Virginia Commonwealth University

Cracking VCU Medical School Admissions: Tips To Get Accepted

Hi premeds! This page serves as a high-yield resource for Virginia Commonwealth University Medical School (VCU Medical School) Admissions. We’ve compiled it from VCU Medical School acceptance rate data, the VCU School of Medicine website, and most importantly, from VCU Medical School students themselves! You will have facts such as VCU Medical School admissions statistics, and you’ll get an insider perspective about the student life and curriculum. Additionally, VCU School of Medicine has the special fmSTAT program for students who are interested in family medicine. 

Two important aspects of the VCU School of Medicine application is the VCU secondary application and the VCU Multiple Mini Interview. Read more below! 

If you have any questions about medical school admissions or Virginia Commonwealth University Medical School, contact us!

WHY CHOOSE VCU MEDICAL SCHOOL?


The most common reasons we’ve heard from students:

  • In-state tuition
  • Near home
  • Combined degree programs

Applications

VCU School of Medicine required CASPer (Computer Based Assessment for Sampling Personal Characteristics).  Read more about CASPer and tips to ace this exam here: CASPer Test Tips – Here’s What You Need To Know

Additionally, the VCU secondary application essay prompts change year after year. We do not recommend pre-writing these essays, but you should work on the VCU medical school secondary application as soon as you receive the official invite from the VCU SOM admissions office. 

Read the VCU secondary application essay prompts and tips: Tips To Stand Out On VCU Secondary Application Essays

VCU Medical School Admissions
VCU Secondary Application: MD Essay Prompts:
  1. You are approached by a neighbor whom you are friendly with and who knows you are headed to medical school. The neighbor wants your opinion on whether she should have her healthy 3-year-old child vaccinated against COVID. The neighbor is well-researched and thoughtful, bringing up data that suggests limited long-term benefits of vaccination, while pointing to concerning, documented side effects. How would you respond to this dilemma? Research on the topic is encouraged (Comments are limited to 2000 characters)
  2. How do you define “grit”, and how have you demonstrated this in the past? (2,000 character limit)
  3. (If applicable) Please briefly explain any lapses in your undergraduate education that are not explained in your application.
  4. (If applicable) Please briefly explain any low GPAs or poor grades.
  5. (If applicable – gap year) If not addressed in your application, what are you currently doing now?
VCU Secondary Application: fmSTAT Essay Prompts
  1. Describe the doctor you want to be and discuss how a career in family medicine will help you achieve that. (2,500 characters max)
  2. Describe your concept of what Family Medicine is and tell us what specific influence led you to this understanding? (2,500 characters max)

Again, get the most updated prompts and VCU secondary application tips here!

NEED HELP WITH EDITING YOUR
VCU MEDICAL SCHOOL SECONDARY ESSAYS?

Get the Cracking Med School Admissions team’s expertise through our secondary essay editing packages.. If you have questions, email us at info@crackingmedadmissions.com or contact us.

VCU Medical School
Interview Format

How to Get Into VCU Medical School – Ace Your MMI Interview

One important component to getting accepted into Virginia Commonwealth University School of Medicine is to ace your multiple mini interview!

The best way to practice for your Multiple Mini Interview is through our Mastering the Multiple Mini Interview course

Read our 3 popular MMI blogs here:

  1. The Multiple Mini Interview: What it is, and How to do Well
  2. 5 Tips to Ace the MMI Interview
  3. 50 Multiple Mini Interview Questions and MMI Interview Tips
Improve your MMI skills in 1 week or less!

Master the Multiple Mini Interview

Learn to Confidently Tackle:

download your interview guide

If you are prepared, the interview gives you the perfect opportunity to standout and shine by sharing with people what you are passionate about.

Med School Admissions Interview Guide eBook Cover
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VCU Medical School Acceptance Rate

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Admit Rate
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VCU Medical School Admissions Statistics:

  • VCU Med School Median Undergraduate GPA: 3.79
  • VCU Med School Average MCAT Score: 512 (128 chemical & physical / 126 critical analysis / 128 biological & biochemical / 129 psychological, social)

How did VCU Med Students Do on Their USMLE Step Exams?

  • Average VCU Medical School USMLE Step 1 Percentage Passing Rate: 96%
  • Average VCU Medical School USMLE Step 2 Score: 247

Source: U.S. News 

Your medical school application Coaches, Mentors, & Cheerleaders

We Personally Advise Every Student We Work With

Dr. Rachel Rizal

Rachel Rizal, M.D.

