2012-2013 Virginia Commonwealth University Application Thread

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Wait, we're supposed to get an email or status change that says our file has been reviewed by the committee? All I got was a status change asking me to do the post-interview survey...

I interviewed 10/17 and on 11/9, I received and email and my status changed to the following:

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.
 
I interviewed 10/17 and on 11/9, I received and email and my status changed to the following:

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.

interviewed nov 29th, got this message today tambien.
 
Really hoping for some good news this time around. 11 days to go!
 
Really? I interviewed Nov. 28th and didn't get it. Hopefully that's a good sign.

I don't think it's a good or bad sign, just means they've gone over your file. There were people who were accepted off that last time around, and some that didn't hear anything back. Good luck to both of you.
 
only 10 now! how awesome would it be if they sent em out on the 14th instead?

would be VERY awesome!! my status changed on a saturday before so maybe it could also be the 15th? its jus an automated system after all...
 
Fingers crossed that it's sent out on either of these days...this is so I wouldn't waste 1500-2000 dollars to hold a seat.

would be VERY awesome!! my status changed on a saturday before so maybe it could also be the 15th? its jus an automated system after all...

only 10 now! how awesome would it be if they sent em out on the 14th instead?
 
I just got a status update email.. I logged in and was rejected. Weird thing is that I never got the complete status after my interview, and I interviewed 11/7. I thought we weren't going to hear anything until 12/15? Has this happened to anyone else? I didn't think VCU outright rejected anyone until March after your interview. I thought my interview had gone well too. Kind of bummed about this...

Dr. W-C made it clear to us that in Monday committee meetings, if you get a priority score of 4 or 5 you will be automatically rejected. Therefore they wouldn't have to wait until decision day to inform you. If you get priority 1, you're in for sure, priority 2 you're probably in, priority 3 from what I gather a small amount get in, most get waitlisted, and some get rejected. If you find out on Decision Day (i.e. December 17) then you were probably in priorities 1-3. If you find out before you are in Priority 4-5. And yes, this usually means you didn't do well on your interview or that they were hesitant in the first place and that you confirmed their hesitation. VCU is very kind and transparent; I'm sure if you emailed them they would give you a decent response.

About 45% of interviewees eventually get a spot in the class (400/~900). 1/3 of them are given spots on Decision Day, and 1/9 get in off the waitlist.

I hope this helps! I had a wonderful experience and found the facilities to be great and the people so kind and helpful. If I get in I'm definitely going!

Also I don't want to burst your bubble but Dr. W-C made it very clear that decisions would be sent out on the 17th (unless you are priority 4-5). She also said that that "Hold until acceptance dates" message is a GOOD THING, it means your application was reviewed at the latest admissions committee meeting and not immediately rejected.
 
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a little last minute, but i just withdrew my app / cancelled my VCU interview for Wednesday 12/12/12. Hope someone in the area can get the spot
 
a little last minute, but i just withdrew my app / cancelled my VCU interview for Wednesday 12/12/12. Hope someone in the area can get the spot

A little last minute? That sounds like completely last minute. I doubt they will find someone to take that spot.

Why the change of mind?
 
Yea it kinda is but I go to school an hour away and have friends who would love to go here haha, they'd drop everything in a heartbeat.

A little last minute? That sounds like completely last minute. I doubt they will find someone to take that spot.

Why the change of mind?
 
We're exactly a week away from the 17th!

So if we get an email from VCU that day, does that mean we're in? People who are rejected should hear earlier, and the waitlist isn't formed until the last decision day, right? Also, does the email tell you that you're in, or do you have to log in and find the acceptance message on the website?
 
Hmm my guess It will be like the rest of our app updates and we gotta log in. But maybe for an acceptance they save us the trouble!
 
You will have to check your status and the letter will be the first thing that you see. The email should come at or around 6pm if you have been accepted. If not, I am guessing you will have to wait to the next deadline
 
anyone received interview invite from the 'MAY' status? is there a pre-interview status that's different from the 'MAY' status? 🙂
 
my interview was very short and sweet (ok-good but not spectular/amazing). it was about 35 min. good or bad sign? thanks. loved the place.

