2014-2015 Virginia Commonwealth University Application Thread

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What in the world...I was complete on 7/20 with the status "Your M.D. file is now complete. The Admissions Committee will now do a comprehensive review of your application. Once the review is complete, your file will be prioritized, and interviews will be granted based on your priority score and the date your file was completed."

Today I get an email about a status update. Was bracing for an II or rejection, but then I was greeted with this: "Your file is complete, and has been forwarded to the Admissions Committee for further decision."

What? I thought the adcom was forwarded my stuff since 7/20. They're just getting it now?

I got the same thing today too!!! Was bracing myself for a reject when I got the status update email.....I submitted SO. LONG. AGO!!! What does this meaaaaan!!!
 
hahaha. no news is good news bro!

I never understood that.... When is that the case in med school admissions? I guess no news means no rejections, but it means no interviews either. Silent rejections are so prevalent that no news might in fact mean rejection! While there certainly isn't such a thing as a silent interview/acceptance. Just random ponderings 🙂

I was complete a month and two days ago. Nada. I'm definitely in John's pile.


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I was complete 7/4 and had silence until Monday when I received the MAY status. Hoping the rest of you who have been waiting for a while hear something soon!

Has anyone looked through last years thread enough to judge how many people with the MAY status end up with an interview?
 
I was complete 7/4 and had silence until Monday when I received the MAY status. Hoping the rest of you who have been waiting for a while hear something soon!

Has anyone looked through last years thread enough to judge how many people with the MAY status end up with an interview?
Technically, since you were complete that early, you should get an interview. But we will see.
 
I was complete 7/4 and had silence until Monday when I received the MAY status. Hoping the rest of you who have been waiting for a while hear something soon!

Has anyone looked through last years thread enough to judge how many people with the MAY status end up with an interview?

I was also complete early on and only received status updates about 1.5 weeks ago. I got the MAY status and then the II within two days.
 
Is the further status change notified by email or does it change on it's own and we have to just check it routinely?
 
Is the further status change notified by email or does it change on it's own and we have to just check it routinely?

You get an email around 6:30pm (at least I did) if your status changed within the last 24 hours.
 
Has anyone who's file was completed on or around 7/25 received word yet?
 
Don't stress. There are people complete almost 2 weeks before you that also haven't heard a peep.
Haha, no stress! I was just replying to his question. I know no matter how long a school has kept me waiting, it's kept someone else waiting way longer.
 
Just received the "MAY" status today and doing a dance by myself in my apartment! Its the first thing I've heard from any med school, and I've been really worried since my MCAT score went down 2 points (from 30 to 28). Hoping that this will turn into an interview!!

For those interested:
Application Complete 7/25
GPA 3.8 (cumulative and science)

Here's hoping for some continued underdog love!!
can you please explain what the "MAY" status means? Is this something I should be checking out in my application portal?
 
can you please explain what the "MAY" status means? Is this something I should be checking out in my application portal?
Since it hasn't been posted in a short while:

Application Status:

1) "The Committee's file review indicates that they are very interested in your candidacy. There is another increase in the applicant pool this year, but we are trying to get all candidates at your priority score interviewed as soon as possible. Please watch for an e-mail from us regarding a possible interview date."

2) "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 able to grant an interview you will be notified by e-mail."

3) "The committee's file review indicates that they would like to consider your file further. We are now in the process of scheduling interviews and will continue to do so through February. Unfortunately, the committee indicates interest in far more candidates than we are able to interview. Since we are dependent on the Committee member's schedules for interview spaces, we are unable to predict when or if we will be able to schedule you this year. Please continue to check this site to learn when further action has been taken."

4) "The committee's file review indicates that they wish to consider your file over the next several weeks before making a decision about interview. Since they have some reservations about granting an interview, your file will be reviewed again by a small sub-committee before making a final decision. Please continue to check this site to learn when further action has been taken."

5) "REJECTED"


The above was taken from last year's thread. VCU sort of "rates" your application before giving an interview or rejecting. The "MAY" status is status #2, and no, you don't have to keep checking because they will email you if your status becomes updated! Hope this helps! 🙂
 
I have been getting emails with status updates switching back from "further decision" and "comprehensive review" status the last few days. It'll be really nice to get an actual status update!
 
