Lake Erie (LECOM) Discussion Thread 2014 - 2015

[stickshifthonda]

It seems like they are accepting letters and loose ends after interviews, which is good for me because the DO writing my letter hasn't uploaded it to Interfolio yet and I interview tomorrow!

Good luck tomorrow!! Don't sweat the letter, just interview well and let them know after the interview that your DO letter is coming.

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[YeastyMan]

I am prepping for LECOM's interview that is coming up in a few weeks. Could anyone who has interviewed / has been accepted private message me so I can bounce some interview answers off of you? :]]

Much appreciated!! <3

 

[angelicus]

First II here so I'm pretty excited! I was a little worried because I sent my secondary in late but it only took about a week until I got the email for the invite.

 

[silvermecca]

It's not necessarily asking something from a stranger. They understand the trials and tribulations of getting into med school. You just have to explain to them that the letter is a requirement and that you understand how busy their schedule is. I shadowed one DO, and he was more than happy to write me a letter.

You can have your interview without a DO letter of rec but will not get admitted unless you have that one requirement according to an Osteopathic physician who is in the know. After all, this is an osteopathic school. I think any DO would be more than happy to help you. Ask a DO in your area if you could shadow him if it is possible before asking for a letter. Send him your history etc. Explain to him your situation and how you would like to attend an osteopathic medical school. I have found osteopathic physicians to be very approachable and really like to help "their own". LECOM is one of the few that will give you an interview without having one. Some osteopathic colleges will not offer an interview unless you have one prior but I do not think you will be admitted without having one. I live in the Berwick, Pa. area. If you need an osteopathic doctor and this is near you, let me know! I might be able to help you!

 

[rb121]

Thanks for the help, but I live in California. Hehe.

 

[silvermecca]

I am prepping for LECOM's interview that is coming up in a few weeks. Could anyone who has interviewed / has been accepted private message me so I can bounce some interview answers off of you? :]]

Much appreciated!! <3

If you go on line from last year's forum, you will find most of the questions that they ask. My interview was very laid back and if you pull up those questions, they are basically the one's that are covered. Have good eye contact, show them that you are a "team player" in the group interview by being receptive and interested in the others. I think one of the personal questions they asked me was "Why DO?" and a major accomplishment in my life. Also "Describe yourself" crept up in my other interviews. Simple questions that you can anticipate in an interview. One school wanted to know the latest book that I read. Be prepared for that one just in case. You will do fine. Be yourself and show them that this is the school for you!

 

[silvermecca]

ACCEPTEDDDD! I actually got the letter on Tuesday but couldn't open it until now because I was out of state for an interview. You can only imagine how torturous it was to be reading this thread every single day about everyone's decision! I thought my interview was pretty bad but I'm grateful First acceptance!

You only need one acceptance to be a doctor! congrats!

 

[silvermecca]

This seems way out of whack, even without having teaching experience. Unless you really blew the interview, no idea why you would have been rejected. I'm sorry :/

With those stats, you will get in someplace! I am sorry also! I believe that everything has a reason. You are meant to go to another medical school. It will happen!

 

[silvermecca]

I think they aim for a full class in the fall and many of those students will choose to go to other schools therefore the class may "be full" but spots will most definitely open up throughout the cycle

A relative went to PCOM years ago. He said seats opened up the day before classes began. One of his classmates was all ready to begin, got a call from another school that was his number one choice, packed up and left! Out of there in 24 hours!

 

[hallowmann]

Yea, I chose the early decision option. I even called the LECOM's admissions office on Sept 30th...and the lady confirmed that I did opt for early decision. I am not sure what is going on. My portal status changed to "The Admissions Committee has made a decision on your application. You will receive an official letter in the mail within 30 days" on last Thursday (10/02/2014).

Once it changes to that, that means they will mail the decision shortly (i.e. within a week) and you'll get the letter within 1-3wks. I'd say relax, if you don't get the letter by next Friday or maybe Monday (10/20), then I'd suggest calling them again. If your status changed Thursday, they probably mailed it Friday (they usually do that) and you should get it either by this Friday/Saturday or next week at the latest.

A relative went to PCOM years ago. He said seats opened up the day before classes began. One of his classmates was all ready to begin, got a call from another school that was his number one choice, packed up and left! Out of there in 24 hours!

Yeah, this happens every year at many schools. They want to fill up their seats.

