2016-2017 The Commonwealth Medical College Application Thread

Started by WedgeDawg
This forum made possible through the generous support of SDN members, donors, and sponsors. Thank you.
Get help with your application

Use all the free resources available to you from SDN: articles, guides, expert advising, forums discussions, and school research.

Browse articles Compare schools My application plan Read Interview Feedback
Practice for interviews Ask an Advisor
Advertisement - Members don't see this ad
biggimpin said:
For all those wondering about out of state, as a current OOS student I would say definitely apply if you think you like the school. While the school does like Pennsylvania residents (particularly NEPA) because they are more likely to stay in the region and the main purpose of the school was drawing physicians to the region, you can still get in OOS if you discuss why you think the school is a good fit for you, particularly the community health and rural aspect of the school. Being a newer school it has a lot of new programs and ideas on teaching that make it stand out from some of the more traditional schools, and the school realizes this and looks for applicants who fit their goals regardless of if they are from PA. I know all schools talk about "fit" and when filling out apps it can feel like a lot of BS and for a good number of schools it is, but TCMC really is different than a lot of other schools and its community aspect separates it from most schools. You have to decide whether you like that or not because it definitely isn't for everyone.

Personally I was a CA resident even though I lived in Philly for 5 years of undergrad and work, so having lived in PA may have helped but I really do think they are more interested in finding students that fit their goals. I also didn't end up applying to the school until early October when I panicked because I hadn't received any interview invites so I applied to a few more schools. On a side note, a surprisingly large number of this year's class is from CA. Not sure why that is.

If you have any other questions about the school let me know.
Click to expand...
Thanks for the info!
 
biggimpin said:
For all those wondering about out of state, as a current OOS student I would say definitely apply if you think you like the school. While the school does like Pennsylvania residents (particularly NEPA) because they are more likely to stay in the region and the main purpose of the school was drawing physicians to the region, you can still get in OOS if you discuss why you think the school is a good fit for you, particularly the community health and rural aspect of the school. Being a newer school it has a lot of new programs and ideas on teaching that make it stand out from some of the more traditional schools, and the school realizes this and looks for applicants who fit their goals regardless of if they are from PA. I know all schools talk about "fit" and when filling out apps it can feel like a lot of BS and for a good number of schools it is, but TCMC really is different than a lot of other schools and its community aspect separates it from most schools. You have to decide whether you like that or not because it definitely isn't for everyone.

Personally I was a CA resident even though I lived in Philly for 5 years of undergrad and work, so having lived in PA may have helped but I really do think they are more interested in finding students that fit their goals. I also didn't end up applying to the school until early October when I panicked because I hadn't received any interview invites so I applied to a few more schools. On a side note, a surprisingly large number of this year's class is from CA. Not sure why that is.

If you have any other questions about the school let me know.
Click to expand...

It may not be so surprising if I told you that a lot of people from my parents' generation, the baby boomers( I'm a non trad) moved to California since the jobs dried up around here. These people may be children of former PA residents.
 
Last edited:
Plastic156600sub3 said:
It may not be so surprising if I told you that a lot of people from my parents' generation, the baby boomers( I'm a non trad) moved to California since the jobs dried up around here. These people may be children of former PA residents.
Click to expand...

Here's the deal with California. California residents account for 12% of the US population but California only has 6% of the total allopathic and osteopathic medical school seats. Instead of building more medical schools, the State of California, which is one of the top 10 economies in the world on a stand alone basis, would rather spend 4 billion dollars to execute 13 people in the last 30 years
http://www.deathpenaltyinfo.org/costs-new-study-reveals-california-has-spent-4-billion-death-penalty
provide ridiculous benefits to public employees, and spend "God only knows how much" on a stupid train to nowhere. The billionaire jerks in Silicon Valley would rather buy islands and basketball teams than donate enough money to capitalize new medical schools on campuses like Santa Cruz and Merced. This is the reason Californians mooch medical school seats from the rest of the country.These California applicants get away with this because narcissistic schmoes on admissions committees in the East and Midwest want geographically cosmopolitan classes.
 
