2009-2010 Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) Application Thread

[theanthem]

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One thought, particularly at VCU, is that the person who read the applicant's file and scored it high enough to get an interview may not share the consensus view of the adcom? I don't know.

I also don't particularly have a ton of faith in the extent of the reviews that are done pre interview offer. These schools get swamped, and I bet that a quick look at "numbers" yields more interviews than are probably deserved...and just as many applicants get passed over, or screened out, based on their numbers with not much attention paid to the whole person.

The bottom line is that not all schools will view this lack of US clinical experience equally, so these applicants may still get some good news from somewhere.

I did do the traditional hospital volunteering in the US as well as some stuff in homeless shelters and with the Red Cross. I'm working this year in the US and seeing patients every day. I think I must have failed to communicate those things effectively, so my advice to other applicants is to really stress your EMT/hospital experiences in your interview so that is what gets presented to the admissions committee. I'm pretty depressed about this still but I hope others can learn from my mistakes!

 

[flip26]

I did do the traditional hospital volunteering in the US as well as some stuff in homeless shelters and with the Red Cross. I'm working this year in the US and seeing patients every day. I think I must have failed to communicate those things effectively, so my advice to other applicants is to really stress your EMT/hospital experiences in your interview so that is what gets presented to the admissions committee. I'm pretty depressed about this still but I hope others can learn from my mistakes!

In that case, if I were in your shoes, I would write a letter (snail mail) detailing those experiences and send it to VCU, asking for reconsideration. If nothing else, you will be updating your current activities.

You might have been given a standard response, too. I doubt if the reasons for rejection are always clear cut, especially since these decisions are the result of a committee vote...

Most schools won't tell you anything.

 

[not so calm now]

"There are better and more admirable ways to serve your country". 😡 .

I'm still on post interview hold.

I agree with this comment. Good for the interviewer for holding your feet to the fire.

 

[scotsdoc54]

I agree with this comment. Good for the interviewer for holding your feet to the fire.

Right, because putting one's life on the line when their country calls isn't admirable or in service to their country. 🙄 Regardless of your political beliefs, military service is admirable and needed, and answering that call to service should be respected. Shame on the interviewer for letting his own biases cloud his objective judgment of the suitability of the candidate for medical school admissions (if that was case, as I know some schools do "stress interviews").


Anyway...my point for posting is to let folks know that I'm canceling my interview, so hopefully I will open up a spot for someone! Good luck guys!

 

[alibai3ah]

Right, because putting one's life on the line when their country calls isn't admirable or in service to their country. 🙄 Regardless of your political beliefs, military service is admirable and needed, and answering that call to service should be respected. Shame on the interviewer for letting his own biases cloud his objective judgment of the suitability of the candidate for medical school admissions (if that was case, as I know some schools do "stress interviews").


Anyway...my point for posting is to let folks know that I'm canceling my interview, so hopefully I will open up a spot for someone! Good luck guys!

Could not agree more. It is admirable and it is unfortunate that you had an interviewer who felt that way.

 

[BigRedDeal]

I agree with this comment. Good for the interviewer for holding your feet to the fire.

I would take a bullet for you and everyone else any day so that yall have the right and freedom to say things like that. But try living 7 years in a country that denies you most American rights and you might understand better where I'm coming from.

VCU is still a top choice for me, I really liked the school. An acceptance might put some minds at ease that a negative interview does not indicated much.

 

[ChimpanzeeMinky]

I would take a bullet for you and everyone else any day so that yall have the right and freedom to say things like that. But try living 7 years in a country that denies you most American rights and you might understand better where I'm coming from.

VCU is still a top choice for me, I really liked the school. An acceptance might put some minds at ease that a negative interview does not indicated much.

You're a better man than I. I wouldn't take a bullet for these little weasels who take their freedoms for granted and are the first to let better people put their lives on the line the minute it's necessary.

Thanks for serving.

As for Dr. G, shoot me a PM and let's compare and see if it's who I think it may be.

 

[flip26]

Could not agree more. It is admirable and it is unfortunate that you had an interviewer who felt that way.

It also begs the question - if the interviewer said there are other more admirable ways to serve one's country, exactly what are they? I am coming up blank here...

To the chap who suffered through the inanity of this interviewer fool: did you ask him for examples?

 

[Laryngophed]

Thanks for serving.

This. This times infinity.