 

[supermusekid]

Heeeyy...So I just flew in from California since my interview is tomorrow. However, despite my painstaking packing to deem my carry on luggage acceptable, I was forced to check it in at the gate since the overhead bins were full--curse being the last boarding group. As such, the airline did not take good care of my checked baggage and I currently only have my yoga pants and flannel. The malls are closed by now, I do not have a rental car since I'm under 25, and I'm staying at the Days Inn. I'm hoping that the air personnel at PHL remembered to put my suitcase on the next flight to Erie. I won't know until 11PM if they followed through with their actions. So what I'm asking from any fellow female interviewers for tomorrow, can you help a sister out!?!?! Any extra suiting clothes or something nice I can borrow and wear as backup? I'm size 0petite, xs, 26, whatever! PM pleeease!

 

[anon01]

Heeeyy...So I just flew in from California since my interview is tomorrow. However, despite my painstaking packing to deem my carry on luggage acceptable, I was forced to check it in at the gate since the overhead bins were full--curse being the last boarding group. As such, the airline did not take good care of my checked baggage and I currently only have my yoga pants and flannel. The malls are closed by now, I do not have a rental car since I'm under 25, and I'm staying at the Days Inn. I'm hoping that the air personnel at PHL remembered to put my suitcase on the next flight to Erie. I won't know until 11PM if they followed through with their actions. So what I'm asking from any fellow female interviewers for tomorrow, can you help a sister out!?!?! Any extra suiting clothes or something nice I can borrow and wear as backup? I'm size 0petite, xs, 26, whatever! PM pleeease!

Oh no! I can't help you but hopefully someone can, try posting on the med student forums?? Maybe a current student or someone who knows someone will be willing to help!

Best of luck!

 

[deejaymd]

Heeeyy...So I just flew in from California since my interview is tomorrow. However, despite my painstaking packing to deem my carry on luggage acceptable, I was forced to check it in at the gate since the overhead bins were full--curse being the last boarding group. As such, the airline did not take good care of my checked baggage and I currently only have my yoga pants and flannel. The malls are closed by now, I do not have a rental car since I'm under 25, and I'm staying at the Days Inn. I'm hoping that the air personnel at PHL remembered to put my suitcase on the next flight to Erie. I won't know until 11PM if they followed through with their actions. So what I'm asking from any fellow female interviewers for tomorrow, can you help a sister out!?!?! Any extra suiting clothes or something nice I can borrow and wear as backup? I'm size 0petite, xs, 26, whatever! PM pleeease!

Oh no!!! Sadly I am way bigger than you are at 5'10 and a size 10/M shirt. Is there a Walmart in the area? That'd be the only bet for clothing this late. I hope you get your luggage!

 

[HippocratesHRC]

I am prepping for LECOM's interview that is coming up in a few weeks. Could anyone who has interviewed / has been accepted private message me so I can bounce some interview answers off of you? :]]

Much appreciated!! <3

For some reason I can't PM you. Would love to help. Send me a PM

 

[Promethean]

Heeeyy...So I just flew in from California since my interview is tomorrow. However, despite my painstaking packing to deem my carry on luggage acceptable, I was forced to check it in at the gate since the overhead bins were full--curse being the last boarding group. As such, the airline did not take good care of my checked baggage and I currently only have my yoga pants and flannel. The malls are closed by now, I do not have a rental car since I'm under 25, and I'm staying at the Days Inn. I'm hoping that the air personnel at PHL remembered to put my suitcase on the next flight to Erie. I won't know until 11PM if they followed through with their actions. So what I'm asking from any fellow female interviewers for tomorrow, can you help a sister out!?!?! Any extra suiting clothes or something nice I can borrow and wear as backup? I'm size 0petite, xs, 26, whatever! PM pleeease!

I'm SO sorry.

Ask at your hotel if they can help you. Can they advise any sources of emergency clothing? Walmart is probably 24 hours. There are cab services in Erie.

In the worst case scenario, go in what you have. It has happened to others before. Call the school at like 630-700a to tell them what happened and ask if you can come as you are, or if they have any other advice to offer you. If they don't object, put on your brave face and go in what you have. You will stand out, but you will also show that you aren't going to let a little thing like this disaster stop you from getting into a school you are so interested in. This can work in your favor, or at least balance things out.

Please let us know how things work out!

 

[Promethean]

Best luck to everyone interviewing today. Relax. Enjoy the day. Be friendly to the other applicants and just be yourselves. You are going to do well. Remember that the interview goes both ways... this is as much your opportunity to see if LECOM is a good match for you.

