PCOM Discussion thread 2008-2009

[cliquesh]

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Hey Bacchus,

Would you go to UMDNJ if you got in? I don't know if you are a NJ resident, but i heard its really easy to get instate-tution your second year if you're not. 23-25k a year would be nice instead of 37k.

 

[Bacchus]

Hey Bacchus,

Would you go to UMDNJ if you got in? I don't know if you are a NJ resident, but i heard its really easy to get instate-tution your second year if you're not. 23-25k a year would be nice instead of 37k.

No. Probably not. I'll reduce my debt (not to the cost of UMDNJ) by living frivously while in med school 😉. Done it the past 4 years in Philly, should be able to continue. Still, getting out with $200,000-225,000 isn't as painful as other schools.

 

[cliquesh]

Where did you get this number?

From that chart I posted. I took the n/.74 value for 2008 and divided by 260, which i think is the size of PCOM's class.

 

[MossPoh]

I'm STILL waiting for my "you're complete" letter.

I submitted my secondary in Sept, and they had no issues with cashing my check. Yet they act like I'm the biggest pain in the neck, ever, when I call and check on things (we're talking <5 phone calls total here, it's not like I call every day). And every time I call I get told something different regarding whether or not certain things are in my file.

I'm getting a wee bit frustrated because I'm seeing people less qualified than me get interviews there, and I'm wondering what the heck the problem is. No offense to the accepted peeps, congrats (honest), but I don't get why I keep being overlooked. Even my DO letter is from a PCOM grad!

I feel like we're in the same boat. I knew that not being from PA/NJ area might hurt me a bit but this is just frustrating! I went to school in PA and would like to return to where the bulk of my friends are. This was my second time calling and it wasn't like I was asking her to jump through a ring of fire. I was just trying to figure out whether I should give up hope or what.

 

[cliquesh]

Wow, I'm blind, and not paying attention at all.

From another source, in 2007, for example, 1267 (40% of the class of 2007) graduates and previous graduates participated and matched in the American Osteopathic Association. But when you include post-Match scramble data, the number of osteopathic graduates and previous graduates in AOA-approved internship positions rose to 1663 ( 53% of the class of 2007) .

So in the end, 53% of DO students ended up in AOA-training, despite the fact that only 40% wanted to.

 

[cliquesh]

Anyone know the average stats for PCOM students? On their website, it says for the class of 2004 "The average class GPA was 3.38, the science GPA was 3.45 and the mean MCAT score was 24." Is that what it is now? I think CCOM has a 3.6 GPA and 27/28 average.

 

[JonnyG]

Wow, I'm blind, and not paying attention at all.

From another source, in 2007, for example, 1267 (40% of the class of 2007) graduates and previous graduates participated and matched in the American Osteopathic Association. But when you include post-Match scramble data, the number of osteopathic graduates and previous graduates in AOA-approved internship positions rose to 1663 ( 53% of the class of 2007) .

So in the end, 53% of DO students ended up in AOA-training, despite the fact that only 40% wanted to.

Alot of people focus on getting their main residency and then scramble into an AOA internship. It doesnt mean they didnt want to train DO they just didnt bother to apply till later. For instance half of anesthesia programs are 4 years the others are 1 + 3 years. So a person cannot apply for an AOA internshoip unless they wont to be taken out of consideration for the 4 year programs.

Also, take the USMLE in some ways its an easier test then the comlex

 

[udsoccer7]

Anyone know the average stats for PCOM students? On their website, it says for the class of 2004 "The average class GPA was 3.38, the science GPA was 3.45 and the mean MCAT score was 24." Is that what it is now? I think CCOM has a 3.6 GPA and 27/28 average.

Its a lot higher now. Probably comparable to CCOMs.

 

[Bacchus]

I got in with a 3.47sci, 3.51overall, and 29Q.

 

[rugger14]

does anyone know what type of bored prep PCOM helps you with? Obviosuly you have to know your ****, but I know some schools have classes like kaplan that have been implemented...

 

[Bacchus]

.

 

[cliquesh]

you know how many weeks we get to study for it? Step I, I mean.

