PCOM Discussion thread 2007-2008

[desijigga]

---

Members do not see this ad.

Got a late email response from PCOM admissions last night, my application is under review 😀.

Just wondering is PCOM in the middle of the city of Philadelphia or on the outskirts (like a suburb)? I have never been to Philly, hopefully its better then Detroit and safer... 😕

 

[suenos]

hey... don't hate on detroit. wayne state is up there as one of my prized schools. it may be due to the fact that i'm a grad student there right now, plus i'm all about inner-city medicine for the underserved...

i have a friend from pittsburgh who was hating on philly cuz pittsburgh is kinda the detroit of PA, so i'm assuming philly is more higher end, plus it seems to be very historic (read: safe, and in good condition)

 

[boodthedog]

Got a late email response from PCOM admissions last night, my application is under review 😀.

Just wondering is PCOM in the middle of the city of Philadelphia or on the outskirts (like a suburb)? I have never been to Philly, hopefully its better then Detroit and safer... 😕

PCOM's about four or five miles out from center city in an area that's not really that interesting if traveling by foot. It's still close to some cool places though, and in a safe area.

DOcat, I keep hoping they make a decision soon and I hurry to check my mail everyday. Unfortunately, didn't someone say the adcomm meets monthly so I'm guessing the three week estimate is probably pretty close. I really like the school, and really hate this wait.

 

[Playmakur42]

.

 

[boodthedog]

Bood,
I interviewed on the same day as you, and I remember Marsha telling us that we would hear something in 3 weeks. It looks like we've got no choice but to be patient. Good Luck. You seemed like a good guy, I'm sure you've got a very good shot.

I wonder if any students buy houses in Manayunk. I've been checking out some of the prices of places online, and they're high but not as high as I expected.

I'm sure some students do buy houses in Manayunk. A lot of people I know in the area also live in Roxborough next to Manayunk. I actually have no idea where the line is, but they are close, and it can be much cheaper. If accepted, the girlfriend and I might try and by a house in the west mt. airy, chestnut hill or roxborough section. Let me know if you have any questions on the area. I've learned it well working for my friend rehabbing houses.

I thought we had a good group of people interviewing that morning. Hopefully they're busy writing a number of acceptance letters.

 

[DO Sigma Nu guy]

what do most students usually need to take out at PCOM? I know that the cost of living is higher in philly, so what is usually expected for the budget?

If you are looking for a quote. I took out ~53 K for the year. Tuition was around 37K. That leaves me with 16K to live off of for a year.

After I pay for my apt, car, insurance fees, and pay for books...I still have some relaxation money...for just in case **** happens.

Some of my classmates don't take out the extra 16K because their parents often pay for room/board.

I just gave these numbers so you know what to expect if you don't come from a well off family.



Oh yea, PCOM gives lots of small scholarships to its students. Last year I recieved a 4K check for just submitting my parents income tax...and this year I got an extra 1K. All free. So when you guys get your acceptance letters...send that INFORMATION!

 

[medhacker]

Houses in Manayunk are mad old!

Roxborough can be a bit nicer

 

[DO Sigma Nu guy]

Houses in Manayunk are mad old!

Roxborough can be a bit nicer

Yea and parking sucks.

 

[TexasTriathlete]

How hard would it be to own a car in philly? Is it like NY or SF, where you have to spend huge amounts of money on a parking space?

My car exists primarily to get my bike from one place to another if I can't ride it there. But I still need it.

 

[medhacker]

How hard would it be to own a car in philly? Is it like NY or SF, where you have to spend huge amounts of money on a parking space?

My car exists primarily to get my bike from one place to another if I can't ride it there. But I still need it.

It's not that bad

You see everyone and their mother driving at PCOM

 

[boodthedog]

How's the parking at PCOM? Do the lots ever fill? I know you need to buy some kind of pass, are these difficult to get?

 

[DO Sigma Nu guy]

How hard would it be to own a car in philly? Is it like NY or SF, where you have to spend huge amounts of money on a parking space?

My car exists primarily to get my bike from one place to another if I can't ride it there. But I still need it.

I would echo the same thing as medhacker. Parking only becomes an issue if you get an apt in center city somewhere. You can still get parking, but expect to drive around the block for 30 mins.

 

[medhacker]

How's the parking at PCOM? Do the lots ever fill? I know you need to buy some kind of pass, are these difficult to get?

What DO sigma nu guy said is right

That's just as it is around apartment areas, not as bad as NYC but you will be going round' and round' for a while before you can park.

