PCOM Biomedical Sciences 2019-2022

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skshah2 said:
Hi everyone,

I'm looking to apply to the PCOM biomedical sciences master's program and wanted to know people's experience with applying in regards to rest scores?

It says on their site that if you have above a 3.2 from undergraduate that you don't have to submit test scores like GRE, MCAT etc. I graduated with above that so I meet the requirement, but I'm wondering if I should take the GRE anyway? If it would hurt my chances of getting in if I don't submit a score? If anyone has experiences with this or input in general please let me know!
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Hi, I asked the same question actually and based on what people told me here and what PCOM told me when I called them is that it won't hurt you if you don't take it. With that said, it wouldn't necessarily hurt if you took it but if you are above the 3.2, that gives them a good idea that you can handle the program. I ended up applying without submitting a GRE score, although now I have to study for it to apply to Drexel's MBS program :lame:. Save yourself the hassle, its a really annoying test.
 
skshah2 said:
Hi everyone,

I'm looking to apply to the PCOM biomedical sciences master's program and wanted to know people's experience with applying in regards to rest scores?

It says on their site that if you have above a 3.2 from undergraduate that you don't have to submit test scores like GRE, MCAT etc. I graduated with above that so I meet the requirement, but I'm wondering if I should take the GRE anyway? If it would hurt my chances of getting in if I don't submit a score? If anyone has experiences with this or input in general please let me know!
Click to expand...
I am about to graduate undergrad and have a GPA over 3.2 as well so I didn’t submit my MCAT/GRE (scheduled to take MCAT next month tho!) and just got accepted to PCOM GA 🙂
 
Can someone elaborate on these programs' linkage? Has this been successful before, is it new? Why is PCOM-GA/S-GA looked down upon?
 
southerndoc24 said:
Congrats! When did you find out?
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i got a packet in the mail today. am still very much unsure of attending or not. it's weird because i applied last week and got an acceptance less than a week later. not bragging as i have been rejected from many other programs already, and this program i was already on the fence on. their linkage program seems pretty good though.
 
Congratulations to everyone who has gotten accepted so far! Is there a Facebook group for PCOM-Philly?
 
Yeezysallonyoursofa said:
i got a packet in the mail today. am still very much unsure of attending or not. it's weird because i applied last week and got an acceptance less than a week later. not bragging as i have been rejected from many other programs already, and this program i was already on the fence on. their linkage program seems pretty good though.
Click to expand...

Who says the linkage is good?
 
Yeezysallonyoursofa said:
soo...will ask again haha...will good scores from this program count in applying to MD schools as well? Or will they see it as "why would you take a Master's at a DO school and apply to MD schools.."

The conditional acceptance is great, but from what I've read, if you do want to match well you'll be in Philly, so in a nutshell you're basically (high probability) in Philly for 8+ years since all the good DO matches are there.

i'm west coast originally, so my goal is to get back...as much as it is possible.
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Im in MA at a Trauma 1 hospital and we have a lot of residents and many came from PCOM. You're right that good matches are mostly from PCOM-PA but its more established. GA is on its 10th year and they match a good amount. I think it's what you do with it. I'm also originally from the west coast too but i'm not sure I should limit myself because of that. Maybe just apply to GA and the apply for DO school in PA, if you feel that uneasy or apply to lower tier MD schools; BUT KICK ASS IN BMS. Perhaps a current student (@polarbearqueen) could answer some of your questions.
 
Yeezysallonyoursofa said:
Doe

who says it is bad?

3.3 + decent MCAT = acceptance?

not to mention, PCOM is one of the highest rated medical schools in the country, statistics aside. it's a really good medical school.

i just don't know if this program could help me apply to MD programs.
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Who said it's good? The website, and you're going to take its word?? Temple's ACMS has a conditional acceptance to Lewis Katz as well but, there are still people who get in and don't matriculate. This "conditional acceptance" is new. Which is why I ask my question, where is the previous proof? Who has gone through this and actually matriculated? I called the rep and even he said it's still contingent on the interview, you don't get an actual seat even if you hit the markers. Hitting those markers only makes you slightly more competitive in comparison to the ones that just are given the interview, with the minimum reqs.
 
Yeezysallonyoursofa said:
Doe

who says it is bad?

