LECOM - Erie Discussion thread 2008-2009

[stonewall22]

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If I fly into Pittsburgh, Cleveland, or Buffalo, should I be nervous about being able to get to and from Erie by car? Clearly there isn't snow on the road every day of the year, but my interview is December 22, obviously a time when snow is a possibility, anyone from the area able to offer any insight?

 

[Bacchus]

I would say there is a chance to get snow at any one of those airports. Pittsburgh is the furthest south so that is probably your best bet. Pittsburgh isn't on or near the lake so there is no chance of lake effect snow either. It may be worth spending the extra money and getting an upgraded rental from economy so that if you need four wheel drive (I'm thinking a Jeep) you have it and can get to Erie. I would say there is a good chance of snow so be overly cautious.

 

[rugger14]

If I fly into Pittsburgh, Cleveland, or Buffalo, should I be nervous about being able to get to and from Erie by car? Clearly there isn't snow on the road every day of the year, but my interview is December 22, obviously a time when snow is a possibility, anyone from the area able to offer any insight?

usually 79 isn't too bad snow wise since it is plowed/fast moving cars keep most of the snow off. The better challenge will be navigating around Erie in a snowstorm. Some of us have lived here all our lives and still can't figure out how to stop from spinning out and hitting the person in front of us at a stoplight. good luck! haha really it usually isn't that bad. I don't kno where u r from but my best snow driving advice is..when starting to slide, shift into neutral and u r golden.👍

 

[khen7513]

I can tell you I was done around 12:30 but there was an optional PBL session for about another hour.

You're flying, from Philly? I drove, it wasn't that long or bad.

Yeah, I'm flying, I have a teleconferance the wednesday before, and on Friday I have to be back at PHL to fly out for a Pharm conference. Since I kind of have limited time, I don't want to bother with driving. So I'm just gonna have to jet set it that week.

It would have been cool to road trip it though.

So you were done around 12:30? Thats awesome, so I can probably hit the trails before my flight! My running club say its gorrrrgeous!

Thanks for your help, btw.

 

[tallgal0523]

All this snow talk is starting to scare me...I'm not sure if I should rent a car. Is it better to get a taxi?

 

[khen7513]

All this snow talk is starting to scare me...I'm not sure if I should rent a car. Is it better to get a taxi?

Personally, I'm taxing it. I also think I heard a rumor about some of the hotels and LECOM having a deal with helping us with transportation, but i haven't investigated it further.

 

[Bacchus]

Re: Driving Advice...

Neutral is your best friend in snow and ice. Learn how to use it.

 

[engineeredout]

11/10 That's the Marine Corps B-day... Awesome day to interview

So is that bad for me being that I'm not a marine?

 

[DrMaz]

Hey anyone interviewing on November 7th, this Friday?

 

[bleeker10]

I'm supposed to interview on November 24th, but I'm still waiting for my D.O. to write me a LOR. I talked to him this summer about it and called him again at the end of September to remind him. I still haven't heard anything back and I'm getting a bad feeling that he won't follow through. I really want to interview here, even though it's a 16 hour drive from Arkansas. What are the odds that LECOM would allow me to push back my interview until I get the letter?

 

[tallgal0523]

I'm supposed to interview on November 24th, but I'm still waiting for my D.O. to write me a LOR. I talked to him this summer about it and called him again at the end of September to remind him. I still haven't heard anything back and I'm getting a bad feeling that he won't follow through. I really want to interview here, even though it's a 16 hour drive from Arkansas. What are the odds that LECOM would allow me to push back my interview until I get the letter?

I pushed up my interview from January 8th to December 12th today...maybe you should call tomorrow to see if that date is still available.

 

[engineeredout]

I'm supposed to interview on November 24th, but I'm still waiting for my D.O. to write me a LOR. I talked to him this summer about it and called him again at the end of September to remind him. I still haven't heard anything back and I'm getting a bad feeling that he won't follow through. I really want to interview here, even though it's a 16 hour drive from Arkansas. What are the odds that LECOM would allow me to push back my interview until I get the letter?

As of right now my DO letter isn't in with them, and my interview is on November 10th. I went and checked with the DO in person and he swore up and down that it was sent out (this was friday he swore, should have mailed it several weeks prior). I checked with LECOM and they told me that you can interview without the DO letter being in, they just won't actually review your application post-interview until the letter is in.

