2014-2015 Virginia Commonwealth University Application Thread

[yankees527]

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How in the world am I supposed to write about my additional qualifications in 150 characters? That is like 1 well written sentence. Any one have suggestions?

I dont even remember this as a question

 

[VaNilla1]

I dont even remember this as a question

You only have to answer it if you are a re-applicant at VCU.

 

[k8gr87]

can't find any info on this- does VCU accept AP credit for math & english?

 

[ct303]

can't find any info on this- does VCU accept AP credit for math & english?

As long as you received college credit for the course, and the courses meet the pre-reqs you're good

 

[CCrown]

Can anyone comment on the Inova Fairfax Hospital versus the MCV Hospitals? I've been looking on the VCU website and can't find much about the differences between the two.

 

[Member 0922]

Can anyone comment on the Inova Fairfax Hospital versus the MCV Hospitals? I've been looking on the VCU website and can't find much about the differences between the two.

Really, the INOVA hospital is for students from Northern Virginia and D.C. areas so they can be closer to home the last two years. Everyone else just stays at MCV. There are no real advantages or disadvantages between the two except location. It is more expensive to live in northern Virginia - so it's mainly just an option for people who are actually from there.

 

[ConsultantMD]

Inova is also a legit health system so that's a plus.

 

[CCrown]

Really, the INOVA hospital is for students from Northern Virginia and D.C. areas so they can be closer to home the last two years. Everyone else just stays at MCV. There are no real advantages or disadvantages between the two except location. It is more expensive to live in northern Virginia - so it's mainly just an option for people who are actually from there.

Thanks!

 

[BorntobeDO?]

Doesnt it say its going to be looked at by the committee in the completion status though?

I don't remember it saying at first in the morning, in fact I am pretty sure it didn't. But it definitely did in the evening.

 

[BorntobeDO?]

For this question: Please briefly explain any lapses in your undergraduate education, if you did not have any lapses are you just supposed to leave it blank?

Also for letters of rec, in my application portal, when I click on the incomplete section of the file status, it informs me that letters of recommendation must be from 2 science professors and 1 non-science professor. However, on the website and in the Instructions for Completing Applicant File it states that VCU requires three letters of recommendation from anyone who has supervised me, knows me well and is able to speak to my personal characteristics. Could anyone clarify what types of letters are required and the maximum number of letters allowed?

Thanks!

Didn't get a maximum from them but they said that they mark all LoR's as science. I sent 5.

 

[Omppu27]

So what exactly is the secondary?

 

[Tom Ford]

So what exactly is the secondary?

the one about the 15 y/o girl who's having sex but her mom doesn't know haha

 

[lilypond147]

Any consensus on whether or not we can include gap year in the "lapses in undergraduate education"?

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

Yes. I saw in a thread from the previous year that someone emailed admissions to clarify what that q meant. The response said to include time gaps in undergraduate years or afterwards if applicable.

Lapses in undergrad means you took time off during your 4 years. Gap year is after the 4 years so it should not fall under that.

 

[Dr Turkelton]

When do updates come out again? 6:30 on Mondays and Wednesday?

 

[yankees527]

When do updates come out again? 6:30 on Mondays and Wednesday?

Thats what i have noticed

 

[UVA2k14]

When do updates come out again? 6:30 on Mondays and Wednesday?

I got an update on a Friday at 6:30 PM. May be a MWF deal.

 

[yankees527]

I got an update on a Friday at 6:30 PM. May be a MWF deal.

What does it update to?

 

[Halgene]

.

 

[yankees527]

Any other status updates? I know one person got one

 

[drnk12]

Nothing on status updates , but when you guys check your letters that are received by VCU, are any of the non-academic or non-science letters marked "Science"? I have a letter from a health-care professional marked as "Science" - is that not a big deal or should I contact them?

 

[yankees527]

Nothing on status updates , but when you guys check your letters that are received by VCU, are any of the non-academic or non-science letters marked "Science"? I have a letter from a health-care professional marked as "Science" - is that not a big deal or should I contact them?

as long as you have enough to fulfill the requirements in each category either way, it shouldnt matter

 

[claduva94]

Nothing on status updates , but when you guys check your letters that are received by VCU, are any of the non-academic or non-science letters marked "Science"? I have a letter from a health-care professional marked as "Science" - is that not a big deal or should I contact them?

Office of admission says they classify every letter as science on your portal. No need to worry!

 

[BorntobeDO?]

Office of admission says they classify every letter as science on your portal. No need to worry!

Seems like things get repeated a lot around here 🙂

 

[andrewpumpkin]

Anybody had problems with the link for sending the green card?

 

[nym9631]

What are you guys sending? I hope I didn't miss some step for my application =\

Sending proof of permanent residency, so I think if you are a US citizen, then you do not need to worry about it.

 

[nym9631]

Same here. I ended up sending it to [email protected] instead, which is also the admission office's email.

Hey purplepolarbear,

So did they reply your email regarding receiving your documents? I sent them an email a week ago and there is still no response and my file is still incomplete on the website!! I have no idea what is going on!

 

[purplepolarbear]

Hey purplepolarbear,

So did they reply your email regarding receiving your documents? I sent them an email a week ago and there is still no response and my file is still incomplete on the website!! I have no idea what is going on!