Every interviewer is different - there are a range of different personalities and styles. There is really no way to judge at this point unless you feel you said something dumb that obviously pissed off your interviewer.

This is my experience: My interviewer was a senior adcom member, faculty member, and alumni. He was such an awesome guy, so friendly and laid-back, made me feel so at home when it was my first interview. I feel like he'd done tons of interviews before to the extent that he became kind of a pro at interviewing - it obviously came naturally to him, like he could do it in his sleep, and so the interview flowed nicely (not sure if it was because he's good at what he does or because we had chemistry/connected). We were cut off about 75 minutes in by a knock on his door from the director of the fmSTAT program telling us time is up. I finished the interview telling him how much I loved the school and hope I get in and he said I have a good chance. Later on, during my break between my regular and fmSTAT interviews, I ran into my interviewer pacing around the hallway when I was on my way to throw something out. He walked up to me and brought up something we were talking about earlier during the interview. We laughed, and then it was time for my fmSTAT interview. The fmSTAT interview didn't go as well, because the interviewer was a lot less expressive of her approval, which for some reason made me feel a lot more nervous (her style was also way more formal). I don't think it went poorly though - although my answers were a bit more stuttery, I still don't think I said anything stupid. I left having a really strong positive feeling, that I fit into VCU very well and that I felt my interviewers were left with a good impression of me, especially the former.

That being said, some interviewers are not as confident or experienced, some are as nervous interviewing you as you were getting interviewed, especially if it was a M4 who's new to the whole shebang, Therefore, they might have gotten shy or scared and felt the need to cut it short. Some interviewers are not very expressive and very formal in style, which may have cut the interview short as their style may have not been too conducive to the natural flow of conversation. The most important question is, how do you think you did? Do you think you ran out of things to say? Were you too nervous? Did you put your foot in your mouth? Only you can judge this at this point. I know many people (who have applied to other schools) who felt they bombed the interview and they got in, and others who felt they did awesome and got rejected. So you honestly can't really speculate with much certainty unless you know for sure you did something egregious.

Based on this thread's history, if you got rejected at today's adcom meeting, you will likely hear tomorrow or Wednesday the latest. Your status update (hold) should also come around that time if you were not automatically rejected (if you get the hold status you are definitely at the very least being strongly considered for December 17 admission). This is just speculation, so don't freak out if my predictions don't prove to be correct. Especially since it's close to decision date, things might get wonky as the adcom scrambles to decide who makes the cut.
 
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I am almost sure I know the exact guy

"My interviewer was a senior adcom member, faculty member, and alumni. He was such an awesome guy"

I had him too. He was a very fun man to talk with.
 
I am almost sure I know the exact guy

"My interviewer was a senior adcom member, faculty member, and alumni. He was such an awesome guy"

I had him too. He was a very fun man to talk with.

How did your interview go? I read some of your previous posts and you said it was closed file? Weird, because mine was open-file and my interviewer knew a lot about me beforehand, and we spoke a lot about the stuff I did.
 
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so I interviewed 2 weeks ago and sometime after the interview my status changed to the interview survey. Then last night it changed back to my interview is scheduled, and tonight back to the interview survey. Has anyone else had this happen? Do you think this means I was not reviewed at this Mondays meeting as well? Thanks!
 
rejected today after being complete for over 3 months.
 
Hey guys i hope this doesnt bother anyone, but i wanted to ask you about VCU's tendency to accept OOS students from the west. I have seen some people comment on here about OOS status, and I checked their last couple of years data on thier website and saw about 50% were OOS, but I dont know if these are typically eastern region OOS students.

I am a 3.6 cGPA, 3.4 SGPA 31M MCAT (balanced) student from Utah. Would I have >50% chance?
I would be applying next cycle.
 
Hey guys i hope this doesnt bother anyone, but i wanted to ask you about VCU's tendency to accept OOS students from the west. I have seen some people comment on here about OOS status, and I checked their last couple of years data on thier website and saw about 50% were OOS, but I dont know if these are typically eastern region OOS students.

I am a 3.6 cGPA, 3.4 SGPA 31M MCAT (balanced) student from Utah. Would I have >50% chance?
I would be applying next cycle.

