2015-2016 Virginia Commonwealth University Application Thread

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I never got a complete email, but my status shows "complete" and status says I'm being reviewed.
 
Im in the same boat with a lot of you, my app hasn't even been reviewed yet. Complete end of July..
Oh well. I have plenty of other schools to agonize about.
 
^samesies (kinda): submitted 7/16, received "very interested" status on 7/22, silence until II on 8/29 for end of October
 
i dont understand this school. submitted my secondary on 7/5. my app couldnt be completed because they processed the letters really slow. Finally was completed around late july and still no status change. what is going on
 
@aznlolboi

For some reason I think all schools this year experienced more applications than they were ever expecting, so the cycle has shifted a bit later and things are coming out more slowly. I was just in the Temple thread and someone called admissions and said they believed interviews would start going out in early October 😱

I think this cycle we all just have to be even more patient than previous years
 
II!!!!!! Status changed from "further consideration"!!!! IS, complete 8/31 omg.

EDIT: Wanted to add that I'm one of the people that has had trouble w/ receiving emails from VCU and only found out via the portal!
 
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Spector1 said:
patience people, there's no reason to get panicky as long as they arent sending out mass rejects
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candielike said:
II!!!!!! Status changed from "further consideration"!!!! IS, complete 8/31 omg.

EDIT: Wanted to add that I'm one of the people that has had trouble w/ receiving emails from VCU and only found out via the portal!
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Congrats, and good luck!

But things like this is why some of us are frustrated... 🙁
 
Anomandaris said:
Congrats, and good luck!

But things like this is why some of us are frustrated... 🙁
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But you have to realize that this person is IS.

VCU states that they try and interview all IS applicants but they can't do the same for OOS. Unfortunately us OOS applicants are on the back burner compared to IS people
 
catie_jane said:
But you have to realize that this person is IS.

VCU states that they try and interview all IS applicants but they can't do the same for OOS. Unfortunately us OOS applicants are on the back burner compared to IS people
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Yeah I know, it's been noted numerous times in this thread; I've even mentioned it many times. It's nonetheless frustrating that there can be a 2 month disparity in review priority.
 
candielike said:
II!!!!!! Status changed from "further consideration"!!!! IS, complete 8/31 omg.

EDIT: Wanted to add that I'm one of the people that has had trouble w/ receiving emails from VCU and only found out via the portal!
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Wow congrats!!!!!!!!! 🙂
 
Anomandaris said:
Yeah I know, it's been noted numerous times in this thread; I've even mentioned it many times. It's nonetheless frustrating that there can be a 2 month disparity in review priority.
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They are probably just like me in the way I treat my inbox. I'll let a US Bank notification sit there for weeks, but If I get anything that says "admissions," I'm on it like a dog in heat. The funny thing is, a few weeks later, I'll just delete the email from US Bank. Won't even read it.

Wow, this analogy turned out to be spot on.
 
SweetFast said:
I assume everyone has heard from every other school they've applied to, right? That's the only reason I can see for the level of neuroticism in this thread.
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It is abnormally high, however note that a lot of people that applied to this school are borderline for MD. We have a reason to be little nervous.
 
coldcase331 said:
It is abnormally high, however note that a lot of people that applied to this school are borderline for MD. We have a reason to be little nervous.
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Maybe, though it's pretty hard to make a generalization like that considering their average stats aren't that far from national matriculant averages.

For me it's more about the principle. A 2 month, 2 month+ disparity between IS/OOS? That's pretty frustrating for people who made sure to get everything in ASAP exactly to avoid this kind of situation.

I know they're working hard and doing the best they can, but it's still bothersome. Even if I've gotten II's to other schools (which I have), that doesn't mean I'm going to stop caring about another school I've applied to. I've dropped a stupid amount of my own money into applying, and I make just above the FAP eligibility salary and I live in California where the cost of living is stupidly high and don't get any familial support. So pardon me if I'm being "neurotic".
 