At PCOM parking doesn't seem to be an issue. I don't park at the "official" lots so DO SIGMA NU GUY can give his feedback on that.

I have heard that the main (covered) parking lot parking decals go fast, but I think there's plenty of space at the parking lot by monument street.

 

[DO Sigma Nu guy]

How's the parking at PCOM? Do the lots ever fill? I know you need to buy some kind of pass, are these difficult to get?

The parking garage always fill up before the summer, so most 1st years end up parking in the parkin lot down the street. There is ample parking though, and the walk is not that bad. Parking in the garage costs 300 a year and parking lot is 120. They take the money out of your financial aid package, so you never really write a check for it...so it feels like it is free. HAHa 🙄

 

[Empi]

Sorry to say, Philly is not particularly safe.

PCOM is on City Line Ave and is in a relatively safe area just bordering Bala Cynwyd (suburb.)

Traffic is a nightmare.

 

[TexasTriathlete]

Sorry to say, Philly is not particularly safe.

PCOM is on City Line Ave and is in a relatively safe area just bordering Bala Cynwyd (suburb.)

Traffic is a nightmare.

When I interviewed at Drexel, they explained the situation to us...

- Students would be wise to avoid walking anywhere near campus at night. There is a security guard to walk people to their cars.

- By all means, stay out of the neighborhood about a half-mile down the road from the school.

I also heard that Temple starts their classes at like 5AM, so that their students can be out of there long before it gets dark. Not sure if this is true or not. I'd still go to any school in Philly in a second. Seems like it would offer great opportunities for a medical education. With so many great med schools in the area, the docs you work under in rotations are bound to be top-notch teachers.

 

[Ilovethemcat]

i have a friend from pittsburgh who was hating on philly cuz pittsburgh is kinda the detroit of PA, so i'm assuming philly is more higher end, plus it seems to be very historic (read: safe, and in good condition)

I second what Texastriathele said, Philadelphia is by no means "safe". It is definitily not "higher end" or "safer" than Pittsburgh. In fact, Pittsburgh was voted the "most livable city in the US". Pittsburgh is like Beverly Hills compared to many neighborhoods in the city of Philadelphia.

PCOM is my top choice school but it is not such because of the living environment in Philly.

People from Pittsburgh rag on Philly because the Steelers > Eagles.

 

[gt2007]

Hey guys I have the PCOM secondary in front of me, and I cant seem to use Adobe Acrobat Reader to type...I have no way of inputting the data..and it asks for a typewritten application...anyone else have this problem? What did you do?

 

[DocInProgress]

It says, "Please type or PRINT all info and responses on the top." I handwrote mine.

 

[TexasTriathlete]

I used a typewriter. There is a bank upstairs from where I work, and they just let me jump on it.

 

[boodthedog]

Hey guys I have the PCOM secondary in front of me, and I cant seem to use Adobe Acrobat Reader to type...I have no way of inputting the data..and it asks for a typewritten application...anyone else have this problem? What did you do?

Try downloading the newest version. It lets you type on a document, but not save it.

 

[calebherndon]

I have just been informed that I have an interview in GA this month. Does anyone have any suggestions-pointers-tips that might make this a successful trip?

 

[medhacker]

I have just been informed that I have an interview in GA this month. Does anyone have any suggestions-pointers-tips that might make this a successful trip?

Advice #1
It is not PCOM it is P.C.O.M
Remember that during your interview
Best wishes!! 🙂

 

[Empi]

My daughter (presently M4 at PCOM,) went to Temple, I have a son who is a freshman at Duquesne (Pittsburgh,) Temple is in a crazy scary part of North Philly.

She is a 3rd Dan in Shotokan karate so she never felt too vulnerable.

She did take classes that got her on the train before dark.

Jon is in Pittsburgh and, I must say, Pittsburgh is a really nice city. The downtown is friendly and there is a more welcoming vibe there. I was very happy to be in Pittsburgh and I'm lookng forward to going up to see him in two weeks.

 

[Playmakur42]

.

 

[Jae]

I have just been informed that I have an interview in GA this month. Does anyone have any suggestions-pointers-tips that might make this a successful trip?

Check out the link to interview here on SDN. They are pretty helpful.
I had some Ws in my early years(when I wasn't quiet focused) and they, interviewers(4), went for it with the first question. "What's with all this Ws?"
It wasn't the best way to start the interview conversation🙁.
After that, it was pretty much routine; what is osteo mean to u? do what for fun? what is the most important factor when deciding on med school? things like that...
most people said the interview was relaxing but not for me. maybe because of the first question..
lunch was free!
no breakfast, though.
Hope you do well!

