PCOM Discussion thread 2008-2009

[deutsche106]

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One quick question, does PCOM Philly send interview invite by e-mail or snail mail? thank you!🙂

 

[Chocolate Bear]

One quick question, does PCOM Philly send interview invite by e-mail or snail mail? thank you!🙂

Email

 

[Bleurberry]

MCAT scores came in today, so I will be crossing my fingers for an invitation soon.

I've spent the last 2 years getting to know PCOM, up close and from a distance, and it is the number one choice for me. Hazelton knows what I'm talking about.

 

[NTF]

So here's my situtation.

Got email interview invite on 9/12 for 10/6. Couldn't make it that date. I emailed them a schedule change request on 9/12. I also called on 9/12 and talked to someone and rescheduled my interview for 10/13. Couple days later I get an email responding to my email to call if I want to reschedule my interview. I figure it's either an automated email or just a lag in communication between parties on their end. I mean I called and rescheduled, right? Well last friday I get another, "this in response to your email for a schedule change request" email. So I call. A new person I talk to says they never had me rescheduled for 10/13. They have me scheduled for 10/6. Which is weird because the person I talked to said "Now, I want to be clear, if you change to 10/13 you can't change it again." and I said, "of course, I will definitely be their 10/13." So this new person says she has to get the scheduling person to call me back on Monday.
Scheduling person calls on Monday. I explain the whole situation. She does not sound pleased with me. She seems irritated that I didn't answer the earlier emails. I try to explain that I thought they were automated emails that happened after I just had called to reschedule. She doesn't seem to like that explanation. She asks me who I talked to when I rescheduled. I don't remember. I ask her where we go from here. She says we reschedule. I say ok. (don't dare bring up that I already have a plane ticket to philly) She says 10/13 is very inconvenient for them now and says 10/22 is open. I tell her my work schedule comes out this week and I'll be able to reschedule then. She says wait, she'll talk to the Director of Admissions and see if they can fit me in on 10/13. Puts me on hold for some tense moments. Comes back on the phone. Still seems irritated with me, but says "because we don't know exactly what happened, we're going to fit you in on 10/13." I thank her profusely. She hangs up.

Whole thing kind of makes me sick to my stomach.

Makes me wonder if my chances of getting in at this point are none to zilch. (I get the impression that they think I messed this up in some way or I'm pulling a fast one somehow.)

MORAL for the rest of my interviews and for the rest of you:
1. Answer every email even if it seems like you already took care of it.
2. Always ask the name of every person you talk to at admissions, even if its just to thank them. (but also so you can get them to verify conversations you had.)
3. Make sure your interviews are confirmed via email or snail mail well before you arrive.

 

[Chocolate Bear]

Wow, Fogie, what a whole bunch of nonsense. I would be surprised if it affected your chances, though. Stay strong! 👍

 

[Bacchus]

You'll realize that things do happen. When you get on campus your fear will go away. Interview to the best of your ability.

 

[NTF]

Thanks for the encouragement chocolatebear and bacchus. I'll get over it and roll with it.

 

[Bacchus]

They'll love you. I'm sure you have a lot of life experience to back up your handle on here. You driving into Philly or flying in? If you need to know anything about the city let me know, I'll try to help out!

 

[FutureDR09]

Hey. I noticed some stats for Applicants, Interviewed, Acceptance, and Admission for PCOM, but I was wondering if anyone had some stats for the Ga-campus PCOM. Interview in 6 days! Super excited! Thanks for the help!

 

[Jwalker9]

Hey. I noticed some stats for Applicants, Interviewed, Acceptance, and Admission for PCOM, but I was wondering if anyone had some stats for the Ga-campus PCOM. Interview in 6 days! Super excited! Thanks for the help!

The word here for this class was something around 3.4-3.5 and 25ish MCAT. It may be a little higher or lower, but if you are in that window youve got a chance. Good luck on your interview, you will be on the first day, so thats pretty cool. Us first years have a our second big test day at 1 that afternoon, so we may be scarce to answer questions, but if you see us in the morning, feel free to grab someone and ask. My advice is to not worry too much about it, the interviews are low-key and they arent going to ask you any real hard questions, they just want to know more about you.

 

[matlabsux]

So I finally get the courage to call pcom after hearing nothing almost 3 weeks after (I thought) being complete. Turns out my LOR was lost and PCOM was not going to tell me about it until I called. Hoepfully I'll still get an interview but it's annoying now I'll be almost 1 month behind where I should be. this happen to anyone else?

good luck to all those interviewing so far!

 

[Bleurberry]

So I finally get the courage to call pcom after hearing nothing almost 3 weeks after (I thought) being complete. Turns out my LOR was lost and PCOM was not going to tell me about it until I called. Hoepfully I'll still get an interview but it's annoying now I'll be almost 1 month behind where I should be. this happen to anyone else?

good luck to all those interviewing so far!

