Oh boy, the PS, bad letters of rec, secondary essays...there are so many places where my application could fall short :scared:.
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I assume this was pre-interview. Are you OOS or IS? If you were OOS, your stats / PS / LOR might have been fine, but not great enough for them to want to interview...it's tough to say :lame:
 
HealingbyFaith said:
Were you rejected after an interview or was this a status update?
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By status update, pre-interview.

OOS/ Above school's average stats

Oh boy... I hope it's not because I have no research. Then I might get rejected to all my other schools too! But this seems unlikely, since VCU has a smaller percentage of accepted students that have done research compared to other schools (according to MSAR).

I re-read my secondary, which is a bit general but nothing flagrant. Several people have said my PS was good. So the only other thing I can think of is 1. My late completion date (mid/late September) and 2. a bad LOR somewhere in the stack. Wow... I really hope it's not a bad LOR. That pretty much screws up my whole application process.

Or maybe I am just reading into things too much. But so far I am 0-2, so I am getting a bit antsy.
 
tartrate said:
By status update, pre-interview.

OOS/ Above school's average stats

Oh boy... I hope it's not because I have no research. Then I might get rejected to all my other schools too! But this seems unlikely, since VCU has a smaller percentage of accepted students that have done research compared to other schools (according to MSAR).

I re-read my secondary, which is a bit general but nothing flagrant. Several people have said my PS was good. So the only other thing I can think of is 1. My late completion date (mid/late September) and 2. a bad LOR somewhere in the stack. Wow... I really hope it's not a bad LOR. That pretty much screws up my whole application process.


hey i wouldn't worry about not having any research. I have none (and yes i mean not even a little) and i've gotten a decent amount of interviews. and the interviewers didn't even mention the lack of research, so i wouldn't sweat it.

just relax and hope for the best. easier said than done, but still by far the best advice out there. even if it is a bad letter/essay, you cant change it now right? so might as well chill 🙂
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tartrate said:
By status update, pre-interview.

OOS/ Above school's average stats

Oh boy... I hope it's not because I have no research. Then I might get rejected to all my other schools too! But this seems unlikely, since VCU has a smaller percentage of accepted students that have done research compared to other schools (according to MSAR).

I re-read my secondary, which is a bit general but nothing flagrant. Several people have said my PS was good. So the only other thing I can think of is 1. My late completion date (mid/late September) and 2. a bad LOR somewhere in the stack. Wow... I really hope it's not a bad LOR. That pretty much screws up my whole application process.

Or maybe I am just reading into things too much. But so far I am 0-2, so I am getting a bit antsy.
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It probably wasn't your LORs...they often don't get read until you have an interview. I dont think it was your late completion date. You were just OOS and they weren't compelled in anyway to interview you...I wouldn't worry about it. It's just one OOS school...As for research, it's way less important than volunteering. Yes, most top tier schools want research, etc, but no school will take you if you don't have volunteering / shadowing etc. So yea just relax and keep on trudging through.
 
Food said:
It probably wasn't your LORs...they often don't get read until you have an interview. I dont think it was your late completion date. You were just OOS and they weren't compelled in anyway to interview you...I wouldn't worry about it. It's just one OOS school...As for research, it's way less important than volunteering. Yes, most top tier schools want research, etc, but no school will take you if you don't have volunteering / shadowing etc. So yea just relax and keep on trudging through.
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This is it - the OOS pool is very competitive at VCU, and anecdotally it seems that this is a huge year for them in terms of # of apps, building on the school's overall rep in recent years and its rep as one of the handful of OOS publics to apply to for people from California, etc.
 
Thank you guys for the support. I guess I should not spend so much of my energy worrying. I was mainly worried by such an early rejection (and all its possible implications), but perhaps I can think of it as VCU wanting to save me money :luck:.
 
