2014-2015 Virginia Tech Carilion Application Thread

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based on when they sent out the last batch, i would guess 4-5 weeks before the next interview date
 
So I emailed them as soon as I could (within 24 hours) and the day 10/25 was already booked up. They put me on the waitlist. Next interview is 11/15 I believe....
 
Anyone else nervous about the MMI? I have my interview day this Saturday!

I'm actually really looking forward to it! I think it will be a lot more enjoyable than a traditional interview format 🙂
 
Anyone else nervous about the MMI? I have my interview day this Saturday!
The MMI was actually quite fun. Don't overthink it and know that there is NOTHING to worry about. The interviewers are quite friendly and none will leave you hanging if you lose your train of thought.
 
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Is their class size still < 50? I was marked complete a while ago-- but I doubt I was placed under review because I requested 6 letters to be sent to them and only 5 of those letters were uploaded to AMCAS.

Calling their admissions office and sending emails hasn't been successful so far. I guess they've hit a wall due to more applicants than expected! Has anyone been successful contacting them via email recently?
 
Is their class size still < 50? I was marked complete a while ago-- but I doubt I was placed under review because I requested 6 letters to be sent to them and only 5 of those letters were uploaded to AMCAS.

Calling their admissions office and sending emails hasn't been successful so far. I guess they've hit a wall due to more applicants than expected! Has anyone been successful contacting them via email recently?

Yes, their facilities are designed for a class of ~44, so their classes will never exceed that capacity. It says online that they require 4-7 letters so your 5 should be fine. I think you can log in on AMCAS to notify schools that the last letter won't be submitted. Also, I emailed them recently to clarify something and got a response within a couple days.
 
@Karasu

You should call the office and keep trying until you get them. Since interview season is in full swing you don't have much time to lose.
 
This might be a stupid question, but I know they accept up to a 100 students for a class of ~40. What if say 80 or so of these students matriculate and their classrooms are designed for only 40. What happens then?
 
This might be a stupid question, but I know they accept up to a 100 students for a class of ~40. What if say 80 or so of these students matriculate and their classrooms are designed for only 40. What happens then?
It never happens. Besides, if it did they have plenty of backups.
 
It never happens. Besides, if it did they have plenty of backups.

They probably never have more offers extended than their class size at any given time, and if people decline their acceptance they extend more or move down the wait list depending on where they're at in the application cycle.
 
They probably never have more offers extended than their class size at any given time, and if people decline their acceptance they extend more or move down the wait list depending on where they're at in the application cycle.
That's not how it works either. They estimate the total to accept ahead of time and pull off extra from the waitlist.
 
Yes, their facilities are designed for a class of ~44, so their classes will never exceed that capacity. It says online that they require 4-7 letters so your 5 should be fine. I think you can log in on AMCAS to notify schools that the last letter won't be submitted. Also, I emailed them recently to clarify something and got a response within a couple days.

Thanks, I updated the letter status. I didn't know that I could let schools know a letter wouldn't be sent to them any more. So much time wasted. :-(

@kthxbai Thanks, but the school has an answering system that seems designed to get us to send emails.
 
Hey guys--current M1 here. VTC is designed for a class of 42, and will never exceed 42. One of the main reasons for this is the fact that we have PBL (problem based learning, which is case-centered) throughout years 1 and 2. PBL is all about small groups, and we have specially designed rooms for 6 groups of 7 people. I personally love the small class size and small group format--it is one of the best aspects of our school, in my opinion! All of the faculty knew my name within a week, and I personally know and am friends with each and every one of my awesome classmates 🙂 If anyone else has any more questions, feel free to ask! And enjoy the MMI's--they really aren't too bad, and can even be kinda fun!

Good luck!
 
M4 at VTC - Decided to look at this thread in the midsts of looking at residency threads...

I have to second the above post. The small class size benefits transfer over to clinical years too. Since there are only 80ish VTC students present at the hospital at any time, you get to know the attendings and residents very well. This really helps when you're looking for advisors and you can actually get letters of recommendation from people that know you pretty well. Throughout 3rd and 4th years, you constantly run into residents on different services that you've worked with before and that leads to more trust/opportunities (residents/attendings let you do more- more procedures, more involved in patient care decisions, etc)

Good luck with applying!
 
