2011-2012 Virginia Commonwealth University Application Thread

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is VCU receptive to phone inquiries? i've had the "reservations" status for a loooong time now and just want to see what's going on.

someone before said they emailed, but i'd prefer to call if possible
 
I would definitely ask about what reservations they have. I was able to respond and got an interview last year (although their answer didn't make any sense and they rejected me anyway). If they don't want inquiries, they shouldn't put out such mysterious statuses (stati?).
 
VCU responds better to phone calls.
 
No, I didn't interview. I am pretty sure it was an autoreject because I was "officially" complete on the day after my due date. They probably didn't even see my app because of this costly mistake.

It's too bad. I could have definitely seen myself going to VCU.

rpdnathan said:
Did you interview?
Click to expand...
 
can anyone comment on the number of applicants being considered for the dec 15. deadline?

i.e
if 100 applicants were being considered for the oct 15 deadline say 50 got acceptances...how many will be considered for dec 15/how many are they expecting to accept?

...i'm not sure if that's how many they interviewed/accepted for the oct 15 deadline but if someone has numbers for that, that'd be nice too
 
joy14 said:
can anyone comment on the number of applicants being considered for the dec 15. deadline?

i.e
if 100 applicants were being considered for the oct 15 deadline say 50 got acceptances...how many will be considered for dec 15/how many are they expecting to accept?

...i'm not sure if that's how many they interviewed/accepted for the oct 15 deadline but if someone has numbers for that, that'd be nice too
Click to expand...

Idk how many people they're interviewing between Oct 15 and Dec 15 but I remember the Dean saying they accept 70 people on each date.
 
MedReckoning said:
Last year, I got the "reservations" status - I emailed to ask them what reservations they had and was told I had a lack of activities that would help "develop communication skills." I responded that I did theater, improv, then model congress, worked as a private and athletic tutor and worked as a medical assistant... all in my AMCAS app. I was then granted an interview (but then rejected). This year, I got rejected pre-interview after getting the same status. I emailed several people several times before and after about the "reservations" and got NO RESPONSE or feedback.

38R, 3.6 GPA, IS, 2 years of clinical employment and volunteer experience, research, w/e, you name it. At least this year I got in somewhere else, but jeez! What's going on!? It's like they have something against me!
Click to expand...

I don't think they have anything against you. Every school has their own criteria for what they're looking for in a student. Although, I'm not sure about their "reservations", despite the fact that it seems like your stats and extracurriculars are good there is a type of applicant that VCU generally likes. They favor applicants who have life experience (ie. not straight from undergrad, unless it's through their pre-matriculation program) and also if you haven't changed much from your previous cycle, that generally doesn't bode very well.

Your MCAT is also quite high though, so sometimes average schools tend to reject better applicants because they're pretty sure they can get in somewhere else. This is just a speculation though, I have no idea if VCU does it. Good luck this cycle though!
 
I've been out of undergrad for 2 years now working as a medical assistant. I have no idea what their "reservations" are, but I would love to get some feedback. Alas, they've stonewalled my requests. I'm just going to default to race/gender discrimination...
 
MedReckoning said:
I've been out of undergrad for 2 years now working as a medical assistant. I have no idea what their "reservations" are, but I would love to get some feedback. Alas, they've stonewalled my requests. I'm just going to default to race/gender discrimination...
Click to expand...

Come now. I realize that you're upset, but you must see that your comments here a bit childish, yes?

As many others have said, you have a *lot* going for you. You seem to be a well rounded applicant with especially strong research experience. Just because one school didn't think you were a good fit does not mean that you would not be a great fit someplace else.

That being said, to me, your last sentence is a giant red flag that would give me "reservations" about an applicant with that attitude. It's a difficult process, but man-up (or woman-up 😉), accept your rejection humbly, and move on to those other opportunities still waiting for you. Good luck! With your stats, I'm confident there is another school out there with your name on it.
 
soccrwon said:
Come now. I realize that you're upset, but you must see that your comments here a bit childish, yes?

As many others have said, you have a *lot* going for you. You seem to be a well rounded applicant with especially strong research experience. Just because one school didn't think you were a good fit does not mean that you would not be a great fit someplace else.

That being said, to me, your last sentence is a giant red flag that would give me "reservations" about an applicant with that attitude. It's a difficult process, but man-up (or woman-up 😉), accept your rejection humbly, and move on to those other opportunities still waiting for you. Good luck! With your stats, I'm confident there is another school out there with your name on it.
Click to expand...

