LECOM-Erie Discussion thread 2007-2008

This forum made possible through the generous support of SDN members, donors, and sponsors. Thank you.
wohoo just got an interview invite for the 29th, kinda far away though :-/ Can I call and see if I can take a cancellation's spot? Also, is the Lecture based curriculum full? I'm not a huge fan of PBL and might turn down my Bradenton interview because of it.... maybe I should just go and check it out anyway though? 😕

thanks!

From what I understand, the lecture based curriculum is the one that most people get accepted into and therefore the one that most likely has spots open.

Honestly, it's hard to describe PBL. It's only after you sit in on a full 2-hour PBL session (in LECOM-B) that you can get a sense for what PBL is all about. It's definitely a different approach to learning. And quite an intimidating one for that matter 🙂

Good luck!
 
I was going for PBL but then decided to go with LDP. I think there is no system that is better that the other, it is just a matching thing. Which programs matches best with the way you study. I like group discussions, but i don't like to learn only from them. I prefer to attend a lecture, review material, and then meet up with other students to discuss it. PBL also involves a lot of self studying, which i can do, but i tend to procrastinate, and therefore cannot take that risk in med school!

my 0.000001 cent about the topic!!😀
 
From what I heard, PBL is hardest when you are taking anatomy. Then it gets better from then on.
 
From what I heard, PBL is hardest when you are taking anatomy. Then it gets better from then on.

Not necessarilly, During anatomy you don't really do too much PBL stuff. You meet a bit, but nothing is graded, it's just kind of to get you in the PBL mind frame. Then it starts after anatomy is finished.

As far as shirtless in OMM, yes, not all the time though, only when you're working on the back and chest, but that is a lot in the beginning. But there are all sorts of people of all different sizes.
 
I have a question about rotations at LECOM. I've heard from some students there that they don't pay any hospitals, and they don't help you with placements. Is this true? If so, isn't it really hard, because you'll have to be calling all these places to set them up yourself, and you'll be fighting with PCOM and NYCOM students for the spots.
 
[
I have a question for current students though. Do you wear scrubs in anatomy lab, or do you wear your business casual clothes with a lab coat on top? I can't imagine that they wouldn't let you wear scrubs, that just seems unhygenic and weird.

Nope. You are never allowed to wear scrubs at LECOM unless its on the weekends or after 5. You have to wear your normal clothes, which includes a tie for the guys, with a dirty lab coat on top. It is disgusting. A lot of people wear the same stuff over and over. I actually got away with these black sweatpants I bought from Target. They were loose and flowy and comfortable, and I wore a nice looking T-shirt on top. Then you get home and immediately wash them in hot water if you ever want them to smell normal again. So I avoided ever wearing my nice clothes in. It does suck we can't wear scrubs. And the guy that sits at the front asks guys sometimes to open up their jackets when they come in to make sure they are wearing a tie, so don't try to cover it up and think you'll be ok.

I have a question about rotations at LECOM. I've heard from some students there that they don't pay any hospitals, and they don't help you with placements. Is this true? If so, isn't it really hard, because you'll have to be calling all these places to set them up yourself, and you'll be fighting with PCOM and NYCOM students for the spots.

A 3rd year told me that they don't pay hospitals as well. Since I'm only a first year we haven't done any stuff about setting up, but they have a lot of affiliates so I don't think you have to find a place all on your own and call to set it up unless its an elective and you want to go somewhere else.
 
I have a question about rotations at LECOM. I've heard from some students there that they don't pay any hospitals, and they don't help you with placements. Is this true? If so, isn't it really hard, because you'll have to be calling all these places to set them up yourself, and you'll be fighting with PCOM and NYCOM students for the spots.

I don't have the slightest idea about paying hospitals, I know that they have a number of rotation sites including mandatory ones (as in certain locations must be filled all the time, these ones are mostly in Erie) for students. You have the option of setting up elective rotation sites or you can just go with the sites already affiliated. It is not your responsibility to call places up and set things up on your own. If you look on LECOM's website there is a list of affiliated rotation sites.


As far as clothes in Anatomy lab, yeah, you have to wear your regular clothes. I had some stuff for lab wear only, but ended up sneaking by in tshirts a lot. I used my own lab coat which I washed every time I had lab, along with my clothes. The class is supposed to wash the lab coats they use from school every so often but no one did so they were disgusting. Get your own and wash it is my advice.
 
