Welcome
Thank you for your interest in the Virginia Commonwealth University School of Medicine! The Office of Admissions is dedicated to selecting a diverse, multidimensional class of capable and promising medical students each year, and we are here to provide guidance along the way.
As the COVID-19 pandemic disrupts daily life, VCU School of Medicine (SOM) remains committed to its mission of providing pre-eminent education for emerging physicians and scientists through innovative scholarly activity. We know you have questions about how this public health crisis will impact your application and admission process, and we will continue to assess the situation and keep you, our incoming and prospective medical students, informed.
Please check back for regular updates as the situation evolves email us somume@vcuhealth.org with any questions. We will navigate this challenging time together, and we look forward to assisting you in your journey to becoming physicians.
MD Admissions Journey
The Medschool admissions journey starts long before you actually submit your medical school application
The journey to medical school admissions journey starts long before you submit your application.
Applying to medical school is a multistep process, and we’re here to provide support and guidance along the way. The resources below provide an overview of the steps you’ll take in learning about VCU SOM, preparing to apply and submitting your materials through the AAMC.
As the ongoing COVID-19 epidemic continues to evolve and impact our daily lives, we remain committed to helping you keep your future on track. Please check back regularly for updates on timelines, deadlines and other details that may change during the spring and summer.
Step 1. Our Mission
Virginia Commonwealth University School of Medicine is to provide preeminent education to physicians and scientists in order to improve the quality of health care for humanity. Through innovative, scholarly activity and a diverse educational context, the School seeks to create and apply new knowledge, and to provide and continuously improve systems of medical and science education. Furthermore, it is our mission to develop more effective health care practices to address the needs of the diverse populations we serve, and to provide distinguished leadership in the advancement of medicine and science.
Step 2. Aspiring Docs
Aspiring Docs provides resources and inspiration to help you get started on your path to medicine. Learn how to get medically related experience, prepare for the application process, and get inspired by personal stories from medical students, residents, and physicians.
Step 3. Future Applicant
The information and advice on this page will assist you with planning and preparation for medical school. Please visit the pages within our website to learn more about us and the application process. We also recommend you visit the AAMC’s Considering a Career in Medicine site to help you while preparing to apply to medical school. We strongly encourage students to meet with their premedical advisor as they prepare to apply to medical school. Premedical advisors are familiar with the admissions requirements of most medical schools.
Step 4. AMCAS Application
The American Medical College Application Service (AMCAS) is the AAMC’s centralized medical school application processing service. This site has great resources to help you prepare for medical school, MCAT preparation, understanding the application process in addition to AMCAS video series for an overview the sections of the AMCAS application, and important dates and information.
Student Outreach
The Office of Student Outreach Programs was created to enhance the mission of the VCU School of Medicine through recruitment, retention, and programming efforts targeting students from populations that include, but are not limited to:
- Racial/ethnic minority backgrounds
- First generation college students or consider themselves as disadvantaged
- Populations underrepresented in medicine
- Those from rural backgrounds
- Persons considered non-traditional students
Our services are available for medical students, current and future and undergraduate, post baccalaureate and non-traditional students with an interest in careers as physicians. Students will be encouraged through step by step guidance, support, mentoring, and advocacy.
Please visit www.medschool.vcu.edu for additional information about the Admissions Requirements and Future Applicant.
Telephone and in-person appointments may be made by contacting the Student Outreach Office at 804-828-9630.
Pipeline Programs
geared towards those that may lack access due to cultural background and/or disadvantaged
Special Programs
geared towards those that may lack access due to cultural background and/or disadvantaged
Student Organizations
Student organization involvement can help students meet students of liked minds who have similar interests. Campus Organizations serves many purposes.
Minority Association of Pre-Health Students
An organization established to provide an instrument of academic and emotinoal support for under-represented groups to pursue a career in healthcare.
Multicultural Affairs Committee
This organization identifies, creates, reviews and supports multicultural affairs projects, programs and events in the School of Medicine.
Latino Medical Association (LMSA)
The Latino Medical Student Association unites and empowers medical students to advocate for the health of the Latino community.
Student National Medical Association
Organization committed to supporting current and future underrepresented minority medical students and more.
