VCU Postbacc Fall 2008

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I got my acceptance letter to the Anatomy prog on May 3. I was complete on April 25. I guess I was lucky with the quick turn around time, and more than likely I will be at VCU this fall.
 
Goofball2 said:
I got my acceptance letter to the Anatomy prog on May 3. I was complete on April 25. I guess I was lucky with the quick turn around time, and more than likely I will be at VCU this fall.
Click to expand...
Wow thats crazy fast. I applied end of March/early April and I still have not heard anything from VCU. They seem to be taking a really long time to get back to me.
 
maybe it depends on the program you apply to.
 
Try giving the specific program a call to make sure that all of your paper work has been received. I did and I think it helped to expedite my app.
 
Goofball2 said:
Try giving the specific program a call to make sure that all of your paper work has been received. I did and I think it helped to expedite my app.
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I emailed them over a month ago and they told me everything was complete. Its ok I don't think I am going to go to VCU anyways.
 
thanks for the reply instatewriter, year i'm actually planning to apply to the postbac program at vcu and everyother i can think of. i'm in cna classes right now and hoping to get a job in one of the nursing homes around blacksburg in the fall to rack up clinical experience. i've heard so many things about clinical experience and shadowing. which do you think is more important? I shadowed my dad last winter break and got about 80 hrs in like 3 weeks. but I've heard of people shadowing for a whole summer and some have well over 100. also did you do research in a lab? I've heard varying things about that.
 
Things I did for clinical experience:
Shadowed in about 5 specialties with a bunch of docs: EM, IM, Surg, GI, Uro
Volunteered at a free clinic (looks good, goes a long way, gets lots of hands on experience)
Volunteered at a hospital (relatively worthless, they wont let you do much)
Volunteered at an ER

If you dont have enough clinical experience they will wonder about your motivation to be a dr. The more clinical exposure the merrier.

I did research for 2+ years and got a few non-first author publications out of it. Was definitely a plus and it shows that you have really explored the different areas of medicine, including research. Not a requirement though.
 
.
 
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I just spoke with Dr. Ford on the phone and I'm in the Phys program now.. I'll be living with a pharmacy student who graduated from my school (and possibly one other student), does anyone have suggestions on housing?
 
Hi everyone!

I've just finished my first excruciating year as a grad student in Physiology program. Figured I should share some of my experiences with y'all...🙂

Let me just say, this program is HARD! I've never studied this much in my LIFE! I feel like if I studied the way I did this year as an undergrad, I should be in med school now...rrrgggghhhh

I ended up with 3.88 GPA (one B)....it's not perfect 4.0 and godsh darn!

Why/What is difficult: Juggling your major courses (for me PHIS and BIOC both 5 credit hours...yes, don't underestimate 5 credit courses!) while somehow managing a third 3 credit course...also, since there is no - or + especially for PHIS, difference between A and B comes down to literally one question!
It's not difficult conceptually...but it really came down to being on top of your crap. Study one, switch over to another....

Saying all that...I am little disappointed to hear that many (more like all) kids who are a year ahead of me are pretty much on a LONG waitinglist for MCV.
I feel little rejected by my own! Shouldn't MCV be more welcoming!! 🙁
I mean these students did well and they are still on a waiting list... (4.0GPA and 34MCAT)....to this confusion, my advisor's response was..
"Competition!"

:scared:😕😱
 
Dalki,
First of all, congratulations on your 3.88! I know you must have worked hard for it. I was just curious about whether in retrospect you would have put off the med school application process until the program was over. Also, have you heard back from any other places? Finally, what was your undergrad GPA/MCAT like? Feel free to PM me if that's better for you! Thanks so much!
 
doesn't waitlist have major movement within the the coming weeks? so there is still some hope, right? if there are still plenty on the waitlist by july that would be bad, right? are there any people who just finished this year (your year) that are on the waitlist?
 
Dalki2007 said:
Hi everyone!

I've just finished my first excruciating year as a grad student in Physiology program. Figured I should share some of my experiences with y'all...🙂

Let me just say, this program is HARD! I've never studied this much in my LIFE! I feel like if I studied the way I did this year as an undergrad, I should be in med school now...rrrgggghhhh

I ended up with 3.88 GPA (one B)....it's not perfect 4.0 and godsh darn!

Why/What is difficult: Juggling your major courses (for me PHIS and BIOC both 5 credit hours...yes, don't underestimate 5 credit courses!) while somehow managing a third 3 credit course...also, since there is no - or + especially for PHIS, difference between A and B comes down to literally one question!
It's not difficult conceptually...but it really came down to being on top of your crap. Study one, switch over to another....

