2009-2010 The Commonwealth Medical College Application Thread

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elwayfan said:
oh, one other thing. The guys at tcmc are doing a fundraiser for haiti. It's similar to a walk-a-thon or whatever where people sponsor you to do something (like walk)... Only instead of walking we're growing mustaches.

We're keeping them until our girlfriends hate them enough that they give money to haiti to make us shave them basically.

So if you walk into your interview and everyone at tcmc seems to have facial hair that's the reason. It's not super cool to grow a mustache in scranton or anything.

This only applies to you guys interviewing on friday or whatever. Just thought i'd give you a heads up so it didn't catch you off guard. :laugh:
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lol
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OperatingRoom said:
meh..waitlisted. interviewed 2/05
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Waitlisted as well : (

Now wait until May 15!? I don't understand that- kind of complicates the housing situation for applicants.

They probably gave an acceptance to someone who has no interest in practicing in the area. I've been seeing too many locals being turned down while OOS applicants from urban areas being offered seats - it's a shame, retention rates will most likely suffer.


Sorry just upset - feels like the school doesn't care about physician retention in the local area
 
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Sorry to hear a lot of you didn't get in this cycle.

If you're a local though at least getting in at the last minute shouldn't be too bad. Live at home until you find an apartment... or just live at home permanently.

I think they're shooting for 70% in state, which means about 30% will be out of state. Just because you live in PA and didn't get in doesn't mean they didn't take other PA people.

Anyway, good luck all. And as always feel free to ask me questions, either here or via private message. I'll do my best to help (I'm a first year med student at TCMC).
 
ElwayFan said:
Sorry to hear a lot of you didn't get in this cycle.

If you're a local though at least getting in at the last minute shouldn't be too bad. Live at home until you find an apartment... or just live at home permanently.

I think they're shooting for 70% in state, which means about 30% will be out of state. Just because you live in PA and didn't get in doesn't mean they didn't take other PA people.

Anyway, good luck all. And as always feel free to ask me questions, either here or via private message. I'll do my best to help (I'm a first year med student at TCMC).
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Assuming no other acceptances ;) ...anyways, I/we appreciate your help :thumbup:, thank you.
 
Oh yeah good point. You got accepted somewhere else so you're going to need an apartment there in addition to your parent's basement in Scranton just in case.

Eh, don't know what to tell you then. Good luck with that.
 
I just got an acceptance email this morning!!!!! I interviewed February 12th, and have been checking the application portal literally every hour since this Tuesday.
 
I interviewed February 12th. Got an email this morning and it said that I will not be offered a seat for the class of 2014. =*(
 
Scranton Times has an article on the MBS program. It states that 3 MBS students were accepted to TCMC out of 13 students currently enrolled. Around 11 students were invited to interview, 3 accepted, the rest waitlisted. A few of them are still hoping to get into the MD program, but are actively looking around at other medical schools. According to an updated MBS section of TCMC's website, they hope to take 10% of students in the MBS program each year. This would equate to 3-4 students annually - if they have a full class. This year the 3 they took were from New York/New Jersey, Ohio and Pittsburgh. Location is not necessarily a necessity, and not sure how performance plays into it, since a large number of the MBS students were 3.5+ GPA. It can be a good option, but it is not a guarantee. The program is a very strong science and community-based program, and is definitely something to consider. If more of their MBS students are accepted into their MD program they will be able to prove they can put out top-notch doctors, no matter which section of the school they started. Watch closely as time goes on, if they start to accept more of their MBS students, then I highly recommend this program. Read the article, weigh the pros and cons, and if offered their MBS program, take time to think through the cost effectiveness, the strength of the program, the percentage of those that get accepted into other medical schools, and/or the percentage who get into TCMC after they have completed the program.
 
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Does anyone know if TCMC has started fundraising for financial aid or if they are accredited yet? I'm about to fill out FAFSA and I'm not sure if it's worth put parental information since no other schools require this. I called earlier this year about potential scholarship aid and was told their wasn't any information yet. Not sure if anyone else heard otherwise. I will be married and financial aid is important for us.
Thanks
 
mrc882 said:
Does anyone know if TCMC has started fundraising for financial aid or if they are accredited yet? I'm about to fill out FAFSA and I'm not sure if it's worth put parental information since no other schools require this. I called earlier this year about potential scholarship aid and was told their wasn't any information yet. Not sure if anyone else heard otherwise. I will be married and financial aid is important for us.
Thanks
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Check out the FAFSA thread in the allopathic pre-med forum. Everyone seems to agree that there isn't really a downside to filling in the parental info. I haven't gotten anything from TCMC mentioning scholarships or accreditation yet, so I'm just putting other schools' codes on the FAFSA for now and assuming they haven't figured that stuff out yet and will let us know when they have.
 
From gossip that I hear, count on federal aid. Don't count on scholarship.