VCU Health Orchestra
VCU Health is one of the few academic medical centers in the United States to have its own symphony orchestra. Created in 2017, the orchestra consists of health system team members including nurses, physicians, administrative staff, support staff, students, alumni and strategic community volunteers. The orchestra plays a mix of music, including orchestral, classical and pops intended to reach a broad audience.
Learn more about the orchestraMD Admissions Contacts
Contact the Office of the Senior Associate Dean for Admissions
Office of the Senior Associate Dean for Admissions
Physical Address: McGlothlin Medical Education Center, 1201 East Marshall Street, 1st Floor, Room 1-200
Mailing Address: Box 980565 Richmond, Virginia 23298-0565
P: 804-828-9629, F: 804-828-1246
Admissions Contacts
- Pre-requisite Questions:Dr. Michelle Whitehurst-Cook [E-mail]
- Advising: Dr. Keith Baker [E-mail]
- Oversee Management of Orientation and MMI Process and Advising: Candace Dungee [E-mail]
- Orientation Questions and Interview Rescheduling: Algenor Johnson [E-mail]
- Supplemental & Matriculation Fee, Reimbursements & Proof of Enrollment Letter: Shenia Tyler [E-mail]
- Proof of Permanent Resident (GREEN CARD) Submissions: Gail Steele [E-mail]
- Office of Student Outreach Programs, Campus Visits: Natalia O'Brien [E-mail]
- Oversee Management of Office of Student Outreach Programs, Status Updates and Questions and Advising: Dr. Donna Jackson [E-mail]
- For general questions, please email one of our staff members below:
Michelle Y. Whitehurst-Cook, M.D.
Senior Associate Dean for Admissions
Michelle Y. Whitehurst-Cook, M.D.
Senior Associate Dean for Admissions
Admissions
Phone: 804-828-9629
Email: michelle.whitehurst-cook@vcuhealth.org
Address/Location:
McGlothlin Medical Education Center, 1st floor
Keith D. Baker, PhD
Assistant Dean for Admissions
Keith D. Baker, PhD
Assistant Dean for Admissions
Office of the Associate Dean for Admissions
Email: keith.baker@vcuhealth.org
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Candace Dungee
Admissions Coordinator
Candace Dungee
Admissions Coordinator
Office of the Associate Dean for Admissions
Email: candace.dungee@vcuhealth.org
Shenia Tyler White
Office Manager
Shenia Tyler White
Office Manager
Office of the Associate Dean for Admissions
Email: shenia.tyler@vcuhealth.org
Algenor Johnson
Admissions Program Coordinator
Algenor Johnson
Admissions Program Coordinator
Office of the Associate Dean for Admissions
Gail Steele
Office Assistant
Gail Steele
Office Assistant
Office of the Associate Dean for Admissions
Email: gail.steele@vcuhealth.org
Donna H. Jackson, Ed.D.
Asst. Dean & Dir. Student Outreach
Donna H. Jackson, Ed.D.
Asst. Dean & Dir. Student Outreach
Office of Student Outreach Programs
Director of Student Outreach
Phone: 804-828-9630
Fax: 804-828-1246
Email: donna.jackson@vcuhealth.org
Address/Location:
Physical Address: 1201 E. Marshall St., Room 1-306Mailing Address: Box 980565 Richmond, VA 23298
Natalia O'Brien
Student Outreach Coordinator
Applicant Portal
VCU School of Medicine Applicant Portal
Check the status of your application here.
Sign inAdvisory Letter
You are at an exciting point in your life where you can choose many different career paths. Although the medical school application process is almost as challenging as medical school itself, there are a number of things you can do to prepare.
Get Exposure. A good way to get experience before medical school is to spend time shadowing physicians or volunteering in a setting that has close patient contact, such as an emergency room or nursing home. Volunteering is also a good way to learn your strengths and weaknesses, while still providing a service to others.
Work Hard. Take challenging courses that will show you have the perseverance needed to tackle the rigors of medical school.
Stay Focused. Don’t let anyone discourage you from pursuing medicine, if this is your true desire. Yes, medical school is expensive, but don’t let the cost prevent you from realizing your dream.
Policies
Below are the VCU School of Medicine MD Program Admissions Office of policies
Acceptance to Virginia Commonwealth University School of Medicine is contingent upon:
- Successful completion of all premedical coursework and degree(s) exactly as outlined in the application materials.
