2010-2011 University of Virginia Application Thread

[mvenus929]

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I know the first years right now are ironing out some of the glitches in the new curriculum. Have there been any concrete changes? How about the fight to get paper versions of notes? Or does it look like we'll still have to print them independently next year?

It's hard for us to say whether or not there have been any concrete changes, because often we provide feedback after the fact, and have no idea how they'll end up changing it for next year's class. For instance, we had a couple lectures on mindfulness that we had issues with, and the leader of that thread has taken our comments into account and will likely change it for next year's class. But we don't know how it will be changed. They're trying out various test questions on us, so those will likely change for next year's class as well, but again... it's done after the fact for us.

They have made some significant improvements regarding the distribution of materials. There is now generally one document for the instructions, notes, and learning objectives for each lecture, which was a big issue we had, and the documents are all sent out on Thursday night by the course director. That change has made our lives easier.

I wouldn't count on the school going back to paper handouts. One of the deans actually wants to move completely away from handouts all together, saying that they don't have as much of a place in the new curriculum as they have in the past. They're not taking them away, but that will be the trend over the next several years: to have less reliance on instructor provided handouts. Obviously, if those go by the way-side, there's no need to provide handout packets to the students in the first place.

 

[mvenus929]

The biggest deterrent for me is that students are required to do some of their rotations away. I get the idea that it's good to get some outside perspective... but if I want to go to UVa it's because I want to go to UVa.

I know several people mentioned this as a drawback, and I wanted to share something I heard this past week. As many of you may or may not know, one of our sites for clinical rotations has been Roanoke. Apparently there's some concern about the use of the site for internal medicine, so there is a movement to spend internal medicine rotations at UVA. This will likely, but not certainly, reduce the number of weeks you do away rotations.

 

[afob100]

I know several people mentioned this as a drawback, and I wanted to share something I heard this past week. As many of you may or may not know, one of our sites for clinical rotations has been Roanoke. Starting with our (first year) class, Roanoke will not be an option because the VT students are taking over that site.

Rumor has it (note that this was not from the administration) that as a result, we'll be spending much more of our rotations in Charlottesville. All of the internal medicine rotations will be at UVA. Fairfax will still be available for Peds, and I imagine we're keeping various family medicine sites and Salem, but it seems like there will be a lot fewer away rotations starting with our class.

Any idea if this would reduce the 20 week requirement down to 12 or something?

 

[Steeler7588]

Starting with our (first year) class, Roanoke will not be an option because the VT students are taking over that site.

Where did you hear this?

 

[justinbaily]

As many of you may or may not know, one of our sites for clinical rotations has been Roanoke. Starting with our (first year) class, Roanoke will not be an option because the VT students are taking over that site.

This is not true. The other stuff is apparently currently in the works, but it's for a number of different reasons.

 

[MSFbound]

first post ever, long time lurker.

received acceptance via snail mail today (postmarked dec 3)!! interviewed last week, OOS, 3.7/33 -- super excited! 😀

 

[Strontium]

Is it too early to start looking for housing? Any particular recommendations for area or places to avoid?

 

[Steeler7588]

Is it too early to start looking for housing? Any particular recommendations for area or places to avoid?

No, the earlier, the better. People have been signing leases since September/October. I'd Google places to read reviews if possible. A lot of people like living close, I live pretty far away, and experiences seem to be pretty positive - unless reviews note bad management, figure out what priorities are most important for you in housing and just use that to guide you.

 

[mvenus929]

This is not true. The other stuff is apparently currently in the works, but it's for a number of different reasons.

Apologies, I was misinformed, and have edited my original post accordingly.

Is it too early to start looking for housing? Any particular recommendations for area or places to avoid?

No, it's not too early, but you'll be able to find housing if you wait as well (I didn't secure a place to live until June, and there were still spots open through the start of school). There will be people looking for roommates, and you will likely be able to find a few places around.

Check out MSC... they have the easiest listing of places to live. Where you live depends a lot on how much you're willing to pay (the closer you are to the hospital, in general, the more you pay).

 

[Strontium]

Apologies, I was misinformed, and have edited my original post accordingly.



No, it's not too early, but you'll be able to find housing if you wait as well (I didn't secure a place to live until June, and there were still spots open through the start of school). There will be people looking for roommates, and you will likely be able to find a few places around.

Check out MSC... they have the easiest listing of places to live. Where you live depends a lot on how much you're willing to pay (the closer you are to the hospital, in general, the more you pay).

Is parking available for first year students? I thought there wasn't, so I figured the only option was to live close to the campus or a bus route.

