PCOM (Philadelphia) Discussion Thread 2009-2010

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csmittyB said:
I got you beat.

App complete email in September. Emailed in maybe late October early November asking for an update. Told to be patient. Received my login and pin in January. Still no word and not expecting to hear anything either. I've already decided on another school but I refuse to withdraw my app on principle, I sent my secondary fee and I want an official decision 😡.
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x3 👎
 
I was complete mid January. Science GPA = 3.75, MCAT = 31Q. I have a couple strong ECs, but only a couple. Any thoughts on my chances of an acceptance this year? Does anyone know how much weight is given to ECs? how about research experience?

Thanks.
 
csmittyB said:
I got you beat.

App complete email in September. Emailed in maybe late October early November asking for an update. Told to be patient. Received my login and pin in January. Still no word and not expecting to hear anything either. I've already decided on another school but I refuse to withdraw my app on principle, I sent my secondary fee and I want an official decision 😡.
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yea i guess so ... i wonder how behind they are
 
Hey Point Break, Where are you in VA? I am in Richmond. I don't know about emphasis on ECs. Everyone's process is so different. But your numbers are strong. Looks like the only thing that might hurt is getting complete so late......
 
Point Break said:
I was complete mid January. Science GPA = 3.75, MCAT = 31Q. I have a couple strong ECs, but only a couple. Any thoughts on my chances of an acceptance this year? Does anyone know how much weight is given to ECs? how about research experience?

Thanks.
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ECs are always important. I've talked to several faculty who some of the interviewers. They say grades/score are one thing so they know that you can survive the first year of med school, but the ECs differentiate you from others.

DO letter is key as well. But your stats are good, I have a feeling you'll get an interview, but it is pretty late. Good luck.
 
I'm not positive when PCOM stops interviewing, but I did get an email from them saying that interviews are done by the end of March for those in their biomed program. However I don't know if that's true for everyone else applying. I do know that they do send out rejection letters by snail mail.
 
I am applying SUPER LATE! I just took the Jan 29th MCAT and am sending my secondary application in today. Overall I am applying to medical school late (AACOMAS was verified in december!)
However, I STILL THINK I AM VERY COMPETITIVE
Any thoughts? Refutes?
 
Has anyone else emailed/called them regarding the 'taken MCAT twice, but only first score shows up in portal' issue? I emailed them last week, and didn't receive a reply.
 
Yea, I talked to one of the guys at the office. He said its totally normal, and usually its your first score date that shows up. Not to worry.

JaggerPlate said:
Has anyone else emailed/called them regarding the 'taken MCAT twice, but only first score shows up in portal' issue? I emailed them last week, and didn't receive a reply.
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Hey does anyone know the approx time PCOM is taking to review applications at this point in the year (was complete 2 wk Jan)

Thanks
 
My secondary was complete mid-jan and got an interview email last week for an interview this week. (Maybe not with all the snow)


Just wanted to get your opinions on my PCOM chances..

Penn State University-main campus Life science major
3.4 gpa, 3.4 science
23 mcat
2 MD 2 DO LOR, + all the required 2 science 1 non n premed committee
150+ hrs shadow in OR -Thoracic and Plastic with summaries of each (required)
Shadow DO in ER , DO in primary care office, DO in sports medicine office
EMTb 2+ years
Baseball Team VP/capt
premed club
social/service Fraternity
Lifeguard plus other summer jobs


I applied late (sent secondaries in mid jan) but just got an interview offer for this week....Any last minute tips??
 
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fjd5008 said:
My secondary was complete mid-jan and got an interview email last week for an interview this week. (Maybe not with all the snow)


Just wanted to get your opinions on my PCOM chances..

Penn State University-main campus Life science major
3.4 gpa, 3.4 science
23 mcat
2 MD 2 DO LOR, + all the required 2 science 1 non n premed committee
150+ hrs shadow in OR -Thoracic and Plastic with summaries of each (required)
Shadow DO in ER , DO in primary care office, DO in sports medicine office
EMTb 2+ years
Baseball Team VP/capt
premed club
social/service Fraternity
Lifeguard plus other summer jobs


I applied late (sent secondaries in mid jan) but just got an interview offer for this week....Any last minute tips??
Click to expand...

I think in general once you get an interview your chances of being accepted are more in your favor. They don't interview if they aren't somewhat interested in you. From what I remember last year the interview was really laid back and they really try to get to know you.

I had a low mcat like you, so be prepared to talk about that. I think I just mentioned that I would definitely be willing to take it again. They also asked if anything else about my application was lacking. Obviously a low mcat didn't stop me from getting in though 🙂

Good luck!
 
rc4ch said:
ECs are always important. I've talked to several faculty who some of the interviewers. They say grades/score are one thing so they know that you can survive the first year of med school, but the ECs differentiate you from others.