Saying all that...I am little disappointed to hear that many (more like all) kids who are a year ahead of me are pretty much on a LONG waitinglist for MCV.
I feel little rejected by my own! Shouldn't MCV be more welcoming!! 🙁
I mean these students did well and they are still on a waiting list... (4.0GPA and 34MCAT)....to this confusion, my advisor's response was..
"Competition!"

:scared:😕😱
Click to expand...

Same thing happened my year. Everyone was pissed that they were waitlisted. By the end though, most people who should have gotten in, did. I expect (and hope) that is the same thing that will happen this year.
 
Oh and Dalki, did you not apply this year?
 
😳still waiting.....
 
shawshank recommends calling the directors of the programs to check for status update.
 
guyz,
So i have just finished my 1 st year of the PHYS program.. Instatewriter was right from the start-- the curriculum is hard,. ITS HARD!! ITS HARD!!
I have spent nights by myself in the library and Sanger Hall studyin, I have gone without showers for days( max, i think was 5 days), i have lost weight-stressin, i have forgotten the feel of my bed, I have forgotten what it feels to visit a movie theater, I could go on and on...
My point is--- This program is HARD!!-- dont take it lightly!!
I hope my sacrifices will pay off in the end--i came out with a 3.8 (one B)---and right now im takin my MCAT for the 3rd time!!... 18 , 26 and ??

Instatewriter--- what do u think my chances are of gettin in???
undergrad GPA- 3.3
Science undergrad -3.1
Phys post bac- 3.8
MCAT -takin in twice- 18 and 26
Studyin for it now--- takin it in aug 08!
shadowing a surgeon, visited east africa on a health clinic trip, shadowed an anesthesiologist, did reasearch but only sporadically etc
???
thankxs
 
Instatewriter,
I have one more question that id like to ask you---
i have just fininshed the post bac PHYS program witha 3.8 and i had applied last year and failed to get an interview... so i am reapplyin this year and i dont know whether i should pursue the Research year (2nd year) or just hang out and work on other things like volunteering, etc ....I just dont know what the advantages or disadvantages would be for pursuing the second year!
Will the research year have any advantages of getting into MCV ??
ur advice is greatly appreciated!
thankxs
 
Hey Everyone...

I too completed the program. I must reiterate what everyone else has said, the program is hard. Oddly enough, I found the second semester more difficult than the second. I think that's because I took cardio phis as my elective. I don't know if anyone has mentioned this, but Cardio Phis is a nightmare! Dr. Fabiato has past his prime as a professor. The course has excessive amounts of work at times and Dr. Fabiato EXPECTS students to spend many hours with him after class. The way he grades is completely subjective and if he likes you, you get good grades. I spent alot of time with him at the beginning of the semester and found it a waste of time. I focussed on Biochem and Cell Phis. In the end I got a B in cardio but got A's is cell and bio. Be smart and don't take Cardio Phis as an elective.

Furthermore, old exams are crucial for cell phis and biochem. Sometimes profs reuse their old exam questions and they are 'gimme' points on exams. Make sure to schedule/organize yourself too! The courses can move rather quickly and if you are a slow worker (like me), staying on schedule is critical. Using a planner and plotting the exam dates can help keep you on schedule. It would be smart to get to know some of the profs. The Castanzo's are good teachers and you should ask them questions after class if you can.

Mammalian phis - The third exam (Baumagharten/Pittman-cardio) and final was what seperated the A students from B students. Study hard and prepare in advance for those exams
Biochem - Don't worry if you mess up on an exam or two in this course. The curve is nice (82 for 1st semester and 81 for second semester)! I remember getting a 55 on one exam but still got an A in the course! Watch out for Dr. Peterson and Dr. Chen. Make sure to study chens old stuff bc he reused the same questions and KNOW ALL OF GLYCOLYSIS and what not.
Drug Dependence - Go to class. That helps alot. Don't stress too much about this one. It is fairly easy but you still have to study and go to class. 1 to 2 days of studying should set you up for an A.
Cell Phis - Not nearly as tough as mammalian but be sure to stay on your game! The course is less organized and not everything is in the syllabus. Try to go to class and make sure to know details bc this course is less conceptual and more detail oriented (unlike mammalian). For the Fabiatos portion of the course - split the work up btween friends and make sure Fabiato approves the answers to his question (ull know what i mean when you get to it)
Cardio Phis - Dont take this course! It requires too much time and Dr. Fabiato smells 👎 (seriously, he does). Neuro is probably a better elective but that is tough too from what i hear. There is a course called "aging" or something like that as well. That class was simple and fun. Look into if you can.

