2009-2010 Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) Application Thread

[ChimpanzeeMinky]

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I don't know a percentage or anything, but it seems to me from what was explained to us at the interview that if you have a score in the 1.x range, and have been invited for interview, it's pretty much yours to mess up.

Clearly pre-interview you had a score that was low enough to get you the invite. Your interviewer then "presents" you to the rest of the ADCOM, and they all score you. Your interview score(s?) then get factored in to your overall score. So, like any test you take, bomb the interview and you can easily put yourself out of competitive range. But, odds are if you got a #1 status, you have your act together and can hopefully perform at or above average come interview day. Just my $0.02.

Where did you hear that your interview score gets factored into your overall score? As I understand it, your score from the adcom meeting is solely based on the mean of all scores from those attending, minus the top and bottom scores. Once you've been invited to interview, your application value is tabula rasa.

 

[NontradatBeach]

Where did you hear that your interview score gets factored into your overall score? As I understand it, your score from the adcom meeting is solely based on the mean of all scores from those attending, minus the top and bottom scores. Once you've been invited to interview, your application value is tabula rasa.

I guess that could be the case, but it seems awfully risky since then they'd be relying on the impressions and presentation of just one interviewer that met the candidate for 45 min. If it truly were structured so that your primary and secondary are what get you to the interview, and then you are tabula rasa going into the interview... seems they'd be more likely to have a panel interview or multiple one on one interviews. Just so that all eggs weren't in one basket so to speak.

Again, I have no certainty of this - I'm just basing this off of the way it was described when I interviewed.

 

[not so calm now]

I guess that could be the case, but it seems awfully risky since then they'd be relying on the impressions and presentation of just one interviewer that met the candidate for 45 min. If it truly were structured so that your primary and secondary are what get you to the interview, and then you are tabula rasa going into the interview... seems they'd be more likely to have a panel interview or multiple one on one interviews. Just so that all eggs weren't in one basket so to speak.

Again, I have no certainty of this - I'm just basing this off of the way it was described when I interviewed.

You should go back a couple pages to InStateWaiter's post which describes it perfectly. It was on either 10/15 or 10/16 I believe.

 

[ChimpanzeeMinky]

I guess that could be the case, but it seems awfully risky since then they'd be relying on the impressions and presentation of just one interviewer that met the candidate for 45 min. If it truly were structured so that your primary and secondary are what get you to the interview, and then you are tabula rasa going into the interview... seems they'd be more likely to have a panel interview or multiple one on one interviews. Just so that all eggs weren't in one basket so to speak.

Again, I have no certainty of this - I'm just basing this off of the way it was described when I interviewed.

They will be using the contents of your entire file when you are evaluated by the committee. Your file review that got you the interview resulted in a score which will not be used during the admissions meeting.

 

[OneMCATAway]

They will be using the contents of your entire file when you are evaluated by the committee. Your file review that got you the interview resulted in a score which will not be used during the admissions meeting.

are you sure about this?! interesting.. but i guess if you got a low number initially you are probably going to get around the same thing for the second time + interview..

 

[ChimpanzeeMinky]

are you sure about this?! interesting.. but i guess if you got a low number initially you are probably going to get around the same thing for the second time + interview..

From everything I learned of this process during my application cycle, I can say I'm 99% sure. There's never 100% with such a closed process.

You could end up with a poor ranking on adcom review, but your interview rating came from one set of eyes on your file, so going before the full admissions committee with your interviewer as your advocate could result in a significantly different result.

 

[alibai3ah]

From everything I learned of this process during my application cycle, I can say I'm 99% sure. There's never 100% with such a closed process.

You could end up with a poor ranking on adcom review, but your interview rating came from one set of eyes on your file, so going before the full admissions committee with your interviewer as your advocate could result in a significantly different result.

That's kind of a bummer since intially we were given the very interested>may>further>reservations.....scores. And I was happy with my ranking in that category. Now I'm worried that they will change their mind and not like me anymore....

 

[CoolLia]

Thanks everyone for the responses. The consensus seems to be that your status pre-interview doesn't mean anything post interview. Which makes me wonder if applications that were scored very high in the pre can end up getting shot down in the post regardless of interviews. Great, more nerves...

