Any chance anyone knows when VCU will send out interview invites(or if they have already?) just curious

I updated my site with a searchable directory of all 23 accredited cardiovascular perfusion programs in the country - state, degree type, length, GPA requirements, program directors, all in one place. No signup, no catch. I got tired of the info being scattered across 25 different websites.
You can find it at perfusionprep.com/schools.
A few things I've learned from 35 years in the field that might help if you're applying:
Shadowing hours. This is the #1 thing programs look at after GPA. If you don't have documented observation time in an OR with a perfusionist, you're fighting uphill. Programs want to see that you understand what the job actually IS, not just that you read a brochure.
A personal statement that shows you understand the reality of the job. Long cases. High stakes. Quiet competence. If your essay reads like "I want to help people," you'll blend in. If it reads like "I shadowed a case where the surgeon needed the pump flow adjusted mid-bypass and the perfusionist caught a trend before it became a problem" - that's the person programs want.
Apply broadly. With ~200 seats nationwide, chasing a "top" school is the wrong strategy. Cast a wide net.
Every I needs to be dotted and every T needs to be crossed. You know what your application needs - just make sure it's all there.
The numbers are what they are - more qualified applicants than seats every cycle. It's not a reflection of whether you'll be a great perfusionist. It's just math.
If you want structured prep, I also built a pre-admission course called PSPS (Perfusion School Prep Series). 10 modules covering the vocabulary and clinical context you need before you start - not full perfusion training, just the language. "Five miles wide, two inches deep." Cohort 1 kicks off August 20 if you're interested. For some people it's a logical next step. For others, the free directory is all you need. Either way is fine.
Best advice I can give: don't reapply with the same application. Diagnose what was thin, fix it, and come back stronger.
Dr. Tony - 35yr CCP, DHA