In the end, my gpa was a 3.88 (one B) and I discovered what I am truely capable of. I got a 4.0 the first semester and had it not been for freaken Fabiato I might have kept the 4.0...sigh...Unfortunately I have a crummy undergrad GPA (2.76) so I think MD is out of the question for me based on what other people have been saying. I take the mcats in July and hope to god I make a 30 or higher! Perhaps that might be enough to get me into an MD school...

That's it for me. Enjoy kids...

...hopeless yet relentless...
 
hung said:
shawshank recommends calling the directors of the programs to check for status update.
Click to expand...
I know that Dr. Ford (Physiology director) is very responsive to emails and phone calls, and he told me over the phone, but I'm not sure about other programs.

804, it sounds like you did great in the program and I am really hoping for you. I'm not sure if osteopathic medicine is something you'd be interested in, but maybe it's something you could look into? Or you probably have a good shot at EVMS (if you're interested in staying in VA)

Zaf, (obviously I wouldn't know as much as other people) but I also feel like you have a good shot at med school if you can get a 30+ on the MCAT. Just my thoughts..
 
zaf said:
guyz,
So i have just finished my 1 st year of the PHYS program.. Instatewriter was right from the start-- the curriculum is hard,. ITS HARD!! ITS HARD!!
I have spent nights by myself in the library and Sanger Hall studyin, I have gone without showers for days( max, i think was 5 days), i have lost weight-stressin, i have forgotten the feel of my bed, I have forgotten what it feels to visit a movie theater, I could go on and on...
My point is--- This program is HARD!!-- dont take it lightly!!
I hope my sacrifices will pay off in the end--i came out with a 3.8 (one B)---and right now im takin my MCAT for the 3rd time!!... 18 , 26 and ??

Instatewriter--- what do u think my chances are of gettin in???
undergrad GPA- 3.3
Science undergrad -3.1
Phys post bac- 3.8
MCAT -takin in twice- 18 and 26
Studyin for it now--- takin it in aug 08!
shadowing a surgeon, visited east africa on a health clinic trip, shadowed an anesthesiologist, did reasearch but only sporadically etc
???
thankxs
Click to expand...

Your chances look pretty good. A 3.8 is a huge feat. You getting in depends on a few things: getting a 30+ on the MCAT and what that B was in.

If the B was in an elective, no sweat. But if that B was in physio you will have more problems. It may not keep you out of the running but it hurts more than a B in drug dependence or toxicology.

Obviously I cant tell you your exact chances because so much depends on the competitiveness of the medical school applicant pool. If you end up applying during a more competitive year you may have more difficulty.

From the looks of it, you need much more clinical experience. So work on that.

zaf said:
Instatewriter,
I have one more question that id like to ask you---
i have just fininshed the post bac PHYS program witha 3.8 and i had applied last year and failed to get an interview... so i am reapplyin this year and i dont know whether i should pursue the Research year (2nd year) or just hang out and work on other things like volunteering, etc ....I just dont know what the advantages or disadvantages would be for pursuing the second year!
Will the research year have any advantages of getting into MCV ??
ur advice is greatly appreciated!
thankxs
Click to expand...

The research year isnt too bad in terms of stress. I think it will help but your question is probably better suited for Dr Whitehurst-Cook (dean of admissions).

The masters will open up some doors after medical school in terms of residency.
 
doctor804 said:
.Unfortunately I have a crummy undergrad GPA (2.76) so I think MD is out of the question for me based on what other people have been saying. I take the mcats in July and hope to god I make a 30 or higher! Perhaps that might be enough to get me into an MD school...
Click to expand...

Dont be too sure. My undergrad GPA wasnt too much better than yours and I am sitting pretty at the top part of the class going into 3rd year.
 
Hey guys, very helpful and informative thread, thanks.

Now my question is this. I received my MCAT score today and didn't do as well as I had anticipated. I know a couple people who just finished the VCU program this year, and I'm in contact with one of them. He said I shouldn't have too much trouble getting in, but this was before he knew my MCAT. I will be calling him this week to let him know how I did. Here are my stats:

GPA: 2.95 (with a couple bad apples, few Cs, D+, F in O.Chem1 but took it again and received a B+)
MCAT: 25O (Breakdown as follows: 7P, 8B, 10V). I think it's the MCAT that is really going to hurt my chances.