 

[bleeker10]

I checked with LECOM and they told me that you can interview without the DO letter being in, they just won't actually review your application post-interview until the letter is in.

That would be awesome because I really want to interview there before the weather gets real bad. I will call them in the morning to verify. Now I just have to decide whether to fly into Cleveland or Pittsburg for $300 and drive a rental car to Erie or fly into Erie for $440.

 

[bleeker10]

This may have been addressed earlier in this thread, but what is the anatomy lab like? Are there a bunch of students to a cadaver or do the students have a good chance at dissecting/actively learning? Also, is the new wellness center looking pretty awesome so far? I know it's not supposed to open until January, but from what I've seen online it sounds pretty amazing. An indoor golf simulator? Thats sweet.

 

[pianoman511]

This may have been addressed earlier in this thread, but what is the anatomy lab like? Are there a bunch of students to a cadaver or do the students have a good chance at dissecting/actively learning? Also, is the new wellness center looking pretty awesome so far? I know it's not supposed to open until January, but from what I've seen online it sounds pretty amazing. An indoor golf simulator? Thats sweet.

The class is broken up into lab groups and there are three groups to a cadaver. The groups go at different times during the day and rotate (i.e. one day your groups goes first, the next day they go second). Even though it seems like that would really prevent you from doing a lot of dissecting or learning, it's not the case. There is plenty to dissect and often the group that goes first doesn't even finish the dissection. The last group of the day is a prosection lab, so the group that goes before them has two students who stay and "teach" the last lab group.

The new wellness center isn't opening until January, but the director came in and talked to us and it looks pretty cool. Unfortunately, there is a charge to use the golf sim.

Any more questions, PM me.

 

[engineeredout]

So I heard they ask you during the interview to rank your preference of erie-pbl or erie-lecture based or seton hill-pbl.

Is this a permanent choice? They're not going to look at this and decide for you "Ok you're accepted only if you go to seton hill, or only if you do erie-PBL" are they?

 

[GoBuckeyes913]

If I fly into Pittsburgh, Cleveland, or Buffalo, should I be nervous about being able to get to and from Erie by car? Clearly there isn't snow on the road every day of the year, but my interview is December 22, obviously a time when snow is a possibility, anyone from the area able to offer any insight?

Hahaha. Oh, its more than a possibility. Fly into pittsburgh and take 79. If theres too much snow, sometimes they will close down I-90 around Erie. If they do this you may be F'd in the A.

All this snow talk is starting to scare me...I'm not sure if I should rent a car. Is it better to get a taxi?

See if you can arrange you're hotel's shuttle to pick you up first. Taxi's aren't exactly flowing like water in Erie, but you may be able to find one that will actually show up to fetch you.

 

[Phenol312]

got the letter today from Erie i interviewed on the 23rd.

I got accepted 👍

Good luck to everyone else

 

[bleeker10]

Congrats. I hope in a month I can say the same thing. I interiew on Nov 24th

 

[engineeredout]

Called my DO mentor and had him fax his LOR over to them and now they finally have it. I can relax until monday's interview. I'm looking foward to it, feel confident for now.

 

[DrMaz]

Can anyone tell me what the interview day is like? Who do you meet? What do you do from 8 till 1?

 

[Lolo1982]

I would not worry about snow so much people. I'm from the area. It happens, but life never stops because of it, and 90 gets plowed. Plus people are understanding if there is some sort of weather emergency. I would fly into the closest/cheapest airport.

However, I'd bring appropriate shoes.

 

[Slevin]

So I heard they ask you during the interview to rank your preference of erie-pbl or erie-lecture based or seton hill-pbl.

Is this a permanent choice? They're not going to look at this and decide for you "Ok you're accepted only if you go to seton hill, or only if you do erie-PBL" are they?

They ask you if you want to go in Erie either PBL, ISP, PCSP or LDP and rank your preference. If you choose any pathway other than PBL before Anatomy finishes in october you have the option of switching pathways providing there are open spots. If you choose PBL you are stuck with it till the end of the semester.

If somewere along the line you decide to change after anatomy you have the option. Except for PSCP but I really don't know how that works because they are on an accelerated schedule.

If you choose seaton hall you are stuck with PBL because that is the only pathway they offer...


Choose wisely and you will be rewarded.

 

[bleeker10]

Well I just talked to my D.O. and he's sending off my LOR tomorrow. I'm so pumped about my interview there on the 24th. I can't think of a better Christmas present than an acceptance from LECOM-Erie. Hopefully it happens!!!

