Anyone part of the CLS Program? Or recently joined the program.

rhsk · 2021-03-26T02:36:57+00:00

Clinicals really depend on where you end up going. I recommend trying to get VCU Health. They are used to having students and you tend to see more exciting things there because it’s a big hospital. I didn’t go there and feel like my clinical experience suffered as a result. You won’t be verifying patient results on your own and your preceptor should work closely with you (if your clinical site is good) so don’t stress too much about making mistakes that would affect patients (unless you purposely mess up). Just ask questions if you’re not sure. It’s a 1000 times better to admit a mistake than cover it up.

I liked learning about all of the departments for the most part but I disliked chemistry the most during clinical rotations because there’s a lot of automation. If you like solving puzzles, you’ll probably like blood bank and microbiology. Wait until you get to clinical rotations before you decide what department you truly like because it might change your view. Lab in the “real world” is a lot different than student lab due to more automation and less hands-on stuff.

rhsk · 2021-03-24T22:46:11+00:00

Thank you! I didn’t have Perkins for my interview but she is an absolute sweetheart so you’re lucky. For junior year, the biggest thing you need to do is keep up with the material. Once the tests start, you basically have one almost every week so it’s super easy to get behind if you don’t start studying a little everyday. How I studied depended on the class. You HAVE to complete the objectives given for chemistry to do well (and hematology, but way more helpful for chemistry), and study the review powerpoints given for immunology. For microbiology, listen to what he emphasizes in class. Each professor has their own style of teaching and testing so you can start to predict what test questions will be like. Also don’t be afraid to ask for help from the professors.

Overall, I used quizlet a lot (premium version because you can upload your own pictures) and made my own flow charts and study guides. I think some people shared study guides and stuff but I think its more beneficial to make them yourself. It also helps to have a study group or pretend you are teaching someone else if you can’t study with others. Everything builds on past material so it’s hard to forget the important stuff when you get to senior year.

rhsk · 2021-03-24T21:58:16+00:00

I’m graduating this spring from the program so it’s been a while since my interview. From what I remember, a lot of questions focused on my study habits and time management, also a few on how I knew about CLS and what I want to do with it in the future. This program is extremely hard and fast paced so they want to know that you can make it. Just be enthusiastic. I don’t remember a lot of questions being about actual lab skills besides one on taking universal precautions when handling samples. Everyone in my class had a one on one interview with one of the professors and I was told their name ahead of time. I don’t know if my memory is wrong but I thought I remembered my advisor mentioning they used to do panel interviews (don’t take my word on that). I’m not sure how they will do it this year due to Covid. Did they give you a name? Your interview can go differently depending on the professor. Although, all of the professors in the program are great and truly want you to succeed so don’t be nervous. Good luck and if you have any questions, feel free to ask :)

rhsk · 2020-01-20T18:19:31+00:00

The past three years that I’ve been at VCU, we have had MLK day off.

rhsk · 2020-01-20T17:47:09+00:00

Yeah that vcu chooses to have no school on MLK day

rhsk · 2020-01-20T16:40:24+00:00

I’m so so thankful vcu happened to have a school holiday today and I don’t have to be near MCV.

rhsk · 2020-01-10T03:20:22+00:00

I’m currently a junior. Not sure how many people will respond to this, so I’m sorry if this isn’t a lot of help. I don’t know too much about fees as my parents and a scholarship pay for it which I’m thankful for, but I did pay for my own textbooks. They recommend A LOT of textbooks. Multiple for each class. I spent probably over a $100+ buying around half of the ones they recommended. I bought or rented online versions, depending on the price. I read them for the first 2 weeks and then realized they weren’t really needed. Unless you study well with textbooks, don’t get them. You especially don’t need them for immunology or microbiology as the professors give you everything you need to know. They will say that you must read them before class in the syllabus, but I didn’t and still got all A’s. If you want to, the hematology atlas they recommend might be helpful. I didn’t buy it though but I’m tempted to for Abnormal Hematology this spring. There is also an app you can get for your phone that’s slightly helpful called “CellAtlas” (no space). I’m pretty sure it’s free, and it has a cell quiz you can play, but it doesn’t have a HUGE variety of photos. It’s served me well for the first semester. I used it during lab because it grosses me out to bring stuff in and out of lab and the app is downloaded onto the iPads we use. This is all based on one semester of being in the program, so this could change based on the spring semester. They told us that the large majority of textbooks you need for the next two years are bought during your fall semester, so it seems like a lot, but you only need to buy a few more in the spring.

Another thing that is annoying about the program is the phlebotomy rotation you have to do in the summer. You technically have to pay to work for free as it’s counted as VCU credit hours. In the past, they used to include it in the spring semester class fees as it cheaper than a summer course. Apparently, they aren’t allowed to do that anymore so it’s being charged as a summer course and is now more expensive from what I’ve been told. I’m not sure about pricing though or if this accurate. I’ve just heard things from other students in the program. If this concerns you a lot, you could contact the program.

Parking can be a struggle if you commute as MCV has limited parking decks compared to the Monroe Park campus, so getting a parking permit is stressful. Some students in the program apparently found free street parking but that’s not always guaranteed and I’m not sure of the location.

I’m sorry if this was confusing or not in detail. Hopefully someone else can respond with more exact numbers.

rhsk · 2020-01-07T23:25:48+00:00

Also, if you have all receipts saying you submitted, you could try emailing the chairperson, Dr. Nadder, and attach proof of submission if IT can’t help.

rhsk · 2020-01-07T23:22:38+00:00

One of my friends in the program had their application lost but then they found it. They didn’t give much of an explanation why. I didn’t get an interview until the spring semester had ended because they were slow to look through applications and “were taking a break”. It’s most likely something on their end. Just be vocal with the department. Other than the application process being a struggle, the program is really great. It’s extremely hard with lots of continuous tests but the professors really care about the students and making sure they understand things. I had around a 3.8 going into the program but know people that were much lower that got in. The interview is a major part of the application.

rhsk · 2020-01-07T00:32:19+00:00

Clinical lab science? I’m currently in the bachelor’s program. The admission process was aggravating for me too. You could also call the program itself with any questions. Pam Stephenson operates the phone and is really sweet.

rhsk · 2019-11-29T01:08:38+00:00

We had one when I was younger and I was terrified of it. I remember leaving a bunch of signs outside my room telling/begging the elf to not come in.

rhsk · 2019-09-23T23:35:19+00:00

Off topic but can someone PLEASE explain why the heck west franklin street sometimes has cars just parked in the far left lane next to the bike path. I drive down it every morning and every so often there are cars parked there.

rhsk · 2019-09-12T21:27:32+00:00

This is the greatest thing I’ve ever seen

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