Even if we don't get federal aid (like last year) you still fill out a FAFSA. That helps determine private loan eligibility and stuff. So fill out a FAFSA no matter what if you want financial aid (unless you're the daughter of Bill Gates or something).

Since TCMC doesn't have a code for FAFSA yet you pretty much have to send a hard copy or email file type thing to them.

Parental information... dunno what to tell you here.

Here's a link to the financial aid FAQ that might help.
http://www.thecommonwealthmedical.com/oth/Page.asp?PageID=OTH000181

It includes a link to email the financial aid people and such.

Good luck.
 
ElwayFan said:
From gossip that I hear, count on federal aid. Don't count on scholarship.

Even if we don't get federal aid (like last year) you still fill out a FAFSA. That helps determine private loan eligibility and stuff. So fill out a FAFSA no matter what if you want financial aid (unless you're the daughter of Bill Gates or something).

Since TCMC doesn't have a code for FAFSA yet you pretty much have to send a hard copy or email file type thing to them.

Parental information... dunno what to tell you here.

Here's a link to the financial aid FAQ that might help.
http://www.thecommonwealthmedical.com/oth/Page.asp?PageID=OTH000181

It includes a link to email the financial aid people and such.

Good luck.
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TCMC is DEFINITELY accredited. They said it on my interview. They wouldn't be accepting students if they weren't (according to them). They also said their accreditation process was much more difficult than a lot of other schools because its a lot harder to get accredited nowadays.
 
PerfectPearl10 said:
TCMC is DEFINITELY accredited. They said it on my interview.
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Yes they are by the LCME.
..I believe you might be mistaking ElwayFan's remarks, he's referring to financial aid and that TCMC doesn't have a FAFSA School code (yet).
 
Aquanaut said:
Yes they are by the LCME.
..I believe you might be mistaking ElwayFan's remarks, he's referring to financial aid and that TCMC doesn't have a FAFSA School code (yet).
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We are working on Title IV participation (it is not really an accreditation) that lets us participate in the federal aid program. We have submitted the paperwork, sent them additionally requested information and are waiting to hear about next steps. It is a process & we are going thru it as fast as we can. We are also working on raising $$ for scholarships. We remain hopeful that we can offer federal aid for the 2010/1011 year to all our students who qualify and that we will have at least need based scholarship $ available.

On the subject someone asked earlier on how we are doing filling the class it doesn't work like that (unfortunately for us all). Students can hold multiple acceptances so we know how many we have accepted, we know how many have deposited but not actually how many are coming-- since a deposit does not commit anyone to coming. We do have room for more & continue to accept students.
 
has anyone been taken off the waitlist thus far, or is that only realistic after may 15th?
 
So what's with snow?! ..I have my interview on Fri and they're calling for 12+ inches! :eek:
Has anyone had their interview cancelled / re-scheduled due to the weather?
 
Aquanaut said:
So what's with snow?! ..I have my interview on Fri and they're calling for 12+ inches! :eek:
Has anyone had their interview cancelled / re-scheduled due to the weather?
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I called the admissions office today and noone answered. Does anyone have any idea what happens in the case of severe weather?
 
LogicFan said:
I called the admissions office today and noone answered. Does anyone have any idea what happens in the case of severe weather?
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I asked the Admissions office and this is what I was told:
TCMC is not cancelling interviews on Friday. Applicants who are scheduled may opt to change their interview date by calling the Admissions Office. Our staff and faculty will be here and expects to have a full day's program as currently scheduled.
 
LogicFan said:
Does anyone have any idea what happens in the case of severe weather?
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TCMC said:
TCMC is not cancelling interviews on Friday. Applicants who are scheduled may opt to change their interview date ...
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Status: All systems GO. ..See you guys there.
Kind request: Extra Brownie points for those of us that show amid Blizzard conditions. Thanks! :D
 
TCMC, thanks a lot for the quick update. It's good to know that a long trip in severe weather is going to culminate in a interview. An interview in a warm room.
 
From TCMC admissions: Due to inclement weather and flight cancellations into Avoca & Philadelphia, the Office of Admissions is cancelling interviews for Friday, February 26th. We are contacting each candidate directly and will make every effort to reschedule these interviews for the most convenient date.
 
I don't think I will go to my interview, hope one of you gets it:luck:
 
TCMC said:
From TCMC admissions: Due to inclement weather and flight cancellations into Avoca & Philadelphia, the Office of Admissions is cancelling interviews for Friday, February 26th. We are contacting each candidate directly and will make every effort to reschedule these interviews for the most convenient date.
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I got the call as I was literally walking out the door and into the snow!
..I'm hoping they reschedule for next Friday, March 5th because I can't stay at this state of anxiousness for too much longer :p
 
Sorry to hear about the cancellation, rough weather lately.


Anyone else interviewing next Friday? Shoot me a message if you want to meet up for dinner at the hotel or check out the area on the 4th. I should be getting in sometime in the early evening.
 
