As a 4th year, I have seen positive and negative attributes of PCOM (like any other school). It looks like they are making some changes, however, during my first 2 years they really were not interested in preparing us for the board exams. Several professors had the attitude (publicly stating in class) that "they" don't teach for the boards and felt that it was against some educational principal to do so.
In addition, we were scheduled to end mid-May at the end of 2nd year and we had 4 to 5 final exams in surgery, peds, geriatics, EM, OMM etc. We only had 2 weeks to prepare for the May board exams unless you wanted to take them in June during rotations. Only after we complained PCOM decided to move up the end date for us. But, we were still stuck cramming for a bunch of courses that really bog you down for board prep. Luckily, the PCOM-GA campus hired Goljan for a 1 week seminar that was teleconferenced, but it was 2 weeks before the May board exams...little too late. My friends at some of the other Philly schools had dedicated board review as part of their classes and had 4 to 6 weeks off for board prep.
I do not have statistics, only statements from certain clinical docs, but the board pass rate has been dismal for us. I don't like spreading rumors or hurting PCOM's rep, but I feel compelled to share. If you study hard, are an independent learner, and do not rely purely on PCOM, you will be fine.
Hopefully some of the curriculum changes and earlier end date for the more recent classes will help with the boards.
Good luck with your decision.
