2011-2012 The Commonwealth Medical College Application Thread

[Ineedhopenow]

SCRANTON -- A joint release issued Monday afternoon by The University of Scranton and The Commonwealth Medical College announced the two schools have ended discussions pertaining to a possible affiliation.​

Read more: http://golackawanna.com/stories/U-of-Scranton-TCMC-end-affiliation-talks,153765?category_id=4&town_id=7&sub_type=stories#ixzz1vewpi76B​

Where are they going to get secure funding now? Uh oh they might remain in probation...or worse.

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[Global Warming]

Any news from waitlist ppl?

 

[RollTide22]

Any news from waitlist ppl?

Nothing here :/

 

[Global Warming]

Im waiting on mbs as well.. I feel pretty decent about getting into that though, assuming since im on waitlist for MD. What other programs are you in rolltide?

 

[RollTide22]

Im waiting on mbs as well.. I feel pretty decent about getting into that though, assuming since im on waitlist for MD. What other programs are you in rolltide?

I'm sure you'll get in to the mbs... I was waitlisted here last year but I was told they overaccepted, so I didn't make it off. And I'm waitlisted at 3 schools this year

 

[Global Warming]

Rolltide.

Wow nice!! Hopefully you get accepted at all your schools so you can open up a slot for me here!!! What did you do after not getting in the first time?

 

[medbound71]

Hi all,

Does anyone know if there's a facebook group for TCMC's class of 2016? All I can seem to find is the group for 2015. If there is one, could someone post the link? I think it'll make the roommate search and other things much easier.

Thanks!

 

[RollTide22]

Rolltide.

Wow nice!! Hopefully you get accepted at all your schools so you can open up a slot for me here!!! What did you do after not getting in the first time?

Roll tide roll!

Haha thank you! I ended up going to Georgetown for their SMP. I would love to get into any of my waitlisted schools... TCMC is a great place, so hopefully all of us will find some luck soon!

 

[golgiapparatus88]

Hi all,

Does anyone know if there's a facebook group for TCMC's class of 2016? All I can seem to find is the group for 2015. If there is one, could someone post the link? I think it'll make the roommate search and other things much easier.

Thanks!

https://www.facebook.com/groups/233650943415150/

 

[Global Warming]

Omg yes. This past year has been terrible. I deeply wish to find some success in the next month.

 

[gbc85]

I just got off the phone with admissions and they said there have been no acceptances offered as of yet from the wait list, and that they could be offered any time between now and orientation. I don't know if it's because they didn't have enough people withdraw to start dipping into the list or they just haven't gone through it yet. Figured I would let you all know.

 

[Global Warming]

Hmmm

 

[couldabeenadoc]

Where are they going to get secure funding now? Uh oh they might remain in probation...or worse.

Hmm not sure, but this statement from Geisinger Health System doesn't sound good "We do not envision expanding our relationship with The Commonwealth Medical College without the involvement of the University of Scranton in a leadership role."

The article also states that the accrediting body is expected to announce a decision on the school's probation status in June.


The Commonwealth Medical College is pursuing possible affiliations with other institutions and using a financial "cushion" promised by Blue Cross of Northeastern Pennsylvania to steady its financial position after the college and the University of Scranton called off affiliation talks.

Both schools have refused to explain why the discussions failed after nearly a year, other than to refer to a joint statement announcing the decision on Monday.

The potential affiliation was viewed as a possible remedy for the medical college's uncertain financial position, which was cited by the accrediting body for American medical schools last year when it put the school on probation.

The Liaison Committee on Medical Education found last summer that TCMC had not made adequate progress toward demonstrating its financial sustainability. After a January visit to the medical school, the accrediting body is expected to announce a decision on the school's probation status in June.

College spokeswoman Anne Green said Tuesday that TCMC is "looking at possible affiliations with health care facilities, universities or colleges and medical schools" and has "confidential agreements with several other institutions" than the University of Scranton.

"We are moving forward with options to partner. Another option is to remain independent," she said.

Ms. Green would not name the potential partners, but Geisinger Health System indicated on Tuesday that it will not be among them without the University of Scranton's involvement.

