2020-2021 Virginia Commonwealth

Med School Insiders
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SouthernGeorgiaPines said:
Anyone else having a 404 error message when they try to open the portal?
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I'm getting this message when I try to pay. Hope my card hasn't been zapped 5 times lol. I'm also experiencing the trouble someone earlier wrote about nothing happening when I hit submit; the dialogue box comes up but then it just looks like it refreshes the page, and I'm still able to edit the secondary. Hope I get a confirmation of submission soon, otherwise I'll try to resubmit and repay in a day or so and hope the issues are resolved.

Also is everyone submitting professional headshots? I don't have one at the moment, so I just did a clean headshot of me against a wall, but should I throw on a suit and have a friend take my picture? Can they judge us for something like that? Ik Emory specifies a professional headshot, so I'll be getting one in a suit I can use for them anyway, but didn't know if it mattered for VCU. TIA
 
probablyrejected2020 said:
I'm getting this message when I try to pay. Hope my card hasn't been zapped 5 times lol. I'm also experiencing the trouble someone earlier wrote about nothing happening when I hit submit; the dialogue box comes up but then it just looks like it refreshes the page, and I'm still able to edit the secondary. Hope I get a confirmation of submission soon, otherwise I'll try to resubmit and repay in a day or so and hope the issues are resolved.

Also is everyone submitting professional headshots? I don't have one at the moment, so I just did a clean headshot of me against a wall, but should I throw on a suit and have a friend take my picture? Can they judge us for something like that? Ik Emory specifies a professional headshot, so I'll be getting one in a suit I can use for them anyway, but didn't know if it mattered for VCU. TIA
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For the picture, I would say the more professional you can look, the better! I don't think they can judge you for the quality of your picture, but better safe than sorry, right? I'd throw that suit on!
 
I'm also still having a server error. Has anyone heard from the school about it?
 
I’m an incoming M1 at this school. Feel free to ask my any questions about the interview process in PM!
 
probablyrejected2020 said:
I'm getting this message when I try to pay. Hope my card hasn't been zapped 5 times lol. I'm also experiencing the trouble someone earlier wrote about nothing happening when I hit submit; the dialogue box comes up but then it just looks like it refreshes the page, and I'm still able to edit the secondary. Hope I get a confirmation of submission soon, otherwise I'll try to resubmit and repay in a day or so and hope the issues are resolved.


I have the same issue, tried it with two different credit cards too
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I think the server error is on our end. I was getting it every time I tried to open the VCU portal in chrome but then I pasted the link into Safari and it worked just fine. It probably has something to do with the saved cookies or web history that I have in chrome if I had to guess.
 
Ok Check your card statements right now!! I got a submission complete email at 9:37 this morning, but then when I went to my credit card statement in the app, it shows an $80 charge to VCU TWICE. I don’t know how their system allows this, but I think every time you enter your info and hit submit it puts it onto your card, even if it directs you to a 404 error page. I’m going to email them and try to get them to refund the card. I just opened this credit card and am at $1.5k spent/$4k needed to get an opening bonus. If this screws with that I’m going to be PISSED.

edit: submitted a "help" request explaining the situation through their application
 
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Does anyone have any general contact info for the admissions office? I've looked for a phone number and email and couldn't find one. My application shows it was submitted, but I was submitting it when the page was having problems (And its still having problems lol). Just want to make sure that it went through. Also I will ask about when this 404 message thing will be fixed
 
jakeyb93 said:
Does anyone have any general contact info for the admissions office? I've looked for a phone number and email and couldn't find one. My application shows it was submitted, but I was submitting it when the page was having problems (And its still having problems lol). Just want to make sure that it went through. Also I will ask about when this 404 message thing will be fixed
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You can find their emails and phone number on this website (https://medschool.vcu.edu/admissions/md/; scroll down to MD Admissions Contact and the phone number is listed to the right-hand side). You typically get an email within 24-48 hours after you submit to verify your application submission.

For everyone having 404 issues, try using a new browser and/or also clearing your cache/cookies, then try again. If that still doesn't work, I'd reach out to let the office know, but I think that the new browser/clearing cookies helps.
 
jakeyb93 said:
Does anyone have any general contact info for the admissions office? I've looked for a phone number and email and couldn't find one. My application shows it was submitted, but I was submitting it when the page was having problems (And its still having problems lol). Just want to make sure that it went through. Also I will ask about when this 404 message thing will be fixed
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Did you get through to them? I submitted a Help inquiry but haven't received a response. I was gonna try and call them next.
 
two of the secondaries asked : 1) please explain gaps in undergraduate education and 2) please explain low grades and low GPA.

