2012-2013 Virginia Commonwealth University Application Thread

[music2doc]

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Ok, this is a REALLY stupid question. But, it says applications are due Oct 15. Does that include the secondaries?? I'm guessing it does, but I'm kind of hoping it doesn't :/ I haven't even submitted my primary yet....is that bad???

Honestly, if you have not submitted your primary (and, really, I'd say even your secondary) by 9/1, I'd wait the cycle out. The reality is that by waiting this long, you have basically already eliminated yourself and will be a reapplicant (which generally hurts your application for a myriad of reasons).

 

[mwall003]

Honestly, if you have not submitted your primary (and, really, I'd say even your secondary) by 9/1, I'd wait the cycle out. The reality is that by waiting this long, you have basically already eliminated yourself and will be a reapplicant (which generally hurts your application for a myriad of reasons).

Disagree, I've had many friends with average stats and good ECs get II by submitting their secondaries a few days before January deadlines. Hang in there, if you want to apply this cycle you'll be looked at.

 

[treemeowmeow]

Hey guys, this question is in particular to the students already matriculated. I received the "further" status a week ago and this week received the interview invite. This is my 4th time applying to MCV (and 4th interview, waitlisted past 3 times). First time on my MCAT I received a 25, then 27, then 28, and back to a 25 (I was fasting, bad idea on my part). I have a 4.0 GPA and have a lot of clinical experience. What should I do to wow my interviewer and admissions committee? It's exhausting getting my hopes up on the waitlist and being rejected so many times.

 

[1289]

is VCU responsive to letters of interest? I received the further status about 3 weeks ago and havent heard anything since

 

[NCPremed]

Hey guys, this question is in particular to the students already matriculated. I received the "further" status a week ago and this week received the interview invite. This is my 4th time applying to MCV (and 4th interview, waitlisted past 3 times). First time on my MCAT I received a 25, then 27, then 28, and back to a 25 (I was fasting, bad idea on my part). I have a 4.0 GPA and have a lot of clinical experience. What should I do to wow my interviewer and admissions committee? It's exhausting getting my hopes up on the waitlist and being rejected so many times.

Wow man, I applaud your determination! Have they asked you in previous interviews about your MCAT score(s)? I would really try to highlight your clinical experience and high GPA during your interviews. Also, make sure your application tells some sort of story and functions as a whole and not just a list of accomplishments. You want to be able to weave some sort of common "thread" through all your experiences. This will make a better argument for specifically why you want to go to medical school. Bonus points if you can tailor this "thread" to something that MCV is known for or is good at.

EDIT: I am not a matriculated student, as you requested. Hopefully someone who is matriculated can give you more advice on how to tailor your "story thread" for MCV

 

[unhistoried]

is VCU responsive to letters of interest? I received the further status about 3 weeks ago and havent heard anything since

I had the "may" status for about five days before I sent an "in the area" e-mail, and my interview invite came two days later. Several people got invites on that day, so I'm not sure if the e-mail made the difference.

 

[treemeowmeow]

Hey thanks for the advice! Ears open to non-matriculants as well for advice =)

 

[NCMED101]

I just want to make sure there is nothing to be done on my end during the committee review status right? I ask since I have been under review for over 6 weeks now, and some doubts are slipping in. Do I have to email them a photo id, passport scan, or something of that sort?

 

[music2doc]

Disagree, I've had many friends with average stats and good ECs get II by submitting their secondaries a few days before January deadlines. Hang in there, if you want to apply this cycle you'll be looked at.

While you are welcome disagree, the statistics are out there. Students who apply after September 1 tend to be interviewed very late if at all and typically end up being wait listed or rejected. Sure, you can get accepted but realize that even the best applicants may find themselves rejected if applying late and schools tend to look with skepticism on reapplicants. Since we are going with anecdotes, I have a friend with a balanced 38 MCAT, 3.9 GPA, research, great LORs, great clinical experience, etc. who applied to mid and high tier programs in Sept (secondaries in Nov & Dec) and all he got were wait lists and rejections. Most schools didn't even offer an interview.

Hey guys, this question is in particular to the students already matriculated. I received the "further" status a week ago and this week received the interview invite. This is my 4th time applying to MCV (and 4th interview, waitlisted past 3 times). First time on my MCAT I received a 25, then 27, then 28, and back to a 25 (I was fasting, bad idea on my part). I have a 4.0 GPA and have a lot of clinical experience. What should I do to wow my interviewer and admissions committee? It's exhausting getting my hopes up on the waitlist and being rejected so many times.