I have been getting emails with status updates switching back from "further decision" and "comprehensive review" status the last few days. It'll be really nice to get an actual status update!

I just went from "further decision" back to "comprehensive review" today as well. VCU stop toying with my blood pressure..
 
It's been over 2 weeks since they said that they were "very interested" in me. However, I think in the meanwhile they decided to reconsider that decision. 😛 Ah, well. Can't judge them too hard. I've never had thousands of applications land on my doorstep... I'd probably be even slower than the infamous John in my turnaround.

Everyone with silence: stay strong! :luck:
 
It's been over 2 weeks since they said that they were "very interested" in me. However, I think in the meanwhile they decided to reconsider that decision. 😛 Ah, well. Can't judge them too hard. I've never had thousands of applications land on my doorstep... I'd probably be even slower than the infamous John in my turnaround.

Everyone with silence: stay strong! :luck:

At least you have something! I've been sitting at complete foreverrrrrr
 
ugh been complete since 7/10. Feels like I'm not even worth getting a status update!! 😡😡😡😡
Same here. Complete since 7/9 or 7/10, can't remember. But I'm alright since I already have 3 II's, one from my top choice. There's no need to worry about this one every single day. If they really wanted me, they would have responded already.
 
why must you humble brag about your IIs virtually every single post
Sorry. I don't do that for every single post. I post if I'm excited, which I was 2 days ago. Don't expect to see me around too much anymore, tho.
 
“Hey John, how’s it going?” Admission Honcho calls, sidling into the office. “Reviewer productivity is at a record high. Lawrence and Susan have already crushed the dreams of 2,500 high-stat appli… oh.”

Honcho dithers before John’s desk. The entire room is strewn with empty bottles of Sierra Mist and crumpled cartons of Ben & Jerry’s. The dulcet tones of Jason Deurulo’s “Wiggle” emanate softly from the computer. John pauses midway through his zumba workout, casually shaking the sweat from his hair and plopping down on a beanbag chair.

“Sup, Honcho?”

“Uh,” Honcho hesitates, gesturing to a mountainous pile of untouched applications on the desk. “Have you done any reviewing?”

“Nope,” John smiles brightly, stuffing his hand into a bag of Doritos.

“But we have to get through applications as quickly as possible!”

John gives a halfhearted shrug, shoveling the last little bits of Doritos-dust to his lips. “Look here,” John beckons to Honcho, turning the computer monitor toward him.

Honcho scrutinizes the screen – the Student Doctor Network’s School Specific Thread on VCU, by the looks of it. The crazed comments of tens upon tens of wild premeds fill the screen.

“See,” John continues, flicking through the page with a powdered-cheese spackled finger. “School interest is at an all time high. More people are tuned into this thread than your average HBO drama.”

Honcho takes this all in slowly, a faint smile twitching across his mouth.

“And what more,” John drawls, donning a Snuggie. “I’ve forwarded this thread to the psychology department. It’s an excellent model for delayed gratification studies. There’s got to be at least three papers in this. Here – let’s send this app group a status change email but not actually update their status.”

John patters away at the keyboard and then refreshes the thread. Nearly a dozen new comments appear.

“I’m also working on a new status,” John remarks with a wry grin. “In addition to telling people we MAY grant them an interview or that we’re very interested, I’m thinking we should tell them that we MAY be interested. But that status is still in beta… I hope to have it live by next week.”

“My god, man,” Honcho turns to John, tears sparkling in his eyes. “You’re a genius.”
 
“Hey John, how’s it going?” Admission Honcho calls, sidling into the office. “Reviewer productivity is at a record high. Lawrence and Susan have already crushed the dreams of 2,500 high-stat appli… oh.”

Honcho dithers before John’s desk. The entire room is strewn with empty bottles of Sierra Mist and crumpled cartons of Ben & Jerry’s. The dulcet tones of Jason Deurulo’s “Wiggle” emanate softly from the computer. John pauses midway through his zumba workout, casually shaking the sweat from his hair and plopping down on a beanbag chair.

“Sup, Honcho?”

“Uh,” Honcho hesitates, gesturing to a mountainous pile of untouched applications on the desk. “Have you done any reviewing?”

