2009-2010 Virginia Tech Carilion School of Medicine Application Thread

[KTDseven77]

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Thanks! I'm really excited about the acceptance and think that VTC has the potential to be a stellar school. I'd be happy to go there, but I'm going to hold of on making a final decision for now. Have you decided to attend?

I seem to recall some mention about a second look weekend during my interview day, but haven't heard anything since. I hope they host one though; I know I would would really appreciate the chance to get to know the school better.

Agreed...a second look weekend would be much appreciated. I also think it has the potential to become a top school quickly, but it's definitely a gamble going to a new school. I would like to go to school near the NYC area, so its location is a big negative for me, but other than that I was very impressed with their curriculum and facilities. Oh, and the scholarship, too. 😉 I still have another interview scheduled, so I'm going to wait until I hear the results of that before I decide whether or not to attend VTC for sure. It would be nice to talk with other accepted students, though, to get a feel for what the class will be like...especially since there will only by 42 students!

 

[Freezer]

hey for those of us interviewing tomorrow... good luck!!! i live in roanoke, so if anyone wants some recommendations for the area during their visit, send me a PM... the taubman museum of art (aka the building that looks like the sydney opera house from I-581) is housing a rembrandt exhibit... they also have a homer winslow painting as well as a norman rockwell and a lot of italian renaissance... ah they have some pretty cool stuff... anyways, roanoke can be a fun town if you know where to look... see you all tomorrow!!!

 

[squrlgrl007]

hey for those of us interviewing tomorrow... good luck!!! i live in roanoke, so if anyone wants some recommendations for the area during their visit, send me a PM... the taubman museum of art (aka the building that looks like the sydney opera house from I-581) is housing a rembrandt exhibit... they also have a homer winslow painting as well as a norman rockwell and a lot of italian renaissance... ah they have some pretty cool stuff... anyways, roanoke can be a fun town if you know where to look... see you all tomorrow!!!

I'm interviewing tomorrow too. How is the traffic in Roanoke? I'm staying outside of the city and need to know how much traffic allowance to give myself (I'm used to DC traffic, if that helps at all)

 

[Freezer]

I'm interviewing tomorrow too. How is the traffic in Roanoke? I'm staying outside of the city and need to know how much traffic allowance to give myself (I'm used to DC traffic, if that helps at all)

if you stay along I-581 it should be fine... traffic isnt that bad on the weekends on the interstates... 220 and 460 can be a little messy at some points because of frequent traffic lights... if you are coming from the roanoke airport area (north roanoke), it should only take you about 15-25 minutes to get to Carilion tomorrow morning... be careful with VA drivers... if you are merging into traffic off a cloverleaf or if you are just trying to change lanes, be prepared for the other drivers to make it difficult... they'll speed up just to prevent you from merging in front of them... absolute insanity!!!! ha! good luck and i'll see you tomorrow!

 

[VTBuc]

I interviewed yesterday. The MMI was a lot of fun. I also got to meet a lot of cool people throughout the day. Overall, I'm impressed with VTC.

A few things about the school:
Huge emphasis on interprofessionalism...you work with nursing and PA students a lot
PBL with a faculty member in your group taking observations
Lecture are not recorded
P/F grading...no high pass or honors
Probably no AOA...hasn't been decided yet
Research project is hugely emphasized. Can be lab, translational, or clinical
Limited overseas experiences...global health not a priority
They're going to set up a system for student-run activities but none in place yet

 

[IndigoBoy0]

Just got notification that my secondary was received (although I sent it two weeks ago) and that they are checking if my recs. are sent in via Virtual Evals. They also nicely informed me that there were two more interview dates. Hoping I'll be invited to March interview.

 

[licorice]

*

 

[VTBuc]

VTBuc, are you sure about the lectures definitely not being recorded? I interviewed in November, so things may have changed, but I remember that question being asked specifically and the response was something along the lines of "We haven't put that system in place yet, but if students want that, then we'll do it."

It was specifically asked on our tour and the person giving the tour said "no, they will not be recorded."

 

[licorice]

*

 

[IndigoBoy0]

I just called this morning to see if my recs. were received and they told me that all the February interview slots had already been granted.

 

[Point Break]

Has anyone who interviewed on Dec 5 heard anything yet?

I have a decent MCAT and GPA, as well some excellent scribe experience, previous teacher and a good working knowledge of the principles of research - though I have never been involved with a lab. I'm also non-trad, having switched from a previous field.

I'm interested in some other schools, but I think this school's program, size and environment would make it an excellent fit - I just wonder how obvious that is to the admissions committee considering my non-trad status...

 

[AmyB425]

i interviewed Dec. 5th but haven't heard anything yet.

