2010-2011 Virginia Commonwealth University Application Thread

[chucktown]

---

Members don't see this ad.

It doesn't seem like anyone was screened out..

 

[x3r]

It doesn't seem like anyone was screened out..

Good for them. 😀

 

[aw42]

got a secondary as well, oos.

Question though. One of the essay questions asks for "lapses in undergraduate history"

Does that mean any gaps in schooling? Or does that mean any bad semesters/W's/bad grades etc?

Thanks

I wondered the same thing. I called the office and they said it means both.
So write about:
- if you have ever taken a leave of absence from your studies
- if you have received poor grades and want to explain why

 

[sedaniel]

I wondered the same thing. I called the office and they said it means both.
So write about:
- if you have ever taken a leave of absence from your studies
- if you have received poor grades and want to explain why

Thanks, I was wondering this too 🙂

 

[ownage]

After getting this secondary, I want everyone to be screend out lol Is that a bad thing?

Anyways does anyone know how VCU screens. by stats or they just look at your overall priamry?

 

[4ksibe]

After getting this secondary, I want everyone to be screend out lol Is that a bad thing?

Anyways does anyone know how VCU screens. by stats or they just look at your overall priamry?

It is not a bad thing... We are here for each other but at the end of the day, we are competing for the same spots... But we will be in the same skul so you dont wanna be the hated one in your class for FOUR GOOD YEARS so ...

 

[runfastnow]

I am with you ownage, right now I am rooting against everybody but myself. Once I get an acceptance somewhere I will be completely 180 on that position though. Just the nature of the game.

 

[jmaggiekent]

HAS VCU sent out any secondaries before AMCAS primary verification?

 

[Bunny Fru Fru]

HAS VCU sent out any secondaries before AMCAS primary verification?

Can't answer for sure, but I highly doubt it. I got a screened secondary and I'm pretty sure (don't have in front of me now) it said you must first apply through AMCAS, and you must be verified to do so. All schools pretty much say this unless one has special powers. I know that I don't have special powers, but I try.

 

[Kalu123]

When I click on "verify application", the paragraph breaks in my essay are missing so that everything is crammed together. Even going back and indenting paragraphs with spaces doesn't show up. Anyone else have this problem? Maybe this is just an issue on our side, but VCU will see it the way it's supposed to be?

 

[Kalu123]

When I click on "verify application", the paragraph breaks in my essay are missing so that everything is crammed together. Even going back and indenting paragraphs with spaces doesn't show up. Anyone else have this problem? Maybe this is just an issue on our side, but VCU will see it the way it's supposed to be?

Just kidding. I just read the top of the screen that says, "NOTE: Your essays may not appear correctly formatted on this screen. However, they will appear in the proper format when viewed by the Admissions Committee members." Haha!

 

[fhgoalie15]

does anyone know if there is a word limit for the "explain any lapses..." section??

 

[ownage]

on their website, it says that they are planning to open their new curriculum in 2012. Does that mean that the new curriculum goes in effect for class of 2012 but the class of 2011 still follow the old curriculum? can someone clarify plz

 

[TACMON]

It doesn't seem like anyone was screened out..

not on this forum they wouldn't 😉

 

[sustentacular]

according to the Princeton Review 168 Best Medical Schools book
75% of instate students receive secondaries and 35% of OOS.

This surprises me. Last year I applied with an 8 in one MCAT section and still got the secondary so I assumed they set the bar pretty low for screening.

 

[ownage]

can someone tell me about the area around VCU. not that I care but itll help me write essay

 

[ownage]

No answer to both of my question, huh 😡.

Anyways, I cant believe I actually wrote 550 words essay for this school
Done and submitted. I ll check this forum out interview time. peace

 

[Gracie84]

on their website, it says that they are planning to open their new curriculum in 2012. Does that mean that the new curriculum goes in effect for class of 2012 but the class of 2011 still follow the old curriculum? can someone clarify plz

The new curriculum is set for class starting in 2012. However they have been making slight changes which are being enforced for the current classes.

 

[Gracie84]

Can any current med students at VCU comment on the clinical rotations at Fairfax vs MCV hospitals? Is one urban and one rural? What are the major differences?

