2014-2015 University of Virginia Application Thread

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Anything in particular you want to know or are curious about?

I also noticed that they are really emphasizing their curriculum- I've read a lot about it and just want to make sure that this is right: would you say that teamwork/small group learning is central to the curriculum? I know that they built that whole building for group learning.
 
I also noticed that they are really emphasizing their curriculum- I've read a lot about it and just want to make sure that this is right: would you say that teamwork/small group learning is central to the curriculum? I know that they built that whole building for group learning.

Yeah, the pre-clerkship curriculum emphasizes teamwork and small group learning quite a bit. Clinical performance development groups, anatomy dissection teams and TBL (team-based learning) groups are the more formal aspects of that. Mentors and curriculum leaders encourage us to give meaningful feedback to team members throughout these different activities. Aside from these specific settings, quite a number of the classroom activities are structured around active learning and collaboration with peers, too.
 
Yeah, the pre-clerkship curriculum emphasizes teamwork and small group learning quite a bit. Clinical performance development groups, anatomy dissection teams and TBL (team-based learning) groups are the more formal aspects of that. Mentors and curriculum leaders encourage us to give meaningful feedback to team members throughout these different activities. Aside from these specific settings, quite a number of the classroom activities are structured around active learning and collaboration with peers, too.

Great, thanks that's really helpful!
 
Are med students allowed to take courses at the other schools at UVA? If so, would that be appropriate to talk about for the "why UVA essay?" Personally, I really like med schools that give you the option of taking classes at their undergrad campus.
Yeah I talked about pursuing an interest in language in my "why UVA" essay. Already submitted so hopefully they have those types of opportunities.
 
Are med students allowed to take courses at the other schools at UVA? If so, would that be appropriate to talk about for the "why UVA essay?" Personally, I really like med schools that give you the option of taking classes at their undergrad campus.

Yeah I talked about pursuing an interest in language in my "why UVA" essay. Already submitted so hopefully they have those types of opportunities.

I've also never heard of anyone doing this. Maybe it's possible, but I wouldn't emphasize that in your essay by any means. Maybe someone who's done this can comment?
 
Are med students allowed to take courses at the other schools at UVA? If so, would that be appropriate to talk about for the "why UVA essay?" Personally, I really like med schools that give you the option of taking classes at their undergrad campus.
As an undergrad I can say that I've never seen graduate students in general in any classes unless it is cross listed as a graduate class.
 
I've also never heard of anyone doing this. Maybe it's possible, but I wouldn't emphasize that in your essay by any means. Maybe someone who's done this can comment?

Well I guess its too late to change that now lol We'll see what happens.
 
It's difficult to find classes to audit that fit your schedule, because you're in class 8-12 M-F, plus one afternoon a week all year and a second afternoon a week during one semester. And second year, you're busy stressing over Step 1. And OSCEs. So I haven't heard of anyone actually following through on the option to do undergrad classes as well.
 
It's difficult to find classes to audit that fit your schedule, because you're in class 8-12 M-F, plus one afternoon a week all year and a second afternoon a week during one semester. And second year, you're busy stressing over Step 1. And OSCEs. So I haven't heard of anyone actually following through on the option to do undergrad classes as well.
That makes sense, but what about research opportunities abroad during the summer? That seems like a way to kill two birds with one stone.

I found this on the UVA website, "Finally, the post-clerkship phase provides opportunities for you to engage in advanced clinical skills training and tailor your educational experience to your own interests and career aspirations. International opportunities and travel stipends are available through the Center For Global Health and other programs. This offers you the opportunity to immerse yourself in another culture, learn other languages and pursue clinical or research interests worldwide."

Having attended UVA , did you see a lot of people do this or do most people stick around campus and do research?
 
That makes sense, but what about research opportunities abroad during the summer? That seems like a way to kill two birds with one stone.

I found this on the UVA website, "Finally, the post-clerkship phase provides opportunities for you to engage in advanced clinical skills training and tailor your educational experience to your own interests and career aspirations. International opportunities and travel stipends are available through the Center For Global Health and other programs. This offers you the opportunity to immerse yourself in another culture, learn other languages and pursue clinical or research interests worldwide."

Having attended UVA , did you see a lot of people do this or do most people stick around campus and do research?

Lots of people leave grounds during 4th year to go abroad, do away rotations, and do research elsewhere. There seem to be a lot of opportunities for that sort of thing, so it's very doable.
 
That makes sense, but what about research opportunities abroad during the summer? That seems like a way to kill two birds with one stone.

I found this on the UVA website, "Finally, the post-clerkship phase provides opportunities for you to engage in advanced clinical skills training and tailor your educational experience to your own interests and career aspirations. International opportunities and travel stipends are available through the Center For Global Health and other programs. This offers you the opportunity to immerse yourself in another culture, learn other languages and pursue clinical or research interests worldwide."

