Rejected pre-secondary from VCU...help needed.

[capo2290]

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I didn't hear back from VCU for a long time so I thought I was still under review but I maneuvered into the system and found out that I was rejected pre-secondary. I am very concerned and could use some help because I did not expect this at all. What gives?

Here is why I thought I would be guaranteed a secondary at least: in-state, c3.62/s3.57 GPA, 519 MCAT, extra-curriculars reviewed on WAMC and no glaring issues there. Submitted late July.

I have not heard back from any school (including my VA alma mater), save a Pitt rejection, and I was complete at those schools in mid-September.

The fact that I got this VCU rejection is making me think that there is some fatal flaw in my application that I am not seeing....beyond late application for those secondaries, because VCU got my primary in July which is not late.

Any insight? Is there some special reason that VCU rejects in-state students pre-secondary? I am already in a gap year and will not be meeting the Thanksgiving rule so this is bumming me out. 🙁

 

[PatchA]

VCU screens (heavily) for their secondaries. This might just be a good reminder that nothing is guaranteed in this process.

 

[Frogger27]

I didn't hear back from VCU for a long time so I thought I was still under review but I maneuvered into the system and found out that I was rejected pre-secondary. I am very concerned and could use some help because I did not expect this at all. What gives?

Here is why I thought I would be guaranteed a secondary at least: in-state, c3.62/s3.57 GPA, 519 MCAT, extra-curriculars reviewed on WAMC and no glaring issues there. Submitted late July.

I have not heard back from any school (including my VA alma mater), save a Pitt rejection, and I was complete at those schools in mid-September.

The fact that I got this VCU rejection is making me think that there is some fatal flaw in my application that I am not seeing....beyond late application for those secondaries, because VCU got my primary in July which is not late.

Any insight? Is there some special reason that VCU rejects in-state students pre-secondary? I am already in a gap year and will not be meeting the Thanksgiving rule so this is bumming me out. 🙁

I recommend having someone read through your AMCAS application and see what they think. That will factor out poor writing or something blatant you missed (assuming you have adequate hours for each of these). It could be LOR's if your application looks solid.

 

[capo2290]

VCU screens (heavily) for their secondaries. This might just be a good reminder that nothing is guaranteed in this process.

Haha. Trust me, sitting here with no IIs I get that reminder daily. My understanding is that VCU is more generous on the screen for in-state students, and I don't see the reason for VCU rejecting me pre-secondary. I guess I was looking to see if anyone had specific insight on this school. Otherwise, I have to extrapolate that there is a huge issue in my application. Until now, I had been thinking that the huge issue was late secondary submission, but this situation suggests otherwise.

I recommend having someone read through your AMCAS application and see what they think. That will factor out poor writing or something blatant you missed (assuming you have adequate hours for each of these). It could be LOR's if your application looks solid.

Yeah, I have an advisor meeting where I'll show them the completed application. I'm at a VA school so they'll likely know more about VCU's idiosyncrasies. You never know about LORs, though I used the same ones to get my current research job so who knows. 🙁

 

[partypantss]

Haha. Trust me, sitting here with no IIs I get that reminder daily. My understanding is that VCU is more generous on the screen for in-state students, and I don't see the reason for VCU rejecting me pre-secondary. I guess I was looking to see if anyone had specific insight on this school. Otherwise, I have to extrapolate that there is a huge issue in my application. Until now, I had been thinking that the huge issue was late secondary submission, but this situation suggests otherwise.



Yeah, I have an advisor meeting where I'll show them the completed application. I'm at a VA school so they'll likely know more about VCU's idiosyncrasies. You never know about LORs, though I used the same ones to get my current research job so who knows. 🙁

I would definitely enlist outside help to comb through your application. I received a secondary from VCU last cycle with a 29 MCAT and ~3.7gpa and then again this cycle with same gpa and 516 mcat and I'm OOS. You sure there aren't any holes in your ECs? How much volunteer experience do you have? Did you have (intelligent) people read over your write ups and PS? Just having the ECs isn't quite enough, you have to be able to write about them in a way that conveys how they were meaningful.

 

[capo2290]

I would definitely enlist outside help to comb through your application. I received a secondary from VCU last cycle with a 29 MCAT and ~3.7gpa and then again this cycle with same gpa and 516 mcat and I'm OOS. You sure there aren't any holes in your ECs? How much volunteer experience do you have? Did you have (intelligent) people read over your write ups and PS? Just having the ECs isn't quite enough, you have to be able to write about them in a way that conveys how they were meaningful.

200 hours of clinical volunteer experience, though about 50 of that was future hours. ~30 hours of community service. I had a ton of research, long involvement in residence life and student government, and then teaching and more research for my gap year. What were your volunteer hours like?