They are both urban. At fairfax you also rotate with students from other med schools. I have heard that Ob Gyn rotation is better there since they handle 10000 births/year. Both hospitals have great opportunities. I think students who are from Northern VA choose that location more often.

 

[DoctorLiuser]

They are both urban. At fairfax you also rotate with students from other med schools. I have heard that Ob Gyn rotation is better there since they handle 10000 births/year. Both hospitals have great opportunities. I think students who are from Northern VA choose that location more often.

I would said Fairfax is more suburban than urban (I live in Fairfax County)

 

[chucktown]

For the secondary essay are yall writing why medicine or just why VCU? I've already written why medicine in my personal statement and dont know how I could possibly write 500 words about why VCU..

 

[fhgoalie15]

It doesn't have to be that long... mine was about 300 words. I don't think they really want everyone to write the max amount

 

[doremi2010]

Does VCU accept extra letters? I sent in a committee letter and a second letter through AMCAS but they only downloaded my committee letter, even though both are in.

 

[DoctorLiuser]

For the secondary essay are yall writing why medicine or just why VCU? I've already written why medicine in my personal statement and dont know how I could possibly write 500 words about why VCU..

The prompt says to write "Why VCU." Also, the maximum the text box can hold is 500-600 words, you don't actually have to write that much.

 

[MD Ani]

for those that have already been screened in, about how long did it take between the time you got the "we have your primary" email and actually getting screened in?
im oos if it makes a difference

Thanks! 🙂

 

[4ksibe]

for those that have already been screened in, about how long did it take between the time you got the "we have your primary" email and actually getting screened in?
im oos if it makes a difference

Thanks! 🙂

I got the acknowledgement letter on Wednesday and the screened in letter the next day im oos too

 

[ejw5075]

for those that have already been screened in, about how long did it take between the time you got the "we have your primary" email and actually getting screened in?
im oos if it makes a difference

Thanks! 🙂

I got the "we received your AMCAS" July 7th and received the secondary July 8th. It was actually a status change email which gave you a link for the secondary.

 

[runfastnow]

Has anyone been marked complete yet? I log onto the application check site and one page says complete, then I click on the "File Status" page and it says incomplete? Anyone in the same boat?

 

[sedaniel]

Has anyone been marked complete yet? I log onto the application check site and one page says complete, then I click on the "File Status" page and it says incomplete? Anyone in the same boat?

Both mine say complete now, but I'm pretty sure the main page said it before the "File Status" page said it so I'd give it a couple days to update maybe? I submitted 7/9

 

[jmr86]

Has anyone been marked complete yet? I log onto the application check site and one page says complete, then I click on the "File Status" page and it says incomplete? Anyone in the same boat?

Hmmm mine says the same thing..has anyone checked on this or should we just wait a few more days?

 

[turkaglew]

They probably just haven't downloaded your letters from AMCAS yet, which they will do as soon as they come across your file

 

[BiochemGuy]

Hmmm mine says the same thing..has anyone checked on this or should we just wait a few more days?

They said they have thousands of letters to enter into the system. Once entered, you should be listed as complete.

 

[sustentacular]

for those that have already been screened in, about how long did it take between the time you got the "we have your primary" email and actually getting screened in?
im oos if it makes a difference

Thanks! 🙂

I'm also OOS and I received both on the same day.

 

[jjwoo]

i just check the website for this school and on my front page it says the following:

"Your file is complete and has been preliminarily reviewed. You are within a pool of applicants from which an interview may be extended. Please note that this does not guarantee you will be offered an interview and you may not see an update to your status for several months.

You will be notified via email if you have been selected to interview.

Our interview season runs from September through April."

does everyones say this or am i special?

 

[Nessy]

i just check the website for this school and on my front page it says the following:

"Your file is complete and has been preliminarily reviewed. You are within a pool of applicants from which an interview may be extended. Please note that this does not guarantee you will be offered an interview and you may not see an update to your status for several months.

You will be notified via email if you have been selected to interview.

Our interview season runs from September through April."

does everyones say this or am i special?

Woe, no, that is special!! Congrats to you.