Having attended UVA , did you see a lot of people do this or do most people stick around campus and do research?

Yeah, in the post clerkship phase (4th year), I'd say the majority of the class goes abroad for something and there are multiple opportunities available. In the summer after first year, a strong number of people stay on grounds and do research, but there are a few international research opportunities available through AMSA and individual departments as well.
 
That makes sense, but what about research opportunities abroad during the summer? That seems like a way to kill two birds with one stone.

I found this on the UVA website, "Finally, the post-clerkship phase provides opportunities for you to engage in advanced clinical skills training and tailor your educational experience to your own interests and career aspirations. International opportunities and travel stipends are available through the Center For Global Health and other programs. This offers you the opportunity to immerse yourself in another culture, learn other languages and pursue clinical or research interests worldwide."

Having attended UVA , did you see a lot of people do this or do most people stick around campus and do research?

FYI, the School of Medicine funded about 12 people from my class to conduct research projects in Guatemala this summer.
 
In-staters: Did you ever receive a confirmation email for the VA in-status application?
 
In-staters: Did you ever receive a confirmation email for the VA in-status application?

I haven't. I turned it in a week ago. My application status says complete, but I am wondering if it'll show up in the document status (where the references are) or the communication status when the med school receives the form. Can any IS people with an interview confirm?
 
I feel late to the party, but with all these IIs flying, I'm going to try to submit my secondary tonight.

Edit: Submitted and complete. I feel good about this one. Does anyone else feel like some of their secondaries are great and others are complete ****?
 
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For those with IIs, are you guys planning on staying with a student host?
 
I haven't. I turned it in a week ago. My application status says complete, but I am wondering if it'll show up in the document status (where the references are) or the communication status when the med school receives the form. Can any IS people with an interview confirm?

Argh, I think they may be taking longer with IS due to this document thing. The OOS seem to have a much quicker turnaround.
 
Argh, I think they may be taking longer with IS due to this document thing. The OOS seem to have a much quicker turnaround.

Yeah I think so too. Since it looked like it had to go from some office in UVA then to the medical school. Haha maybe I should've faxed it...lol.
 
Yeah I think so too. Since it looked like it had to go from some office in UVA then to the medical school. Haha maybe I should've faxed it...lol.

I emailed a scanned copy of the pdf form...haha but yeah i also noticed the office was a separate entity.
 
Yeah I think so too. Since it looked like it had to go from some office in UVA then to the medical school. Haha maybe I should've faxed it...lol.

I emailed a scanned copy of the pdf form...haha but yeah i also noticed the office was a separate entity.

Problem is: I thought in-state eligibility was somewhat tedious to determine (checking tax records, residency, etc). Just wish they confirmed receipt/expect it to take X days/weeks. Haha, time to go back into secondary cave to avoid the anticipation.
 
I'm used to doing this for job interviews, so I wonder if it's common to reply back to the medical schools with a thank you for the invitation to interview email?
Not as far as I am aware (this is my second time going through a cycle). It's far more common to thank the office and interviewers after the interview.
 
grr i hope that office gets going for us IS-ers.
 
What kind of research is it? Basic or clinical?

Students came up with their own project ideas and wrote their own proposals, which had to be approved by a committee. There are probably 5-6 different projects altogether, and I'm not sure how many are clinical vs. basic science.
 
any in stater's with II?

seems like out of staters are being looked at first while in staters are getting their in state form confirmed before anything. valid assumption?
 
For the OOS who got II, what were you stats like? and when did your AMCAS get verified?
 
For the OOS who got II, what were you stats like? and when did your AMCAS get verified?

I have a 3.9/38. My AMCAS was verified in mid June. I was marked complete July 18.
 
according to a friend who applied to the law school last cycle it took 2 weeks for her VA status to be confirmed through email and she never got an initial reply when she sent it. guessing its the same for med school
 
according to a friend who applied to the law school last cycle it took 2 weeks for her VA status to be confirmed through email and she never got an initial reply when she sent it. guessing its the same for med school

dang it! I guess the wait begins. I submitted earlier this week. guess i shouldn't be glued to my email anyways...
 
FYI if you didn't get a complete email- not just check marks on the website- you may not have been processed by the school and should consider taking steps to make sure they got your app...

Edit- Nevermind.
 
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FYI if you didn't get a complete email- not just check marks on the website- you may not have been processed by the school and should consider taking steps to make sure they got your app...
frantically checks email....
 
soo just wondering- for those of you with IIs, have they always come in the morning? basically should i not expect anything past a certain time every day? just wondering..
 
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