Anybody going to be in Richmond tomorrow for interviews?
 
flip26 said:
This is it - the OOS pool is very competitive at VCU, and anecdotally it seems that this is a huge year for them in terms of # of apps, building on the school's overall rep in recent years and its rep as one of the handful of OOS publics to apply to for people from California, etc.
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Oh people from Cali, you are killing me. I feel like they tend to be great applicants and there are tons of them.
 
tartrate said:
Thank you guys for the support. I guess I should not spend so much of my energy worrying. I was mainly worried by such an early rejection (and all its possible implications), but perhaps I can think of it as VCU wanting to save me money :luck:.
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Sorry to hear about your rejection. Now I'm really worried, if you were above their means and OOS, I may be SOL.

Where else are you applying, do you have any good news to offset this setback?
 
Hey all-

So I got an offer to Interview at VCU and scheduled it for Dec. 3rd. I called today to reschedule for January, but they said they have no interview slots left.

Does anyone (maybe someone in state?) have a January interview that would like to swap it for December 3rd?

I am flying from Canada and would like to coordinate it with another east coast interview that is only available in January.

Let me know-- thanks.
 
So I just found the "what to bring" thread...and realized I didn't even think about bringing 2*2 pictures...VCU doesn't require them at time of interview do they? I forget who does and doesn't

EDIT: nm I just called and they don't...figured I would leave it up for others that were wondering
 
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dude, ok
so i've been complete with the 'complete' status since august 6. it's been driving me crazy that I purposely chose to do their app first because this school seemed great based off its website and because of the transparency of their system because of those #1-5 updates.

HOWEVER, i've been stuck with that same status for two months now so I decided to call and see what's up. the lady who picked up the phone has to be the biggest douchebag i've ever had contact with during this process. i give her my amcas id and name, and she just tells me that my file has been checked out for review. i dont what that means, so i asked if she could clarify. she just repeats that my file is complete and it's been checked out for review...in a tone of voice implying i'm wasting her precious, precious time.

at this point, i'm kinda pissed, but i still say in a friendly voice, 'thanks for your help'. you know what she does? she doesn't say 'youre welcome' or even a frigging 'goodbye'. SHE JUST HANGS UP ON ME.

i know this one lady's attitude probably doesn't reflect that of vcu, but...wtf

if anybody from vcu's admissions committee is reading this, check your receptionist's attitude. seriously.
 
needcpr said:
they ran out of interview spots?
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No. They just don't have enough spots opened up right now for people who have been offered interviews to change to other dates. They open up spots gradually as they prepare to offer more interviews.

Don't worry - they've got plenty of spots left.
 
ilikekiwis said:
dude, ok
so i've been complete with the 'complete' status since august 6. it's been driving me crazy that I purposely chose to do their app first because this school seemed great based off its website and because of the transparency of their system because of those #1-5 updates.

HOWEVER, i've been stuck with that same status for two months now so I decided to call and see what's up. the lady who picked up the phone has to be the biggest douchebag i've ever had contact with during this process. i give her my amcas id and name, and she just tells me that my file has been checked out for review. i dont what that means, so i asked if she could clarify. she just repeats that my file is complete and it's been checked out for review...in a tone of voice implying i'm wasting her precious, precious time.

at this point, i'm kinda pissed, but i still say in a friendly voice, 'thanks for your help'. you know what she does? she doesn't say 'youre welcome' or even a frigging 'goodbye'. SHE JUST HANGS UP ON ME.

i know this one lady's attitude probably doesn't reflect that of vcu, but...wtf

if anybody from vcu's admissions committee is reading this, check your receptionist's attitude. seriously.
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Yeah, I thought about calling VCU to ask about my status because Ive been complete since 8/14 and havent heard anything but I thought they probably dont like that. Although I did call EVMS to ask about my application they were pretty nice about it.
 
How long after being complete do you usually get a status update?
 
ilikekiwis said:
dude, ok
so i've been complete with the 'complete' status since august 6. it's been driving me crazy that I purposely chose to do their app first because this school seemed great based off its website and because of the transparency of their system because of those #1-5 updates.