I had a trusted friend edit my PS but not my activities; we'll see what the advisor has to say about them. I am an English minor and I read these forums regularly, so I think I did at least a serviceable job on them. Would an average (not bad) PS or activities section really tank it to this point? Because I consider it a tank that my state school for which I more than meet the metrics did not even offer me a secondary.

 

[partypantss]

200 hours of clinical volunteer experience, though about 50 of that was future hours. ~30 hours of community service. I had a ton of research, long involvement in residence life and student government, and then teaching and more research for my gap year. What were your volunteer hours like?

I had a trusted friend edit my PS but not my activities; we'll see what the advisor has to say about them. I am an English minor and I read these forums regularly, so I think I did at least a serviceable job on them. Would an average (not bad) PS or activities section really tank it to this point? Because I consider it a tank that my state school for which I more than meet the metrics did not even offer me a secondary.

Yeah idk man, I think you should definitely have more than one outside, qualified person look over your entire app to see where you may have gone wrong. It could come down to an unintended tone that permeates throughout your application and PS, it could be something else. There has to be SOMETHING off for you to have such poor results with that mcat of yours.

I see your science gpa is only a 3.57.. did you happen to do poorly in some of the prerequisite classes? (bio 1/2, gen chem 1/2.) Were any of your mcat sections much lower than the rest?

 

[capo2290]

Yeah idk man, I think you should definitely have more than one outside, qualified person look over your entire app to see where you may have gone wrong. It could come down to an unintended tone that permeates throughout your application and PS, it could be something else. There has to be SOMETHING off for you to have such poor results with that mcat of yours.

I see your science gpa is only a 3.57.. did you happen to do poorly in some of the prerequisite classes? (bio 1/2, gen chem 1/2.) Were any of your mcat sections much lower than the rest?

Thanks for your responses, and congrats on your cycle. Yeah, I have two C+: chem 1 and and an ochem lab. Not a great grades record but my last year and a half was very good. And...it shouldn't be that problematic for VCU. My MCAT was super balanced.

I guess it comes down to PS and LORs. But since you can't be sure, I'm looking seriously at masters programs for next year.

 

[partypantss]

Thanks for your responses, and congrats on your cycle. Yeah, I have two C+: chem 1 and and an ochem lab. Not a great grades record but my last year and a half was very good. And...it shouldn't be that problematic for VCU. My MCAT was super balanced.

I guess it comes down to PS and LORs. But since you can't be sure, I'm looking seriously at masters programs for next year.

With your stats, I'm sure whatever it is that's holding you back can be corrected. With a bit more perseverance you're sure to get into an MD school. Also, the cycle isn't over yet, whatever it was that may have been a big red flag at VCU may not matter to some other school. You'll get there! I'm sure it must feel awful to have such a seemingly strong app and so little success. Good luck!

 

[Goro]

When I see stuff like this, I immediately think "bad LOR, red flag in packet, or poorly written app."

You've been given good advice as to what to do.

I didn't hear back from VCU for a long time so I thought I was still under review but I maneuvered into the system and found out that I was rejected pre-secondary. I am very concerned and could use some help because I did not expect this at all. What gives?

Here is why I thought I would be guaranteed a secondary at least: in-state, c3.62/s3.57 GPA, 519 MCAT, extra-curriculars reviewed on WAMC and no glaring issues there. Submitted late July.

I have not heard back from any school (including my VA alma mater), save a Pitt rejection, and I was complete at those schools in mid-September.

The fact that I got this VCU rejection is making me think that there is some fatal flaw in my application that I am not seeing....beyond late application for those secondaries, because VCU got my primary in July which is not late.

Any insight? Is there some special reason that VCU rejects in-state students pre-secondary? I am already in a gap year and will not be meeting the Thanksgiving rule so this is bumming me out. 🙁

 

[Ayy_MadScientist]

VCU is one of the schools you can get feedback from (I believe) - Ask Dr. Whitehurst-Cook or someone from the admissions team for feedback on your app! I doubt it's your stats - I am IS and I applied last year with a 22 MCAT / 3.6 GPA and still received a secondary.

 

[osu2013]

If it makes you feel better I have 7 interviews and a few acceptances and VCU rejected me pre-secondary as well. I just assumed they have a weird screening process since there's nothing "stand out" bad about my app. I don't think it's that deep


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[efle]

If it makes you feel better I have 7 interviews and a few acceptances and VCU rejected me pre-secondary as well. I just assumed they have a weird screening process since there's nothing "stand out" bad about my app. I don't think it's that deep


Sent from my iPhone using SDN mobile

Were you instate though? When they interview half their instate applicants, they surely send the vast majority at least a secondary? Even without the VCU oddity, it doesn't make sense for a 3.6/37 to be complete to a good list of schools for over two months and hear nothing, even from state/alma mater schools...

