41. Virginia Commonwealth (VCU)_____
First Year Student Budget (2007 2008): Non-Resident: $58,472; Resident: $44,868 Score: 1.5 (b/c of possibility of becoming a resident)
Financial Aid/etc
: maintains pretty strong financial network. School is not known for providing the best financial aid packages. Loans: Several university supported loans available
the primary school based loan: 1. Revolving loan. There are several other school based low interest loans available, especially available for disadvantaged students (cool
.I dont qualify
but that is still really cool). Unique loans: Federal Primary Health Care Loan This is a campus-based program awarded by the Financial Aid Office to medical students who have chosen to work in primary care fields; and private loans programs established in part by donations and programs implemented by school alumni. Scholarships: Both need-based and merit-based scholarships available
.additional scholarships include The Virginia Primary Care Medicine Scholarships, National Health Service Corps Scholarship, and private scholarship funds
.% of Enrolled Students Receiving Financial Aid: 92%, Average Amount per Scholarship/Grant: $7,353 (hahahahahaha), Average 2006 Graduate Indebtedness: $130,378
So you can see that they offer several loans and scholarships, but the avg. debt is NOT low Score: 3.25
Curriculum/etc
: Curriculum does not seem as integrative as other curriculums seem. Very traditional, organ based curriculum that does incorporate case based/problem based learning
.The average amt of time spent in small group sessions/lectures is approximately 3.5 hours/per course incorporating small grp sessions (In other words, not all courses incorporate small group sessions)
The max amount of time first year students spend in small group sessions is 94 hours....The amount of time spent in small group sessions increases during second year. Curriculum divided into four phases (I IV) that correspond to the fours year of medical education. Obvious focus of M1 is basic medical science as it applies to normal human conditions (structure, function, growth, and development)
Classes taken as part of M1: Medical Biochemistry, Human Genetics, Gross & Developmental Anatomy, Physiology, Histology, Behavioral Sciences, Immunology, Neurosciences, Foundations of Clinical Medicine, Medical Bioethics; MII curriculum focuses on pathologic manifestations in the treatment of disease. Like at every other school, the number of required courses increases considerably
Courses offered: Pharmacology, Pathogenesis, Microbiology, Hematology/Oncology, Endocrine, Renal, Respiratory, Cardiovascular, Behavioral Sciences II, Central Nervous System, Womens Health, Gastrointestinal, Musculoskeletal, Foundations of Clinical Medicine, Medical Bioethics. There are two primary longitudinal courses that are meant to enhance medical student learning
1. Foundations of Clinical Medicine course offered during the first two years in medicine
this is the course through which students gain some form of early patient contact
students spend one afternoon per week alternating between small group sessions and clinical experience in the private office of a practicing primary care physician. During first year students focus on learning and practicing interviewing, history taking, and physical examination skills. During second year students incorporate what was previously learned into learning how to make differential diagnoses. Workshops on breast, pelvic, male genitalia, rectal and musculoskeletal abdomen examinations are conducted using standardized patients. Second year students are then evaluated on their progress through the use of written exams, written encounter notes, histories, physicals, organized Clinical Skills Examination, and by Objective Structured Clinical Examinations of standardized patients
.2. Bioethics (and Humanities) curriculum 2nd course offered longitudinally
specifically, students take components of it through the entire four years (yes
even during clinical clerkships) The Bioethics and Humanities Curriculum seeks to provide students with an understanding of how to apply basic ethical concepts to day-to-day medical situations, with an emphasis on medical student ethics and reflection on the medical students experiences. In M-1 and M-2, presentations on topics such as confidentiality, autonomy, professionalism, social justice, maternal-fetal conflict, brain death and transplant ethics are combined with small group case discussions led by a multidisciplinary group of faculty. Readings from the medical literature, fiction and non-fiction literature, artwork, videotapes, student/house staff panels, and films are used as teaching resources during the course. During M-3, ethics is integrated into rounds, noon conferences, and other teaching opportunities, including guest faculty such as bioethicists andother community experts. A module (including reflective writing) on end-of life are is a component of the Internal Medicine Clerkship. A set of M-4 electives provide students with the opportunity to explore bioethics, care of the under-served, and end-of-life care while working with an interdisciplinary team of health care providers. MIII: All required electives plus a few elective choices: Internal Medicine (12 weeks), Surgery (8 weeks), Pediatrics (8 weeks), OB/GYN (6 weeks), Psychiatry (6 weeks), Neurology (4 weeks), Family Practice (4 weeks); MIV students take majority elective courses during their fourth year
