PCOM Discussion thread 2008-2009

This forum made possible through the generous support of SDN members, donors, and sponsors. Thank you.
you got accepted with your 3/4 page, right? 😀 dont want to follow the wrong foot steps

If you had why you want to be a DO in your personal statement, then you don't want to be overly redundant. I always had the impression it was a 1 page MAX kind of request, but that's purely my interpretation.
 
i sent in my secondary about 3 weeks ago. when do you think i'll hear back about a possible interview date?
 
anyone who has interviewed at/seen PCOM also been to NYCOM? what comparisons can you make? I have been accepted to NYCOM but I am also very curious about PCOM (have been completed since September but my application has not yet been reviewed). Any insight?
 
Hey Em..I have visited both campuses. There is a very big difference between them. NYCOM is a lot smaller compared to PCOM and it has more of a suburby feeling, versus PCOM, which is closer to a city feel. Likewise, PCOM is more like a community because everyone lives in very close proximity to the school versus NYCOM where everyone is very spread out.
 
Hey Em..I have visited both campuses. There is a very big difference between them. NYCOM is a lot smaller compared to PCOM and it has more of a suburby feeling, versus PCOM, which is closer to a city feel. Likewise, PCOM is more like a community because everyone lives in very close proximity to the school versus NYCOM where everyone is very spread out.

thanks for your reply!! are you going to PCOM -- I'm assuming you like it there better? I'm really hoping to hear from them -- my deposit is due at NYCOM at the end of january, but i would definitely go on an interview to PCOM if i got one! :xf:.

anyone else have any comparisons/input?
 
I'm actually still waiting to here from NYCOM, I think both locations are great, so we will see.
 
Anyone send updated transcripts to PCOM? Will they accept them directly sent to the admissions office?
 
Anyone send updated transcripts to PCOM? Will they accept them directly sent to the admissions office?

I got a letter in the mail saying that as an entering student I have to send an official transcript to the office of admissions so yeah I would suggest sending it to them.
 
Hello everyone, hope you are enjoying the holidays!! I have a few questions about the summer before the class of 2013 matriculates (09). Are we required to take any pre-matric courses. I know of a biochemistry course from reading threads on SDN but is it mandatory?

Besides filling out forms and sending in required information once we receive our packets, do we have to leave the summer opened for anything else? I wld like to travel and want to make sure I don't miss anything. Also when is PCOM's white coat ceremony? Thank you in advance.
 
Hello everyone, hope you are enjoying the holidays!! I have a few questions about the summer before the class of 2013 matriculates (09). Are we required to take any pre-matric courses. I know of a biochemistry course from reading threads on SDN but is it mandatory?

Besides filling out forms and sending in required information once we receive our packets, do we have to leave the summer opened for anything else? I wld like to travel and want to make sure I don't miss anything. Also when is PCOM's white coat ceremony? Thank you in advance.

the summer is urs until august when orientation beings. the biochemistry course is a big waste of time and is only mandatory for some people and they are told by the school ahead of time. it is usually people whos only science classes were the prerequisites ie someone who has a degree in finance. The white coat ceremony is after the second anatomy test usually first weekend in october.
 
Hey Guys! I have not applied to PCOM, was wondering if its too late. I am a 20Q 3.65. Should I apply? are spots filled? what are my chances? thanks
 
Thank you for your response JonnyG!!!

the summer is urs until august when orientation beings. the biochemistry course is a big waste of time and is only mandatory for some people and they are told by the school ahead of time. it is usually people whos only science classes were the prerequisites ie someone who has a degree in finance. The white coat ceremony is after the second anatomy test usually first weekend in october.
 
Hey Guys! I have not applied to PCOM, was wondering if its too late. I am a 20Q 3.65. Should I apply? are spots filled? what are my chances? thanks

I wouldn't discourage anyone from applying, but be prepared to retake your MCAT's in January.
 
Hey Guys! I have not applied to PCOM, was wondering if its too late. I am a 20Q 3.65. Should I apply? are spots filled? what are my chances? thanks

I would NOT apply to any schools with your score this late in the cycle. You don't want to face the stigma of being a re-applicant. You would be better to wait, apply much earlier in the cycle with a much stronger MCAT.

I would prepare (A LOT) for the MCAT for a couple months, take it again sometime early 2009, and apply to AACOMAS in May of 2010.
 
My apologies Meghalo - I didn't mean to sound so harsh in that last post about your score. I just think that with a gpa of 3.65, a 20Q probably does not reflect your abilities on the MCAT. You can probably do better with the right amount of effort, and then prob have a much better chance at PCOM. GL 👍
 
Hey, everyone, pcom requires another letter besides committee letter. I have three LOR's filed for the committee evaluation and one of them is from a MD. In this case, does the committee packet include the second letter pcom requests? It's a little confusing. I am still working on the secondary becuase my committee packet will be the slowest. Anyway, help!!!!
 
I would NOT apply to any schools with your score this late in the cycle. You don't want to face the stigma of being a re-applicant.

