PCOM Discussion thread 2007-2008

[MaximusD]

Welcome to the 24/7 PCOM Show.

This thread is home for questions, concerns, complaints about PCOM.

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[DoctorMom78]

 

[MaximusD]

OK Pre-PCOMers we're back in business The glory that is being a SDN donor

Remember, this thread isn't just for those who've been accepted. It is supposed to be for anyone who is a pre- or current PCOMers that may have questions about this process.

AND because I'm pathetic, I'll talk first.

Anyone in this forum going to the accepted student brunch this weekend?

I'm getting excited to meet my classmates and to go apartment shopping.

 

[Dr.Inviz]

OK Pre-PCOMers we're back in business The glory that is being a SDN donor

Remember, this thread isn't just for those who've been accepted. It is supposed to be for anyone who is a pre- or current PCOMers that may have questions about this process.

AND because I'm pathetic, I'll talk first.

Anyone in this forum going to the accepted student brunch this weekend?

I'm getting excited to meet my classmates and to go apartment shopping.

Get a life. We know you are proud of the fact you got into PCOM, and it's a good school, just chill. Other than that, you're alright in my book.

 

[mitawa]

OK Pre-PCOMers we're back in business The glory that is being a SDN donor

Remember, this thread isn't just for those who've been accepted. It is supposed to be for anyone who is a pre- or current PCOMers that may have questions about this process.

AND because I'm pathetic, I'll talk first.

Anyone in this forum going to the accepted student brunch this weekend?

I'm getting excited to meet my classmates and to go apartment shopping.

I'll help you out Max, I can't think of a better way to use my 100th post. Don't go to presidential city apts! Just a bit of friendly advice, I've become increasingly frustrated as of late in their complex. Your welcome brunch is on the weekend?

 

[Dr JPH]

I am a current PCOMer.

PROS:
- Big school
- Lots of faculty both clinical and basic science
- Strong residency programs
- Lots of residency programs
---- Family Medicine
---- Internal Medicine
---- OB/GYN
---- Orthopedic Surgery
---- Neurosurgery
---- General Surgery
---- Otolaryngology/ENT
---- Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery
---- Emergency Medicine
---- Geriatrics
---- Osteopathic Manipulative Medicine
---- Opthalmology
---- Urology
---- Vascular Surgery
- Excellent location
- Excellent reputation
- Large teaching auditoriums with great AV equipment
- 7 elective rotations 3rd & 4th year
- 50+ cadavers in lab with 4-5 students/cadaver
- Tons of online resources
- Robotic simulator for trauma/codes
- Procedural simulation dummy (chest tubes, central lines, intubation)
- Computer laparoscopic simulator (wont find that many places)
- No mandatory attendance for 90% of lectures
- No dress code
- Tons of campus organizations/activities
- Best athletic facilities available (NBA team practices here)
- Adjoining medical building
- Cafeteria food is good
- 4 PCOM student run urban clinics
- Large computer lab
- Dr. Fogel
- Close to 50 major research projects currently underway
- Gracious/plentiful work study programs
- Dual degree programs (PhD, MBA, MPH, MS)
- More than 150 female students per class
- More than 40 hospital affiliations

CONS:
- Small library/study areas
- Food in cafeteria is a bit expensive
- Housing costs can be expensive for certain areas
- Traffic

 

[mitawa]

I am a current PCOMer.

PROS:
- Big school
- Lots of faculty both clinical and basic science
- Strong residency programs
- Lots of residency programs
---- Family Medicine
---- Internal Medicine
---- OB/GYN
---- Orthopedic Surgery
---- Neurosurgery
---- General Surgery
---- Otolaryngology/ENT
---- Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery
---- Emergency Medicine
---- Geriatrics
---- Osteopathic Manipulative Medicine
---- Opthalmology
---- Urology
---- Vascular Surgery
- Excellent location
- Excellent reputation
- Large teaching auditoriums with great AV equipment
- 7 elective rotations 3rd & 4th year
- 50+ cadavers in lab with 4-5 students/cadaver
- Tons of online resources
- Robotic simulator for trauma/codes
- Procedural simulation dummy (chest tubes, central lines, intubation)
- Computer laparoscopic simulator (wont find that many places)
- No mandatory attendance for 90% of lectures
- No dress code
- Tons of campus organizations/activities
- Best athletic facilities available (NBA team practices here)
- Adjoining medical building
- Cafeteria food is good
- 4 PCOM student run urban clinics
- Large computer lab
- Dr. Fogel
- Close to 50 major research projects currently underway
- Gracious/plentiful work study programs
- Dual degree programs (PhD, MBA, MPH, MS)
- More than 150 female students per class
- More than 40 hospital affiliations

CONS:
- Small library/study areas
- Food in cafeteria is a bit expensive
- Housing costs can be expensive for certain areas
- Traffic

Great alumni network.