CaptainBadazz said:
Sorry to hear about the cancellation, rough weather lately.


Anyone else interviewing next Friday? Shoot me a message if you want to meet up for dinner at the hotel or check out the area on the 4th. I should be getting in sometime in the early evening.
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I'm interviewing next Friday. I'm driving up sometime on Thursday, and I'd be interested in hanging out. I haven't booked my hotel yet. Have you?
 
Hi!
There's a facebook group for members of the class of 2014 if you've decided to attend TCMC!
I can't seem to be able to get the link to paste here, but search TCMC Class of 2014 and it pops up! =)
 
Tuesdayschildd said:
Hi!
There's a facebook group for members of the class of 2014 if you've decided to attend TCMC!
I can't seem to be able to get the link to paste here, but search TCMC Class of 2014 and it pops up! =)
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hey, everyone who's been accepted...join tuesdayschildd's group! you know you want to. facebook search tcmc class of 2014
 
Osis said:
I'm interviewing next Friday. I'm driving up sometime on Thursday, and I'd be interested in hanging out. I haven't booked my hotel yet. Have you?
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sent you my contact info, I'm not sure how far the drive is but I'll probably be up there around 7.
 
CaptainBadazz said:
Anyone else interviewing next Friday? Shoot me a message if you want to meet up for dinner at the hotel or check out the area on the 4th. I should be getting in sometime in the early evening.
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Osis said:
I'm interviewing next Friday. I'm driving up sometime on Thursday, and I'd be interested in hanging out. I haven't booked my hotel yet. Have you?
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I'm going to be staying at the Radisson on the 4th. Y'all?
I'm game for dinner or whatever ..See ya'll there! :D
 
Aquanaut said:
I'm going to be staying at the Radisson on the 4th. Y'all?
I'm game for dinner or whatever ..See ya'll there! :D
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I'll be at the Radisson as well. I'm driving up in the early afternoon from Baltimore. Should be there around dinner time. I'll pm you later with contact info.
 
Aquanaut said:
I'm going to be staying at the Radisson on the 4th. Y'all?
I'm game for dinner or whatever ..See ya'll there! :D
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PM'd you my contact info. Yeah I'm up for dinner or seeing the area.
Just checked and there is a new office ep. tonight. hmm, wonder if the hotel bar will be cool with me switching that on.
 
Hey, has anyone who interviewed on 2/19 heard back yet? I believe the adcom meeting was this past tuesday.
 
I just withdrew from my April 7th interview, so someone, somewhere should be getting that spot. Good luck, everyone!
 
Did anyone get this Revisit Email? I am currently waitlisted at TCMC, so I am definitely attend. Anyone else going with me?
 
yeah i got the revisit email, too, but im on the waitlist...i thought this was the kind of thing they do for accepted students?? idk i'm confused lol
 
sweetyo said:
yeah i got the revisit email, too, but im on the waitlist...i thought this was the kind of thing they do for accepted students?? idk i'm confused lol
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This second email specifically mentioned that Revisit emails were sent to waitlisted applicants. Who knows? maybe a higher percentage of students would be taken off the waitlist
 
I got the revisit e-mail today, too, but I've been accepted at TCMC. Also, I only got one e-mail, and it was specific to accepted students. Just out of curiosity, what date was in your e-mail? The accepted students one is April 17th...do you think there is a separate one for people who are currently waitlisted?

I'm not sure if I'm going to go or not because it's about a 5.5 hour drive from my house, and I have a long drive for another interview the week before the revisit. It does sound like they'll have some useful info there, though, so I dunno!
 
this is what the first email said that we got (well, the bulk of the email) and then i feel like the second email came out to just the waitlisted applicants to clear up why we were getting this information w/o being accepted. does anyone know about how many people TCMC is waitlisting this year?

.(first email) TCMC will be hosting a Medical School Revisit Day on Saturday, April 17, 2010 from 12pm-5pm at our facilities at Lackawanna College, 501 Vine St., Scranton, PA 18509. Revisit Day will give you, the opportunity to learn more about TCMC. You will be able to visit with first year faculty and various departments. We will also be holding a housing fair during Revisit Day and you will have opportunity to meet with local landlords and apartment complexes to get an idea of what is available here in Scranton. Scholarship information will be available as well as the opportunity to talk with some of our current students.

..(second email) I just sent you information regarding TCMC’s Revisit Day. This year waitlisted students are invited to just take a second look at the school and all of our opportunities. However, the link that I sent you currently is down and our IT department is in the process of repairing it. As soon as the correct link is ready I will send it to you..
.I apologize for the confusion and inconvenience..

.

.
 
Was this sent to all waitlisters? Or is it indicitive of our place on the waitlist? I received the email today also.
 
i'm definitely gonna go. My parents keep bugging me about wanting to go see it, so I'll be dragging them along with me. :D
 
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