PCOM Fall 2008

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ss77ice

ss77ice
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Hi guys, I just got into the PCOM biomedical masters program. Has anyone heard anything from PCOM?
 
by the way,

is anyone going to the open house this Wednesday March 5th in Philly?
 
Did you mean the actual master's program, or the certificate (post-bacc.) program? And whichever it is, when did you apply? I applied in November and haven't heard anything from them as of yet. Thanks!!
 
I got into the certificate program but turned it down.. hopefully this opens up another spot for all of you! I was complete in December and heard back maybe 2 weeks ago.
 
DocShow:

I got into the certificate of grad study in biomedical sciences. Everyone who applies has to do this 1 year certificate, and if you want to stay another year, you will get the masters in biomedical sciences. I finished my application around Mid January 2008. I heard from this last week.

If you still haven't heard back, i would call and find out if any thing is missing.

Good luck
 
I was actually in contact with the assistant director of admissions to the medical school before I sent off my app. She was quite helpful, but I haven't heard anything since then. I've gotten the letter saying that my application is complete, just no response after that. So I will call and check up on it. Thanks!
 
I was recently accepted into their program and I am very happy because it is my first acceptance. I have been trying to research the school but cant find much information on the website. Is this a program that will truly help my chances of matriculating into dental school? Also, any information in regards to the program would be appreciated. Thanks and good luck.
 
and predents attending PCOM in the fall?????
 
Does anyone know if the cert program lets you replace retake grades for admissions purposes like for their DO program?
 
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meccadent said:
and predents attending PCOM in the fall?????
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I'm predent and my app is just complete, so hopefully I'll hear from them soon. Are you for sure attending PCOM?
 
jlittlej said:
Does anyone know if the cert program lets you replace retake grades for admissions purposes like for their DO program?
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They average all the grades together, but they do take into account that you re-took courses. I was in the same situation and called them about it about a month ago.
 
rose786 said:
I'm predent and my app is just complete, so hopefully I'll hear from them soon. Are you for sure attending PCOM?
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Yes I'm most likely attending but there is still time for me to decide. I am sending in my deposit Monday. PM me if you want to talk about it.
 
meccadent said:
Yes I'm most likely attending but there is still time for me to decide. I am sending in my deposit Monday. PM me if you want to talk about it.
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Just curious, how long do they give you to decide and put down a deposit?
 
rose786 said:
Just curious, how long do they give you to decide and put down a deposit?
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not long!!! I got the acceptance on the 5th and its due this weds..so about 9 days
 
Does completion of the graduate sciences program get you guys admission into pcom or other DO schools?

So could someone graduate in may 09 and then matriculate into PCOM sept 09?
 
ratchet03 said:
Does completion of the graduate sciences program get you guys admission into pcom or other DO schools?

So could someone graduate in may 09 and then matriculate into PCOM sept 09?
Click to expand...


-)For Philadelphia, you need a 3.2 in the program and 8's on all sections of the MCAT for an interview. I don't think they have linkages with other DO schools but completing the program and doing well shows other DO schools that you can handle medical school type classes. So it will help you.

-)Yes you're correct. You don't have that lag year.
 
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buckeyegirl said:
-)For Philadelphia, you need a 3.2 in the program and 8's on all sections of the MCAT for an interview. I don't think they have linkages with other DO schools but completing the program and doing well shows other DO schools that you can handle medical school type classes. So it will help you.

-)Yes you're correct. You don't have that lag year.
Click to expand...

Have you heard of any pre-dents who took the PCOM course end up being stuck with the 'lag year' once completed?
 
Hey all. I'm just finishing up PCOM's post-bacc program. I opted to go for the second year and complete my Master's. As for the program, I have no complaints. Instructors are great, classes are challenging, and the environment is very supportive.

Concerning the interview, you are guaranteed an interview to their DO program just for being a certificate student. I don't know if they rules have changed though... I haven't heard anything about a 3.2 GPA or 8 across the board MCAT. (You do have to maintain a 3.0 to continue into the 2nd year Master's option if you wish) However, that being said, an interview does not guarantee an invitation to matriculate into their DO program. You have to go through the same grueling process as everyone else. But the interview is a huge step in the right direction given the number of applications PCOM receives every year.

The first year courses really boosted my GPA and I was much more prepared to take the MCAT 2nd time around. I was fortunate enough to have raised my stats enough to gain admission for Fall 2008. This is a do or die program (as is any post-bacc program). If you can prove you can handle the courseload, admissions will be impressed.

Best of luck to you all!
 
Thanks for the post, it was very helpful. In your time at PCOM, what was the largest class-size?
 