I know that if I get in, I will do well. I'm willing to sacrifice any social life whatsoever and will put the time and effort in to study my butt off and do whatever it takes to maintain a 3.6+ in this program. How can I better my chances of getting in for Fall 2008? I'm assuming the deadline hasn't passed yet, correct? Would speaking to one of the directors of the program and explaining my situation help at all? VCU is my number one choice for an SMP, thus I am going to try my hardest to get in.

It's not too late to get in, is it?
 
I'm in the Biochem CERT for fall '08.
Is anyone else going to be in it?

doctor804, or Instatewaiter, or others, do you still have, or know anyone who have access to past exams or notes? If yes, is it possible to get a hold of it?

Thanks, much is appreciated.
 
dave is cool said:
Hey guys, very helpful and informative thread, thanks.

Now my question is this. I received my MCAT score today and didn't do as well as I had anticipated. I know a couple people who just finished the VCU program this year, and I'm in contact with one of them. He said I shouldn't have too much trouble getting in, but this was before he knew my MCAT. I will be calling him this week to let him know how I did. Here are my stats:

GPA: 2.95 (with a couple bad apples, few Cs, D+, F in O.Chem1 but took it again and received a B+)
MCAT: 25O (Breakdown as follows: 7P, 8B, 10V). I think it's the MCAT that is really going to hurt my chances.

I know that if I get in, I will do well. I'm willing to sacrifice any social life whatsoever and will put the time and effort in to study my butt off and do whatever it takes to maintain a 3.6+ in this program. How can I better my chances of getting in for Fall 2008? I'm assuming the deadline hasn't passed yet, correct? Would speaking to one of the directors of the program and explaining my situation help at all? VCU is my number one choice for an SMP, thus I am going to try my hardest to get in.

It's not too late to get in, is it?
Click to expand...

You are going to have issues getting into medical school with a sub-3.0 GPA and a low MCAT.

As has been said frequently on SDN, SMPs are generally for people who have a low GPA and a high MCAT. 2 low numbers is very, very hard to overcome. It seems that the qualifications for the average applicant to MCV/VCU SOM has steadily improved so that even with a solid performance in the program you need to have at least one very solid stat coming into the program.

An F in a pre-rec doesnt help your case either. It is good that you got a B+ the second time around but it is still going to raise red flags. Were you able to show that not only could you master Orgo (you did this pretty well) the second time but you could perform well on the MCAT you would be in a much better position.

Personally I think you would be better served taking some undergrad classes (which will bring you above a 3.0), retaking the MCAT and then applying to the Certificate program next year. Luckily you did well in the one section that is very hard to improve upon (verbal). Bio and PS are much easier to improve. Dont give up hope though, with some improvement you will be in good shape.


1BacSi2B said:
I'm in the Biochem CERT for fall '08.
Is anyone else going to be in it?

doctor804, or Instatewaiter, or others, do you still have, or know anyone who have access to past exams or notes? If yes, is it possible to get a hold of it?

Thanks, much is appreciated.
Click to expand...

Anatomy program, physiology program and graduate student union (you can join this for a fee). My advice is make friends with some phys or anat students or to just join the grad student union.
 
Ok, thanks. Now the question is, I graduated from a university that is about 4 hours away from me. If I want to increase my undergrad. GPA, can I take courses at a local community college?

As I understand it, VCU is rolling admissions, thus they accept people up until the end of Summer. Is it possible for me to apply now, but then retake the MCAT mid-end of July and still get in for this Fall?

Also, I'm assuming there is no SMP in the country that will accept me due to my current stats, correct?
 
Just heard back from the physio program and got in...it took right around a month or so. I actually still haven't gotten an official letter/email, but I emailed dr. Ford to make sure my app was complete and he sent one back saying I had gotten in. So if you still haven't heard try sending an email to the head of your dept to check in on your app.
 
dave is cool said:
Ok, thanks. Now the question is, I graduated from a university that is about 4 hours away from me. If I want to increase my undergrad. GPA, can I take courses at a local community college?

As I understand it, VCU is rolling admissions, thus they accept people up until the end of Summer. Is it possible for me to apply now, but then retake the MCAT mid-end of July and still get in for this Fall?

Also, I'm assuming there is no SMP in the country that will accept me due to my current stats, correct?
Click to expand...

You can take courses at a local CC but that is generally less favorable than taking them at a 4yr university- esp if you have something to prove.

So if there is a 4 yr college around you then that would be better than taking them at a CC. If not, taking CC classes to improve the GPA is better than nothing.

I think you may still be able to get in but I am not sure if all the classes are full. If you think you can improve the MCAT and you are set on doing the Cert program this year it would be a good idea to retake the MCAT.