I'm in the same boat as you, it wasn't meant to attack anyone. I've just noticed that a lot of people with 28-31 MCATs have this on their list.
 
coldcase331 said:
I'm in the same boat as you, it wasn't meant to attack anyone. I've just noticed that a lot of people with 28-31 MCATs have this on their list.
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It is frustrating because although I know people who ahve been waiting since july, I am so flustered that I have been ready for review since the first week of August and now I must another month for feedback 🙁

Though isn't 30 and plus considered MD material?
 
awetmop said:
It is frustrating because although I know people who ahve been waiting since july, I am so flustered that I have been ready for review since the first week of August and now I must another month for feedback 🙁

Though isn't 30 and plus considered MD material?
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It is considered MD if you have all the ECs (research, medical/nonmedical volunteering, etc.). But unlike someone who has a 33+, a 30 isn't a guaranteed acceptance, which is why we are more nervous than the average SDN applicant. And I've been submitted on 7/7 and still haven't heard back, so I'm in the same boat as everyone else.
 
coldcase331 said:
I'm in the same boat as you, it wasn't meant to attack anyone. I've just noticed that a lot of people with 28-31 MCATs have this on their list.
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No worries, didn't take it personally 🙂. Stat-wise I'm pretty far above their average (36 MCAT for me), but I just didn't think it necessarily fair to make that generalization without more data than is publicly available. Even the MSAR shows their average ranges are right around the MD average.

IMO it's just hard for people to know that they poured almost literally everything they had into these applications to see such a disparity in review priority, public school or not. IIRC VCU only gets like 7% of their annual budget from public funding according to their website. Life's not fair, but we at least get to vent about it.
 
Congratulations to those who have already received interviews or interviewed, and best of luck to those waiting! As Goro has said *many many many* times, patience is a virtue throughout this whole process. If I remember correctly, in-staters are given earlier interview dates that won't necessarily reflect their priority scores. That's why you see some people submitting secondaries and getting II's within a few days or weeks, even though you may have submitted back in July. From my limited understanding of acceptances are distributed, you could interview on the very last day of the season and still be accepted before someone from the first interview day *if you have a better overall priority score.* This is why it doesn't matter when you interview. In fact, it could even be to your advantage to interview later in the season when you're more prepared or have new activities.

Please feel free to PM me with any specific questions. I'm loving it at VCU/MCV and us first-years have a week off right now (albeit we have a physiology test as soon as we get back).
 
ffxfreak13 said:
Congratulations to those who have already received interviews or interviewed, and best of luck to those waiting! As Goro has said *many many many* times, patience is a virtue throughout this whole process. If I remember correctly, in-staters are given earlier interview dates that won't necessarily reflect their priority scores. That's why you see some people submitting secondaries and getting II's within a few days or weeks, even though you may have submitted back in July. From my limited understanding of acceptances are distributed, you could interview on the very last day of the season and still be accepted before someone from the first interview day *if you have a better overall priority score.* This is why it doesn't matter when you interview. In fact, it could even be to your advantage to interview later in the season when you're more prepared or have new activities.

Please feel free to PM me with any specific questions. I'm loving it at VCU/MCV and us first-years have a week off right now (albeit we have a physiology test as soon as we get back).
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If they grant someone an interview, are they generally amenable to bumping the interview up sooner if the circumstances warrant it? My only real concern here is that the interview dates for OOS students are looking to be quite late in the cycle, and unfortunately I will be out of the country at that time...Which is part of why I applied do early to begin with!
 
I believe interview dates are offered based on your priority score, and VA resident or legacy status. If you're offered an II, they'll be a whole slew of dates offered via the portal. If you aren't able to attend one offered or the dates fill up before you can select one, you can call the Admissions Office and they should be able to accommodate. I can't imagine being out of the country for a week or two would be a big deal though.
 
ffxfreak13 said:
I believe interview dates are offered based on your priority score, and VA resident or legacy status. If you're offered an II, they'll be a whole slew of dates offered via the portal. If you aren't able to attend one offered or the dates fill up before you can select one, you can call the Admissions Office and they should be able to accommodate. I can't imagine being out of the country for a week or two would be a big deal though.
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...more like 6 months, lol!
 