"Geisinger plays a huge role in training the physicians of tomorrow, including the provision of clinical experiences for Commonwealth Medical College students at both Geisinger Wyoming Valley Medical Center and Geisinger Community Medical Center," Dave Jolley, Geisinger's vice president for public relations, said in a statement. "We do not envision expanding our relationship with Commonwealth Medical College without the involvement of the University of Scranton in a leadership role."

Commonwealth Health, an umbrella group of Community Health Systems-owned hospitals including Regional Hospital of Scranton and Moses Taylor Hospital, is also not in discussions with the medical college, spokesman James McGuire said.

Blue Cross of Northeastern Pennsylvania has committed to provide the medical college with a "financial cushion" through 2016, although neither Blue Cross nor the medical college would disclose the amount or terms of that agreement. College officials have said the institution needed $54 million for stability through 2016.

Blue Cross released a statement Tuesday saying that it "has believed strongly in The Commonwealth Medical College since its inception" and that it "remains supportive of TCMC's efforts to seek an affiliation that will strengthen its ability to locally train a new generation of physicians, benefiting our members and the entire region."

Asked how much money Blue Cross has committed to the school to date, spokesman Anthony Matrisciano said it "will provide some assistance" to the college "in addressing their budget challenges."

State Sen. John Blake, D-22, Archbald, said he is "a little disappointed, but not concerned or alarmed" that the affiliation talks ended.

Although he suggested an affiliation with a hospital or academic institution would help the college secure federal funds, "I don't think that this development has such dire consequences that the community should have concerns about the future of TCMC," he said.

"It is just a very difficult time for a college to be in its infancy," he said. "I have confidence that the school will find its footing."

http://thetimes-tribune.com/news/tcmc-considers-other-partners-as-u-of-s-talks-end-1.1319748

 

[MindTinkerer]

While the recent news may be somewhat concerning, as someone who is on the waitlist, I'm more wondering if anyone who has contacted Admissions over the past few days has asked them if the current class for fall is full and that is why they haven't contacted any of us. Secondly, I would like to know how many are on the waitlist total since they aren't speaking to rank.

I'm considering shooting them an email with a couple of questions such as these because I have a professional job presently and have to give work a month's notice, but if someone has already asked then there is no need to repeat the questions

Thanks!

 

[gbc85]

If you email or call and get any answers, let us know! I just called yesterday, so I don't want to push it.

 

[MindTinkerer]

Absolutely!

 

[Global Warming]

.

 

[radicean]

Thank you for showing us the affiliation report. I'm sure everyone here hopes that they find the fiscal support they need. I really would love to be a student here and see it accomplish the level of success it deserves.

 

[MindTinkerer]

A few questions answered, as promised: The waitlist email issue... I was assured that those of us who did not receive notification by email vs. those who did are no different and that they had a technical glitch. Also, there has been no movement off the waitlist and they would not give me the exact number of waitlisted applicants. It was described, however, as "strong and extensive" so that they can "build the best possible class". I know that some of you are going to run with that and let your anxiety build even further, but even if they did have rankings and you were number 1, that would not change the fact that as folks on the waitlist, we will get our applications ready for next year anyway and work on contingencies because even if we were number 1, there is no guarantee that someone accepted is going to drop out before the start of classes.

Good luck to everyone still waiting and I hope this helps!

 

[arrows]

so MindTinkere does that imply that the class as of right now is FULL??? or they are in the process of reviewing the WL so that acceptance can be offered eventually??

see my point is that i personally know 3 people who denied their acceptance to this school. so that would mean there are 3 open slots...until and unless tcmc offered admission and acceptance to more than 65 people...cuz that would be weird. I do not think you can legally offer acceptance to more people than the available seats.

 

[arrows]

h

 

[golgiapparatus88]

so MindTinkere does that imply that the class as of right now is FULL??? or they are in the process of reviewing the WL so that acceptance can be offered eventually??

see my point is that i personally know 3 people who denied their acceptance to this school. so that would mean there are 3 open slots...until and unless tcmc offered admission and acceptance to more than 65 people...cuz that would be weird. I do not think you can legally offer acceptance to more people than the available seats.