I think this stigma you speak of is due to the attitude of fellow applicants and not admissions committees.
As long as the application talks about how they improved and changed, I highly doubt the adcom will look at the applicant in any negative or biased manner.
 
I think this stigma you speak of is due to the attitude of fellow applicants and not admissions committees.
As long as the application talks about how they improved and changed, I highly doubt the adcom will look at the applicant in any negative or biased manner.

Hmm you are probably right, but I think the "As long as the application talks about how they improved and changed" part is where the unsuccessful reapplicants lose wind. Its difficult to drastically improve a weak app in 5 months (without retaking the MCAT in this person's case). Of course it can be done.. its done probably more than a thousand times a year, but you don't want to unnecessarily put yourself in that position if you can help it. Stigma or not, the general rule is to wait to apply until you are competitive.



Actually PCOM relavent - Does anyone know how quickly PCOM gets back to us with financial aid info assuming we get them the FAFSA asap?
 
Hmm you are probably right, but I think the "As long as the application talks about how they improved and changed" part is where the unsuccessful reapplicants lose wind. Its difficult to drastically improve a weak app in 5 months (without retaking the MCAT in this person's case). Of course it can be done.. its done probably more than a thousand times a year, but you don't want to unnecessarily put yourself in that position if you can help it. Stigma or not, the general rule is to wait to apply until you are competitive.



Actually PCOM relavent - Does anyone know how quickly PCOM gets back to us with financial aid info assuming we get them the FAFSA asap?

June is usually when finacial aid comes out.
 
hey guys im still waiting on PCOM they said my file was complete about a month ago. I was wondering is it too late in the process, or are there still seats open??

i would really love to interview at PCOM and see what its about. Ive already been accepted at LECOM and i really wanted to compare it to somewhere else and PCOM is def very high on my list!!


so i guess my actual question is does anyone know roughly how many seats are open this late???

like 1/2 or 1/4

thanks!!
 
hey guys im still waiting on PCOM they said my file was complete about a month ago. I was wondering is it too late in the process, or are there still seats open??

i would really love to interview at PCOM and see what its about. Ive already been accepted at LECOM and i really wanted to compare it to somewhere else and PCOM is def very high on my list!!


so i guess my actual question is does anyone know roughly how many seats are open this late???

like 1/2 or 1/4

thanks!!

I wouldn't even be able to venture a guess. I'm not sure admissions even has a great idea. The 2nd deposit isn't due until April 15th. This gives students plenty of time to decide where they are going.
 
hey guys,

I had some major grief with aacomas submitting my primary so I just was able to send in my secondary. They should have gotten it on the 27th. I have a 3.15 GPA with 3.25 science and 27 O on the MCAT. How long should it take to hear back and do I have a shot at gettin in this late in the game? I have a bangin personal statement and spectacular recommendations but I only have 50 some hours of volunteer work and a one day trip to DC to shadow a physician from the military. Hopefully this makes the cut.
 
Is PCOM supposed to send you a letter or email when your application is complete? Is there anywhere to check your status?
 
is there an online link where I can check my application status??
 
The problem I never thought I'd have...I've been accepted to too many schools and now I can't decide (with the large deposits looming)....looking for advice abt your perception of the schools if you visited (pcom, western, wvsom).

Right now, pcom is top on my list b/c of cost & location...but wvsom has amazing facilites, and western's curriculum is a standout...

any thoughts???

thanks!!!
 
If you are not from WVA, I'd cross off WVSOM immediately. The tuition is insane for out of staters.


And PCOM doesn't have a site to check your status.
 
The problem I never thought I'd have...I've been accepted to too many schools and now I can't decide (with the large deposits looming)....looking for advice abt your perception of the schools if you visited (pcom, western, wvsom).

Right now, pcom is top on my list b/c of cost & location...but wvsom has amazing facilites, and western's curriculum is a standout...

any thoughts???

thanks!!!

You may want to check out a thread which is I think in the Osteopathic section and is titled "Pros/Cons of your DO school" - you may get a good sense of what each school's strengths and weakenesses are.
 
Forget WVSOM... it is too damn expensive. PCOM has awesome facilities as well with a lot of technology, a lot of that promoting your own autonomy and control over your medical education. PCOM offers a ton of electives allowing you to really get out and make an informed residency decision. Philadelphia is a medical mecca allowing abundant opportunities. You can't go wrong with PCOM.

I know nothing about Western.
 
Any one still waiting to here back from PCOM for interviews or acceptances? I have been waiting on an interview notification for 4 weeks now, maybe i'll here back soon. I have spoken to some students about the adcom and they said the committee is behind by 6-8 weeks on reviewing apps. Sigh... Hurry PCOM!
 
The problem I never thought I'd have...I've been accepted to too many schools and now I can't decide (with the large deposits looming)....looking for advice abt your perception of the schools if you visited (pcom, western, wvsom).

Right now, pcom is top on my list b/c of cost & location...but wvsom has amazing facilites, and western's curriculum is a standout...

any thoughts???

thanks!!!


You can't go wrong with any of the 3 schools. You just have to figure out where you see yourself and can grow the most at.
 
