VCU / MCV Postbacc / Certificate UPDATE

This forum made possible through the generous support of SDN members, donors, and sponsors. Thank you.
M

mprover

Member
20+ Year Member
Joined
May 5, 2003
Messages
135
Reaction score
2
Members do not see this ad.
So Im a couple of weeks into the Physiology certificate program at VCU/MCV , and I thought Id give you all a update. First, its tough. I have a good science background, but the two core classes Biochemistry and Physiology are tough. The average on the last biochem test for instance was a 71 or so. It is possible to do well, it just takes alot of work. We are pretty much in a rythm of 2 weeks on , one week off , in terms of testing/studying. There have been many a weekend where I find myself in the library instead of the bar. Now on to what matters, in terms of getting into school , the program has, what seemed to me, a very good rate of getting people into school . Quite a few people have interviews at MCV and elsewhere. MCV holds the program in high standing, so if you do well, it will definatley help out. If anyone has specific questions, please feel free to post them .
 
Are the people in the program currently applying to med schools or are they waiting until after the program to do so?
 
B Baby82 said:
Are the people in the program currently applying to med schools or are they waiting until after the program to do so?
Click to expand...
Some are applying for this cycle, many have had interviews. Others will apply next cycle.
 
How many ppl or percentage of them get into MCV?
 
What and where is VCU/MCV ?
 
mprover, do i know you? haha

instead of a couple weeks in the program, i like to think we're now more than halfway done--makes life a bit brighter

mcv vcu = medical college of virginia, virginia commonwealth university, richmond

ayeeeeeee
 
I'd agree with the first poster. School's hard, but I'm learning a lot. I'm learning the importance of studying in advance (the all nighter I pulled last night was not all that cool) and planning ahead. Most of our tests tend to fall together, which just makes it all the worse. But the program I think is pretty good and as said before, pretty highly regarded.

mprover, I'm wondering if I know u as well.
 
Guys,

Good to hear you all are doing well. I bumped up an old thread a few weeks ago to see how the program was going so far but no one replied. I assumed everyone was swamped studying for an upcoming exam. Keep up the good work. You'll be superstars as 1st year med students!
 
hey
what is a certificate program and why would one choose it over smp? it seems to me that at least you end up with a masters?
thanx, sorry if its a stupid question but i just want to learn about all the options out there
 
madonna said:
hey
what is a certificate program and why would one choose it over smp? it seems to me that at least you end up with a masters?
thanx, sorry if its a stupid question but i just want to learn about all the options out there
Click to expand...

Why would someone choose it over an SMP? If you're in state, the program doesn't cost a whole heck of a lot compared to "SMP" programs. I figure that, when all is said and done, I'll have saved 25,000 or so in total costs compared to those at, say, G-town or BU. Those are good programs, but I'd be going insane thinking about the debt.
 
but you end up with a masters vs nothing. if things dont work out with medical school you have a grad degree.
 
madonna said:
but you end up with a masters vs nothing. if things dont work out with medical school you have a grad degree.
Click to expand...

Many people who attend this program get into medical school during the spring semester, so there's no reason for them to continue on in grad school for a masters. But if you need the option of getting a masters, you can take an extra year at VCU under the graduate program and earn a masters. So you have an option of turning it into something. The certificate program requires you to take 27 credits worth of graduate level classes, so while you are not officially in a masters program, you are working towards one.

The other thing is that VCU requires that you finish whatever program you are enrolled in at their school before you are able to matriculate into their med school. So if you are hoping to go to VCU next year, enrolling in their master's program would be a bad idea, as it would take 2 years to finish the masters and only one year to do the certificate.
 
FullCollapse said:
Why would someone choose it over an SMP? If you're in state, the program doesn't cost a whole heck of a lot compared to "SMP" programs. I figure that, when all is said and done, I'll have saved 25,000 or so in total costs compared to those at, say, G-town or BU. Those are good programs, but I'd be going insane thinking about the debt.
Click to expand...

This is the main reason I did the MCV certificate program over G'town SMP. Honestly guys, an M.S. alongside your medical degree (MD/DO) doesn't really do much but take up extra space on your business card. The important thing is that you take the grad/medical classes and do well. The adcom's care more about whether you'll be able to handle medical school and not whether you have an "MS" after your name.