3.3 + decent MCAT = acceptance?

not to mention, PCOM is one of the highest rated medical schools in the country, statistics aside. it's a really good medical school.

i just don't know if this program could help me apply to MD programs.
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NYCking said:
Who said it's good? The website, and you're going to take its word?? Temple's ACMS has a conditional acceptance to Lewis Katz as well but, there are still people who get in and don't matriculate. This "conditional acceptance" is new. Which is why I ask my question, where is the previous proof? Who has gone through this and actually matriculated? I called the rep and even he said it's still contingent on the interview, you don't get an actual seat even if you hit the markers. Hitting those markers only makes you slightly more competitive in comparison to the ones that just are given the interview, with the minimum reqs.
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I think you're both right. But, the reality is if you're doing any SMP you're most likely doing it because you need a boost somewhere in your Medical school app. The way I am looking at it is, the conditional acceptance is new and may work in our favor, it may not. But, that's one or two years away from now. So, maybe just kick ass in the courses and make yourself shine for where you want to go. I've read that some people have gotten into PCOM or elsewhere which is also OK. Just my thought.
 
Yeezysallonyoursofa said:
Another question.

Let's say you apply to the linkage. Would you be applying in Fall/Winter 2020, and if accepted, matriculate in Fall of 2021?
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Hello, before I sent my application out I was on the phone with them non stop about all this stuff so I am going to relay the information that I got. You are more than welcome to apply to MD schools, but as far as I know no linkages exist with any which means you'd be going through the regular application cycle. It is not impossible to get into an MD school as PCOM posted statistics on their website (Biomedical Sciences (MS) Program Data | PCOM) based on a few students that were surveyed. A small percent did get into MD school, but in my opinion this is a bit of wishful thinking. The whole point of these programs is to prove to the school that you can handle their curriculum and usually program with linkages have reserved number of seats for their students in their medical school, and with how many MD programs and postbaccs there are that guarantee their own linkages, it would be safer to do a program at a school you actually want to go to. Also, keep in mind that the few people that said they got into MD programs from this program could have very well gone to Caribbean schools. There is no specification.

To answer your second question, if you do the linkage application, you do not go through the regular year long application cycle. In other words, there is no gap year (whether you're applying after the 1st or 2nd yer). You get interviewed, and fed into the next class if you get in. This will only be the case for PCOM's school as they do not have any linkage agreement with any other school. And yes as people above you have stated already, a conditional acceptance is in fact conditional. But this makes sense. No school out there will say "as long as you have x, y, and z, you will 100% no questions asked be guaranteed a seat." Can you imagine what kind of people would be becoming doctors? They want to make sure you have a personality on top of the grades, which is true of any professional school. If you want a program that is more geared toward MD, look into Drexel's MBS program or their Masters in Medical Science one. I cannot speak for the MMS one but the biomedical one also has some sort of agreement with PCOM on top of the guaranteed interview for Drexel as long as you hit certain stats.
 
Yeezysallonyoursofa said:
Yeah I just wanted to make sure it was not a knock against your profile if you took a DO MBS program and applied to MD programs. I am targeting both DO and MD. I will probably send in my non-refundable deposit to accept, but it all depends on good my MCAT score is I guess, which I'm in the process of studying for. I think the chance of the conditional acceptance is worth it - obviously it is not guaranteed (it is conditional), but from a timeline + prerequisites it's a no-brainer.


Some of their statistics don't even make any sense. The average GRE Verbal score for PCOM Georgia is 177? That's interesting, because the maximum is 170...


View attachment 296911
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After doing some research on other programs, usually around 150's is the average for these type of programs so I am going to safely assume the PCOM Philliy one is correct and the Georgia one is not (well obviously it is not...). Also after speaking to Drexel again, I found out that their MBS also has MCAT prep built into the program as a separate class.
 
Has anyone talked to administrators about taking some upper level classes before matriculation to raise science GPA? I feel like they might find a way to call me out during interviews, but at the same time it seems like a solid idea. Thoughts?
 
