Vcu cert 2012-2013

Started by FuturePrissyMD4
Get help with your application

Use all the free resources available to you from SDN: articles, guides, expert advising, forums discussions, and school research.

Browse articles Compare schools My application plan Read Interview Feedback
Practice for interviews Ask an Advisor
F

FuturePrissyMD4

Full Member
10+ Year Member
Hey guys,

I didn't see a thread for the cert program for 2012-2013. 🙂

Has anyone applied or been accepted?

Also if any of the current students could leave their thoughts about the program and the area that would be great!
 
FuturePrissyMD4 said:
Hey guys,

I didn't see a thread for the cert program for 2012-2013. 🙂

Has anyone applied or been accepted?

Also if any of the current students could leave their thoughts about the program and the area that would be great!
Click to expand...

There is a forum for this, i think its on page two.

I applied and got accepted, just turned down my offer the other day. The reason I turned down my offer was for a few reasons. I am on the wait-list for VCU and EVMS MD programs and got into EVMS SMP.

This program is not degree granting in the first year, therefore getting federal funding is difficult. You do not take medical school classes, rather, graduate classes. Also, there is a pretty big group of students and most of them do not get in during the first year and end up staying another year.

Sorry if i put in way more information than you wanted.
 
I was just accepted yesterday (2 weeks, 2 days after sending in the application). I'm going to accept the offer.
 
Oh okay. Those are really valid points. Would you mind posting your stats and good luck with your applications.

Can any of the current students give any insight on the financial aid point that clown made?
 
Sally Boyd said:
I was just accepted yesterday (2 weeks, 2 days after sending in the application). I'm going to accept the offer.
Click to expand...

Cograts Sally I was accepted yesterday too, but I was also accepted into 4 other programs. VCU was my top pick, but now I'm going back and forth about what to do. Thats why I wanted to get a little bit more info about the program. It seems like a good program though.
 
Congrats to you, too! I decided to accept my offer. VCU is the only place to which I applied. I did not take the MCAT, which limited my options. My grades are unfortunately not good enough for medical school, nor do I feel prepared enough to go to medical school. I am a psychology major, so I didn't take every single biology class that I wanted to take. I'm going because I really want to strengthen my science foundation and of course, pull up my grades.

I've also heard about the difficulty with funding. Kind've a downer, looks like I'll be going into student debt even farther!
 
Yea, thats kind of freaking me out. I'm just like will I not be able to get any financial aid. Thats why I was curious to see what current students say.
 
FuturePrissyMD4 said:
Yea, thats kind of freaking me out. I'm just like will I not be able to get any financial aid. Thats why I was curious to see what current students say.
Click to expand...

You will be able to get federal funding for part of it, however, private loans will have to supply the rest of the tuition and living costs. I talked to financial aid before making my decision.

My stats are 3.5 gpa and 31 MCAT
 
SallyBoyd and FuturePrissyMD4, what were your stats when you applied to the VCU Cert program?
 
I have a 3.6 overall, 3.2 science.
GRE: Verbal 159, Quant 156
Research in my undergraduate psyc department
Medical scribe at a local hospital
 
Finished app 4/27, accepted 5/9

TX resident, prior military, research/healthcare exp. Last 90 hrs 3.5 gpa (<3.0 overall), 26 MCAT
 
Last edited:
Congrats to all those that got accepted! I too will be attending the program in Fall. For current and past students of the program, do you have any suggestions on where to live? Particularly, what are some of the Apartment complexes you would recommend. Also, what classes do you recommend taking? I did read in the VCU 2011 cert. thread that Histology was good.
 
Hey Guys,

So what is everyone doing about housing?

I filled out for on-campus housing, but it seems that they don't have that many available for graduate students.

I'm now exploring off-campus housing just in case, but I have no idea where to start really.

Can prior studets or upcoming students give any insight?
 
Does anyone know if we can be accepted to VCU SOM while doing this program and not after finishing it???????????????
 
To be accepted during? Maybe if you apply now through AMCAS and go to the program, I do not see why not....ask Nick Fuerst (the admin for CERT) if you need to discuss some other way.
 
I have been accepted to the pre-med cert program. would be appreciated.
 
Last edited:
A few past students have mentioned Cedar Broad Apartments to me, but I too am still looking. I'm curious as to what previous students have to say.
 
Just got ACCEPTED!!!!!!!!! I'll probably be attending. Anyone know where to look for apartments/housing and room mates and what not.
 