Nope. You are never allowed to wear scrubs at LECOM unless its on the weekends or after 5. You have to wear your normal clothes, which includes a tie for the guys, with a dirty lab coat on top. It is disgusting. A lot of people wear the same stuff over and over. I actually got away with these black sweatpants I bought from Target. They were loose and flowy and comfortable, and I wore a nice looking T-shirt on top. Then you get home and immediately wash them in hot water if you ever want them to smell normal again. So I avoided ever wearing my nice clothes in. It does suck we can't wear scrubs. And the guy that sits at the front asks guys sometimes to open up their jackets when they come in to make sure they are wearing a tie, so don't try to cover it up and think you'll be ok.

Wow! I don't mean to be rude but that is ridiculous. Especially checking the guys to make sure they're wearing a tie. It's not grade school. 😱
 
[

Nope. You are never allowed to wear scrubs at LECOM unless its on the weekends or after 5. You have to wear your normal clothes, which includes a tie for the guys, with a dirty lab coat on top. It is disgusting. A lot of people wear the same stuff over and over. I actually got away with these black sweatpants I bought from Target. They were loose and flowy and comfortable, and I wore a nice looking T-shirt on top. Then you get home and immediately wash them in hot water if you ever want them to smell normal again. So I avoided ever wearing my nice clothes in. It does suck we can't wear scrubs. And the guy that sits at the front asks guys sometimes to open up their jackets when they come in to make sure they are wearing a tie, so don't try to cover it up and think you'll be ok.


Wow... that sucks... i just bought a bunch of nice shirts... and pretty soon they are going to smell like cadavers and formaldehyde. They really need to change this policy. I understand professional attire for lectures, but dressing nice for anatomy lab seems pretty ridiculous. Oh well-- you gotta do what you gotta do.
 
hey guys, im interviewing at LECOM-Erie in three weeks. i was hoping to find out how many seats are being offered this year (i think 260ish). also, how many spots are still up for grabs? what is the general acceptance rate after an interview at LECOM-Erie? thanks ahead of time. LECOM-erie is a great school, awesome matchlist and has low tuition. i really look forward to interviewing there!
 
cabbage--good luck. i just interviewed there last week. just a bit of warning...the interview day is quite short and a bit disorganized. maybe it was just the particular day i went, i'm not sure. but, if you want to know more, send me a message.
 
has anyone heard anything about the waitlist at erie yet?
 
I was accepted to Erie in the PBL program, but heard nothing from the Bradenton branch. Who knows, they might be looking for different aptitudes.

I called Bradenton to check on my app, and I was told by them that I would never be able to cut it in a LECOM PBL program. It was pretty funny to me because I was already accepted to LECOM Erie's PBL program when I called! The two schools work independent of each other, and apperently Bradention has an attitude too.
 
wow...those are some harsh words. those at LECOM B seem to conduct themselves QUITE DIFFERENTLY than the ppl at Erie.
 
Not necessarilly, During anatomy you don't really do too much PBL stuff. You meet a bit, but nothing is graded, it's just kind of to get you in the PBL mind frame. Then it starts after anatomy is finished.

Not completely true. I am PBL and we did meet during anatomy, although less often than we do after it, yes.
However, what we learn and are assigned during this time IS graded on an exam that is given one week after anatomy is over. 12 weeks of information can not be crammed into one week, so you do have to work at it a little during anatomy. It's more work than the LDPers have during this time, which is a challenge, but the average for that exam was a high B and no one got below a C. So don't let this alone deter you from choosing PBL if you would otherwise make it your first choice. It's worth it.
Everyone has survived thus far!😛
 
Not completely true. I am PBL and we did meet during anatomy, although less often than we do after it, yes.
However, what we learn and are assigned during this time IS graded on an exam that is given one week after anatomy is over. 12 weeks of information can not be crammed into one week, so you do have to work at it a little during anatomy. It's more work than the LDPers have during this time, which is a challenge, but the average for that exam was a high B and no one got below a C. So don't let this alone deter you from choosing PBL if you would otherwise make it your first choice. It's worth it.
Everyone has survived thus far!😛
Oops, sorry!
 
We need to liven this thread up again...the LECOM postbacs are interviewing this week...hopefully we'll all be joining you this fall.
 
We need to liven this thread up again...the LECOM postbacs are interviewing this week...hopefully we'll all be joining you this fall.

