maybe a bit of advice from an older member of the board--
i am actually a philly native but ended up at ccom and am in many ways glad it happened that way--despite all of my ccom bashing..
ccom and pcom are similar in that they are each well established first generation DO schools that are located in major metros.
when it came down to me making the decision, the following clinched it for me--and by the way, i started the master's and dropped out b/c it was really just a money grubbing scheme.
1. pcom's class size is upwards of 200, something like 250 when i was applying--too big if you ask me..ccom is 150, which is still kinda big at times but allows for more personal attention..i came from a large college so i did not think this would matter much, but it does..medicine is partially about making connections.
2. pcom clinical rotations cannot rival those of chicago..in chicago, DOS are well integrated and easily accepted into rush, loyola, UofC, UIC, etc..there are plenty of urban rotation sites to choose from..pcom has some urban sites, but after the allegheny take over, these have become few and far between..you are more likely to be farmed out to erie, pittsburgh, lancaster, bethlehem, etc..the hospitals are great experiences, but not as diverse as you will find in chicago..this was the biggest selling point for me to go to chicago--the clinical opportunity is unmatched as long as you are agressive enough to stay out of olympia fields.
3. the academics at chicago are consistently higher across the board..although i felt like at ccom they killed us with exams and that the environment was not as nurturing, we were prepared for the mishmosh they called the COMLEX and bred to work harder than most.
4. there is little emphasis on OMT at CCOM despite what they would like you to believe..CCOM is more allopathic than any of the DO schools with which i have come in contact in that it has nationally and federally funded research that is published in places other than osteopathic journals..furthermore, if you are into the OMT, CCOM is the leader in OM research and has published landmark articles in that area.
5. the worst thing about CCOM is that the administration is totally unresponsive to students and financially the university is having problems with all sorts of things..HOWEVER it is key to keep in mind that PCOM is experiencing similar difficulties or it would not be selling off city line..as i recall, the administration at PCOM listened to the student and did its own thing anyway--unless things have changed majorly.
best to ask students higher than first yr at both schools..they are a bit green and infatuated with the idea of being in med school and have not yet expereienced too many of the ills of either school.
if i had to do it all again i would do ccom again despite the fact that i will not donate a penny as an alumni.
even better, if you have the chance to go md, consider it carefully
good luck