No applicant has a >50% chance of acceptance to any medical school.
 
Every interviewer is different - there are a range of different personalities and styles. There is really no way to judge at this point unless you feel you said something dumb that obviously pissed off your interviewer.

This is my experience: My interviewer was a senior adcom member, faculty member, and alumni. He was such an awesome guy, so friendly and laid-back, made me feel so at home when it was my first interview. I feel like he'd done tons of interviews before to the extent that he became kind of a pro at interviewing - it obviously came naturally to him, like he could do it in his sleep, and so the interview flowed nicely (not sure if it was because he's good at what he does or because we had chemistry/connected). We were cut off about 75 minutes in by a knock on his door from the director of the fmSTAT program telling us time is up. I finished the interview telling him how much I loved the school and hope I get in and he said I have a good chance. Later on, during my break between my regular and fmSTAT interviews, I ran into my interviewer pacing around the hallway when I was on my way to throw something out. He walked up to me and brought up something we were talking about earlier during the interview. We laughed, and then it was time for my fmSTAT interview. The fmSTAT interview didn't go as well, because the interviewer was a lot less expressive of her approval, which for some reason made me feel a lot more nervous (her style was also way more formal). I don't think it went poorly though - although my answers were a bit more stuttery, I still don't think I said anything stupid. I left having a really strong positive feeling, that I fit into VCU very well and that I felt my interviewers were left with a good impression of me, especially the former.

That being said, some interviewers are not as confident or experienced, some are as nervous interviewing you as you were getting interviewed, especially if it was a M4 who's new to the whole shebang, Therefore, they might have gotten shy or scared and felt the need to cut it short. Some interviewers are not very expressive and very formal in style, which may have cut the interview short as their style may have not been too conducive to the natural flow of conversation. The most important question is, how do you think you did? Do you think you ran out of things to say? Were you too nervous? Did you put your foot in your mouth? Only you can judge this at this point. I know many people (who have applied to other schools) who felt they bombed the interview and they got in, and others who felt they did awesome and got rejected. So you honestly can't really speculate with much certainty unless you know for sure you did something egregious.

Based on this thread's history, if you got rejected at today's adcom meeting, you will likely hear tomorrow or Wednesday the latest. Your status update (hold) should also come around that time if you were not automatically rejected (if you get the hold status you are definitely at the very least being strongly considered for December 17 admission). This is just speculation, so don't freak out if my predictions don't prove to be correct. Especially since it's close to decision date, things might get wonky as the adcom scrambles to decide who makes the cut.
Hello, I am interviewing here soon and I just wanted to know how long it takes. My interview is scheduled for 10am when do should I expect to be done? I just want to book my flight accordingly. Thank you for your time.
 
Hello, I am interviewing here soon and I just wanted to know how long it takes. My interview is scheduled for 10am when do should I expect to be done? I just want to book my flight accordingly. Thank you for your time.

The tour is the last portion of the day and should be done between 1:45-2:00pm depending on who gives the tour/how many questions are asked.
 
Wonderful interview day, great interview experience, exciting tour, top school choice!
 
Dr. W-C made it clear to us that in Monday committee meetings, if you get a priority score of 4 or 5 you will be automatically rejected. Therefore they wouldn't have to wait until decision day to inform you. If you get priority 1, you're in for sure, priority 2 you're probably in, priority 3 from what I gather a small amount get in, most get waitlisted, and some get rejected. If you find out on Decision Day (i.e. December 17) then you were probably in priorities 1-3. If you find out before you are in Priority 4-5. And yes, this usually means you didn't do well on your interview or that they were hesitant in the first place and that you confirmed their hesitation. VCU is very kind and transparent; I'm sure if you emailed them they would give you a decent response.

About 45% of interviewees eventually get a spot in the class (400/~900). 1/3 of them are given spots on Decision Day, and 1/9 get in off the waitlist.

I hope this helps! I had a wonderful experience and found the facilities to be great and the people so kind and helpful. If I get in I'm definitely going!