We're not on the adcom so it's hard to give you much. That said, I'd suggest talking to the Dr. WC and see what she says. My feeling would be that as a triple reapplicant, your chances are very low; however, the fact that they offered an interview means they are still willing to reconsider you. Had you asked this question last summer or if you were to ask it next June, I would almost certainly advise you to apply to a bunch of DO programs at this point as MD programs are going to be very concerned about taking a student on who has been turned down 3-4 times by every school to which s/he applied (at least that's how they're going to see it). Further, the repeated MCAT scores in the 25-27 range are concerning considering our course load as medical students.

That all said, play up your determination and make sure you can demonstrate your academic abilities. More than most, the adcom will be looking for evidence of the cognitive capacity needed to be a successful physician (as well as medical student). MCV occasionally takes students with a lower MCAT (i.e., 24-28) but from what Dr. WC has told me they are looking for "special" students for those spots. They are not looking for charity cases. You need to prove that you have something that the 3.8/32s you're competing with lack.

 

[GrabSlamBoot]

While you are welcome disagree, the statistics are out there. Students who apply after September 1 tend to be interviewed very late if at all and typically end up being wait listed or rejected. Sure, you can get accepted but realize that even the best applicants may find themselves rejected if applying late and schools tend to look with skepticism on reapplicants. Since we are going with anecdotes, I have a friend with a balanced 38 MCAT, 3.9 GPA, research, great LORs, great clinical experience, etc. who applied to mid and high tier programs in Sept (secondaries in Nov & Dec) and all he got were wait lists and rejections. Most schools didn't even offer an interview.

+1. Have to remember that by this point, many schools would have already sent out acceptances and have about 5 months of interviews already booked behind you. You have to be lucky or spectacular to have a good cycle. In my opinion applying that late really puts your application at a disadvantage

 

[mwall003]

+1. Have to remember that by this point, many schools would have already sent out acceptances and have about 5 months of interviews already booked behind you. You have to be lucky or spectacular to have a good cycle. In my opinion applying that late really puts your application at a disadvantage

Primary application yes, might be late, but I'd say end of September would be the latest date to get secondaries in... no?

 

[music2doc]

Primary application yes, might be late, but I'd say end of September would be the latest date to get secondaries in... no?

Yes, anytime before Oct. is [supposedly] okay for secondaries. That said, I know ALL of my acceptances resulted from schools where I submitted my secondary before the end of August. My wait lists were generally from schools I applied to later.

 

[Remxed]

sigh.. "further" status over two weeks ago and still nothing. I know I'm being impatient, but my hopes are diminishing by the day.. lol

 

[CholeCystems]

Finally complete here after submitting the secondary 7/13. They only could find two of my LOR's and took forever to find the remaining ones.

 

[pfaction]

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.

:|

 

[pfaction]

Mine automatically waived the requirement. I didn't have to do anything.


Also, MD/PhD invite yesterday! IS (not that that really matters for MD/PhD), GPA 3.8+, MCAT 30+

Damn you sir, congrats.

 

[williamiv4]

For all of you with the status updates, when were u complete and are u being emailed about the changes or just checking ur status regularly

 

[mirimonster]

Interview invite! Received the "May" status on 8/23. Earliest interviews available were in November.

I was "complete" 8/16, and I received emails for all status changes.

Also, OOS

 

[rierphfft]

Just got an II! Scheduled for nov. 5 which was the earliest date besides sept. 11 which is just too early for me. FYI I had the "may" status for I think about a month or so before this.

 

[mzell12]

Just got an II! Scheduled for nov. 5 which was the earliest date besides sept. 11 which is just too early for me. FYI I had the "may" status for I think about a month or so before this.

Wow, beat me to it. I have almost the exact same story: Just got an II, nov 5th as well, got the "may" status 8/26, complete 7/20.

OOS 3.5c/3.4s/32O

 

[sportsman1ac]

Wow, beat me to it. I have almost the exact same story: Just got an II, nov 5th as well, got the "may" status 8/26, complete 7/20.

OOS 3.5c/3.4s/32O

haha same! thought hard about the september one, but still scheduled for nov 7th because i have an interview in new york on the 5th.

complete 8/22 "may status" 8/31. GOOD LUCK EVERYONE! 😀

 

[Member 191985]

Current M3 here at VCU: congrats to everyone getting interview invites! I am part of a new program offering tours/visits to the Inova Campus for interview candidates. Those of you invited for interviews in Richmond can schedule a visit at the Inova Campus. I hope to see some of you, its a great program. Let me know if you have any questions.

