Vcu Pre-med Bhs Certificate Program

[KOM]

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Has anybody taken part in this particular program? If so, pm me so I can get some information. I'm interested in the degree of difficulty and which specific discipline might be better than the others...there are 6 different departments (micro, anatomy, pharmacology, biochem, genetics, and physiology) and I need to choose one. Thanks

 

[PurpleHaze]

The program is hard as hell... esp. if you weren't the world's best student in undergrad. You will learn how to study efficiently though. I'm in the Physiology part of the program. Biochem I think has the least required courses.. like you can pretty much take whatever you want. The anatomy dept... your schedule is pretty much set for you. Um... genetics is a harder program, along with microbiology from what I heard.

PM me with any specific questions you might have.

 

[thisisinsane1]

I'm applying for the Pharmacology program on this course.. starting fall 2006 (hopefully).. anybody know how difficult/easy it is to get onto the course?? I'm an international student (from England) and from what I've seen on the VCU site, there are a LOT of internationals there.. so I'm hoping this wont be a major problem..

also, if there's anyone here who's completed the course, how did your med/dentistry applications go?

thanks!

 

[n8ture]

hello,
last year i completed the anatomy/neurobiology post-bac program at vcu/mcv, and this year i went on to get my masters degree. the anatomy program is the most established as well as one of the hardest programs out of the certificate options. if anything, it is the one that most closely matches the courses taken during your M1 year.. biochemistry, histology, physiology, and neuroanatomy. i'll be honest though, it was a very rough year. however, after all that learning and over an extended period of time (a semester vs. just a few weeks), everything should pay off. i say this because i had friends who were in the post-bac with me, made it into med school (especially here at mcv) and have had a much easier time, compared to those who had never had these courses before. so while it definitely can't be guaranteed that you'll get into med school if you do this program.. it will look better on your application, especially if you had low science grades in undergrad and need to do some sort of program that can show that you can redeem yourself. However, as stated, there are a number of different options, and if you feel that you're not ready or willing to go through the anatomy tract, you don't have to.. i'm sure people in all of the programs have been accepted at some point. In any of the other programs, you are able to take electives, and you can change your schedule as you like.
with that said, if you have any more questions about the anatomy program, feel free to PM me.

 

[mprover]

I just finished the physiology certificate program, and Ill probably stick around and get a masters. The program is fairly challenging. However, most students Ive talked to who have finished the program and have gotten into medical school at MCV say that if you can do well in the certificate program , you can do well in medical school. If you had to choose a program , I would suggest anatomy or physiology . I believe the anatomy program is harder than phys. Both programs require you to take Physiology and Biochemistry first semester. The difference is that phys students can take pretty much whatever elective they like , while the anatomy students HAVE to take histology. Second semester, both require the second semester biochemistry. Physiology students have to take cell physiology and biochemistry , while the anatomy students have to take neuroanatomy and biochem (most still take cell phys as their elective) . If you want more information or have more questions, PM me , or post and Ill be happy to reply .

 

[Instatewaiter]

I recently finished the Biochemistry Cert program and I too found it challanging. Anatomy and physiology are the most respected of the programs and do give you quite a lot of help for getting into med school(the professors will talk to the deans on your behalf if you are doing well). The biochem program was not too bad, though. I took essentially the same courses as the other programs but did not have to take histology.

The biochem program makes you take phys, and biochem and 2 seminars the first semester while Anatomy makes you take Phys, biochem, histology and a seminar. Histology was such a drain for most people that they did much worse than they could have were they only taking phys and biochem. THis means that thier grades were worse for the 1st semester. Only your 1st semester grades impact whether you will get in to med/dental school for the following year so those people who took histology had lower grades in physiology and biochemistry since histology was such a time comitment.

The anatomy program has the 'best' students coming in so it is more competitive. If you are in the top of the anatomy program you will get in no problem. In all honesty, I would recommend the physiology program or the biochemistry program. Most people get a little overwhelmed by the first semester in the Anatomy program and don't do that well.

The problem that many have with the VCU cert program is that if you do not do well, you can sabotage you chances of getting into med/dental school. So make sure you do well. This year, VCU medical school reecived 1000 more applicants than previous years so it became much more competitive to get in. Those who did not get a 4.0 in the Cert program did not get in yet (waitlisted). In most likelihood, those who did not get above a 3.7 in the 1st semester will not have a prayer of getting in, so do well.

 

[mprover]

Those who did not get a 4.0 in the Cert program did not get in yet (waitlisted). In most likelihood, those who did not get above a 3.7 in the 1st semester will not have a prayer of getting in, so do well.

Ive been told that the adcom looks to see if you have above a 3.4 for the whole program. Ive been told this by both certificate profs and med administrators .

 

[Instatewaiter]

Ive been told that the adcom looks to see if you have above a 3.4 for the whole program. Ive been told this by both certificate profs and med administrators .

In past years that was true. This year however, there were 1000 more applicants and 50% more interviews given. I was told, by the VCU dean of admissions, in her office, that this year, no one below a 4.0 for the 1st semester has been let in. Some people w/ a 4.0, including myself, were placed on the waiting list (got in today). They do not plan to interview quite as many people next year as they did this year so it will be less competitive.

If you are doing the Cert. program next year and are applying to medical school for the following year (applying while doing the Cert program) the admissions committee will not see your 2nd semester grades. Thus, if you are planning to get into med school 2 years from now you HAVE to get a 3.6 or better in your 1st semester. If you do not do well you can actually make yourself a worse candidate. However, if you do well, you will not have any difficulty getting into medical school. This is a great program.

PM me if you have questions.