2017 Post Bacc Vcom

BU Medical Sciences
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stormie3 said:
I applied at the end of October and have not heard anything yet.
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That's kind of ridiculous. Didn't they say 4-8 weeks? If you applied that early I feel like you should have a priority for the program. :/
 
DVRKHORSE17 said:
When did everyone submit their applications? I am also eagerly waiting on updates.
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Submitted mine back in October. Haven't received anything yet. When I called they said I was complete. I think that was close to November.
 
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kelminak said:
That's kind of ridiculous. Didn't they say 4-8 weeks? If you applied that early I feel like you should have a priority for the program. :/
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Exactly! Last time I spoke to her, end of January, she said that they were updating their website and wasn't sending out acceptances until February 1st and after their website was complete. So maybe it's more acceptances just not recorded on here.
 
Supermanwife said:
Exactly! Last time I spoke to her, end of January, she said that they were updating their website and wasn't sending out acceptances until February 1st and after their website was complete. So maybe it's more acceptances just not recorded on here.
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Oh maybe, or they just didn't even want to look at applications that early until they got more to compare against (which makes sense). I want to say check on them again, but I don't know if that helps you or just makes you look like a neurotic student after a point. It probably wouldn't speed anything up other than speeding up a rejection. 🙁
 
kelminak said:
Oh maybe, or they just didn't even want to look at applications that early until they got more to compare against (which makes sense). I want to say check on them again, but I don't know if that helps you or just makes you look like a neurotic student after a point. It probably wouldn't speed anything up other than speeding up a rejection. 🙁
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I'll keep waiting. I'm sure they have many apps to go through.. No rush....
 
kelminak said:
That's kind of ridiculous. Didn't they say 4-8 weeks? If you applied that early I feel like you should have a priority for the program. :/
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Yeah, I am trying my best to remain patient haha
 
I'm getting so anxious at this point. I've never asked for an update, maybe I should to make sure there's nothing missing in my file? I would be so frustrated and I don't know why I've never checked.
 
Hi everyone! I too am a current student in the program and have accepted a seat in next year's class. For anything thinking about doing the program... DO IT! 🙂 It's 100% worth it.

In regards to applications and timing: last year my file was complete on March 8 and they gave me the acceptance email on June 1. Hope that helps.

If anyone has any questions on the program, the area, or anything else-- send them my way! I remember being in your shoes a year ago and am happy to help in any way that I can!
 
LTovs3 said:
Hi everyone! I too am a current student in the program and have accepted a seat in next year's class. For anything thinking about doing the program... DO IT! 🙂 It's 100% worth it.

In regards to applications and timing: last year my file was complete on March 8 and they gave me the acceptance email on June 1. Hope that helps.

If anyone has any questions on the program, the area, or anything else-- send them my way! I remember being in your shoes a year ago and am happy to help in any way that I can!
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Congrats on the acceptance!!

Can you tell us more about your daily schedule, how the profs are, if there is enough time after lectures to study on your own, and how hard is it to maintain that 3.5+ gpa?

Also, how many from your class are making it to the DO program, if the private loan covers all the expenses, and if you can use a Mac for exams?

Thanks!


Sent from my iPhone using SDN mobile
 
LTovs3 said:
Hi everyone! I too am a current student in the program and have accepted a seat in next year's class. For anything thinking about doing the program... DO IT! 🙂 It's 100% worth it.

In regards to applications and timing: last year my file was complete on March 8 and they gave me the acceptance email on June 1. Hope that helps.

If anyone has any questions on the program, the area, or anything else-- send them my way! I remember being in your shoes a year ago and am happy to help in any way that I can!
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Congratulations!

What were your stats getting into the program?
Where were you from?
Which campus did they admit you to?
Are there any major things people should know about the program before they choose to do it?
 
vle said:
I am working on my app now for it
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I got accepted to G2 and the program looks really good but VCOM would be a direct route to med school with a good enough gpa. G2 is also close to home so I would save money. I can't seem to decide, especially since I haven't taken the MCAT yet.

What do you think about G2 vs. VCOM?
 
Supermanwife said:
Do that program have any incentives?
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G2 is a combination of George Mason/Georgetown professors teaching Georgetown curriculum at a George Mason campus. Students initially apply for a post-bacc certificate in Advanced Biomedical Sciences, but they can continue and finish with a Masters in Physiology from Georgetown during the summer (many students do this). MCAT prep course from Kaplan is also offered as part of the admission. The program is very inclusive and the advising committee is very helpful. There is financial aid as well.

My only dilemma with this program is that it has no direct linkage (even if it is looked at very highly). So, it would take someone 2 years to go to med school, as opposed to the one year from the VCOM post bacc.
 
LTovs3 said:
Hi everyone! I too am a current student in the program and have accepted a seat in next year's class. For anything thinking about doing the program... DO IT! 🙂 It's 100% worth it.