Just accepted w/ 2.83 GPA and 169V/159Q/5.5W GREs, but I already confirmed attendance at Tulane's MS Pharm program, so I had to decline this spot. My top two choices accepted me, and every other school I applied to hasn't! Funny how that works,
 
I will be heading up there some time between July 10- July 15 to check out places to live. If anyone is interested in the possibility of being roommates or just meeting me up there to look for housing, send me a PM. I'm pretty easy going. Just looking for a studious roommate ready to hit the books and willing to keep the common area clean.
 
I've recently been accepted into the program and am looking for a roommate. Anyone that's chill and ready to strap down for a year of hard studying. I was hoping to stay very close, if not walking distance, to the MCV campus, since that is where our most of our classes seem to be. PM me. Thanks.
 
hey

i got into vcu cert about a month ago but just got into george mason smp and rosalind franklin bms today

I'm having a tough time deciding and since everyone here seems pretty knowledgable about vcu, would love some insight into y u guys accepted or rejected vcu's offer
i would really appreciate advice on what all i should be considering in my decision

thanks

if it helps:
stats
3.1 GPA, 3.05 science gpa
30R Mcat, retaking it this august
 
gothamcity said:
hey

i got into vcu cert about a month ago but just got into george mason smp and rosalind franklin bms today

I'm having a tough time deciding and since everyone here seems pretty knowledgable about vcu, would love some insight into y u guys accepted or rejected vcu's offer
i would really appreciate advice on what all i should be considering in my decision

thanks

if it helps:
stats
3.1 GPA, 3.05 science gpa
30R Mcat, retaking it this august
Click to expand...

Reasons I rejected VCU cert program
1: You cannot get your master's in one year
2: Because it is not technically a degree granting program, but rather, only provides you a certification, it is hard to get federal aid
3: You don't take actual med school classes with med school students but rather grad classes
4: Talking to people who have done this program in the past, it is incredible hard to get in after the first year and most students end up having to do the two years.
5: Because its not a true SMP it won't help you out at other schools as much as a well known SMP where you take actual med school classes will.
 
gothamcity said:
hey

i got into vcu cert about a month ago but just got into george mason smp and rosalind franklin bms today

I'm having a tough time deciding and since everyone here seems pretty knowledgable about vcu, would love some insight into y u guys accepted or rejected vcu's offer
i would really appreciate advice on what all i should be considering in my decision

thanks

if it helps:
stats
3.1 GPA, 3.05 science gpa
30R Mcat, retaking it this august
Click to expand...

So I rejected the BU SMP to come to VCU.

1. VCU labs showed more creativity and felt more welcoming than BU. I met some particularly interesting scientists at VCU compared to BU.
2. Cost of Attendance
3. Curriculum is strong and what med schools look for in SMP classes and supported by medical school faculty. This is the point of the program. (From my perspective, I am not overly worried about being in medical students courses, but I am interested to see relevant material and feel reasonably comfortable - CERT is in the medical school, and so I am satisfied)
4. The advisors in CERT and the Medical school are next door and both were very accessible. I saw more support at VCU than in BU
5. Option for two-years, to fill a glide year.
6. Fair weather
7. Guaranteed interview for good performance, also 70% success rate.

Having toured both programs, VCU and BU SMPs, my gut intuition and the above reasons got me to decide on CERT.
 
If I'm not mistaken, the 70% success rate you quote is after two years, not one.


alexrgross said:
So I rejected the BU SMP to come to VCU.

1. VCU labs showed more creativity and felt more welcoming than BU. I met some particularly interesting scientists at VCU compared to BU.
2. Cost of Attendance
3. Curriculum is strong and what med schools look for in SMP classes and supported by medical school faculty. This is the point of the program. (From my perspective, I am not overly worried about being in medical students courses, but I am interested to see relevant material and feel reasonably comfortable - CERT is in the medical school, and so I am satisfied)
4. The advisors in CERT and the Medical school are next door and both were very accessible. I saw more support at VCU than in BU
5. Option for two-years, to fill a glide year.
6. Fair weather
7. Guaranteed interview for good performance, also 70% success rate.

Having toured both programs, VCU and BU SMPs, my gut intuition and the above reasons got me to decide on CERT.
Click to expand...
 
I do not know, you would think that 70% would include both 1 and 2 years since that would make the program appear to be more successful. As for 1 vs 2 year success rates, ask the program administrator directly - whatever she says, that is the right answer.
 
thanks for the help!