Aren’t these two questions asking the same thing?
 
hotairballoon said:
two of the secondaries asked : 1) please explain gaps in undergraduate education and 2) please explain low grades and low GPA.

Aren’t these two questions asking the same thing?
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Nah, the first is asking if there was a gap of time in your undergraduate education (like between any of the four years), while the second is asking about any grade anomalies (like multiple C's, a failing grade, or a W)
 
jakeyb93 said:
Does anyone have any general contact info for the admissions office? I've looked for a phone number and email and couldn't find one. My application shows it was submitted, but I was submitting it when the page was having problems (And its still having problems lol). Just want to make sure that it went through. Also I will ask about when this 404 message thing will be fixed
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I suggest email Dr. Whitehurst-Cook. She is Senior Associate Dean of Admissions and she is very quick in responding. (Usually 12-24 hours max)
 
I am an incoming M1. Please feel free to PM me if you have any questions regarding the application process. Happy to answer any questions and help in any way I can!
 
Today, I got rejected post secondary but before II. My stats don't match up with their school whatsoever. I think I only got a secondary bc I'm a VA res. for VCU metrics are uber important, they don't really do the "holistic approach" they claim to do.

I refuse to believe they went through my entire application in less than 24 hours. They saw my stats and told me to peace out :laugh:
 
I am getting an "invalid login credentials" error when attempting to log in this morning. I was already able to log in successfully after the 2020 vs 2021 issue was resolved a few days ago. I tried using a few different browsers too.

I am actually pretty fed up with how buggy this school's application portal is. Not exactly inspiring confidence in them as an institution.

Will contact admissions today.
 
Rusino said:
I am getting an "invalid login credentials" error when attempting to log in this morning. I was already able to log in successfully after the 2020 vs 2021 issue was resolved a few days ago. I tried using a few different browsers too.

I am actually pretty fed up with how buggy this school's application portal is. Not exactly inspiring confidence in them as an institution.

Will contact admissions today.
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I was experiencing the same issue until I realized that only the first 10 characters of the PIN I thought I set were used for my login PIN. The PIN has a cap on the number of characters
 
melaninDOC_MD said:
Today, I got rejected post secondary but before II. My stats don't match up with their school whatsoever. I think I only got a secondary bc I'm a VA res. for VCU metrics are uber important, they don't really do the "holistic approach" they claim to do.

I refuse to believe they went through my entire application in less than 24 hours. They saw my stats and told me to peace out :laugh:
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a few people put a sad face on my post. Rejection is part of the process, VCU wasn't by any means top of my list. I applied simply because I lived instate. I made my original post basically to say "they are actively reviewing apps (relatively quickly) so keep an eye open for emails from them". I wasn't at all trying to be a debbie downer!

Good luck guys! Remember it only take ONE school 🙂
 
melaninDOC_MD said:
a few people put a sad face on my post. Rejection is part of the process, VCU wasn't by any means top of my list. I applied simply because I lived instate. I made my original post basically to say "they are actively reviewing apps (relatively quickly) so keep an eye open for emails from them". I wasn't at all trying to be a debbie downer!

Good luck guys! Remember it only take ONE school 🙂
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Question - did you pay for your secondary? I just got a response back from the "help" message I submitted. She told me my application was complete but that she didn't see a payment on my application (even though on my Chase app it literally has posted the 2 $80 charges on my card lol).

Was just wondering whether you had paid the fee and whether you were also directed to a 404 error page after doing so. Thanks, and you're right - VCU is just one school, and frankly not an impressive one given how problematic their secondary is--you got this!!
 
probablyrejected2020 said:
Question - did you pay for your secondary? I just got a response back from the "help" message I submitted. She told me my application was complete but that she didn't see a payment on my application (even though on my Chase app it literally has posted the 2 $80 charges on my card lol).

Was just wondering whether you had paid the fee and whether you were also directed to a 404 error page after doing so. Thanks, and you're right - VCU is just one school, and frankly not an impressive one given how problematic their secondary is--you got this!!
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I have FAP so it was marked as paid when I first opened the portal. However, I do agree their secondary situation is a **** show. If you paid today then likely it'll "update" overnight.
 
has anyone heard back from the school about what's causing the 404 error??
 
melaninDOC_MD said:
a few people put a sad face on my post. Rejection is part of the process, VCU wasn't by any means top of my list. I applied simply because I lived instate. I made my original post basically to say "they are actively reviewing apps (relatively quickly) so keep an eye open for emails from them". I wasn't at all trying to be a debbie downer!