 

[nka1985]

Thanks everyone for the responses. The consensus seems to be that your status pre-interview doesn't mean anything post interview. Which makes me wonder if applications that were scored very high in the pre can end up getting shot down in the post regardless of interviews. Great, more nerves...

That seems pretty unlikely. The score you get pre-interview is decided upon based on MCAT scores, GPA, and essays. MCAT and GPA are going to be the same before or after interview. The one thing that can change your outcome significantly is if your interviewer loves or hates you.

 

[floridakmm]

I have been stuck on the 'complete' message for over 2 months now. Should I call or wait? I am wondering if this is some kind of silent rejection, but I thought they would just say it on the site

 

[mvenus929]

I have been stuck on the 'complete' message for over 2 months now. Should I call or wait? I am wondering if this is some kind of silent rejection, but I thought they would just say it on the site

No, they seem pretty good about handing out rejections. I think they just haven't gotten around to reviewing your application yet.

 

[browneyedgirl43]

Hello...I don't know if this will help anyone but I was complete 9/12 and I just got an invite for an interview today...Traditional/IS

Oh! and I received status #3

 

[GHLBC]

Hey is anyone going to make a thread for accepted students planning on attending this school?!

Good luck to everyone applying! This school is amazing 🙂

 

[reveille16]

Hey is anyone going to make a thread for accepted students planning on attending this school?!

Good luck to everyone applying! This school is amazing 🙂

I can't wait to start either! Someone should definitely make a thread. Also, join the facebook group if you haven't already done so!

 

[FallenHero]

That seems pretty unlikely. The score you get pre-interview is decided upon based on MCAT scores, GPA, and essays. MCAT and GPA are going to be the same before or after interview. The one thing that can change your outcome significantly is if your interviewer loves or hates you.

What if rather than hates, my interviewer fears me? Is it better to be feared or loved?

 

[Overfloater]

I'm having some trouble with my secondary essay and I can't find much info on the website to help. Can anyone tell me some things that are unique about VCU and their program? ex. Do they emphasize research or patient-centered?

 

[AL24]

What if rather than hates, my interviewer fears me? Is it better to be feared or loved?

I definitely thought my interviewer hated me. Fortunately, I was either wrong, or the Committee was able to look past it -- accepted 10/16.

 

[derArzt]

For those who have already interviewed, how are the buildings/facilities here?

 

[JaDud6PG]

For those who have already interviewed, how are the buildings/facilities here?

They're great!!! But as a VCU student (m1), my answer is heavily biased.

Seriously though .. they are great. VCU has a 24/7 computer lab that has cubicles with computers in them (first come first serve basis). It's great for studying during the late afternoon/evening hours when you know you would do nothing productive if you were to stay home.

The anatomy lab is also 24/7 so you can organize study parties with your buddies, which is actually what my group is planning for tomorrow.

The lecture halls are no different from those of other schools. Lectures are recorded so you can listen to the lectures for things you may have missed while in class. This has saved me dozens of times, as the profs sometimes move through the material at a pace that's too fast for me. I can listen to the lectures later in the day ... and while doing so, I can pause it and rewind whenever I need to.

If you have any specific questions, please don't hesitate to send me a message.

 

[GHLBC]

They're great!!! But as a VCU student (m1), my answer is heavily biased.

Seriously though .. they are great. VCU has a 24/7 computer lab that has cubicles with computers in them (first come first serve basis). It's great for studying during the late afternoon/evening hours when you know you would do nothing productive if you were to stay home.

The anatomy lab is also 24/7 so you can organize study parties with your buddies, which is actually what my group is planning for tomorrow.

The lecture halls are no different from those of other schools. Lectures are recorded so you can listen to the lectures for things you may have missed while in class. This has saved me dozens of times, as the profs sometimes move through the material at a pace that's too fast for me. I can listen to the lectures later in the day ... and while doing so, I can pause it and rewind whenever I need to.

If you have any specific questions, please don't hesitate to send me a message.

Hello! I think I remember from my interview that class is only 8-12pm Monday, Wednesday, Friday. Is this correct?