 

[bigyihoroi]

Got an interview invite as well! I am sooooooooo happy! I was complete since 9/30 and just assumed I would never hear from them. I'm kind of worried that interviewing in February is too late, but I guess all I can do is stay positive right now! PCOM is one of my absolute top choicesssss! Congrats to everyone who received one as well 🙂

I think early Feb is still not too late. Let think about it. Last year they accept about 267 students. PCOM started interviewing people during the last week of september. According to what the admission dean at PCOM told us on my interview day, she said that they only interview 5 to 6 people each day and they only conduct interviews twice a week. So that's roughly 12 interviewees per week. By the time it's early feburary, (excluding the two weeks of christmas and new year) they had gone through about 18 weeks of interviews. Assuming everyone get accepted post-interview and everyone sent in their deposits, they should have accepted roughly 216 students by then. So for a class of almost 270 students, feb interviews shouldn't be too late. ***note: i would say less than 216 seats taken because I did not include those who withdrew and rejected post-interview. Also, note that most medical schools tend to accept more students than the available seats because they know that there's always a certain % of people will withdraw after April.

 

[Bacchus]

you know how many weeks we get to study for it? Step I, I mean.

See Jonny's post.

 

[JonnyG]

Its up to the students, iirc.

sometimes you shouldnt answer when your not attending yet. Last year PCOM provided a week long course with Goljian who is one of the gods of pathology. The class was free. He was based at the Georgia school and live cast to philly. I do not know if they plan to do this again this year but it shows the school is addressing board prep. Also you have five weeks off before rotations and before that begining in late feb you have a class schedule thatis insanely easy and designed for you to study.

 

[cliquesh]

That sound great, Johny. Thanks.

I've become addicted to SDN if anyone hasn't noticed.

 

[Bacchus]

sometimes you shouldnt answer when your not attending yet. Last year PCOM provided a week long course with Goljian who is one of the gods of pathology. The class was free. He was based at the Georgia school and live cast to philly. I do not know if they plan to do this again this year but it shows the school is addressing board prep. Also you have five weeks off before rotations and before that begining in late feb you have a class schedule thatis insanely easy and designed for you to study.

Jonny, I was just going off of what I was told. I was told most do Board Bootcamp, but that there wasn't a program. Its great there is.

 

[tallgal0523]

I think early Feb is still not too late. Let think about it. Last year they accept about 267 students. PCOM started interviewing people during the last week of september. According to what the admission dean at PCOM told us on my interview day, she said that they only interview 5 to 6 people each day and they only conduct interviews twice a week. So that's roughly 12 interviewees per week. By the time it's early feburary, (excluding the two weeks of christmas and new year) they had gone through about 18 weeks of interviews. Assuming everyone get accepted post-interview and everyone sent in their deposits, they should have accepted roughly 216 students by then. So for a class of almost 270 students, feb interviews shouldn't be too late. ***note: i would say less than 216 seats taken because I did not include those who withdrew and rejected post-interview. Also, note that most medical schools tend to accept more students than the available seats because they know that there's always a certain % of people will withdraw after April.

There were 16 people at my interview and I asked how many people had been interviewed thus far and they told me over 200...that was Nov. 19th. I don't think February is too late because they told me that they interview about 700 people.

 

[Bacchus]

For those concerned about interviewing late, being accepted from a February interview is possible. My friend interviewed in March and is now a 1st year at PCOM. Don't come off neurotic at the interview and don't seem desperate. More than likely, by February you will have an acceptance elsewhere so don't let the interview stress you out. Go in there confident and knock it out of the water.

 

[bigyihoroi]

There were 16 people at my interview and I asked how many people had been interviewed thus far and they told me over 200...that was Nov. 19th. I don't think February is too late because they told me that they interview about 700 people.

Wow. Really!!! You had 16 interviewing on the same day. Dang. That must have been a long day for you huh. Well, at least the 700 people part will be good news for those interviewing late.

 

[smooch01]

After receiving the interview invite for the 26th this past Friday, I responded that I could attend. Do they now send you another confirmation email with an exact time of the interview?

 

[Bacchus]

After receiving the interview invite for the 26th this past Friday, I responded that I could attend. Do they now send you another confirmation email with an exact time of the interview?

I got one:

Thank you for confirming your interview. We look forward to meeting you [was all it said].

 

[BirenJ]

Come on PCOM! Show me some love!

I have been complete since beginning of Nov. I sent an email inquiring about my status and they replied a month later telling me I was complete. I guess they're just really busy with applications.

PA resident, above average MCAT, average GPA, good EC's, and a solid background.

Anyone else in the same boat?

Also, with the holidays coming up, should I expect to NOT hear from PCOM until mid January about any interview invites?

 

[Chuck's Right Foot]

Come on PCOM! Show me some love!

I have been complete since beginning of Nov. I sent an email inquiring about my status and they replied a month later telling me I was complete. I guess they're just really busy with applications.

PA resident, above average MCAT, average GPA, good EC's, and a solid background.

Anyone else in the same boat?