“Nope,” John smiles brightly, stuffing his hand into a bag of Doritos.

“But we have to get through applications as quickly as possible!”

John gives a halfhearted shrug, shoveling the last little bits of Doritos-dust to his lips. “Look here,” John beckons to Honcho, turning the computer monitor toward him.

Honcho scrutinizes the screen – the Student Doctor Network’s School Specific Thread on VCU, by the looks of it. The crazed comments of tens upon tens of wild premeds fill the screen.

“See,” John continues, flicking through the page with a powdered-cheese spackled finger. “School interest is at an all time high. More people are tuned into this thread than your average HBO drama.”

Honcho takes this all in slowly, a faint smile twitching across his mouth.

“And what more,” John drawls, donning a Snuggie. “I’ve forwarded this thread to the psychology department. It’s an excellent model for delayed gratification studies. There’s got to be at least three papers in this. Here – let’s send this app group a status change email but not actually update their status.”

John patters away at the keyboard and then refreshes the thread. Nearly a dozen new comments appear.

“I’m also working on a new status,” John remarks with a wry grin. “In addition to telling people we MAY grant them an interview or that we’re very interested, I’m thinking we should tell them that we MAY be interested. But that status is still in beta… I hope to have it live by next week.”

“My god, man,” Honcho turns to John, tears sparkling in his eyes. “You’re a genius.”

....... You are amazing. Oh my gosh hahahahaha this is hilarious!!!
 
“Hey John, how’s it going?” Admission Honcho calls, sidling into the office. “Reviewer productivity is at a record high. Lawrence and Susan have already crushed the dreams of 2,500 high-stat appli… oh.”

Honcho dithers before John’s desk. The entire room is strewn with empty bottles of Sierra Mist and crumpled cartons of Ben & Jerry’s. The dulcet tones of Jason Deurulo’s “Wiggle” emanate softly from the computer. John pauses midway through his zumba workout, casually shaking the sweat from his hair and plopping down on a beanbag chair.

“Sup, Honcho?”

“Uh,” Honcho hesitates, gesturing to a mountainous pile of untouched applications on the desk. “Have you done any reviewing?”

“Nope,” John smiles brightly, stuffing his hand into a bag of Doritos.

“But we have to get through applications as quickly as possible!”

John gives a halfhearted shrug, shoveling the last little bits of Doritos-dust to his lips. “Look here,” John beckons to Honcho, turning the computer monitor toward him.

Honcho scrutinizes the screen – the Student Doctor Network’s School Specific Thread on VCU, by the looks of it. The crazed comments of tens upon tens of wild premeds fill the screen.

“See,” John continues, flicking through the page with a powdered-cheese spackled finger. “School interest is at an all time high. More people are tuned into this thread than your average HBO drama.”

Honcho takes this all in slowly, a faint smile twitching across his mouth.

“And what more,” John drawls, donning a Snuggie. “I’ve forwarded this thread to the psychology department. It’s an excellent model for delayed gratification studies. There’s got to be at least three papers in this. Here – let’s send this app group a status change email but not actually update their status.”

John patters away at the keyboard and then refreshes the thread. Nearly a dozen new comments appear.

“I’m also working on a new status,” John remarks with a wry grin. “In addition to telling people we MAY grant them an interview or that we’re very interested, I’m thinking we should tell them that we MAY be interested. But that status is still in beta… I hope to have it live by next week.”

“My god, man,” Honcho turns to John, tears sparkling in his eyes. “You’re a genius.”
BAHAHAHAHA too f***ing funny.
 
“Hey John, how’s it going?” Admission Honcho calls, sidling into the office. “Reviewer productivity is at a record high. Lawrence and Susan have already crushed the dreams of 2,500 high-stat appli… oh.”

Honcho dithers before John’s desk. The entire room is strewn with empty bottles of Sierra Mist and crumpled cartons of Ben & Jerry’s. The dulcet tones of Jason Deurulo’s “Wiggle” emanate softly from the computer. John pauses midway through his zumba workout, casually shaking the sweat from his hair and plopping down on a beanbag chair.

“Sup, Honcho?”

“Uh,” Honcho hesitates, gesturing to a mountainous pile of untouched applications on the desk. “Have you done any reviewing?”