 

[medhacker]

Uh oh.

I think I may have referred to the school as PCOM during the interview.
Strike 1.

It most likely won't be huge, best wishes, keep us informed.

 

[Bleurberry]

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.

Max-D,
Help me get together a Pre-SOMA Temple Univ. / PCOM Big Brother/Sister program. Are you a SOMA member on PCOM campus?

 

[mitawa]

Max-D,
Help me get together a Pre-SOMA Temple Univ. / PCOM Big Brother/Sister program. Are you a SOMA member on PCOM campus?

I don't know if Max has gotten back to you yet, but if you still need help PM me with your contact info. I am a chair in SOMA and I'll see what I can do to assist you.

 

[KMG365]

Max-D,
Help me get together a Pre-SOMA Temple Univ. / PCOM Big Brother/Sister program. Are you a SOMA member on PCOM campus?

Lovepark,
I'm on the E-board for SOMA at PCOM.

We're working on it, I promise. What exactly is it you all would hope to get out of such a program?

 

[MaximusD]

Max-D,
Help me get together a Pre-SOMA Temple Univ. / PCOM Big Brother/Sister program. Are you a SOMA member on PCOM campus?

Yes, I am a SOMA member, but mitawa might be a better resource for you seeing as I haven't become an active member yet.

I would still be happy to help you in whatever way that I can. Sorry for the wait for a response. We had our head & neck SPOM exam on Friday.. it sucked. Pretty much spent the whoel weekend trying to forget what it took 3 weeks to cram in 😀

 

[Bacchus]

So all of you students, will you all be showing us prospectives around this Friday at the open house? 🙂

 

[mitawa]

Yes, I am a SOMA member, but mitawa might be a better resource for you seeing as I haven't become an active member yet.

I would still be happy to help you in whatever way that I can. Sorry for the wait for a response. We had our head & neck SPOM exam on Friday.. it sucked. Pretty much spent the whoel weekend trying to forget what it took 3 weeks to cram in 😀

I hope you unwinded this weekend. Just think, you're halfway thru SPOM already!

 

[mitawa]

So all of you students, will you all be showing us prospectives around this Friday at the open house? 🙂

Sigma Nu most likely will.

 

[Bacchus]

Sigma Nu most likely will.

Ok, that doesn't mean anything to me 😉. Thanks though, heh. I met the director of admissions and one of the recruiters at Jefferson this past Saturday. Both Deborah and Mariesa were pleasant to talk with.

 

[Animus]

Ok, that doesn't mean anything to me 😉. Thanks though, heh. I met the director of admissions and one of the recruiters at Jefferson this past Saturday. Both Deborah and Mariesa were pleasant to talk with.

What time is the open house? I may stop by wherever it is and say hello to everyone. My friends and I (MaxD included) usually stop by to all interviewees to say hello and answer questions when we can.

 

[Bacchus]

Registration is at 4:30 (with light rereshments 😉)

Program is from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.

What's going on:
Learn about osteopathy, life at medical school, observe OMM (maybe they'll let us participate?), meet PCOM students, campus tour

Its in Evans Hall.

And its not for interview invites, just interested students. But I guess both can show up.

 

[Meatwad]

Registration is at 4:30 (with light rereshments 😉)

Program is from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.

What's going on:
Learn about osteopathy, life at medical school, observe OMM (maybe they'll let us participate?), meet PCOM students, campus tour

Its in Evans Hall.

And its not for interview invites, just interested students. But I guess both can show up.

Make sure you don't have any embarassing boxers on...😉

 

[Bacchus]

Make sure you don't have any embarassing boxers on...😉

I may have an issue in that I don't have button flies. 😳 I was just talking about realigning my spine 😉. And I haven't seen patients disrobe for OMM before, I'll be fine, haha.

 

[Meatwad]

I may have an issue in that I don't have button flies. 😳 I was just talking about realigning my spine 😉. And I haven't seen patients disrobe for OMM before, I'll be fine, haha.

Patients don't disrobe? Oh man.... I'm going to seriously reconsider my plan of practicing in the field of Hot Female Wimminz with a focus on OMM. Thank you for saving me time/money/heartache!

 

[Bacchus]

Patients don't disrobe? Oh man.... I'm going to seriously reconsider my plan of practicing in the field of Hot Female Wimminz with a focus on OMM. Thank you for saving me time/money/heartache!

