VCU Pre-med cert program 2013-2014

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Lnguyen11 said:
Has anyone else applied to this program and has been accepted or have heard anything from them for fall 2013?
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Hi I completed my application on March 31, and received unofficial acceptance letter on April 10.
 
Thank you for responding! Congrats btw! Are you planning on attending? I have been waiting to hear some news. I have no idea why mine is taking so long. Every time I call they say they haven't reached that pile yet but I just want to know if my scores came in cause I sent it like a month ago and it hasn't popped up on the online status check.
 
Lnguyen11 said:
Thank you for responding! Congrats btw! Are you planning on attending? I have been waiting to hear some news. I have no idea why mine is taking so long. Every time I call they say they haven't reached that pile yet but I just want to know if my scores came in cause I sent it like a month ago and it hasn't popped up on the online status check.
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I also applied! I sent my application in January and I haven't heard anything. Where did you find the online status check? I didn't even know they had one 🙂
 
pink1017 said:
I also applied! I sent my application in January and I haven't heard anything. Where did you find the online status check? I didn't even know they had one 🙂
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If you just google "vcu admissions login" it should take you. I don't know if you this link will work but here https://ssb.vcu.edu/proddad/bwskalog.P_DispIndex?appno=1
You should definitely call them because my application was basically sitting there and I called yesterday and they checked and it was completed so they finally moved it to the completed pile for review.
 
Application was complete 04/16, received acceptance email on 04/18. Very interested in attending, but waiting to see what my other options are.
 
Fast Track Review: Jan 18
App Complete: March 4 (LORs took a little while)
Reviewed: March 11ish
Accepted: March 18th

Holding out for waitlists but I am most likely going here.
 
Lnguyen11 said:
Thank you for responding! Congrats btw! Are you planning on attending? I have been waiting to hear some news. I have no idea why mine is taking so long. Every time I call they say they haven't reached that pile yet but I just want to know if my scores came in cause I sent it like a month ago and it hasn't popped up on the online status check.
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I am sorry for my late reply. Yes, I am planning on attending .I used a MCAT score, and they were processed very quickly. Do you use a DAT score? Best of luck with your application. I hope everything turns out well.🙂
 
Moonlight18 said:
I am sorry for my late reply. Yes, I am planning on attending .I used a MCAT score, and they were processed very quickly. Do you use a DAT score? Best of luck with your application. I hope everything turns out well.🙂
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That's awesome! Hopefully we will meet in the fall! I used my DAT scores and I found out that they thought they didn't have my LOR so it was sitting in the incomplete pile but it was complete the whole time so it was just sent in last week for review. Hopefully I'll hear some good news soon!
 
Lnguyen11 said:
That's awesome! Hopefully we will meet in the fall! I used my DAT scores and I found out that they thought they didn't have my LOR so it was sitting in the incomplete pile but it was complete the whole time so it was just sent in last week for review. Hopefully I'll hear some good news soon!
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That's wonderful. I am praying for you. Let's keep us updated =)
 
Haven't made a decision yet.

If anyone that used to be in the program stumbles across this, I have a few questions..

1. in your opinion where is the best location to live in terms of being near the library, gym, classes, nightlife? What about best value?

2. Did you have the opportunity to do extracurricular activities like volunteer?

3. What was a typical day like for you in the fall and spring?

4. How were the faculty and staff? Professors answer questions promptly/ advisors seem like they care?

5. Why did you choose this program instead of others?

6. Were exams tricky? Or were they more if you put in the time and work to learn the material you will do well?

7. How often did you study and how many days before exams and quizzes?

8. Are there any classes that we should absolutely avoid?


Ok ok that's all I can think of right now and I really appreciate you taking the time to respond to these questions! Thanks again!
 
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Still debating this program.. Any news from you guys?
 