 

[curlytop]

Is it time to send a letter of interest here? I'd really REALLY love an interview.

 

[Steeler7588]

Is parking available for first year students? I thought there wasn't, so I figured the only option was to live close to the campus or a bus route.

Some places far from campus have shuttles; you can also drive and park on JPA, then take the bus in. We'll see how well that works out for me if the weather gets worse, though, haha.

 

[tr0gd0r]

...
Check out MSC... they have the easiest listing of places to live. Where you live depends a lot on how much you're willing to pay (the closer you are to the hospital, in general, the more you pay).

I second this. MSC can be a bit of a pain to deal with (or could be a couple years ago), but they have some pretty spacious and inexpensive properties in the Mad/Preston (way down 14th St.) area. The Ash Tree apartments are pretty nice and they just remodeled Cambridge Square within the last two years. You'd also have access to a fitness room, mini movie theatre thingy, and pool tables/ping pong/&c. Mad/Preston's about a mile from the hospital, which could be a problem if you're wanting to roll out of bed and stumble to class...but if you don't mind walking or biking a bit it's a good area because you can get to both the downtown mall and the Corner/Grounds pretty easily. You also won't have to deal with the undergraduate shenanigans that come along with living closer to Grounds.

 

[tr0gd0r]

Is it too early to start looking for housing? Any particular recommendations for area or places to avoid?

Oh and maybe avoid University Heights if you're looking to avoid "bad areas"...I lived there for two years and never knew that there was a lot of gang activity in the area...and then there was a fatal shooting several months after I left. Eep. Not that you'd really want to live there anyway...it's not as far as you can get from the med school, but pretty close. And I think they took that complex off the bus route.

Anything along/near Rugby Road will probably be loud (frat-ville). The area around Grady Ave between Madison and Preston is also a place you may not want to be.

 

[Strontium]

Oh and maybe avoid University Heights if you're looking to avoid "bad areas"...I lived there for two years and never knew that there was a lot of gang activity in the area...and then there was a fatal shooting several months after I left. Eep. Not that you'd really want to live there anyway...it's not as far as you can get from the med school, but pretty close. And I think they took that complex off the bus route.

Anything along/near Rugby Road will probably be loud (frat-ville). The area around Grady Ave between Madison and Preston is also a place you may not want to be.

I was actually looking at some places on Grady Ave. Is that area considered 'frat-ville' too? Is there one place that most students tend to live? I was considering getting an efficiency or one bedroom place, I am just not familiar with the area at all!

Also, it was mentioned you can park on JPA. After a quick google'in, looks like that is Jefferson Park Avenue.. is that meter parking? Free parking?

And any thoughts on the Brandon Ave Madison Apartments?

 

[223]

I received a snail-mail rejection letter on 12/10 --their first communication with me post secondary (no interview invite). I guess this was the first round of rejections? Good luck to everyone still in the running!

 

[Champaigne]

I received a snail-mail rejection letter on 12/10 --their first communication with me post secondary (no interview invite). I guess this was the first round of rejections? Good luck to everyone still in the running!

Sorry to hear that 223. I'm in a similar boat w/ not having heard from them since August/secondary completion. If you don't mind when were you complete/what are your stats? Thx and with the rest of your applications

 

[tr0gd0r]

I was actually looking at some places on Grady Ave. Is that area considered 'frat-ville' too? Is there one place that most students tend to live? I was considering getting an efficiency or one bedroom place, I am just not familiar with the area at all!

Also, it was mentioned you can park on JPA. After a quick google'in, looks like that is Jefferson Park Avenue.. is that meter parking? Free parking?

And any thoughts on the Brandon Ave Madison Apartments?

Grady isn't fratty it can just be...shady? I think the area on Grady between Rugby and 14th is alright but Grady between 14th and Preston is less good...I don't know why, and maybe that's changed.

Brandon is nice because it's super close to the hospital. I've had friends who have lived there, but I can't speak to how nice the apartments are. Some of the Brandon apartments are reeeeeeally cramped and not really worth what you'd pay for them...just make sure you check out wherever you're going to live before you lease.

 

[mvenus929]

Is there one place that most students tend to live? I was considering getting an efficiency or one bedroom place, I am just not familiar with the area at all!

Also, it was mentioned you can park on JPA. After a quick google'in, looks like that is Jefferson Park Avenue.. is that meter parking? Free parking?

And any thoughts on the Brandon Ave Madison Apartments?

