A nonprofit educational organization
Log In Sign Up
Search

Student Doctor Network

Schools Database
Virginia Commonwealth University Medical Center School of Medicine

Virginia Commonwealth University Medical Center School of Medicine

Richmond, VA / School Detail
Application Tracking
Log in to track
School Detail Interview Feedback Secondary Essays
APPLICATION FEE
$80
Tuition In State
$36,524
Tuition Out of State
$61,224
Average GPA
3.79
AVERAGE MCAT
512
OOS MATRICULANTS
37.0%

School Overview

Degrees
MD
Ownership
Public Non-Profit
Program Length
4 years
Total Enrollment
210
Founding Year
1838
Accreditation Year
1942
Has any information changed? Report an update.

SDN Insights

Cost of Attendance: $319,224
Estimate repayment

Estimated loan burden for VCU-SOM using 4 years of in-state tuition, $1,500 annual fees, $3,000 monthly living expenses, government-derived local cost-of-living adjustment, $1,000 loan fees, and an 8.5% interest assumption.

Cost of Living: Near national average cost of living

Richmond, VA is close to the national average for cost of living. In the debt estimate, the government-derived local cost adjustment keeps the $3,000 monthly allowance at about $2,940 per month. Treat this as a city-level budgeting estimate, not the school's official cost of attendance.

Environment: Urban

Students at VCU-SOM benefit from a very walkable setting, with many services and eateries just steps away. While biking is possible, the environment is best suited to those who prefer to get around on foot.

Interview Feedback

Overall, applicants ranked the school in the top 28% of interviews, indicating it is moderately regarded. They found the interview very impressive with a low stress level and felt they did well.

Read Feedback Interview Prep Add Feedback

Secondary Essays for VCU-SOM

1. Motivation and Fit
Using specific examples, discuss how your mission and values align with those of the VCU School of Medicine.
2. Personal Attributes and Characteristics
How do you define "grit," and how have you demonstrated it in the past?
3. Personal Experiences and Challenges
Please briefly explain any gaps in your journey to medicine that are not addressed in your application.
4. Personal Experiences and Challenges
Please briefly explain any instances of low GPAs or poor grades.
5. Other
If this has not been addressed in your application, what are you currently doing?
Read More Essay Questions Add Essay Questions

About the School

Welcome to Virginia Commonwealth University`s School of Medicine. We take great pride in our heritage and our accomplishments. From our beginnings in 1838 to today, as part of a thriving urban comprehensive academic health center, we have maintained a reputation for excellence in teaching, research and health care. Our tradition of excellence provides a foundation for innovation as we move into the 21st Century.

Curriculum

The program for the M.D. degree is divided into four phases, each of a year`s duration. Medicine I, occupying the first year (mid August to early June), emphasizes normal human structure, function, growth, and development. Medicine II, occupying the second year (August to May), stresses pathological conditions. Medicine III occupies the third year (July to July) and consists of clinical education and training. The fourth year (Medicine IV), lasting from August to mid-May, consists of approximately one-sixth required clinical education and training with the remainder open for electives at Virginia Commonwealth University Medical Center and at approved medical schools elsewhere in the USA and abroad. Elective opportunities are offered also in M-1 and M-2.

Facilities

In 1968, MCV joined with Richmond Professional Institute to form the Medical College of Virginia of Virginia Commonwealth University. It serves as a Level I Trauma Center and a referral center for the Southeast. With 847 physicians, 1093 licensed beds, annual inpatient admissions of more than 35,000, ER admits for 111,000 and outpatient clinic visits of close to 350,000, MCV is the eighth largest medical center on an academic campus in the country.

Last Updated: Aug 21, 2026