2014-2015 Virginia Commonwealth University Application Thread

[Deeg]

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I'm in the same boat, just finished my essay and logged on to see a new prompt with 6000 less character limit. What gives. Now I don't want to be the guy who submits the original prompt after the new one is up

 

[The Milkman]

I'm not applying here, but jeeze you guys sure are a talkative group! already 6 pages!

 

[Deeg]

Well, when they give you an 8000 character limit essay prompt after sending out secondaries, and then a week later switch it to a 2000 word prompt without any warning, people are probably gonna be freaking out

 

[BorntobeDO?]

I'm not applying here, but jeeze you guys sure are a talkative group! already 6 pages!

I am sure that's what the adcom said when they got my 8k essay, I noticed the prompt changed that same afternoon....

 

[The Milkman]

I am sure that's what the adcom said when they got my 8k essay, I noticed the prompt changed that same afternoon....

bummer!

 

[thebeachisthebest]

Strange email from VCU a few hours ago. In part:

"The initial file review screening by our subcommittee has identified you as a strong candidate. We begin the interview process in early September. Once a committee member has completed the final review and you are offered an interview, please schedule the interview through the online directions. Mrs. Agnes Mack, the Director of Admissions, has overall responsibility for scheduling interviews and she is assisted by Mr. Joshua Quinn."

This doesn't seem like an interview invite, but it does seem to imply one is coming. I'm just confused why they would send an email like this? Am I supposed to do anything at this point?

 

[BorntobeDO?]

Strange email from VCU a few hours ago. In part:

"The initial file review screening by our subcommittee has identified you as a strong candidate. We begin the interview process in early September. Once a committee member has completed the final review and you are offered an interview, please schedule the interview through the online directions. Mrs. Agnes Mack, the Director of Admissions, has overall responsibility for scheduling interviews and she is assisted by Mr. Joshua Quinn."

This doesn't seem like an interview invite, but it does seem to imply one is coming. I'm just confused why they would send an email like this? Am I supposed to do anything at this point?

I am fairly certain that does mean you will get an invite. I would just sit back and relax.

 

[chromealt]

Strange email from VCU a few hours ago. In part:

"The initial file review screening by our subcommittee has identified you as a strong candidate. We begin the interview process in early September. Once a committee member has completed the final review and you are offered an interview, please schedule the interview through the online directions. Mrs. Agnes Mack, the Director of Admissions, has overall responsibility for scheduling interviews and she is assisted by Mr. Joshua Quinn."

This doesn't seem like an interview invite, but it does seem to imply one is coming. I'm just confused why they would send an email like this? Am I supposed to do anything at this point?

Wow, that is certainly good news! Congrats, I'm sure you'll be getting an II.

 

[mrh125]

Strange email from VCU a few hours ago. In part:

"The initial file review screening by our subcommittee has identified you as a strong candidate. We begin the interview process in early September. Once a committee member has completed the final review and you are offered an interview, please schedule the interview through the online directions. Mrs. Agnes Mack, the Director of Admissions, has overall responsibility for scheduling interviews and she is assisted by Mr. Joshua Quinn."

This doesn't seem like an interview invite, but it does seem to imply one is coming. I'm just confused why they would send an email like this? Am I supposed to do anything at this point?

what are your stats? how did your LORs get in? mine still havent come 🙁

 

[thebeachisthebest]

According to this thread, several people don't have their LORs in yet. I wouldn't worry!
My stats are right around VCU's averages, and I'm IS so maybe that helps. Not URM, veteran, etc.

 

[HopefulDoc12]

Wondering if anyone still has the status of their primary app under review? I'm OOS with 30 / 3.8 and verified 6/5...

 

[Ace Khalifa]

Wondering if anyone still has the status of their primary app under review? I'm OOS with 30 / 3.8 and verified 6/5...

You're def not the only one. I'm OOS with GPA/MCAT of 3.73/36 and verified 6/5 and still nothing. It's starting to bug me.

 

[mrh125]

misread post.

 

[Ace Khalifa]

yea im in this base too. it's a bit troublesome consider they've already started emailing about potential interviews. hopefully they have a way of mediating this recommendation letter delay issue.

