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DrAndroid said:
I just recently interviewed here. My faculty and student interviews were both conversational. The building is nice too. I quibble a little about the curriculum and classes handling 100 students. Anatomy groups have been upped to 10 students and some students have classes that end at 7pm because of the larger group. All students start at 8 or 9am too.
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What style interview was it: MMI, traditional, group, etc?
 
Traditional - 30 minutes with a faculty member and 30 minutes with a 2nd year student. There is an "exit interview" at the end of the day which isn't really an interview. My exit interview was only five minutes and we just talked about Scranton
 
DrAndroid said:
Traditional - 30 minutes with a faculty member and 30 minutes with a 2nd year student. There is an "exit interview" at the end of the day which isn't really an interview. My exit interview was only five minutes and we just talked about Scranton
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Great, thanks. I'm really looking forward to interviewing here. :xf:
 
DrAndroid said:
I just recently interviewed here. My faculty and student interviews were both conversational. The building is nice too. I quibble a little about the curriculum and classes handling 100 students. Anatomy groups have been upped to 10 students and some students have classes that end at 7pm because of the larger group. All students start at 8 or 9am too.
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I'm not sure who told you we end at 7pm, but so far in 1st year, we haven't gone beyond 4pm. Even then it's only Tuesday's and Thursday's. Most days end at 12pm. Some of the days, people stay till 6pm but that's mainly because they're in a second group, so they'll have off from 12-4pm and then start up again at 4 for that group's session. The Tuesday and Thursday sessions aren't continuous class/lecture either - it's small group and activities to break up the time. Also only 1st years start at 8am/9am depending on the day. 2nd years start class at 1:30 and they don't even have traditional lecture, it's all activities based on podcasts they get in advance.

Either way, I've heard out lecture schedule is better than a lot of schools who go 9-5 for most, if not all of the first year. I know they recently changed that at Penn State because it was so horrendous.

The anatomy block may be longer, but that's by choice and not a mandate. I think that's a common thing among medical schools that to learn more, you opt to stay later in the lab and can go through things at your own pace.

Also as for 10 ppl per anatomy group - our class is learning/we've heard from older students that 10 is actually better as you don't have to do as much "useless" dissections such as adipose and connective tissue.
 
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Does anyone know if interviews here are open or closed file? 😕
 
apparently they work all week, just got an II today.

edit: OOS w/ no ties, complete mid August
 
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II ! Great to hear good news- IS, 31, 3.4ish Under, 3.7 Grad, non-trad (32yo w/ PhD), complete 9/12
 
Let It Be said:
Does anyone know if interviews here are open or closed file? 😕
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At least based on the interview feedback section of this site, most people said they're open file.
 
Does anybody know if they changed the dates at which they release decisions? Last year, it seemed that October 24th was the first date, but on my post-interview status, it says that "We begin our rolling admissions process in January, but not everyone will be notified of their status at that time. We will send status updates regarding acceptances, waitlists and denials over the next several months. We appreciate your patience."
Does that mean we won't find out until January?
 
Can anyone who is familiar with the Scranton area advise on the distance from TCMC and the Scranton airport? Is it necessary to rent a car, or is the distance short enough that it can be cabbed?

Thanks!
 
poodle0011 said:
Does anybody know if they changed the dates at which they release decisions? Last year, it seemed that October 24th was the first date, but on my post-interview status, it says that "We begin our rolling admissions process in January, but not everyone will be notified of their status at that time. We will send status updates regarding acceptances, waitlists and denials over the next several months. We appreciate your patience."
Does that mean we won't find out until January?
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I was wondering the exact same thing...
 
poodle0011 said:
Does anybody know if they changed the dates at which they release decisions? Last year, it seemed that October 24th was the first date, but on my post-interview status, it says that "We begin our rolling admissions process in January, but not everyone will be notified of their status at that time. We will send status updates regarding acceptances, waitlists and denials over the next several months. We appreciate your patience."
Does that mean we won't find out until January?
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Wow, that really sucks because I have an acceptance at a DO school that's contingent on a $1000, non-refundable deposit that's due in the middle of December. 😡
 
circulus vitios said:
Wow, that really sucks because I have an acceptance at a DO school that's contingent on a $1000, non-refundable deposit that's due in the middle of December. 😡
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The amt that DO schools require for a deposit is insane. I guess it may have to do with some people using them as safety schools. I might be in the same boat if I ever hear back from ay of the DO schools I applied to...

