2015-2016 Virginia Commonwealth University Application Thread

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still no secondary, honestly just reject me this is the first secondary I wrote. TF
 
coldcase331 said:
Read the pages of NYMC. The epitome of neurotic premeds 😛
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Well, there were a lot of SNAFUs with the CASPer exam. It's not just neuroticism when a company screws up badly enough that they are forced to admit it and give refunds!
Of course, it's not NOT neuroticism, because it is SDN :laugh:

This thread is so long because we freaked out over the changing prompt in the first few days of the secondary, and then some other issues later...NYMC is the same thing. Honestly, admissions offices should just get a "how long was your Class of thread during the cycle?" report at the end of everything just to see how smooth (or not) a job they did!
 
SuperSlim said:
still no secondary, honestly just reject me this is the first secondary I wrote. TF
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I still have not received a secondary either.. submitted 8/18. I checked my emails and the portal but still nothing
 
catie_jane said:
I still have not received a secondary either.. submitted 8/18. I checked my emails and the portal but still nothing
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they received my primary 8/12. I feel as if theres no point in sending in a secondary even if I do get one because its late in cycle
 
SuperSlim said:
they received my primary 8/12. I feel as if theres no point in sending in a secondary even if I do get one because its late in cycle
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For me it will depend on when I get the secondary/how much it costs. I already have the prompt pre-written and if I get it before the end of September it may still be worth a shot.

Have you tried giving them a call or are you just waiting it out?

Edit: do they need LOR to do the preliminary review before the secondary is sent?
 
catie_jane said:
For me it will depend on when I get the secondary/how much it costs. I already have the prompt pre-written and if I get it before the end of September it may still be worth a shot.

Have you tried giving them a call or are you just waiting it out?

Edit: do they need LOR to do the preliminary review before the secondary is sent?
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havnt called, and heard they were pretty rude. im just gonna wait it out. Not sure about the LORs but they should have all of mine.
 
SuperSlim said:
havnt called, and heard they were pretty rude. im just gonna wait it out. Not sure about the LORs but they should have all of mine.
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I may give them a call today. Their portal says to wait up to 21 days for processing and it has been almost a month for me. Worst case they are rude to me and tell me just to wait.. haha
 
I just called and got off the phone with a very nice woman. She said they have had way more applications this year and the committee is taking much longer. She says to expect 6-12 weeks for secondaries, application review, etc. She said the best way is to check the portal every 1-2 days.

Hope this helps anyone
 
I found a document from 2011 comparing the "may" to the "further" status. Also has interview dates and accept dates. So if you just feel like you need more data in your life here it is. I found it interesting. May>further.
 
catie_jane said:
I just called and got off the phone with a very nice woman. She said they have had way more applications this year and the committee is taking much longer. She says to expect 6-12 weeks for secondaries, application review, etc. She said the best way is to check the portal every 1-2 days.

Hope this helps anyone
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That's good to know. If October rolls around and there isn't a status update or change then I may be worried. It's still September so it's very early in the application season.
 
ceb90 said:
Finally got status change #3 after complete 7/23.
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IS?
I wonder at how random it seems...this was one of the first schools I submitted (on 7/6) and I actually thought I had a decent shot here, but can't seem to even get out of subcommittee. 🙁
 
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candielike said:
Uh oh, jumping on the "further" wagon as of now!
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Welcome to the back of the bus. I've been here for a 100 years. What do you want to know about the "further" bus? We've got all the time in the world. The bus doesnt stop for another 100 years.









Application process is making me go crazyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy
 
mehc012 said:
Well, there were a lot of SNAFUs with the CASPer exam. It's not just neuroticism when a company screws up badly enough that they are forced to admit it and give refunds!
Of course, it's not NOT neuroticism, because it is SDN :laugh:

This thread is so long because we freaked out over the changing prompt in the first few days of the secondary, and then some other issues later...NYMC is the same thing. Honestly, admissions offices should just get a "how long was your Class of thread during the cycle?" report at the end of everything just to see how smooth (or not) a job they did!
Click to expand...

Exactly. See this thread and NYMC actually has a reason to have long threads. If any thread is neurotic its gotta be the 28 page Mayo thread lol.
 