 

[medmannamdem]

Man!

Do not listen to a single word of the fool who interviewed you - yes- TOTAL fool. Anyone who is going to dismiss your service for our military deserves no respect.

As for "not so calm now" - you sound naive, immature, and unknowledgeable regarding the people who give you the freedom to fart around on these message boards all day -

one may not agree with the military policies of our country, but each man and woman who serves our country is nothing short of a hero...but few realize it because they're so far removed from where the rubber meets the road - myself included.

I thank you for your service to our country!

 

[Food]

So I got a status update yesterday, but there was nothing new on my page. It still says my file is complete although it includes information about "hold" now. It distinguishes between hold for MCAT vs hold for grades. Is that on everyone's page, or does that mean they put me on hold? Because under file status it still says "complete".

 

[Laryngophed]

So I got a status update yesterday, but there was nothing new on my page. It still says my file is complete although it includes information about "hold" now. It distinguishes between hold for MCAT vs hold for grades. Is that on everyone's page, or does that mean they put me on hold? Because under file status it still says "complete".

I got the same thing. It kind of freaked me out. I've been complete since 10/5 and then yesterday I got a new complete status (with less info overall) but nothing new. Oh well, I'll give a call on Monday and see what's up.

 

[Ok2Panic]

I got the same thing. It kind of freaked me out. I've been complete since 10/5 and then yesterday I got a new complete status (with less info overall) but nothing new. Oh well, I'll give a call on Monday and see what's up.

Me too. After I got the email I spent like five minutes trying to calm down and not freak out before I checked the status update. Very anticlimactic end, VCU!

 

[dru2002]

So I will preface this by saying I'm a veteran with two combat deployments. So needless to say I admire your service.

When the interviewer asked my why I was in the military, I said I had a deep desire to give back and serve my country

This part of your answer is great and will be accepted well on most of your interviews.

in a way that most are unable or willing to do.

Here is where you got yourself into trouble. This part of the answer sounds self-aggrandizing. The first part is upbeat and shows you care for things greater than yourself. This second part makes it seem as if you feel you are better than those who didn't join the military.

I wasn't at your interview so I don't know if this is what put your interviewer off. But, when I read your quote this is how I took it. I would take it into consideration for future interviews because your military service will most certainly come up.

 

[not so calm now]

I'm genuinely sad that someone who criticizes another American for pride to the point of haughtiness at being part of a bloated, wasteful, organization (the military) whose primary goal in contemporary society is to help Iraq/Afghanistan establish a muslim theocracy for the purpose (or, at least a sizeable percentage of) of maintaining an outdated, environmentally harmful form of energy is "naive, immature, and unknowledgeable."

Better ways to serve your country? A better way to serve your country would be organizing a protest to the illegal and morally wrong wars in Afghanistan and Iraq.

I wasn't going to go there but seriously, guys. Think for yourselves. The military isn't just a flag-waving patriotic organization we get to wave at in parades.

And if anyone wants to discuss it further let's let it be through PM.

P.S. Here's a link to Iraq's new constitution if you don't think we're setting up a muslim theocracy.

P.P.S. If you don't want to scroll down to the second page I've copied/pasted it for your convenience.

Article 2:
First: Islam is the official religion of the State and is a foundation source of
legislation:
A. No law may be enacted that contradicts the established provisions of Islam
B. No law may be enacted that contradicts the principles of democracy.
C. No law may be enacted that contradicts the rights and basic freedoms
stipulated in this Constitution.



Is that the freedom you're fighting for?

 

[CoolLia]

I know everyone in here respects everyone else's opinions on the subjects mentioned above even if we don't agree with them. That said it's probably best to move on by getting back to the topic of VCU. I don't think any good will come of using this thread to stand on soap boxes.

Soooo.....

Anyone interviewing tomorrow?

 

[dru2002]

I'm genuinely sad that someone who criticizes another American for pride to the point of haughtiness at being part of a bloated, wasteful, organization (the military) whose primary goal in contemporary society is to help Iraq/Afghanistan establish a muslim theocracy for the purpose (or, at least a sizeable percentage of) of maintaining an outdated, environmentally harmful form of energy is "naive, immature, and unknowledgeable."

Better ways to serve your country? A better way to serve your country would be organizing a protest to the illegal and morally wrong wars in Afghanistan and Iraq.