Good luck guys! Remember it only take ONE school 🙂
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I love your optimism! Can't wait to see where you end up 🙂
 
Was seriously just about to log on and submit my application when I saw their recent email: "It has come to our attention that there is a technical issue with the supplemental application. IT is working to problem solve the issue. Please wait until Monday, July 20 to submit your supplemental application or pay fees."

Anyone else super frustrated with the amount of issues they've already had?
 
tuams26 said:
Was seriously just about to log on and submit my application when I saw their recent email: "It has come to our attention that there is a technical issue with the supplemental application. IT is working to problem solve the issue. Please wait until Monday, July 20 to submit your supplemental application or pay fees."

Anyone else super frustrated with the amount of issues they've already had?
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It's frustrating, but in the end it is what it is. The good news is you've finished writing, so you just have to log on and submit on July 20th!
 
Was able to submit but saw that if any of the questions on the supplemental are left blank, our application won't be considered. I left the grade trend question blank, will my application be disqualified? Also, I submitted mine before I they sent out the email saying to submit it after 7/20. Don't have a good feeling about this one already
 
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premed4lyfeeee said:
saw that if any of the questions on the supplemental are left blank, our application won't be considered.
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Where did you see this?

premed4lyfeeee said:
Also, I submitted mine before I they sent out the email saying to submit it after 7/20. Don't have a good feeling about this one already
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I also submitted before that email. Truthfully I didnt and still dont have any of the 404 error messages that everyone else seems to be experiencing. Don't think it'll be an issue
 
GameOfZones said:
Where did you see this?



I also submitted before that email. Truthfully I didnt and still dont have any of the 404 error messages that everyone else seems to be experiencing. Don't think it'll be an issue
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Did you pay with a credit card? And it seemed fine?
 
Okay maybe a dumb question - regarding these prompts:
-Please briefly explain any lapses in your undergraduate education that are not explained in your application.
-Please briefly explain any low GPAs or poor grades.
-If not addressed in your application, what are you currently doing now?

Would I put my gap year explanation in the third question's box? And then, a withdrawal explanation in one or two?
 
luluwild said:
-Please briefly explain any lapses in your undergraduate education that are not explained in your application.
-Please briefly explain any low GPAs or poor grades.
-If not addressed in your application, what are you currently doing now?

Would I put my gap year explanation in the third question's box? And then, a withdrawal explanation in one or two?
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I already submitted and don't remember these having three separate boxes??
 
huntbrotherspizza said:
I already submitted and don't remember these having three separate boxes??
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In "step 5" this is what I see... Anyone else seeing this?
1595017921144.png
 
Weird. I'm pretty sure mine was one box with all of those questions combined, but I'm not entirely sure. Do any early secondary submitters feel this way also?
 
huntbrotherspizza said:
Weird. I'm pretty sure mine was one box with all of those questions combined, but I'm not entirely sure. Do any early secondary submitters feel this way also?
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Mine was definitely one box when I got it on Monday, but had changed to this by Wednesday.
 
Looks like the portal is up and running. Would submitting today be okay even though the email from last week said we should avoid submitting until Monday?
 
wizkidva said:
Looks like the portal is up and running. Would submitting today be okay even though the email from last week said we should avoid submitting until Monday?
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I didn't even get an email telling us to submit it on 7/20. I received a secondary invite from them though. What's going on???
 
kyuwitaco said:
I didn't even get an email telling us to submit it on 7/20. I received a secondary invite from them though. What's going on???
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I believe the email was sent Thursday but we were told to refrain from submitting until July 20 (July 20 is not the hard deadline). Sorry for the confusion!
 
I submitted mine on 7/13... Do you think there is a need to reach out and see if there are any errors with my application?
 
annperkins said:
I submitted mine on 7/13... Do you think there is a need to reach out and see if there are any errors with my application?
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If you submitted it that early and received a confirmation email, I think you should be fine! I believe the email sent out by VCU was in reference to server issues and multiple payment transactions, which occurred few days prior to Thursday.
 
Just received complete email, submitted 7/15
 
premed4lyfeeee said:
Was able to submit but saw that if any of the questions on the supplemental are left blank, our application won't be considered. I left the grade trend question blank, will my application be disqualified? Also, I submitted mine before I they sent out the email saying to submit it after 7/20. Don't have a good feeling about this one already
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Im so confused by this because its in a completely different document and the boxes in the app werent marked as required?? But I also didnt fill out the first two because they werent applicable to me so...... :/
 
Just got an R about ten minutes ago... my top choice school too....

Best of luck to the rest of you guys!
 
So my VCU portal now says: "Your File Review is now complete. If you are granted an interview, you will receive a status update on your applicant portal." Does this mean they read through my application and decided not to extend an interview? or has no one received interview invites yet?
 
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