OP what was the list of schools you hit complete at by mid Sept? Have you gotten secondaries from any other schools that are known to screen?

 

[capo2290]

When I see stuff like this, I immediately think "bad LOR, red flag in packet, or poorly written app."

You've been given good advice as to what to do.

Hi, Goro. What do you mean by red flags in the packet? My school doesn't have a committee. If you mean academic dishonesty, crimes or things like that I am absolutely clean. Grades are spotty but not app-killing.

VCU is one of the schools you can get feedback from (I believe) - Ask Dr. Whitehurst-Cook or someone from the admissions team for feedback on your app! I doubt it's your stats - I am IS and I applied last year with a 22 MCAT / 3.6 GPA and still received a secondary.

Thank you! That would be great if it can happen. Do you have experience with getting feedback? I think calling would be the best route of contact but correct me if I'm wrong.

Were you instate though? When they interview half their instate applicants, they surely send the vast majority at least a secondary? Even without the VCU oddity, it doesn't make sense for a 3.6/37 to be complete to a good list of schools for over two months and hear nothing, even from state/alma mater schools...

OP what was the list of schools you hit complete at by mid Sept? Have you gotten secondaries from any other schools that are known to screen?

Mid-Sept I was complete at VCU, UVA, Albert Einstein, Boston U, Jefferson, Drexel, Temple, Pitt, Rochester, UNC, St. Louis U, Wake Forest, Wash U, Penn, Cornell. The only other screener I know is Vandy, and I was rejected (my GPA is way too low).

Oh god, your stat about them interviewing half of in-state applicants bums me out even more.

 

[Ayy_MadScientist]

I personally haven't received feedback, but I know they offer to schedule appointments with students regarding their apps.
This (below) is from their FAQ on the SOM website:

• Can an applicant make an appointment to meet with Dr. Whitehurst-Cook in regards to their application?
  Yes, there are four counselors available in Admissions: Dr. Michelle Whitehurst-Cook, Dr. Donna Jackson, and Candace Dungee. Please call 804-828-9629 and speak with Shenia Tyler to set up an appointment with Dr. Whitehurst-Cook, or to be referred to the other counselors.
  
• • What is the most heavily-weighted selection factor considered?
    VCU’s Admissions Committee considers the selection factors for medical school almost equally. The selection factors include, but are not limited to: (1.) a competitive MCAT score, (2.) solid grade point average, (3.) well-written essays, (4.) in-depth medical exposure and (5.) highly-supportive letters of recommendation. Candidates must demonstrate very strong interpersonal and communication skills and maturity during their interview to be considered competitive and (6.) significant community service that is not clinical.

 

[DokterMom]

I didn't hear back from VCU for a long time so I thought I was still under review but I maneuvered into the system and found out that I was rejected pre-secondary. I am very concerned and could use some help because I did not expect this at all. What gives?

Here is why I thought I would be guaranteed a secondary at least: in-state, c3.62/s3.57 GPA, 519 MCAT, extra-curriculars reviewed on WAMC and no glaring issues there. Submitted late July.

I have not heard back from any school (including my VA alma mater), save a Pitt rejection, and I was complete at those schools in mid-September.

The fact that I got this VCU rejection is making me think that there is some fatal flaw in my application that I am not seeing....beyond late application for those secondaries, because VCU got my primary in July which is not late.

Any insight? Is there some special reason that VCU rejects in-state students pre-secondary? I am already in a gap year and will not be meeting the Thanksgiving rule so this is bumming me out. 🙁

" but I maneuvered into the system " What does that mean?

 

[efle]

" but I maneuvered into the system " What does that mean?

I assumed it meant "logged into my online portal" rather than "hacked them" but who knows

 

[capo2290]

" but I maneuvered into the system " What does that mean?

I assumed it meant "logged into my online portal" rather than "hacked them" but who knows

Nothing so heinous as hacking. I never received any communication from VCU, ever, and their website says that your online application does not become active until you are granted a secondary. But I tried logged into the portal and I got in...to find the generic rejection message.

Actually, this brings up a question that has been bugging me. Shouldn't I have received an email rejection? I'll try scoping out the VCU thread to see if others have.

Edit: Turns out rejection via portal is common.

 

[Goro]

Lots of schools don't applicants anything until the end of the cycle. Patience is a virtue.

Nothing so heinous as hacking. I never received any communication from VCU, ever, and their website says that your online application does not become active until you are granted a secondary. But I tried logged into the portal and I got in...to find the generic rejection message.

Actually, this brings up a question that has been bugging me. Shouldn't I have received an email rejection? I'll try scoping out the VCU thread to see if others have.

Edit: Turns out rejection via portal is common.