Also, with the holidays coming up, should I expect to NOT hear from PCOM until mid January about any interview invites?

I was complete in September with above average stats and just got an invite. For some reason, I don't think residency helps at PCOM... is that true anyone?

 

[Bacchus]

I don't think Pennsylvania residency is a make or break deal. At the luncheon I sat with a VA native, a CT native, and a MI native.

 

[engineeredout]

I'm STILL waiting for my "you're complete" letter.

I submitted my secondary in Sept, and they had no issues with cashing my check. Yet they act like I'm the biggest pain in the neck, ever, when I call and check on things (we're talking <5 phone calls total here, it's not like I call every day). And every time I call I get told something different regarding whether or not certain things are in my file.

I'm getting a wee bit frustrated because I'm seeing people less qualified than me get interviews there, and I'm wondering what the heck the problem is. No offense to the accepted peeps, congrats (honest), but I don't get why I keep being overlooked. Even my DO letter is from a PCOM grad!

I never got a you're complete letter. I didn't even find out they never got my MCAT scores like every other school until I called. They say now that I'm complete (called today) but they can't tell me anything other than my application has been handed off to the committee and they can hold it until March if they so desire.

Hopefully all the frustration will turn into something good .

 

[tallgal0523]

I don't think Pennsylvania residency is a make or break deal. At the luncheon I sat with a VA native, a CT native, and a MI native.

Yeah, I agree. I'm from Oklahoma.

 

[MossPoh]

PA isn't make or break. It just helps. PA residents get the shaft at most of their other medical schools, so it is good that one gives a slight nod to them.

 

[rajaholick]

i think pcom is getting too many applications for their admissions to handle
i was complete in late mid october and got an interview invite yesterday for early feb...

 

[nevinleiby]

Wow...I wish I could break this dry spell....

I've gotten interviews at all of the other DO schools that I applied to (AZCOM, DMU, LECOM-Erie, LECOM-Bradenton, NSU, and even KCUMB...I didn't even submit a secondary to KCUMB😀) except for CCOM and PCOM-PA/GA 🙁

Submitted secondary about ~10/30/08, primary 9/1/08-ish. 2 of my LOR's were from PCOM'ers, and I shadowed someone who does guest OMM lectures down there.

How much of a deal is it with a 9/7P/10 (26P) p/v/b with a 3.80 and 3.96 post-bacc? Life-time PA resident of 29 years, going on 45-55 with experience

Come on PCOM...show me a little love for the holidays!!

 

[235750]

Quick question for any of you who interviewed this week or last week (anytime between the 1st and the 9th): when is the admissions committee meeting again? I forgot to write it down and I want to know when to start checking my mail.

Thanks!

 

[AMEHigh]

Wow...I wish I could break this dry spell....

I've gotten interviews at all of the other DO schools that I applied to (AZCOM, DMU, LECOM-Erie, LECOM-Bradenton, NSU, and even KCUMB...I didn't even submit a secondary to KCUMB😀) except for CCOM and PCOM-PA/GA 🙁

Submitted secondary about ~10/30/08, primary 9/1/08-ish. 2 of my LOR's were from PCOM'ers, and I shadowed someone who does guest OMM lectures down there.

How much of a deal is it with a 9/7P/10 (26P) p/v/b with a 3.80 and 3.96 post-bacc? Life-time PA resident of 29 years, going on 45-55 with experience

Come on PCOM...show me a little love for the holidays!!

Going on the mcat alone, I don't think you're score is that huge of a deal. I have a lower mcat and I've been accepted.

 

[AMEHigh]

There were 16 people at my interview and I asked how many people had been interviewed thus far and they told me over 200...that was Nov. 19th. I don't think February is too late because they told me that they interview about 700 people.

There were about 13 people at my interview.

 

[235750]

I was complete Oct. 7th, and still no word on an interview. Worst part about it, I have to let LECOM know what I'm doing by Dec. 15th. There's no way I will know if I'm accepted to PCOM by then, so it looks like I'm just going to pay the $1500 deposit to LECOM. PCOM is my #1 choice, so if I get accepted after this date, then I've decided that it's worth it to lose the $1500 to be happier at my top choice. It'd would be really nice though to use this money to go to the Rose Bowl and see Penn State whoop the Pac-10 team.

I'm in the same situation...about LECOM and PCOM that is. I don't want to spend the money on going to the super bowl!

Does anyone know the next day the admissions people are meeting?

 

[rugger14]

sent in my deposit yesterday! Same day as I get a call for A VCOM interview haha. VCOM was another top choice...maybe I should just stick with PCOM or maybe I should go check out VCOM for myself?