I believe we started with around 80 students in the program. We dwindled to about 60 by the end of the first year. All classes are held at night, are lecture-style (excluding labs), and include just the Biomeds. AKA, you won't be taking classes with any 1st years or other grad students at PCOM.
 
Scrubs4me,

Can you tell us about the Masters option? Do you complete the certificate and then reapply to do the MS? I know there are different options for the MS...I'm curious about the organizational leadership one.

Also, how difficult are the classes? Is getting all A's a real possibility? There doesn't seem to be too many credit hours for the certificate.
 
Hey Rose,

The first year certificate program is comprised of 29 credits (some courses are worth 7 credits due to labs). PCOM also runs on terms - Fall, Winter, and Spring. This means you're taking approximately 10 credits per term. Grad school is different from undergrad. It's not so much the credit load as it is the difficulty of the courses. The second year credits depend on which track you choose to take. (I presume they're about the same - I'm graduating with 50 altogether)

There are 3 Master's options for your second year: 1) Organization, Development & Leadership (ODL), 2) Forensics, and 3) Research.

1) The ODL track is more of a business approach to the structure and functions of organizations. Your classes range from the business of organizations, to team dynamics, to personal and professional development. Your classes are much smaller too (~12 students). This is a popular program for working adults looking to pursue their Master's in ODL. Hence, the students range from ages of 22 - 55. This is the option I chose to pursue and I'm graduating this summer with my Master's in Biomedical Science, with a concentration in ODL. I really enjoyed the program and highly recommend it to individuals that want to learn more about leadership and organizations. (Think owning a private practice someday)

2) The second option, Forensics, unfortunately I don't have much info about. I do know that to get a Master's from that program, you have to put in 2 additional years (3 altogether). It also involves some sort of Spring Internship (unpaid).

3) Research is research. You team up with a group of professors at PCOM who are already performing studies on certain topics. You pick one you like, do a proposal, write a thesis, etc. You have the chance here to be published. Like ODL, this should only be 1 additional year.

To get into any one of these 3 programs, you must maintain a 3.0 GPA your first year as a certificate student. At some point during your Spring term your first year, you apply to one of these 3 tracks. No new LOR's should be needed, it's a pretty seamless matriculation. The classes first year are very difficult, but it is possible to get all A's. Class usually runs 3 nights a week for 4 hours each night. I had a part-time job as a daytime waitress for 12 hours a week. The rest of the time, I spent studying or in anatomy lab. I had a life too, don't worry. But this program is meant to boost your GPA for medical school, so you really want to give it your all. (By the way, I did not receive all A's or anything - don't fret if you do poorly on one exam)

Hope this helps!
 
Thanks for all the great info! 🙂

Do most certificate students apply to med/dent school while in the program? Or do they wait until after the year is over? If there's a glide year, the masters sounds like an intriguing option.
 
I am wondering the same thing about the glide year. I am thinking about doing this program but I am concerned with having this glide year. In most other SMP's, it is almost a given that there will be a glide year (as their grades often times get to the dent/med schools too late in the process -- after their 1st semester). Being that this program has trimesters, does this mean the glide year is avoided?

Thanks in advance.
 
rose786 said:
Do most certificate students apply to med/dent school while in the program? Or do they wait until after the year is over? If there's a glide year, the masters sounds like an intriguing option.
Click to expand...

It's probably about 50/50 on who applies during first year. My grades from undergrad were really mediocre and I knew I didn't have a snowball's chance during my first year, regardless of how well I did. I waited until the second year, and had a Master's to fall back on in case things didn't work out. However, there certainly were people accepted their first year.

The glide year would have been unavoidable for me if it wasn't for this second year option. Unless you were barely borderline before starting the program, they're going to want a couple trimesters (if not all 3) before making a decision. Of course, if medical school is your dream and you don't have any preference on getting a Master's, I say go for it and apply this cycle. The worst they can say is "no," do the 2nd year, and reapply.
 
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so has anyone officially decided on PCOM for this fall????
 
Sorry guys, 3.2 and 8s on all sections are the average stats for PCOM's DO school, not for an interview.

Question--Does anyone know the acceptance rate of PCOM's cert.students to PCOM's medical school?

Thank you! 😀
 
has anyone else decided on PCOM for this fall????
 
meccadent said:
has anyone else decided on PCOM for this fall????
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I'm still waiting to hear back from PCOM. They want to see my MCAT scores, so I have to wait until they are released on May 20th.

I went to look at the campus and it's really nice there. Everything is fairly new. The student giving the tour was very nice and so were the students there. I really hope I can get in!!!
 
i have decided to go to pcom...im going to move in on the last week on July...i have yet to find a place to live..but i have this summer to do that..

anyone else decided?
 
hey

I am about 98% sure I am going. I am trying hard to find out the abbreviations for the classes we are taking 1st trimester (ie. Intro to Bio =BIO110) so that I can add it to my application. Any idea what they are? I know we take Molecular basis of Medicine and Infectious process but I dont know how many credits they are and what the 3 letter words are.