 

[jjwoo]

Woe, no, that is special!! Congrats to you.

hah really? can't tell if your serious or being sarcastic

 

[teddy bear doc]

hah really? can't tell if your serious or being sarcastic

I applied here last year (this year, too, actually). That "you may be selected blah blah blah" was my status from August until mid-March, when they finally changed it to "we are sorry that we cannot offer an interview this year." So it just means you are in the pool. I'm sure lots of people on this forum will have that status pretty soon. Congrats though! Each step in this process is a step in the right direction! 👍

 

[Nessy]

hah really? can't tell if your serious or being sarcastic

Oh definitely not sarcastic, I'm not that way. I agree with other statements that any step in the right direction, is just that, a step in the right direction. Best of luck to you in this process.

 

[BiochemGuy]

i just check the website for this school and on my front page it says the following:

"Your file is complete and has been preliminarily reviewed. You are within a pool of applicants from which an interview may be extended. Please note that this does not guarantee you will be offered an interview and you may not see an update to your status for several months.

You will be notified via email if you have been selected to interview.

Our interview season runs from September through April."

does everyones say this or am i special?

Are you sure you haven't confused VCU with UVM? That is the exact message UVM gave..

 

[eight sat up]

^ Haha yeah I think that might be the case too. I'm not even complete at VCU (submitted a week ago)

 

[D3soccer]

Hey, does anyone know what they are looking for regarding the high school questions? How are we supposed to determine if our high school science curriculum was "inadequate?" Does offering AP tests make the program "adequate" or is it "inadequate" because I wasn't prepared for college level courses? Thanks for the help.

 

[jjwoo]

hah ya guys, sorry that was vermont!

nothing from here yet!

 

[MD Ani]

anyone think having only 263 words is bad? lol
I've said what I need to say, and I'm sure they are excellent at detecting space-filling BS, but i feel like maybe it's too far below the max?

or maybe my neurotic premed is showing 🙄

 

[MD Ani]

.

 

[ThatsG123]

Anyone know if a MCAT of 27 (7 in VR) with 3.95 GPA w/ good research, OOS, would get screened in/out?

 

[doremi2010]

I just got this status update...

The committee's file review indicates that they are interested in your candidacy. However, due to the increase in the applicant pool this year, it is clear we MAY be unable to interview all the candidates at your priority score. If we do find that we are unable to grant an interview you will be notified by e-mail in March.

I think that's good?

 

[runfastnow]

Anyone know if a MCAT of 27 (7 in VR) with 3.95 GPA w/ good research, OOS, would get screened in/out?

I was screened in and currently complete with a 29/3.69 (our MCAT and GPA kinda equal each other out) OOS with good research as well. See my MDApps to see if our ECs are similar. It wouldn't be a bad idea to apply.

 

[Nessy]

I just got this status update...

The committee's file review indicates that they are interested in your candidacy. However, due to the increase in the applicant pool this year, it is clear we MAY be unable to interview all the candidates at your priority score. If we do find that we are unable to grant an interview you will be notified by e-mail in March.

I think that's good?

Anything is better than rejection, so yes, I think that is good. I'm still just complete for right now.

 

[AbbyAce]

I just got this status update...

The committee's file review indicates that they are interested in your candidacy. However, due to the increase in the applicant pool this year, it is clear we MAY be unable to interview all the candidates at your priority score. If we do find that we are unable to grant an interview you will be notified by e-mail in March.

I think that's good?

VCU is on the top of my wish list so I was going through last year’s thread and found this -– apparently there are 5 different responses

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

so may is really good! Congrats!

VCU seems very open on their application process, which I really like. The part of last years thread that talks about their system is:
http://206.82.221.135/showthread.php?t=625518&page=8

Good luck everyone! I'm still waiting for my primary to be screened.

 

[Nessy]

VCU is on the top of my wish list so I was going through last year’s thread and found this -– apparently there are 5 different responses

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

so may is really good! Congrats!

VCU seems very open on their application process, which I really like. The part of last years thread that talks about their system is:
http://206.82.221.135/showthread.php?t=625518&page=8

Good luck everyone! I'm still waiting for my primary to be screened.

This was very helpful, thanks!