VCOM-Blacksburg Discussion Thread 2010-11

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thanks so much doctora! i need all the luck i can get. 🙂

If I can give you any advice about the interviews it would be to just be yourself and relax. I know it's nerve-wracking to be sitting there one on one with the people interviewing you, but during my interviews they had a way of keeping you relaxed. Just take a deep breath, and I'm sure you will be fine. Have the confidence that you've done enough to deserve an interview, and now they just want to get to know you. Good luck with everything!!
 
Just got a call for interview! I am a regular decision candidate and IS!!!!!!
 
lucky you! congrats!

lets go vcom! get it rollin
 
emailed my application and smailed my application fee :laugh:

anyone else find that ironic?
 
vcom had a really fast turnaround for me last year between when i submitted my application and giving me an interview. hopefully you all don't need to wait too long! good luck!!
 
Im so nervous for Wednesday!! How is everyone preparing for the Interview??
 
Im so nervous for Wednesday!! How is everyone preparing for the Interview??

Hi! Im really nervous as well. I'm reviewing my primary and secondary apps, as well as checking out the interview feedback on sdn. I'll see you Wed. Where are u staying btw?🙂
 
Hi! Im really nervous as well. I'm reviewing my primary and secondary apps, as well as checking out the interview feedback on sdn. I'll see you Wed. Where are u staying btw?🙂

Hampton! you?? I got a super cheap deal online. Ya..Im doing the same.. I really hope they don't ask about health care and how I would fix it.
 
Im so nervous for Wednesday!! How is everyone preparing for the Interview??


try not to be nervous! they really try to lower the stress level and make interviews mostly a conversation. just read as much info you can on vcom and why you like it. also, make sure you know your stuff about osteopathic medicine and why you want to be a DO. looking at the interview info on this site is also a big help. you'll do great!

vcom has an amazing turn-around time. you will know your results in 1 week to 2 weeks, depending on when the admission committee meets.

good luck all of you!! 🙂 maybe i'll see some of you guys next year!!
 
Hi! Im really nervous as well. I'm reviewing my primary and secondary apps, as well as checking out the interview feedback on sdn. I'll see you Wed. Where are u staying btw?🙂


Hey guys!

A little advice from a first year like other people said, just relax!!!! I wish VCOM would have been my first med school interview and not my last lol. I would definitely be prepared to answer why VCOM or why DO. Another topic could be if you have an interest in mission trips I would maybe look at the medical outreach site on VCOM because they LOVEEEEE their mission work. I'm sure you will both do fantastic. Just think they already looked at your application and thought you were a good fit, and now they just want to get to know you as people.

Hope all goes well!
 
does anyone know how long it takes vcom to set you up an email account after you send in your deposit? i just sent mine in monday and can't wait to get an email account so i can get more info.
 
Try not to stress yourself out worrying about the interviews. You should definitely prepare by looking at some of the feedback on here and reading over your application materials. That being said, everything was very laid back except for on interviewer. Very complex questions concerning healthcare and moral issues. I think the biggest thing they are looking for when asking these kind of questions is that you form an educated opinion and stick with it. Dont let them get you flustered when playing the devil's advocate. Good luck to all!
 
Hi Everyone,

Congratulations on everyone's interviews and acceptances! I was wondering - did VCOM send an e-mail as well as call you for the interview? I've been out of town a lot recently...just hoping I didn't miss the call!

Thanks!
~Tarun
 
does anyone know how long it takes vcom to set you up an email account after you send in your deposit? i just sent mine in monday and can't wait to get an email account so i can get more info.

I believe that we didn't get ours until sometime in November so hang in there!
 
Hi Everyone,

I was wondering if you all were going to the VCOM Open House tomorrow? If so, what are you going to wear? I know it says not to be formal, but I don't think shorts and a polo would make a lot of sense, because we will still be meeting admissions counselors. Any ideas?

Thanks!
~Tarun
 
Just want to say I was thoroughly impressed at the Open House yesterday! Anatomy lab that replaces the entire volume of air every 12 minutes = no smell. 🙂 Great faculty and staff committed to seeing students succeed. Great OMM demonstration. 6-hour drive each way was very well spent! Fantastic!
Now, I just need an interview 😀
 
Couldn't agree more!
Did you get a chance to speak to an admissions counselor? I wonder if they are giving out iviews yet. Are you interested in the VA or the SC campus?

Just want to say I was thoroughly impressed at the Open House yesterday! Anatomy lab that replaces the entire volume of air every 12 minutes = no smell. 🙂 Great faculty and staff committed to seeing students succeed. Great OMM demonstration. 6-hour drive each way was very well spent! Fantastic!
Now, I just need an interview 😀
 
Couldn't agree more!
Did you get a chance to speak to an admissions counselor? I wonder if they are giving out iviews yet. Are you interested in the VA or the SC campus?

