<p>I must correct myself of using the word "BAD", but VCU is really obscure to everybody. I'm interested in its 8-year-medicine program and I saw the stats of the students accepted is not that high, like somewhat 1900-2100. Compared to other similar programs, like UMKC, VCU is a really easy program. Many of you said VCU has a good medicine department and I've checked that it is really accredited for medical school. But how come its acceptees' stats are so low? And if I come out to work, will the employers know what VCU is? I'm quite nervous about that. Because I'm new to US, I know nothing about reputation. And I don't want to spend extra money to be an out-of-state student.
PS. I live in VA. High School Junior.
Thank you very much.</p>
<p>Where I live (20 minutes away from VCU), it's everyone's safety school, and a match for those who didn't really care about high school at all.</p>
<p>That said, it does have some very strong programs (number one public art program in the country, for example). Just because a school isn't famous on a worldly level really doesn't mean anything at all. Find the school that's right for you and apply there.</p>
<p>thank you so much Burninup88. But.... I don't know how to say.
I'm not a student that doesn't care about the college. I do have a certain level of academic result. Like a 3.8 unweighted GPA from a very competitive school. About 2150 in SAT. And taking AP courses.
I'm in the middle ones. I know I'm definitely not able to get even interview in Boston U and Northwestern U.. But I think it is way too wasteful to apply to this "everyone's safety school".</p>
<p>since when is a 1900-2100 low?!?</p>
<p>I guess it just depends how much a school's name matters to you. If you go to a school with a better reputation and bigger name, though, that in fact has a less-established medical program, then I would say you're wasting your time. Again, just because VCU doesn't have a huge reputation doesn't mean that their program is worse than one at an Ivy or similar school.</p>
<p>We looked at VCU because of its tremendous reputation in art. It also has a strong undergraduate/MD program. Frankly, I think VCU is a good school with a strong alumni base. The main problem with it, in my opinion, is its location. It is in a very seedy location with a lot of homeless nearby. You really need to check out the school</p>
<p>Really? Is it really THAT obscure to everyone? Because apparently a few people got accepted here at CC.</p>
<p>It may be a good school for you. Check it out before you doubt it.</p>
<p>I have a friend who goes there, its his freshman year now, hes doing pre-med, he says its a great program, he's not too big a fan of the location though</p>
<p>Thank you very much, guys. I have a clearer image of VCU now. Thank you.</p>
<p>Very strong in art. I'm not a fan of Richmond.</p>
<p>How come tsdad?</p>
<p>worldshopper what is tsdad?</p>
<p>I was responding to tsdad's comment, just asking why he was not a fan of Richmond.</p>
<p>the VCU medical program is very solid. It is better than the overall VCU profile would suggest.</p>
<p>as other people have mentioned, it's not in a good part of the city.</p>
<p>There is little seperation bertween the VCU campus and the city. Richmond is still largely rundown, with not a whole bunch to do, and, in parts, dangerous.</p>
<p>I have several friends that go to VCU and my sister goes there too. NOT bad! if you want to go into any kind of art or if you want to go into medicine, or you know what, really anything, it is a good school. it is a BIG school, and it is very urban. i mean bums, divided campus (no real campus actually), smell of fried food some places. there are these crazy stoplights that are supposed to be prettier or something but you can barely see them . haha. they aren't DANGEROUS or anything, they are not even really for real roads or anything. anyway one time i was stopped at them and this homeless lady stood in front of my car and i had no idea what to do when the light turned green, honk? so i just looked out the side window and she eventually walked away. crazy story for ya. anyway if you are into hardcore it has a really great music scene. it seriously has A LOT of really artsy people and sometimes maybe some of them aren't the friendliest but some of the coolest people i know go to VCU. cool to me anyway. ummm...its the fifth most dangerous city in the country so theres that. i probably wouldn't be happy there just because i am not into the whole slightly city/ urban thing, mostly because i can be very paranoid and i would be scared out of my wits. but really, campus security is always on duty and stuff. parking really sucks but my sister mostly rides her bike around, as do a lot of people. living is expensive but so is almost freakin everywhere else you go. a lot of restaurants. carrytown (sp?) is worth a visit. art! (if you like art- i mean music, painting, theatrics, writing, all kinds) it abounds. i like looking out of my sisters apartment and seeing people painting on easles (sp?) in a parking garage, but then i AM looking at a parking garage. i got lost driving around there a couple of times too and ended up in not so nice neighborhoods some of the time. well i think i've painted you a rather large picture of VCU but if you want to know anything else just ask me i'd be really glad to help. and if i never respond post it in the uva forum thing (haha) i look in there more often probably.</p>
<p>anymore advice?</p>
<p>oh and the medical program IS very good and it IS looked upon fairly highly (when i say fairly, it is on par with every other medical school in the country, it just doesn't hold the name as, say, Harvard or Johns Hopkins). I come from a very medical family and though none of my family members that attend/ attended medical school went to MCV (or VCU School of Medicine, as it wishes to be called now) i know that it is a good school and looked upon favorably by those who accept new doctors for residency. This one girl, who is a complete genius, chose a full ride to VCUs medical school thingy over Harvard, Yale, Georgetown. May not EXACTLY add up, but thats what she wanted. anyway, its a good thing. and if i'm not mistaken you wouldn't have to take MCATs, which every other medical student who had to take MCATs would despise you for. But you would be MUCH happier for it. :)</p>
<p>I'm the mom of four teens, eldest is a senior at Governor's School just a few blocks from VCU. Location/city does not deserve it's bad reputation; area around VCU is going through a HUGE revitalization and will probably be some of the hottest property in another 3-4 years. VCU is like Richmond, a mid-sized "city school" in a mid-sized city. I have worked near VCU for 23 years and would not hesititae for my kids to attend/live there. MCV is also quite good.</p>
<p>I have only visited the area but the area just west of campus is very nice with numerous redone vintage townhomes, etc. The Cary Street area is neaby and has plenty of nice shops and restaurants. If I had the time and money I'd buy near VCU and fix up one of those classic vintage townhomes while they are still cheap. Also has a great Cuban restaurant near campus which you don't find everywhere. I think you just need to be a little careful and use your head late at night on campus.</p>