LECOM - Erie Discussion thread 2008-2009

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Phenol312 said:
Is there a rationale behind that? Like a scalding incident that happened in the past that involved a professor's groin and a pipping hot extra foamy mocha orange latte?
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Probably the same reason the atrium is inaccessible to students. That was one thing that did bug me at the interview and I don't know why.
 
Does anyone recall how many or what percentage of students take the USMLE at LECOM-E? Because I think I remember it being a fairly low percentage (from the presentation on interview day). I am not dead set on an allopathic residency or anything; all I know is I'd like to keep all of my options open. I think I would feel most comfortable where I would have a support system of other students, also taking both the COMLEX and the USMLE.
 
It was a low number and I'm not sure if one was given. 25% sticks in my mind for some reason. The stress on not taking the USMLE was a bit forced, imo. Lets be honest, there are specialties where you'll need to take the USMLE, plain and simple.
 
Bacchus said:
Probably the same reason the atrium is inaccessible to students. That was one thing that did bug me at the interview and I don't know why.
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i did a postbac program at LECOM, and yes, the off limits to the atrium deal was a running joke/pain in the ass. There was a problem with security once so that's really why it is off limits..I asked at my interview haha.
-also for anyone wondering about Erie, I'm from here, so PM me!
 
Limvostov said:
Anyone else interviewing here on Thursday? I've never been to PA so I am really looking forward to seeing the state. I'm excited for this trip but the no coffee in class thing .... I need a constant drip going to stay awake so hmmm.... guess I will have to keep a thermos in the car or something and guzzle it down at lunch if I end up matriculating here. 😎
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Me.
 
Phenol312 said:
Is there a rationale behind that? Like a scalding incident that happened in the past that involved a professor's groin and a pipping hot extra foamy mocha orange latte?
Click to expand...
NO rationale was given but I can see that it might go like this.

When the school was 1st opened they let students bring in coffee and water but they abused is and began bringing in food too. When they would leave they would leave their cups and wrappers laying around. Someone also probably spilt coffee too.

Tired of having to clean up after students and their messes. The school decided that the best was would be to establish a blanket ban on all food and drink within the building except for the cafeteria. This prevents garbage from accumulating and keeps the school clean and neat.

Earlier this year a few of my classmates attempted to talk to administration into letting us have water in class but that didn't work, which is fine since people would probably forget their plastic bottles all over anyway.
 
Limvostov said:
Anyone else interviewing here on Thursday? I've never been to PA so I am really looking forward to seeing the state. I'm excited for this trip but the no coffee in class thing .... I need a constant drip going to stay awake so hmmm.... guess I will have to keep a thermos in the car or something and guzzle it down at lunch if I end up matriculating here. 😎
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Same here, or I'll end up shotgunning redbulls in the parking lot.

I can imagine people walking around the campus in long trenchcoats selling illegal caffine. Maybe in those espresso shots that 7-11 gives away. Going to a back alley when nobody is looking and downing 5 or 6 of those just to get through the day.
 
Bacchus said:
It was a low number and I'm not sure if one was given. 25% sticks in my mind for some reason. The stress on not taking the USMLE was a bit forced, imo. Lets be honest, there are specialties where you'll need to take the USMLE, plain and simple.
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I'm curious about the manner in which students were discouraged. Did LECOM merely preach about COMLEX? Did the school try to make it impossible with scheduling conflicts? 😕
 
A fellow interviewee asked how many people took the USMLE. The result was our host going on a tangent and saying how its an extra amount of money, you don't need it, etc. I wasn't really turned off by it, because I knew in fact that a lot of DO students do take the USMLE. There was one good point from the experience: You better nail the USMLE if you do take it.
 
LECOM almost gave me a heart attack. I called them to see if they recieved my premed committee packet because they should have but the portal didn't show it (they did get it). Anyway the woman on the phone says to me "Okay your interview is on the 18th correct?"

I said "Uh no its November 10th".

She says "No it isn't. Your interview is on December 18th reschedueled from November 10th". I'm like NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO My interview is on November 10th reschedualed from December 18th. She just goes "oh ok" and goes back to talking about the committee letter.

I called back 15 minutes later and spoke with someone else to confirm that they do indeed have me down for November 10th.

My poor heart. Almost had to have my suitemates break out the paddles.
 