Hey thanks for this post, turns out one of my letters was hidden away, too.
They corrected it immediately.

Cheers

 

[philonella]

the application asks about family members who graduated from PCOM. does anyone know if it actually has an effect, if you have relatives who are alumni? my paternal grandfather and both parents are all PCOM grads, so I'm curious...

 

[Bacchus]

I would put it down. Every school likes legacies.

 

[JonnyG]

the application asks about family members who graduated from PCOM. does anyone know if it actually has an effect, if you have relatives who are alumni? my paternal grandfather and both parents are all PCOM grads, so I'm curious...

there are a lot of kids at pcom running into buildings with their same last name............legacies play well at pcom (though u still have to have the stuff).

 

[DannMann99]

I would expect that would get you in...

I love how they have the various donor plaques throughout evans and rowland halls... i glanced them over and noticed quite a few people with the same last names who i expect are relatives.

plus its rightly so.

 

[philonella]

Good to know. Thanks. 🙂

 

[DrKendrickLamar]

My primary was completed a couple weeks back. Does PCOM send the secondary by email? Or what?

 

[Bacchus]

Secondaries are by postal mail. It went to my PERMANENT, not current, address.

 

[DrKendrickLamar]

does PCOM send their secondary after reviewing the primaries? Or do i just start filling out their secondary? thanks

 

[medready]

How soon after getting the complete letter will I have to wait before I hear their interview/rejection response?

 

[Animus]

How soon after getting the complete letter will I have to wait before I hear their interview/rejection response?

Just depends, no one could give you that answer. Somewhere between 2 weeks and 4 months, does that help?

 

[JonnyG]

How soon after getting the complete letter will I have to wait before I hear their interview/rejection response?

PCOM doesnt reject till the end of intewrview season they willconstantly review applications as the time goes on to see about interviews. Yes it suxs to wait but it still gives youa chance

 

[Bacchus]

How are acceptances given out? I'd hate to have my parents open a letter at my permanent address and read it over the phone.

 

[PipiChen]

A question:

PCOM requires a recommendation from premed committee of the sch but Emory does not have one and then PCOM talks about LOR from the Dean, but how can I request a letter from the Dean whom I have no prior experience with??? Thanks 🙂

 

[Animus]

How are acceptances given out? I'd hate to have my parents open a letter at my permanent address and read it over the phone.

They are snailed also, at least they were when I was accepted. So your nightmare is probably reality unless you tell them to forward it to you or go get it.

 

[Animus]

A question:

PCOM requires a recommendation from premed committee of the sch but Emory does not have one and then PCOM talks about LOR from the Dean, but how can I request a letter from the Dean whom I have no prior experience with??? Thanks 🙂

Do you mean they talk about one or the other? I am not sure of the exact question, as for the Dean part. What I would do is ask a professor you are close with to write a Rec and give it to the Dean who will then write one based on the prior recommendation of the Prof you actually know. Sounds like the easiest/best way to go about it. Just let them know the situation, Prof and Deans know about these things and understand what they have to do.

 

[PipiChen]

Do you mean they talk about one or the other? I am not sure of the exact question, as for the Dean part. What I would do is ask a professor you are close with to write a Rec and give it to the Dean who will then write one based on the prior recommendation of the Prof you actually know. Sounds like the easiest/best way to go about it. Just let them know the situation, Prof and Deans know about these things and understand what they have to do.

Hi thanks for the advice. All 5 LOR writers all had letters in to the career ctr. Emory utilizes a packet LOR service. I nv heard of a Dean writing any recommendation for a student unless, of course, they took a class under him. PCOM specifies that individual letters do not satisfy the committeee letter requirement therefore I am not sure what should I do in this situation.

"Applicants are required to submit a letter of recommendation from the premedical committee or premedical advisor of the undergraduate college that grants or will grant a bachelor's degree, regardless of your academic major, course of study or graduation. If that is not possible, a letter from your academic advisor or Dean of the same institution may substitute. Another letter of recommendation, preferably from an osteopathic physician, is strongly suggested but is not required."

 

[Live4Life]

Is PCOM friendly to people who call to find out if their application has been received?

 

[DO Sigma Nu guy]

A question:

PCOM requires a recommendation from premed committee of the sch but Emory does not have one and then PCOM talks about LOR from the Dean, but how can I request a letter from the Dean whom I have no prior experience with??? Thanks 🙂

The only thing you need the DEAN to write in the letter is..."Mr. ___ attended X university during 2005-200X and was in good academic standing."

Signature. Then you are done.

 

[Chocolate Bear]

Is PCOM friendly to people who call to find out if their application has been received?