Hi! Congrats to those who got in 🙂
Did you call the VCU graduate school or another number when requesting an application status?
 
klip said:
1. in your opinion where is the best location to live in terms of being near the library, gym, classes, nightlife? What about best value?
-your classes are on MCV campus so any place near Jackson Ward (unsafe), Shockoe Slip/Bottom, Tobacco Row will put you near campus and hence library and gym. I don't think you'll have the time nor the energy for nightlife but there're restaurants everywhere.

2. Did you have the opportunity to do extracurricular activities like volunteer?
- only during the second semester. If you do well in the Fall semester, that'll give you an option to take a lighter course load for the Spring. You'll have the option in Spring to do research for credits.

3. What was a typical day like for you in the fall and spring?
- Classes are spread out until 2pm everyday for both semesters (Physiology and Microbiology meet everyday M-F). Then you'll have the rest of the day for studying.

4. How were the faculty and staff? Professors answer questions promptly/ advisors seem like they care?
- Professors are excellent (there're few exceptions), very attentive and caring. All of them are nice.

5. Why did you choose this program instead of others?
- guaranteed interview and the VCU MS is in-state.

6. Were exams tricky? Or were they more if you put in the time and work to learn the material you will do well?
- If you study, you'll do well.

7. How often did you study and how many days before exams and quizzes?
- I studied everyday. Since there're 2 heavy classes that meet everyday, missing a day of class will feel really overwhelming. I saved the weekends for review. You really won't have much time (or energy) for fun if you want that 4.0 (and you'll want that 4.0 if you want to be competitive)

8. Are there any classes that we should absolutely avoid?
- Not that I'm aware of, but for the Fall semester I'd take Histology as an elective; it's easy.

I hope this'll help. I think interests for this program will rise as July approaches.
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Hi Klip! Thank you for the answers, appreciate it! Just have a follow up question: Is the Shockoe Slip/Bottom relatively safe? Or would it be better to just do university housing on the MCV campus? Thanks again!
 
Fuser -- I've been trying to get a feel for housing, too. Looks like you can get a remodeled 3 bedroom house near the Fan for around $500-$575/roommate. Shockhoe Bottom looks like mainly condos/apartments. What are you thinking about doing for housing?
 
NOLA2UNC said:
Fuser -- I've been trying to get a feel for housing, too. Looks like you can get a remodeled 3 bedroom house near the Fan for around $500-$575/roommate. Shockhoe Bottom looks like mainly condos/apartments. What are you thinking about doing for housing?
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I'm still not sure. I am looking around at websites and comparing but I have no clue. I wanted to avoid having a car at all costs but it doesn't seem like that will be possible. Most of our classes will be on the MCV campus right? So basically if we live in the fan or surrounding areas, we will need to use a car or a bus to get to MCV?

Do you have a car on campus Klip?
 
How did you guys send your MCAT score? Do you really have to print a score report and mail it to them?
 
Dr Turkelton said:
How did you guys send your MCAT score? Do you really have to print a score report and mail it to them?
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That's what I did, and I was accepted today. I don't think they accept PDF emails.
 
fuser said:
I'm still not sure. I am looking around at websites and comparing but I have no clue. I wanted to avoid having a car at all costs but it doesn't seem like that will be possible. Most of our classes will be on the MCV campus right? So basically if we live in the fan or surrounding areas, we will need to use a car or a bus to get to MCV?

Do you have a car on campus Klip?
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All the places I am looking at via Craigslist, zillow.com, trulia.com, and realtor.com are showing places in the Fan, Shockoe Bottom/Slip, Jackson Ward (but not so sketch). They're within a 12-15 minute bike ride of Sanger Hall, where most, if not all, of our classes are located. I'm trying to live within the I-95/Hwy 1 corridor because I have no clue what it's like to cross under I-95 from the east.
 
Anyone else applying/heard back yet? My application was just complete today Hope it doesn't take too long to hear back :scared:
 
Dr Turkelton said:
Thanks and congrats! will you be going?
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No, I've decided to go to Rosalind Franklin for now. I'm still waiting on EVMS and I am currently on the waitlist for UCincy, however, so it could change. But I will definitely not be taking the offer for VCU. Good luck to you! You should hear from them soon.
 