Finally got my first interview invite...unfortunately 01/08...hopefully they will have some spots left!
 
calebherndon said:
Finally got my first interview invite...unfortunately 01/08...hopefully they will have some spots left!
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I just withdrew my acceptance yesterday so, there is one extra spot...good luck to all of the future interviewees
 
"The Admissions Committee has made a decision on your application. You will receive an official letter in the mail within 10 days."

Eek! :scared: Gonna be a rough 10 days waiting for this letter...
 
Cocoloco said:
I'll be there on Halloween as well, woohoo! I'm looking forward to shopping at Wegman's after the interview.
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Wegman's is the best grocery store EVER.... now that most of us have been away on clinicals, and we miss it, bad. (i'm msIV)
 
Obnoxious Dad said:
I'm curious about the manner in which students were discouraged. Did LECOM merely preach about COMLEX? Did the school try to make it impossible with scheduling conflicts? 😕
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This is untrue. We were never discouraged to take the USMLE, nor did they try and intercept the people that did. Depending on what you want to go into, and whether your applying allopathically will determine if you decide to take USMLE. Even then, most allo take COMLEX, so you will find out in time if taking USMLE is for you. It's completely a personal decision, and they are unphased if you take it. Hope this helps. :luck:

-MSIV
 
GoBuckeyes913 said:
This is untrue. We were never discouraged to take the USMLE, nor did they try and intercept the people that did. Depending on what you want to go into, and whether your applying allopathically will determine if you decide to take USMLE. Even then, most allo take COMLEX, so you will find out in time if taking USMLE is for you. It's completely a personal decision, and they are unphased if you take it. Hope this helps. :luck:

-MSIV
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They didn't say they directly did. However at our interview the host was saying how its unneccessary and a waste of money.
 
Bacchus said:
They didn't say they directly did. However at our interview the host was saying how its unnecessary and a waste of money.
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I'd agree with this. In general students score similarly on the USMLE and the COMLEX. Hospitals will accept the COMLEX and if they don't what would make you think they would accept you as a D.O. that took the USMLE? The professors at LECOM who write for the boards (and also teach for Kaplan) submit similar questions to the COMLEX and USMLE. The USMLE has longer questions stems usually. If you want to do something very competitive, you should take the USMLE. The bottom line though is for nearly all D.O. students you're wasting you're money and time by taking the USMLE. Plus, choosing a school based on who takes the USMLE doesn't make sense; you're studying the same material and everyone will be cramming for boards together. Students I see around here at LECOM carry USMLE First Aid and use it for all of their classes.

So, ask more students on your interview and ask professors too. Also, look up some articles on Google Scholar on the topic.
http://www.jaoa.org/cgi/content/abstract/101/1/26
 
Is it too late to apply?

I've been sitting on the secondary for a while now, but don't know why they should accept me when I've been waiting so long and they probably receive thousands of applications.

However, I really want to get in somewhere this cycle and I'm getting impatient waiting on the 2 schools I've applied to; is that a bad reason to apply anywhere, though?
 
Bacchus said:
They didn't say they directly did. However at our interview the host was saying how its unneccessary and a waste of money.
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Honestly, in general it is. I never took USMLE, and I don't regret never taking it and wasting $500 and creating extra stress. They are just speaking from experience, but you will see what they mean when you are applying for residency a few years from now. I'm applying to a fairly competitive field, and the competitive allo programs I was interested in took COMLEX scores, so I personally saw it as a waste to take USMLE. Other people applying in my field did take USMLE, but in no way did they get better interviews than me (opposite actually). It's definitely on a personal basis. USMLE can hurt you if you score poorly.

cuddlestick said:
Hospitals will accept the COMLEX and if they don't what would make you think they would accept you as a D.O. that took the USMLE? If you want to do something very competitive, you should take the USMLE. The bottom line though is for nearly all D.O. students you're wasting you're money and time by taking the USMLE. Plus, choosing a school based on who takes the USMLE doesn't make sense; you're studying the same material and everyone will be cramming for boards together. Students I see around here at LECOM carry USMLE First Aid and use it for all of their classes.
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You'd be very surprised what a good USMLE score will get you as a DO student. One of my best friends that is applying allo for surg took USMLE (because the programs he was interested in preferred it, and he wanted to go allo), did awesome (250/99)... and he has interviews everywhere he wants, including places that typically rank and interview MDs only. A few programs are actively calling him to sign, so don't be fooled that allo programs won't accept you as a DO. Numbers do a lot of talking in the application process. ... which based on your response I don't think you've experienced yet (Feel free to correct me if I'm wrong). Everyone is entitled to their own opinion, and my response is truly sincere and meant with good intentions. You will see how things really are when you apply for residency. 😉

I totally agree with the second bolded part, you're studying the same material. Don't ever base your decision on this.
Basically my point: don't take USMLE unless you have to, which will be determined by what you want to do and where you want to do it.
 
rennykim said:
Is it too late to apply?