 

[Desikid91]

Once it changes to that, that means they will mail the decision shortly (i.e. within a week) and you'll get the letter within 1-3wks. I'd say relax, if you don't get the letter by next Friday or maybe Monday (10/20), then I'd suggest calling them again. If your status changed Thursday, they probably mailed it Friday (they usually do that) and you should get it either by this Friday/Saturday or next week at the latest.

Yea, that's what I have been thinking too. Hopefully, I will get it by today, if not probably by next week. It's just weird that they get back so late even after opting for early decision. But whatever though, I have done everything I can from my end and all I can do is wait .

 

[Desikid91]

I am prepping for LECOM's interview that is coming up in a few weeks. Could anyone who has interviewed / has been accepted private message me so I can bounce some interview answers off of you? :]]

Much appreciated!! <3

It won't let me message you for some reason.

 

[stickshifthonda]

I am prepping for LECOM's interview that is coming up in a few weeks. Could anyone who has interviewed / has been accepted private message me so I can bounce some interview answers off of you? :]]

Much appreciated!! <3

I also can't PM you. Can you PM me?

 

[silvermecca]

Heeeyy...So I just flew in from California since my interview is tomorrow. However, despite my painstaking packing to deem my carry on luggage acceptable, I was forced to check it in at the gate since the overhead bins were full--curse being the last boarding group. As such, the airline did not take good care of my checked baggage and I currently only have my yoga pants and flannel. The malls are closed by now, I do not have a rental car since I'm under 25, and I'm staying at the Days Inn. I'm hoping that the air personnel at PHL remembered to put my suitcase on the next flight to Erie. I won't know until 11PM if they followed through with their actions. So what I'm asking from any fellow female interviewers for tomorrow, can you help a sister out!?!?! Any extra suiting clothes or something nice I can borrow and wear as backup? I'm size 0petite, xs, 26, whatever! PM pleeease!

Let us know how you made out! A nightmare but as stated with another response, you could work this to your advantage and I am sure this has happened before. When you are a doctor in the future, you will tell the story and laugh about it. Not funny now...... but it will be one day! One thing about pre med applicants...................many of us try to help each other out. In spite of the competition, we are concerned about others "in the same boat". I guess that is why we enter this profession............service to others! Sometimes I hate the competition with others on this journey. Just not my nature.

 

[silvermecca]

Best luck to everyone interviewing today. Relax. Enjoy the day. Be friendly to the other applicants and just be yourselves. You are going to do well. Remember that the interview goes both ways... this is as much your opportunity to see if LECOM is a good match for you.

Ditto................Good luck to everyone! This interview is not one of the "hard ones". Trust me!

 

[deejaymd]

It was a great interview day at LECOM! Very fun and laid back. I enjoyed it very much! The facilities are so new and clean. Everyone looked so professional in dress code! Girls definitely have it easier because business attire has so many meanings for us haha... overall, I could really see myself excelling here. Hoping for the best! I'll report back when the letter comes in November

 

[diesel2101]

For anybody who interviewed on 9/26 and is still waiting on the letter: they were mailed out earlier this week and we should be receiving them either tomorrow or early next week.

 

[yocharlie]

If you have all your letters ready, should we submit them before having an ii or should we wait? Thanks!

 

[Drrrrrr. Celty]

For anybody who interviewed on 9/26 and is still waiting on the letter: they were mailed out earlier this week and we should be receiving them either tomorrow or early next week.

Wrong school haha

 

[stickshifthonda]

If you have all your letters ready, should we submit them before having an ii or should we wait? Thanks!

They ask that you submit letters when you receive an interview IIRC.

 

[silvermecca]

If you have all your letters ready, should we submit them before having an ii or should we wait? Thanks! I know they tell you to wait. I submitted them as soon as I received my interview. Time is ticking. I think I would call them and see if they would receive them now that the interview process is in full swing.

 

[silvermecca]

It was a great interview day at LECOM! Very fun and laid back. I enjoyed it very much! The facilities are so new and clean. Everyone looked so professional in dress code! Girls definitely have it easier because business attire has so many meanings for us haha... overall, I could really see myself excelling here. Hoping for the best! I'll report back when the letter comes in November

Good luck! Glad it went well.