each elective is four weeks long
there are some mandatory courses
but scheduling is flexible
it needs to be b/c students are busy interviewing for residency positions
.Specifics: 4th year is divided up into nine four-week periods. Flexibility in curriculum allows students to do away rotations (international and national). Curricular Innovations: M3 clinical education innovators Clinical Education Innovators are faculty in each clerkship with designated time for small group teaching and observation of M3 students; Paperless M3 Passport to aid M3 students in tracking clinical encounters - The paperless M3 Passport program has been implemented to allow both M3 students and faculty to track clinical encounters to ensure that minimum competency levels have been met for the various clerkships; Web-based curriculum M1 and M2 syllabi are web-based providing images, video clips, interactive quizzes, links to PowerPoints and web resources, and search ability. Geriatrics has been dispersed throughout the curriculum providing students with didactic and practical experience. There are a number of computerized exams in both M1 and M2 providing students with experience in taking computerized tests including images, sounds, and video clips for preparation for USMLE examinations; Standardized patient program; simulation labs with state of the art simulation mannequins and computer-based modeling; Virtual IV simulation system installed by the Computer Based Instruction Lab. The Virtual IV Simulation System is a comprehensive and fully interactive self-directed learning system for training intravenous catheterization. Powerful 3D graphics provide visual realism, while a state-of-the-art force feedback device accurately simulates the sense of touch for an immersive experience. Virtual patients respond with bleeding, bruising, swelling, as well as other patho-physiological reactions. Over a dozen pieces of virtual equipment can be used to perform the medical procedure. Over forty unique patient arm models span human anatomy and physiology. The Virtual IV Self-Directed Learning System records and evaluates students' performance and presents a thorough debriefing following each case. The debriefing gives students both positive reinforcement, as well as clear instruction that can be used to improve their abilities and their training. Grading Intervals: 5 interval grading system used all four years (Honors/High Pass/Pass/ Marginal Pass/Fail). Quick Note: Students demonstrating academic difficulty are usually offered the opportunity to enter a decelerated curriculum
Optional research thesis available Score: 13.5
#Affiliated hospitals/Clinical Facilities: 11 plus several clinical facilities and specialty institutes (most students complete of their rotations at 2 primary hospitals
a select few will complete rotations in the region where most of the affiliated hospitals are located Score: 9+++++++
Selection Factors: Private, rolling admissions, gives slight state preference to Virginia residents, Average undergraduate GPA (2006 entering class): 3.5 (coooooooooooooool), No listed Average Science GPA, Overall Median GPA: 3.62, Median Science GPA: 3.56, Average 2006 MCAT: 29P
Breakdown: V: 9.8, P: 9.8, B: 10.2, writing: P, Median MCAT: 30P (Ranges: V: 4 15, P: 6 15, B: 7 14, writing: K T)
Breakdown: V: 10, P: 10, B: 10, writing: P; 4775 applications (712 in state, 4063 non-resident) for 877 interview slots (360 Va resident, 497 non-resident)
.stated commitment to non-traditional students (thats cool) Score: 7.75
Diversity: approx. 13% URM (not too bad at all), 43% minority Score: 12.5
Dual Degree Options: MD/PhD, MD/MPH, MD/MHA Score: 4.75
Student Support: Established Office of Minority Affairs (now known as the Office of Student Outreach Programs) that organizes various events and programs geared towards URM recruitment/retention/success in medicine (cool)
Serves as an additional source (for URMs) for student advising and other support
.students from rural backgrounds (URM or non-URM) can also take advantage of what this office has to offer VCU also has a Minority Affairs Advisory Board that also coordinates and develops projects that are targeted towards the recruitment, retention and development of minority students and faculty of the School of Medicine. It is dedicated to the interests of underrepresented minority groups* in the practice of medicine, as well as, providing needed support to those who are members of other minority groups. Specifics of the Office of Student Outreach Programs: The office organizes the Minority Mentorship Program (MMP) this program gives first year students the opportunity to establish relationships with (minority) faculty members to ease the transition into the first year of medical school and for faculty to provide insight and advice into specific fields of medicine
This office plays a significant role in medical school environment (as it applies to underrepresented minorities)
coooooool
.Strong SNMA (a lot of members) that organizes many outreach activities within underserved communities around Richmond and neighboring cities
Very active student government (at least on paper) that publishes survival guides and coordinates M-I orientation. VCU has an Office of Student Affairs (like every other school) and Office of Academic Support Services that organize programs for the general student body
.The Office of Academic Support Services organizes counseling services, seminars that address note-taking skills, problem-solving skills, organizational skills, test-taking strategies, time management skills, etc