Just an unsolicited point of advice: leaving the country for six months during an application cycle is strongly NOT recommended to any applicant. I know that some schools will allow for Skype interviews (unsure for VCU), but I have a hunch that most will want the applicant on campus to observe their *in-person* interactions with faculty, current students, staff, and *most-importantly* potential future classmates. A great faculty interview can seal the deal, but unprofessional interactions on interview day can and have sunk applicants. This is why M.D. and D.O. programs are so intent on having the applicant interview in-person (unlike most other professional programs).

If you're leaving the country for six months, I suggest that you update every school you applied to if you haven't already and let them know the circumstances of your future travel (personal, business, volunteer work, military deployment, etc.).
 
Anomandaris said:
Congrats, and good luck!

But things like this is why some of us are frustrated... 🙁
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wavvvvvves123 said:
Wow congrats!!!!!!!!! 🙂
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Thank you, you guys are sweet!!

catie_jane said:
But you have to realize that this person is IS.

VCU states that they try and interview all IS applicants but they can't do the same for OOS. Unfortunately us OOS applicants are on the back burner compared to IS people
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Anomandaris said:
Yeah I know, it's been noted numerous times in this thread; I've even mentioned it many times. It's nonetheless frustrating that there can be a 2 month disparity in review priority.
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I really feel for you, this big of an OOS lag doesn't seem fair - here's hoping it will suddenly and miraculously disappear!
 
For those OOS, don't worry if you haven't heard. I'm also OOS, was complete early-mid July and received a November II (not sure how far they've booked interviews this year).

The time to "worry" would be if you aren't holding an acceptance and have no more II's by early March.
 
candielike said:
Thank you, you guys are sweet!!


I really feel for you, this big of an OOS lag doesn't seem fair - here's hoping it will suddenly and miraculously disappear!
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Do appreciate the empathy! In all seriousness though, I wish you the best of luck! Let us know how it goes, got a friend who's a second year there and she loves it there!
 
II via the portal no email. scheduled 10/8. there were two September dates possible but it was next monday and Tuesday and I'm already out of town. IS ~65 complete 7/23 got the "further" status 9/14. woot woot!
 
I will be so happy if I get an acceptance to another school not only for the blessed reason of getting into medical school but for the warranted withdrawing my application from this place and telling them where to shove it. I'm sorry, but I've had the complete status since 7/23 and just because I'm OOS does not mean my application should be thrown to the side. They're missing out on some great OOS students that I've seen on this forum and I hope those wonderful OOS students who have been holding on since July find the acceptances they deserve.
 
ellocarter said:
I will be so happy if I get an acceptance to another school not only for the blessed reason of getting into medical school but for the warranted withdrawing my application from this place and telling them where to shove it. I'm sorry, but I've had the complete status since 7/23 and just because I'm OOS does not mean my application should be thrown to the side. They're missing out on some great OOS students that I've seen on this forum and I hope those wonderful OOS students who have been holding on since July find the acceptances they deserve.
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I feel your pain. This is a frustrating process.
 
ellocarter said:
I will be so happy if I get an acceptance to another school not only for the blessed reason of getting into medical school but for the warranted withdrawing my application from this place and telling them where to shove it. I'm sorry, but I've had the complete status since 7/23 and just because I'm OOS does not mean my application should be thrown to the side. They're missing out on some great OOS students that I've seen on this forum and I hope those wonderful OOS students who have been holding on since July find the acceptances they deserve.
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tarymanning1.jpg
 
ellocarter said:
I will be so happy if I get an acceptance to another school not only for the blessed reason of getting into medical school but for the warranted withdrawing my application from this place and telling them where to shove it. I'm sorry, but I've had the complete status since 7/23 and just because I'm OOS does not mean my application should be thrown to the side. They're missing out on some great OOS students that I've seen on this forum and I hope those wonderful OOS students who have been holding on since July find the acceptances they deserve.
Click to expand...