+1

There are many folks dying to be in your shoes. Maybe it wasn't your stats/CV but your PS/Sec/LORs/fit issue.

Let it go, and move on...with a smile.
 
Its a joke bro, chillax. I got accepted somewhere, so I'm good. Just a bit miffed.

But in every joke, there is a grain of truth. No one can argue that the system is not highly discriminatory (just look at the scores and grades by race published by AMCAS). Facts are facts - the numbers don't lie - most schools will admit they want more of this race or more of this gender (usually women). I'll tell you one thing though, that kind of discrimination is unsustainable long-term.

Call me old fashioned, but if they want to help minorities rise, take a clue from Soviet Jews (my own extraction). As a discriminated minority, they had to work twice as hard as everyone else to achieve the same posts. So when you went to a Jewish doctor, you knew he was good. Conversely, if you begin to favor minorities and set the bar lower for them, you end up with patients doubting the doctor's qualifications based on their race or ethnicity or gender. Not a good situation.
 
received the "further" status today. application complete 9/12.
wish me luck!
 
II today! I was told Oct. 16 I may receive an interview, so this came as a pleasant surprise. Scheduled for first week of January. For those who've interviewed already, did you stay with a student host?
 
Congrats EBTrailRunner! and :luck:

If anyone's worried about their status and timing, I'm fairly sure I was complete late August/early September (although I never got a complete status update) and I JUST got a May status today lol
 
EBTrailRunner said:
II today! I was told Oct. 16 I may receive an interview, so this came as a pleasant surprise. Scheduled for first week of January. For those who've interviewed already, did you stay with a student host?
Click to expand...

Congrats EBTrailRunner. When were you complete? I'm still complete and waiting for review.
 
I will be at VCU for my interview next Monday (the 14th)! I'm very excited! Who else will be there that day?
 
EBTrailRunner said:
II today! I was told Oct. 16 I may receive an interview, so this came as a pleasant surprise. Scheduled for first week of January. For those who've interviewed already, did you stay with a student host?
Click to expand...

are you sure it said may receive an interview, and not you "may not" receive an interview? The latter is what I got, and i was under the impression there were only three possible status updates other than rejection.
 
sublm128 said:
+1

they never respond to my emails, but someone always answers my calls, and the woman on the other end is always really nice too.
Click to expand...

For what it's worth, I recall one of the status update emails indicating that questions/concerns about your application should be filed using the HELP feature on the VCU status page rather than communicated via email. I have done this, and the response was very prompt and helpful.
 
serenade02 said:
Congrats EBTrailRunner. When were you complete? I'm still complete and waiting for review.
Click to expand...

Thanks! Complete 9/7.

sublm128 said:
are you sure it said may receive an interview, and not you "may not" receive an interview? The latter is what I got, and i was under the impression there were only three possible status updates other than rejection.
Click to expand...

Yeah, you're right. It said "may not."
 
Hey every, i interviewed on October 6th. I got my completed review update around Halloween (that is when i filled out the survey) but then i got online this morning and i had this update

Application Status 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.
is this normal?
i mean what does this mean, i called and they said its the regular status they post before they let you know if you were accepted or not.
 
I got that status today too. If they said its normal I wouldn't worry, seems like that date in December is when we will find out their decision.
 
Interview invite!!!

Im just trying to figure out when to schedule my interview - I dont want to schedule it too late, but definitely not too early either. I want to have enough time to prepare. You guys think Dec 1 is too early from now?
 
sublm128 said:
Interview invite!!!

Im just trying to figure out when to schedule my interview - I dont want to schedule it too late, but definitely not too early either. I want to have enough time to prepare. You guys think Dec 1 is too early from now?
Click to expand...

December 1st is pretty decent because you might even end up getting an acceptance December 15th.
 
either im missing something real bad, or the info is just not very easy to find. But how come there is no interview guide for OOS people.. like where to stay and stuff.. i mean i actually googled the arrivalinfo.pdf file so i think i know what to do, but does it strike anyone else as weird that theres no link on their web?
 
hey every, i interviewed on October 6th. I got my completed review update around Halloween (that is when i filled out the survey) but then i got online this morning and i had this update

Application Status 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.



is this normal?
i mean what does this mean, i called and they said its the regular status they post before they let you know if you were accepted or not.
 
empowmd said:
hey every, i interviewed on October 6th. I got my completed review update around Halloween (that is when i filled out the survey) but then i got online this morning and i had this update

Application Status 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.



is this normal?
i mean what does this mean, i called and they said its the regular status they post before they let you know if you were accepted or not.
Click to expand...