Also I don't want to burst your bubble but Dr. W-C made it very clear that decisions would be sent out on the 17th (unless you are priority 4-5). She also said that that "Hold until acceptance dates" message is a GOOD THING, it means your application was reviewed at the latest admissions committee meeting and not immediately rejected.
So if I interviewed 10/14 and have the status that says I've been reviewed and offers will be made Dec 15, etc. etc. etc... (I have not yet gotten a rejection.)

Does that mean I am probably prioirty 1-3? and I will hear something on Dec 17? and it will be via e-mail? Probably a waitlist or an acceptance?? Sorry to be redundant! I just want to make sure I get this straight!
 
So if I interviewed 10/14 and have the status that says I've been reviewed and offers will be made Dec 15, etc. etc. etc... (I have not yet gotten a rejection.)

Does that mean I am probably prioirty 1-3? and I will hear something on Dec 17? and it will be via e-mail? Probably a waitlist or an acceptance?? Sorry to be redundant! I just want to make sure I get this straight!

As I understand it, if you haven't already been rejected, you probably do have a priority score between 1 and 3. However, that does not guarantee you will hear on December 17. They accept about a quarter of the class on each acceptance date (October 16, December 17, February 1, and March 16, I think), and lower the threshold score to get in for each acceptance date (for example, it could be something like <1.5 for the October date, <2 for December, etc.). Depending on what your score is, you may or may not hear next Monday. Only those accepted will hear on the decision dates, and the waitlist is formed after that. I hope that helps!
 
excuse my inference. i guess my real question is would it be worth my money/time to apply? I would love to attend the school, but money and time are limited, I want to make sure I apply wisely.
 
excuse my inference. i guess my real question is would it be worth my money/time to apply? I would love to attend the school, but money and time are limited, I want to make sure I apply wisely.

It's too late to apply this cycle I think. If you're talking about next year, I don't see why not. I loved it there when I interviewed even though I didn't know what to expect. They also seem to accept more OOS than other in-state schools, so it's worth a shot.
 
I appreciate if someone let me know whether I am understanding right on these:

- The committee met last Monday (Dec 10) to review all the applicants interviewing after Oct 15 up to now and will release the decision (by calling ?) for this batch next Monday (Dec 17) ?

- I should receive a status update on their website between today and Saturday (Dec 15) if accepted ?

- If nothing happens between today and the end of Monday Dec 17 (i.e. no call, no email, no status update), that means I'm on waitlist and won't hear back until April ?
 
thanks virt. and yeah this was for next cycle not this one. i appreciate your feedback
 
I appreciate if someone let me know whether I am understanding right on these:

- The committee met last Monday (Dec 10) to review all the applicants interviewing after Oct 15 up to now and will release the decision (by calling ?) for this batch next Monday (Dec 17) ?

- I should receive a status update on their website between today and Saturday (Dec 15) if accepted ?

- If nothing happens between today and the end of Monday Dec 17 (i.e. no call, no email, no status update), that means I'm on waitlist and won't hear back until April ?

1. Not sure if the most recent interviewees (~2 weeks ago until now) will be reviewed in time for the decision day on the 17th. That depends on whether or not your interviewer showed up to present your case, but if you have been presented, you should have (or will get) an email status update saying that your application has been reviewed and that it is put on hold for decision at a later date.

2. Apparently, the status update email will come on Monday (the 17th) in the late afternoon/early evening.

3. If you don't hear anything on the 17th (most likely an email, and you won't hear any earlier than that), you will have to wait for the next decision date in February, or the one after that, in March. You could potentially be accepted on one of those dates. I'm not really sure when the waitlist is formed. It's either on the last decision date or after that.
 
1. Not sure if the most recent interviewees (~2 weeks ago until now) will be reviewed in time for the decision day on the 17th. That depends on whether or not your interviewer showed up to present your case, but if you have been presented, you should have (or will get) an email status update saying that your application has been reviewed and that it is put on hold for decision at a later date.

2. Apparently, the status update email will come on Monday (the 17th) in the late afternoon/early evening.

3. If you don't hear anything on the 17th (most likely an email, and you won't hear any earlier than that), you will have to wait for the next decision date in February, or the one after that, in March. You could potentially be accepted on one of those dates. I'm not really sure when the waitlist is formed. It's either on the last decision date or after that.