Gandy741 said:
Exactly. See this thread and NYMC actually has a reason to have long threads. If any thread is neurotic its gotta be the 28 page Mayo thread lol.
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Yeah, there wasn't even a freaking secondary for that school, I have no idea what they were chatting about (I applied, but forgot to ever check that thread until like, the day before my rejection, lol!)
 
mehc012 said:
Yeah, there wasn't even a freaking secondary for that school, I have no idea what they were chatting about (I applied, but forgot to ever check that thread until like, the day before my rejection, lol!)
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Welp, think about the kinds of people who are still in the running for a school like Mayo which only has a class size of 58 or so students.

I'd bet money its a neurotic bunch. I dont even venture into the elite MD threads. Feel like a poser if I do, and start thinking "What if I was actually smart?"

I once traveled into the Harvard Medical School thread, and my browser crashed. No I'm not making that up.
 
Gandy741 said:
Welp, think about the kinds of people who are still in the running for a school like Mayo which only has a class size of 58 or so students.

I'd bet money its a neurotic bunch. I dont even venture into the elite MD threads. Feel like a poser if I do, and start thinking "What if I was actually smart?"

I once traveled into the Harvard Medical School thread, and my browser crashed. No I'm not making that up.
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Ah, c'mon, where's the casual confidence? You've gotta talk yourself up at least a bit, mate!
 
ok so I just spoke with Dr. Whitehurst-Cook the associate dean of admissions (super nice lady) and she explained that the "further" status just means that the file has made it through sub-committee and now is waiting for full review. she also said this is a status used for applications that are in limbo and that it could mean that they want to offer an interview, however, the committee must get the go-ahead to offer them. To me, it sounded like one group decides what applications should be offered interview, but another group decides how many/when to give interview invites out. Kinda weird but I guess thats how you have to do it with a rolling admissions system.
 
ceb90 said:
ok so I just spoke with Dr. Whitehurst-Cook the associate dean of admissions (super nice lady) and she explained that the "further" status just means that the file has made it through sub-committee and now is waiting for full review. she also said this is a status used for applications that are in limbo and that it could mean that they want to offer an interview, however, the committee must get the go-ahead to offer them. To me, it sounded like one group decides what applications should be offered interview, but another group decides how many/when to give interview invites out. Kinda weird but I guess thats how you have to do it with a rolling admissions system.
Click to expand...

Oh wait... this isnt the "further" consideration status is it? Oh my goodness.... So i'm actually worse off than I originally thought I was for this school. I think what I have is the school's "hold" status pretty much.

"The committee's file review indicates that they wish to consider your file over the next several weeks before making a decision about interview. Your file will be reviewed again by a small sub-committee before making a final decision. Once a decision has been made on your profile, you will receive an email regarding your recent status update."
 
Can someone summarize the possible statuses? I'm still at the "review" stage.
 
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Under there it says your file status on the home page, does it also list the possible reasons for holds on your page? It says that files may be put on hold for MCAT or grades and I just want to ensure that this is just informational, not an actual hold on my file lol.
 
HSR said:
Under there it says your file status on the home page, does it also list the possible reasons for holds on your page? It says that files may be put on hold for MCAT or grades and I just want to ensure that this is just informational, not an actual hold on my file lol.
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Just informational, I have that as well.
 
HSR said:
Thanks. I'm still at complete so I'm just trying to pick a reason why they haven't started review of my application.
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Same here. They are probably backed up, may take a while to get to us. When were you complete btw? I was complete 8/25, so pretty recently. I would start to worry if somebody complete after you gets a response.
 
studentdocftw said:
Same here. They are probably backed up, may take a while to get to us. When were you complete btw? I was complete 8/25, so pretty recently. I would start to worry if somebody complete after you gets a response.
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haha, there are people complete in early July who haven't heard back yet, so I'd get comfortable if I were you 😛
And they likely poach their in-staters and maybe the early high stat OOSers. Then again, maybe there's no rhyme or reason to it all.
 
studentdocftw said:
Same here. They are probably backed up, may take a while to get to us. When were you complete btw? I was complete 8/25, so pretty recently. I would start to worry if somebody complete after you gets a response.
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It's not as straightforward as that. There have been some August people who have heard back, while there's also a whole host of early-mid July applicants who aren't past the 'subcommittee review' stage yet. As an example: I submitted on July 6th, still no status change.

Honestly, it all seems like a bit of a random crapshoot, with worse odds for OOSers in terms of review times. :shrug:
 
mehc012 said:
It's not as straightforward as that. There have been some August people who have heard back, while there's also a whole host of early-mid July applicants who aren't past the 'subcommittee review' stage yet. As an example: I submitted on July 6th, still no status change.