Most schools do in fact offer more acceptances than seats. If you look on MSAR, most schools accept double/triple the amount depending on the class size. TCMC went conservative this year but they still accepted more than the class size. (I think a little less than double but please don't quote me on that).

 

[MindTinkerer]

so MindTinkere does that imply that the class as of right now is FULL??? or they are in the process of reviewing the WL so that acceptance can be offered eventually??

see my point is that i personally know 3 people who denied their acceptance to this school. so that would mean there are 3 open slots...until and unless tcmc offered admission and acceptance to more than 65 people...cuz that would be weird. I do not think you can legally offer acceptance to more people than the available seats.

I asked if they were full and they did not answer that question, so, again, I am proceeding with hope, but also with contingency just in case.

 

[MindTinkerer]

I asked if they were full and they did not answer that question, so, again, I am proceeding with hope, but also with contingency just in case.

And I agree with dlouis's statement about them accepting more than slots as med schools know that not everyone will accept. That is also my understanding from reading various websites and speaking to others.

They also said that they would notify those on the waitlist who get accepted by phone and email, fyi.

 

[golgiapparatus88]

And I agree with dlouis's statement about them accepting more than slots as med schools know that not everyone will accept. That is also my understanding from reading various websites and speaking to others.

They also said that they would notify those on the waitlist who get accepted by phone and email, fyi.

And have no fear, if you have to reapply I believe they want to up next years class size to 100 (as long as the whole LCME review goes well).

 

[arrows]

in that case, i was clearly told the wrong information about med skool only accepting the number of seats available and the rest coming off the WL. since that is in the clear now...i guess i should be more negative on this issue than what i was.
and yeah there is still hope since last year they had accepted people way over the class limit, thinking that they could increase their class size to a 100, but people still came off the WL in june, july, august.
but i know for fact that the director of admissions was not in her office till 21st. she had taken time off for something. so i personally believe that they are in a process of reviewing the WL. JUST A STRONG BELIEF, NO CONFIRMATION. the school is really big on a holistic review of applicants, essentially looking a good fit for tcmc, not just the grades and mcats. i was told that the WL gets shuffled up and down a lot depending on what they need to complete the class.

 

[arrows]

and about the LCME, god knows what going to happen there, since the affliation with UScranton ended

 

[golgiapparatus88]

It's a pain but I wouldn't stress much about the accreditation. Since I was an MBS student at TCMC this past year, I saw how much hard work TCMC put into showing off how good of a school it is. Dr Nora (the dean) gave us all a summary of the events and read the exit report that LCME wrote up. They were really impressed. The only continuing issue is the money.We shall see in a month.

 

[radicean]

Today's my birthday - is it a bit sad that I was hoping to get good news from TCMC today? lol

 

[medbound71]

I wasn't able to make it to the revisit day, but can anyone fill me in what they said regarding housing? Where do most TCMC students live that's walking distance to the building?

Also, can any current students comment on great/convenient apartments/lofts to live?

Thanks!

 

[Avadin]

There are a lot of options available and rent can be as cheap as $300 (not including utilities) to $1200.The "cheaper places" can be great but I suggest really checking the place out before signing a lease. A large number of students live within half a mile from the school (some even a block away). Some nicer options are Connel Lofts, Lofts at the Mill, and Linden apartments. These apartments range in pricing and are about half a mile to a mile from the school.

One suggestion is to contact the student affairs director, Julia Kolcharno ([email protected]) to see if she has additional information available. Last year Student Affairs sent out a packet of Housing resources (including current openings) to accepted students and that was very helpful.

 

[medbound71]

There are a lot of options available and rent can be as cheap as $300 (not including utilities) to $1200.The "cheaper places" can be great but I suggest really checking the place out before signing a lease. A large number of students live within half a mile from the school (some even a block away). Some nicer options are Connel Lofts, Lofts at the Mill, and Linden apartments. These apartments range in pricing and are about half a mile to a mile from the school.