 

[IDoIt4Love]

I interviewed yesterday. The MMI was a lot of fun. I also got to meet a lot of cool people throughout the day. Overall, I'm impressed with VTC.

A few things about the school:
Huge emphasis on interprofessionalism...you work with nursing and PA students a lot
PBL with a faculty member in your group taking observations
Lecture are not recorded
P/F grading...no high pass or honors
Probably no AOA...hasn't been decided yet
Research project is hugely emphasized. Can be lab, translational, or clinical
Limited overseas experiences...global health not a priority
They're going to set up a system for student-run activities but none in place yet

LOL VTBuc...I feel like we apply to all the same schools and our interview dates are always close together; I keep seeing you on forums I'm interested in and realizing that we interviewed only a couple days apart each time...VCU, EVMS, now Carilion (I got invited to their next date). It makes me feel that there is a high probability I will be going to school with you in the future

 

[VTBuc]

LOL VTBuc...I feel like we apply to all the same schools and our interview dates are always close together; I keep seeing you on forums I'm interested in and realizing that we interviewed only a couple days apart each time...VCU, EVMS, now Carilion (I got invited to their next date). It makes me feel that there is a high probability I will be going to school with you in the future

Nice. 🙂

Actually, I didn't apply to VCU but it's funny we both got EVMS and Carilion. One girl at my EVMS interview was actually at my Carilion one, too. Smallll world.

 

[bioman2006]

Wow, it's pretty interesting how different VT-C and VCOM's missions are when you look at this post.

A few things about the school:
Huge emphasis on interprofessionalism...you work with nursing and PA students a lot

Nothing for us until our Early Clinical Experiences and rotations, I think.

PBL with a faculty member in your group taking observations

VCOM is all lectures and labs plus some SDLs occasionally.

Lecture are not recorded

VCOMTV has video podcasts.

P/F grading...no high pass or honors

Letter grades for us, except for rotations and SPs

Probably no AOA...hasn't been decided yet

Um, we have membership in AOA...except it's the American Osteopathic Association and not Alpha Omega Alpha 😉

Research project is hugely emphasized. Can be lab, translational, or clinical

VCOM does a fair share of research but doesn't pressure students to do any.

Limited overseas experiences...global health not a priority

We have several medical missions trips throughout the year, and global health is one of VCOM's stronger points.

They're going to set up a system for student-run activities but none in place yet

VCOM relies on VT for most student life activities. We do have some club-related events, though.

I'm glad to hear good things about VT-C. It sounds like the school has a lot of potential and will do well for research-minded medical students.

 

[not so calm now]

Just heard that the body of 20 year old Morgan Harrington, Daniel Harrington (a dean whose name is on one of the letter I received)'s daughter, has been found after a 3 month search.

My thoughts are certainly with this family.

 

[surgeonhands]

Just heard that the body of 20 year old Morgan Harrington, Daniel Harrington (a dean whose name is on one of the letter I received)'s daughter, has been found after a 3 month search.

My thoughts are certainly with this family.

When I heard the news on the day that Morgan's body was found, I couldn't concentrate on working in my lab for about 4-5 hours. I feel so bad for her and her family. What she surely experienced, no human should have to bear ...

 

[Point Break]

any thoughts on the idea of sending in a letter of interest or updates regarding new experiences / activities - I have already interviewed, BTW. I'm just wondering where to send them to, and whether they have an existing policy regarding such letters.

Thank you

 

[hereigoagain]

I called and they gave me an email address to send an update to

 

[GDplastics]

Has anyone who interviewed on Dec 5 heard anything yet?

I interviewed Dec 5. I haven't heard anything yet. I did submit an update letter with recent paper publications and research presentations, and they said they would add it to my file.

I have a feeling we'll hear very close to (hopefully before) the next interview date, which according to the website is February 6.

 

[KTDseven77]

I interviewed Dec 5. I haven't heard anything yet. I did submit an update letter with recent paper publications and research presentations, and they said they would add it to my file.

I have a feeling we'll hear very close to (hopefully before) the next interview date, which according to the website is February 6.

During my interview day, I remember the admissions people saying that they will accept some students about a month after each interview day, and everyone else would be recompared to the next group of interviewees before a decision would be made. If you haven't heard yet, I would guess that you would most likely hear something during the month after the next interview date when they're reviewing all the new files. It sucks that you are having to wait so long! 🙁

 

[licorice]

*

 

[KTDseven77]

First of all, congratulations on getting an interview and good luck!

I was wondering if one of you would you ask if VTC is offering a second-look day? I know it's been a question of some people in the thread and I, for one, would really appreciate an answer. Thanks!