Honestly, it all seems like a bit of a random crapshoot, with worse odds for OOSers in terms of review times. :shrug:
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Sigh..well I'm an OOSer here...so I'm not expecting much in terms of love, but I'll take what I can get.
 
Apparently getting a secondary means that we've already been small pooled, so I would just exercise patience. Many of us OOS people may not hear back for a while, but the odds of getting an interview here are much greater than most others schools at this point.
 
coldcase331 said:
Apparently getting a secondary means that we've already been small pooled, so I would just exercise patience. Many of us OOS people may not hear back for a while, but the odds of getting an interview here are much greater than most others schools at this point.
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Unfortunately, I'm leaving the country in January, which is why I tried to apply as early as possible. I'm not really anxious about getting an interview so much as getting one when it will cost me $800 minimum to attend. I didn't anticipate being passed over for so long given that I applied before they even figured out what their secondary essay was going to be, that's all.
 
ceb90 said:
ok so I just spoke with Dr. Whitehurst-Cook the associate dean of admissions (super nice lady) and she explained that the "further" status just means that the file has made it through sub-committee and now is waiting for full review. she also said this is a status used for applications that are in limbo and that it could mean that they want to offer an interview, however, the committee must get the go-ahead to offer them. To me, it sounded like one group decides what applications should be offered interview, but another group decides how many/when to give interview invites out. Kinda weird but I guess thats how you have to do it with a rolling admissions system.
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I am choosing to interpret this in as positive a light as is humanly possible for my own sanity...hope springs eternal and all that, right?! (PS thanks for going to the trouble of calling/sharing with us!)
 
For anyone waiting on VCU, I just spoke to Dr. Whitehurst-Cook in person and she gave a few pieces of valuable information which I hope will make some of you less anxious. Basically, VCU tries their hardest to interview every single VA applicant they think is competitive. She said that they unfortunately cannot do the same with out-of-staters, because they get like 7000 apps. Also, she mentioned they currently have ~9000 apps, and the school is experiencing a backlog. That could be why it is taking so long for II invites. Dr. Cook likes to read all essays for herself before II are offered, so she is very busy! In addition, I asked her what MCAT is deemed competitive at their school and she mentioned that VCU considers a 506-507 to be an old 30, and that if an applicant had a 510, they are good to go for their school. They also require SAT scores and she mentioned that if you have a strong SAT score, but a lower MCAT score, it kind of compensates in a way for the low MCAT because at least adcoms know you can handle standardized tests. Also, this school is BIG on clinical experience. They expect their average accepted applicant to have a minimum of ~200 hrs. of hands-on clinical experience and shadowing combined. Apparently, hospice is not considered clinical unless you are actually caring for patients (taking vital signs, feeding, dressing, etc.) instead of simply playing games or chatting with them. Also one thing I found interesting is that when you designate on AMCAS the number of hours spent per week for an activity, it shows up as ZERO on VCU's system. So Dr. Cook said to make sure you write the number of hrs/week in the activity description on your primary so they know for sure.

Hope this helps!
 
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believe <3 said:
For anyone waiting on VCU, I just spoke to Dr. Whitehurst-Cook in person and she gave a few pieces of valuable information which I hope will make some of you less anxious. Basically, VCU tries their hardest to interview every single VA applicant they think is competitive. She said that they unfortunately cannot do the same with out-of-staters, because they get like 7000 apps. Also, she mentioned they currently have ~9000 apps, and the school is experiencing a backlog. That could be why it is taking so long for II invites. Dr. Cook likes to read all essays for herself before II are offered, so she is very busy! In addition, I asked her what MCAT is deemed competitive at their school and she mentioned that VCU considers a 506-507 to be an old 30, and that if an applicant had a 510, they are good to go for their school. They also require SAT scores and she mentioned that if you have a strong SAT score, but a lower MCAT score, it kind of compensates in a way for the low MCAT because at least adcoms know you can handle standardized tests. Also, this school is BIG on clinical experience. They expect their average accepted applicant to have a minimum of ~200 hrs. of hands-on clinical experience and shadowing combined. Apparently, hospice is not considered clinical unless you are actually caring for patients (taking vital signs, feeding, dressing, etc.) instead of simply playing games or chatting with them. Also one thing I found interesting is that when you designate on AMCAS the number of hours spent per week for an activity, it shows up as ZERO on VCU's system. So Dr. Cook said to make sure you write the number of hrs/week in the activity description on your primary so they know for sure.