Most students tend to live either in and around Brandon, somewhere along Cherry Ave (a number of our classmates have bought townhomes in that area), or Ashtree/Oxford. At least, that's where it seems the majority of our class lives. I'm moving into Ashtree apartments next year, personally.

JPA is free to park before it intersects with Emmett (not in the area around the hospital). Otherwise, it's short-term parking only.

 

[wanderer]

Hey, I know this is a hard question to answer, but does anyone know if they changed their approach to admissions at all this year? I was wondering if since they overbooked their class last year, if they were going to be offering a lot more waitlists to prevent the same thing from happening again. Obviously getting in would be tougher due to the smaller class size but is getting the waitlist still pretty much the kiss of death like it was the last few years?

 

[223]

Sorry to hear that 223. I'm in a similar boat w/ not having heard from them since August/secondary completion. If you don't mind when were you complete/what are your stats? Thx and with the rest of your applications

I was complete mid-August. I had called them in mid-November to just see where they were in the application process, and they said they were still offering interviews and that it wasn't unusual for me not to have heard anything yet. I'm instate, with a low MCAT and a high GPA.

 

[MedReckoning]

Sorry to hear that 223. I'm in a similar boat w/ not having heard from them since August/secondary completion. If you don't mind when were you complete/what are your stats? Thx and with the rest of your applications

Ghaa! I'm having the same problem! Complete 8/11 - four months ago - and no status change. I have a 38R, 3.4m/s. I'm going to call them as soon as I hear from VCU this week. At that point UVA will be the last school to give me an answer! !!😕!! (sorry for the exclamation-mark abuse) Is anyone else in this boat?

 

[justinbaily]

I don't know how next year's class will be, but it's hard for me to express how much I love the UVA class of 2014. I couldn't have imagined a better group of students to be a part of.

 

[Strontium]

I don't know how next year's class will be, but it's hard for me to express how much I love the UVA class of 2014. I couldn't have imagined a better group of students to be a part of.

awesome to hear 👍

 

[OrangeandMaroon]

I don't know how next year's class will be, but it's hard for me to express how much I love the UVA class of 2014. I couldn't have imagined a better group of students to be a part of.

Good to hear.
Do you mind commenting on the new curriculum? Just in general, do you like it?

 

[Year Off Love]

Hey! I'm pretty green to SDN...my forum knowledge is limited to what I saw in The Social Network. So please forgive me if I don't know the protocol.

Anyways, I was fortunate enough to get an invite to UVA for an interview on Monday, January 10th. Anyone interviewing the same date or have advice about place to stay and see? I'm from CA, so I imagine I should probably bring a heavy jacket...

 

[tr0gd0r]

I don't know how next year's class will be, but it's hard for me to express how much I love the UVA class of 2014. I couldn't have imagined a better group of students to be a part of.

That is very nice to hear 🙂 A student at my interview day mentioned that there are a lot of UVA undergrads (as well as other VA undergrads like W&M) and that they can be kind of...clique-y? Is the UVA-undergrad contigent really obvious? When I read what I just wrote it sounds like a really dumb question, but I'm (prematurely) trying to decide between this and another school...and since I did my undergrad at UVA I don't really want the environment to feel like college all over again.

 

[mvenus929]

I don't know how next year's class will be, but it's hard for me to express how much I love the UVA class of 2014. I couldn't have imagined a better group of students to be a part of.

I agree whole-heartedly. And I say it at least once a week. I'm going to miss everyone over break...

Do you mind commenting on the new curriculum? Just in general, do you like it?

I like it, but I was also looking for a systems-based curriculum, and would have hated the traditional curriculum.

I'm from CA, so I imagine I should probably bring a heavy jacket...

Until recently, it was warmer here than it was in Cali. Just saying. It's about 20 degrees now, at almost 11pm, so yeah, you'll probably need a heavy jacket. And gloves. Don't forget gloves.

A student at my interview day mentioned that there are a lot of UVA undergrads (as well as other VA undergrads like W&M) and that they can be kind of...clique-y? Is the UVA-undergrad contigent really obvious? When I read what I just wrote it sounds like a really dumb question, but I'm (prematurely) trying to decide between this and another school...and since I did my undergrad at UVA I don't really want the environment to feel like college all over again.

We have quite a few people that went to undergrad at UVA in our class. Some of them stick with their UVA friends, and others really branch out. One of my closest friends in the class went to UVA undergrad, and she tends to hang out with those of us from the other side of the country. There are quite a few cliques in the class, but I don't think it really goes based on undergrad so much as personality type. And, of course, our class is amazing, and we have a lot of times where we just get together and hang out as a class.