I also sent it about a week ago with no response, but I re-sent it this morning and was marked complete within a couple of hours. I would try sending it again and calling the admissions office if your status still doesn't change. The system is so glitchy, haha

 

[keevwu]

did they change the prompt? I just finished writing the cancer essay (8000 characters max) and now it suddenly switched to a 15 year old sexually active girl essay.... wtf????

 

[hoihaie]

did they change the prompt? I just finished writing the cancer essay (8000 characters max) and now it suddenly switched to a 15 year old sexually active girl essay.... wtf????

happened last week or two

 

[BorntobeDO?]

happened last week or two

Or about 4 pages by StudentDoctor reckoning. I am sorry for the above posters pain, but at least its shorter now. Got to stay positive, we got a log way to go.

 

[CCrown]

did they change the prompt? I just finished writing the cancer essay (8000 characters max) and now it suddenly switched to a 15 year old sexually active girl essay.... wtf????

Take a look at the VCU Secondary page before you log in for a message from their Admissions office. They said you can still submit the original essay (but only up to 2000 characters) and only before I think 7/16. Check to make sure because I don't remember the date, but if it is 7/16, you could use the original cancer essay if you submit today.

Hope it works out for you! 🙂

 

[bpperry]

Got an email saying my status was changed... "Your file is complete, and has been forwarded to the Admissions Committee for further decision." Can't remember if that was there before, but it seems like nothing has changed since I submitted 5 days ago. THANKS FOR THE HEART ATTACK VCU :'(

 

[ConsultantMD]

Just got this secondary since I added them later. Thought the same thing that the status update meant I was rejected pre-secondary! Phew...

 

[hoihaie]

Got an email saying my status was changed... "Your file is complete, and has been forwarded to the Admissions Committee for further decision." Can't remember if that was there before, but it seems like nothing has changed since I submitted 5 days ago. THANKS FOR THE HEART ATTACK VCU :'(

SAME HAHA. My heart skipped a couple beats...... It was just "File complete" before with some instruction about the process afterwards. Nothing about being forwarded to the committee.

 

[bpperry]

SAME HAHA. My heart skipped a couple beats...... It was just "File complete" before with some instruction about the process afterwards. Nothing about being forwarded to the committee.

I don't understand, because my file has been complete for almost a week >_> Sigh.

 

[zinthafan]

Just got the second or third status update email that my file was under review...

 

[hoihaie]

I don't understand, because my file has been complete for almost a week >_> Sigh.

Maybe they do it in batches. Perhaps ours was just piled up with the other unread files yet, and are now just actually going to the committee members.

 

[MedOldAge]

Maybe they do it in batches. Perhaps ours was just piled up with the other unread files yet, and are now just actually going to the committee members.

 

[BorntobeDO?]

Got an email saying my status was changed... "Your file is complete, and has been forwarded to the Admissions Committee for further decision." Can't remember if that was there before, but it seems like nothing has changed since I submitted 5 days ago. THANKS FOR THE HEART ATTACK VCU :'(

Same thing happened to me last Friday.

 

[Omppu27]

Hm, interesting secondary essay. I think I like this one better than the first!

 

[SMHS2009]

Can someone please post the current secondary? Thanks 🙂

 

[vcusominova]

Can anyone comment on the Inova Fairfax Hospital versus the MCV Hospitals? I've been looking on the VCU website and can't find much about the differences between the two.

You can find more information about our campus here:
http://www.medschool.vcu.edu/inova/

and more about our hospital system at www.inova.org

The VCU School of Medicine Inova Campus is, as mentioned, a great opportunity for students from this area to move back home for their two clinical years. Additionally, students from out of state find that our proximity to the DC area and the rich cultural diversity are huge draws to this region. Our students complete their M1 and M2 years in Richmond, then relocate to Fairfax for M3 and M4. While it is true that the cost of living is higher in northern VA, the financial assistance offered reflects that difference in housing allowance.

Please message me if you have any additional questions; we'd be happy to have you communicate with one of our current students.

 

[yorkielover2014]

Can someone please post the current secondary? Thanks 🙂

just look back a few pages. its in here.

 

[Halgene]

.

 

[hoihaie]

Anyone else just receive a status update that went from "file complete, forwarded to admisisons committee" back to "file complete, once we are done with review blah blah blah" ?

 

[kjw1024]

Anyone else just receive a status update that went from "file complete, forwarded to admisisons committee" back to "file complete, once we are done with review blah blah blah" ?

I just received this as well, but only became complete today! Does yours talk about prioritizing your file and deciding interviews based off of that as well?

 

[CCrown]

I just got this status update:

"The committee's file review indicates that they are interested in your candidacy. 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. If we do find that we are unable to grant an interview, you will be notified by e-mail in March."

Not sure what this means...

 

[toostressful]

I just got this status update:

"The committee's file review indicates that they are interested in your candidacy. 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. If we do find that we are unable to grant an interview, you will be notified by e-mail in March."

Not sure what this means...

Lol talk about mixed signals....

 

[BioEngMD]

I just got this status update:

"The committee's file review indicates that they are interested in your candidacy. 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. If we do find that we are unable to grant an interview, you will be notified by e-mail in March."

Not sure what this means...

When were you complete if you don't mind me asking? And are you IS or OOS? As far as the message I wouldn't sweat it. To me it just sounds like a generic "we still haven't made a decision yet" worded in a slightly different way.

 

[thebeachisthebest]

MAY status. Not sure if this is bad news :/