Hope this helps!
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Presumably, an ACT score would suffice as well? I entered that on my secondary. Glad to see 510+ considered competitive, but "hands-on" clinical experience is something I am lacking. Guess we'll see how much of an impact that has on my chances. And I guess it's a little too late for the hr/week description.
 
coldcase331 said:
Apparently getting a secondary means that we've already been small pooled, so I would just exercise patience. Many of us OOS people may not hear back for a while, but the odds of getting an interview here are much greater than most others schools at this point.
Click to expand...

wait really? I thought everyone got secondaries
 
believe <3 said:
For anyone waiting on VCU, I just spoke to Dr. Whitehurst-Cook in person and she gave a few pieces of valuable information which I hope will make some of you less anxious. Basically, VCU tries their hardest to interview every single VA applicant they think is competitive. She said that they unfortunately cannot do the same with out-of-staters, because they get like 7000 apps. Also, she mentioned they currently have ~9000 apps, and the school is experiencing a backlog. That could be why it is taking so long for II invites. Dr. Cook likes to read all essays for herself before II are offered, so she is very busy! In addition, I asked her what MCAT is deemed competitive at their school and she mentioned that VCU considers a 506-507 to be an old 30, and that if an applicant had a 510, they are good to go for their school. They also require SAT scores and she mentioned that if you have a strong SAT score, but a lower MCAT score, it kind of compensates in a way for the low MCAT because at least adcoms know you can handle standardized tests. Also, this school is BIG on clinical experience. They expect their average accepted applicant to have a minimum of ~200 hrs. of hands-on clinical experience and shadowing combined. Apparently, hospice is not considered clinical unless you are actually caring for patients (taking vital signs, feeding, dressing, etc.) instead of simply playing games or chatting with them. Also one thing I found interesting is that when you designate on AMCAS the number of hours spent per week for an activity, it shows up as ZERO on VCU's system. So Dr. Cook said to make sure you write the number of hrs/week in the activity description on your primary so they know for sure.

Hope this helps!
Click to expand...

Pretty sure i have all of that, but im OOS, so wait i must
 
Spector1 said:
wait really? I thought everyone got secondaries
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wavvvvvves123 said:
nah, I can't remember where I read it but I feel like only 30-40% of applicants get a secondary
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I found this on the VCU MD Admissions page under "Application Status"

"Applications are received in the Admissions Office and reviewed by a sub-committee. Decisions are made at that point as to which candidates will receive a supplemental application from us. It has always been our committee’s policy to send supplemental applications only to those candidates who are deemed competitive within our applicant pool. To assist you in understanding this decision process, we received over 9,000 applications in 2014 and send supplementals to only about 2,800 candidates."
 
believe <3 said:
For anyone waiting on VCU, I just spoke to Dr. Whitehurst-Cook in person and she gave a few pieces of valuable information which I hope will make some of you less anxious. Basically, VCU tries their hardest to interview every single VA applicant they think is competitive. She said that they unfortunately cannot do the same with out-of-staters, because they get like 7000 apps. Also, she mentioned they currently have ~9000 apps, and the school is experiencing a backlog. That could be why it is taking so long for II invites. Dr. Cook likes to read all essays for herself before II are offered, so she is very busy! In addition, I asked her what MCAT is deemed competitive at their school and she mentioned that VCU considers a 506-507 to be an old 30, and that if an applicant had a 510, they are good to go for their school. They also require SAT scores and she mentioned that if you have a strong SAT score, but a lower MCAT score, it kind of compensates in a way for the low MCAT because at least adcoms know you can handle standardized tests. Also, this school is BIG on clinical experience. They expect their average accepted applicant to have a minimum of ~200 hrs. of hands-on clinical experience and shadowing combined. Apparently, hospice is not considered clinical unless you are actually caring for patients (taking vital signs, feeding, dressing, etc.) instead of simply playing games or chatting with them. Also one thing I found interesting is that when you designate on AMCAS the number of hours spent per week for an activity, it shows up as ZERO on VCU's system. So Dr. Cook said to make sure you write the number of hrs/week in the activity description on your primary so they know for sure.

Hope this helps!
Click to expand...
I appreciate you posting this (a lot) but it kind of adds to my frustration haha. My MCAT is solid and I have tons of clinical experience (literally thousands of hours of 1:1 with patients). I spent a lot of time on my secondary and thought this school and I would be a good fit for each other. My application just hasn't been given the time of day. I understand there is backlog but two months just to review an application that was submitted in the first two weeks- before any backlog- is concerning.
 
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