Thanks for the reply. I still haven't received the status update about "hold for decision at a later date." Do you know how long after the meeting it usually takes them to give me that hold status update ? I'm just trying to see whether they have reviewed my file during last Monday meeting yet.
 
Thanks for the reply. I still haven't received the status update about "hold for decision at a later date." Do you know how long after the meeting it usually takes them to give me that hold status update ? I'm just trying to see whether they have reviewed my file during last Monday meeting yet.

On Wednesday/Thursday after Monday committee meeting I believe are the two days that you generally receive the status update about "hold for decision at a later date."
 
thanks virt. and yeah this was for next cycle not this one. i appreciate your feedback

Remember that the application fees and travel are drops in the bucket. If you really love the school, apply. You will certainly not get in if you don't 😉
 
On Wednesday/Thursday after Monday committee meeting I believe are the two days that you generally receive the status update about "hold for decision at a later date."

Thank you for letting me know ! This gives me a lot of hope because today is just Wednesday.
 
thanks virt. and yeah this was for next cycle not this one. i appreciate your feedback

I was in a similar situation being unsure about applying to VCU. I'm glad I did though, because I was pleasantly surprised by how much I liked it! Honestly school "prestige" and cost aside, I think I was more impressed by VCU's students and the tour (and the direction the school seems to be headed) than almost any other of the 9 schools I've interviewed at this year and last year.
 
I was in a similar situation being unsure about applying to VCU. I'm glad I did though, because I was pleasantly surprised by how much I liked it! Honestly school "prestige" and cost aside, I think I was more impressed by VCU's students and the tour (and the direction the school seems to be headed) than almost any other of the 9 schools I've interviewed at this year and last year.

+1 Couldn't agree with you more. Jumped to the top of my list.
 
I was in a similar situation being unsure about applying to VCU. I'm glad I did though, because I was pleasantly surprised by how much I liked it! Honestly school "prestige" and cost aside, I think I was more impressed by VCU's students and the tour (and the direction the school seems to be headed) than almost any other of the 9 schools I've interviewed at this year and last year.

I was never unsure about applying to VCU, but it's moved up to my first choice since I was so impressed with everything I saw. If I get in, it will seriously be the happiest day of my life. I also love the direction the school is going in and would love to be a part of it

TheTraveler said:
I appreciate if someone let me know whether I am understanding right on these:

- The committee met last Monday (Dec 10) to review all the applicants interviewing after Oct 15 up to now and will release the decision (by calling ?) for this batch next Monday (Dec 17) ?

- I should receive a status update on their website between today and Saturday (Dec 15) if accepted ?

- If nothing happens between today and the end of Monday Dec 17 (i.e. no call, no email, no status update), that means I'm on waitlist and won't hear back until April ?

Last year there were a few people who interviewed later (i.e. 1st week of December) who got the status update (hold) AND acceptances on the same day - which was Decision Day. So if you interviewed very recently, don't lose hope if you don't hear this week - they probably just haven't gotten to you yet.
 
Thank you for letting me know ! This gives me a lot of hope because today is just Wednesday.

I got my status update on a Friday, so there is plenty of time this week for you to get an update. However, there is also a small possibility that your interviewer has not presented your file yet, and you'll have to wait until next time.
 
Last year there were a few people who interviewed later (i.e. 1st week of December) who got the status update (hold) AND acceptances on the same day - which was Decision Day. So if you interviewed very recently, don't lose hope if you don't hear this week - they probably just haven't gotten to you yet.

I got my status update on a Friday, so there is plenty of time this week for you to get an update. However, there is also a small possibility that your interviewer has not presented your file yet, and you'll have to wait until next time.


Thanks. So it looks like I can get the hold update any time from now until December 17th (hopefully my interviewer has already presented my file).
 
omg just got a secondary! after months of radio silence. wondering if its worth a shot at applying now since its a long secondary and might not be many seats for interviews left....
 
omg just got a secondary! after months of radio silence. wondering if its worth a shot at applying now since its a long secondary and might not be many seats for interviews left....

You won't get the opportunity for an interview if you don't apply. 😉 Many people have been accepted even though they applied late.
 
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