<p>VCU has a Bs/md program and I was wondering what the differences were between its program and other schools' programs (BU, Nw, Gw, UConn, Brown, Drexel). </p>
<p>Also as a baseline, what are the requirements to get into these programs? Most of the guide lines give stats as to the minimum requirements, but realistically what are the requirements? </p>
<p>Thank You!</p>
<p>Use Google and then ask…</p>
<p>I wish someone could give hard numbers on how many guaranteed program students at VCU are not able to matriculate at MCV because of too low GPA. </p>
<p>Their list of requirements is as follows: </p>
<p>Graduate with University Honors. </p>
<p>Maintain a 3.5 GPA in prerequisite science courses taken at VCU (calculus; general biology with lab; general chemistry with lab; organic chemistry with lab; and physics with lab); transfer</p>
<p>AP/IB and repeat course grades are not used in the GPA calculation. </p>
<p>Present a cumulative 3.5 GPA (based on all course work attempted) at the end of the fourth, fifth, sixth and seventh semesters at VCU. </p>
<p>Complete the following core of courses:
Two semesters of calculus
Calculus-based physics (PHYS 207-208) </p>
<p>And four of the following nine courses*:
Comparative Vertebrate Anatomy (BIOL 301)
Endocrinology (BIOL 524)
Population Genetics (BIOL 516/HGEN 516)
Animal Physiology (BIOL 311)
Biochemistry (BIOC 403)
Quantitative Analysis (CHEM 309, CHEZ 309; taken in same semester)
Immunology (BIOL 455)
Biology of Cancer I (BIOL 450)
Genetics (BIOL 310; Honors section only, beginning fall 2009)
*Very occasionally, students majoring in disciplines other than biology may obtain permission from the Director of Guaranteed Admission Programs to substitute a course for one of the above nine courses. Permission must be obtained prior to enrolling in a substitute course.</p>
<p>Present a cumulative 3.4 GPA, with no grade below a C, in the four of nine courses (see above); GPA is calculated on the first four taken. Repeat course grades are not used in the GPA calculation. </p>
<p>If you wish to take required course work from either an institution other than VCU or in summer session at VCU, then you must obtain advance permission from the Director of Guaranteed Admission Programs. This includes the summer session between high school and college. </p>
<p>Complete a minimum of 120 hours of approved health care-related experience during each of the first three academic years and 60 additional hours to be completed during the fourth academic year (July 1-June 30). Keep track of your health care-related experiences. [PDF]
Complete a one-semester clinical, or two-semester clinical/research, mentorship with a faculty member from the VCU School of Medicine during the third year of undergraduate study; to be completed no later than the end of the sixth semester of undergraduate study. </p>
<p>Engage in professional behavior at all times. Any institutional or legal sanction will result in dismissal from the Guaranteed Admission Program.</p>
<p>If you can get into VCU’s program, you can get the 3.5 at VCU. It is really that simple. The other requirements (120 hours, meeting etc.) aren’t too bad as long as you remember you have to do them.</p>
<p>People occasionally leave the program for various reasons, but I haven’t heard of anyone getting kicked out for not getting the 3.5 at VCU.</p>
<p>tennischamp, how sure are you, are you a guaranteed program student at vcu? </p>
<p>Stats to get into the guaranteed program: in the 2009 profile only 172 people applied and 35 were accepted, and of those accepted the lowest SAT was 1950 with a mean of 2150. </p>
<p>Still think it’s easy to get into but not so easy later.</p>
<p>lolz, it is not easy to get into this program. the average accepted student did an average of 450 hours of health care activity. Admission is not based on numbers alone. This is why i didnt apply to this program.</p>
<p>lifebubble, I am a Gmed student at VCU.</p>
<p>If you put in the effort, I think it is very likely that you will be able to maintain a 3.5 at VCU.</p>
<p>I know many Gmed students from my year have between 3.9-4.0. I maintained a 3.72 my freshman year, and I don’t think I worked even half as much as I did in high school. </p>
<p>Once you get here, you will see that it is not at all difficult to maintain a 3.5 at VCU. The other requirements are annoying but doable. They are certainly better than having to take the MCAT.</p>
<p>tennischamp822, </p>
<p>Are most of you classes taken with the Honors College students or a mix (with other VCU students)?</p>
<p>My stats are:
I am a Canadian citizen living in VA.