I have to get my Pre-matriculation Physical on Wed., that should liven things up. Anyone finished with this crap(acceptance packet) yet? And have you decided on a laptop that you will use? I am going for a Macbook pro because one of the other students has one and he says it works fine. I have always been a Mac Man.
 
I have to get my Pre-matriculation Physical on Wed., that should liven things up. Anyone finished with this crap(acceptance packet) yet? And have you decided on a laptop that you will use? I am going for a Macbook pro because one of the other students has one and he says it works fine. I have always been a Mac Man.

Still workin on it. I need to go to my doc for a physical. Plus, I need to do that police clearance/ criminal background check. I don't know exactly what to do since I am from Texas, and they only gave instructions for Pennsylvania and select states. I almost bought a laptop this past weekend, but decided not to. Best buy was having a sale on a bundle pack (laptop-- sony vaio or hp pavilion) + sony digital camera + hp printer --the catch with the vaio was that it is only available in pink. The hp was a bit bigger then I wanted (it was 15.4")... but it did have an HD DVD drive which was pretty cool (nonetheless unnecessary) Can we get macbooks? It says it must be pc compatible. I suppose you could load windows on there.
 
I have to get my Pre-matriculation Physical on Wed., that should liven things up. Anyone finished with this crap(acceptance packet) yet? And have you decided on a laptop that you will use? I am going for a Macbook pro because one of the other students has one and he says it works fine. I have always been a Mac Man.

I got my physical, but the immunizations are going to take a while. I've already been poked three times with two more to go :scared:. I'm about to do my criminal record check now...it shouldnt take long. As for laptops, my hp pavillion should do.
 
I have to get my Pre-matriculation Physical on Wed., that should liven things up. Anyone finished with this crap(acceptance packet) yet? And have you decided on a laptop that you will use? I am going for a Macbook pro because one of the other students has one and he says it works fine. I have always been a Mac Man.

In the package that the school sent, they mentioned that the school doesn't suppourt macintosh?! Are you sure it'll work (i was thinking about getting a mac but now i'll probably go with dell xps)

any thoughts about the xps, i heard really contradicting views about it!!

About immunization, i apparently need many of them👎 I will have to take some of them after the school starts. I don't know what the reaction of the administration will be when i tell them that.

btw, has anyone recieved the financial aid package yet?
 
Lots of people in my class have macs, so I'm not sure why it says that. I never heard of anyone bringing in their computer and having them say anything about that.

Also I had a NIGHTMARE getting fingerprinted (I'm from MD, also did not have directions on the sheet) and it took forever and ever and ever and then didn't work. You need to call your state police station and they'll tell you where and when to go (hopefully they are a little smarter than MD cops) and if you have to bring a fingerprint card or they supply one. Apparently in MD, the station that supplies the fingerprint cards is not the same station that does the fingerprinting, so you have to go to both, which makes a lot of sense. After I tried 3 times to get fingerprinted, which involved multiple police stations telling me they had no idea where I should go, them giving me the fingerprint cards only used for felons which resulted in the place I drove to next not fingerprinting me b/c then I would show up as a felon in the system, me driving into lovely areas of Baltimore, getting lost (fingerprinted in a mall?? Who does that!), leaving after waiting in a 3 hour line, etc.....my results came back "unreadable". And I was moving to Erie in a few days. So they let me get one done here in PA, I just had to go and get yet another fingerprint card, and they did it for me on a MD card, which I sent back to MD and got sent back. NIGHTMARE. Good luck, and don't put off doing it like me!
 
Lots of people in my class have macs, so I'm not sure why it says that. I never heard of anyone bringing in their computer and having them say anything about that.

Also I had a NIGHTMARE getting fingerprinted (I'm from MD, also did not have directions on the sheet) and it took forever and ever and ever and then didn't work. You need to call your state police station and they'll tell you where and when to go (hopefully they are a little smarter than MD cops) and if you have to bring a fingerprint card or they supply one. Apparently in MD, the station that supplies the fingerprint cards is not the same station that does the fingerprinting, so you have to go to both, which makes a lot of sense. After I tried 3 times to get fingerprinted, which involved multiple police stations telling me they had no idea where I should go, them giving me the fingerprint cards only used for felons which resulted in the place I drove to next not fingerprinting me b/c then I would show up as a felon in the system, me driving into lovely areas of Baltimore, getting lost (fingerprinted in a mall?? Who does that!), leaving after waiting in a 3 hour line, etc.....my results came back "unreadable". And I was moving to Erie in a few days. So they let me get one done here in PA, I just had to go and get yet another fingerprint card, and they did it for me on a MD card, which I sent back to MD and got sent back. NIGHTMARE. Good luck, and don't put off doing it like me!