Housing

I am taking over my sister's place at Summit Apt's. Its right off Henry Ave on the border of Manayunk and Roxborough (nice places to live). Tons of Penn, PCOM Jefferson, Temple grad students live there. Big indoor and outdoor pool, nice gym, a bar and about 10-15mins from school and the ghetto depending on where/how fast you drive. Look into it.
 
Has anyone here gotten into PCOM-Ga biomed cert? Im in Florida and Im just trying to make some connections before getting there, and possibly find a roomie.
 
I just heard from PCOM this past Friday...I'm pretty psyched....Does anyone know when orientation is going to be?
 
DrTom said:
I just heard from PCOM this past Friday...I'm pretty psyched....Does anyone know when orientation is going to be?
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Congrats. August 12th. See you there!

MD
 
Hey just thought of another thing....I live in the city, so does anyone know the best way to get to campus by way of public transportation?
 
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DrTom said:
Hey just thought of another thing....I live in the city, so does anyone know the best way to get to campus by way of public transportation?
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From what I know, you can take a bus or the septa via the R6 to Cynwyd, but there's about an half-mile walk to campus I think. I'm trying to figure this out as well.
 
Thanks for the info guys, I guess you guys drive your cars onto campus?

Also what % of pcom grad science grads gain acceptance into DO schools?
 
buckeyegirl said:
-)Yes you're correct. You don't have that lag year.
Click to expand...

How exactly does that work?

Could someone attend the grad science program for 2008 and then matriculate into Pcom osteopathic med school for 2009?

So you apply midway thru your graduate sciences program? 😕

(I just got back home after having a few drinks, so I hope this makes sense, I might double-check this in the morning )
 
edit: ok, i got into PCOM GA today. i haven't heard back from PCOM PA yet, but can anyone offer any insight about the differences between PCOM PA and PCOM GA?

also, how does PCOM (both GA and PA) stack up against other post-bacc programs like Tufts, Barry, BU, NYMC, Drexel, and UMDNJ?
 
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so i found out a while ago that PCOM decided to hold out on making a decision in regards to my acceptance to there masters program for fall 08... i still havent heard anything. i called and they couldnt even tell me whether they were debating to let me on the waitlist on even into the accepting class.

Its a bit frustrating.. but as time twindles, im really assuming that i got rejected.

Anyone else in a similiar situation?
 
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I applied to the program earlier last week. I called in today and they said my application is complete, they are currently reviewing it and that they will mail me a decision soon. Does anyone know how long it usually takes to hear back from them? Also, any idea as to how many acceptances (and matriculations) they have received from students so far in regards to the Fall 08 class? Any information would be helpful. Thanks!
 
pcom was one of the first programs i heard back from. I recieved a response in about 3-4 weeks if i remember correctly. Response time maybe faster now that its much closer to school starting
 
I just got in, I am so excited!

Chinkeewee, I was also on that list and slowly came off of it as I updated my application over the past few weeks. Let them know what you are currently doing to make you a better candidate. If you haven't sent in updated test scores, send them. If you have scheduled yourself for an august MCAT or some other related test, tell them. Let PCOM know you are doing everything you can to become a doc by sending them a letter of intent.

Anon84, I'm not exactly sure the major differences between GA and PA, but I believe the program in PA is older (but I be wrong?)

Good luck to everyone still waiting, don't give up.
 
chinkeewee, your right, they are really good with timing as I have received a couple letters regarding the status of my application within a week of submitting it.

plausible, hopefully i can join you soon enough! i also emailed them notifying them of my second degree (since there wasn't a spot for it on the app) and letting them know of my plans on retaking the MCAT in august. hopefully they will take this into consideration. do you think i should call and let them know as well? (dont want to seem too redundant and pressed on the issue either)

well hopefully everyone will be hearing good news back soon...
 
francheezy said:
do you think i should call and let them know as well? (dont want to seem too redundant and pressed on the issue either
Click to expand...

What I did was send them a letter of intent about what i've done after I applied months ago. I guess it was enough to have them take me off the wait list. I let them know how much I wanted to goto their school and why it was a good fit for me since it was my absolute first choice. I also wrote about my august MCAT retake among other things. I've never heard of a "letter of intent" before, but I found out about it on SDN. If you do a search on SDN, you'll find some great tips on writing a letter of intent. I think this is better than calling because it gives PCOM something tangible to put into your application file than a note that you had called the office.

Hope this helps, and good luck!
 
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