I'm sure its obvious but my main concern is to prove to adcomms of my ability to succeed

quick update on my apps:

-got into USC masters in global medicine
-waitlisted at tufts (no idea on my chances tho)

i called vcu and they said it varies a lot depending on undergrad stats wether they get in after one year or not, so I'm guessing i would benefit from the second year and would just apply to Medschool after the first year

do u guys have any thoughts on USC vs the rest of the SMPs? u only take the first semester of med school courses at USC which is still not bad but doesn't compare to BU or Tuft's 7 MD courses
-on a side note: my application is very much geared towards global medicine with my personal statement explaining how my experience in rural clinics drove me towards medical school...as a result, USCs program would really support that academically but not exactly in the same way other SMPs do

with just a few weeks to decide, i could really use and definitely appreciate all the advice
if there are other forums u guys think i should post on, please let me know
 
I would go with USC. Not only does it sound like it encompasses more of your actual interests in medicine, but it also allows you to take med school classes. The point of an SMP is to show that you can handle the rigors of med school. The problem with VCU cert program is that you don't take med school classes. Not only does this not introduce you to what med school will actually be like, but will not be as good at showing med schools you can handle true med school classes. I'm sure this program works well with VCU after 2 years, however, a true one year SMP holds more credibility with a larger number of schools.


gothamcity said:
thanks for the help!

I'm sure its obvious but my main concern is to prove to adcomms of my ability to succeed

quick update on my apps:

-got into USC masters in global medicine
-waitlisted at tufts (no idea on my chances tho)

i called vcu and they said it varies a lot depending on undergrad stats wether they get in after one year or not, so I'm guessing i would benefit from the second year and would just apply to Medschool after the first year

do u guys have any thoughts on USC vs the rest of the SMPs? u only take the first semester of med school courses at USC which is still not bad but doesn't compare to BU or Tuft's 7 MD courses
-on a side note: my application is very much geared towards global medicine with my personal statement explaining how my experience in rural clinics drove me towards medical school...as a result, USCs program would really support that academically but not exactly in the same way other SMPs do

with just a few weeks to decide, i could really use and definitely appreciate all the advice
if there are other forums u guys think i should post on, please let me know
Click to expand...
 
gothamcity said:
thanks for the help!

I'm sure its obvious but my main concern is to prove to adcomms of my ability to succeed

quick update on my apps:

-got into USC masters in global medicine
-waitlisted at tufts (no idea on my chances tho)

i called vcu and they said it varies a lot depending on undergrad stats wether they get in after one year or not, so I'm guessing i would benefit from the second year and would just apply to Medschool after the first year

do u guys have any thoughts on USC vs the rest of the SMPs? u only take the first semester of med school courses at USC which is still not bad but doesn't compare to BU or Tuft's 7 MD courses
-on a side note: my application is very much geared towards global medicine with my personal statement explaining how my experience in rural clinics drove me towards medical school...as a result, USCs program would really support that academically but not exactly in the same way other SMPs do

with just a few weeks to decide, i could really use and definitely appreciate all the advice
if there are other forums u guys think i should post on, please let me know
Click to expand...


I pretty much chose the VCU cert program for the same reasons as Alex! But I additionally loved the fact that after completion of the program there's a variety of MS programs that you can continue onto and they do offer financial aid in the form of stafford loans and etc. (so I wouldn't have to worry too much about shopping around for private loans). Also, I came in knowing I will be taking 2 gap years, so this program fits the time I will be taking off.
But in terms of the USC program, it strikes me as more similar to an MPH/Epidemiology program than the average SMP (where you would be taking courses that med students would be taking). I don't know much details about it but If I were you I would contact them and see whether it's generally used as a GPA enhancer program (specifically BCPM) that would help with getting you into medical school.
 
Hi guys

I'm still looking for housing and will be visiting VCU next week Wednesday and Thursday

if anyone needs a room mate please let me know I'll be attending the CERT program and would much rather room with someone that is also in the program and ready to study

please let me know ASAP
 
Congratulations everyone for getting in!

I wanted to know if you all could post your stats (Gre scores, GPA, extracurricular activities..). I am anxiously waiting to hear back from them!!
 
Hello- can anyone please inform me of what their week's schedule looks like? I was just notified that I was accepted a week ago and I've been out of town since then. I have not been able to register for classes (since the packet was mailed to my house). Thanks and c u at orientation!
 
Hello,
I was wondering if those of you who have been accepted this year would be willing to provide me with some information on applying to the premedical graduate certificate program. I am very interested in applying for the 2013-2014 year. Please feel free to PM and I can provide you with my personal email for contact purposes. Thanks!
 
You must log in or register to reply here.