“Nope,” John smiles brightly, stuffing his hand into a bag of Doritos.

“But we have to get through applications as quickly as possible!”

John gives a halfhearted shrug, shoveling the last little bits of Doritos-dust to his lips. “Look here,” John beckons to Honcho, turning the computer monitor toward him.

Honcho scrutinizes the screen – the Student Doctor Network’s School Specific Thread on VCU, by the looks of it. The crazed comments of tens upon tens of wild premeds fill the screen.

“See,” John continues, flicking through the page with a powdered-cheese spackled finger. “School interest is at an all time high. More people are tuned into this thread than your average HBO drama.”

Honcho takes this all in slowly, a faint smile twitching across his mouth.

“And what more,” John drawls, donning a Snuggie. “I’ve forwarded this thread to the psychology department. It’s an excellent model for delayed gratification studies. There’s got to be at least three papers in this. Here – let’s send this app group a status change email but not actually update their status.”

John patters away at the keyboard and then refreshes the thread. Nearly a dozen new comments appear.

“I’m also working on a new status,” John remarks with a wry grin. “In addition to telling people we MAY grant them an interview or that we’re very interested, I’m thinking we should tell them that we MAY be interested. But that status is still in beta… I hope to have it live by next week.”

“My god, man,” Honcho turns to John, tears sparkling in his eyes. “You’re a genius.”


I want to read the next saga. I hope this becomes a frequent SDN show.
 
“Hey John, how’s it going?” Admission Honcho calls, sidling into the office. “Reviewer productivity is at a record high. Lawrence and Susan have already crushed the dreams of 2,500 high-stat appli… oh.”

Honcho dithers before John’s desk. The entire room is strewn with empty bottles of Sierra Mist and crumpled cartons of Ben & Jerry’s. The dulcet tones of Jason Deurulo’s “Wiggle” emanate softly from the computer. John pauses midway through his zumba workout, casually shaking the sweat from his hair and plopping down on a beanbag chair.

“Sup, Honcho?”

“Uh,” Honcho hesitates, gesturing to a mountainous pile of untouched applications on the desk. “Have you done any reviewing?”

“Nope,” John smiles brightly, stuffing his hand into a bag of Doritos.

“But we have to get through applications as quickly as possible!”

John gives a halfhearted shrug, shoveling the last little bits of Doritos-dust to his lips. “Look here,” John beckons to Honcho, turning the computer monitor toward him.

Honcho scrutinizes the screen – the Student Doctor Network’s School Specific Thread on VCU, by the looks of it. The crazed comments of tens upon tens of wild premeds fill the screen.

“See,” John continues, flicking through the page with a powdered-cheese spackled finger. “School interest is at an all time high. More people are tuned into this thread than your average HBO drama.”

Honcho takes this all in slowly, a faint smile twitching across his mouth.

“And what more,” John drawls, donning a Snuggie. “I’ve forwarded this thread to the psychology department. It’s an excellent model for delayed gratification studies. There’s got to be at least three papers in this. Here – let’s send this app group a status change email but not actually update their status.”

John patters away at the keyboard and then refreshes the thread. Nearly a dozen new comments appear.

“I’m also working on a new status,” John remarks with a wry grin. “In addition to telling people we MAY grant them an interview or that we’re very interested, I’m thinking we should tell them that we MAY be interested. But that status is still in beta… I hope to have it live by next week.”

“My god, man,” Honcho turns to John, tears sparkling in his eyes. “You’re a genius.”
I may have started this but you are the new master. 😉
 
I may have started this but you are the new master. 😉

No, no, no – thank you so much for bringing John to us. 😀 He is the one of the few things that help distract us from the wait. Feel free to come up with whatever John stories you please. We have to give next year's applicants a long and informative thread to read. 😉
 
So I think the real question here is... Did John get a promotion?

The Admissions Honcho was doubtful of John's reliability after he forgot to switch the secondary prompt, but after realizing how genius John's approach to admissions actually was, he put all of his reviewers on the John System.

As such, VCU admission officer job satisfaction is at its peak, while applicant anxiety is at a record high. Needless to say, John is enjoying his bonus very much.