I second this. pretty please? 😀

 

[actoutfit]

Anyone heading down to interview on Saturday? With this big storm predicted I'm conflicted on what to do. Anyone else in this predicament?

 

[actoutfit]

And...do you think my chances go down significantly if I reschedule for the March interview.

 

[actoutfit]

anyone?

 

[licorice]

And...do you think my chances go down significantly if I reschedule for the March interview.

Note: You should take my advice with a very large grain of salt as it's purely my personal opinion.

I'm sure it's not what you want to hear, but I am inclined to think that rescheduling to a later date would reduce your chances because VTC is admitting on a rolling basis. Given that they will most likely extend acceptances to February interviewees before the March interview, presumably you would be going into your rescheduled interviewers with fewer spots available.

Again, that's just my opinion though. Anyone else care to chime in?

 

[gridguy]

And...do you think my chances go down significantly if I reschedule for the March interview.

I am inclined to say that your odds do NOT go down. While VTC claims to use rolling admissions, I believe it's more accurate to say that they use rolling admissions simply with respect to their interview invites. The reason why I say this is...

The school has 42 slots available, and each interview round (I believe 7 in total?) has earmarked for it X slots (X being 6 or 7, I would guess, since each interview round features approximately 40 applicants). Said another way, your odds of getting in are best during the initial round of selection when you are evaluated only against your fellow applicants on the day of the interview and NOT also against the waitlist. Once you're on the waitlist, you have everyone else to compete with.

I was told that the waitlist would be reorganized at the end of January and again at the end of March (based on merit, not interview date) - I am not sure anyone has yet been accepted off the waitlist as VTC continues to draw exclusively from the applicants from their most recent interview round.

I find that this contradicts the concept of rolling admissions - if the first 42 interviewees are all wonderful, it's unfortunate that most are guaranteed to wind up on the waitlist. On the other hand, I could be completely wrong and VTC accepts a variable number of students from each interview round, like most schools do, but such a policy was never enunciated (to me, at any rate). As is, I feel like VTC utilizes a pseudo-rolling admission policy.

 

[KTDseven77]

I am inclined to say that your odds do NOT go down. While VTC claims to use rolling admissions, I believe it's more accurate to say that they use rolling admissions simply with respect to their interview invites. The reason why I say this is...

The school has 42 slots available, and each interview round (I believe 7 in total?) has earmarked for it X slots (X being 6 or 7, I would guess, since each interview round features approximately 40 applicants). Said another way, your odds of getting in are best during the initial round of selection when you are evaluated only against your fellow applicants on the day of the interview and NOT also against the waitlist. Once you're on the waitlist, you have everyone else to compete with.

If each interview date really has 6 or 7 spots reserved for acceptances, it seems like your odds of an outright acceptance are equally good from either the Feb. or March interview (unless everyone panics about the snowstorm and <40 people interview this weekend, lol). Is that info verified, though? At one point, I had heard (possibly just rumors) that more students were accepted outright from the earlier interviews, and more students from the late interivews were waitlisted.

Also, if you don't get accepted and get put on the waitlist, you have to compete with more people the later you interview. Plus, VTC takes awhile to let you know after your interivew (for me, it was 6 weeks). If it were me, I would keep the February spot, and just allow a little extra driving time to get there. Good luck!!

 

[actoutfit]

If each interview date really has 6 or 7 spots reserved for acceptances, it seems like your odds of an outright acceptance are equally good from either the Feb. or March interview (unless everyone panics about the snowstorm and <40 people interview this weekend, lol). Is that info verified, though? At one point, I had heard (possibly just rumors) that more students were accepted outright from the earlier interviews, and more students from the late interivews were waitlisted.

Also, if you don't get accepted and get put on the waitlist, you have to compete with more people the later you interview. Plus, VTC takes awhile to let you know after your interivew (for me, it was 6 weeks). If it were me, I would keep the February spot, and just allow a little extra driving time to get there. Good luck!!

Thanks for the advice. Actually just got a call that they are not having the interview session tomorrow and I can reschedule for the 20th or 2 weeks after that. So I figure either date is fine since they are so close together now.

 

[ramzax]

how many waves of interview invites are left?

 

[surgeonhands]

Anyone who interviewed on January 16 hear anything back from VTC yet (acceptance, waitlist, rejection)?

 

[VTBuc]

Anyone who interviewed on January 16 hear anything back from VTC yet (acceptance, waitlist, rejection)?

Nope nothing yet.

 

[Kingstonhopeful]

Does anyone know when the March Interviews are going to be released by VTCSOM?

 

[surgeonhands]

Nope nothing yet.

Thanks, VTBuc. Me neither. I think my interview went really well, fwiw.

 

[VTBuc]

Thanks, VTBuc. Me neither. I think my interview went really well, fwiw.