 

[Dr.Inviz]

I am a current PCOMer.

PROS:
- Big school
- Lots of faculty both clinical and basic science
- Strong residency programs
- Lots of residency programs
---- Family Medicine
---- Internal Medicine
---- OB/GYN
---- Orthopedic Surgery
---- Neurosurgery
---- General Surgery
---- Otolaryngology/ENT
---- Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery
---- Emergency Medicine
---- Geriatrics
---- Osteopathic Manipulative Medicine
---- Opthalmology
---- Urology
---- Vascular Surgery
- Excellent location
- Excellent reputation
- Large teaching auditoriums with great AV equipment
- 7 elective rotations 3rd & 4th year
- 50+ cadavers in lab with 4-5 students/cadaver
- Tons of online resources
- Robotic simulator for trauma/codes
- Procedural simulation dummy (chest tubes, central lines, intubation)
- Computer laparoscopic simulator (wont find that many places)
- No mandatory attendance for 90% of lectures
- No dress code
- Tons of campus organizations/activities
- Best athletic facilities available (NBA team practices here)
- Adjoining medical building
- Cafeteria food is good
- 4 PCOM student run urban clinics
- Large computer lab
- Dr. Fogel
- Close to 50 major research projects currently underway
- Gracious/plentiful work study programs
- Dual degree programs (PhD, MBA, MPH, MS)
- More than 150 female students per class
- More than 40 hospital affiliations

CONS:
- Small library/study areas
- Food in cafeteria is a bit expensive
- Housing costs can be expensive for certain areas
- Traffic

Welcome back.

 

[txkiteboarder]

i will be coming to checkout the place for the open house

very excited !!

my only concern: study areas since I like to study at school/on-campus

 

[DoctorMom78]

I am a current PCOMer.

PROS:
- Big school
- Lots of faculty both clinical and basic science
- Strong residency programs
- Lots of residency programs
---- Family Medicine
---- Internal Medicine
---- OB/GYN
---- Orthopedic Surgery
---- Neurosurgery
---- General Surgery
---- Otolaryngology/ENT
---- Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery
---- Emergency Medicine
---- Geriatrics
---- Osteopathic Manipulative Medicine
---- Opthalmology
---- Urology
---- Vascular Surgery
- Excellent location
- Excellent reputation
- Large teaching auditoriums with great AV equipment
- 7 elective rotations 3rd & 4th year
- 50+ cadavers in lab with 4-5 students/cadaver
- Tons of online resources
- Robotic simulator for trauma/codes
- Procedural simulation dummy (chest tubes, central lines, intubation)
- Computer laparoscopic simulator (wont find that many places)
- No mandatory attendance for 90% of lectures
- No dress code
- Tons of campus organizations/activities
- Best athletic facilities available (NBA team practices here)
- Adjoining medical building
- Cafeteria food is good
- 4 PCOM student run urban clinics
- Large computer lab
- Dr. Fogel
- Close to 50 major research projects currently underway
- Gracious/plentiful work study programs
- Dual degree programs (PhD, MBA, MPH, MS)
- More than 150 female students per class
- More than 40 hospital affiliations

CONS:
- Small library/study areas
- Food in cafeteria is a bit expensive
- Housing costs can be expensive for certain areas
- Traffic

WOOT!!! You're back!

WOOT!!! MaximusD...your thread is back!

 

[MaximusD]

Get a life. We know you are proud of the fact you got into PCOM, and it's a good school, just chill. Other than that, you're alright in my book.

Yo Inviz, was this really necessary?

Thanks JP and mitawa! Glad I got someone else on board!

 

[DoctorMom78]

Yo Inviz, was this really necessary?

Thanks JP and mitawa! Glad I got someone else on board!

It's Dr. Inviz....do you have to ask?

 

[MaximusD]

i will be coming to checkout the place for the open house

very excited !!

my only concern: study areas since I like to study at school/on-campus

Are you applying for the Fall of 2008?

 

[john_danko]

damn, i wish i could go to the brunch...i'm stuck here in beautiful florida, just getting back from spring training games (GO PHILS'). seriously though, i'm bummed. max - what places are you checking out apartment-wise? i need to get on that as soon as i move back home to delaware....

 

[Dr JPH]

my only concern: study areas since I like to study at school/on-campus

Not in medical school you wont. Med students by nature are neurotic.

They did build 2 new study lounges for quiet study.