One suggestion is to contact the student affairs director, Julia Kolcharno ([email protected]) to see if she has additional information available. Last year Student Affairs sent out a packet of Housing resources (including current openings) to accepted students and that was very helpful.

Thanks for the info!

 

[Ineedhopenow]

Any updates?

 

[Global Warming]

Any updates?

None here

 

[WisdomDoc]

None here

Nothing here either. I'm really curious as to whats going on over there.

 

[Global Warming]

Nothing here either. I'm really curious as to whats going on over there.

Well they're interviewing MBS ppl on the 4th. I also find myself wondering about what's going on there. When is the average time that waitlists see movement? Late June, July, August?

 

[WisdomDoc]

Well they're interviewing MBS ppl on the 4th. I also find myself wondering about what's going on there. When is the average time that waitlists see movement? Late June, July, August?

Thats why this is really frustrating....all of my other schools that I am waitlisted at have had some sort of movement....So we should have already seen some movement. I guess the director of admissions being out may have something to do with it.

 

[Global Warming]

Thats why this is really frustrating....all of my other schools that I am waitlisted at have had some sort of movement....So we should have already seen some movement. I guess the director of admissions being out may have something to do with it.

Maybe they plan on doing it in bulk? I just wish they would let us know something...anything. yes or no...but at least we know lol.

Is the director Mrs. Stalk? I wonder where she went...this seems like an important time for admissions, but maybe I'm biased lol.

 

[WisdomDoc]

Maybe they plan on doing it in bulk? I just wish they would let us know something...anything. yes or no...but at least we know lol.

Is the director Mrs. Stalk? Where did she go?

Yes, she is the director. I don't know where she went. I just saw that someone else posted that she was out.

 

[Global Warming]

Yes, she is the director. I don't know where she went. I just saw that someone else posted that she was out.

Hmmm....The wait continues. What other places are you WL'd at? Is TCMC your top choice?

 

[arrows]

yeah, that was me who posted that the director of admissions had taken time off..but it has already been 10 days since she has been back. however, i certainly agree with all the other posts about TCMC being so late in getting back to WL students. its such a torture.
BUT if anything is assured is the fact TCMC has to get to its WL at somepoint. i mean think about it, some of the best ranked medical schools in the nation pull off a decent percentage of their class off the waitlist (maybe not harvard, princeton...but still !!!!!)

however, one of my good acquaintances who was also WListed last year said he had not heard of anyone who heard back from TCMC in may or even early June. As a matter of fact, very few people heard back in June. majority got off in early-mid July. He, himself, heard back right after july 4th weekend.

I would highly suggest to submit the amcas for the new cycle 2012-13, and still be hopeful.

KINDLY let the rest of the people on sdn if anyone hears back from TCMC, or drops their acceptance, or their WL. It will lighten the worried for the ones waiting and counting on this school. thank

 

[ElwayFan]

I'm an MS3 at TCMC - feel free to pm me if you have questions (ie deciding between TCMC and another school).

No, I don't know when the waitlist moves, anything about the waitlist, or what your odds are. Sorry

 

[gbc85]

So no news yet? Has anyone called or heard anything?

 

[MindTinkerer]

So no news yet? Has anyone called or heard anything?

Nothing new here...

 

[arrows]

any news on any movement off the WL? this is ridiculous !!! every school has had some movement.

 

[gbc85]

Nothing new here. I vote someone should call tomorrow. I called last week and got the same old "acceptances can be offered until first day of class" deal. Maybe someone can call and ask if the class is full, and if there has been ANY movement in the list.

 

[cgartman]

just called today, and they said that there has been no movement on the waitlist.

 

[gbc85]

Did they mention if the class was full?

 

[coughsyrup]

Did they mention if the class was full?

well if there is no movement, you can assume that the class is full

 

[gbc85]

I emailed admissions and they wrote back saying that there has been no WL movement because there are currently 65+ students holding acceptances, so the class is full. If people give up their spots to the point where they drop below 65 they will start accepting off the list. So its not lookin good for us in WL land I guess.