 

[mrjay]

hi guys - about to send in my deposit.....🙂 i'm looking at the pcom match list for 2008 - it only accounts for about 130 students - what does this mean?, it can't represent the % of grads actually matching. calling choc bear (ur posts are truly helpful) - do you know where we can find % of grads matching for any do school? also, still can't find comlex pass rates for pcom - i know it's not crucial info, but i would just like to know...

 

[cliquesh]

I'm pretty sure it accounts for everyone, but instead of writing down jefferson, jefferson, jefferson because three people went to Jefferson for Internal medicine, they just write Jefferson (3). So when you add it all up, it comes out to be 260 or something.

 

[JonnyG]

There isnt a huge amount of pcom students who have to scramble. I was told in the past that the allopathic matches have to self report their results to the school which would account for the missing numbers. I will find out later this year if its true

 

[tallgal0523]

hi guys - about to send in my deposit.....🙂 i'm looking at the pcom match list for 2008 - it only accounts for about 130 students - what does this mean?, it can't represent the % of grads actually matching. calling choc bear (ur posts are truly helpful) - do you know where we can find % of grads matching for any do school? also, still can't find comlex pass rates for pcom - i know it's not crucial info, but i would just like to know...

I was told at my interview that some students do not say where they matched at. That list is only students that told PCOM what specialty they are going into and where they are doing their residency at. My interviewer also said that the complex pass rate was around mid 90%. I don't know if that is for first time test takers.

 

[235750]

I JUST GOT ACCEPTED!! Anyone else get an email from Deborah Benvenger?

Oh yes!!!! Can't wait to see you all at PCOM!!!

 

[khen7513]

Oh my gosh! I got accepted tooo!!! Check your freaking spam!!!

 

[becool5]

I got accepted too!!!!!! I can't believe it. I was expecting to wait weeks. 😀

 

[Bacchus]

Congrats!!

 

[rugger14]

yeah, congrats everyone! this is so exciting😀

 

[jones2109]

they said it takes 2 weeks to process your secondary. after that how long does it take to hand out interviews?

congrats to all those accepted!!

 

[matlabsux]

they said it takes 2 weeks to process your secondary. after that how long does it take to hand out interviews?

I was told it can take up to 2 months after being complete to hear about an interview. I was complete 10/20 and still have not heard yet. You can call admiss and ask if your file has been reviewed. I called on 11/22 and my file still had not been reviewed.

 

[Semicolon]

Yes, PCOM seems to be incredibly slow with this whole process (not that much of a surprise, but still).

After being complete at most schools for almost 2 months now, PCOM just sent me an email stating that they do not have my letters of recommendation. This is after I called AND emailed them telling them that all of my LORs are being sent through VirtualEvals a month ago.

A bit slow.

 

[udsoccer7]

Yes, PCOM seems to be incredibly slow with this whole process (not that much of a surprise, but still).

After being complete at most schools for almost 2 months now, PCOM just sent me an email stating that they do not have my letters of recommendation. This is after I called AND emailed them telling them that all of my LORs are being sent through VirtualEvals a month ago.

A bit slow.

Hi Guys,

I'm not sure this will help with your frustration, but hopefully make you a little more empathetic to the process and not develop a negative feeling towards PCOM. The school receives well over 5,000 applications per cycle. More than any other DO medical school in the nation. Receiving applications, reading all of them, and then making decisions on them is a long, time consuming process.

I remember clearly the position you are in. Very anxious and nervous about your future. Stay calm, patient, and kind when calling the school. They deal with overwhelmed hopeful medical students all day long.

Best of luck to all of you. If you have any questions about the school, don't hesitate to ask.

 

[Semicolon]

Hi Guys,

I'm not sure this will help with your frustration, but hopefully make you a little more empathetic to the process and not develop a negative feeling towards PCOM. The school receives well over 5,000 applications per cycle. More than any other DO medical school in the nation. Receiving applications, reading all of them, and then making decisions on them is a long, time consuming process.

I remember clearly the position you are in. Very anxious and nervous about your future. Stay calm, patient, and kind when calling the school. They deal with overwhelmed hopeful medical students all day long.

Best of luck to all of you. If you have any questions about the school, don't hesitate to ask.

Oh, I've developed no animosity towards the school. I know full well that they must have a good reason to be this slow. 🙂

It is, after all, in their best interest to go through the applications.

Personally, I don't mind because I've already gotten into my first choice. I guess I should tell them to withdraw my application so as to not waste another applicant's time. 😛

 

[dangit]

nm