 

[engineeredout]

They ask you if you want to go in Erie either PBL, ISP, PCSP or LDP and rank your preference. If you choose any pathway other than PBL before Anatomy finishes in october you have the option of switching pathways providing there are open spots. If you choose PBL you are stuck with it till the end of the semester.

If somewere along the line you decide to change after anatomy you have the option. Except for PSCP but I really don't know how that works because they are on an accelerated schedule.

If you choose seaton hall you are stuck with PBL because that is the only pathway they offer...


Choose wisely and you will be rewarded.

Well I want to be in erie, not in PSCP, not sure about PBL, so I should say LDP?

 

[Bacchus]

I'd say so and one spot will be opening for LDP when I send my withdrawal in.

 

[Slevin]

Well I want to be in erie, not in PSCP, not sure about PBL, so I should say LDP?

Well exam all your options. If you choose PBL then you get to choose Erie or Pitt. The most important thing is that YOU figure out what your learning style is and approach your decision that way.

When is your interview? Driving up from LI?

 

[rugger14]

They ask you if you want to go in Erie either PBL, ISP, PCSP or LDP and rank your preference. If you choose any pathway other than PBL before Anatomy finishes in october you have the option of switching pathways providing there are open spots. If you choose PBL you are stuck with it till the end of the semester.

If somewere along the line you decide to change after anatomy you have the option. Except for PSCP but I really don't know how that works because they are on an accelerated schedule.

If you choose seaton hall you are stuck with PBL because that is the only pathway they offer...


Choose wisely and you will be rewarded.

I think PCSP spot are determined after your first semester. You have to rank high enough in the class to even be considered. There are only about 6 spots or so (considering they pay your tuition). It is accelerated in the sense that you don't get the first summer off and other breaks. (Maybe condensed rotations too since they are specific to PC?) It is a lot like ISP in a sense

 

[primadonna22274]

Look at what I bolded below. I've never heard word one about the school fronting tuition for PCSP. Anyone have anything real on this?
L.

I think PCSP spot are determined after your first semester. You have to rank high enough in the class to even be considered. There are only about 6 spots or so (considering they pay your tuition). It is accelerated in the sense that you don't get the first summer off and other breaks. (Maybe condensed rotations too since they are specific to PC?) It is a lot like ISP in a sense

 

[engineeredout]

I thought PCSP saves you just because you're only paying for 3 years instead of four.

 

[azdesertgirl]

I think PCSP spot are determined after your first semester. You have to rank high enough in the class to even be considered. There are only about 6 spots or so (considering they pay your tuition). It is accelerated in the sense that you don't get the first summer off and other breaks. (Maybe condensed rotations too since they are specific to PC?) It is a lot like ISP in a sense

Actually, most of this is not true. To give a little background first, ALL pathways do anatomy (and histo/embryo) together for the first approx 12 weeks. Then PCSP/ISP/PBL branch off, although PBL students do "PBL light" even during anatomy. PCSP students are interviewed and chosen during anatomy and you can come from any pathway. Although if you later choose to leave PCSP, you can't go back into the PBL pathway for obvious reasons. Anyone can apply to the PCSP program, not just people with certain grades/rankings. Last year there were 6 spots, this year we have 8. It is true that we don't get the first summer off (just 2 weeks) and no "official" holidays either. Rotations are not condensed, they just eliminate some of the rotations that do not pertain to primary care and take out a few of the electives. Overall we have slightly less rotations but we start rotating with primary care doctors in the area right away as part of our enrichment modules. It is sort of like ISP in that we do a lot of our learning/studying independently, but we do cover things differently, and I think our small group discussion is more effective. Oh and there is no tuition scholarship. You just save not having to pay that 4th year. Currently the only residencies they allow are family practice, internal medicine and peds. I'm a first year PCSP, I love it so far, and if anyone has any questions (about PCSP or LECOM in general) please feel free to pm me.

 

[primadonna22274]

Thanks for clearing that up azdesertgirl.