The second years are much more clique-y, because they don't do as much with their classmates as we do. Heck, if I hadn't lived with one of them, I wouldn't have a clue who she was, because she hardly ever goes to class or to the library to study or anything. Meanwhile, I'm relatively sure that I could recognize just about everyone in our class, and I know most of them by name (names are my weakness).

 

[brock4]

First time poster, long time stalker of SDN...

Complete sometime in September, interview invite via phone call at 845am on 11/29, interviewed on 12/7, accepted on 12/14. 90% sure i'll be attending.

3.9/34 IS with a gap year working in a hosptial.

Good luck to everyone, just thought i'd share my timeline for those who are curious.

 

[m3dsch00l]

In love 😍 with UVA... accepted yesterday, and I am STILL in shock.

Complete Aug, interview invite end of Nov, interviewed last Wed. My MCAT and GPA are below UVA's avg but TONS of clinical, volunteering, leadership a year of research and strong letters of recommendation.

 

[Steeler7588]

I don't know how next year's class will be, but it's hard for me to express how much I love the UVA class of 2014. I couldn't have imagined a better group of students to be a part of.

This! Our class is awesome, and I'm really glad I'll be around these people for the next few years. Med school can be a pretty challenging experience, but this group will make it easier.

Do you mind commenting on the new curriculum? Just in general, do you like it?

There have been points that were less than ideal, but they're always asking for feedback and everything will be much smoother for next year's class. Honestly, for a completely revamped curriculum, I've experienced few growing pains. Some people may disagree, but I think we've largely been given what was advertised.

Anyone have advice about place to stay and see?

I'd recommend staying with a host as much as possible during interviews. It saves you money, you get to talk more with actual students, and they might be able to give you some useful bits of info to talk about during interviews.

A student at my interview day mentioned that there are a lot of UVA undergrads (as well as other VA undergrads like W&M) and that they can be kind of...clique-y? Is the UVA-undergrad contigent really obvious? Since I did my undergrad at UVA I don't really want the environment to feel like college all over again.

There are a lot of UVa undergrads, maybe ~35 out of 155? That varies each year, I heard the current second year class has around 50. I don't think it's clique-y at all. They know more about Charlottesville and are often the ones to suggest special outings (Fridays After Five, local hikes, trivia at certain places, etc), but that's the only time they stand out - teaching everyone else the fight song before games, giving tours during Lighting of the Lawn, whatever.

I'd agree that whatever groups have formed, are more based on common interests/personalities - and everyone still hangs out together often, such "cliques" are pretty loosely formed.

 

[curlytop]

MCAT below UVA average, GPA higher than average, strong letters/ECs/clinical experience. Complete 9/01.

Should I send a letter of interest?

 

[OrangeandMaroon]

MCAT below UVA average, GPA higher than average, strong letters/ECs/clinical experience. Complete 9/01.

Should I send a letter of interest?

What do you stand to lose? Go for it.

 

[Gr8Aspirations]

Recently received an invite to interview in January...tell me a bit about the interview experience at UVA

 

[mvenus929]

Recently received an invite to interview in January...tell me a bit about the interview experience at UVA

Interview day starts at 10. There are usually people skipping class to talk to the applicants beforehand. Then you spend about an hour and a half or so listening to presentations by various deans. Then a couple of fourth years collect you for an awesome lunch, and bring you on a tour of the school.

Then you'll be brought back to the admissions office and will have two 30 minute interviews. There are 3-4 interviewers in all, so only half of you will interview at any given time. You may be interviewed by a 4th year student or by a faculty member. All the interviews are very conversational and are aimed at getting to know you better as a person. Students will likely filter in and out during this time to talk to you, depending on their schedules for the day.

After the interviews you can stay for an optional financial aid session, and then you're done by like 4:30 or so.

 

[pureblazin]

Hey guys, I got accepted not too long ago and I had a question regarding residency placements: What percentage of uva students get their first-choice residency? Are most students able to secure a residency spot in their desired specialty? I tried looking for statistics on the internet but couldn't find anything on this topic.

 

[Gr8Aspirations]

Thanks mvenus929. Sounds like there is a good amount of interaction with the students

 

[Steeler7588]

I had a question regarding residency placements: What percentage of uva students get their first-choice residency? Are most students able to secure a residency spot in their desired specialty? I tried looking for statistics on the internet but couldn't find anything on this topic.

I don't think there are statistics for this sort of thing. Schools will usually disclose match lists, but I don't think data is available for how desirable the matches were for applicants.

 

[Supernerd]

interview invite today! 🙂 scheduled for feb

OOS, complete in September.