Staff is quite observant of how well students are performing in courses. If they notice a problem it is addressed immediately
students experiencing academic problems are offered an opportunity to move to the decelerated track before performance worsens. Academic/ Career advising: Students are assigned a 4th year student advisor during the 3rd year
it is during this year when they declare what specialty they plan to pursue. 4th year student advisors assist 3rd year students with setting up elective schedules, explaining residency programs, and providing guidance
.Mentoring Program: program known as Project HEART (Healing with Empathy, Acceptance, Respect, and Integrity). Faculty members are recruited to serve as medical student mentors (to 1st and 2nd year students)
.Faculty members (who participate) are assigned to 5 6 students
group meets around 10 12 times per year
creates a caring community (uhhhhhhh ok)
..A number of student (support) organizations
tutoring services offered
.one primary Health Science Library
.Curricular support: Computer Based Instruction Lab (CBIL
it is pretty cool), Claude Moore Education Center contains a clinical skills center, teaching labs, etc
Score: 7+++
Housing: several options for on-campus housing (believe me, there are a lot of options), off-campus affiliated housing available, and very affordable off-campus non-affiliated housing Score: 6++++
Location: downtown Richmond, Virginia near cultural and government centers, medium sized city
but still have exposure to fairly diverse patient population Score: 4
Class Size: 184
.so 21% of interviewees actually matriculate
a much larger percentage of students are accepted obviously!
Score: 5
Residency Match List: 46% of past graduates entered primary care residency programs, the other 54% either entered non-primary care residency programs or did not match at all (of course not everyone
Volunteer/Research Opportunities: Volunteer Opps Honestly, there does not seem to be that many student organizations dedicated to organizing volunteer activities in the community. I found one student run on-campus volunteer organization
Operation Helping Hands
that is surprising considering that Richmond, Virginia is known for its poverty (hahahaha if I am wrong then you can blame the rap artists for lying
hahahaha)
.but poverty should not be the sole driving force for implementing volunteer efforts
.anyways
I am sure that many of the student interest groups organize some community service activities. I know the SNMA is active in organizing community volunteer efforts as well as various outreach programs, such as Project ACEe (Academic Career, and Educational experiences) program designed to introduce disadvantaged high school students from the Richmond Public School system to the medical profession via conferences, workshops, and mentoring opportunities. Academic and Clinical Skills Symposium gives students interested in health careers beneficial information and hands-on demonstrations so that they may become competitive medical school applicants
.School wide community outreach: information on this was hard to find
School has a commitment to community outreach
maintain the Caritas Clinic, which is a free clinic run by the dept of Internal Medicine. Students do have the opportunity to volunteer at this clinic
I really could not find that much information besides what I have already mentioned. Research: This school is making significant progress in the research realm of academia
Student research fund: Opportunities are available for study and investigation under the tutelage of faculty members in their laboratories during the summer vacation and as an extracurricular activity during the school year. These studies are supported by the School of Medicine Summer Research Fellowship endowment. This is the primary means, I found, through which students can gain experience. VCU has made significant strides in strengthening their appeal as a research institution. Over the past decade, they have established a plan that will allow them to continue strengthening their research programs. Research Buildings: Medical Sciences Building (initial primary research facility that significantly enhanced their research capabilities)
is now being expanded again
will pave the way for attracting the larger and more dynamic research entities typically seen at the heavy hitting research medical schools. Massey Cancer Research Center
thats cool
oh yeah
this center is currently being expanded to make more room for more research and cancer treatment. It already has the distinguished title of being one of 61 National Cancer Institute designated sites
thats quite nice and appealing
VCU currently has partnership with the neighboring Virginia Biotechnology Research Park
allows its scientists/clinical researchers to have ample space for their projects. Total NIH Funding: $62,707,781 (Rank: 58th), Total NIH Research Funding: $55,072,191 Score: 7.75
Miscellaneous: website not very informative
I just hope it has not hindered my ability to thoroughly investigate this school
Average age of 24.5 (cool), 94% - 99% pass rate on boards: you typically want to see a pass rate on the higher end of that range!!!!! I do like that the average age is a little higher
but that could mean a bunch of old married folks
.hahahahaha Score: 2.75
Total Score: NO FULL SCORE ASSIGNED UNTIL ALL SCHOOLS COMPLETED
HELPS PREVENT ANY POSSIBLE INLETS FOR BIAS
