2016-2017 Virginia Commonwealth University Application Thread

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MDProspect said:
Same as mine. Mine has been complete since 7/16.
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So is the consensus that they just haven't gotten to us then? Otherwise I guess they could have changed the status to that is has been reviewed.
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medicine4958 said:
So is the consensus that they just haven't gotten to us then? Otherwise I guess they could have changed the status to that is has been reviewed.
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I assume it's the former. As evident by the different statuses that people received, VCU lets you know whether you should expect an interview.
 
I was complete 7/15 and mine still has the message saying "Your MD file is complete and the sub-committee will do a review blah blah..." so hopefully they will be getting to us soon. I like how VCU gives quite a few different status messages regarding your application.
 
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guys should I be concerned if my file shows up incomplete? I submitted mine mid July so was wondering if anyone has a similar issue.
 
Has anybody not gotten the secondary yet? I was verified before the transmission date but haven't gotten any contact from VCU. Should I email them possibly?

Thanks!
 
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joonage said:
Has anybody not gotten the secondary yet? I was verified before the transmission date but haven't gotten any contact from VCU. Should I email them possibly?

Thanks!
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They don't necessarily give out secondaries in chronological order. Last year I submitted in July and didn't get my secondary until January--while some who submitted in September got secondaries in October--but that's another story. Point is, don't worry about it yet. They review holistically so it takes longer than at other schools, and nothing is going to happen if you email now. I would wait a few more weeks before getting into contact with them.
 
joonage said:
Has anybody not gotten the secondary yet? I was verified before the transmission date but haven't gotten any contact from VCU. Should I email them possibly?

Thanks!
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I would contact them somehow... I was verified 7/28 and I got mine the next day. It wasn't a blatant secondary invite though, the email said "application received" and had a link to the portal that had the secondary.
 
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joonage said:
Has anybody not gotten the secondary yet? I was verified before the transmission date but haven't gotten any contact from VCU. Should I email them possibly?

Thanks!
Click to expand...

I wouldn't email them, sometimes you just need to be patient with this stuff. It's different for everyone, just bc one might have a quick turnaround doesn't necessarily mean you're at a disadvantage. Just keep the faith


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I've been getting an error message anytime I try to log into the portal. Is anyone else having this problem?
 
premed donna said:
I've been getting an error message anytime I try to log into the portal. Is anyone else having this problem?
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I had been getting that when I used Safari, try changing your browser (I use Chrome for applications, that's generally the recommended one)
 
premed donna said:
I've been getting an error message anytime I try to log into the portal. Is anyone else having this problem?
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Yes and sometimes it takes me back to the blank application until I click home and it gives my status..

Regarding the error, I visited again later by clicking secondary link in email and it was fine.
 
I use the link to the portal sent in update emails and it always seems to work with Safari no problem.
 
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cneal15 said:
Just received this update today.
Your File Review is now complete. If you are granted an interview, you will receive a status update on your applicant portal. Please do not call the Admissions Office requesting special dates.
How different is it from the one below.

The Committee's file review indicates that they are very interested in your candidacy. We are trying to interview all candidates at your priority score interviewed as soon as possible if we have an adequate number of interview slots. Please anticipate an e-mail from us regarding a possible interview date.

If any one could shed some light on the difference between the two, I know VCU uses a lot of different updates.
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Applied here last cycle and got in. Currently at orientation and thought I would pop back in and provide some info regarding VCU's multiple statuses.

With regard to your question, the first status just indicates they are reviewing your file. The second status means that there's a very high chance you'll get an interview soon 🙂.

Also, VCU experienced IT issues last cycle as well and some of us never got any email from them regarding supplemental application and interview. I didn't even get an official email when I got accepted. I had to log back to the portal and check. So, moral of the story: make sure you check the portal REGULARLY!
 
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OOS applicant here. 71-72 LizzyM. I just had the unfortunate experience of logging into the portal I was sent on July 15 and realized it contained the secondary. Not really sure if i should be mad at myself for disregarding that email and waiting for the one that said "Hey, here's the secondary link" or had the email titled as secondary app., or if I should be mad at the school for not doing either. Anyways since it's now been more than 2 weeks is there even any point in submitting my secondary??? Maybe they'll give me a chance since their whole app system seems to be messed up this year, or maybe it was just a dirty trick to weed some of us out? -End Rant- (But seriously, any advice would be helpful Cuz I really liked this school).
 
