2012-2013 Virginia Commonwealth University Application Thread

[H Y F R]

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Honestly, what kind of BS do you want them to tell you?! How great an applicant you are and how they would absolutely have interviewed you but they just couldn't find enough interviewers for your interview date? I mean...seriously? Call them, though, and they'll be fairly honest about WHY they rejected you... Frankly, your UG GPA is probably a good place to start. The fact that you were rejected this early in the process (esp. if pre-interview) means they basically didn't even have to run you by the committee to know you weren't going to make it. Your stats are low but wouldn't put you in that spot without other issues. I suspect it was a case of low GPA + moderate MCAT (solid but not strong enough to make up for a 3.1 GPA) + OOS + something else (your essays?) that sunk you.

Well said my dude.

 

[music2doc]

Well said my dude.

Haha, man. Good to see you 'round here. Did you end up going to the parties tonight? It was some good times! You should come out tomorrow night to S&J's...

 

[H Y F R]

Haha, man. Good to see you 'round here. Did you end up going to the parties tonight? It was some good times! You should come out tomorrow night to S&J's...

I'll see you there my man.

 

[bjjmd]

Interview this Thursday! Just finding this thread as I am busy with school.

My Stats
Applied Early. IS. Completed filed early August. Believe I was offered interview Aug 20.
Below average MCAT. Excellent GPA. MBA. Paramedic for past few years. Research. Extensive Shadowing.
Good Luck to Everyone!!!

 

[H Y F R]

Interview this Thursday! Just finding this thread as I am busy with school.

My Stats
Applied Early. IS. Completed filed early August. Believe I was offered interview Aug 20.
Below average MCAT. Excellent GPA. MBA. Paramedic for past few years. Research. Extensive Shadowing.
Good Luck to Everyone!!!

Good luck! Rock it out!

 

[music2doc]

I thought you might all like to know the following straight from our Administration:

Average Step I score (Class of 2014): 230 (8 points above the national average of 222) with a 97% pass rate

Key points concerning the new curriculum:

• PBL/TBL approach with just over half the number of lectures (vs our current traditional curriculum)
• Increased use of simulation
• Assessments of teamwork and clinical applications
• Continued P/F design (with all assessments as Competency Achieved/Not Achieved score)
• Students will design own clinical track
• One goal of the new curriculum is to raise our average Step 1 score to 240

 

[Frazier]

I thought you might all like to know the following straight from our Administration:

230 is very respectable.
240 would be redic.

 

[music2doc]

230 is very respectable.
240 would be redic.

I know... that was my thought, but that's what they said. More precisely, they said. "Our average Step 1 score this year was 230... One goal of the new curriculum is to raise the average Step 1 score 10 points." In other words, they want to have the highest Step 1 average in the country... (I suspect... most schools where I interviewed had Step 1 averages in the 225-230 range. I doubt many exceed 235.)

 

[AllIn416]

II in two weeks. I want to stay with a student host. What's the best way to contact the hosts? I know they give phone numbers out, but that seems a little awkward to call the students up and ask them if I can stay with them. Any thoughts from people who have already interviewed here???

 

[deleted454156]

II in two weeks. I want to stay with a student host. What's the best way to contact the hosts? I know they give phone numbers out, but that seems a little awkward to call the students up and ask them if I can stay with them. Any thoughts from people who have already interviewed here???

I just texted my host, went fine. They understand they only have the phone numbers up there so it won't be awkward.

 

[IncognitoGuy]

I've been complete since 8/16 and haven't had any update since. Should I inquire?

 

[music2doc]

I just texted my host, went fine. They understand they only have the phone numbers up there so it won't be awkward.

Haha...actually, we don't know that 'til you call us (or at least til our first interviewee calls us). They didn't really tell us that so if you call someone who is new to hosting, they'll be a little surprised but if you let the person know, it's no biggie. I would, however, suggest a text over a call because the call w/o a text first is a little more awkward for the recipient who has new clue why a random number is calling him/her.

 

[Donald Blake MD]

II today, was placed on the "may" status Sept 11th.

 

[mdphddreamer]

Problem has been solved.

 

[BabyClutch]

I submitted my secondary application and everything Aug 16th, but my file is still incomplete. Is this normal?

 

[flodhi1]

Good luck and congratulations to everyone interviewing!

 

[GoatMachine]

Anyone get the post-interview status change yet?

 

[virtuoso735]

How long does VCU take after an interview to make a decision? If I interview on 10/10, when should I expect to hear back? Does anyone know the dates that the admissions committee will meet to decide on applicants?