I did get to spend about 5 minutes with admissions (VERY helpful). Sounds like the committee meets every week if they can all schedule it. I'm interested in the VA campus. You? How far did you travel and what were your impressions of the day?
 
I went to the Open House on the 25th. I have submitted everything and my application is on 'hold' status, this means they aren't rejecting me but will review my application later for a possible interview invite.

I went mainly to get the 5 minutes with admissions to try and help my application. I talked with the councilor and basically was told I could submit a letter of intent to admissions and they would review my application. I was grateful for the time, although the 10 hours round trip wasn't fun.

The presentation about the school and curriculum where great! But the OMM presentation/demonstration and Student Question panel sucked! They had a student from their first graduated class (2007) that just finished her FM residency and is starting a Sport Med Fellowship do the OMM presentation/demonstration. Well she read straight from the slides she had. What kind of professional gives a presentation like that? Not a very good one. It made me wonder Is this the kind of student the school cultivates? Also while watching her stumble through the presentation I just really thought the school could have gotten someone else to represent them. Or was this individual representing them? If so then Id rather stay a competent Pre-Med than an incompetent D.O.

The student panel did nothing to make me think VCOM is a school that I would want to go to. The students where honest, but all their answers to the questions given them where along the lines of "Its a family centered school, I enjoy it, I got into this school so yeah I came here since I live close".

I was not impressed at all with VCOM.
 
I went to the Open House on the 25th. I have submitted everything and my application is on 'hold' status, this means they aren't rejecting me but will review my application later for a possible interview invite.

I went mainly to get the 5 minutes with admissions to try and help my application. I talked with the councilor and basically was told I could submit a letter of intent to admissions and they would review my application. I was grateful for the time, although the 10 hours round trip wasn't fun.

The presentation about the school and curriculum where great! But the OMM presentation/demonstration and Student Question panel sucked! They had a student from their first graduated class (2007) that just finished her FM residency and is starting a Sport Med Fellowship do the OMM presentation/demonstration. Well she read straight from the slides she had. What kind of professional gives a presentation like that? Not a very good one. It made me wonder Is this the kind of student the school cultivates? Also while watching her stumble through the presentation I just really thought the school could have gotten someone else to represent them. Or was this individual representing them? If so then Id rather stay a competent Pre-Med than an incompetent D.O.

The student panel did nothing to make me think VCOM is a school that I would want to go to. The students where honest, but all their answers to the questions given them where along the lines of "Its a family centered school, I enjoy it, I got into this school so yeah I came here since I live close".

I was not impressed at all with VCOM.

Sorry to hear you didn't like it. I absolutely loved it!
 
I went to the Open House on the 25th. I have submitted everything and my application is on 'hold' status, this means they aren't rejecting me but will review my application later for a possible interview invite.

I went mainly to get the 5 minutes with admissions to try and help my application. I talked with the councilor and basically was told I could submit a letter of intent to admissions and they would review my application. I was grateful for the time, although the 10 hours round trip wasn't fun.

The presentation about the school and curriculum where great! But the OMM presentation/demonstration and Student Question panel sucked! They had a student from their first graduated class (2007) that just finished her FM residency and is starting a Sport Med Fellowship do the OMM presentation/demonstration. Well she read straight from the slides she had. What kind of professional gives a presentation like that? Not a very good one. It made me wonder Is this the kind of student the school cultivates? Also while watching her stumble through the presentation I just really thought the school could have gotten someone else to represent them. Or was this individual representing them? If so then Id rather stay a competent Pre-Med than an incompetent D.O.

The student panel did nothing to make me think VCOM is a school that I would want to go to. The students where honest, but all their answers to the questions given them where along the lines of "Its a family centered school, I enjoy it, I got into this school so yeah I came here since I live close".

I was not impressed at all with VCOM.


I'm sorry to hear you didn't like it! I am so eager for an interview. How did you know you were on hold? Did they email you? I'm wondering where I'm at in the process... anyone from out of state had an interview offer yet?
 
I'm sorry to hear you didn't like it! I am so eager for an interview. How did you know you were on hold? Did they email you? I'm wondering where I'm at in the process... anyone from out of state had an interview offer yet?

Nope. I think they're going through ED right now. And I have the same question as you - is there an online portal to check your status?
 
FYI I was complete on August 16 (or so) and received an interview on Friday the 24th for October 7. They actually called me to confirm the interview and give the invite.