SAT: 2150 (770 Math, 690 CR & Writing)
SAT II: 770 Chemistry, 700 Math I
GPA: 3.85 WEIGHTED (but I improved: 3.5 freshman, 3.9 soph, 4.3 junior)
AP Chemistry, AP Computer Science A , AP Computer Science AB, AP English Lang./ Comp. -> all 5s, except for 3 on AP Eng Lang.
Senior classes:
<p>But, the thing is I haven’t volunteered at all at a medical related place -> but was an animal caretaker at a State Park for 4 years.</p>
<p>& a bunch of clubs (and a med related non-profit’s P.R. Director).
<p>Do you think I can make it ? </p>
<p>Also Does anyone know when one hears back from VCU for interviews?</p>
<p>this program is not worth it</p>
<p>I still am trying to understand the point of this program making students take upper-level science courses, beyond the minimal requirments needed for VCU medical school of one year of general biology, chemistry, organic chemistry, and physics… with those upper level science courses (while any major is acceptable), it kinda forces students to become biology majors as those upper level science courses fulfill degree requirements</p>
<p>There are MANY MANY MANY students who go through normal admissions having taken only the minimal science requirements and pursue a major of their interest… And honestly, med schools dont care about whether an applicant has done upper level science courses… this is not like college admissions, where the course curriculum is also looked at… Med schools ONLY care about grades in general bio, chem, orgo, physics, MCAT, and EC’s… in fact, I believe non-science majors who have taken only a year of bio,chem, orgo, and physics and did well in MCAT get preference over science majors (who have done tons of upper-level science and math courses) because they are able to prove they are well-rounded students</p>
<p>And this program defeats the ultimate purpose of guaranteed admission programs… to allow a student to explore his/her interest having all ready been admitted to med school… but this program essentially forces students to become bio majors :/</p>
<p>Secondly, VCU med school is not a ranked med school. both UVA and EVMS are regarded better med schools in VA. UVA is nationally ranked… EVMS has a smaller class size and has I believe slightly higher MCAT than VCU</p>
<p>VCU undergrad is on the fourth tier of US News I think.</p>
<p>Honestly, there are many many many better guaranteed admission programs than VCU… And if you can’t get in those, I would take a higher ranked college than this guaranteed program and apply through regular admissions</p>
<p>this program just doesnt appeal to me… I went through normal admissions in college and got into med school… and i only did a year of general bio,chem,orgo, and physics
did well on MCAT
had good amount of EC’s</p>
<p>and did not have trouble getting into med school… and I had nowhere as good high school stats as you guys did, so if you get into say Brown/Brown Med GO!! Or any ranked medical school program say. But VCU/MCV… I would recommend going to a good 4 year college over this program and applying through regular admissions</p>
<p>I am saying this as a premed who has gone through college. I dont think high school seniors really know this, as they all just get attracted to this program because of all the horror stories they hear about how hard it is to get into medical school and this program gives you a guaranteed admission from day 1… if you do well people in college, and apply broadly, chances are you will get in…</p>
<p>And BTW, what is the GPA requirement to stay in this program? Because with your stats you can get into really get into great colleges, and if you get a 3.3 + GPA assuming you did well on MCAT, you can apply to just zillions of med schools…</p>
<p>that is my recommendation</p>
<p>tennischamp,
I would disagree with you that taking those upper level science courses is better than taking the MCAT.</p>
<p>The MCAT is written on the assumption you have had only a year of general bio, chem, orgo, physics, and english… you can answer every question on the exam with the knowledge you received in these classes</p>
<p>Upper level science courses… those are time consuming, semester long, totally unnecessary courses that med schools dont care whether you have done or not</p>
<p>and you can do very well in med school with only a year of general bio, chem, orgo, and physics… in fact they have a Mount Sinai Humanities and Medicine program specifically designed for non-science majors… and some of those kids in that program do extremely well at med school</p>
<p>Yeah I got an interview for the program, but I am not sure if I want to go. It’s not in my top choices, and I have already gotten an interview to some better programs (Miami, Penn State, BU, etc…). I think I can do better, but we’ll see. Any advice?</p>