Nice! Good to hear it. I think mine went well too besides the fact that I ran into the desk and dropped my clipboard during the second station. 🙂

The worst part about interviews is that everyone leaves feeling like they aced it. I wish for once someone would leave the room crying so we could at least know we outdid them. Selfish, I know. 😛

I might give VTC a call tomorrow and ask if they have a date for decisions yet.

 

[GDplastics]

I might give VTC a call tomorrow and ask if they have a date for decisions yet.

Let us know what they say.

 

[VTBuc]

Just called. I asked about January 16th and they said "we expect to have some communication out in mid-February." Nothing more specific then that. So we probably have another week or so at the least.

 

[amiacceptedyet]

so just so you all know, they already gave out exactly 42 invites in early january, drawing from the first three interview sessions. After that you are interviewing to be judged along with the "active applicant pool (people not rejected from the oct,nov,dec interviews)." Everyone in the pool is evaluated at the end of each month (i think they're a little lax about this) to fill newly opened spots in the class as people accept offers at other schools.

this info is from my interview session, the website, and a call to the admissions office.

 

[GDplastics]

According to a few posts, the December 5 group still hasn't heard anything. If there is somebody from the Dec 5 group that has heard ANYTHING, can you please confirm?

The website is a bit confusing:

Additional acceptances will be sent out approximately a month after each interview weekend. Some students not offered an initial acceptance will be notified that they still in the consideration process.

That makes it look like a month after you interview, you will hear either yes, no, or "further consideration." I interviewed Dec 5 and have received neither an acceptance, rejection, nor notification that I am still in the consideration process. Can anybody else from Dec 5 confirm that they have received ANY type of communication? Or can somebody from one of the earlier groups confirm that a "further consideration" decision is somehow communicated to you? If not, that would be nice to know.

 

[VTBuc]

so just so you all know, they already gave out exactly 42 invites in early january, drawing from the first three interview sessions. After that you are interviewing to be judged along with the "active applicant pool (people not rejected from the oct,nov,dec interviews)." Everyone in the pool is evaluated at the end of each month (i think they're a little lax about this) to fill newly opened spots in the class as people accept offers at other schools.

this info is from my interview session, the website, and a call to the admissions office.

At my interview they specifically said that they'll send out 10 or so acceptances from each interview group. That seems very contradictory to what you've said here.

 

[hereigoagain]

GDPlastics - yes, around Christmas people in the Nov 14th interview group got notification that they were still being considered. I don't know if anyone was rejected. If so, they did not post.

 

[northwestlocal]

During the Jan. 16th interview, they specifically said that they would call with acceptances approximately 5 weeks post-interview. It takes 4 weeks to tabulate and normalize the interview scores, then they make decisions. As it has not been 5 weeks yet, there is really no need to panic.

 

[AmyB425]

I interviewed Dec. 5th and haven't heard yet either, so I wouldn't be to worried right now.

 

[GDplastics]

I interviewed Dec. 5th and haven't heard yet either, so I wouldn't be to worried right now.

Good to hear. Thanks.

@northwestlocal I don't think anyone is panicking, but you're wrong that there's no reason to.

Once notified by mail of acceptance, students will have two weeks from the date of their acceptance letter to notify the VTC Admissions Office of their decision.

If someone's notification failed to arrive and that deadline passed then I'm sure VTC would offer the spot to somebody else. Because of the two-week-deadline thing, VTC applicants must be a bit attentive to the mail and whether or not other applicants have received notification.

 

[stephy]

It is probably best that they wait till they complete the next round of interviews which I believe was postponed to the 20.

It's always better to evaluate students using a larger pool. Especially for such a small class, the admissions committee can later select students to form a heterogenous group.

I myself am waiting to hear ... and I know that it sucks waiting!

 

[amiacceptedyet]

vtbuc,

Hmm, they're either misleading you or theyve changed things from when I interviewed in November, which could very well be the case for this school.

Or it could be that they expect to have about ten from interview group when all is said and done, whether theyve given out 42 invites or not. either way I guess a call to the admissions office would clear things up.

 

[PandaP9]

Interviewing this weekend. I'm very excited and nervous! Any advice out there?

 

[VTBuc]

Interviewing this weekend. I'm very excited and nervous! Any advice out there?

Out of the interviews I've been on, MMI at VTC has been the most enjoyable. I wouldn't be nervous, if I were you. Just know what you believe in and be able to defend it.

 

[northwestlocal]

Interviewing this weekend. I'm very excited and nervous! Any advice out there?

Just what VTBuc said. It is a really exciting day and everyone is very friendly. Hands down the best interview I have participated in. Just go in to have a good time and you will be fine.