HOWEVER, i've been stuck with that same status for two months now so I decided to call and see what's up. the lady who picked up the phone has to be the biggest douchebag i've ever had contact with during this process. i give her my amcas id and name, and she just tells me that my file has been checked out for review. i dont what that means, so i asked if she could clarify. she just repeats that my file is complete and it's been checked out for review...in a tone of voice implying i'm wasting her precious, precious time.

at this point, i'm kinda pissed, but i still say in a friendly voice, 'thanks for your help'. you know what she does? she doesn't say 'youre welcome' or even a frigging 'goodbye'. SHE JUST HANGS UP ON ME.

i know this one lady's attitude probably doesn't reflect that of vcu, but...wtf

if anybody from vcu's admissions committee is reading this, check your receptionist's attitude. seriously.
Click to expand...

Haha I wouldn't worry about it. Sounds a bit rude, but it happens all the time, don't let it bug you.
 
Interview invite for early December! Got the further message since late July or early August. OOS and subpar stats and not URM. To those out there, don't lose your hope like I did earlier.
 
Physio Doc 2 Be said:
Sorry to hear about your rejection. Now I'm really worried, if you were above their means and OOS, I may be SOL.

Where else are you applying, do you have any good news to offset this setback?
Click to expand...

I am applying to most of the CA schools and broadly elsewhere. I applied to schools where I thought I would have a better chance at (so no top 20 research schools, other than those in CA). Reason is that I seem to have very little luck 😳.

This morning I did receive some good news, an invite from Ohio State, though the interview is not until January 🙂.
 
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nope, i don't have any status other than 'complete'. yeah i do realize that in general most people are nice, applicants and staff included and perhaps this receptionist is just an anomaly. but still, it is her job. a job she applied for, a job she holds, and a job she is paid to do.

i guess what bothers me is that i paid an application fee to have my app read, and i submitted the app so early. it just seems that it is not even being looked at as it looks like everyone else gets a status update at some point within two months. if vcu operated like penn state where no update is the norm, then i wouldn't complain. if the lady had been courteous, or if i had been rejected or whatnot...then i can't complain. i cant/wont complain if my application isn't up to their standards or the standards of other applicants, but to have it seemingly not even be reviewed and then be treated in such a way by a representative of their staff/school is just frustrating.

that being said, i'm sure the school is still amazing and anyone who attends will be happy.


utah3219 said:
The question is: do you have a status that is one of the 1-5? The Dean mentioned that apps have risen but they are being more selective with interviews this season. Seats will remain the same at 200.

I Interviewed yesterday and the receptionist at the front desk and dean's office are all really nice. The lady you called has a tough job as there are interviews 4 days of the week. If you get the chance to visit, you will also see the faculty and students are very outgoing and nice.
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ChimpanzeeMinky said:
No. They just don't have enough spots opened up right now for people who have been offered interviews to change to other dates. They open up spots gradually as they prepare to offer more interviews.

Don't worry - they've got plenty of spots left.
Click to expand...

So should I just wait and hope I can change my interview to another date later? I just don't want to have to fly to the east coast multiple times if I can avoid it...
 
flip26 said:
This is it - the OOS pool is very competitive at VCU, and anecdotally it seems that this is a huge year for them in terms of # of apps, building on the school's overall rep in recent years and its rep as one of the handful of OOS publics to apply to for people from California, etc.
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Building on this, I know that VCU likes kids from Utah, as evidenced by my class, which has probably 10 kids or more. Just a heads-up for people from there.
 
Gators239 said:
I'm not sure what the MCAT scores are for OOS, since the Admissions Office only posts the averages for the class. I'm assuming it may be a little higher than IS, but probably not by that much, I wouldn't think.