Snazzy02 said:
OOS applicant here. 71-72 LizzyM. I just had the unfortunate experience of logging into the portal I was sent on July 15 and realized it contained the secondary. Not really sure if i should be mad at myself for disregarding that email and waiting for the one that said "Hey, here's the secondary link" or had the email titled as secondary app., or if I should be mad at the school for not doing either. Anyways since it's now been more than 2 weeks is there even any point in submitting my secondary??? Maybe they'll give me a chance since their whole app system seems to be messed up this year, or maybe it was just a dirty trick to weed some of us out? -End Rant- (But seriously, any advice would be helpful Cuz I really liked this school).
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If there's no hard deadline that says "submit this in 2 weeks" (which I do not recall), then by all means just do it! It's been only a little over 2 weeks 🙂
 
Snazzy02 said:
OOS applicant here. 71-72 LizzyM. I just had the unfortunate experience of logging into the portal I was sent on July 15 and realized it contained the secondary. Not really sure if i should be mad at myself for disregarding that email and waiting for the one that said "Hey, here's the secondary link" or had the email titled as secondary app., or if I should be mad at the school for not doing either. Anyways since it's now been more than 2 weeks is there even any point in submitting my secondary??? Maybe they'll give me a chance since their whole app system seems to be messed up this year, or maybe it was just a dirty trick to weed some of us out? -End Rant- (But seriously, any advice would be helpful Cuz I really liked this school).
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Still submit it! They give you like a thirty day deadline. I don't think it will harm your chances to submit it now
 
Snazzy02 said:
OOS applicant here. 71-72 LizzyM. I just had the unfortunate experience of logging into the portal I was sent on July 15 and realized it contained the secondary. Not really sure if i should be mad at myself for disregarding that email and waiting for the one that said "Hey, here's the secondary link" or had the email titled as secondary app., or if I should be mad at the school for not doing either. Anyways since it's now been more than 2 weeks is there even any point in submitting my secondary??? Maybe they'll give me a chance since their whole app system seems to be messed up this year, or maybe it was just a dirty trick to weed some of us out? -End Rant- (But seriously, any advice would be helpful Cuz I really liked this school).
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Nah no hard deadline here! You have pretty decent stats and I am sure good ECs. You will be a great applicant! Submit it! And it is just one 2000 char essay, so you can get it done sort of quickly too. If you have the $$$ to spare, I would go for it!

P.S Yeah I did not originally think I got the secondary in that email either, but thank god I came on SDN to find out that was indeed the secondary.
 
Submitted this afternoon! Thanks for your input guys! Best of luck to everyone 🙂
 
Vocoded Super Saw said:
For anyone needing help on the secondary, I've listed some good talking points :

  • Wakefield's study shows significant relationship between MMR vaccination and the development of autism spectrum disorders in children ("We identified associated gastrointestinal disease and developmental regression in a group of previously normal children, which was generally associated in time with possible environmental triggers." - Wakefield, AJ FRC. "Ileal-lymphoid-nodular hyperplasia, non-specific colitis, and pervasive developmental disorder in children". 1998.)
  • Experts suggest current vaccination schedule is overly saturated and should be cut down
  • Polio prevelancy is down nationwide 99% since 1988. Why are we even vaccinating for a disease that doesn't exist anymore?
  • HPV vaccines lead to increased sexual activity among teenagers and should only be given if the parents support pre-marital sex/expect a promiscuous teenager.
  • In general, science has been shown to be ineffective in producing vaccines (eg. lack of HIV/AIDS, cancer "cure" vaccines, etc.)
For your tone, I'd suggest you be stern, border-line condescending towards the mother. After all, you did just get into medical school and she's bothering you during your previous pre-medical school free time.


Good luck everyone! Excited to start med school with all of you in the fall.
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Hopefully applicants aren't taking these talking points seriously lol.

The British journal BMJ did an investigation into Wakefield's study and found it to be fraudulent. He "misrepresented or altered the medical histories of all 12 of the patients whose cases formed the basis of the 1998 study". The Lancet formally retracted Wakefield's 1998 paper on February 2nd, 2010.