I too went to the open house this week, and will agree that the OMM presenter was not the best public speaker. However, she did seem like a competent physician and I did learn a little about OMM and what it takes to be a DO. Otherwise, the open house was a great experience and I learned a lot.

I am super excited about VCOM, and right now it is my first choice.
 
FYI I was complete on August 16 (or so) and received an interview on Friday the 24th for October 7. They actually called me to confirm the interview and give the invite.

I too went to the open house this week, and will agree that the OMM presenter was not the best public speaker. However, she did seem like a competent physician and I did learn a little about OMM and what it takes to be a DO. Otherwise, the open house was a great experience and I learned a lot.

I am super excited about VCOM, and right now it is my first choice.

The OMM presenter was most likely chosen because she was local (in fact it seems that she was from somewhere up north, came to VT, then VCOM, then did her residency in the area, and then returned to VCOM for her fellowship), and because she is a Sports Medicine Fellow, which basically translates to her being an absolute professional when it comes to OMM. She did go off on a tangent about how she loves using OMM and she wouldn't have it any other way, and I'm sure that is part of the reason why she was chosen for an OMM presentation as well.
 
someone reading from a powerpoint makes you think she's incompetent? she may not be a great public speaker, which does not determine whether she is competent or not. if you dont think VCOM makes good doctors or lets people in that don't get in anywhere else, then how the heck are you not accepted, but are on hold? to me it sounds like youre just angry that you are on hold.


Yes I am on hold, but Ive had 4 other interviews and 3 acceptances. Angry? I dont really think so.

As far as the panel discussion let me explain a little more. The students to me did not show enthusiasm to set VCOM apart from any other medical school. Even though they had a "Yeah I got in here and came" attitude, thats fine! I think some people could really care less about the school they go to as long as they are a physician, and thats fine, there is nothing wrong with that. BUT when you are trying to show off a school I would have thought they would of had students that where real excited about the school. Students that could have shown me WHY I would want to go to VCOM over any other school. The point of an Open House is to 'sell' the school. When you try to 'sell' something you want to make the best presentation possible, and I feel that VCOM did not do that.

As far as the presentation goes, the point of putting text on a power point is so that those sitting in on the discussion read it, never to much, not that you read it for them. You are right she may not be a good public speaker.

The whole point Im trying to make is I don't think that VCOM represented themselves as well as they could have. Ive been to other open houses and a handful of interviews and most left me excited and gave me reasons to want to attend that school or left me with a feeling of this is just another school.

This is a forum where people discuss and give their inputs and I do apologize for being a bit critical of the speaker.

I just think VCOM came up short and did not show me any reason as to why I should choose their school over another.
 
Yes I am on hold, but Ive had 4 other interviews and 3 acceptances. Angry? I dont really think so.

As far as the panel discussion let me explain a little more. The students to me did not show enthusiasm to set VCOM apart from any other medical school. Even though they had a "Yeah I got in here and came" attitude, thats fine! I think some people could really care less about the school they go to as long as they are a physician, and thats fine, there is nothing wrong with that. BUT when you are trying to show off a school I would have thought they would of had students that where real excited about the school. Students that could have shown me WHY I would want to go to VCOM over any other school. The point of an Open House is to 'sell' the school. When you try to 'sell' something you want to make the best presentation possible, and I feel that VCOM did not do that.

As far as the presentation goes, the point of putting text on a power point is so that those sitting in on the discussion read it, never to much, not that you read it for them. You are right she may not be a good public speaker.

The whole point Im trying to make is I don't think that VCOM represented themselves as well as they could have. Ive been to other open houses and a handful of interviews and most left me excited and gave me reasons to want to attend that school or left me with a feeling of this is just another school.

This is a forum where people discuss and give their inputs and I do apologize for being a bit critical of the speaker.

I just think VCOM came up short and did not show me any reason as to why I should choose their school over another.
so are you going to withdraw?
 
Im not sure. The main reason I applied was because Im about 6 hours away from it and going there would keep me closer to family. Im still in the air about it.

Part of me wants to because of the location but since I wasn't too impressed with the school I'm not sure if its worth my time doing the things admissions suggested to try and procure an Interview.
 
Yes I am on hold, but Ive had 4 other interviews and 3 acceptances. Angry? I dont really think so.

As far as the panel discussion let me explain a little more. The students to me did not show enthusiasm to set VCOM apart from any other medical school. Even though they had a "Yeah I got in here and came" attitude, thats fine! I think some people could really care less about the school they go to as long as they are a physician, and thats fine, there is nothing wrong with that. BUT when you are trying to show off a school I would have thought they would of had students that where real excited about the school. Students that could have shown me WHY I would want to go to VCOM over any other school. The point of an Open House is to 'sell' the school. When you try to 'sell' something you want to make the best presentation possible, and I feel that VCOM did not do that.