In regards to applications and timing: last year my file was complete on March 8 and they gave me the acceptance email on June 1. Hope that helps.

If anyone has any questions on the program, the area, or anything else-- send them my way! I remember being in your shoes a year ago and am happy to help in any way that I can!
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Please do tell us about your experience!! Thanks 😀
 
Hi @DexterMorganSK 🙂
Thank you! Our daily schedule is basically 8:00am-12:00pm Monday through Friday. I go to class in the morning, come home and relax for a bit (eat, watch Netflix, go to gym, etc.), then spend the late afternoon and evening studying. We have exams every Monday, and sometimes Fridays too. The weekends are basically for studying and then Monday night we go out downtown and enjoy our "weekend." Lol.
There's plenty of time to study outside of class, and the GPA benchmark is definitely doable to get and maintain. We started the year with 98 people, a few dropped before the 1st semester finished. We were told that 51 of us got the acceptance in December. Those who didn't make the December benchmarks still have another chance in either March (if they have the GPA, but not the MCAT) or in May (if they have the MCAT, but not the GPA).
The professors are almost all amazing (you'll always have one you don't like no matter where you go, LOL). They are the same exact faculty that the medical students get. They are ready and available to answer any questions a student may have.
Yeah, the downside of the program is that it only accepts private loans (no federal). That being said, they require you to take out enough money to cover both tuition and living expenses for the entire year. They really don't want you to be distracted by a job so they make sure you don't have to worry about money.
Yes, you can use a Mac for exams. I only know of 1 or 2 people who had problems taking the exam on their Macs. The school highly recommends getting a cheap Windows computer to take the exams on.

Hello @kelminak
My stats upon getting accepted into the program were 3.5 cGPA, and I hadn't taken the MCAT yet so I applied without one. I am Wisconsin born and raised, but I did my undergrad here in Virginia. I am accepted into the Carolinas campus. They had us rank the 3 campuses by order of preference on the secondary app and that was what I put as my #1 choice, so it wasn't a surprise for me. As for any major things to know... hmmm. I'd just tell you that the program is pretty challenging, but it is EXTREMELY rewarding to see all your hard work pay off and your dreams come true!!! 😉 The guaranteed acceptance is a wonderful thing.

Hey @DoctorCrush 🙂 See above for answers to these 2 people's questions. Is there anything in particular you'd like to know about my experience? I'm here to help!
 
Alisa emailed me back and said I'm good to go in terms of my application but it's still in their "processing queue" for GPA calculation, etc. before going to review. I'm glad I emailed so I don't have to fret over whether or not I'm missing something.

Thank you @LTovs3 for the information and congratulations again regarding your acceptance.
 
kelminak said:
Alisa emailed me back and said I'm good to go in terms of my application but it's still in their "processing queue" for GPA calculation, etc. before going to review. I'm glad I emailed so I don't have to fret over whether or not I'm missing something.

Thank you @LTovs3 for the information and congratulations again regarding your acceptance.
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That's good to hear. So I guess they weed out the people with <2.9 gpa first.
 
LTovs3 said:
Hi @DexterMorganSK 🙂
Thank you! Our daily schedule is basically 8:00am-12:00pm Monday through Friday. I go to class in the morning, come home and relax for a bit (eat, watch Netflix, go to gym, etc.), then spend the late afternoon and evening studying. We have exams every Monday, and sometimes Fridays too. The weekends are basically for studying and then Monday night we go out downtown and enjoy our "weekend." Lol.
There's plenty of time to study outside of class, and the GPA benchmark is definitely doable to get and maintain. We started the year with 98 people, a few dropped before the 1st semester finished. We were told that 51 of us got the acceptance in December. Those who didn't make the December benchmarks still have another chance in either March (if they have the GPA, but not the MCAT) or in May (if they have the MCAT, but not the GPA).
The professors are almost all amazing (you'll always have one you don't like no matter where you go, LOL). They are the same exact faculty that the medical students get. They are ready and available to answer any questions a student may have.
Yeah, the downside of the program is that it only accepts private loans (no federal). That being said, they require you to take out enough money to cover both tuition and living expenses for the entire year. They really don't want you to be distracted by a job so they make sure you don't have to worry about money.
Yes, you can use a Mac for exams. I only know of 1 or 2 people who had problems taking the exam on their Macs. The school highly recommends getting a cheap Windows computer to take the exams on.

Hello @kelminak
My stats upon getting accepted into the program were 3.5 cGPA, and I hadn't taken the MCAT yet so I applied without one. I am Wisconsin born and raised, but I did my undergrad here in Virginia. I am accepted into the Carolinas campus. They had us rank the 3 campuses by order of preference on the secondary app and that was what I put as my #1 choice, so it wasn't a surprise for me. As for any major things to know... hmmm. I'd just tell you that the program is pretty challenging, but it is EXTREMELY rewarding to see all your hard work pay off and your dreams come true!!! 😉 The guaranteed acceptance is a wonderful thing.