 

[music2doc]

How long does VCU take after an interview to make a decision? If I interview on 10/10, when should I expect to hear back? Does anyone know the dates that the admissions committee will meet to decide on applicants?

If you check their admissions materials, they tell you on the website when they do all of that.... There are, IIRC, 4 acceptance dates/cycle. One is basically right after your interview so I don't know whether or not you'll make it for that one. May have to wait 'til Dec.

 

[mwall003]

can anyone elaborate on their interview experience?

 

[music2doc]

can anyone elaborate on their interview experience?

When I interviewed, it was pretty relaxed. Not tough at all. He just wanted to get to know me. I have heard the same from the applicants I have hosted and others in my class. It's also a pretty short interview day, which is nice.

 

[virtuoso735]

If you check their admissions materials, they tell you on the website when they do all of that.... There are, IIRC, 4 acceptance dates/cycle. One is basically right after your interview so I don't know whether or not you'll make it for that one. May have to wait 'til Dec.

You're right; the first date I found on their website is 10/16, which is less than a week from my interview. I really hope I have (positive) news on that date, but I might have to wait two months if I don't hear back on 10/16.

 

[NCPremed]

Wooohooo...interview invite today! Check mdapps for stats. Secondary was submitted on 8/6 and received "MAY" status update around September 1st (so it took about three weeks to go from "MAY" status to interview invite).

Right now there are two interview dates in October (10/16 and 10/18), then none listed until January.

 

[Max E Million]

You're right; the first date I found on their website is 10/16, which is less than a week from my interview. I really hope I have (positive) news on that date, but I might have to wait two months if I don't hear back on 10/16.

The AdCom meets every Monday to review the files of the applicants that are interviewed the previous week. My guess is if your interview is on the 10th, you'd get reviewed on the 15th and MIGHT be included in the Oct 16 acceptance offer date. That's cutting pretty close though.

 

[NCPremed]

The AdCom meets every Monday to review the files of the applicants that are interviewed the previous week. My guess is if your interview is on the 10th, you'd get reviewed on the 15th and MIGHT be included in the Oct 16 acceptance offer date. That's cutting pretty close though.

I just scheduled for October 16th...do you reckon they'll accept or reject me on the spot? 😉

 

[music2doc]

I just scheduled for October 16th...do you reckon they'll accept or reject me on the spot? 😉

The latter...sure. Just do something so ridiculously idiotic that Dr. W/C has no choice.... The former, well good luck with that! jk

 

[Max E Million]

I just scheduled for October 16th...do you reckon they'll accept or reject me on the spot? 😉

People with interviews on the decision dates are automatically accepted! lol jk, but good luck!

 

[Werthersrelief]

.

 

[Werthersrelief]

.

 

[music2doc]

Also, for such an applicant, do you think the chances are pretty much impossible if turning in the secondary now?

Very low but I'm sure someone in my class was OOS with those stats. A couple of ISers with 30+ MCATs come to mind as having lower GPAs and did the pre-matric program before matriculating. MCV tends to care more about who you are than your stats but a GPA <3.4 is probably a bit disconcerting without an excellent MCAT to reassure them.

 

[rierphfft]

Wooohooo...interview invite today! Check mdapps for stats. Secondary was submitted on 8/6 and received "MAY" status update around September 1st (so it took about three weeks to go from "MAY" status to interview invite).

Right now there are two interview dates in October (10/16 and 10/18), then none listed until January.

Wow lucky you, when I scheduled my interview 3 weeks ago the only dates available were in November. Jealous!

 

[rierphfft]

Anyone OOS w/ below 3.3 c/sgpa get an interview invite? If so, what do u believe ur strengths were?

I'm a non-trad OOS with a 33q and below 3.3 gpa and I was granted an interview. In terms of my strengths, I'm a reapplicant and last cycle I had the may status all the way up until April when I was rejected. This time around I applied much earlier and spent the last year doing significant research. I'm the mother of two kids, have a 4.0 post bac gpa, have given a podium presentation at a regional pediatric conference, and have a lot of clinical volunteer hours. I also used to be a pastry cook so maybe my previous work experience helped.

 

[DrAndy]

.

 

[Frazier]

Yaa! May status update today! For those with interviews already, you had that status before the invite, right?

Yes, for a couple weeks, IIRC.

 

[cfive22]

Finally got an II yesterday! Took them long enough! 👍

 

[hmhoos]

can anyone elaborate on their interview experience?

