Confused about my status with VCU/MCV

[pbehzad]

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Can someone explain if I passed the screen for VCU cause they are waiting on my MCATs but want me to fill out the supplemental? Im retaking the august test but I'm thinking even with my crappy scores I got through the screen stage. Did anyone else that is taking the mcat get the similar decision? This is whats on my status page for VCU:

The initial review of your file has resulted in the committee's decision to wait for your MCATs before making a final decision on interview. If you do not or did not retake MCATs, please notify us immediately.

You are still authorized to complete the supplemental application. Be certain to review the directions carefully and complete the supplemental fully. You have 30 days from the date of this notice to complete your file. A complete file consists of your supplemental application (see the instructions for details) your letters of recommendation, and payment of the supplemental fee.

After receipt of your MCAT score and completion of your file, the committee will make a decision regarding the interview.

 

[pbehzad]

bump

so could someone tell me if i passed the screen stage?

 

[VPDcurt]

It sounds like you passed the initial screen. How bad were your MCAT scores and when did you finish your AMCAS?

 

[pbehzad]

9P, 7V, 10B. 🙄
I was processed on 7/8 and VCU received AMCAS on 7/22.

 

[VPDcurt]

OK good I was just curious because I applied to VCU but haven't heard from them yet. My AMCAS was just processed a few days ago though. I also did a Post-Bacc year last year with them and I am going back in 2 weeks to finish up my Master's Degree. If I don't get their secondary I am going to be furious.

 

[TarHokie_08]

bump

so could someone tell me if i passed the screen stage?

It also sounds to me like you passed the screen stage. If I remeber correctly, VCU has certain dates on which they notify applicants of their progress. I had an odd experience with them. They eventually let me know that the committee had reviewed my app and wanted to interview me. That they would be in contact with me to schedule an interview. But, due to the large number of applicants not everyone the committee wants to interview can be interviewed. I received this notice AFTER the last date of interviews had passed. Softest rejection I got. I'd almost rather have a good ol' fashioned "you didn't stack up" rejection. 👍

 

[LUBDUBB]

bump

so could someone tell me if i passed the screen stage?

you should call the admissions office or better yet email them.

 

[uclabruin2003]

i got a letter from VCU about a week ago, telling me they would alert me of my status. yesterday they emailed me to fill out a supplemental form....just FYI...so i would say that VCU does screen before they hand out secondaries. so i guess ...others on this board passed their initial screening

 

[captbadass]

VCU does screen before sending out secondaries. I just checked up on my status today and noticed that I am invited to fill one out--no email notification, though. Maybe it will come soon. The secondary looked quick and easy. . .just how I like them. Anyways, the lesson is to constantly check up on your status at their website. By the way, Im an out of state applicant 3.9/32. good luck to everyone.


CAPT

 

[CaMD]

VCU does screen before sending out secondaries. I just checked up on my status today and noticed that I am invited to fill one out--no email notification, though. Maybe it will come soon. The secondary looked quick and easy. . .just how I like them. Anyways, the lesson is to constantly check up on your status at their website. By the way, Im an out of state applicant 3.9/32. good luck to everyone.

CAPT

Hey,
Thanks for much for that info. I just checked and I'm approved for a secondary but I also didn't get any kind of notification. 🙂

There's a really weird question on the secondary though.

INOVA Hospital Rotation
The School of Medicine has a geographically separate campus at the
Inova Fairfax Hospital. Beginning in 2005, 24 students will do all of
their third year clinical rotations at this busy Northern Virginia
Hospital. In order to best judge the number of interested students we
request that you indicate agreement next to the single best answer for
you:

I am interested and willing to commit to my 3rd and 4th year only at
Fairfax.
I am interested and willing to spend my 3rd and 4th year at either
Fairfax or MCV Hospitals.
I am interested and willing to commit to my 3rd and 4th year only at
MCV Hospitals.

If more than 24 students indicate choice #1, a lottery will be held to
select only 24 students at the end of your 2nd year in medical school.
If fewer than 24 students indicate choice #1 or #2, a lottery will be
held among the other students at the end of your 2nd year in medical
school to assign students to Fairfax. Once you check off your choice
you are committed to that choice and will be assigned as space allows.


Does anyone have any info on these 2 options? I don't want to commit when I dont' know what I'm getting into!

 

[sg4runner]

Well, I just checked and I'm rejected from VCU/MCV presecondary 🙁. I'm okay with it I guess, but I'm just a little puzzled- that's the best word I can find to describe it. I'm a ca resident and I don't have a great gpa, but I thought my MCAT and the rest of my app was pretty good (I've gotten secondaries from other screening schools that seem harder to get into), but oh well 😕 I guess that's how this process goes.
Just thought I'd let you know 😳

 

[Code Brown]

Hey,
Thanks for much for that info. I just checked and I'm approved for a secondary but I also didn't get any kind of notification. 🙂

There's a really weird question on the secondary though.