Changing the trajectory of people's lives

Undergraduate
Princeton University

Medical School
Stanford School of Medicine

Residency
Harvard, Emergency Medicine

Awards & Scholarships
Fulbright Scholar
USA Today Academic First Team
Tylenol Scholarship

Rishi Mediratta, MD, MSc, MA

Rishi Mediratta, M.D., M.Sc., M.A.

Advising students to attend their dream schools

Undergraduate
Johns Hopkins University

Medical School
Stanford School of Medicine

Residency
Stanford, Pediatrics

Awards & Scholarships
Marshall Scholar
Tylenol Scholarship
Global Health Scholar

Each year, the Cracking Med School Admissions team
helps students get accepted to top medical schools.
We can help you get accepted!

Contact us today.

The Insider's View on VCU Medical School's Pre-clinical years

How to get into VCU Medical School Tip – Know the Curriculum:

Curriculum Overview:

VCU has a pre-clinical curriculum the first two years of medical school. The first year is basic science and the second year is organ-based. Then, you take your USMLE Step 1 and then do 2 years of clinical rotations.

Pre-Clinical Years:

The first year at VCU Medical School focuses on basic biology and physiology. Additionally, you have classes on the Practice of Medicine as well as population health. The summer in between your first and second year, you can apply for research funding.

During your second year, you learn based on organ systems and they are separated by body function. There are also sepcial classes on quality, safety, and geriatrics. You continue to hone your clinical skills.

Organ systems:

  • Marrow and Movement
  • Glads and Guts (endocrinology, reproduction, gastrointestinal)
  • Cardiovascular, Pulmonary, Renal
  • Mind, Brain and Behavior

How to get into VCU Medical School Tip – Know Unique Characteristics:

Unique highlights about pre-clinical years:

  • Stipend to do research the summer after first year
  • Organ-based learning
  • Geriatrics curriculum integrated throughout the first 2 years – senior mentoring and long-term care visits
  • Population health integrated throughout the first 2 years

Taking Time Off:

Some students at VCU take additional time to graduate to pursue a joint degree or to do an additional year of research. There is an official year-out program for research and the school can provide you a stipend. There are also joint degrees in the Public Health and Hospital Administration programs.

VCU School of Medicine fmSTAT program: 

Our Cracking Med School Admissions team has helped students get into this special program! The fmSTAT program is for students who are interested in becoming family medicine physicians in the future. There are several professional development opportunities, and you are paired with Family Medicine physician mentors. We’ve heard awesome things about the mentorship aspect of this program from our VCU medical student mentees, and we strongly recommend applying if you are interested in family medicine!

Read more about the VCU Family Medicine Scholars Training and Admission Track (fmSTAT) program here: VCU fmSTAT Scholars

Unique Degree Programs Offered at VCU School of Medicine:

  • MD/PhD
  • MD/MPH
  • MD/MHA

What students are saying about
VCU Medical School

The Insider's View on VCU Medical School's clinical years

How to get into VCU Medical School Tip – Know the Curriculum:

Clinical Curriculum:

During your 3rd year of medical school, you do your core clinical rotations. During your fourth year, you are required to do 11 4-week electives.

The core clinical curriculum consists of:

  • Surgery (8 weeks)
  • Internal Medicine (8 weeks)
  • Family Medicine (4 weeks)
  • Pediatrics (6 weeks)
  • Neurology (4 weeks)
  • Ambulatory Medicine (4 weeks)
  • Psychiatry (4 weeks)
  • OB/GYN (6 weeks)

Source: VCU Medical School website: https://medschool.vcu.edu/education/md-program/

Learn more about the Virginia Commonwealth University Medical School curriculum here

 

How to get into VCU Medical School Tip – Know Unique Characteristics:

Unique highlights about clinical years:

  • Several clinical rotations your 4th year
  • Capstone course
  • Can work in urgent care
  • One elective a “teaching elective”

What students are saying about clinical rotations at VCU

Housing

Where do students live?

You need a car when you attend VCU School of Medicine, especially your last 2 years during clinical rotations.

Getting around:

Most students can do their rotations without a car.

 

How to get into VCU Medical School Tip –  Know the School Culture and Opportunities Related to Your Interests

financing

Financial Considerations:

  • VCU Medical School Tuition: ~ $35,460 in-state tuition and ~$59,441 out-of-state tuition
  • Average indebtedness of graduates: ~$190,113

Source: U.S. News 

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