I've been sitting on the secondary for a while now, but don't know why they should accept me when I've been waiting so long and they probably receive thousands of applications.

However, I really want to get in somewhere this cycle and I'm getting impatient waiting on the 2 schools I've applied to; is that a bad reason to apply anywhere, though?
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YESSS get that **** in! I wasn't complete until recently and I got an interview invite, and you have better stats than me. Do it! DO IT NOWWWWW
 
rennykim said:
Is it too late to apply?

I've been sitting on the secondary for a while now, but don't know why they should accept me when I've been waiting so long and they probably receive thousands of applications.

However, I really want to get in somewhere this cycle and I'm getting impatient waiting on the 2 schools I've applied to; is that a bad reason to apply anywhere, though?
Click to expand...

I just sent in my secondary last week, Thursday, I think. I got an interview invite today, so it's not too late, but try to get it done ASAP.
 
Correct me if I'm wrong, but I don't think LECOM has housing for their students. So what do most first years end up doing? Do you guys choose to live together in some apartments or living separately in one BR places? What's the average living expense in Erie per month for let's say a one BR or studio?
 
I don't know costs of housing in the are but I'd say 500-700 a month with everything included? There are all sorts of communities around the school and a apartment complex across the street is being finished.
 
engineeredout said:
YESSS get that **** in! I wasn't complete until recently and I got an interview invite, and you have better stats than me. Do it! DO IT NOWWWWW
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NicoDuval said:
I just sent in my secondary last week, Thursday, I think. I got an interview invite today, so it's not too late, but try to get it done ASAP.
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Wow, thanks guys. That really did reassure me. Will have everything submitted after this weekend -- good luck at your interviews and be sure to keep us updated on everything 😉
 
I'm scared right now. NO schools that I've either called or checked on online have recieved my DO letter. I saw the DO today and he swore that it was all sent out :scared::scared::scared:. I don't want my LECOM application being put on hold cause they don't have this stupid letter. Its also holding me up at other schools (including my interview date for touro-ny). What a stupid requirement having it in the first place.

I just hope it works out in time of my LECOM interview.
 
I interviewed yesterday! Totally awesome school! I really liked the PBL session and that was my first choice. I really hope that I get a chance to attend here because this school surpassed all of my expectations. The faculty, staff, students, and facility are all really nice and I like what I saw of the city. This interview was totally relaxed and I felt very at home and actually enjoyed my interview/chat. I could really see myself here. Almost wish I had applied the to the Florida campus as well after seeing the PBL session.

I know people are supposed to post about their interview so if anyone has specific questions I would be happy to answer them, but I fly out tomorrow to LMU and VCOM so I will not be back until Thursday.
 
Do they require the DO letter to be sent in prior to the interview? I am taking two courses now(fall) and I have to finish up couple more courses in spring. Will that cause any problems?
 
hey how long did u guys take to fill out your secondaries??
 
DrMaz said:
Correct me if I'm wrong, but I don't think LECOM has housing for their students. So what do most first years end up doing? Do you guys choose to live together in some apartments or living separately in one BR places? What's the average living expense in Erie per month for let's say a one BR or studio?
Click to expand...

There are apartments right across the street (Laurel Springs ~$600-700 - 1 or 2 BR) and one block from school (Laurel Ridge ~$500-700). These are owned by Palermo. Laurel Springs is new this year and it looks like they're building even more.

There are apartments about a mile from school owned by Maleno. Village on Pacific and Lakeview ($600-800ish - 1 or 2 BR), they are more expensive by a little, but you get your own garage (1 car for Lakeview or 1-2 car for Village).

Lots of students live in all 4 of these developments. I choose to live in Lakeview because of the garage and my own washer and dryer. 🙂
 
Just a quick note to those who are interviewing at LECOM-Erie, apparently snow is not an excuse. I had an interview last year and got stuck in Philadelphia because of snow (the airport was closed) en route from Los Angeles. I called the school first thing in the morning and got to Erie as soon as I could. I was then informed by my interviwer that this had never happened to anyone before, lots of snow during a Pennsylvania winter closing an airport...right. I know this made a horrible impression (despite it not being my fault) so I would plan to get there well ahead of time during the winter just in case.
 