In fact, after finishing the Physio certificate program, I didn't stay another year to get my MS. Instead, I applied to public health school (different school), got my MPH in Epidemiology/Biostats, all while working a kick-ass clinical job in ophthalmology. "The only thing an MS from here (MCV) will get you is a 50 cent cup of coffee." (Dr.Heldberg's exact words!). G'luck guys.
 
mprover said:
So Im a couple of weeks into the Physiology certificate program at VCU/MCV , and I thought Id give you all a update. First, its tough. I have a good science background, but the two core classes Biochemistry and Physiology are tough. The average on the last biochem test for instance was a 71 or so. It is possible to do well, it just takes alot of work. We are pretty much in a rythm of 2 weeks on , one week off , in terms of testing/studying. There have been many a weekend where I find myself in the library instead of the bar. Now on to what matters, in terms of getting into school , the program has, what seemed to me, a very good rate of getting people into school . Quite a few people have interviews at MCV and elsewhere. MCV holds the program in high standing, so if you do well, it will definatley help out. If anyone has specific questions, please feel free to post them .
Click to expand...

iam interested in biochem certificate program at vcu, starting in jan, any insight is helpful, what to take and and where to live without a car. thanks for your help
 
ayznshorti said:
Many people who attend this program get into medical school during the spring semester, so there's no reason for them to continue on in grad school for a masters. But if you need the option of getting a masters, you can take an extra year at VCU under the graduate program and earn a masters. So you have an option of turning it into something. The certificate program requires you to take 27 credits worth of graduate level classes, so while you are not officially in a masters program, you are working towards one.

The other thing is that VCU requires that you finish whatever program you are enrolled in at their school before you are able to matriculate into their med school. So if you are hoping to go to VCU next year, enrolling in their master's program would be a bad idea, as it would take 2 years to finish the masters and only one year to do the certificate.
Click to expand...

Does VCU med take a number of students into their school from their post bacc program?
 
There is no guarantee or quota or anything like that between the certificate program and the Medical School. However, if you do well (think 3.5 GPA or so) they will look more favorably upon you. I do know people who have gotten into VCU for the year immediately following the certficate program and significantly more people who have gotten in the year after that. So if you do well in the program it can only help you.
 
ayznshorti said:
There is no guarantee or quota or anything like that between the certificate program and the Medical School. However, if you do well (think 3.5 GPA or so) they will look more favorably upon you. I do know people who have gotten into VCU for the year immediately following the certficate program and significantly more people who have gotten in the year after that. So if you do well in the program it can only help you.
Click to expand...

VCU = Virginia?

Also do you take medical school classes while in the program or do you take graduate level classes?
 
NRAI2001 said:
VCU = Virginia?

Also do you take medical school classes while in the program or do you take graduate level classes?
Click to expand...

The classes are all graduate level, which is worse b/c they go into more detail.
 
DOCTORSAIB said:
The classes are all graduate level, which is worse b/c they go into more detail.
Click to expand...

Hell yes.

VCU = Virginia Commonwealth University in Richmond, VA
 
ayznshorti said:
Hell yes.

VCU = Virginia Commonwealth University in Richmond, VA
Click to expand...

Are you in the program? From around the area? If so how do u like the school? The program?

Does anyone have link to their website?
 
NRAI2001 said:
Are you in the program? From around the area? If so how do u like the school? The program?

Does anyone have link to their website?
Click to expand...

I am in the program currently. I am from the area... went to High School in good old richmond.. even took dual=enrollment classes at VCU back in the day. I like VCU just fine. It's like being at home, I've got friends here, I know the area, I used to volunteer in the hospitals here.

The program is probably the single hardest thing I've ever done in my life. A lot of us with kinda low-GPAs didn't focus too hard on academics in undergrad in favor of spending time on other things. So coming into this program most people's study skills arent quite where they need to be. So I feel like school kicked most people's ass untill they could try and find a rhythm of studying.. ALL THE TIME. We have 6 tests in two of our classes and then the 3rd class varies (depending on whether ur class is 3 or 5 credits). So it's like as soon as you're done with one test it's time for another. But the nice thing is that you are taking stuff that you will see again in medical school (biochemistry, physiology, immunology, drug dependence, etc.) and you're getting used to the heavy workload and whatnot, so you will be just that much further ahead of your classmates when u get there.