INOVA Hospital Rotation
The School of Medicine has a geographically separate campus at the
Inova Fairfax Hospital. Beginning in 2005, 24 students will do all of
their third year clinical rotations at this busy Northern Virginia
Hospital. In order to best judge the number of interested students we
request that you indicate agreement next to the single best answer for
you:

I am interested and willing to commit to my 3rd and 4th year only at
Fairfax.
I am interested and willing to spend my 3rd and 4th year at either
Fairfax or MCV Hospitals.
I am interested and willing to commit to my 3rd and 4th year only at
MCV Hospitals.

If more than 24 students indicate choice #1, a lottery will be held to
select only 24 students at the end of your 2nd year in medical school.
If fewer than 24 students indicate choice #1 or #2, a lottery will be
held among the other students at the end of your 2nd year in medical
school to assign students to Fairfax. Once you check off your choice
you are committed to that choice and will be assigned as space allows.


Does anyone have any info on these 2 options? I don't want to commit when I dont' know what I'm getting into!

MCW is in Richmond and Fairfax is in Washington, DC (well, the suburbs). Speaking of the secondary, it took me half an hour to learn how to hand-write again, as I never do it. Maybe they'll see my chicken scratch and decide I have what it takes to be a good doctor 🙂

 

[CaMD]

MCW is in Richmond and Fairfax is in Washington, DC (well, the suburbs). Speaking of the secondary, it took me half an hour to learn how to hand-write again, as I never do it. Maybe they'll see my chicken scratch and decide I have what it takes to be a good doctor 🙂

Does one better reputation than the other, or is either known for any particular specialties?

I can see the benefit in staying in Richmond instead of having to move again. On the other hand, living closer to DC would be nice.

 

[captbadass]

MCW is in Richmond and Fairfax is in Washington, DC (well, the suburbs). Speaking of the secondary, it took me half an hour to learn how to hand-write again, as I never do it. Maybe they'll see my chicken scratch and decide I have what it takes to be a good doctor 🙂

My handwriting is a mess, too. Maybe they have a handwriting analysis expert on the committee. Wouldnt that be fun? I saw one on Montell Williams one time SO it must be legititimate. Well, I have a question about fairfax. Is it much more expensive to live in the fairfax area compared to Richmond? AND. . .does anybody know of any positive reasons to volunteer for clinicals in Fairfax? Im tempted to put that I will do clinicals at either one because perhaps it will increase my chances. BUT I dont know, so if anybody knows more about fairfax, please share. THANKS

CAPT

 

[jp2004]

Well, I just checked and I'm rejected from VCU/MCV presecondary 🙁. I'm okay with it I guess, but I'm just a little puzzled- that's the best word I can find to describe it. I'm a ca resident and I don't have a great gpa, but I thought my MCAT and the rest of my app was pretty good (I've gotten secondaries from other screening schools that seem harder to get into), but oh well 😕 I guess that's how this process goes.
Just thought I'd let you know 😳

hi, i was unable to log in to the application status, it gave me a message that my amcas id is not found...is that how you found out you were rejected. my amcas was processed on 7/30
and im sorry to hear the rejectetion news

 

[Boner]

jp, they just haven't received your primary app yet. you'll definitely be able to log in at some point and at least find out when they received your app, so no worries

 

[Amy B]

Well, I have a question about fairfax. Is it much more expensive to live in the fairfax area compared to Richmond?

Having lived in the Richmond area from 1995 till 2003 and then having moved to Manassas which is very near Fairfax, I can tell you that Fairfax is much more expensive. And the traffic is AWFUL in the D.C area!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! My husband worked in Fairafax and it would take him an hour on I-66 to go 12 miles.

Our home in Northern VA was DOUBLE the cost of our home in Richmond. The good thing is real estate appreciates very quickly up there. We only had our house 1 year and was able to sell it for enough to cover the agent's fee and have enough as a nice profit to pocket. But traffic is bad.

Oh, and did I mention traffic was bad!!!!

And if you want to go out for dinner, plan on an hour wait during dinner time. ANd then there is the traffic. 😱 The minute we moved up to Northern VA we knew it was a mistake.

If you like traffic and long rush hour commutes and lots and lots of people than choose Fairfax, otherwise Richmond is a good choice.

If you go to http://oldpremeds.org or the forums at http://www.oldpremeds.org/ubbthreads/index.php and look up the user named Mary Renard, you could ask her about her opinion. She has actually just started her residency at Fairfax Family Practice Center and Inova Fairfax Hospital; Fairfax, Virginia. She may be able to tell you a bit about what she has learned so far. Maybe some of the info would be important to the rotations MCV is offering there.

 

[Csv321]

How do you check your application status? I went to the website and couldn't find a link...

 

[Csv321]

Never mind..I knew as soon as I asked, I would find it...

 

[jp2004]

jp, they just haven't received your primary app yet. you'll definitely be able to log in at some point and at least find out when they received your app, so no worries

thanks for the info!!! 🙂