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Does anyone know anything about the test prep they offer through Kaplan out of just what it says on their website? Like costs, schedules, effectiveness, etc..
 
docjordan said:
Does anyone know anything about the test prep they offer through Kaplan out of just what it says on their website? Like costs, schedules, effectiveness, etc..
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It's not free. They offer a discount for the online Kaplan course. You do it at your own time.
 
azo123 said:
Hi, I asked the same question actually and based on what people told me here and what PCOM told me when I called them is that it won't hurt you if you don't take it. With that said, it wouldn't necessarily hurt if you took it but if you are above the 3.2, that gives them a good idea that you can handle the program. I ended up applying without submitting a GRE score, although now I have to study for it to apply to Drexel's MBS program :lame:. Save yourself the hassle, its a really annoying test.
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That's what I've heard, I think I would rather just send my application than spending a month studying, getting a score and then sending it. Thank you!
 
rmarwah said:
Interview during application into PCOM
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There is no interview to get into the biomedical science program. If you’re talking about the med school, they will care more about the classes you took in the biomed program, as they are a reflection of your most recent performance. Everyone’s story is different so if you calculate out your GPA and feel that those classes will help you go for it. Just remember none of us here have stellar performances. The point of these programs is to show that we can handle med school.
 
azo123 said:
There is no interview to get into the biomedical science program. If you’re talking about the med school, they will care more about the classes you took in the biomed program, as they are a reflection of your most recent performance. Everyone’s story is different so if you calculate out your GPA and feel that those classes will help you go for it. Just remember none of us here have stellar performances. The point of these programs is to show that we can handle med school.
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curious how low these stats were (i.e. average GPA per class). looking around i'm actually surprised how low some of the acceptances are. like, 483 MCATs, sub 3 GPAs. I have a 3.4 and no MCAT, but a 322 on my GRE, and was accepted. I'm wondering if that puts me on the higher end, or even competitive for MD (i'd rather not waste any more years though and PCOM's track seems faster) because I definitely felt like a sub-tier applicant when I applied. I was surprised when I got in - i know Im very less than stellar but didn't know how far that range extends.
 
Yeezysallonyoursofa said:
curious how low these stats were (i.e. average GPA per class). looking around i'm actually surprised how low some of the acceptances are. like, 483 MCATs, sub 3 GPAs. I have a 3.4 and no MCAT, but a 322 on my GRE, and was accepted. I'm wondering if that puts me on the higher end, or even competitive for MD (i'd rather not waste any more years though and PCOM's track seems faster) because I definitely felt like a sub-tier applicant when I applied. I was surprised when I got in - i know Im very less than stellar but didn't know how far that range extends.
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Those are great stats! I worded incorrectly what I meant by stellar performances. I just mean if someone is applying to these programs there is something that is missing/could be improved on their resumes. Don’t sell yourself short! Not everyone is willing to go through an extra year or two of graduate level sciences just to prove themselves. That’s why adcoms look at people who did postbaccs differently, it really does set you apart. As far as MD/DO, I think you’re capable of getting into either you just gotta structure your plan correctly. If you’re shooting for MD your GPA and GRE score won’t keep you out of programs that are more geared to MD. If you like DO philosophy more go DO. The stigma that many are afraid of is dying and will be long gone down the line. DO numbers are skyrocketing every year and I don’t see them stopping any time soon.

As far as range of scores, that just goes to show that numbers aren’t everything (especially with the holistic approach lots of DO schools take). Upward grade trends, clinical experience, etc. go a long way.
 
Does anyone know how long it takes for them to give follow-up instructions? I threw my app in yesterday. How long did it take for the acceptees to get their acceptance?
 
NYCking said:
Does anyone know how long it takes for them to give follow-up instructions? I threw my app in yesterday. How long did it take for the acceptees to get their acceptance?
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i applied two weeks ago (with all transcripts, recommendations, etc. already in and complete, I had them sent in November and one faculty member's letter delayed my application) and got my decision in the mail a week after.

edit: reading this thread and all the pages, the acceptances ive seen seem to suggest they get back pretty fast
 
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I was complete 9 days ago and still nothing 🙁
 
My GA app was completed on 2/25 and just submitted one for PA yesterday. Anyone else checks online about 10 times a day or just me? Curious to know how often they meet and if one location is faster at processing than another.
 
Dhwani said:
My GA app was completed on 2/25 and just submitted one for PA yesterday. Anyone else checks online about 10 times a day or just me? Curious to know how often they meet and if one location is faster at processing than another.
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I was told at this point in the cycle they meet every two weeks so I think for some people that heard back really fast they were probably complete right before the admissions team met. I am gonna guess and say they will meet again this next week!
 