Actually, most of this is not true. To give a little background first, ALL pathways do anatomy (and histo/embryo) together for the first approx 12 weeks. Then PCSP/ISP/PBL branch off, although PBL students do "PBL light" even during anatomy. PCSP students are interviewed and chosen during anatomy and you can come from any pathway. Although if you later choose to leave PCSP, you can't go back into the PBL pathway for obvious reasons. Anyone can apply to the PCSP program, not just people with certain grades/rankings. Last year there were 6 spots, this year we have 8. It is true that we don't get the first summer off (just 2 weeks) and no "official" holidays either. Rotations are not condensed, they just eliminate some of the rotations that do not pertain to primary care and take out a few of the electives. Overall we have slightly less rotations but we start rotating with primary care doctors in the area right away as part of our enrichment modules. It is sort of like ISP in that we do a lot of our learning/studying independently, but we do cover things differently, and I think our small group discussion is more effective. Oh and there is no tuition scholarship. You just save not having to pay that 4th year. Currently the only residencies they allow are family practice, internal medicine and peds. I'm a first year PCSP, I love it so far, and if anyone has any questions (about PCSP or LECOM in general) please feel free to pm me.

 

[rugger14]

Actually, most of this is not true. To give a little background first, ALL pathways do anatomy (and histo/embryo) together for the first approx 12 weeks. Then PCSP/ISP/PBL branch off, although PBL students do "PBL light" even during anatomy. PCSP students are interviewed and chosen during anatomy and you can come from any pathway. Although if you later choose to leave PCSP, you can't go back into the PBL pathway for obvious reasons. Anyone can apply to the PCSP program, not just people with certain grades/rankings. Last year there were 6 spots, this year we have 8. It is true that we don't get the first summer off (just 2 weeks) and no "official" holidays either. Rotations are not condensed, they just eliminate some of the rotations that do not pertain to primary care and take out a few of the electives. Overall we have slightly less rotations but we start rotating with primary care doctors in the area right away as part of our enrichment modules. It is sort of like ISP in that we do a lot of our learning/studying independently, but we do cover things differently, and I think our small group discussion is more effective. Oh and there is no tuition scholarship. You just save not having to pay that 4th year. Currently the only residencies they allow are family practice, internal medicine and peds. I'm a first year PCSP, I love it so far, and if anyone has any questions (about PCSP or LECOM in general) please feel free to pm me.

oh ok, is there any sort of tuition reimbursement for pcp's in PA? I know some state have some sort of thing like that if u commit to a certain ..rural i think..

 

[momgracea]

Look at what I bolded below. I've never heard word one about the school fronting tuition for PCSP. Anyone have anything real on this?
L.

You know, I recall being on the LECOM website last year when I was thinking about applying the and could have sworn that is what I had read. And yet, there is ZERO info about a PCSP tuition scholarship on their web page now and this certainly wasn't mentioned in my interview with them. So... my guess is 1) Doesn't exist any more, or 2) They aren't telling students about it upfront because they don't want someone to select the program based on free tuition.

Good luck. I really liked LECOM and will very likely accept their offer to attend.

 

[azdesertgirl]

I have heard the Docs in charge refer to the 4th year of med school that we don't have and thus don't pay for as a "scholarship." Also if we complete the program, but don't follow through with the requirement of practicing primary care for 5 years we do have to pay them for that 4th year.

Also rugger I don't know of any tuition reimbursements for pcp's in PA, but then again I am not from PA (Arizona has one for rural medicine). There is that national rural medicine program through the government though(the name is eluding me at the moment).

 

[punkiedad]

Interviewed on Monday, November 3rd and got my acceptance letter in the mail today! Now that is efficient! I live in erie, so the mail was overnight.......In any event for those of you that also interviewed on the 3rd and after good luck......and hope to see you in the fall!

 

[engineeredout]

Congrats punkie!

I'm starting to get a little anxious about my interview on monday. I just hope that I'll be able to make myself stand out. I mean I'm sure if I didn't wear pants then I would probably stand out, but maybe not in the way I'm going for.

I've been thinking about it but I'm scared of getting the "why should we accept you" because I feel like everything I think of is the same as everyone else.

I'm still in shock though having recieved four interview invites thus far. I never thought I'd be doing as well as I am this soon. I just need to prove that I'm a human being with an actual personality who isn't a socially inept freak.

Can't be that hard, right?

 

[punkiedad]

as a follow up, a question for those of you already accepted or currently a student at LECOM-Erie. I was accepted to the LDP pathway. Is this where everyone starts, or does it typically list your pathway in your letter? I thought everyone started in LDP, but then again I don't know? I ranked PCSP 1st and ISP second. LDP was last except for PBL Greensburg?

??