 

[mtremblay]

Just received the "May" status today. 3.97 GPA and 32O MCAT.

 

[accmd]

interview 🙂 36/3.9 OOS. MAY status 8/31

 

[virtuoso735]

Interview invite! 🙂

Submitted my secondary on August 18, "May" status on August 24. 3.4 cGPA / 3.3 sGPA, 31S MCAT and OOS.

 

[virtuoso735]

Does anyone know the difference between selecting "8:30a - 9:30a" - "2:00p - 3:00p"? Is this just when the different times the interviews are actually conducted? Don't almost all schools require that interviewees be at the school in the morning, like around 7:30a or 8:00a?

 

[Frazier]

Does anyone know the difference between selecting "8:30a - 9:30a" - "2:00p - 3:00p"? Is this just when the different times the interviews are actually conducted? Don't almost all schools require that interviewees be at the school in the morning, like around 7:30a or 8:00a?

Yes, most schools choose times for you...VCU does things differently and lets you decide. I prefer afternoon interview time so I can sleep in a bit. 😀

 

[virtuoso735]

Yes, most schools choose times for you...VCU does things differently and lets you decide. I prefer afternoon interview time so I can sleep in a bit. 😀

So what time would you be finished if you chose the earlier time? What about the later time?

 

[Frazier]

So what time would you be finished if you chose the earlier time? What about the later time?

Doesn't the interview page indicate? (I forget.)

...if you interview early you will be done at ~2PM (while, on the other hand, the late interviewees head off to their interviews).

Late interviewees leave right after they finish. So, ~3PM?

 

[virtuoso735]

Doesn't the interview page indicate? (I forget.)

...if you interview early you will be done at ~2PM (while, on the other hand, the late interviewees head off to their interviews).

Late interviewees leave right after they finish. So, ~3PM?

I'm a little confused. So all interviewees meet in the morning, but the actual interview will be held at 8:30 or 2:30 depending on what time you choose, right?

 

[music2doc]

Does anyone know the difference between selecting "8:30a - 9:30a" - "2:00p - 3:00p"? Is this just when the different times the interviews are actually conducted? Don't almost all schools require that interviewees be at the school in the morning, like around 7:30a or 8:00a?

Research shows really interviews tend to give better chances for what it's worth... And I mean ones earlier in the day! They're also more convenient for flights.

 

[imcanadaian]

anyone else have the "further" status for a long time? Had mine since 7/30 🙁

 

[giants25]

Further status since 8/6

 

[feredizzle]

does having a interview on 10/17 mean a good thing?, MCV is my first choice

 

[Frazier]

does having a interview on 10/17 mean a good thing?, MCV is my first choice

In opposition to meaning a bad thing?

In that case, it means a good thing.

 

[virtuoso735]

Which airport is the best to fly into? Richmond International is close by but it's very expensive to fly from California. 🙁

 

[Teach4us2MD]

From LA it's normally more affordable to fly into Reagan or Dulles, but you'd have to rent a car and drive 2+ hours depending on traffic. Best bet is to just fly into Richmond International, IMO.

 

[NCPremed]

Which airport is the best to fly into? Richmond International is close by but it's very expensive to fly from California. 🙁

This is pure speculation, but what about flying into DC then taking Amtrak to Richmond? If you fly into Reagan, you could hop on the Metro to Union Station then catch a train right into downtown Richmond, which is really close to the MCV campus.

Flying into Richmond would have to be a LOT more expensive than flying into DC to justify this approach though...

 

[AFER]

This is pure speculation, but what about flying into DC then taking Amtrak to Richmond? If you fly into Reagan, you could hop on the Metro to Union Station then catch a train right into downtown Richmond, which is really close to the MCV campus.

Flying into Richmond would have to be a LOT more expensive than flying into DC to justify this approach though...

Every time I fly home I fly into RIC. It's more expensive - but there's no better way to do it. AMTRAK is possible, but I think you'll be fighting cost vs time there. If you have a whole extra day it might work....if not, just fly into RIC. It's seriously one of the best civilian airports you could deal with!

 

[rierphfft]

Current M3 here at VCU: congrats to everyone getting interview invites! I am part of a new program offering tours/visits to the Inova Campus for interview candidates. Those of you invited for interviews in Richmond can schedule a visit at the Inova Campus. I hope to see some of you, its a great program. Let me know if you have any questions.