Off the top of my head I can probably count 50 study cubicles for private quiet study in 4 different rooms. That does not include the library.

Now, many people utilize lecture halls, empty classrooms, cafeteria and other areas to study...especially for group study.

There are also a few study locations that, if you are smart, you can find early in first year and no one will find you for the next 4 years. I have 2 spots that I have holed up in with books and not so much as a janitor or security guard ever walked past. $50.00 will get you that information.

PCOM also has a great library exchange program so we do have access to several other libraries in the city. St Josephs (3 miles away) is one that comes to mind. I went to undergrad at another school in Philly and I would often go there to study.

So does PCOM have a lack of study space in reference to the number of students? YES

Does it make a huge difference 75% of the time? NO

Exam weeks and boards...thats when the place gets busy. But they do leave the buildings open 24/7 around exam time...something not many places do for you.

And again, this is the time when most student get really wacky...so IMO its better to stay OFF campus.

 

[Jack Daniel]

Welcome back, JP. As you can see, we left the light on for ya...

 

[Dr JPH]

Thanks jack. Good to be back, although there are a few suprises:

1. No one stepped up to become the osteopathic crusader in my absence

2. I no longer have access to certain forums or the DELETED POST button

3. DoctorMom is no longer flashing her titties

4. I can say titties without someone telling me I shouldnt say titties

 

[MaximusD]

Thanks jack. Good to be back, although there are a few suprises:

1. No one stepped up to become the osteopathic crusader in my absence

2. I no longer have access to certain forums or the DELETED POST button

3. DoctorMom is no longer flashing her titties

4. I can say titties without someone telling me I shouldnt say titties

Ah crap... well we here at pre-osteo still appreciate you even if the SDN powers-that-be might not.

Doctormom got tired of flashing her titties without dinner and a movie first

 

[Jack Daniel]

Thanks jack. Good to be back, although there are a few suprises:

1. No one stepped up to become the osteopathic crusader in my absence

2. I no longer have access to certain forums or the DELETED POST button

3. DoctorMom is no longer flashing her titties

4. I can say titties without someone telling me I shouldnt say titties

Being a mere mortal has certain privileges, too.

When you tire of looking at DoctorMom's adopted horse, you can look at Critical Mass's lovely avatar.

 

[DoctorMom78]

LMAO!!! I NEVER flashed my mammary glands! OK...some of the pics were a little suggestive and my husband freaked out about the pics, but they weren't THAT bad. This is Star. I am adopting him from a horse rescue. Isn't he beautiful? I can change the picture back if you want, but I figured you all already knew what I looked like and were getting tired of the same old pictures. So, now you can enjoy my horse instead. When I get down to Tennessee, I will take a picture of me riding him instead.

 

[Dr JPH]

I will take a picture of me riding him

Sweet

Oh...the horse.

 

[Jack Daniel]

I'd like to suggest a compromise. How about a picture of the horse's titties?

 

[Jack Daniel]

Scratch that. The horse is male.

 

[MaximusD]

who else used to watch the show with the talking horse?

 

[MaximusD]

Wiiilllbuurrr...

Anyway, I don't see why study space is a huge deal. There are other places such as Barnes and Noble or your apt if you absolutely can't find any space.

50 dollars is pretty steep, but I guess interns have to eat too, eh JP?

 

[DoctorMom78]

I'd like to suggest a compromise. How about a picture of the horse's titties?

I have a mare too. Would you boys prefer that?

 

[DoctorMom78]

Sweet

Oh...the horse.

I think I would be violating TOS with that.

 

[Taus]

I think I would be violating TOS with that.

come on....thats hilarious...

 

[Dr JPH]

.

Anyway, I don't see why study space is a huge deal. There are other places such as Barnes and Noble or your apt if you absolutely can't find any space.

Philadelphia has no lack of bookstores, college campuses and coffee houses to use as study spaced.

50 dollars is pretty steep, but I guess interns have to eat too, eh JP?

Yep

 

[Onstarr]

"More than 150 female students per class"

that sold me

 

[JonnyG]

"More than 150 female students per class"

that sold me

It sold me until my class was the first one to have slightly more males....................Luckily that anomaly ended with my class

 

[MaximusD]

Come to think of it, all the people who I know that will be in PCOM c/o 2011 are females... hadn't occured to me.

 

[Dr JPH]

It sold me until my class was the first one to have slightly more males....................Luckily that anomaly ended with my class

Yes, but the quality is what counts too!