You would be hard pressed to get in to most SMPs. The most respected- Georgetown, EVMS, UCinci, BU are all probably out of the question

Again, it would be better to take a year off and get you other stats in order than just go head long into a new program- that is unless you can improve them before you start. Dont be in a rush to apply. You could do more harm by rushing things than taking your time and improving them slowly.
 
Hey,
I just finished the physio cert program this year--i would be happy to give u whatever tests i have from biochem!... call me or email me when u get into richmond--- dont sweat it too much--i got A's both sem and im not the smartest kid on the block!!...

1BacSi2B said:
I'm in the Biochem CERT for fall '08.
Is anyone else going to be in it?

doctor804, or Instatewaiter, or others, do you still have, or know anyone who have access to past exams or notes? If yes, is it possible to get a hold of it?

Thanks, much is appreciated.
Click to expand...
 
If you have a gpa lower then 2.8 do you think it is still possible to get in? What if you have a really nice Mcat Score? Even if it's slim?
 
Spoke to Dr. Ford, said it would be unlikely for me to get in with my stats. I may just go the Caribbean route.

Also, there's no way to improve my undergrad. GPA since I've already graduated. Once you graduate, the GPA is locked in. Dr. Ford said if I were to take a course in my free time, the only one that would possibly help with getting in to a certificate program is Biochemistry.

I was really hoping to get into VCU's program. I'm still going to apply though, but not keeping my hopes up.

I HATE PHYSICS!!!
 
zaf said:
Hey,
I just finished the physio cert program this year--i would be happy to give u whatever tests i have from biochem!... call me or email me when u get into richmond--- dont sweat it too much--i got A's both sem and im not the smartest kid on the block!!...
Click to expand...

ahh come on zaf...not the smartest kid on the block? but your right, you dont have to be the smartest
 
dave is cool said:
Spoke to Dr. Ford, said it would be unlikely for me to get in with my stats. I may just go the Caribbean route.

Also, there's no way to improve my undergrad. GPA since I've already graduated. Once you graduate, the GPA is locked in. Dr. Ford said if I were to take a course in my free time, the only one that would possibly help with getting in to a certificate program is Biochemistry.

I was really hoping to get into VCU's program. I'm still going to apply though, but not keeping my hopes up.

I HATE PHYSICS!!!
Click to expand...

If you take undergraduate classes, your undergrad GPA is affected.

If you take graduate level classes- your undergrad GPA is not affected.

Nothing wrong with the biochem program. My year we had fewer students than the phys program had and more got into med school.
 
any word on anyone getting in off the WL?
 
is it $50 to apply to each program? so far I have submitted my application to the biochem program and paid with my credit card. If I also want to the apply to the physio program, how can I get VCU to send copies of my supplemental information (ie. LOR, resume, personal statement) to the different programs?
 
the $50 fee includes application to two different programs. so it should cover the physio fee also. as far as getting them to send your supplementals to the other programs, i guess your best bet would be to call the grad school and see if they can make copies of all your paperwork. good luck with that though. 😀
 
When i paid for the application to biochem, it didn't prompt an option to send my application to a second program. How do I notify VCU that I want to add on the physio program to my application?
 
when i applied online i created two applications, one for each of the programs i applied to. i was then able to rank the apps in order of preference. you could also do this and then just let vcu know that you want your materials copied for the other program.
 
I just checked my bank statement, I did biochem and phys apps online, $50 each
 
did you guys include your resume in the application?
 
well, got denied from my 2nd choice program, biochem

hopefully phys lets me in
 
Did they say why? I only applied to physio and biochem too. I hope they didn't run out of space. I mailed out my application yesterday. =(
 
seemed like a standard letter...

there were many qualified applicants blah blah blah etc etc
 
I got accepted to the Biochemistry Program! Woohoo! Anyone else find out?
 
When did you apply and when were you completed? USPS confirmed that my application was received on sat. Hopefully, I'll have good news too.

Rockfish, I called the biochem director last friday and he told me that there is still space in the program. Maybe if you call him and talk to him you can appeal the rejection. Who knows what can happen, maybe Instatewaiter?
 
I submitted my application in mid April and had all of the stuff completed in mid May. If you just sent in your application it may take a while. Best of luck! I think if you have at least a decent MCAT score (27 or above) and a GPA above 2.8 you have a strong chance of getting in.
 
I hope you are right. My gpa is right above the cut off. Hopefully, my mcat score (33) will be enough to compensate.
 
That's more than enough.
Instatewaiter got a 33 on the MCAT.
 
anyone here a ucla student or alumn?
 
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