As far as the presentation goes, the point of putting text on a power point is so that those sitting in on the discussion read it, never to much, not that you read it for them. You are right she may not be a good public speaker.

The whole point Im trying to make is I don't think that VCOM represented themselves as well as they could have. Ive been to other open houses and a handful of interviews and most left me excited and gave me reasons to want to attend that school or left me with a feeling of this is just another school.

This is a forum where people discuss and give their inputs and I do apologize for being a bit critical of the speaker.

I just think VCOM came up short and did not show me any reason as to why I should choose their school over another.

that is disappointing that the presentation wasnt impressive to you. VCOM is a great school! when i went for interviews i was so excited about VCOM. i also know 2 students that are at VCOM now and they love it, which further makes me excited. good luck with getting an interview and congrats on your other acceptances!
 
Just thought I would say once again that I was impressed with VCOM. I have been on 2 interviews (1 DO 1 MD) and have 6 more scheduled other than VCOM, so I doubt if it will be my only choice. With that said, right now it is choice #1 for me because it fits me well. My only point here is that you should all go and see the school for yourself. The only way you are going to know if you like it or not is to experience it first hand. Easy E brings a valuable perspective, as well as everyone on here. Just don't get too caught up in what others say and make your decision after you have ALL of the information.
 
Perhaps it will be a bit more useful to ask if anybody outside of the appalachian region been granted an interview?

I live outside of the Appalachian region and I've been accepted already! 🙂 However, I have lived in VA my entire life, and I have been camping in the Appalachian region basically every year since I was 12 and I indicated that in one of my interviews. (VCOM does 3 separate interviews with 3 different interviewers.)

Anyway, here are my stats:
sGPA: 3.6
cGPA: 3.7
MCAT: 29O

It should be noted that I speak Spanish and did volunteer work in the Dominican Republic, which is where one of their clinics is located and one of my interviewers is in charge of the programs. I think that really helped.
 
Perhaps it will be a bit more useful to ask if anybody outside of the appalachian region been granted an interview?

I was granted and interview last year and was accepted but wait listed because they already filled the class but got guaranteed a spot in the 2015 class. I am from Long Island so out of the appalachian region. I went to Penn State,

GPA 3.8
SGPA 3.6
MCAT 23m

from what i remember those were my stats, i also did research had one presentation and publication with my research, experience working in a physical therapy office, an internship with an ent and about 3000 hours volunteer work with the local fire department.
 
I was granted and interview last year and was accepted but wait listed because they already filled the class but got guaranteed a spot in the 2015 class. I am from Long Island so out of the appalachian region. I went to Penn State,

GPA 3.8
SGPA 3.6
MCAT 23m

from what i remember those were my stats, i also did research had one presentation and publication with my research, experience working in a physical therapy office, an internship with an ent and about 3000 hours volunteer work with the local fire department.
thanks for sharing. It gives me a lot of hope.
 
Interviews today went great. First acceptances (for non-early decision) will be next Thursday. I am sure some of us will post on here when we get the call, either way!
 
Interviews today went great. First acceptances (for non-early decision) will be next Thursday. I am sure some of us will post on here when we get the call, either way!

YAYYYYYY!!!! 😀 Glad to hear everything went well!! Good luck!! :xf:
 
Interviews today went great. First acceptances (for non-early decision) will be next Thursday. I am sure some of us will post on here when we get the call, either way!

how exciting! you guys are already very ahead of the game applying so early!! that is a big plus for you all. i applied late last year and the had an inverview in early feb. and the class was already full since beginning of january! good luck everyone!! hopefully be seeing you guys at VCOM next year! 🙂
 
Hey guys, I want to apply to VCOM but I am a Texas resident. Is it worth applying?
 
Hey guys, I want to apply to VCOM but I am a Texas resident. Is it worth applying?

I would think so. At the interview there was an applicant from California and 2 from New York (out of 9) so it isn't all VA and NC.
 
Got a call from VCOM tonight at 6:20. Interviewing on 10/13! 😀
 
Also interviewing on 10/13....got the call this morning at 10.
 
I have a friend from texas that goes to VCOM. He went to University of Texas and says that there is alot of students from other states like florida, mass., even california.
 
Hey guys, I want to apply to VCOM but I am a Texas resident. Is it worth applying?

Im from Long Island New York, I applied last year got wait-listed then interviewed and got accepted to the class of 2015
 
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