NYCking said:
Does anyone know how long it takes for them to give follow-up instructions? I threw my app in yesterday. How long did it take for the acceptees to get their acceptance?
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I had everything completed January 22nd and heard back February 20th so based on what I've read, it can take anywhere from a week to a little over a month...probably just depends on when they're meeting!
 
Dhwani said:
My GA app was completed on 2/25 and just submitted one for PA yesterday. Anyone else checks online about 10 times a day or just me? Curious to know how often they meet and if one location is faster at processing than another.
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Haha I am the same exact way. I have a separate tab always open for the portal so I can check like 30 times a day. I got in touch with someone in the program yesterday, and he said his took a month before he got an answer. They should be meeting once every 2 weeks now but we also gotta remember that it depends on the amount of applicants they have as well, so if many people happened to apply this month they could just be overwhelmed. I also wonder if spring break has anything to do with it
 
Dhwani said:
Not yet.. hoping to hear back tomorrow since the last time many got accepted was on a Thursday, 2 weeks ago.
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Same here...super nervous right now...I’m just confused because on my portal there is still the standardized test score section that is blank and I said on gradcas I’m not sending one in. Also I just noticed there are 2 different transcript boxes on my portal. One says received and the other says nothing. Is this normal? I sent an email last week and tried to call multiple times but it always goes to voicemail.
 
azo123 said:
Same here...super nervous right now...I’m just confused because on my portal there is still the standardized test score section that is blank and I said on gradcas I’m not sending one in. Also I just noticed there are 2 different transcript boxes on my portal. One says received and the other says nothing. Is this normal? I sent an email last week and tried to call multiple times but it always goes to voicemail.
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When I saw everything was processed on my application, I was able to confirm that my app is complete and ready to be reviewed over the phone by the admissions office.
 
Hey guys,

Has anyone received acceptance from the program with these stats (or lower stats than this):
Science GPA: 3.39
Pre Req GPA: 3.23
cGPA: 3.31

I am worried I won't get accepted.
 
Dhwani said:
When I saw everything was processed on my application, I was able to confirm that my app is complete and ready to be reviewed over the phone by the admissions office.
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Did you apply without a standardized test score?
 
azo123 said:
Same here...super nervous right now...I’m just confused because on my portal there is still the standardized test score section that is blank and I said on gradcas I’m not sending one in. Also I just noticed there are 2 different transcript boxes on my portal. One says received and the other says nothing. Is this normal? I sent an email last week and tried to call multiple times but it always goes to voicemail.
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I didn't send in a test score either and it was blank for the longest time...I left voicemails about it for both the South GA and GA programs and 1-2 days later, it said "WAIVED" in the standardized test box. So I would say leaving a voicemail is definitely worth it even if they don't call you back, they'll still listen and hopefully update that for you.
 
skshah2 said:
Just got my portal login last night, how long does it take for them to update the materials to where it says "received?" I submitted everything on GradCas
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Mine was received the next day
 
RSSBDOC said:
Hey guys,

Has anyone received acceptance from the program with these stats (or lower stats than this):
Science GPA: 3.39
Pre Req GPA: 3.23
cGPA: 3.31

I am worried I won't get accepted.
Click to expand...

i was basically right there and got in. very, very close. i took the GRE though and I think I did well and I feel it definitely helped. keep your head up.
 
Did anyone hear back today since Thursdays seem to be when they meet?
 
RSSBDOC said:
Hey guys,

Has anyone received acceptance from the program with these stats (or lower stats than this):
Science GPA: 3.39
Pre Req GPA: 3.23
cGPA: 3.31

I am worried I won't get accepted.
Click to expand...
Hi, you seem to be above the average GPA of an accepted student. (Biomedical Sciences (MS) Program Data | PCOM), as long as the rest of your application is fine your stats do not seem like they will keep you out.
 
Yeezysallonyoursofa said:
i was basically right there and got in. very, very close. i took the GRE though and I think I did well and I feel it definitely helped. keep your head up.
Click to expand...


Hey, thank you for writing back.
Do you mind sharing your stats? Also, I didn't take the Mcat or GRE.
 
RSSBDOC said:
Hey, thank you for writing back.
Do you mind sharing your stats? Also, I didn't take the Mcat or GRE.
Click to expand...

i dont want to reveal exact stats but trust me, it is basically the same. my GRE score is 320+.
 
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