I enjoyed the day. My interviewer was very friendly and made me feel comfortable, but he asked me a LOT of interview-type questions rather than picking out things from my application and asking me about those. Things like "Can you describe a time when ____ happened?" and there were like 5-7 questions like that. It wasn't threatening at all, but I expected more questions about my application specifically and he didn't ask much of those. Guess every interviewer does it differently!

Everyone was very nice and friendly throughout the day, and I enjoyed the school. Hoping to hear good news from them next month!

 

[virtuoso735]

Yaa! May status update today! For those with interviews already, you had that status before the invite, right?

I had the MAY status for about a week before my interview invite.

 

[Donald Blake MD]

I had the MAY status for about a week before my interview invite.

Same

 

[mwall003]

Yaa! May status update today! For those with interviews already, you had that status before the invite, right?

Same. May status for 1 week then II for me.

 

[williamiv4]

How long does it usually take to get these status updates after complete date but before II, I have been complete for almost 2 months now and I haven't heard a thing

 

[GoatMachine]

"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. Only offers of admission will be made on the dates above.

You will receive no further communication from us concerning your hold status. The next status change you will be contacted about will be to offer you a position in the class, to notify you that you have been placed on the alternate list (the alternate list is formulated 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."

Post-interview update! 🙂

 

[SoVaDr]

"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. Only offers of admission will be made on the dates above.

You will receive no further communication from us concerning your hold status. The next status change you will be contacted about will be to offer you a position in the class, to notify you that you have been placed on the alternate list (the alternate list is formulated 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."

Post-interview update! 🙂

Same! Every time I get one of those "your status has changed" emails, I almost have a heart attack.

 

[flan1234]

I just received an II but the earliest date is in Feb. Can that be right? Should I call them to verify?

 

[music2doc]

I just received an II but the earliest date is in Feb. Can that be right? Should I call them to verify?

They make dates available by priority level and date of app submission. Plainly put, you didn't qualify for anything before Feb so that's what they offered you. There really is no need to call them about it and you may still have a good chance if you interview well.

 

[dirkenator]

on the secondary did anyone have paragraph breaks? On "verify app" my application had one big paragraph instead of neat breaks.

 

[virtuoso735]

They make dates available by priority level and date of app submission. Plainly put, you didn't qualify for anything before Feb so that's what they offered you. There really is no need to call them about it and you may still have a good chance if you interview well.

Wait what? They make dates available by priority level, meaning that those at higher priority (e.g. more desirable applicants) are able to access earlier dates? Is that what you meant by this? So if I was able to choose a date in September, does that mean I have a higher priority score?

 

[music2doc]

Wait what? They make dates available by priority level, meaning that those at higher priority (e.g. more desirable applicants) are able to access earlier dates? Is that what you meant by this? So if I was able to choose a date in September, does that mean I have a higher priority score?

Yes, that's how I understand the process. I do not work in Admissions, however, so unless I have some reason to go ask Dr. WC a question, my contact with the process is pretty limited beyond the fact that I went through it myself and I recall someone explaining it that way when I was an applicant. Keep in mind, however, that your pre-interview and post-interview scores are entirely separate and calculated differently (IIRC), so beyond the advantages inherent in an early interview (and the fact that some of those desirable factors that got you one will also be desirable post-interview), I would not anticipate a higher chance at admission on the basis of your higher pre-interview score alone.

 

[flodhi1]

Wait what? They make dates available by priority level, meaning that those at higher priority (e.g. more desirable applicants) are able to access earlier dates? Is that what you meant by this? So if I was able to choose a date in September, does that mean I have a higher priority score?

It means they are more interested in you and your base score is high. As long as you don't mess it up you have a good chance of being accepted.

 

[virtuoso735]

It means they are more interested in you and your base score is high. As long as you don't mess it up you have a good chance of being accepted.

Yes, that's how I understand the process. I do not work in Admissions, however, so unless I have some reason to go ask Dr. WC a question, my contact with the process is pretty limited beyond the fact that I went through it myself and I recall someone explaining it that way when I was an applicant. Keep in mind, however, that your pre-interview and post-interview scores are entirely separate and calculated differently (IIRC), so beyond the advantages inherent in an early interview (and the fact that some of those desirable factors that got you one will also be desirable post-interview), I would not anticipate a higher chance at admission on the basis of your higher pre-interview score alone.

I didn't know that. So I guess I have a high priority score then if I was able to schedule my interview in September? My GPA and MCAT aren't that great to be honest.

 

[GrabSlamBoot]

Virtuso, are you IS? It seems being an IS applicant meant you interviewed first/earlier so I'm sure that would help too.