VCU/MCV attrition rate

[CUarzt]

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http://www.medschool.vcu.edu/alumni/brochure/academics/premedbasic.htm

approximately half the matriculants each year end up not meeting the certificate minimum criteria (either drop out or academic failure)

"a testimony to the rigor of the program. . ."

interesting

 

[Crunk Juice]

so much for having social life

 

[PurpleHaze]

my thoughts exactly... I'm told that you're in class with PhD students who only take like one or two classes a semester.. and they totally blow away any kind of curve that may help save u.

As a heads up... had a change in plans, I'll be in the Physiology program in the fall.

 

[FullCollapse]

Ayznshorti,

Just curious, why is it that you switched? Anyway, I'll be physiology in the fall too, so I guess I'll be seeing you around. Have you thought about what to take for your elective?

Oh, and about the attrition, I read on an old SDN post that apparently when everyone returns back from winter break, a rather large number of people are missing from the classes. Seems like a real sinnk or swim atmosphere, if you ask me.

Daunting.

 

[PurpleHaze]

Ayznshorti,

Just curious, why is it that you switched? Anyway, I'll be physiology in the fall too, so I guess I'll be seeing you around. Have you thought about what to take for your elective?

Oh, and about the attrition, I read on an old SDN post that apparently when everyone returns back from winter break, a rather large number of people are missing from the classes. Seems like a real sinnk or swim atmosphere, if you ask me.

Daunting.

I'm actually here taking the Princeton Review for the summer (MCAT August 20... ACK!). One of the people in my class was a Microbio post bac student last year and she told me that the Department of Microbiology doesn't really help support it's students like the other departments. It also is the most underfunded department (this is what I'm told... so don't quote me on that). My biggest problem was that unlike the Physiology program, a MS in Microbiology cannot be achieved with one extra year (after the certificate program). It would take more like 2-3 more years. I don't have the money nor the inclination to spend that kind of time on a Masters Degree, that I hopefully won't need (crosses fingers). But one of my main reasons for choosing VCU was to roll the certificate over into a Masters to take up the gap year between post bac and med school (I'm applying for Fall 07 matriculation). In the Micro program that wouldn't have been possible.

 

[CUarzt]

daunting is exactly the word i'd use

and ayznshorti, i think you've hit the nail on the head; keep in mind though, these phd kids are also neck-deep in their research: at least our first year is didactic and not focused on research too (like you, one of my main attractions to this program was the rollover into a masters program for one year)

seems like this will either make or break the deal: i cannot imagine going into this with the intention of applying in the spring, only to fare poorly. personally, that fear ought to be quite the motivator

curious what classes you all are taking; in anatomy, they dont really give an elective, more like a "this is an elective we strongly suggest you take...now." here's my lineup:

biochemistry
physiology
histology
anatomy seminar

and i havent had classes at 8am since i was a freshman in college.
i hope for each of our successes down in richmond and beyond

 

[PurpleHaze]

I used to take 8 AM classes to get the school junk out of the way in the morning, so I could do whatever in the evening... so maybe that won't be so bad. But I forsee:

Biochemistry
Mammalian Physiology
Physiology Seminar

and probably Immunobiology in my future for the fall.

I look forward to meeting u all in a couple weeks!

 

[VPDcurt]

my thoughts exactly... I'm told that you're in class with PhD students who only take like one or two classes a semester.. and they totally blow away any kind of curve that may help save u.

As a heads up... had a change in plans, I'll be in the Physiology program in the fall.

Haha you are in class with PhD students, Masters students, and certificate students, but I think you'll find (as I did 2 years ago) that the certificate students are the ones you are truly competing with for the curve. The PhD students don't care too much about whether they get an A or a B - they'll get their degree either way.

The course to watch out for is Biochem. It is every single day and can be tough - it's also tough because it's at 1pm - right after lunch. You'll be tired as hell and just want to take a nap the entire time (which some people end up doing). My entire row fell asleep one time on a Friday afternoon. What a nightmare.