Hope you (we) find out before you (we) have to drop that $ :luck:
 
So during one of the presentations here, they said they release decisions once per month, starting on or around October 15th. Unfortunately there's no real way to know which month to expect to hear anything - only that they do release decisions well before January. If you get a hold/deferral status, then you'll be part of their rolling admissions system, where you may or may not get selected from that pool sometime down the road. And I think starting March they form a waitlist.

Fingers crossed I hear in October. Really liked this place!
 
Pose said:
So during one of the presentations here, they said they release decisions once per month, starting on or around October 15th. Unfortunately there's no real way to know which month to expect to hear anything - only that they do release decisions well before January. If you get a hold/deferral status, then you'll be part of their rolling admissions system, where you may or may not get selected from that pool sometime down the road. And I think starting March they form a waitlist.

Fingers crossed I hear in October. Really liked this place!
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Thanks for the info.

I hear great things about the building (I actually drove up from Philly to scout-out the place), but I would like a bit of insider information on the school. Any current students want to chime in about what they like AND dislike?

Thanks!
 
Pose said:
So during one of the presentations here, they said they release decisions once per month, starting on or around October 15th. Unfortunately there's no real way to know which month to expect to hear anything - only that they do release decisions well before January. If you get a hold/deferral status, then you'll be part of their rolling admissions system, where you may or may not get selected from that pool sometime down the road. And I think starting March they form a waitlist.

Fingers crossed I hear in October. Really liked this place!
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Once per month, or once every few months? I know last year or the year before, they released decisions on October, December, February, and April. Are they operating on a rolling admissions system now?
 
circulus vitios said:
Once per month, or once every few months? I know last year or the year before, they released decisions on October, December, February, and April. Are they operating on a rolling admissions system now?
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I'm a bit confused, to be honest. I'm pretty sure they said "around once per month" multiple times. They also said that because they use an accepted/rejected/deferral system, it's essentially rolling admissions.
 
BlackBox said:
Thanks for the info.

I hear great things about the building (I actually drove up from Philly to scout-out the place), but I would like a bit of insider information on the school. Any current students want to chime in about what they like AND dislike?

Thanks!
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Current MS1 here. Overall, I've enjoyed TCMC so far, but I'll try to be as unbiased as possible.

First, the good. My class is really close and there's no competition for grades (MD1 and MD2 are straight pass-fail, pass is 70% or above). We share study guides and other resources all the time and group study is very common. The Medical Sciences Building is gorgeous; TCMC is by far the nicest medical I saw when I was interviewing. We're only on our first course block (Biochem, Cell Bio, Basic Histo, and Genetics), but it's been pretty well-run, reasonable as far as what you need to learn, and enjoyable (in my opinion). The administration and faculty are very supportive of students and actively solicit feedback. More importantly, listen to that feedback and try to make changes in response. Finally, the curriculum prepares students well for Step 1; TCMC's average is in the low 230s. Clinical education here also seems to be pretty solid: from what I've heard TCMC students impress on away rotations. You also get to work one on one with attendings, so you get to play a more active role on rotations, like being first assist for surgical cases. Last year's match list looked good and I'm confident that this will continue into the future. I could go on, but I don't want to write a novel.

Now, for the not so good. TCMC's financial situation is stable, but there's very little in the way of financial aid for students, though most medical schools don't exactly offer a lot of aid either. An affiliation with another institution (apparently talks are back on with U Scranton) could improve this and permanently secure TCMC's finances. Research exists, but it limited relative to other medical schools. Although it looks like we are on track for full LCME accreditation, it won't happen until next summer. Also, the LIC is more outpatient. I would venture to say that you would learn just as much as someone who went through a traditional 3rd year. However, you might be a little unaccustomed to the inpatient setting as you do away rotations. The last thing is name recongition. Sadly, prestige matters to residency programs (to an extent). TCMC is still not very well known outside of PA. That might improve somewhat by the time our class and your class goes through the Match.

Sorry for the length of that post. I wanted to be thorough, I remember how tough it was to get an honest insider's view of medical schools when I was applying last year.
 
DrAndroid said:
I just recently interviewed here. My faculty and student interviews were both conversational. The building is nice too. I quibble a little about the curriculum and classes handling 100 students. Anatomy groups have been upped to 10 students and some students have classes that end at 7pm because of the larger group. All students start at 8 or 9am too.
Click to expand...
Also, I wanted to chime in about anatomy and lab. Cadaver groups will be 8-9 students and will be further divded into an A and B group.