 

[Promethean]

It was a great interview day at LECOM! Very fun and laid back. I enjoyed it very much! The facilities are so new and clean. Everyone looked so professional in dress code! Girls definitely have it easier because business attire has so many meanings for us haha... overall, I could really see myself excelling here. Hoping for the best! I'll report back when the letter comes in November

So no one was there in her jammies? I hope that means that she found clothes, not that she didn't go!

 

[silvermecca]

So no one was there in her jammies? I hope that means that she found clothes, not that she didn't go!

Thought the exact same thing! Hope it all went well for her. Geez!

 

[Desikid91]

For anybody who interviewed on 9/26 and is still waiting on the letter: they were mailed out earlier this week and we should be receiving them either tomorrow or early next week.

I received my letter today. Got waitlisted. Feeling pretty nonchalant about it lol. Good luck with yours

 

[CharmanderMD]

@supermusekid can we have an update please!?

 

[deejaymd]

So no one was there in her jammies? I hope that means that she found clothes, not that she didn't go!

She was actually in my little group and did find clothes! Some kind soul let her borrow a shirt and sweater!

 

[buczek]

Just received acceptance letter yeahh

 

[medhead1990]

Absolutely. I am Family Medicine, all the way. There is a Family Med/Psych residency that I have my eye on, but if I just went straight FM, I wouldn't be disappointed. What I need to accomplish in my career can best be done as a generalist rather than a specialist of any stripe. Though they are pretty different in their practice models, Dr. Pamela Wible ( @PamelaWibleMD ) and our own @cabinbuilder are two of my heroines. Also, I have a lot of clinical experience as a nurse, which I think makes the idea of 16 rather than 24 clinical rotations more feasible for me. Not to say that I have any illusions that the didactic will be any easier, but I have worked all over the hospital, and I will go into my rotations with a fair grasp of how the wards work and what to expect. If I didn't have that background, I wouldn't have considered PCSP, since I would a bit more time in school before residency. With it, I feel confident that I can safely trim off 8 months (and give up a summer) in order to be done a year sooner.

The caveat is that it requires a commitment to primary care. If I don't go into primary care, I owe the school the year of tuition that I saved. I think that is a fair inducement to keep the bargain I'm making by going the 3 year route. Not for everyone, but I was delighted to find that I'd managed to claim one of the 12 seats in that pathway.

I have very similar sentiments. =) I just got my first acceptance today at LECOM (PCSP) and have thought about med/psych as well. However I can do everything I want through fm, psych would have just been a cool addition! =) very excited for my acceptace though!

 

[hanz504]

Not sure if this was a true story or not.....but, if you interviewed with Dr.Kauffman last week and texted during the interview....you are not getting in!!!!

 

[deejaymd]

Not sure if this was a true story or not.....but, if you emailed with Dr.Kauffman last week and texted during the interview....you are not getting in!!!!

Oh my.... who would text during an interview?!

 

[CharmanderMD]

Not sure if this was a true story or not.....but, if you emailed with Dr.Kauffman last week and texted during the interview....you are not getting in!!!!

If you emailed with Dr. Kauffman? What does that mean?

 

[iWillOneDay]

If you emailed with Dr. Kauffman? What does that mean?

I think he/she meant "interviewed."

 

[iWillOneDay]

Hi guys, my old mates.

 

[supermusekid]

@supermusekid can we have an update please!?

Hahaha hiii again everyone! A sweet sweet kind fellow applicant lent me a black cardigan and white button up. I changed in the van on the way there. I still was so self-concious though because I felt disgusting as I had not brushed my hair and was limited to cheap hotel soap and lotion; sensitive skin does not fare well in stressful conditions. Plus my yoga pants were so faded black. I looked more like an awkward pubescent Asian girl performing at a piano recital (not hating..this was me in the past). And just my luck, I ended up sitting RIGHT next to the interviewers. Definitely felt like she was mugging me. I ended up not telling my interviewers that day about my airline mishap because now that I sort of blended in, I did not want to provide them with any unconscious bias. I wanted to be seen as equally as the rest of my fellow interviewees. I'm still debating whether I should tell them in my thank you email. Thoughts anyone?

I definitely feel that I did not interview my best. I stayed up late hoping the airline put my baggage on the red eye, which they didnt even though they said they would and I called twice to confirm this request! And then I couldn't fall asleep until 1am, which was followed by waking up every hour having panic attacks. We'll see how it turns out, but I most certainly left with a bad taste in my mouth. This school looks and sounds so great as do all of the applicants! Since all this stuff happened, maybe it's not meant to be. But my suitcase and I both made it to Bradenton now, so I'm going to give it a much better and my best shot!