No problem 😉. As far as shadowing goes, just to be sincere, not one patient removed any article of clothing before the doctor began manipulating. Glasses did get put to the side, but I find that hardly erotic.

 

[Bleurberry]

Lovepark,
I'm on the E-board for SOMA at PCOM.

We're working on it, I promise. What exactly is it you all would hope to get out of such a program?

I feel students will make better decisions in their undergrad if they have an inside out exposure to medical school. PCOM would be the perfect place to test this hypothesis. At Pre-SOMA Temple, we want students to make as informed a choice about his/her potential future career as (s)he can. It'll also give students who are curious enough a golden opportunity at seeing the quality education an Osteopathic school can offer. That's the primary reason I began pre-SOMA here at Temple. So I'd like to propose that we open up a couple lectures through the course of the year to auditing by a select few ambitious and registered members,
and also have a "buddy" who we can email or call at PCOM. We want to brainstorm with PCOM SOMA to figure out how its feasible for undergrads in the busiest time of their lives can manage to connect with 1st and 2nd year med students in the busiest time of their lives.
Drop me a priv email and we'll continue the conversation when you're ready.
We were hoping to launch next Spring.

Cheers.

 

[MaximusD]

I feel students will make better decisions in their undergrad if they have an inside out exposure to medical school. PCOM would be the perfect place to test this hypothesis. At Pre-SOMA Temple, we want students to make as informed a choice about his/her potential future career as (s)he can. It'll also give students who are curious enough a golden opportunity at seeing the quality education an Osteopathic school can offer. That's the primary reason I began pre-SOMA here at Temple. So I'd like to propose that we open up a couple lectures through the course of the year to auditing by a select few ambitious and registered members,
and also have a "buddy" who we can email or call at PCOM. We want to brainstorm with PCOM SOMA to figure out how its feasible for undergrads in the busiest time of their lives can manage to connect with 1st and 2nd year med students in the busiest time of their lives.
Drop me a priv email and we'll continue the conversation when you're ready.
We were hoping to launch next Spring.

Cheers.

Sounds like a good idea.. except if those undergrad students become med students eventually it will hardly seem like undergrad was ever hard to start with. In retrospect, I should have easily gotten a 3.7+ in undergrad if I studied half of the time that I do for med school. Oops. Hindsight 20/20, etc.

At any rate, I am sure that there are many students (not just one) at PCOM that would be more than happy to inform pre-DO students about what our school has to offer. It is really a great place for med school in my experience, and the students here are helpful.

Again, let me know specifically what you would like me to do and assuming I can make free time, I will try to help... It is always valuable to have information that is not in a cheerleader-syrupy PCOM admissions pamphlet.

 

[DO Sigma Nu guy]

Sigma Nu most likely will.

HaHa I actually just signed up to be on the student panel/tour guide. You know me all too well mitawa.

 

[DO Sigma Nu guy]

Anyone know if PCOM has an early decision program?

Nope they don't.

 

[Moestar]

Ummm, so PCOM doesn't accept letters from science faculty? Only 'academic adviser' or 'premed adviser' from your ugrad school? That sucks when I apply it will have been 3 years since graduation and my school does not do 'adviser' letters, only letters from faculty. What do I do?

-PlAnEjaNe

I talked to admissions and they said that the letter from the academic advisor/dean (if you don't have a pre-med committee) is pretty much verifying that you're graduating (or graduated), whether if there's any disciplinary action taken while attended and how is your academic standing. They also told me that I can submit additional letters but you might want to call them and verify that just in case!

 

[mitawa]

HaHa I actually just signed up to be on the student panel/tour guide. You know me all too well mitawa.

I can only try to guess your next move!😉
I wanted to be there too, but I have H&P after our exam.

 

[medhacker]

I talked to admissions and they said that the letter from the academic advisor/dean (if you don't have a pre-med committee) is pretty much verifying that you're graduating (or graduated), whether if there's any disciplinary action taken while attended and how is your academic standing. They also told me that I can submit additional letters but you might want to call them and verify that just in case!

Call who to verify?

The dean letter is just a formality, the real deal is your faculty letters if you don't have a committee.

 

[Dancing Doctor]

I can only try to guess your next move!😉
I wanted to be there too, but I have H&P after our exam.

I too was hoping to be there, but really I think I ought to stay home and get rid of this illness lingering in my chest.

 

[DOcat]

So I think every day that I worry and wait to hear from PCOM is another day taken off my life. I know its only been about 2 weeks, but I was so hoping it would be closer to that than 3! ahhh, oh my.