Also, Tuesday and Thursday you're supposed to go to clinics, right? Are there days that they don't assign you any clinic, therefore giving you the day off?

Thanks! I can't wait to start! I love this school 🙂

 

[ChimpanzeeMinky]

Hello! I think I remember from my interview that class is only 8-12pm Monday, Wednesday, Friday. Is this correct?

Also, Tuesday and Thursday you're supposed to go to clinics, right? Are there days that they don't assign you any clinic, therefore giving you the day off?

Thanks! I can't wait to start! I love this school 🙂

No, class is from 8-12 Monday through Friday. Preceptorships are every other week one afternoon a week. There are often other things scheduled in the afternoons, as well.

 

[GHLBC]

No, class is from 8-12 Monday through Friday. Preceptorships are every other week one afternoon a week. There are often other things scheduled in the afternoons, as well.

Oh ok. When you take into consideration the other things you have to do in the afternoon, about how much time do you have to study each day, on average?

 

[ChimpanzeeMinky]

Oh ok. When you take into consideration the other things you have to do in the afternoon, about how much time do you have to study each day, on average?

Greater than 50% of the time, you've got afternoons off, so there's plenty of time available for studying. If I go to class, I usually come home, take a nap, and then start studying around 2. Depending on where we are in the class, I could be done for the day by dinnertime, or I could pick up again after dinner.

 

[ronicajay]

Oh ok. When you take into consideration the other things you have to do in the afternoon, about how much time do you have to study each day, on average?

We actually no longer have preceptor in the fall, but we have additional workshops and small group sessions instead. 1 day each week (your given Foundations of Clinical Medicine day) you will be in class from about 8-4. The other days it depends. You may be done at 12 or if there are extra things like clinical correlations or review sessions, you may have another hour or two of class. Most classes are optional, so you can decide how much time you want to spend studying or going to class. I personally go to all the classes and extra sessions and I have plenty of time to study. Overall I think the schedule is very reasonable.

 

[nka1985]

Oh ok. When you take into consideration the other things you have to do in the afternoon, about how much time do you have to study each day, on average?

M1 and M2 you have a TON of study time. I would usually go home and study from 1-4 or 5pm depending on what we're learning at the time. It was unusual to have things in the afternoon more than 1 or 2 times a week.

M3 study time is pretty rare but that's going to be the same at just about every school. Once you hit the wards most of your learning is from your patients with some crammed book learning in the weeks before a shelf exam.

 

[ChimpanzeeMinky]

M1 and M2 you have a TON of study time. I would usually go home and study from 1-4 or 5pm depending on what we're learning at the time. It was unusual to have things in the afternoon more than 1 or 2 times a week.

M3 study time is pretty rare but that's going to be the same at just about every school. Once you hit the wards most of your learning is from your patients with some crammed book learning in the weeks before a shelf exam.

How you liking M3? I'm ready to be there myself!

 

[alibai3ah]

If anyone from October 8th interviews was also feeling lost and confused, i got an email today that told me we were just going in front of committee today, so i guess even if we are getting in we won't know until Dec 15th...

Really? I got no such email. So did the early October people not get looked at? I got a "hold"

 

[nka1985]

How you liking M3? I'm ready to be there myself!

It's a lot of fun and a lot of learning...but ENJOY every last minute of free time you get during M1 and M2! I only have the weekend off because I just finished Medicine and I start Psych tomorrow. Those 80 hours work weeks get tiring fast!

 

[CoolLia]

For anyone that was rejected post interview, would you mind sharing how soon after interview you received the letter/email?

 

[Sleight]

Really? I got no such email. So did the early October people not get looked at? I got a "hold"

I never got a status update at all...not even the hold one

 

[millepora]

Finally got a status update today, was marked complete on the 15th of last month. I guess I got a hold status, I got to find that key someone made...

What number is the MAY message equivalent to?

 

[CantWinThemAll]

Finally got a status update today, was marked complete on the 15th of last month. I guess I got a hold status, I got to find that key someone made...

What number is the MAY message equivalent to?

It's the number 2 status and a good sign!

 

[sustentacular]

So my application was complete on August 31 and since that time I've received two additional e-mails (in early September) notifying me that my status had changed yet when I logged in I still had the complete and under review message. I still have yet to receive a different status update. Has anyone else had this happened or been waiting that long for any sort of status change?

