If I got a secondary, can I expect an interview?

[believe <3]

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Does receiving a secondary from a school that pre-screens mean that you are well on your way to an interview invite? I just got a VCU secondary, so can I be assured that they like me and will most probably extend an interview? Or does VCU send secondaries to a lot of applicants and is this really nothing special?

 

[Lannister]

This would be a good question to ask on the school specific thread for VCU. However, if you're just now getting a secondary, you are VERY behind.

 

[Lost in Translation]

Probably not? Emory pre-screens, I didn't get an II but I got a 2ndary. UCI pre-screens, same situation.

 

[ProspectiveKidd]

Probably not? Emory pre-screens, I didn't get an II but I got a 2ndary. UCI pre-screens, same situation.

really dumb q, but what's the difference between a II and a secondary? I thought II was just synonymous for secondaries

 

[Lannister]

really dumb q, but what's the difference between a II and a secondary? I thought II was just synonymous for secondaries

II=interview invite

 

[carpediem22]

really dumb q, but what's the difference between a II and a secondary? I thought II was just synonymous for secondaries

Lol it's not dumb, I was very confused for a long time too. #sdnnewbies

 

[WedgeDawg]

VCU has a rating system where they rate you 1-5 and that determines your likelihood of an interview. 1 is guaranteed, 2 is likely, 3 is unclear, 4 is unlikely, and 5 is reject. Check your portal for more information.

 

[piii]

No. VCU sends about 3000 secondaries, and interviews about 1000 students.

 

[believe <3]

VCU has a rating system where they rate you 1-5 and that determines your likelihood of an interview. 1 is guaranteed, 2 is likely, 3 is unclear, 4 is unlikely, and 5 is reject. Check your portal for more information.

Oh they will actually give me a number on my portal? And do they tell their applicants what the number means like you did?

 

[believe <3]

No. VCU sends about 3000 secondaries, and interviews about 1000 students.

Wait what? I thought VCU interviews waaay more than just 1000 students! This doesn't make sense? I think I'm misunderstanding what you're trying to say…

 

[WedgeDawg]

Oh they will actually give me a number on my portal? And do they tell their applicants what the number means like you did?

Well they give you like a paragraph and from that you can tell what of these you're ranked in. If you want, post it here and I can tell you, or you can check the VCU thread.

 

[Lannister]

Wait what? I thought VCU interviews waaay more than just 1000 students! This doesn't make sense? I think I'm misunderstanding what you're trying to say…

According to the MSAR, 7830 people applied, and 1024 were interviewed. The vast majority of applicants do not get an interview, at VCU and every other med school.

 

[Krupke]

Well they give you like a paragraph and from that you can tell what of these you're ranked in. If you want, post it here and I can tell you, or you can check the VCU thread.

You don't get that ranking until after submitting a secondary. OP just received the secondary, so it still needs to be submitted and reviewed.

@believe <3 I ~think~ mostly all of their interviews are already accounted for. If you are instate, definitely submit because at the interview they said that VCU interviews all qualified VA residents. If you are out-of-state, submit if you are really interested in VCU or if you don't have other options right now. I don't think anyone can give a good judgment of your chances, but it definitely is late in this process

 

[Ismet]

Wait what? I thought VCU interviews waaay more than just 1000 students! This doesn't make sense? I think I'm misunderstanding what you're trying to say…

Interviewing 1000 is actually quite a lot. Why interview 2000-3000 people when you only have ~200 spots? My school interviews about 800 for 150 spots. Costs lots of money and time to interview applicants, just like it costs applicants money to travel to interviews. Saves time and money all around if you are selective about who to interview.