Got accepted recently, here's my info:

App completed: May 15
Accepted on: May 24
MCAT: 34
Undergrad GPA: 3.45

Applied to med school last year and I'm waitlisted at EVMS and Tech. Assuming I won't get in, so I applied to VCU and GMU's post-bacc and I'm starting a new AMCAS application soon!

I'm deciding between VCU and the ABS program and George Mason. The big advantages for GMU are that I'll be able to save money by living at home, and I'll have time for extracurriculars since it's 10 credits a semester.

BUT if VCU's program gives you a big advantage in getting into their med school, I might go. I know about the guaranteed interview, but I was able to secure one last year without the program. Does anyone know if there are any other upsides vis-à-vis networking with professors there or something?
 
If someone has a D in one of the pre-reqs can they still apply to the post-bacc program or do you need a C and above in all pre-reqs?
 
Im looking into Cedar Broad Apartments, which is fairly close to VCU. A 2 bedroom place is around 1400/mo and 3 bedroom is around 1700/mo. Anyone interested in getting a place there with me; best deal would be to get the 3 bedroom place and split between 3 people for ~600/mo single rooms. Where I am from (LA) that is a great price for singles
 
Looking for a roommate interested in living at Cedar Broads or Shockoe Commons Apartment. PM me if interested.
 
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Just wondering what the stats were for the incoming Cert class....

Please don't hesitate to share!
 
Apparently they are offering a new course based on clinical rotations for us. I wonder how that will be graded. Looks cool!
 
Just got in a week ago and I;m running out of time to make a decision. Any other OOS people considering the program? It looks great but I don't know how selective VCU med is in taking OOS people.
 
Neuroglia said:
cool, where did you find that?
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An email was sent out this week about it. They haven't ironed out all of the details quite yet though.


Dr Turkelton said:
Just got in a week ago and I;m running out of time to make a decision. Any other OOS people considering the program? It looks great but I don't know how selective VCU med is in taking OOS people.
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I'm out of state. They accept roughly ~210 students each year and about ~100 of them are out of state, though they do give some in state preference.
 
fuser said:
An email was sent out this week about it. They haven't ironed out all of the details quite yet though.




I'm out of state. They accept roughly ~210 students each year and about ~100 of them are out of state, though they do give some in state preference.
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thanks! Oddly I didn't get the e-mail, last one I got was the handbook email like 3-4 weeks ago
 
fuser said:
An email was sent out this week about it. They haven't ironed out all of the details quite yet though.




I'm out of state. They accept roughly ~210 students each year and about ~100 of them are out of state, though they do give some in state preference.
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Thanks!


Does anyone know if a strong performance in this program would offset a low undergrad gpa? I know it it not the most competitive program to get into so I'm worried my low undergrad gpa (2.95) would keep me out of their med school even if I do well in this program. Has anyone heard of someone with a sub 3 getting into their med school after this program?
 
we should probably try and start a FB group? Maybe send an e-mail out on the list serv?
 
Hey guys congrats on the acceptance! I'm a 2nd year at VCU medical school and there are tons of kids in my class from the CERT program, 10 % of our class were CERT program members so you're in the right program.

I just want to wish you guys the best! Work hard and you'll achieve your dream.
 
Is anyone still looking for roommates or housing
 
I'm still looking for housing, too. Where are you looking at living? If you like you can PM me instead of posting.
 
There's a place called 1200 west marshall, they only have 3 bedrooms left but the places look really sick, fully furnished and a sick location. It's a brand new building.
 
Hey guys, it is looking like I will end up attending this program. Would definitely be looking for a roommate as well,Let me know if you guys are looking for a 3rd person for that apartment!

fuser said:
If you do well, your chances will increase. Here is one instance from the rate my SMP thread:
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Thanks!
 
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