PCOM advice?

[premed_101]

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Hi,

I am planning on committing to PCOM through an early assurance program. To anyone who has seen it or goes there, what are your thoughts and opinion on the school? Is it in a good area, because I have heard the rumors about what living alone in Philadelphia is like and they obviously aren't good. How is the area? Are students happy there? Crime rate around the area? Any advice would be much appreciated! I commute to my undergraduate school and have never lived alone, so I am paranoid.

I also understand many will say "go to the school before you commit," but honestly, medical school admissions is SO competitive (unlike anything else), and I would much rather commit and guarantee a spot into medical school for myself, even if I have never seen the school.

Thank you!!

 

[Chibucks15]

Hi,

I am planning on committing to PCOM through an early assurance program. To anyone who has seen it or goes there, what are your thoughts and opinion on the school? Is it in a good area, because I have heard the rumors about what living alone in Philadelphia is like and they obviously aren't good. How is the area? Are students happy there? Crime rate around the area? Any advice would be much appreciated! I commute to my undergraduate school and have never lived alone, so I am paranoid.

I also understand many will say "go to the school before you commit," but honestly, medical school admissions is SO competitive (unlike anything else), and I would much rather commit and guarantee a spot into medical school for myself, even if I have never seen the school.

Thank you!!

Highly recommend at least visiting the school once. Sure its competitive but you don't want to be in a place you despise if you can help it. You need to have things to do outside of school for your sanity. PCOM is fine when I visited but you don't wanna fly blind if you can help it. The process isn't so competitive you can't visit a school beforehand to decide if you're okay with facilities and such. Best of luck

 

[DNC127]

What are your stats? If they are good you might as well just apply to PCOM along with a bunch of schools

 

[AnxietyNation]

Philly isn’t that bad of a place. Just like any major city, be mindful. PCOM is in an ok area, just a lot of traffic.

 

[MADD!!!]

PCOM student here. Area is safe, campus is beautiful, small, cozy, easy access. If you want to attend a DO school, I'm biased but I'd say we're top 3 (MSUCOM and TCOM are probably above us). I live alone, moved out from CA. Very doable, manayunk is nearby which is a super-fun college area. Center city (our downtown) is closeby (5 miles) w/ easy access. Area around school is SAFE, but know your areas. This safety map is pretty accurate... don't be in the bad areas.

Philadelphia County Safety Map - Google My Maps

PCOM is in the green area, and directly across the street is called "Main Line," which is basically like the Beverly Hills of Philadelphia. You've got EVERYTHING you need within 1/4 mile of campus PLUS 4 nearby MD schools for research, networking, and the works. I would recommend applying to PCOM b/c it doesn't get much better than this in the DO world. No mandatory lecture, no dress code, 1.5 hrs of OMM/week, which is basically the minimum that any school has to the best of my knowledge. Our own GME in just about everything, all getting ACGME approved. Our rotation sites are just about the same as the MD schools, MINUS their home hospitals. And we have a great rep in the area.