 

[Powerplant]

So my application was complete on August 31 and since that time I've received two additional e-mails (in early September) notifying me that my status had changed yet when I logged in I still had the complete and under review message. I still have yet to receive a different status update. Has anyone else had this happened or been waiting that long for any sort of status change?

I was complete a little before you, but I also received the two emails about status change and I still have the complete and under review message.

 

[starl3tte]

I just rec'd the invite. I had the "very interested" status since Oct 6. I'm not sure when I was complete, but I submitted the 2ndary in late Aug. There are still interview dates for Jan and Feb (most days except for Fridays).

 

[SW161QN]

anyone interviewing tomorrow?

 

[millepora]

Thanks for the translation.

In case anyone else was wondering, here is the key that was posted earlier in the thread...

OK, so after browsing last year's thread, it seems there are 5 stati.
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

 

[seany434]

So my application was complete on August 31 and since that time I've received two additional e-mails (in early September) notifying me that my status had changed yet when I logged in I still had the complete and under review message. I still have yet to receive a different status update. Has anyone else had this happened or been waiting that long for any sort of status change?

Yeah, that happened to me as well. I have been complete since the 14th of August and I got the status update email a week or two later but nothing had changed. I've been complete now going on 2 1/2 months...

 

[LittleRichard]

I dont know about those rankings. I've had that "very interested" status forever, and people complete after me with lower rankings have already been interviewed. I really don't think it matters which one you get.

 

[sustentacular]

I was complete a little before you, but I also received the two emails about status change and I still have the complete and under review message.

Yeah, that happened to me as well. I have been complete since the 14th of August and I got the status update email a week or two later but nothing had changed. I've been complete now going on 2 1/2 months...

Thanks for the replies. For some reason I had it in my head that maybe they rejected me a few days after I was complete and they just forgot to update the status online or something.

 

[Sleight]

Just got a status update, finally got the hold message, interviewed Oct. 8th

 

[KateG]

It's not a rejection. It's status #2 (out of 5) which is actually really good. You should be getting an interview invite soon. I was at #3 and I got an interview invite.

for those of you who know who the 1-5 system works... can anyone tell me what is this:

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.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.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.

 

[ChimpanzeeMinky]

for those of you who know who the 1-5 system works... can anyone tell me what is this:

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.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.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.

Wow, it looks like they really, really want to review your file longer, considering how many times they repeated that! Weird.

 

[OneMCATAway]

for those of you who know who the 1-5 system works... can anyone tell me what is this:

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.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.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.

just based on the first line this is the #3 status.. aka "further status"! a good amount of people got interviews with this number so its good 🙂

 

[CoolLia]

It looks like some are getting interview invites from #2 or #3 statuses before people with #1s and some people aren't even getting a status, just being invited to interview. Seems like there is no real rhyme or reasoning to how or when they offer the invites at this point...

 

[seany434]

Thanks for the replies. For some reason I had it in my head that maybe they rejected me a few days after I was complete and they just forgot to update the status online or something.

Maybe my complaining worked, I just got a status update tonight and an interview invite. Hopefully you get the same good news soon!

 

[ftrflyr29]

Withdrew from November interview. Good Luck all!

 

[puffin]

Hey guys. I had never heard of these status numbers (1-5) before stumbling across this message board. How did all of you find out your number? My secondary was complete in late September and I had an interview invitation ~2 business days later (thrilled). I'm going to my interview soon and now that I know these scores exist, I'm kind of curious what mine might be. Should I call down there?

 

[golffanatic]

Hey guys. I had never heard of these status numbers (1-5) before stumbling across this message board. How did all of you find out your number? My secondary was complete in late September and I had an interview invitation ~2 business days later (thrilled). I'm going to my interview soon and now that I know these scores exist, I'm kind of curious what mine might be. Should I call down there?

I wouldn't worry about your status score. The status update is technically pre-interview. If you got an interview without a status update, then more power to ya! Congrats and good luck!

 

[theanthem]

Got an update yesterday with a rejection, and I was sad about waiting until Dec 15th...
🙁