LOL I'll worry about interviews when I get them. I applied to 22 schools. If VCU doesn't send me the secondary by the time I complete my first few interviews, I'm not gonna worry too much.

 

[hoihaie]

You're def not the only one. I'm OOS with GPA/MCAT of 3.73/36 and verified 6/5 and still nothing. It's starting to bug me.

that's weird... because i'm 3.43/32 and I got the secondary a week ago

 

[Ace Khalifa]

that's weird... because i'm 3.43/32 and I got the secondary a week ago

You probably have more EC's and a more compelling PS than I do.

 

[hoihaie]

You probably have more EC's and a more compelling PS than I do.

I don't think they would screen by reading the personal statement and my works/activities?

 

[AvrgPreMedKid]

Hahahahaahahahahaahahah wowwwww VCU 🤣

I already did the other prompt and submitted, like a week ago! ****. I know we won't be penalized, but I feel like I should have waited or something. :/

@farnell

 

[cornchiu]

For the question, " Please briefly explain any lapses in your undergraduate education", does that include the gap year I am taking?

 

[BorntobeDO?]

I don't think they would screen by reading the personal statement and my works/activities?

I could see them looking at hours of volunteering or something along those lines. But I agree, I didn't get the impression that they had read over yet when I called. I believe anyone who is sending out secondaries this early is probably sorting by numbers, not essay content. You can't read 2000+ applications in 5 days, or rather you probably can, but I don't think they did.

 

[FutureMD33]

Just called about the essay prompt change in case anyone was wondering about that! For me, the OLD prompt was showing on the review screen right before you submit. The guy I talked to said to still submit the new question's answer. I'm sure there are several people inquiring about it, so I wouldn't worry if you did the long prompt. 🙂

Officially submitted, fingers crossed!

 

[hoihaie]

Hahahahaahahahahaahahah wowwwww VCU 🤣

I already did the other prompt and submitted, like a week ago! ****. I know we won't be penalized, but I feel like I should have waited or something. :/

@farnell

the new one is far trickier to write though, so i think you lucked out

 

[VirginiaBrown]

have any Early Decision applicants gotten their secondaries yet?

I'm early decision and I still haven't gotten a secondary yet....my application has already processed but my LORs aren't in though so I'm not sure it that makes a difference?

 

[hoihaie]

I'm early decision and I still haven't gotten a secondary yet....my application has already processed but my LORs aren't in though so I'm not sure it that makes a difference?

I don't think so. I submitted my secondaries and my letters still aren;t in yet

 

[ct303]

The admissions page has an announcement regarding the essays and the character limits- be sure to pay attention to it.

 

[AAATPase]

Looks like the first essay topic is still an option until the 16th, although with a character limit of 2000. Good.

 

[chromealt]

Submitted my secondary with the new topic! Feels great to have this one finished finally 🙂 Show me some love VCU!

 

[VirginiaBrown]

have any Early Decision applicants gotten their secondaries yet?

hey sourtherncs, I started a thread for VCU SOM early decision people...maybe we can keep all the ED stuff updated on there and let each other know when we get secondaries and interviews etc. http://forums.studentdoctor.net/threads/2014-2015-vcu-som-early-decision.1084375/

 

[pink/\floyd]

Does anyone's file say complete? they received my secondary, green card copy, the fee and the letters (which reflects on their website) but I'm still incomplete.

 

[BioEngMD]

Mine finally changed to complete today. I submitted my secondary 7/6 and it took a few days for the LOR's to show as received but after that it immediately switched to complete.

 

[pink/\floyd]

Mine finally changed to complete today. I submitted my secondary 7/6 and it took a few days for the LOR's to show as received but after that it immediately switched to complete.

Mine shows they received my LORs last week, but still not complete.

probably taking time to process the green card which I sent in 2 days ago.

 

[BioEngMD]

When was the last of the required materials submitted? I'd give it a day or two after that date and then contact them if it still hasn't changed.

 

[pink/\floyd]

When was the last of the required materials submitted? I'd give it a day or two after that date and then contact them if it still hasn't changed.

submitted everything 7/7.. so 1 day after you, but letters were processed earlier. I'll wait till the end of the week.