One of the nice things about the program is that you're around other likeminded people for the most part. Everyone's trying to go to professional school of some sort: Pharmacy, Dentistry, Medicine, etc. So they understand your pain and can empathize with you over applications and whatnot. Also, if you want to go to VCU for med school, being in the program is a good way to start meeting people and get your foot in the door by talking to admissions, the student outreach coordinator, Dean Heldberg, and others to make sure your name is out there.
 
DOCTORSAIB said:
Guys,

Good to hear you all are doing well. I bumped up an old thread a few weeks ago to see how the program was going so far but no one replied. I assumed everyone was swamped studying for an upcoming exam. Keep up the good work. You'll be superstars as 1st year med students!
Click to expand...
I am planning to start the certificate program in jan. I checked vcu web site for courses. Can you take bioc 503 in jan, I could not find the order of classes to take in jan, any help, thanks. valik
 
ayznshorti said:
I am in the program currently. I am from the area... went to High School in good old richmond.. even took dual=enrollment classes at VCU back in the day. I like VCU just fine. It's like being at home, I've got friends here, I know the area, I used to volunteer in the hospitals here.

The program is probably the single hardest thing I've ever done in my life. A lot of us with kinda low-GPAs didn't focus too hard on academics in undergrad in favor of spending time on other things. So coming into this program most people's study skills arent quite where they need to be. So I feel like school kicked most people's ass untill they could try and find a rhythm of studying.. ALL THE TIME. We have 6 tests in two of our classes and then the 3rd class varies (depending on whether ur class is 3 or 5 credits). So it's like as soon as you're done with one test it's time for another. But the nice thing is that you are taking stuff that you will see again in medical school (biochemistry, physiology, immunology, drug dependence, etc.) and you're getting used to the heavy workload and whatnot, so you will be just that much further ahead of your classmates when u get there.

One of the nice things about the program is that you're around other likeminded people for the most part. Everyone's trying to go to professional school of some sort: Pharmacy, Dentistry, Medicine, etc. So they understand your pain and can empathize with you over applications and whatnot. Also, if you want to go to VCU for med school, being in the program is a good way to start meeting people and get your foot in the door by talking to admissions, the student outreach coordinator, Dean Heldberg, and others to make sure your name is out there.
Click to expand...

Do u know what percentage of people are admitted directly into VCU after the first year? After the second year?
 
ayznshorti said:
The program is probably the single hardest thing I've ever done in my life.
Click to expand...

Agreed. It makes med school look like a joke. Honestly.
 
DOCTORSAIB said:
Agreed. It makes med school look like a joke. Honestly.
Click to expand...

O $hit, is it really that much harder?
 
NRAI2001 said:
O $hit, is it really that much harder?
Click to expand...

IMO, yes. It's harder b/c people entering the VCU program have never been exposed to such volume in such a short amount of time. Medical school is easier in that there is less volume (relatively speaking) but you've also "learned" how to study already in the certificate program so there really is no transition period for you as an MS-1. You hit the ground running.
 
vaik said:
I am planning to start the certificate program in jan. I checked vcu web site for courses. Can you take bioc 503 in jan, I could not find the order of classes to take in jan, any help, thanks. valik
Click to expand...

I don't think you can take BIOC 503 in January. We take 503 in the fall and 504 in the spring. You might want to talk to the people in charge of the program to make sure that BIOC 503 isn't a prereq for 504.
 
NRAI2001 said:
O $hit, is it really that much harder?
Click to expand...

As I am not into med school yet (pray for me please)... I can't say. But it's definitely harder than undergrad. Most people are in this program because their undergrad grades weren't so stellar for whatever reason. So being thrust into a program that tests u every 2 weeks or so, sometimes having 3 tests back to back, and all of them with significant amounts of material is just crazy and it makes life just that much harder.
 
vaik said:
iam interested in biochem certificate program at vcu, starting in jan, any insight is helpful, what to take and and where to live without a car. thanks for your help
Click to expand...

