Interview tips for PCOM

[notnarcsDO]

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I finally got my first interview at PCOM, my top choice! Because it is so late in the cycle, I want to do amazing in my interview so I dont get waitlisted.
If anyone has already interviewed at PCOM, could you please give some tips? I want to be as prepared as possible! Thanks!

 

[Goped]

I had an interview last month and it went pretty well. 2 of the interviewers were very nice, but one always cut me off. I forgot the interviewer name though. For the interview, just relax and make sure you know the question why osteopathic very well. Other questions are pretty standard and tailored to your application so read over your application and be prepared to answer any question. standard questions includes why pcom? and what do you do for fun? I stayed at the holiday inn which cost me around 112 dollars, but it is 5 minutes from the campus in case you are from out of state. that is all I have and good luck with the interview. 👍

 

[KMG365]

Know the difference between SBL and PBL. I remember talking about how PBL was not for me, and that I really liked PCOM's curriculum, and the rep from the admissions department definitely reacted favorably to both my positive comments about PCOM's curriculum, and my generic negative comments about PBL based curricula.

She asked follow-up questions though, so you have to know what you're talking about.

Also, don't be afraid to have a sense of humor. They knew I'd been accepted elsewhere, so they asked me what my number one consideration would be in selecting a medical school. I aswered simply, "An acceptance letter." They also definitely liked that.

Good Luck.

 

[notnarcsDO]

Know the difference between SBL and PBL. I remember talking about how PBL was not for me, and that I really liked PCOM's curriculum, and the rep from the admissions department definitely reacted favorably to both my positive comments about PCOM's curriculum, and my generic negative comments about PBL based curricula.

She asked follow-up questions though, so you have to know what you're talking about.

Also, don't be afraid to have a sense of humor. They knew I'd been accepted elsewhere, so they asked me what my number one consideration would be in selecting a medical school. I aswered simply, "An acceptance letter." They also definitely liked that.

Good Luck.

Thanks..I am going to start researching some things immediately. Could you tell me where I could research PBL and SBL....I was given a brief explanation before, but I do not know much about it.

 

[mitawa]

Relax, know your application well. The interviewers that I had were pretty straightforward. I had faculty and an upperclassman. Being in the room with the other interviewees allowed us time to talk amongst each other and the current students stop by from time to time to offer insight. It was the best interview experience I've had. 🙂

 

[vmgopal]

What are SBL PBL?????? im confused???

 

[JonnyG]

system based learning vs problem based learning.

PCOM is called an intergrated curriculumn which is somewhere in between system based learning and a tradition curriculumn of every subject taught seperately.

I like PCOM's because we are done with most of the basic science aspects by the third trimester of first year. From that point on we deal in systems but not at a basic level.

 

[neo3777]

i thought the pcom interview was one of the most grilling that i had when interviewing...which of course made me feel like i had to rise up to the challenge!!

i would suggest you knowing exactly what is on your application..be able to explain anything on your letters, transcripts etc.
i had two interviewers. one doc and the other an admissions lady..the latter was completely interested in what i was saying, the doc not so much. try your best to get both of your interviewers into the conversation (or more if you have 3 people)..lots of eye contact!!
act confident. you made it for the interview. this is the time to let yourself shine. congrats!!

p.s. make sure to look through the SDN interview questions for PCOM. though they didnt help me that much..i felt i was more confident thinking that i thought i knew what they were going to ask me ...if that makes sense...

 

[Hulk]

To get an idea of the different curriculums, visit LECOM's webpage. They have Problem Based Learning (PBL) Pathway, Lecture-Discussion Pathway, and the Independent Learning Pathway.

PBL is generally learning through case-studies: they present a patient and you start with the history then work your way to getting the diagnosis and treatment, all along the way learning about anatomy, physiology, pathology, etc.

System Based Learning (SBL) is PCOM's learning pathway. Here, you take a body system (i.e. cardiovasculary) and learn everything about that system (anatomy, physiology, pathology, treatment, etc.).

Don't get too hung up on this. The interview is very relaxed. Go in with a clear head. Stay at the Holiday Inn and have a quite night to yourself. Review your application packet because they ask questions tailored to your specific application. My personal tip which has served me well is be excited about PCOM, appear motivated to begin school, and express how much it means to you and what you have done to come to this point in your life. You should do fine.

Good luck.

 

[notnarcsDO]

Thanks everyone for all of the help. I still have two weeks left, but I am so nervous!! I have been preparing like a maniac since the day I got the email. Obviously from my constant posts about it, PCOM is a big deal to me. Hopefully I do well!
Thanks again to all of you!!