Having been through 2 application cycles, waiting is the hardest part. But if you're already this stressed/frustrated/unhappy with the application process, you might be in for a bit of a rude awakening when you realize that your career won't truly begin for close to a decade (7 years minimum for internal med or pediatrics, 10-12 if you pursue a surgical sub-specialty) upon entering medical school.

Please please please enjoy yourselves as much as possible right now. You've completed the hard part with preparing your applications. It only takes one acceptance to have a successful application cycle. Best of luck everyone!
 
ffxfreak13 said:
Having been through 2 application cycles, waiting is the hardest part. But if you're already this stressed/frustrated/unhappy with the application process, you might be in for a bit of a rude awakening when you realize that your career won't truly begin for close to a decade (7 years minimum for internal med or pediatrics, 10-12 if you pursue a surgical sub-specialty) upon entering medical school.

Please please please enjoy yourselves as much as possible right now. You've completed the hard part with preparing your applications. It only takes one acceptance to have a successful application cycle. Best of luck everyone!
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I get what you're saying, but it's one thing to be spending 7+ years doing what we love and working towards our ultimate goal, and another thing to see IS applicants be reviewed 2 months AHEAD of our applications simply because we're OOS. VCU is a public school, I get it, IS applicants have to be given preference. Yet other public schools will still review applications in chronological (more or less) order, they just give IS applicants preference when it comes to acceptances. IMHO, that's a much more equitable way of doing things, but who am I to tell VCU how to conduct their affairs; I'm just a lowly pre-med.
 
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ffxfreak13 said:
Having been through 2 application cycles, waiting is the hardest part. But if you're already this stressed/frustrated/unhappy with the application process, you might be in for a bit of a rude awakening when you realize that your career won't truly begin for close to a decade (7 years minimum for internal med or pediatrics, 10-12 if you pursue a surgical sub-specialty) upon entering medical school.

Please please please enjoy yourselves as much as possible right now. You've completed the hard part with preparing your applications. It only takes one acceptance to have a successful application cycle. Best of luck everyone!
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If you not stressed about this process then you shouldn't be applying. I've wanted to be a doctor since I was little. I've known what I've gotten into since the beginning and it's not like this is my first application process either. I have done thorough research about this process and what happens after medical school like the majority of other applicants. So do not assume I don't know what I'm in for because it's condescending. And this forum is to talk amongst your peers about the application process and since there's several other OOS students here who have been complete since July I felt my post blew off some steam and others would agree.
 
ellocarter said:
I will be so happy if I get an acceptance to another school not only for the blessed reason of getting into medical school but for the warranted withdrawing my application from this place and telling them where to shove it. I'm sorry, but I've had the complete status since 7/23 and just because I'm OOS does not mean my application should be thrown to the side. They're missing out on some great OOS students that I've seen on this forum and I hope those wonderful OOS students who have been holding on since July find the acceptances they deserve.
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While we all understand your frustration, it's important to realize that VCU is a public institution and thus will show preference to IS candidates. I have LizzyM ~72 but I am OOS, so I was rejected from VCU but have interviews elsewhere at schools that are much more selective. I'm sure you are in a similar spot as well. Don't let the silence from this school get you down, you've got a bunch of other med schools that would be happy to have you!
 
sandyman237 said:
I applied 8/19 and got my secondary on 8/28. It came as an email and all it said was that I had a status update. Then the secondary was in the student portal to fill out.
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my primary was verified on August 14th and I never got a secondary 🙁
 