I wasn't going to go there but seriously, guys. Think for yourselves. The military isn't just a flag-waving patriotic organization we get to wave at in parades.

And if anyone wants to discuss it further let's let it be through PM.

P.S. Here's a link to Iraq's new constitution if you don't think we're setting up a muslim theocracy.

P.P.S. If you don't want to scroll down to the second page I've copied/pasted it for your convenience.

Article 2:
First: Islam is the official religion of the State and is a foundation source of
legislation:
A. No law may be enacted that contradicts the established provisions of Islam
B. No law may be enacted that contradicts the principles of democracy.
C. No law may be enacted that contradicts the rights and basic freedoms
stipulated in this Constitution.



Is that the freedom you're fighting for?

You have your views. They're wrong but you're an American so you are entitled to them. To quote a wiser man than me "We sleep safe in our beds because rough men stand ready in the night to visit violence on those who would do us harm."
-George Orwell

 

[BigRedDeal]

Here is where you got yourself into trouble. This part of the answer sounds self-aggrandizing. The first part is upbeat and shows you care for things greater than yourself. This second part makes it seem as if you feel you are better than those who didn't join the military.

Your right, on paper my quote looks a little boastful. That wasn't my intention. But the quote spoken with the right intonation, facial expressions, and pauses sounds much better than it looks on paper. I've said it at other interviews and it has rolled me into a pleasant discussions about the military and service. Isn't the point of an interview to make yourself look really good?

I should have picked a better, non controversial quote said during my not so favorable interview. Thank you all for you support. Now lets get back on topic!

 

[mvenus929]

Your right, on paper my quote looks a little boastful. That wasn't my intention. But the quote spoken with the right intonation, facial expressions, and pauses sounds much better than it looks on paper. I've said it at other interviews and it has rolled me into a pleasant discussions about the military and service. Isn't the point of an interview to make yourself look really good?

I dunno. I think it depends on the personality of your interviewer. To some people, that second half may come off as insulting, even if you say it in the most pleasant of ways.

But anyway... VCU is just rubbing me the wrong way all the way around. I think I'm going to withdraw before my interview...

 

[Sun Dog]

Anybody know if they accept a lot from the waitlist or only a few???

 

[nka1985]

Anybody know if they accept a lot from the waitlist or only a few???

They've accepted A LOT from their waitlist in years past.

 

[Laryngophed]

Quick update to those who got the "Your file is now complete and will be forwarded to the AdCom." status on Friday.

I called the SOM and asked what is up and the lady who answered the phone said that it means our files have been forwarded to the AdCom and checked out to sub-committee for review. They also said to not be surprised if you get that status a few more times before the next decision is made. I hope this helps!

 

[OneMCATAway]

does vcu give background on the person interviewing you or does the person do that themselves during the interview? so when you first go to the admissions office do you go straight to your interview or do you pick up a package/sign in/anything else?! specially for morning interviews..

 

[reveille16]

does vcu give background on the person interviewing you or does the person do that themselves during the interview? so when you first go to the admissions office do you go straight to your interview or do you pick up a package/sign in/anything else?! specially for morning interviews..

When I arrived for my morning interview, I was directed to a waiting room with some other applicants. We did not receive any sort of interview packet, and I did not know who my interviewer would be, or anything about him before he came to the waiting room and picked me up personally. Additionally, I didn't have to sign in. I simply gave the secretary my name upon arrival, and it seemed like she checked me off of a list. In case you're curious, after the interview, my interviewer walked me back to the waiting room where I rejoined the other applicants as we waited for the informational session with the dean of admissions. That informational session was held in her office (which is really sweet by the way). We all just sat on the couches in her office and talked (very informal).

 

[OneMCATAway]

When I arrived for my morning interview, I was directed to a waiting room with some other applicants. We did not receive any sort of interview packet, and I did not know who my interviewer would be, or anything about him before he came to the waiting room and picked me up personally. Additionally, I didn't have to sign in. I simply gave the secretary my name upon arrival, and it seemed like she checked me off of a list. In case you're curious, after the interview, my interviewer walked me back to the waiting room where I rejoined the other applicants as we waited for the informational session with the dean of admissions. That informational session was held in her office (which is really sweet by the way). We all just sat on the couches in her office and talked (very informal).

Thanks for your reply 🙂

hope you rocked you interview!!