Obnoxious Dad said:
Here's the deal with California. California residents account for 12% of the US population but California only has 6% of the total allopathic and osteopathic medical school seats. Instead of building more medical schools, the State of California, which is one of the top 10 economies in the world on a stand alone basis, would rather spend 4 billion dollars to execute 13 people in the last 30 years
http://www.deathpenaltyinfo.org/costs-new-study-reveals-california-has-spent-4-billion-death-penalty
provide ridiculous benefits to public employees, and spend "God only knows how much" on a stupid train to nowhere. The billionaire jerks in Silicon Valley would rather buy islands and basketball teams than donate enough money to capitalize new medical schools on campuses like Santa Cruz and Merced. This is the reason Californians mooch medical school seats from the rest of the country.These California applicants get away with this because narcissistic schmoes on admissions committees in the East and Midwest want geographically cosmopolitan classes.
Click to expand...
This may be true as well. I can say from experience within my own family that half of them moved to Silicon Valley after graduation from college to pursue a career.

There really aren't a ton of jobs in NE PA anymore. Many bailed on the area to succeed at something other than the only entry level jobs available. Heck, in my town where I spent most of my life, adults compete for a job at the local Burger King.

All that is left is that, welfare, illegal drugs, and elderly on social security. Also there are those who will take a risky long haul over snowy mountains in winter to get to a job.
 
Does anyone know if Commonwealth sends an "application complete" after they receive all materials and forward for review? I received a Secondary App has been submitted but was wondering if I should expect a separate "complete" email. Thanks!
 
DoingTheBestWeCan said:
Does anyone know if Commonwealth sends an "application complete" after they receive all materials and forward for review? I received a Secondary App has been submitted but was wondering if I should expect a separate "complete" email. Thanks!
Click to expand...

They send a complete email but it should also say application complete in your status section of your portal!


Sent from my iPhone using SDN mobile
 
Advertisement - Members don't see this ad
spackydoodleIII said:
II here!! I was complete 8/04 and recvd II 8/26, lizzyM 65 lower mcat

Is anyone planning on staying with a current MD student the night before the interview? I was thinking about it!
Click to expand...
I may do so! I interview on the 12th.. Can any current MS here speak of interview day?

Edit: & specifically, how did you prep? This is my first interview and I have a low MCAT so I really do not want to mess this up. I am working on my answers for common questions, but is there anything else other than knowing my application inside and out?
 
Advertisement - Members don't see this ad
biggimpin said:
Honestly just be ready to answer basic questions and talk about yourself and why you think you would be a good fit for the school. The student interview is usually more casual and relaxed like a normal conversation while the faculty interview will probably have more questions like you would expect in a med school interview. But it really depends on who you get to interview you in terms of what exactly they will ask you or want to talk about. Just be ready to talk about yourself and connect that to why you want to go to TCMC and how your strengths fit with the school's goals. Doing some research on the school and getting an idea of what they focus on is something I recommend for all interviews. It also allows you to see whether you want to go to the school if you are accepted.

All in all TCMC's interview day is pretty similar to most schools with interviews, tours, and talks about the school. Just relax and be yourself and it should be fine. I know it feels like a very stressful thing, but you should go in with a confident and relaxed attitude. You got an interview so they must be highly impressed with you!
Click to expand...
Oh great, thank you for the thoughtful reply 🙂
 
For those of you interviewing, the interview day at TCMC was very low-stress. Everyone is extremely friendly and welcoming! Good luck and congrats on the II's! If anyone has an questions about the day, feel free to message me 🙂
 
Advertisement - Members don't see this ad
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

chilly_md
2025-2026 Commonwealth (Geisinger)
2 3 4 5 6
Replies
255
Views
81K
mangosintahiti
M
wysdoc
2025-2026 Virginia Commonwealth (VCU)
11 12 13 14 15
Replies
741
Views
211K
vameds
V
chilly_md
2025-2026 New York Medical College
4 5 6 7 8
Replies
371
Views
135K
Zorazk
Z
chilly_md
2025-2026 Medical College of Georgia
6 7 8 9 10
Replies
492
Views
147K
Boosterman
Boosterman
chilly_md
2025-2026 Medical College of Wisconsin (MCW)
4 5 6 7 8
Replies
386
Views
133K
pker113
P