Hey @DoctorCrush 🙂 See above for answers to these 2 people's questions. Is there anything in particular you'd like to know about my experience? I'm here to help!
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Thank you so much for sharing! And congratulations on your acceptance!

I've also applied before taking my MCAT. When did you take your MCAT? Also, I know the website says that you're safe if you have a 494 (with a 3.6). But is that really the case?
 
mccortisol said:
Thank you so much for sharing! And congratulations on your acceptance!

I've also applied before taking my MCAT. When did you take your MCAT? Also, I know the website says that you're safe if you have a 494 (with a 3.6). But is that really the case?
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Thanks @LTovs3 !!!

I'm curious about the benchmark too! and what exactly do they mean "positive" review from faculty?
 
DoctorCrush said:
Thanks @LTovs3 !!!

I'm curious about the benchmark too! and what exactly do they mean "positive" review from faculty?
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I think I read in another thread that you're pretty much guaranteed to get one if you're not an dingus (which someone didn't get), but hopefully she can clarify!
 
My stats are: 3.45 cGPA, 3.2 sGPA, and 497 MCAT. I actually interviewed at Spartanburg and was rejected post interview so I had all of my information forwarded from AACOMAS. I think I was complete end of December/early January
 
mccortisol said:
Thank you so much for sharing! And congratulations on your acceptance!

I've also applied before taking my MCAT. When did you take your MCAT? Also, I know the website says that you're safe if you have a 494 (with a 3.6). But is that really the case?
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I took my MCAT on July 22, 2016... 3 days before class started haha. Definitely try to get that thing taken care of before you start classes because studying for the MCAT and doing the program is a lot of extra work.

DexterMorganSK said:
@LTovs3

Thank you for your time.

Can you please talk a bit about the area. Do we need a car? Do you guys cook or buy food mostly? Is the gym on campus? How is the rent and other utilities? Thanks!
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Blacksburg is basically a college town with Virginia Tech here (lots of school pride). The closest "city" would be Roanoke and that's about 45 minutes away.
There are apartments directly across the street from school, so you technically could get away without a car if you lived there and took the public bus system places. I try to cook at home as much as I can (cheaper), but when I have a bunch of exams then I tend to get lazy and eat out more. (Is that what you were asking?) VCOM is on the outskirts of the VT campus, so it's maybe like 1-1.5 miles to the school's gym. Campus gym membership is free with VCOM student ID. If you are coming from a city, the rent is good. You can private message me if you'd like to know numbers.

DoctorCrush said:
Thanks @LTovs3 !!!

I'm curious about the benchmark too! and what exactly do they mean "positive" review from faculty?
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kelminak said:
I think I read in another thread that you're pretty much guaranteed to get one if you're not an dingus (which someone didn't get), but hopefully she can clarify!
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Almost everyone gets the positive review. I'm sure you would be fine! The negative faculty review is seemingly rare, and only for those with significant personality flaws. You can private message me for further details if you'd like.
 
Thanks @LTovs3 !!

I think what I was trying to get at is whether or not it really is guarantee acceptance based on those bench mark listed. Thanks for answering that 🙂

Man, I really want to put an app in now but I feel like it's so late in the game 🙁
 
Hi guys, I just received my acceptance today!

ACCOMAS GPA (with grade forgiveness): 3.1/3.07 c/s
AMCAS GPA: 2.9/2.84 c/s
MCAT: 502
California Resident
Currently enrolled at a formal Post-Bacc program in CA with a very strong upward trend
My application to VCOM's Post-Bacc included 6 grade replacements when it was processed, with a C- minus in Organic Chemistry 3 (1 of 3;quarter system) that I will be retaking spring quarter at my current post-bacc

This is my second attempt at applying to this program, and all of my application materials from the previous year were transferred over around the same time the application opened up.

If anyone has any questions, feel free to message me. Have hope guys, good luck, and stay persistent!
 
makeamericasafeagain said:
Finally received the acceptance email a few minutes back 🙂 look forward to seeing new classmates come Fall 2017 yeah! Cheers.
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Nice congrats! Could you give us your stats and when you applied?

Rubadux said:
Hi guys, I just received my acceptance today!

ACCOMAS GPA (with grade forgiveness): 3.1/3.07 c/s
AMCAS GPA: 2.9/2.84 c/s
MCAT: 502
California Resident
Currently enrolled at a formal Post-Bacc program in CA with a very strong upward trend
My application to VCOM's Post-Bacc included 6 grade replacements when it was processed, with a C- minus in Organic Chemistry 3 (1 of 3;quarter system) that I will be retaking spring quarter at my current post-bacc

This is my second attempt at applying to this program, and all of my application materials from the previous year were transferred over around the same time the application opened up.