 

[chromealt]

So on the site, for LOR it says 3 letters of recommendation from those who know you well from a supervisory position.

I called the office to ensure there were no specific requirements for these LOR and they said nothing specific required, but on the secondary site when I click on the "INCOMPLETE" link, it says

• Letters of Recommendation --2 Science and 1 Non-Science OR Prehealth Committee Packet (see the Instructions/Forms section for more details)

I submitted 1 science and 2 engineering faculty references in addition to some employment ones. Do you think this will be an issue?

 

[Ace Khalifa]

FINALLY received VCU secondary just now! AMCAS verified 6/5, LOR's already received.

 

[andrewRA4]

FINALLY received VCU secondary just now! AMCAS verified 6/5, LOR's already received.

Mee too omg. Hahah thank The Lord. If I were to pass mayos screen and not vcus id be really worried something were wrong with my lors

 

[jjtheairplane]

Secondary also received.

 

[sunflower18]

Me too! I just got it! Looks like I'll be writing an essay tonight 🙂

 

[financenontrad]

Does anyone's file say complete? they received my secondary, green card copy, the fee and the letters (which reflects on their website) but I'm still incomplete.

I submitted 7/2 and sent green card next morning, letters marked revived 7/2 but also currently incomplete. I called today and they said it could take one to two weeks to add. Hopefully we are complete soon though.

 

[drnk12]

I received an email marking my app as complete.

 

[ShabbaRanks]

Deleted. Answered my own question

 

[Ace Khalifa]

Finished and submitted VCU secondary just now!

 

[need_some_coffee]

Has anyone else had any difficulty logging in? I received an email that my status had changed, which I am hoping means I received a secondary, but I haven't been able to log in. I've tried Firefox and Internet Explorer, and triple checked my AAMC ID number. I'm putting in my PIN correctly, too (bday), and it keeps telling me "We're sorry. Your AAMC ID or your pin was not found."

Any thoughts? Next step is to email their tech support, but I wanted to double check and make sure I am not doing anything dumb.

Thanks!

 

[Tom Ford]

Has anyone else had any difficulty logging in? I received an email that my status had changed, which I am hoping means I received a secondary, but I haven't been able to log in. I've tried Firefox and Internet Explorer, and triple checked my AAMC ID number. I'm putting in my PIN correctly, too (bday), and it keeps telling me "We're sorry. Your AAMC ID or your pin was not found."

Any thoughts? Next step is to email their tech support, but I wanted to double check and make sure I am not doing anything dumb.

Thanks!

This exact same thing is happening to me!!! Not sure what to do...will you tell me what tech support tells ya?

EDIT: I clicked the "forgot pin" and it emailed me NOT my birthday...I guess I must have set up a different pin before when they sent me that original email and just totally forgot about it! So I'd rec clicking the forgot thing and they'll email it to you pretty quickly!

 

[need_some_coffee]

This exact same thing is happening to me!!! Not sure what to do...will you tell me what tech support tells ya?

EDIT: I clicked the "forgot pin" and it emailed me NOT my birthday...I guess I must have set up a different pin before when they sent me that original email and just totally forgot about it! So I'd rec clicking the forgot thing and they'll email it to you pretty quickly!

<facepalm> Me too. Thanks very much for saving me from myself! : )

 

[shishy]

Damn it I pre-wrote the 8,000 one (used 3,500) and submitted the first day secondaries came out. I'm really hoping they honor it.

 

[588442]

Yes, same as last year. And curable cancer question is not short if they are giving you 8000 characters.

Did the prompt for this question change overnight? I swear I saw the curable cancer prompt the first time I logged in. But now I see a different prompt --> 2000 characters and about menstrual cramps. Any thoughts?

 

[ABCGas76]

The admissions page has an announcement regarding the essays and the character limits- be sure to pay attention to it.

Thanks for the update, but I actually can't find this. Can anyone point me towards this?

 

[yankees527]

Thanks for the update, but I actually can't find this. Can anyone point me towards this?

Before you actually input your aamc id and pin

 

[ABCGas76]

Before you actually input your aamc id and pin

Thanks!