I went to the local police station and asked for a state-wide check. They took my fingerprints electronically and told me to wait 3 weeks for results to be mailed to me!!

I hope that's right
 
I interviewed last monday (4th) and just got my acceptance letter today. Anyone else from that day get in yet??
 
I went to the local police station and asked for a state-wide check. They took my fingerprints electronically and told me to wait 3 weeks for results to be mailed to me!!

I hope that's right

Why are you all getting fingerprinted? I just did a criminal background check online, it took seconds (probably cost less too). 😕
 
What did you all say for "tell us something that's not in your file?" What kind of answer are they looking for?
 
What did you all say for "tell us something that's not in your file?" What kind of answer are they looking for?

did you already interview? i don't know that they are looking for any specific answer. they probably want to know something interesting, etc. outside of what you put on paper. i think it's a pretty straightforward, easy question and there's no specific format for the answer. i told them something interesting about myself and what i've been doing since i submitted my application. how could you not come up with something?!
 
did you already interview? i don't know that they are looking for any specific answer. they probably want to know something interesting, etc. outside of what you put on paper. i think it's a pretty straightforward, easy question and there's no specific format for the answer. i told them something interesting about myself and what i've been doing since i submitted my application. how could you not come up with something?!

That question is honestly not as easy as you're making it sound. A lot of people put everything in their app either primary or secondary and aren't sure what else the school wants to know. I consider it a relative of "tell us about yourself". And in regards to your bold statement, RUDE!!
 
Why are you all getting fingerprinted? I just did a criminal background check online, it took seconds (probably cost less too). 😕

If i am not mistaken, the school requires a statewide criminal background check. The sent in the package an electronic link (state-dependent) which told we where to go to get this done. It happened to be a closeby local station and that's how they did it!! It cost 20 bucks

I hope a did the right thing. I am still waiting for them to mail me the result.
 
That question is honestly not as easy as you're making it sound. A lot of people put everything in their app either primary or secondary and aren't sure what else the school wants to know. I consider it a relative of "tell us about yourself". And in regards to your bold statement, RUDE!!

i was not trying to be RUDE in the least bit. sorry if it came across that way. i think it's a pretty easy question because i guess i just associate it telling someone something interesting about yourself. that's all i was saying. gee whiz.
 
i was not trying to be RUDE in the least bit. sorry if it came across that way. i think it's a pretty easy question because i guess i just associate it telling someone something interesting about yourself. that's all i was saying. gee whiz.

I understand you weren't trying to be but your last line still came across as rude. It just reminded me of asking someone for help with something you don't understand and they go on and on about how easy it is and don't make an effort to hide that they don't get why you don't get it. I'm not saying you're a rude person I just thought your response could have used more tact.
 
did you already interview? i don't know that they are looking for any specific answer. they probably want to know something interesting, etc. outside of what you put on paper. i think it's a pretty straightforward, easy question and there's no specific format for the answer. i told them something interesting about myself and what i've been doing since i submitted my application. how could you not come up with something?!

LOL it's OK, no offense taken. I think exclamation points take all rudeness out of everything. I just didn't know if they wanted an interesting tidbit about you, or if they wanted to know if you had an updates about volunteer experience, shadowing etc since you submitted your app. I always have trouble with questions like these. I never know what to say for tell me about yourself.
 
LOL it's OK, no offense taken. I think exclamation points take all rudeness out of everything. I just didn't know if they wanted an interesting tidbit about you, or if they wanted to know if you had an updates about volunteer experience, shadowing etc since you submitted your app. I always have trouble with questions like these. I never know what to say for tell me about yourself.

good, i'm glad you weren't offended 🙂. i kind of liked this question...gave me a chance to be a little more informal with my response. i gave them an interesting fact combined with my current status since applying. when did you interview?
 
If i am not mistaken, the school requires a statewide criminal background check. The sent in the package an electronic link (state-dependent) which told we where to go to get this done. It happened to be a closeby local station and that's how they did it!! It cost 20 bucks

I hope a did the right thing. I am still waiting for them to mail me the result.