If anyone has any questions, feel free to message me. Have hope guys, good luck, and stay persistent!
Click to expand...

Congrats and thanks for the details! When did you submit your application for this program?
 
AquaRegia241 said:
Hey I saw you haven't had a reply yet so I figured I would chime in. I am also in the program and was also offered a seat in next year's DO class. As for why I chose the VCOM post-bacc, I was actually rejected by them pre-II and in their rejection email they talked about this program so I figured I might as well apply as it was my second application cycle with no acceptances. I emailed the administration and they easily transferred my DO application over and I was accepted about a month later (in May). I was on a waitlist for another DO program but never got the call so I started here in the fall. My stats were 3.4/3.2 c/sGPA and 30 MCAT.

As for the classes, in the first semester we had anatomy, biochem, physio, neuroscience, health policy, and nutrition. All courses are taught by faculty members that teach the OMS-I and IIs and they stressed to us that they use the same lecture slides and pull exam questions from the same question banks. All the courses except one (nutrition) I felt were great classes taught by wonderful faculty that made their expectations very clear for what you need to know. They were all also very available for office hours or email. Also in this program you are in class from 8-12 with "mandatory" attendance. I put mandatory in quotes in that they don't take attendance (as far as I know) but I wouldn't be surprised if some faculty noticed if someone wasn't showing up to class on a regular basis. You do not take classes with medical students. In fact, you are in a building across the street from the actual medical school. The classroom is pretty nice so I don't mind it at all. In fact, I've probably stepped inside the main medical school building <5 times.

Blacksburg is a really cool town. It is a college town with lots to offer in terms of things to do whether it be hiking, sports, nightlife, etc. Plus your tuition fee includes the ability to use all of Virginia Tech's facilities. I will say the surrounding area is more rural than I expected and the local shopping mall leaves a bit to be desired, but I was too busy in the books to really care. If i remember correctly, 51 out of 98 received acceptance letters for the December review.

As for what I don't like about the program, I honestly have to nitpick to find something I don't like. I applied to maybe 30-35 med schools across two cycles and never was able to secure an acceptance until this program took a chance on me so I am eternally thankful. I guess I'm not a fan of how often you take tests in this program. Literally you have a test every Monday and sometimes Friday too. This can be a good thing in that you can bomb an exam and be totally fine, but maintaining that level of endurance to prepare for so many exams throughout the semester can be really tough mentally. Also not the biggest fan on the business casual dress code and mandatory attendance and the fact the program does not do any sort of lecture capture. However those are once again pretty nitpicky since all VCOM campuses have the same policies, including with the weekly testing (if i remember correctly)

Feel free to ask any more questions on here or PM me. Best of luck!
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I think its a little odd with a 3.4 and 3.2 science and 30 mcat and 2 cycles you didnt get ANY acceptances
Maybe the rest of your application was weak or you applied late??
I'm really interested in this program; I hope I have a chance
 
Rubadux said:
Hi guys, I just received my acceptance today!

ACCOMAS GPA (with grade forgiveness): 3.1/3.07 c/s
AMCAS GPA: 2.9/2.84 c/s
MCAT: 502
California Resident
Currently enrolled at a formal Post-Bacc program in CA with a very strong upward trend
My application to VCOM's Post-Bacc included 6 grade replacements when it was processed, with a C- minus in Organic Chemistry 3 (1 of 3;quarter system) that I will be retaking spring quarter at my current post-bacc

This is my second attempt at applying to this program, and all of my application materials from the previous year were transferred over around the same time the application opened up.

If anyone has any questions, feel free to message me. Have hope guys, good luck, and stay persistent!
Click to expand...


why did you have to apply twice??? Is that usual?? did you withdraw or get rejected
 
JJUST SO you guys know im soo stressed out about this application and everything im doing
 
mccortisol said:
I got accepted to G2 and the program looks really good but VCOM would be a direct route to med school with a good enough gpa. G2 is also close to home so I would save money. I can't seem to decide, especially since I haven't taken the MCAT yet.

What do you think about G2 vs. VCOM?
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ah!!! I am in the same boat but I am deciding between Hopkins HSI vs VCOM! I can't decide and I feel like I change my mind everyday!
 
nanie91 said:
why did you have to apply twice??? Is that usual?? did you withdraw or get rejected
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I applied too close to the deadline the first time around, and all the seats had been filled before they had a chance to review my file. Definitely try to get your application in as early as possible!
 
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Thinking about applying... science GPA prob pretty close to 2.9, guess does not hurt to try but cGPA 3.2. So should I apply now and then let them know I am taking MCAT end of this month?
 
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