Yes, it's normal - everyone gets this status. Their next acceptance date is December 16th, so if you are accepted you will find out then. Also, you may be accepted at one of their later dates.

The good news is that you are not rejected - it's either an acceptance or a waitlist. Good luck! :luck:
 
Too late to submit secondary to VCU?

I checked the site and it said applications are due Oct. 15th... did not specify primary or secondary.

Also, considering the amount of people on "hold" it seems at this school (for >1 month or so based on reading this thread) would it even be worth it?

I want a realistic shot, and I think I do at this school but don't want to waste my money or time if it's passed the deadline. They didn't even send me the secondary until after the Oct. 15th date.
 
How many interviews will we have? I signed up for a one hour slot when I was offered one.
 
charju said:
either im missing something real bad, or the info is just not very easy to find. But how come there is no interview guide for OOS people.. like where to stay and stuff.. i mean i actually googled the arrivalinfo.pdf file so i think i know what to do, but does it strike anyone else as weird that theres no link on their web?
Click to expand...

Last year when I interviewed, I think I remember them having a link through the portal system (the place where you sign into when they tell you you have a status update). It should be there, but if not, you can always call admissions and ask where you can find it or if they can e-mail you information directly. Good luck!
 
Bummer...I got the "further" status. Based the spreadsheet, this is bad news for OOS. Sad that I thought this was my best and most personal secondary 🙁 🙁 🙁
 
serenade02 said:
Bummer...I got the "further" status. Based the spreadsheet, this is bad news for OOS. Sad that I thought this was my best and most personal secondary 🙁 🙁 🙁
Click to expand...

If by the "further" status you meant the "we would like to consider your file further" status, then you're totally fine. It's a good status; just as good as the "may" status, arguably. Many of the OOS & IS interviewees last year received the further and may statuses initially. Just keep on waiting patiently.
 
Just wondering, is this the "further" status you guys are talking about?

Your file is complete, and has been forwarded to the Admissions Committee for further decison."

Just got this today!
 
so if they accept 70 people each admissions release date, how many people do you guys think are up for consideration dec 15?
 
Medsklhopeful said:
Just wondering, is this the "further" status you guys are talking about?

Your file is complete, and has been forwarded to the Admissions Committee for further decison."

Just got this today!
Click to expand...
You'll get an e-mail after you application is initially reviewed by the committee. In that e-mail you will get one of the 5 messages that can be found in the much earlier this thread.
 
kachan0 said:
If by the "further" status you meant the "we would like to consider your file further" status, then you're totally fine. It's a good status; just as good as the "may" status, arguably. Many of the OOS & IS interviewees last year received the further and may statuses initially. Just keep on waiting patiently.
Click to expand...


Thanks kachan0. I hope to get good news like you said. Thanks for the encouragement.
 
I really hope the "MAY" status is at the same priority level, if not better, than the "FURTHER" status. As a re-applicant, I remember getting the "FURTHER" status last year and now with the "MAY" status. I pray we all end up with good news. :xf:
 
charju said:
either im missing something real bad, or the info is just not very easy to find. But how come there is no interview guide for OOS people.. like where to stay and stuff.. i mean i actually googled the arrivalinfo.pdf file so i think i know what to do, but does it strike anyone else as weird that theres no link on their web?
Click to expand...

there should be a link for an attachment on the website. If you still cant find it, I might be able to post it on here.
 
treemeowmeow said:
I really hope the "MAY" status is at the same priority level, if not better, than the "FURTHER" status. As a re-applicant, I remember getting the "FURTHER" status last year and now with the "MAY" status. I pray we all end up with good news. :xf:
Click to expand...

Some of you guys might be thinking way too much into this whole "MAY" and "FURTHER" status. I got interviewed and then accepted from the further status and I'm pretty sure the same happened to someone with a may status. In the end of the day if it is meant to be then it will happen be it MAY or FURTHER. Just take it easy guys and good luck!
 
Can someone give an overview of what the interview is like? What exactly are they looking for?
 
Hey guys I am OOS and just received the "may" status. Complete in the first week of October.
 
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