Basically, group A will dissect for a bit less than 1.5 hours while B studies, then A will teach B about what they dissected and then B will dissect for around 1.5 hours while A studies. Then, A will come in and B will teach them about what they dissected. Lab will start at 1:30 (I think) and last 3 hours, two days a week. As one of my classmates said above, having a bigger group dissecting isn't bad since so much of it is low-yield (removing fat, connective tissue, etc.). So on the worst days, we will be here from 8-12 and then 1:30 to 4:30. However, from what I understand most days won't be that long, so don't worry that you'll be in class 8 hours for 5 days a week. That won't be the case.
 
Let It Be said:
Does anyone know if interviews here are open or closed file? 😕
Click to expand...

Both interviews are closed book. If I remember correctly the faculty interviewer has your AMCAS personal statement and secondary and the student interviewer has only your secondary.

Good luck!
 
deadhead2 said:
Current MS1 here. Overall, I've enjoyed TCMC so far, but I'll try to be as unbiased as possible.

attendings, so you get to play a more active role on rotations, like being first assist for surgical cases. Last year's match list looked good and I'm confident that this will continue into the future. I could go on, but I don't want to write a novel.
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Thanks for the unbiased review. It's really tough to find the scoop on some schools, especially when they're so new. I have just a few more q's:

Does the lack of accreditation impact the ability to acquire student loans? I'm guessing not...

There might not be that much research going on there, but do students go to other universities to conduct it? I only ask b/c research is very important to me and a deciding factor for many schools (I might be in the minority here!).

What about the area? Up-and-coming? Static? Trending down? I know the town had a bit of a down-turn, but is it rebounding? Is it safe? I'm kinda laughing to myself b/c I live in west Philly now- it can't be like this! People get robbed occasionally where I live and I'm trying to avoid that :laugh:. I'm actually thinking of buying a place wherever I end up, so location potential is important.

And a finally- being at UPenn, I know all too well name unfortunately can make the difference, even though it shouldn't. Having the medical school associated with U of Scranton makes a lot of sense from that perspective. Talks are on-going, but what is the general feeling they will merge? I know that anything here might be based on rumor, but I was curious.

With that said, all of the schools I have attended (besides my postdoc) elicit the response, "wait, where do you go?" and I'm quite comfortable with repeating! :laugh:

Thanks again for the detailed response.
 
Another current MS1 and also a TCMC masters alum, so I've been here for a little more than a year.

Research:
The research may be limited, but it is very active. The faculty are getting new and competitive grants all the time. They're very enthusiastic about taking on medical students. Something to consider, you're not competing with undergrads for lab spots. Also the conversation differs based on the type of research - basic science may be limited, but there are a lot of opportunities to participate in clinical research (a surprising amount actually).

The area:
Scranton is going through a little bit of a renaissance. I think the med school may be a large part of that, but if you talk to the people in Scranton, you begin to see that this was a long time coming. They're hard working, nice people, with a strong sense of community. It is still a little rough in certain areas, but there are also really nice parts of Scranton. I would also say that Scranton is an ideal place to go to med school because there's enough to keep yourself entertained, but it isn't overly distracting.

Affiliation:
The school's preference is to remain independent and not affiliate with another institution. While affiliation would add a lot of resources, I think as students we tend to forget that a merger is exactly that - you need to fuse governance structures. TCMC would lose it's ability to make decisions quickly, governance would be decentralized, and the addition of a different name would bring it's own set of PR issues. The University of Scranton has always been a possible partner and a logical choice, Thomas Jefferson University also added their hat into the ring recently, but again the preference is to remain independent and find more stable funding. The U of S has some aggressive demands that may make an affiliation a difficult choice for the board of trustees. Thomas Jefferson may actually more or less become a partner instead of an actually affiliation. A couple of large sources of funding have come to the table and that discussion is also active.

Name recognition:
The recently graduated 4th years have been impressing in their intern years so far. Penn State has been particularly impressed, enough that they are actively coming to campus to recruit students. I suspect the match list will continue to improve over the years and will get TCMC's name out there.

Hope that helps!
 
plasmamorris said:
Another current MS1 and also a TCMC masters alum, so I've been here for a little more than a year.

Research:
The research may be limited, but it is very active. The faculty are getting new and competitive grants all the time. They're very enthusiastic about taking on medical students. Something to consider, you're not competing with undergrads for lab spots. Also the conversation differs based on the type of research - basic science may be limited, but there are a lot of opportunities to participate in clinical research (a surprising amount actually).

The area:
Scranton is going through a little bit of a renaissance. I think the med school may be a large part of that, but if you talk to the people in Scranton, you begin to see that this was a long time coming. They're hard working, nice people, with a strong sense of community. It is still a little rough in certain areas, but there are also really nice parts of Scranton. I would also say that Scranton is an ideal place to go to med school because there's enough to keep yourself entertained, but it isn't overly distracting.