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/02/03/health/research/03lancet.html?_r=0
 
Meh. It was funny.

If anyone took it seriously that's pretty unfortunate.
 
MDProspect said:
What do you mean? I wrote my secondary response in verbatim to what the other poster wrote. I even went beyond to what they said, "be stern, border-line condescending towards the mother."; instead, I made sure to mention that I will be fully condescending and ridicule the mother for her bad parenting skills.
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I just wrote that I would immediately phone child protective services.
 
brownman23 said:
Hey, yeah, I have the following message on my portal:
The Committee's file review indicates that they are very interested in your candidacy. We are trying to interview all candidates at your priority score interviewed as soon as possible if we have an adequate number of interview slots. Please anticipate an e-mail from us regarding a possible interview date.

Lol at the overuse of "interview" in second sentence though.

I think I was complete around 7/18?

I did not get an email about this change though. I just randomly went on to their portal earlier this week and found that message on the home page.
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Congrats!!! Have you received any email with possible interview dates yet?
 
I'm a bit confused.

If you have a: "Your File Review is now complete. If you are granted an interview, you will receive a status update on your applicant portal." ...

Does that mean that you may be granted an interview, but they're not "very interested" in your file? Or does it just mean someone hasn't had the time to come along yet and fully review your application? It would seem that "Your File Review is now complete" means that an adcom took a look-through and just hasn't flat out rejected you yet.

Clarify?

 
To be MD said:
I'm a bit confused.

If you have a: "Your File Review is now complete. If you are granted an interview, you will receive a status update on your applicant portal." ...

Does that mean that you may be granted an interview, but they're not "very interested" in your file? Or does it just mean someone hasn't had the time to come along yet and fully review your application? It would seem that "Your File Review is now complete" means that an adcom took a look-through and just hasn't flat out rejected you yet.

Clarify?
.
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I am not an expert but it seems that your file is on HOLD. You may or you may not get an interview. Those who are definitely going to get an interview got the other status that says something along the lines of "we are very interested in you and trying to schedule an interview for applicants with your priority level".
 
Your M.D. file is now complete. The Sub-Committee will now do a review of your application. Once this review is complete, you will receive a status update regarding your profile.

Is this in any way different from the file review is complete?

 
danskrani_xx7272xx said:
Your M.D. file is now complete. The Sub-Committee will now do a review of your application. Once this review is complete, you will receive a status update regarding your profile.

Is this in any way different from the file review is complete?

.
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Yes because it is saying that you file review hasn't been done yet. That is the status message everyone gets once everything from your secondary is received.
 
brownman23 said:
Hey, yeah, I have the following message on my portal:
The Committee's file review indicates that they are very interested in your candidacy. We are trying to interview all candidates at your priority score interviewed as soon as possible if we have an adequate number of interview slots. Please anticipate an e-mail from us regarding a possible interview date.

Lol at the overuse of "interview" in second sentence though.

I think I was complete around 7/18?

I did not get an email about this change though. I just randomly went on to their portal earlier this week and found that message on the home page.
Click to expand...


Hey guys, been lurking this forum for a while and finally joined! Received secondary mid July, complete late July. Received the same status ("very interested in your candidacy") 3 days after completion. Now patiently waiting for an e-mail with an official II...

Btw I never actually got an e-mail invitation to the secondary but did receive an e-mail from VCU that said my application status had changed. I logged in through the portal and saw that I had an invite to the secondary, so please check if you have been invited here: https://appportal.som.vcu.edu After you've been invited, you have 2 months to complete your entire application so don't worry if you just logged in and realized that the secondary has been sitting there for a while. According to the VCU website, 2800 applicants out of 9000 received secondary invites in 2014 (see http://www.medschool.vcu.edu/admissions/md/application_status/) Best of luck to all of us 🙂
 
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I think someone posted this early in the thread but I thought I would re-ask just in case someone knows the answer now.

What does VCU screen for? Is it a holistic screen or is it more meeting MCAT/GPA cutoffs? I mean it doesn't matter too much since I got the secondary but I think it's interesting to observe the different approaches taken at various school
 
jgear645 said:
I think someone posted this early in the thread but I thought I would re-ask just in case someone knows the answer now.