Slevin said:
Anyone interview today? 10/31? If so I was the guy pacing in the OMT lab, studying for my physio exam.


Hope you enjoyed the tour.
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I was there! I wondered who you were. I have short blonde hair and was wearing a navy skirt suit. Dr. Bell gave our tour and he is great! I made sure to talk to him after the tour about hockey. He is a really nice guy.
 
Cocoloco said:
I was there! I wondered who you were. I have short blonde hair and was wearing a navy skirt suit. Dr. Bell gave our tour and he is great! I made sure to talk to him after the tour about hockey. He is a really nice guy.
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I wasn't really paying attention, was studying for an exam (all the good it did me) and besides it would have been rude of me to stare. I remember one girl who was wearing a blueish shirt. Other than that I would need a picture.

If you get in you would really like it here. I do... even thou the work load is insane
 
For those of you that had interviews, where did you find cheap plane tickets and how much did you spend? I'm from Oklahoma and would like to only spend about 200 dollars...is that realistic? My interview is not until January 8th so booking a flight now should be pretty cheap right?
 
I am just wondering how long the secondary essays should be. Can anyone tell me how many characters theirs were?
 
kund2 said:
I am just wondering how long the secondary essays should be. Can anyone tell me how many characters theirs were?
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Using www.kayak.com I found a flight from Oklahoma City to Pittsburgh for $210. Flying into Erie doubles the price. You can rent a car for the 2 nights (7th and 8th) and probably still come in under the $438 of flying directly to Erie. Looks like you might be able to get a car for $46 a day.
 
Slevin said:
I wasn't really paying attention, was studying for an exam (all the good it did me) and besides it would have been rude of me to stare. I remember one girl who was wearing a blueish shirt. Other than that I would need a picture.

If you get in you would really like it here. I do... even thou the work load is insane
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Hey! I was there as well! Cocoloco, I was the girl sitting beside you for most of the day. Best of luck on your exams, Selvin!
 
Ha, a fellow Oregonian... 😀 Just imagine moving to SC where there IS NO COFFEE. At least no drive-thru coffee. In the few bigger cities there are a handful of drive-thru Starbucks which is a novelty but hasn't caught on. Dutch Bros? Forget it. Java Crew? Never heard of it. In PA I hear it's all Dunkin' Donuts 🙁
There's prolly Starbucks too. Just not in class apparently.
I don't think anyone in my Pacific U PA (Phys Asst) class would have survived didactic year without our steady supply of liquid fuel.

Limvostov said:
Anyone else interviewing here on Thursday? I've never been to PA so I am really looking forward to seeing the state. I'm excited for this trip but the no coffee in class thing .... I need a constant drip going to stay awake so hmmm.... guess I will have to keep a thermos in the car or something and guzzle it down at lunch if I end up matriculating here. 😎
Click to expand...
 
So, I'm interviewing December 22...pretty excited. On the portal when I look at what they've received or haven't received, and where it lists any course deficiencies there is some pretty crazy stuff. For example, I have 35 credits of biology/zoology, but it says I'm deficient 8 hours. It says I completed my inorganic chem, but in fact I'm actually deficient 1 hour. Any one else's information a little screwy there?
 
I did!!! I really like the school and will definitely be going if I get in!!!!
 
stonewall22 said:
So, I'm interviewing December 22...pretty excited. On the portal when I look at what they've received or haven't received, and where it lists any course deficiencies there is some pretty crazy stuff. For example, I have 35 credits of biology/zoology, but it says I'm deficient 8 hours. It says I completed my inorganic chem, but in fact I'm actually deficient 1 hour. Any one else's information a little screwy there?
Click to expand...

Similar thing happened to me with stuff marked down as deficient even though it wasn't. Called the admissions office and they straightened it out.

Anyone else interviewing on November 10th?
 
Bacchus said:
Using www.kayak.com I found a flight from Oklahoma City to Pittsburgh for $210. Flying into Erie doubles the price. You can rent a car for the 2 nights (7th and 8th) and probably still come in under the $438 of flying directly to Erie. Looks like you might be able to get a car for $46 a day.
Click to expand...

Thanks for your help 🙂
 
So for those of you who have interviewed already, around when was your day finished? I'm looking at departing flights, and I'm just not sure which one to pick.

Also, something I JUST thought of: How did some of you get from the school back to the airport? I'll have already checked out of my room, so I can't go back to the hotel to get the airport shuttle. Did you just call a cab?
 
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