Where to live without a car: Make sure u live on the bus route. Think either the fan district or Shockoe Bottom. Shockoe Bottom is just down the hill from school. You can walk from there if you want. You could always see if you can get campus housing as well. It might be more convienent.

What to take: That's a fabulous question we've all been wondering that for second semester as well. I think Drug Dependence is being offered again. I heard that's one of the easier electives (that doesn't mean it's easy, it means it doesn't suck as much). Um... I signed up for Pharmacology.. I have no idea how that's gonna go.. I just chose it cuz it fit my schedule the best. Biostat is offered as well. I hear that's pretty easy, the only catch is that it's on the other campus. Cardiovascular phys is one of those where the professor spends the first half of the class teaching you how to read EKGs and the rest is the other cardio stuff (like exercise phys and things), if you're into that you'll really like that class, so I'm told.
 
ayznshorti said:
Where to live without a car: Make sure u live on the bus route. Think either the fan district or Shockoe Bottom. Shockoe Bottom is just down the hill from school. You can walk from there if you want. You could always see if you can get campus housing as well. It might be more convienent.

What to take: That's a fabulous question we've all been wondering that for second semester as well. I think Drug Dependence is being offered again. I heard that's one of the easier electives (that doesn't mean it's easy, it means it doesn't suck as much). Um... I signed up for Pharmacology.. I have no idea how that's gonna go.. I just chose it cuz it fit my schedule the best. Biostat is offered as well. I hear that's pretty easy, the only catch is that it's on the other campus. Cardiovascular phys is one of those where the professor spends the first half of the class teaching you how to read EKGs and the rest is the other cardio stuff (like exercise phys and things), if you're into that you'll really like that class, so I'm told.
Click to expand...
Thankyou verymuch for replying. I have not heard anything other than that I am starting in Jan. I am not sure what to take, classes wise, when to register for classes and stuff. Mostly where will they hold the classes. thanks.
 
vaik said:
Thankyou verymuch for replying. I have not heard anything other than that I am starting in Jan. I am not sure what to take, classes wise, when to register for classes and stuff. Mostly where will they hold the classes. thanks.
Click to expand...

Almost all classes (Biostat is the only one that I know of that isn't), are held on the MCV campus of VCU. Good luck with everything!! I know it's frustrating that they don't tell you much of anything. Some of the stuff off of this site might help, having to do with Living and richmond and stuff (that stuff's at the bottom of the page).

http://www.vcu.edu/graduate/ps/online_orientation.html
 
Guys,

Hows the program going so far? Hows the drug dependance class treating you? (hopefully my advice was correct!)

This semester should be a little easier than the first semester. Ok, just checking up. G'luck.
 
One semester down... one to go. First semseter went ok ater you got the hang of things. Not the most stellar grades, but nothing to be upset about either.

I'm taking Neuroanatomy this semester. I LOVE IT. It's interesting and the anatomy faculty are awesome (they actually know how to teach entertainingly!). Otherwise, I'm just counting down to May.
 
ayznshorti said:
One semester down... one to go. First semseter went ok ater you got the hang of things. Not the most stellar grades, but nothing to be upset about either.

I'm taking Neuroanatomy this semester. I LOVE IT. It's interesting and the anatomy faculty are awesome (they actually know how to teach entertainingly!). Otherwise, I'm just counting down to May.
Click to expand...

Ayznshorti,

Congrats on getting through 1st semester. I remember those hellish days of non-stop studying just to get an "A" in Physio. Crazy times...

I didn't take Neuroanatomy 2nd semester. I punked out for Drug Dependence..🙂 We're almost done with our Neurology/Psychiatry block at PCOM. I concur. Neuro is pretty darn interesting.

You're gonna kick butt at Meharry! G'luck.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

M
Postbacc chances
Replies
0
Views
859
myfunnyusername
M
D
VCU CERT 2024-2025
Replies
7
Views
3K
coconutlovurr21
C
D
Searching for a masters/postbacc program
Replies
2
Views
1K
GoSpursGo
GoSpursGo
D
Wustl postbacc vs touro ca
Replies
2
Views
755
deleted1167451
D
N
Rochester vs SUNY for postbacc?
Replies
4
Views
909
LizzyM
LizzyM
Top