How is VCU?

[THX]

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I have an interview coming up at VCU and I'm trying to build an impression of the school before I get there. I was wondering if current students/interviewees could offer some insight on what they have liked about the school?

I'm getting a bit of a underserved, clinically focused school with a very diverse class vibe. Is this correct?

Also the fact that patch adams worked at VCU is pretty cool!

 

[chad5871]

I have an interview coming up at VCU and I'm trying to build an impression of the school before I get there. I was wondering if current students/interviewees could offer some insight on what they have liked about the school?

I'm getting a bit of a underserved, clinically focused school with a very diverse class vibe. Is this correct?

Also the fact that patch adams worked at VCU is pretty cool!

Yes, VCU is huge on clinical experience and working with the underserved in Richmond. They are also pretty big on research (despite not being ranked by USNews) and interprofessionalism. The campus is relatively large for a medical campus since there is a school of nursing, public health, dentistry, pharmacy, allied health professions, etc. on the MCV campus. The hospital is huge (I think it's now the 8th largest since the new Critical Care hospital opened). The class is usually incredibly diverse, with about 60% Virginia residents and 40% out-of-state and students from all backgrounds (a good mix of traditional and non-traditional students). Their schedule is pretty nice as well - mostly from 8-12. They have a huge emphasis on Step I prep also - one of the professors will meet with every student and develop a personalized study plan with them.

It's a great school with a lot of opportunity, and Richmond's not half-bad either!

 

[funkydrmonkey]

I have an interview coming up at VCU and I'm trying to build an impression of the school before I get there. I was wondering if current students/interviewees could offer some insight on what they have liked about the school?

I'm getting a bit of a underserved, clinically focused school with a very diverse class vibe. Is this correct?

Also the fact that patch adams worked at VCU is pretty cool!

Cool, Patch Adams went to MCV!

 

[Gut Shot]

Very much an urban, underserved, clinically oriented school. There are many interesting aspects to the school's history, perhaps most notably it's Department of Surgery.

The preclinical years are pretty traditional: mostly lecture with some small groups sprinkled on. The courses are syllabus-driven, so there is minimal need to buy textbooks. Learn the syllabus, pass the test.

You get clinical exposure and practical training in the Foundations of Clinical Medicine (FCM) course, which runs M1 and M2. It alternates between small groups (learning physical exam, etc.) and spending time with preceptors (internists, family practice, peds) who practice in the area. You'll feel good when M3 comes and you can do a history and physical on day one.

The clinical years are very hands on, which is a huge plus. VCU hospitals dish out 98% of the state's indigent care, a population that has awesome pathology and is generally amenable to being... educational. They've also been building like crazy over the past few years: new cancer center, new critical care hospital, etc.

In summary, VCU is rock solid.

 

[chad5871]

^ 👍👍 Great post!