Yeah, they're fine. A bit disorganized at times, but you should be able to get some info.

 

[phillybum]

Out of curiosity...anyone have an interview on Nov 20th? I have a feeling its gonna be too late in the game for strong consideration as spots fill up. 😕

 

[udsoccer7]

You'll be fine. I didn't interview until the end of January. Its too early to be thinking that way, for any school really.

 

[JonnyG]

You'll be fine. I didn't interview until the end of January. Its too early to be thinking that way, for any school really.

interviews end in march

 

[catchburns]

A question:

PCOM requires a recommendation from premed committee of the sch but Emory does not have one and then PCOM talks about LOR from the Dean, but how can I request a letter from the Dean whom I have no prior experience with??? Thanks 🙂

I just took a resume into my Dean and basically explained the situation - that I needed a letter from him because our school has no committee. He was more than happy to write me a letter based on my resume. Of course it won't be extremely personal but there is no reason they can't write a letter based on your academic performance.

 

[catchburns]

PCOM doesnt reject till the end of intewrview season they willconstantly review applications as the time goes on to see about interviews. Yes it suxs to wait but it still gives youa chance

That's good to know. Thanks.

 

[khen7513]

So, if this wasn't known already, PCOM is rather slow, but helpful!.

I called on Friday, to see if one of my LOR's was in, and she looked on the computer and said it wasn't listed. I was going to thank her, and say goodbye, but she was like, "let me go into your individual file in the other room and see" And she got back on the phone and listed me everything, including the names all my LORS. Turns out I was complete 3 weeks ago and it was in, just not listed. So either she was bored, or just real nice.

Then, on Saturday, I got the snail mail saying I was finally complete. Really? Cuz I found out the day before that that happened weeks ago.

 

[MJ2008]

To all PCOM lovers, I'm contemplating rescheduling my interview there that is scheduled for 10/27. This is my first year applying, I know its not a good idea to push back an interview at a competitive school, but these are the reasons I'm considering:

1. I have had 7 offeres, and 4 other interviews scheduled that have all been within a month, which have been pretty pricey collectivley.

2. I am working full time and taking 2 classes, so its hard to travel without falling behind.

Should I risk rejection and rescehdule for a less hectic time in my life? Or should I bite the bullet and just go?

Oh and if anyone (preferably female) has an extra room/couch they want to rent out- I'm totally willing to save some $$, so pm me if you do.

 

[rajaholick]

So, if this wasn't known already, PCOM is rather slow, but helpful!.

I just got off the phone with PCOM. I turned in my application 3 weeks ago and it still hasn't been processed. She basically said they take 3-4 weeks to update their files...so i'm waiting...
Maybe I'll call back later this week and have her physically check my file instead of just on the computer...

 

[whateva07]

I have not gotten a secondary from them......Its making me scurrreeddd

 

[matlabsux]

For those of you submitting LOR from a dean or advisor make sure that in the body of your letter, the person mentions they are/were your dean/advisor explicitly. Apparently having the individuals title on the letterhead and in the signatory information is not enoguh to clue in the admissions committee.

 

[johnniewalker11]

.

 

[Chocolate Bear]

Is it too late for me to add PCOM to my schools? I'm already verified.

Nope. Go for it!

 

[Bacchus]

For those of you submitting LOR from a dean or advisor make sure that in the body of your letter, the person mentions they are/were your dean/advisor explicitly. Apparently having the individuals title on the letterhead and in the signatory information is not enoguh to clue in the admissions committee.

Once they start assuming the poo will hit the fan.

 

[NTF]

Just got into OUCOM so I'm withdrawing my app from PCOM (can't turn down instate tuition and OUCOM is a pretty sweet school). My interview was scheduled for 10/13, I'm gonna cancel it tommorow so if anyone is jonesin to interview earlier you may be able to take my spot.

Good luck to everyone! Sorry I won't see you there.

 

[bohica10]

anyone know when the committee is meeting again...i heard PCOM meets less than most schools which is why im curious

 

[Bacchus]

🙁 If you can relocate I'd definitely check it out. You have airfare already, don't you?

 

[Bacchus]

anyone know when the committee is meeting again...i heard PCOM meets less than most schools which is why im curious

I interviewed the 24th and was told probably shortly after the 20th I would find out.

 

[khen7513]

Interview! F***in interview! the 1st!

 

[khen7513]

I just got off the phone with PCOM. I turned in my application 3 weeks ago and it still hasn't been processed. She basically said they take 3-4 weeks to update their files...so i'm waiting...
Maybe I'll call back later this week and have her physically check my file instead of just on the computer...

Yeah, and if she seems hesitant, you should be like "Listen, I don't know if you know this, But I'm kinda a big deal....."