I was actually wondering about that. Before I scheduled my interview I saw some information on my status page about that, but I can't seem to get back to it. Do you have the email address of the person I'm supposed to contact to schedule that? And how long is the visit? I'm flying in from CA so I won't have a car so I'll have to coordinate transportation as well so I don't know if this will be feasible but I'd love to try. Thanks!

 

[qwerty2012]

Add this school just few days ago and got secondary. Am I bit late in the process? Does this school have rolling admission?

 

[Frazier]

Add this school just few days ago and got secondary. Am I bit late in the process? Does this school have rolling admission?

Yes, a bit late.

Yes, rolling admissions.

 

[flodhi1]

Disagree, I've had many friends with average stats and good ECs get II by submitting their secondaries a few days before January deadlines. Hang in there, if you want to apply this cycle you'll be looked at.

VCU is one of the many schools where the earlier you get an interview the higher the chances of an acceptance. They have issued a ton of interviews already even though I think an acceptance is possible for late applicants it would be much harder. Unfortunately, due to tons of applicants and the nature of rolling admission this is the reality of applying so I will agree some what with music2doc

 

[rollingstone27]

I couldn't find it on their website. Do they accept AP coursework to fulfill a prerequisite?

If not, It is okay to apply without having the prereq's fulfilled, right? What is the best way to notify them that I plan on taking calculus before matriculation?

 

[music2doc]

VCU is one of the many schools where the earlier you get an interview the higher the chances of an acceptance. They have issued a ton of interviews already even though I think an acceptance is possible for late applicants it would be much harder. Unfortunately, due to tons of applicants and the nature of rolling admission this is the reality of applying so I will agree some what with music2doc

I actually haven't gotten the feeling they've made THAT many interview invites... I've only had 2 people contact me so far for a place to stay, although one was scheduled way out to around Halloween and that was a week or so ago. That said, it's getting later. I've met a number of applicants who are working on their secondaries still and currently work at MCV. They'll hopefully get interviewed in time for some solid consideration but you never know. Good luck to all!

 

[Member 191985]

Sorry for the delay, started a new rotation this week. Call the admissions office, they have the contact info. It's about a 2 hour visit, and located in northern VA about 2 hours from Richmond. The visits are only for people invited for interviews and you get to meet medical students and talk to admissions people. Hope to see you there!

 

[Member 191985]

I was actually wondering about that. Before I scheduled my interview I saw some information on my status page about that, but I can't seem to get back to it. Do you have the email address of the person I'm supposed to contact to schedule that? And how long is the visit? I'm flying in from CA so I won't have a car so I'll have to coordinate transportation as well so I don't know if this will be feasible but I'd love to try. Thanks!

Sorry for the delay, started a new rotation this week. Call the admissions office, they have the contact info. It's about a 2 hour visit, and located in northern VA about 2 hours from Richmond. The visits are only for people invited for interviews and you get to meet medical students and talk to admissions people. Hope to see you there!

 

[bearofthesnow]

Today is my 60 day completion deadline and I just got my committee letter sent to AMCAS today (I've been asking since July but they usually don't start writing letters until mid September).

It says my account will be closed if my application is not complete by the end of today. How long will it take for my letter to go from AMCAS to VCU? I am unfortunately not holding my breath on this one :/

 

[Warren Peace]

Today is my 60 day completion deadline and I just got my committee letter sent to AMCAS today (I've been asking since July but they usually don't start writing letters until mid September).

It says my account will be closed if my application is not complete by the end of today. How long will it take for my letter to go from AMCAS to VCU? I am unfortunately not holding my breath on this one :/

the AMCAS makes it available immediately (when you get notice that it has arrived at the AMCAS). But it will take a while for VCU to process it (10-14 days). However, as long as they have it, they won't penalize you for being complete after the deadline.

Source: VCU sign in page -

09/05/2012
"VCU School of Medicine Admissions Office has experienced a heavy load of new applications in the midst of training new staff. As of today we are fully staffed with all efforts toward completing letters of recommendation designations and linking within 10-14 days of the letters arrival to VCU. Deadline dates will be met if your letters are in house, even though they are not yet linked or designated. Once applications are complete they will be placed in order of the date your primary application was received at VCU. Thank you for your patience."

 

[bearofthesnow]

I still feel anxious about them automatically closing my account, but this is reassuring; thank you!