 

[213965]

as a follow up, a question for those of you already accepted or currently a student at LECOM-Erie. I was accepted to the LDP pathway. Is this where everyone starts, or does it typically list your pathway in your letter? I thought everyone started in LDP, but then again I don't know? I ranked PCSP 1st and ISP second. LDP was last except for PBL Greensburg?

??

I'm also interested to know the response to this question since my ranking preference is almost the same (PCSP>ISP>LDP>PBL).

 

[bleeker10]

After the interview is over, I heard there is an optional PBL session for interviewees to attend to get a feel for PBL. My flight leaves Pittsburgh at 6:30 the night of my interview. I'd like to see how PBL is run, but I know I'd have to leave by 2 or 2:30 so I can make it to Pittsburgh in time for my interview, especially if the weather is bad. Do I have to stay for the whole PBL session or can I leave part way through it? If I do leave part way into it, will that look bad on my part? Thanks

 

[emj3186]

Interviewed on 10/31, accepted 11/5!!!!!!

 

[Slevin]

Interviewed on 10/31, accepted 11/5!!!!!!

Awesome congrats... now prepare for hell....

 

[OLYWA]

This question was asked a few pages ago...but was never responded to.

The word is that LECOM-E has an MCAT cut off of 25, does anyone know the validity of this?...OR...if there is some other 'magic' MCAT number for this school?

 

[emj3186]

no...the cut off is not 25....Susan Lazarro said at the interview that the average is a 26.

 

[Slevin]

This question was asked a few pages ago...but was never responded to.

The word is that LECOM-E has an MCAT cut off of 25, does anyone know the validity of this?...OR...if there is some other 'magic' MCAT number for this school?

Well look on the application requirements page. That should tell you what the cut off point is.

Don't know what other magic number is good higher the score is better but it is not the only thing.


Edit:

It's on this page... please search for help before asking.

http://www.lecom.edu/pros_degreereq.php

 

[engineeredout]

Yeah so just drove the eight hours back from Erie. Interview was pretty cool. Amy in the admissions office is awesome and the whole atmosphere was pretty relaxed. No unusual questions in the actual interview, just stuff like "Why DO, strengths and weaknesses, leadership, how do you handle stress" etc... It was a two Vs. me closed file interview. I don't think I had any screwups, didn't stutter for ten minutes or drop the F bomb, so I think it went pretty well. 👍

The school itself is nice and they showed pictures of how they're expanding their facilities.

Only think we missed out on was the mock PBL because the only guy around who could do it had a real one to do during the time. We had a PBL extra light thing where we did a few minutes of it before our interview. Seems pretty cool and was tempting, but when they asked us to rank our preferences I had to go with lecture based 1st and PBL-erie 2nd. PBL-seton hill 3rd, PCSP 4th, ISP 5th.

I was kind of expecting the other people interviewing to be socially inept but they were all pretty cool and actually had personalities. Didn't expect that judging from the premeds at my school.


Hope I get good news in the coming weeks

 

[engineeredout]

no...the cut off is not 25....Susan Lazarro said at the interview that the average is a 26.

Yeah they told us the same. The entering 2008 class had a 26 average, 3.42 gpa I think. Something like 3.27 sci gpa too.

 

[bleeker10]

No unusual questions in the actual interview, just stuff like "Why DO, strengths and weaknesses, leadership, how do you handle stress" etc... It was a two Vs. me closed file interview. I don't think I had any screwups, didn't stutter for ten minutes or drop the F bomb, so I think it went pretty well. 👍

How long was the interview? Was there a tour of the anatomy lab or anything like that?

 

[engineeredout]

How long was the interview? Was there a tour of the anatomy lab or anything like that?

Maybe like 20 minutes or so. I didn't even check my watch cause it was pretty comfortable and didn't even feel like that long.

Yeah one of the professors took us on a tour around the main building excluding the pharm school of course. We saw the anatomy lab, omm lab, lecture halls, library, study rooms, and even the mysterious atrium where students aren't allowed to go. Its a very nice building, most of it is pretty new.

 

[Slevin]

Maybe like 20 minutes or so. I didn't even check my watch cause it was pretty comfortable and didn't even feel like that long.

Yeah one of the professors took us on a tour around the main building excluding the pharm school of course. We saw the anatomy lab, omm lab, lecture halls, library, study rooms, and even the mysterious atrium where students aren't allowed to go. Its a very nice building, most of it is pretty new.

They don't want us in there because we'll talk and make it loud. On the upper levels there are no doors separating the atrium from the rest of the building and sound travels