Edit: on an unrelated note, congrats @claduva94 on IU! I saw you a lot on this thread and am glad to see someone broke your silence. Still crossing my fingers for you and UVA/VCU! 🙂
 
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The Admissions Honcho was doubtful of John's reliability after he forgot to switch the secondary prompt, but after realizing how genius John's approach to admissions actually was, he put all of his reviewers on the John System.

As such, VCU admission officer job satisfaction is at it's peak, while applicant anxiety is at a record high. Needless to say, John is enjoying his bonus very much.

Edit: on an unrelated note, congrats @claduva94 on IU! I saw you a lot on this thread and am glad to see someone broke your silence. Still crossing my fingers for you and UVA/VCU! 🙂
Thank you! It would be amazing to stay here! 🙂
 
Hey everyone!
I'm currently a 4th year at MCV/VCU and I thought I'd pop in and answer any questions you may have. I remember how stressful of a time it was to be in your position and because now I have a little bit of time, thought i'd come and help out. I'm very familiar with how the entire application process is done and can answer any questions about the school itself and my experiences. I'm also doing my clinical years at the Inova campus near DC, so any questions about that are welcome as well. I think the Inova campus, where 25-30 students each year go to, is one of the well kept secrets because they don't go a very good job advertising to the students what they are all about. Every single one of my classmates who came up to do a rotation up here all regret not coming up! There are + and - of course, but I'd be happy to discuss.

Probably the only thing i'm not very familiar with is the new curriculum but everything else I'd be happy to answer questions for. Good luck everyone!
 
Hey everyone!
I'm currently a 4th year at MCV/VCU and I thought I'd pop in and answer any questions you may have. I remember how stressful of a time it was to be in your position and because now I have a little bit of time, thought i'd come and help out. I'm very familiar with how the entire application process is done and can answer any questions about the school itself and my experiences. I'm also doing my clinical years at the Inova campus near DC, so any questions about that are welcome as well. I think the Inova campus, where 25-30 students each year go to, is one of the well kept secrets because they don't go a very good job advertising to the students what they are all about. Every single one of my classmates who came up to do a rotation up here all regret not coming up! There are + and - of course, but I'd be happy to discuss.

Probably the only thing i'm not very familiar with is the new curriculum but everything else I'd be happy to answer questions for. Good luck everyone!

I graduated from George Mason and I would go back up to NoVA in a heartbeat. I just this second emailed the POC for scheduling tours so maybe I'll see you soon! Is it solely at Inova Fairfax or do you rotate the different Inova hospitals?
 
I graduated from George Mason and I would go back up to NoVA in a heartbeat. I just this second emailed the POC for scheduling tours so maybe I'll see you soon! Is it solely at Inova Fairfax or do you rotate the different Inova hospitals?

Correct only rotate at Inova Fairfax. No VA hospitals or anything like that. Honestly for me this is so much more convenient!
 
Just received "MAY" status update (and email)
Complete 7/16
I'm taking this as good news. Hopefully it is followed by an II in the next few days like most of you! VCU is one of my top choices!
 
Since it hasn't been posted in a short while:

Application Status:

1) "The Committee's file review indicates that they are very interested in your candidacy. There is another increase in the applicant pool this year, but we are trying to get all candidates at your priority score interviewed as soon as possible. Please watch for an e-mail from us regarding a possible interview date."

2) "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 able to grant an interview you will be notified by e-mail."

3) "The committee's file review indicates that they would like to consider your file further. We are now in the process of scheduling interviews and will continue to do so through February. Unfortunately, the committee indicates interest in far more candidates than we are able to interview. Since we are dependent on the Committee member's schedules for interview spaces, we are unable to predict when or if we will be able to schedule you this year. Please continue to check this site to learn when further action has been taken."

4) "The committee's file review indicates that they wish to consider your file over the next several weeks before making a decision about interview. Since they have some reservations about granting an interview, your file will be reviewed again by a small sub-committee before making a final decision. Please continue to check this site to learn when further action has been taken."

5) "REJECTED"


The above was taken from last year's thread. VCU sort of "rates" your application before giving an interview or rejecting. The "MAY" status is status #2, and no, you don't have to keep checking because they will email you if your status becomes updated! Hope this helps! 🙂

Oh wow, this is very informative. Thank you so much for taking the time to respond! I really hope I get a may status at least.
 
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