Thanks so much everyone for your help and encouragement! It really meant so much to me when I felt like bawling my eyes out.

 

[Promethean]

I ended up not telling my interviewers that day about my airline mishap because now that I sort of blended in, I did not want to provide them with any unconscious bias. I wanted to be seen as equally as the rest of my fellow interviewees. I'm still debating whether I should tell them in my thank you email. Thoughts anyone?

I don't think it could hurt to mention it, if you keep it light. Like explain how you really enjoyed the day and appreciated the opportunity, etc. with the only downside to the experience being that the airline never did get your interview clothes to Erie, and you had to borrow from another applicant that you met along the way.

I'm also not sure that it would help at this point either. They are going to either like what they saw, or not. You made the best of an awful situation, so I think that things will work out for the best for you. Good luck in Bradenton!

 

[deejaymd]

Hahaha hiii again everyone! A sweet sweet kind fellow applicant lent me a black cardigan and white button up. I changed in the van on the way there. I still was so self-concious though because I felt disgusting as I had not brushed my hair and was limited to cheap hotel soap and lotion; sensitive skin does not fare well in stressful conditions. Plus my yoga pants were so faded black. I looked more like an awkward pubescent Asian girl performing at a piano recital (not hating..this was me in the past). And just my luck, I ended up sitting RIGHT next to the interviewers. Definitely felt like she was mugging me. I ended up not telling my interviewers that day about my airline mishap because now that I sort of blended in, I did not want to provide them with any unconscious bias. I wanted to be seen as equally as the rest of my fellow interviewees. I'm still debating whether I should tell them in my thank you email. Thoughts anyone?

I definitely feel that I did not interview my best. I stayed up late hoping the airline put my baggage on the red eye, which they didnt even though they said they would and I called twice to confirm this request! And then I couldn't fall asleep until 1am, which was followed by waking up every hour having panic attacks. We'll see how it turns out, but I most certainly left with a bad taste in my mouth. This school looks and sounds so great as do all of the applicants! Since all this stuff happened, maybe it's not meant to be. But my suitcase and I both made it to Bradenton now, so I'm going to give it a much better and my best shot!

Thanks so much everyone for your help and encouragement! It really meant so much to me when I felt like bawling my eyes out.

I think you did fine! You certainly weren't the worst in our group. A couple got so ridiculously off topic and didn't really answer the questions. You stayed on task! Good luck at Bradenton!

PS I thought you looked totally fine!

 

[Fedxup]

I forget but LECOM doesn't have recorded lectures, correct?

 

[Promethean]

I forget but LECOM doesn't have recorded lectures, correct?

Not for the most part. There is a note service, but the actual lectures are not routinely recorded. You can record, with professor permission, but since attendance is mandatory for lecture students, the probably don't consider it that important to record them.

 

[deejaymd]

Not for the most part. There is a note service, but the actual lectures are not routinely recorded. You can record, with professor permission, but since attendance is mandatory for lecture students, the probably don't consider it that important to record them.

The gentleman who did our presentation said they don't have note service, but who knows. A student I talked to said she records lectures but never has time to listen to them again. Haha

 

[hallowmann]

Apparently previous classes didn't use the note service (which they were expected to pay for) so they didn't offer it to them. I don't know if this is a year to year thing, or if they just canceled it due to not enough people signing up to use it.

 

[supermusekid]

I think you did fine! You certainly weren't the worst in our group. A couple got so ridiculously off topic and didn't really answer the questions. You stayed on task! Good luck at Bradenton!

PS I thought you looked totally fine!

Aww thank you very much. You were definitely the strongest! Your elegance and poise inspires me Keep going strong. You're gonna do fabulously everywhere you go!

 

[royfan]

I am interviewing this Friday and as of just now, none of my letters have been marked as received yet..should I be worried & should i call the office?

 

[Promethean]

Well, if anyone wants a note service, it isn't hard to organize one. Set up sharing on some google docs and let people who are interested upload their notes. You can get a free app that lets you take photos of pages with your phone that turns them into PDFs. Share the PDFs labelled with the name of the course, the date, and the note taker's initials. You could ask each person who wants access to commit to taking notes for certain lecture periods each week.

The current PBL class of 2018 has set up a google docs repository for their e-books & cases. (I find things.) So, it can't be that hard. As we get closer to starting and have a better idea of who is going to be in our class, we can put something together.

Something like that could even be passed on to future classes.