Did any one have any luck with getting a waiver for the dean's letter? I have been complete for months except my UG school in India is not sending this letter no matter how many times I ask (I know, lame!). Is withdrawing my only option?
Thanks!
 
Any one still waiting to here back from PCOM for interviews or acceptances? I have been waiting on an interview notification for 4 weeks now, maybe i'll here back soon. I have spoken to some students about the adcom and they said the committee is behind by 6-8 weeks on reviewing apps. Sigh... Hurry PCOM!


cochan im waiting as welllll

i wanna hear back from PCOMMMMM mannnn
 
Is PCOM supposed to send you a letter or email when your application is complete? Is there anywhere to check your status?

I didn't get anything, no email or letter or phone call. I called in several times and eventually found out i was complete a few weeks after sending in my app.
I did get an interview a few months after I turned in my app.
 
Anyone send out letters of interest yet? Since they were delayed in recieving my mcat scores for a month, I've been complete with PCOM since about 10/25 or so. I'm gonna be sending my fall semester grades once I get the last one (really good semester on the first six grades). Shoulld I send a letter as well? Will PCOM even read it?
 
I was accepted to WVSOM back in November but my top choice has been PCOM and I'm still hoping to hear back from them. Have they slowed down on offering interviews or not/filled the class of 2013 yet? It seems like they are a bit behind on reviewing applications from what I have read on the forum. Has anyone heard anything?!
 
Did any one have any luck with getting a waiver for the dean's letter? I have been complete for months except my UG school in India is not sending this letter no matter how many times I ask (I know, lame!). Is withdrawing my only option?
Thanks!

Deepa100,

My UG is from India as well. I got a letter from my Premed Committee at Penn State (where I took several premed prereq courses) and that was sufficient for PCOM. I did not have to do that whole Dean's letter thing. PCOM was okay with it and they waived that requirement for me. I am interviewing with them in a week. Hope this helps. Good luck!
 
Well, I just sent a very hard e-mail to the admin office and gave up my interview spot. So, hopefully one of you will be able to slide in on Feb. 4th. Good luck to everyone!
 
does it really take 8 weeks for them to process an application? i submitted my application 11/30

My application has been complete since mid-November. I called the admissions office and was told that I was complete, but they didn't give me any further information. But still no word on an interview...
 
For anyone that has had an interview already:

Does the admissions office or email service ever send out an email providing you with the specific time of your interview? I received the initial invite and confirmation only. I am traveling that morning, therefore I would like to know if and when you were provided with this information.
 
For anyone that has had an interview already:

Does the admissions office or email service ever send out an email providing you with the specific time of your interview? I received the initial invite and confirmation only. I am traveling that morning, therefore I would like to know if and when you were provided with this information.

This is the email that I got:

An important step in our admissions process is a personal interview with the Faculty Committee on Admissions. It is my pleasure to invite you to meet with members of our Committee on Wednesday, October 1, 2008.

When you arrive on campus, please check in at the Office of Admissions located on the first floor of Evans Hall after signing in at the Security Desk. You are encouraged to arrive by 8:00 a.m. We invite you to join the other applicants and a member of our Administration or Faculty for breakfast at 8:15 a.m. Your actual interview with the Faculty Committee on Admissions will be during the morning. During the morning, you are welcome to sit in on first or second year class lectures. At 12:00 noon, there will be a tour of PCOM's campus given by one of our students which will last about forty-five minutes.

Please respond directly to this email as soon as possible, so that we may confirm your visit.

Directions to campus can be found on our website:
http://www.pcom.edu/General_Information/Directions_to_Campus/directions_to_campus.html.
You may park in the garage located on our campus.

Here is additional information to assist with your travels to PCOM should you require hotel accommodations. Make sure you let them know you are visiting PCOM. (1) The Hilton Hotel, 4200 City Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 19131. The telephone number is (215) 879-3399. (2) Crowne Plaza-Philadelphia Main Line, 4100 Presidential Boulevard, Philadelphia, PA 19131. The telephone number is (215) 220-6411.

If there is inclement weather please be sure to call our weather emergency number at (215)871-6699 after 6 a.m. on the day of the scheduled interview. If the college is open for business, interviews will be held.

We appreciate your interest in Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine and look forward to meeting you at your interview.

Sincerely,

Deborah A. Benvenger
Director of Admissions
********************************************************
PCOM, including its employees faculty and students,
assume no responsibility for consequences resulting
from the information contained in this email.
PCOM is not responsible for and expressly disclaims all
liability for damages of any kind arising from the content
of this email and/or its attachments. This email and any
files transmitted with it are confidential and intended
solely for the use of the individual or entity to whom they are
addressed. If you have received this email in error
please notify your system manager.


You have breakfast with them in the morning and then you just sit around until around noon where they give you a tour. They tell you the order in which your particular interview group will conduct interviews so that you will be back in the room when they call your name. Interviews normally last around half an hour. I hope this answers your question. Good luck!
 
i'm withdrawing from my interview scheduled for feb 9th
so that date is up for grabs to anyone who wants it
 
Last edited:
Top