Affiliation:
The school's preference is to remain independent and not affiliate with another institution. While affiliation would add a lot of resources, I think as students we tend to forget that a merger is exactly that - you need to fuse governance structures. TCMC would lose it's ability to make decisions quickly, governance would be decentralized, and the addition of a different name would bring it's own set of PR issues. The University of Scranton has always been a possible partner and a logical choice, Thomas Jefferson University also added their hat into the ring recently, but again the preference is to remain independent and find more stable funding. The U of S has some aggressive demands that may make an affiliation a difficult choice for the board of trustees. Thomas Jefferson may actually more or less become a partner instead of an actually affiliation. A couple of large sources of funding have come to the table and that discussion is also active.

Name recognition:
The recently graduated 4th years have been impressing in their intern years so far. Penn State has been particularly impressed, enough that they are actively coming to campus to recruit students. I suspect the match list will continue to improve over the years and will get TCMC's name out there.

Hope that helps!
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Very well summed up
 
The admissions did not say when we would hear back during the interview. Is this going to be December/January?
 
I interviewed on 10/4. They told us that we would most likely miss the October 15th decision date. They also said the admission committee decides once a month. I would therefore predict a November decision.
 
CrookedCucumber said:
I interviewed on 10/4. They told us that we would most likely miss the October 15th decision date. They also said the admission committee decides once a month. I would therefore predict a November decision.
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Thank you so much! I hope we all get accepted 🙂
 
So nervous to hear back. Loved it here. Wonder if the 09/23 group will hear back on the 15th...
 
Interview invitation mentions a parking pass being e-mailed within a week of interview date. I haven't received any such e-mail. Anyone else have the same problem? Guess I'll call tomorrow afternoon.
 
circulus vitios said:
Interview invitation mentions a parking pass being e-mailed within a week of interview date. I haven't received any such e-mail. Anyone else have the same problem? Guess I'll call tomorrow afternoon.
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Pretty sure my email says show up at 9 and public safety will give you a parking pass
 
ThunderBear said:
Pretty sure my email says show up at 9 and public safety will give you a parking pass
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That's weird.

For questions about travel, hotel, please visit our website at: http://www.thecommonwealthmedical.com/travel. If you are driving to campus you may park in the TCMC designated lot at the corner of E. Gibbson St. and N. Washington Avenue. A parking permit will be emailed to you about a week prior to your interview for you to display on your car dashboard.
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circulus vitios said:
That's weird.
Click to expand...

That IS weird...

For questions about travel and accommodations, please visit our website at: http://www.thecommonwealthmedical.com/travel. If you are driving to campus you may park in lot F at the corner of East Gibbson Street and North Washington Avenue. Public Safety will be there to welcome you and provide a temporary parking permit beginning at 9 am.

^ from my the email I received
 
ThunderBear said:
That IS weird...

For questions about travel and accommodations, please visit our website at: http://www.thecommonwealthmedical.com/travel. If you are driving to campus you may park in lot F at the corner of East Gibbson Street and North Washington Avenue. Public Safety will be there to welcome you and provide a temporary parking permit beginning at 9 am.

^ from my the email I received
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That's what I have too (for 10/23)
 
BlackBox said:
That's what I have too (for 10/23)
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It's a small lot and few spots are designated as visitor parking. The security will just tell you to park in one of those spots.
 
Complete 9/19. Rejection email last night...time to start studying for the MCAT again.
 
Is anyone else interviewing here on 10/14?
 
I am hoping for some love too the portal shows I was complete 9/19 how long does it generally take to hear something ?
 
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FYI they're now operating on a rolling admissions system. The earliest we can expect a decision is 6-8 weeks, I think.
 
Source? They must've changed that in the past week or so.
 
Pose said:
Source? They must've changed that in the past week or so.
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It was mentioned during one of their presentations.

Of course, I checked on their portal and it says that decisions will be made in January at the earliest. 😕

We begin our rolling admissions process in January, but not everyone will be notified of their status at that time. We will send status updates regarding acceptances, waitlists and denials over the next several months. We appreciate your patience.
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(From my "Interview" tab on the portal.)
 
Any interviewees from 9/9 know when we're supposed to hear back? In my exit interview I was told our group would find out on the 20th of October. But that is a Sunday =/
 
kjsdf said:
Any interviewees from 9/9 know when we're supposed to hear back? In my exit interview I was told our group would find out on the 20th of October. But that is a Sunday =/
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Sounds possible to me. If you've noticed, they've been sending a lot of secondaries out on Sundays. That's when I got mine. They definitely do work on Sundays.
 
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