- Degrees and premedical courses must be completed by matriculation.
- Satisfactory results of a criminal background check.
- Satisfactory Dean’s certification from the college or university where the applicant received their highest degree.
The School of Medicine Office of Admissions must receive official transcripts from all colleges and/or universities you have attended. The degree(s) must be posted as shown on the AMCAS application prior to matriculation.
Acceptance by Virginia Commonwealth University School of Medicine Office of Admissions is contingent on the verification of a baccalaureate degree.
Applicants on the alternate list may be offered acceptance up until the first day of school. Applicants are accepted from the alternate list in the order that the Admissions Committee ranked them. Your rank is secure throughout the admissions process. Your rank is confidential and will not be released.
It is not possible to predict the number of alternate positions that will be available. Applicants may withdraw from the alternate list by notifying the School of Medicine Office of Admissions in writing.
Virginia Commonwealth University School of Medicine offers an Early Decision Program. All applications should be made through the American Medical College Application Services (AMCAS). Applications must be submitted to AMCAS no later than 11:59 pm EST on August 1.
Health insurance coverage is a national law in the United States. Click here for more information https://students.vcu.edu/health/health-insurance/
To protect the health of patients, students and the community, medical students are required to meet School of Medicine immunization requirements for health care workers at all times during their medical education. Information may be obtained by visiting University Student Health Services or contact them at 804-828- 8828.
Each year more qualified individuals apply to our school than we can accommodate. This results in a large number of applicants who will reapply to medical school. We recommend that applicants planning to reapply meet with their premedical advisor for recommendations on how to make their medical school application stronger. We recommend that applicants review the admissions requirements and make significant changes in more than one area.
Once offered a position at Virginia Commonwealth University School of Medicine, accepted students are expected to begin their studies the following August. Exceptional circumstances may constitute grounds for deferral of matriculation. Petition for deferment must be made in writing to the Associate Dean for Admissions no less than 60 days prior to the beginning of class orientation. The Associate Dean for Admissions may require the submission of additional information and documentation not included in the original request before making a determination.
Deferment may be granted for the period of one academic year. All decisions by the Associate Dean for Admissions are final.
The School of Medicine requires a criminal background check prior to matriculation. The purpose of this policy is to protect property and to help ensure a safe environment for patients, employees, visitors, and the general public. Background checks will be performed only after the applicant has accepted an offer of admission to the School of Medicine. All offers of acceptance are contingent upon satisfactory results of a criminal background check.
Information may be obtained by visiting the AAMC-Facilitated Background Check Service.
Ask a Student
Welcome Class of 2024! Congratulations, your hard work and perseverance have paid off
Before submitting an email, please see Admissions Frequently Asked Questions.
Please send an email message for a current student if you have questions or want specific information about the student experience at VCU's School of Medicine. If you have submitted a question and have not yet received an answer, please submit it again. Due to technical difficulties, your message may not have been delivered.
This email inbox is managed by the student Tour Guides from the School of Medicine. Questions will either be answered immediately by the student or will be forwarded to the appropriate person for a response. Please be aware that there may be a delay in response to your question if it is detailed or requires input from someone who is difficult to contact.
To help provide a more complete response to your question please include the following information: current year in school (major and school name), planned date to sit for the MCAT, and extracurricular activities.
Admissions Committee
Access the Admissions Committee page, forms, and documents here!
Admissions Committee pageSelf-Guided Tour
This self-guided tour is intended to provide a spatial overview of the campus as well as some general information about the VCU School of Medicine.
This self-guided tour is intended to provide a spatial overview of the campus as well as some general information regarding the VCU School of Medicine. View the Self-Guided Tour PDF for a printable version. Although this tour is similar to the one given to medical school interviewees, you may want to include or exclude certain things. A map of the MCV campus is included in this guide to help you visualize an overall layout of the campus.
Visit http://www.maps.vcu.edu/mcv/ for an online version of the MCV campus map.
To learn more about the VCU School of Medicine campus, visit https://medschool.vcu.edu/about.
FAQ's
Still have questions? Visit our FAQ page to learn more about program admissions
Read our FAQ's