Oh, I guess it differs among states. The link I used only required filling out some info which gave me results immediately that I'm supposed to print out and mail; it cost only $10. I had to get fingerprinted previously for employment which cost more than $70 and a week to get the results, so I had thought you were going through that when it isn’t necessary.
 
haha-- there are two different conversations going on. Are there any current students that are from Texas that can give me some insight on what to do for the police background check. I'd really appreciate it. Thanks.
 
good, i'm glad you weren't offended 🙂. i kind of liked this question...gave me a chance to be a little more informal with my response. i gave them an interesting fact combined with my current status since applying. when did you interview?

I haven't interviewed yet. I interview Feb. 29th.
 
I interviewed last monday (4th) and just got my acceptance letter today. Anyone else from that day get in yet??
Hey RedSharpie11, I interviewed on the 4th and also received my acceptance letter yesterday. Congratulations!
 
i interviewed on the 1st of feb. and still haven't received anything yet. maybe it will come today. anyone else interview on the 1st and heard anything?
 
I interviewed on Feb. 1 and received the acceptance letter this past monday.
 
i interviewed on the 1st of feb. and still haven't received anything yet. maybe it will come today. anyone else interview on the 1st and heard anything?

wait-- i'm confused... why are you listed as a 'medical student'?
 
Still workin on it. I need to go to my doc for a physical. Plus, I need to do that police clearance/ criminal background check. I don't know exactly what to do since I am from Texas, and they only gave instructions for Pennsylvania and select states. I almost bought a laptop this past weekend, but decided not to. Best buy was having a sale on a bundle pack (laptop-- sony vaio or hp pavilion) + sony digital camera + hp printer --the catch with the vaio was that it is only available in pink. The hp was a bit bigger then I wanted (it was 15.4")... but it did have an HD DVD drive which was pretty cool (nonetheless unnecessary) Can we get macbooks? It says it must be pc compatible. I suppose you could load windows on there.


Go to https://records.txdps.state.tx.us/DPS_WEB/Cch/index.aspx and go to search individuals. You will have to create an account. Its pretty easy.
Hope this helps.
 
Has anyone actually finished dealing w/ the medical paperwork? I have been a paramedic for many years and have worked in several ER's and have never been exposed to such a rigorous bunch of tests. An EtOH test, what the hell? A two step PPD test? testing to make sure the titer levels are high? My GP said it was the most stringent set of guidelines he'd ever seen.
 
Has anyone actually finished dealing w/ the medical paperwork? I have been a paramedic for many years and have worked in several ER's and have never been exposed to such a rigorous bunch of tests. An EtOH test, what the hell? A two step PPD test? testing to make sure the titer levels are high? My GP said it was the most stringent set of guidelines he'd ever seen.

I know, my GP said the same thing. Unfortunately, some of the immunizations take a long time (7 months). So my last shot will be after school starts. I don't know how the administration will react when i tell them that.
 
It's really starting to sound like LECOM makes you jump through a lot of hoops. Why can't it all just be simple like at other schools?
 
I interviewed this past monday (11th) I had to interview with all post-baccs while not being one myself which was a little weird, but everyone was really cool, just felt a little out of place. I hate the waiting game, they said my file would go for review yesterday and i am really tempted to call up Amy but I think I should probably just wait until at least monday.

Do post-baccs hear back any sooner?

I asked John W. about macs during my tour and he said as long as they can run power point and other software it would be fine and there is really little to no software that can't be run on macs now a days, or atleast a sufficient mac counter part.
 
I interviewed this past monday (11th) I had to interview with all post-baccs while not being one myself which was a little weird, but everyone was really cool, just felt a little out of place. I hate the waiting game, they said my file would go for review yesterday and i am really tempted to call up Amy but I think I should probably just wait until at least monday.

Do post-baccs hear back any sooner?

I asked John W. about macs during my tour and he said as long as they can run power point and other software it would be fine and there is really little to no software that can't be run on macs now a days, or atleast a sufficient mac counter part.


as far as I've heard we don't hear any sooner (i also interviewed monday), but i'll ask amy when i'm there today about it. if i hear anything i'll let you know, good luck

/i am the kid who went to Michigan
 
Just curious why some of you guys chose LECOM? I am trying to decide if I want to attend. What other schools did you guys consider? Any feedback will be greatly appreciated!!
 
I have been complete since early September and have not heard anything. Has anyone else been waiting this long?
 
Top