What does VCU screen for? Is it a holistic screen or is it more meeting MCAT/GPA cutoffs? I mean it doesn't matter too much since I got the secondary but I think it's interesting to observe the different approaches taken at various school
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From the school website:

The decision to send a supplemental is based on AAMC Holistic Review Project E-A-M Model of evaluating Experiences, Attributes and Metrics to determine how the applicant might contribute to VCU School of Medicine learning environment as well as to the medical profession as a future physician.
 
Inspector JacquesClouseau said:
From the school website:

The decision to send a supplemental is based on AAMC Holistic Review Project E-A-M Model of evaluating Experiences, Attributes and Metrics to determine how the applicant might contribute to VCU School of Medicine learning environment as well as to the medical profession as a future physician.
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LOL...I saw that on the website but obviously didn't read it carefully. Dumb question on my part, my bad! Thank you!
 
dstape2000 said:
I was complete 7/15 and mine still has the message saying "Your MD file is complete and the sub-committee will do a review blah blah..." so hopefully they will be getting to us soon. I like how VCU gives quite a few different status messages regarding your application.
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Did your status ever change? I was complete 7/25/16 and I still have the same status. People complete after me have been getting updates so a little worried right now...
 
LordH said:
Did your status ever change? I was complete 7/25/16 and I still have the same status. People complete after me have been getting updates so a little worried right now...
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I've been also complete since 7/15 and haven't had a status change.
 
MDProspect said:
I've been also complete since 7/15 and haven't had a status change.
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+1
It's not a linear process, if I learned anything from last year. Not quite sure how they choose who to review and when, but our time will come eventually!


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I got my email with the portal URL on 7/14
My portal still says "
Your application has been received by the VCU School of Medicine and now will begin the process of evaluation. There will be a preliminary review of your application prior to receipt of a supplemental application.."

It's been a really long time, has anyone else had their secondary pending this long?
UG GPA- 3.3
SMP GPA: 4.0
MCAT: 516
 
SSerenity said:
I got my email with the portal URL on 7/14
My portal still says "
Your application has been received by the VCU School of Medicine and now will begin the process of evaluation. There will be a preliminary review of your application prior to receipt of a supplemental application.."

It's been a really long time, has anyone else had their secondary pending this long?
UG GPA- 3.3
SMP GPA: 4.0
MCAT: 516
Click to expand...

Yes, I've had that same status since 7/14 as well. It's been like 3 weeks. That's not actually "a really long time" in terms of med school admissions, so it doesn't mean anything. You just gotta be patient.
 
Cotterpin said:
Yes, I've had that same status since 7/14 as well. It's been like 3 weeks. That's not actually "a really long time" in terms of med school admissions, so it doesn't mean anything. You just gotta be patient.
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I called them, and I was rejected pre-secondary. They claimed they sent an email & their portal page is broken so not everybody knows if they are rejected.

Kinda sucks, nobody on the phone could tell me why I as screened out
UG:3.3, SMP:4.0, MCAT: 516 (3x retaker)
11 publications, 1023 hrs clinical volunteer work, hella leadership.

I'm really surprised that I was rejected pre-secondary. I was expecting at least a secondary rejection lol.
 
SSerenity said:
I called them, and I was rejected pre-secondary. They claimed they sent an email & their portal page is broken so not everybody knows if they are rejected.

Kinda sucks, nobody on the phone could tell me why I as screened out
UG:3.3, SMP:4.0, MCAT: 516 (3x retaker)
11 publications, 1023 hrs clinical volunteer work, hella leadership.

I'm really surprised that I was rejected pre-secondary. I was expecting at least a secondary rejection lol.
Click to expand...

Wow lol. Just wow


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SSerenity said:
I called them, and I was rejected pre-secondary. They claimed they sent an email & their portal page is broken so not everybody knows if they are rejected.

Kinda sucks, nobody on the phone could tell me why I as screened out
UG:3.3, SMP:4.0, MCAT: 516 (3x retaker)
11 publications, 1023 hrs clinical volunteer work, hella leadership.

I'm really surprised that I was rejected pre-secondary. I was expecting at least a secondary rejection lol.
Click to expand...

Wow you seem really really qualified. I bet you get a II elsewhere. Keep that hope up! 11 publications. Wow.


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I sent in my fee waiver july 29th and portal still isn't updated. Anyone in the same boat?


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