 

[reveille16]

Thanks for your reply 🙂

hope you rocked you interview!!

No problem 🙂 I was lucky enough to be accepted in October. Don't stress about the interview. It is really laid back. I hope that you will be joining me in the class of 2014! Good luck!

 

[Heidiho]

Interviewing tomorrow! Hope it goes well......VCU is my first choice.

 

[CoolLia]

Interviewing tomorrow! Hope it goes well......VCU is my first choice.

Mine too! Good luck! 🙂

 

[twilight461]

Just got an invite for an interview. Does anyone know how long the interview day is? I'd like to fly in early the morning of my interview and fly back that evening. Thanks!

 

[CoolLia]

Just got an invite for an interview. Does anyone know how long the interview day is? I'd like to fly in early the morning of my interview and fly back that evening. Thanks!

If your interview is in the afternoon you will still need to be there by 11:00 a.m. for the informational session with Dr. Whitehurst-Cook, the financial aid folks, etc. After that you will have lunch and tour the campus a bit. It ran us until about 2:00-2:30 p.m.

Hope that helps!

 

[filhodeinferno]

does vcu give background on the person interviewing you or does the person do that themselves during the interview? so when you first go to the admissions office do you go straight to your interview or do you pick up a package/sign in/anything else?! specially for morning interviews..

I interviewed yesterday and I knew nothing about my interviewer until the actual interview. Even then, she never really said anything about what she did until I asked her half way through the interview.

 

[reveille16]

Interviewing tomorrow! Hope it goes well......VCU is my first choice.

Good Luck!!

 

[twilight461]

If your interview is in the afternoon you will still need to be there by 11:00 a.m. for the informational session with Dr. Whitehurst-Cook, the financial aid folks, etc. After that you will have lunch and tour the campus a bit. It ran us until about 2:00-2:30 p.m.

Hope that helps!

Yes, thank you! Wow, in the matter of an hour a ton of interview dates got filled. Now instead of scheduling one for this upcoming Tuesday, the earliest one was Feb. 2! So if anyone gets an interview invitation, schedule it asap because the dates fill up super fast.

 

[derArzt]

Yes, thank you! Wow, in the matter of an hour a ton of interview dates got filled. Now instead of scheduling one for this upcoming Tuesday, the earliest one was Feb. 2! So if anyone gets an interview invitation, schedule it asap because the dates fill up super fast.

I imagine those open slots coming up are just due to people canceling interviews... so they didn't necessarily fill a ton of spaces... but if you can grab one of those, do it!

 

[CoolLia]

I interviewed yesterday and I knew nothing about my interviewer until the actual interview. Even then, she never really said anything about what she did until I asked her half way through the interview.

So my interview was not at all conversational. The interviewer literally went down a list of questions I assume he/she made after going through my app. I'm sure that's just their interview style; some people aren't super chatty. Just wanted to throw that out there. Be prepared for anything. Thank goodness I was...

 

[premedchelli]

Complete 10/11
REJECTED 10/30

Boy was that quick.

VCU will be duller without the bright lights of my sunny attitude to shine there. ;)

Good luck to everyone on this thread!

 

[Food]

Complete 10/11
REJECTED 10/30

Boy was that quick.

VCU will be duller without the bright lights of my sunny attitude to shine there. ;)

Good luck to everyone on this thread!

Sorry to hear that 🙁. I believe they just started looking at my file...did they give you a priority score?

 

[FallenHero]

Complete 10/11
REJECTED 10/30

Boy was that quick.

VCU will be duller without the bright lights of my sunny attitude to shine there. ;)

Good luck to everyone on this thread!

Sorry to hear but nice to see you have a positive attitude about it 😀 If you don't mind, can you enlighten us on possible reasons for the rejection? Did you not mesh with the interviewer (as someone else stated was their experience) or low clinical experience or something.

 

[Bryson17]

Sorry to hear but nice to see you have a positive attitude about it 😀 If you don't mind, can you enlighten us on possible reasons for the rejection? Did you not mesh with the interviewer (as someone else stated was their experience) or low clinical experience or something.

Sounds like he didn't get an interview...

 

[tmntdonjuan]

Would anyone happen to have the info from US News that tells you the number of interview invites and acceptances?

 

[I Doctor]

The Admissions Committee has met to discuss your file. Your application is being placed on hold for action at a later date. We anticipate making offers October 16, December 15, February 1, and March 16.