Never been there before so I'm very very excited

 

[pureblazin]

I had a question regarding first-year housing: Do most 1st years live alone or do they room with another med student? I got accepted recently and I'm looking for housing in charlottesville, but I don't know any of the med students there, so I have no idea how I'm going to find a roomate. Any input from current medical students on this topic would be greatly appreciated!

 

[mvenus929]

I had a question regarding first-year housing: Do most 1st years live alone or do they room with another med student? I got accepted recently and I'm looking for housing in charlottesville, but I don't know any of the med students there, so I have no idea how I'm going to find a roomate. Any input from current medical students on this topic would be greatly appreciated!

If you don't have outside funding and aren't good at budgeting, you have to live with a roommate, because the CoL allowance doesn't provide enough to pay for your own room.

I live with two roommates this year, one of whom is another first year. I met them the day I moved in. Next year I'm moving in with another of our classmates into a smaller place. In March - July, you will get a ton of e-mails and opportunities to hook up with roommates, both upperclassmen and other first year students. You may not get an ideal place if you aren't living here already, but there will be ample opportunities for you to find a roommate. In fact, I'm pretty sure several of our classmates are looking for roommates now.

 

[Strontium]

I recently signed a lease for an efficiency starting during the second week of classes. Does anyone know of or have a place I can sublet around Aug 7 - Aug 18?

 

[patriotsfan]

Hey I was accepted last month. Does anyone know when Second Look Weekend will be and details about it?

 

[mvenus929]

I recently signed a lease for an efficiency starting during the second week of classes. Does anyone know of or have a place I can sublet around Aug 7 - Aug 18?

Your best bet will likely be the current second years, who will be on clinical rotations at that time. Since some of them will be on away rotations, those are the people you'll want to hit up for a sublease. However, since the second years haven't even finished their coursework yet, and don't have their clinical rotation schedule (they just signed up for the lottery last month), it's hard to say who will be around then. Give it a few months, then check back.

Hey I was accepted last month. Does anyone know when Second Look Weekend will be and details about it?

It's usually the last weekend in April, if I remember correctly. Details haven't been released yet, but what do you want to know about it?

 

[patriotsfan]

Your best bet will likely be the current second years, who will be on clinical rotations at that time. Since some of them will be on away rotations, those are the people you'll want to hit up for a sublease. However, since the second years haven't even finished their coursework yet, and don't have their clinical rotation schedule (they just signed up for the lottery last month), it's hard to say who will be around then. Give it a few months, then check back.



It's usually the last weekend in April, if I remember correctly. Details haven't been released yet, but what do you want to know about it?

What will we be doing during that weekend that we haven't already done on the interview day (tour of campus, talking to the dean, talking to med students, etc)?

 

[mvenus929]

What will we be doing during that weekend that we haven't already done on the interview day (tour of campus, talking to the dean, talking to med students, etc)?

It's nothing really new, but it's done more formally (while you talk with the students and faculty in the course of the interview day, its done very informally, with students dropping in as they feel like it, except in the context of the interview itself). There's a faculty panel, and a student panel (with students from all four years). There's a reception with the students afterwards. There's a party with the students on Saturday night.

Second Look, in general, is used to see the school again, without the stress of the interview. Are you going to learn something Earth-shattering that you didn't know before? No, but you'll likely pick up on the little details that you were too nervous to pick out during your interview day. And, you know, the first years will have a much better grasp of the curriculum in April than we did in August or September, so if you interviewed early, it's a chance to get a new perspective on things.

 

[curlytop]

Hey all! Congrats to those with interviews or acceptances at UVa. I've still got the same status since I was complete back on September 1st, and just sent in a letter of interest on December 21st.

Is there much of a chance for an interview at this point? I have a high GPA and slightly below average MCAT, relative to UVa averages.

 

[SG3]

I'll be applying next year.. Would people mind sharing there stats? You can inbox me as well.. Thanks in advance.

 

[afob100]

I'll be applying next year.. Would people mind sharing there stats? You can inbox me as well.. Thanks in advance.

You're best off going to mdapplicants.com and select UVa under schools. This site shows the stats of those who have interviewed and been accepted. Hope this helps!

 

[Strontium]

Your best bet will likely be the current second years, who will be on clinical rotations at that time. Since some of them will be on away rotations, those are the people you'll want to hit up for a sublease. However, since the second years haven't even finished their coursework yet, and don't have their clinical rotation schedule (they just signed up for the lottery last month), it's hard to say who will be around then. Give it a few months, then check back.

Will do, thanks.