 

[MaximusD]

when I first read this post, i thought that you meant that women weren't as high of quality as students...

i was a *****

you meant qualitative hotness of the female students... much better

 

[Dr JPH]

Sorry Maximus...I dont judge the hotness of a girl based on her MCAT score

Unless than MCAT score is a nice round 38

 

[MaximusD]

Sorry Maximus...I dont judge the hotness of a girl based on her MCAT score

Unless than MCAT score is a nice round 38

lol nice

i'm excited to go to my accepted students lunch on saturday... you gonna show up to say hi?

 

[txkiteboarder]

Are you applying for the Fall of 2008?

yes!!

 

[txkiteboarder]

Not in medical school you wont. Med students by nature are neurotic.
.....

thanks for all that

 

[Repertoire]

i'll be at the brunch this saturday too.

jp, who's dr. fogel?

 

[Repertoire]

Get a life. We know you are proud of the fact you got into PCOM, and it's a good school, just chill. Other than that, you're alright in my book.

max, just ignore him. if you haven't noticed, he doesn't ever add anything substantial to any thread.

 

[Dr JPH]

lol nice

i'm excited to go to my accepted students lunch on saturday... you gonna show up to say hi?

I might. Depends...I will have to wear my shirt that says "I am the real JPHazelton"

 

[Taus]

i'll be at the brunch this saturday too.

jp, who's dr. fogel?

our Pathology prof/guru....he's kind of a legend around here

if you wanna get in good w/ him make sure to wear a distinctive color shirt and/or hat to his class....bright red or green is usually preferable....well that and memorizing Robbins before school starts isn't a bad idea....

 

[JonnyG]

our Pathology prof/guru....he's kind of a legend around here

if you wanna get in good w/ him make sure to wear a distinctive color shirt and/or hat to his class....bright red or green is usually preferable....well that and memorizing Robbins before school starts isn't a bad idea....

I really should attend one of his lectures and meet this man whos been giving me questions for the last two years such as " 30 yr old female" or "construction worker from ohio". God I am going to miss name that disease.

 

[group_theory]

I really should attend one of his lectures and meet this man whos been giving me questions for the last two years such as " 30 yr old female" or "construction worker from ohio". God I am going to miss name that disease.

Wait till you're out on rotation and someone pimps you (ie non infectious differential diagnosis of Langhan type giant cell histiocytosis)... you have a vague recollection of what the answer is but can't seem to recall it ... and suddenly an image of Dr. Fogel looking at you waiting for the answer appears

 

[group_theory]

I might. Depends...I will have to wear my shirt that says "I am the real JPHazelton"

I wonder if Dr. Sesso will show up ... and if anyone will mistaken him for JPHazelton

 

[Dr JPH]

You guys are funny

I tell ya...Fogel is much smarter than you think.

 

[DO Sigma Nu guy]

i'll be at the brunch this saturday too.

jp, who's dr. fogel?

WHO IS DR. FOGEL?? This is Dr.Fogel

I'm scared of him. Everytime he lectures, I make sure i wear a neutral color (grey mostly) and I slouch in my chair praying he won't notice me. That has only worked a few times. I've been pimped pretty hard in the past week.

Seriously, he is an intelligent smooth 'kat'. I love his lectures.

 

[MaximusD]

WHO IS DR. FOGEL?? This is Dr.Fogel

I'm scared of him. Everytime he lectures, I make sure i wear a neutral color (grey mostly) and I slouch in my chair praying he won't notice me. That has only worked a few times. I've been pimped pretty hard in the past week.

Seriously, he is an intelligent smooth 'kat'. I love his lectures.

Who was the guy who gave the HIV lecture on the day that I visited for interview?

 

[DO Sigma Nu guy]

Who was the guy who gave the HIV lecture on the day that I visited for interview?

Dr. Fogel

 

[MaximusD]

I thought so...

He seemed pretty bright and like a good lecturer... maybe thats bc I've had so many ****ty (=smart but awful lecturers) profs up here at State...?

At any rate, I am in a real pickle.

Currently, I am getting a D in my biochem metabolism course. In order to graduate, I need at least a C. I need to graduate to complete my matriculation requirements to PCOM. A few weeks ago, I talked to Marsha Williams and she said it would be OK if I dropped biochem and changed my major to Life Science (which doesn't require this particular biochem class)... however, I am wondering if it will really hurt my mentality going into med school and/or if it will put me at a disadvantage. The next exam is AFTER the late-drop period, so if I decide to continue in the course and fail to raise the grade to a C, I no longer meet degree requirements. I am really unsure of what to do at this point... would I have to take the PCOM summer biochem course if I dropped this... I took intro biochem last semester and got an A-...

Should I drop or should I push onward knowing that I would be risking it all?