You will receive no further communication from us concerning your hold status. The next status change will be to offer you a position in the class, to notify you that you have been placed on the alternate list in late-March, or to notify you that the Committee will no longer be considering your file.

We thank you for your interest in our school.



Can someone tell me what this means???
Does this mean they met and they didn't like me and I'm on hold or what??

 

[ChimpanzeeMinky]

The Admissions Committee has met to discuss your file. Your application is being placed on hold for action at a later date. We anticipate making offers October 16, December 15, February 1, and March 16.

You will receive no further communication from us concerning your hold status. The next status change will be to offer you a position in the class, to notify you that you have been placed on the alternate list in late-March, or to notify you that the Committee will no longer be considering your file.

We thank you for your interest in our school.



Can someone tell me what this means???
Does this mean they met and they didn't like me and I'm on hold or what??

It means exactly what it says.

On December 15th, you'll either hear that you got in or you'll remain on hold. The only other thing you could have heard at this point is that you were rejected. This is the better result, don't you think?

 

[holyhekshler]

Complete 10/22
Rejected 11/5
boo.

 

[howabout]

cancelled my interview for next monday. good luck all.

 

[DO_doctor]

chimpanzee, so if you get that message, you're definitely getting either an acceptance or waitlist?

 

[ChimpanzeeMinky]

chimpanzee, so if you get that message, you're definitely getting either an acceptance or waitlist?

If you don't get accepted before they make up the waitlist some time in March, it's possible that, if your priority score is at the bottom of the pool, you could get rejected at that point. I've heard that's the case, yet I have never heard a single validated report of someone getting rejected when they formulated the waitlist. I would hope for an acceptance, but if you don't receive one, you'll probably end up on the waitlist.

 

[Ilovewater]

If you don't get accepted before they make up the waitlist some time in March, it's possible that, if your priority score is at the bottom of the pool, you could get rejected at that point. I've heard that's the case, yet I have never heard a single validated report of someone getting rejected when they formulated the waitlist. I would hope for an acceptance, but if you don't receive one, you'll probably end up on the waitlist.

What's the chance accepted at the next date if you didn't get accepted at the earlier date? Like, are there many people who didn't get accepted on Oct. 16th even though they interviewed way before that date and get accepted on Dec. 15th and etc? Or do you usually end up on the waitlist?

I'm not sure if I worded my question clearly.... =/

 

[DO_doctor]

have there been people who got the post interview hold that have been rejected? or is it just accept/waitlist?

 

[ChimpanzeeMinky]

What's the chance accepted at the next date if you didn't get accepted at the earlier date? Like, are there many people who didn't get accepted on Oct. 16th even though they interviewed way before that date and get accepted on Dec. 15th and etc? Or do you usually end up on the waitlist?

I'm not sure if I worded my question clearly.... =/

I understand your question. The way this works is that post-interview, you receive a priority score. 1 is best, 5 is worst. If you're higher than 3.5, you're rejected. If you're less than 3.5, you're put on hold till the next offer date. For that offer date, they accept a specific number of people (about 50), and they set the threshold so that all people below a certain priority score are accepted.

So, let's say your priority score is 2.2. For the October 16th offer date, in order to accept 50 people, they find that the priority score threshold must be 1.9. You then remain on hold. For the Dec. 15th date, they must perform the same process. Remember that more will have interviewed between 10/16 and 12/15, and some of those interviewees will have received very strong scores, such as 1.2, and others will have received worse scores. So, it's possible, depending on the strength of interviewees, that the priority score threshold could actually drop for the next batch, say to 1.6. If the group of interviewers wasn't as strong, the threshold may be set at 2.2. In the latter case, you'd get in on the Dec. 15th date.

The bottom line is that it's impossible to predict what the priority score threshold will be and even if you could, since you don't know your priority score, you don't know where that leaves you. Your best bet is probably getting in at the first available offer date after you've been reviewed, but it's still possible that you'd get in at later dates.

Let me know if that cleared things up or only muddied the water further.

 

[ChimpanzeeMinky]

have there been people who got the post interview hold that have been rejected? or is it just accept/waitlist?

Like I said, I've never heard anyone report that happened to them. Of course, that's only referring to when the waitlist is formulated. There are certainly many people who don't make it off the waitlist by the end of the summer and are ultimately rejected.