Anybody remember if first round of acceptances come out tomorrow for VTC?
 
II today, complete first week of October. I have a question for anyone who's already done the interview. Is it mandatory to attend the reception the day before the interview?

no, the reception isn't mandatory. however, i would highly recommend it! it's a really great opportunity to talk to a lot of current students 🙂
 
II today - they listed Nov 15. I confirmed right away but something tells me that there's a lot of people ahead of me waiting for that spot. Any ideas?
 
anyone from the September or October interview dates recall if they told us a specific day they would be releasing the first round of acceptances?
 
anyone from the September or October interview dates recall if they told us a specific day they would be releasing the first round of acceptances?

I believe it was sometime early November!
 
Was offered an 11/15 interview date a few days ago, and was placed on the waitlist for that date...and was told that the next available interview date is 1/31. Anyone have any experience with the interview waitlist actually moving?
 
Was offered an 11/15 interview date a few days ago, and was placed on the waitlist for that date...and was told that the next available interview date is 1/31. Anyone have any experience with the interview waitlist actually moving?

I was waitlisted for the 10/25 date and told the next one was 11/15. They called me on the Tuesday before (4 days) asking if I could make it. Of course I said yes; It's my top choice.
 
I was waitlisted for the 10/25 date and told the next one was 11/15. They called me on the Tuesday before (4 days) asking if I could make it. Of course I said yes; It's my top choice.
Thanks! Have a great time, and good luck!
 
Just an FYI according to the presentation they gave, those interviewing 10/25 and 11/15 should hear back sometime in the second week of January. The next two interview dates after 11/15 will hear back in March. So for the sake of not having to wait an additional two months to hear back, I hope you get in on 11/15.
 
those interviewing 10/25 and 11/15 should hear back sometime in the second week of January

I'm heading over on 11/15. That's going to be quite the wait. I anticipate tachycardia that week.
 
Anyone know when calls are supposed to happen this month? Early/mid/late November?
 
Anyone know what time the reception they hold the night before the interview will be? Also, what is the dress code for that? Thanks.
 
@vitaminsee It was at 6PM if I remember correctly. I think the dress code is officially business casual, but as long as you don't wear jeans/sweats/T-shirts, you'll be fine.
 
Thanks a lot @thebeachisthebest. And I hope this isn't asking too much, but what was the 18-minute station like? Was it open or closed file, and do you really just discuss anything about yourself, or was there more of a prompt/direction?
 
Thanks a lot @thebeachisthebest. And I hope this isn't asking too much, but what was the 18-minute station like? Was it open or closed file, and do you really just discuss anything about yourself, or was there more of a prompt/direction?

it's open file. my interviewer literally had my amcas printed out with post-it notes on it with reminders of things to ask me about
 
it's open file. my interviewer literally had my amcas printed out with post-it notes on it with reminders of things to ask me about
Oh wow, I didn't quite expect that. Thanks!
 
There's a lot, but I'll try to be brief.

The small class size is awesome - our group fits together really well and has partied a lot already. If you want to do research in med school, they build in a ton of time here and have mentors seeking you out from the beginning. With PBL, the faculty is very involved in your education so letters of rec will be easy to come by down the road and it's very personalized learning. One of the best aspects is their exams here are tailored to Step 1, so it's easier to know what to focus your studies on and you're actively preparing for boards through your classes both years.

Finally, Roanoke is small but has everything you need and is a really nice place to live. The community loves the med students and the facilities for the school are basically brand new. VTC is young so doesn't have a reputation yet, but it's research focus and the really high board scores of the students will probably boost its reputation pretty quickly now that they have full accreditation (which they received as quick as they possibly could after graduating their first class).
Is there a site that lists the school's research programs, besides the research teams here: http://research.vtc.vt.edu/employees/faculty/?
 
Also, does anyone know why there's such a gender discrepancy? It's about 60% men, where most schools are 50% or more women.
 
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