As for your scores, the PS and BS are most certainly high enough. The verbal may or may not hurt you. Your overall score is right at the accepted average, so I'd say you're probably good and won't merit a retake. Each year, the stats do progress upward ever so slightly. Can't really predict what 2015 will bring, but I'd say it'll be close to 30.something. If you apply (or applied) early, then you should have a decent chance assuming your GPA falls around the 3.6 area and you're well-rounded.
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Awesome to hear that. About a 3.8 gpa with 3.65 sgpa so hopefully I can make it!

Thanks
 
charlee said:
So should I just wait and hope I can change my interview to another date later? I just don't want to have to fly to the east coast multiple times if I can avoid it...
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You will probably be able to change it later, but there's no way to know exactly when they spots will open up. Have you tried calling them to discuss your unique circumstance?
 
Yes, I called them. They said that they are not doing any shifts/rescheduling right now and that all current spots are full.

I may have found someone to swap with though 🙂 and they say that's ok!!! Pretty cool.
 
so I've had this "very interested" status for 2 weeks and they said they are trying to interview everyone at my priority score ASAP, but there are no interview spots left? I still haven't heard any further updates yet.
 
needcpr said:
so i've had this "very interested" status for 2 weeks and they said they are trying to interview everyone at my priority score asap, but there are no interview spots left? I still haven't heard any further updates yet.
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+1.
 
just got a status update with interview invite, i was complete this past Tuesday 10/6. there were dates for oct but too soon for me, i scheduled for 12/7. im instate.
 
islandprincess said:
just got a status update with interview invite, i was complete this past Tuesday 10/6. there were dates for oct but too soon for me, i scheduled for 12/7. im instate.
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me too! i can't believe it... good luck everyone!
 
Good luck to all waiting for the big first day of acceptances. For those of you lucky enough, if I remember correctly, the email notification / status update comes at 6:04 PM ET. I believe it is exactly (or close to) that time for each round - so be on the lookout! If you don't receive one on that day, don't worry, it's not the end of the world. I know everyone would love to hear the first day, but it doesn't always happen. Be persistent with your interests and updates. For all the other schools people are waiting for, good luck, but they don't compare to MCV 😀.
 
i am interviewing at VCU on 10/13 and at EVMS on 10/14, anyone else doing the same thing?
 
ok,

so is the update day october 15 or 16? i've heard both days so far.
 
mrmacey said:
ok,

so is the update day october 15 or 16? i've heard both days so far.
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Pretty sure they told us 16th on interview day...but you can be sure that at 6:04 PM Thursday I will be checking my status.
 
flip26 said:
Pretty sure they told us 16th on interview day...but you can be sure that at 6:04 PM Thursday I will be checking my status.
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The status web site states that acceptances will be sent out Oct. 16. Good luck to all! I know I'll be anxiously waiting until 6:04 on friday! :scared:
 
Good luck everyone. I'll try to drop in on Friday after I take the Medicine OSCE and before I sequester myself to cram for the shelf exam.
 
have not heard anything since i was complete 8/7, except that i think I have status #4, but anyway i logged in today to see if a status changed and I could not see the status tab. what does that mean?
 
Ok so this is getting to be a bit ridiculous. I was marked complete on 8/10 and haven't been updated since. No priority score or anything. I have called twice since then and basically was told that they are working on it. I understand that they deal with a lot of apps, but there's a point where it's a bit inconsiderate.
 
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reidmike said:
Ok so this is getting be a bit ridiculous. I was marked complete on 8/10 and haven't been updated since. No priority score or anything. I have called twice since then and basically was told that they are working on it. I understand that they deal with a lot of apps, but there's a point where it's a bit inconsiderate.
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I think we must be in the same pile... I was marked complete 8/14 and havent heard anything aside from being complete.
 
I just called again (since they told me to call in mid October if I hadn't heard anything) and was told that I am "on hold for a possible interview." Does anyone know which status # (1-5) this could be considered?
 
reidmike said:
I just called again (since they told me to call in mid October if I hadn't heard anything) and was told that I am "on hold for a possible interview." Does anyone know which status # (1-5) this could be considered?
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That sounds like #2 to me so I think you'll be good for an interview at some point.
 
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