MijoEmjr said:
While we all understand your frustration, it's important to realize that VCU is a public institution and thus will show preference to IS candidates. I have LizzyM ~72 but I am OOS, so I was rejected from VCU but have interviews elsewhere at schools that are much more selective. I'm sure you are in a similar spot as well. Don't let the silence from this school get you down, you've got a bunch of other med schools that would be happy to have you!
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I completely understand about the IS preference and I've known that, but as Anomandaris said:
Anomandaris said:
... another thing to see IS applicants be reviewed 2 months AHEAD of our applications simply because we're OOS. VCU is a public school, I get it, IS applicants have to be given preference. Yet other public schools will still review applications in chronological (more or less) order, they just give IS applicants preference when it comes to acceptances. IMHO, that's a much more equitable way of doing things, but who am I to tell VCU how to conduct their affairs; I'm just a lowly pre-med.
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There are other schools who do a much better job at sorting through and looking holistically at all who apply. It's only this school that frustrates me while other schools have already reviewed my file and responded to me as an OOS student. Even those schools who have preference for IS.
 
Anomandaris said:
I get what you're saying, but it's one thing to be spending 7+ years doing what we love and working towards our ultimate goal, and another thing to see IS applicants be reviewed 2 months AHEAD of our applications simply because we're OOS. VCU is a public school, I get it, IS applicants have to be given preference. Yet other public schools will still review applications in chronological (more or less) order, they just give IS applicants preference when it comes to acceptances. IMHO, that's a much more equitable way of doing things, but who am I to tell VCU how to conduct their affairs; I'm just a lowly pre-med.
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I agree with you on the first-come, first serve review process for applicants. But I think you're putting too much stock on the timing for review rather than having a successful review and then having a successful interview. Ironically enough, it's to your advantage to interview later in the cycle when you're competing for acceptances with "less stellar" applicants, which allows you to set yourself apart from the pack with greater experience under your belt. Just my $0.02.

ellocarter said:
If you not stressed about this process then you shouldn't be applying. I've wanted to be a doctor since I was little. I've known what I've gotten into since the beginning and it's not like this is my first application process either. I have done thorough research about this process and what happens after medical school like the majority of other applicants. So do not assume I don't know what I'm in for because it's condescending. And this forum is to talk amongst your peers about the application process and since there's several other OOS students here who have been complete since July I felt my post blew off some steam and others would agree.
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I never assumed you didn't know what you're in for. I've wanted to be a doc since I was five, stressed myself out through two application cycles and ultimately got admitted. Although it's just hindsight, I think the cycles would have gone better if I spent my time enjoying the present and living life rather than worrying about possibilities of what could happen. I believe its incredibly counterproductive to stress about the review process for one school that I found far more transparent than >90% of the other schools I applied to last cycle, including my own state school. If you want to discuss specifics, I'd be happy to chat via PM.

Tl;dr - Life's not always fair, but you have to make the most of the journey.
 
ellocarter said:
I completely understand about the IS preference and I've known that, but as Anomandaris said:


There are other schools who do a much better job at sorting through and looking holistically at all who apply. It's only this school that frustrates me while other schools have already reviewed my file and responded to me as an OOS student. Even those schools who have preference for IS.
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How do you know how other schools look at OOS apps? There are state schools I'm still waiting on as OOS and I have no idea what they are doing with my app/if they've looked at it/if they put all OOS after all the IS, yet I have a II here as an OOS applicant.

I haven't even heard back from my state schools, but right now I am on my way to an OOS school that only interviews 4% of OOS apps. Who knows how this process works; you can only sit back and wait
 
PangurBan said:
How do you know how other schools look at OOS apps? There are state schools I'm still waiting on as OOS and I have no idea what they are doing with my app/if they've looked at it/if they put all OOS after all the IS, yet I have a II here as an OOS applicant.

I haven't even heard back from my state schools, but right now I am on my way to an OOS school that only interviews 4% of OOS apps. Who knows how this process works; you can only sit back and wait
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I'm only saying that for the OOS schools I applied to because I already have feedback. I have been reviewed and already received feedback beyond the "complete" messages the OOS schools initially sent (except VCU of course). I can see it on the portals. It means I was reviewed based of chronological order of when my app was submitted. I did my research based off past forums and what each of the schools say on their websites. I've already interviewed at two OOS schools before any IS school had contacted me but those were for various reasons of completion like a letter of recommendation.

Congratulations though on the 4% II! Good luck!
 
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