DO letter is key as well. But your stats are good, I have a feeling you'll get an interview, but it is pretty late. Good luck.
Click to expand...

Thank you for the response. I hope so as well.
 
Kingstonhopeful said:
Hey does anyone know the approx time PCOM is taking to review applications at this point in the year (was complete 2 wk Jan)

Thanks
Click to expand...

I was complete in November and still no word... its still taking a while from what it seems
 
I was complete in late Aug/early Sept and I've heard no word from PCOM-Philly. Every time I call they say I'm still under review. Ah well, its the exact same situation for me with Nova, which is odd b/c I'm from the region that houses Nova. I was also accepted to PCOM-GA back in October or Nov, so there really is no connec between the 2 campuses.
 
CunningCaregivr said:
I think out-of-state/region people are a less of a priority - judging by AMEHigh's post.
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This is true. Overwhelming majority of our class is from PA or surrounding region (NY, DE, MD, NJ). Obviously, this doesn't mean that if you're not from any of these states, you're done for. It just means that the later you send in your secondary, your chances of getting an interview are not that good if you aren't from the surrounding region.
 
Grey Wind said:
I was complete in late Aug/early Sept and I've heard no word from PCOM-Philly. Every time I call they say I'm still under review. Ah well, its the exact same situation for me with Nova, which is odd b/c I'm from the region that houses Nova. I was also accepted to PCOM-GA back in October or Nov, so there really is no connec between the 2 campuses.
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congrats on the acceptance Grey Wind... I'm in the same boat as you regarding PCOM-PA and NSU, although I was complete later (Early November for NSU, and Early December for PCOM)

I know that PCOM applications go through multiple review processes, so that could explain the wait time. Honestly, at this point, I've given up hope, but it would be pretty darn amazing to open up my inbox and see an invite at this point...

I've started looking into SMPs cause it's nearing the end of the interview cycle
 
Is anyone here interviewing on Monday, Feb. 15th? Would people that have interviewed say that the interview is mostly laid back?

Thanks.
 
Skiddoc do you have an interview today? If so good luck! (Still waiting on an interview invote )~🙂
 
sagtig said:
congrats on the acceptance Grey Wind... I'm in the same boat as you regarding PCOM-PA and NSU, although I was complete later (Early November for NSU, and Early December for PCOM)

I know that PCOM applications go through multiple review processes, so that could explain the wait time. Honestly, at this point, I've given up hope, but it would be pretty darn amazing to open up my inbox and see an invite at this point...

I've started looking into SMPs cause it's nearing the end of the interview cycle
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still a few months left though, dont give up hope! ill be rooting for ya.
 
msbsurf said:
Skiddoc do you have an interview today? If so good luck! (Still waiting on an interview invote )~🙂
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Thanks, I'm sure you'll get an invite soon! The interviewers were really nice, and it was clear they had read my application, which means a lot to me. Good luck!

Secondary received Dec 21
Interview invite around Jan 4
3.58 cGPA
33 MCAT
 
Does anyone know when will PCOM stop giving interview invites? Will it be at the end of March or beginning of March? I handed in my secondary on December 11 and I still didn't get a reply yet so I'm freaking out!
 
Uspchef said:
Does anyone know when will PCOM stop giving interview invites? Will it be at the end of March or beginning of March? I handed in my secondary on December 11 and I still didn't get a reply yet so I'm freaking out!
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You're not alone, I didnt get a rejection letter or invite.
 
I sent my secondary in beginning of February and my LORs sent via Interfolio same day. Who should I contact for the completion status of my application? and should I since it has only been a few weeks? I had a great interview with WCU-COM and really wants to go there but if I don't get in, I want to know if I have another opportunity to pursue my dream. Thanks.
 
No interview invite, any advice on letters of interest or anything of that nature? I was complete except recs. in November. 3.5, 30Q and I live in the area. All the usual extras and experience. Sent in a a PCOM alum DO rec. Feb. 2. Does it hurt that I only applied to one DO school, can they see that? It wasn't a bias against DO I just want to go to school in the area.
I gather from the recent posts we are trying to figure out the same thing, when invites end, this month or next. Does this sound like a lost cause?
 
All this waiting really sucks... What is everyone planning on doing if they do not get in? I'm a 4th year so I'm planning on shadowing a DO, do some research, and take the MCAT again.
 
Does anyone have an upcoming interview scheduled between now and March 13?

Would you like some more time to prepare and trade with me? My date is set for March 18th, but I am out of the country and already purchased my plane ticket....

Please PM me. Thank you!
 
HIMEMO I will just gladly take yours off your hands 😉
 
I got an interview invite at the end of January and the earliest interview I could get was March 24th. I think I'm cutting it a little close since that's really late in the game to interview. I've been accepted to CCOM but am really excited to see what PCOM has to offer. Anyone interviewing in late March?
 
So, I haven't received my packet yet - acceptance a month ago/deposit two weeks ago. I called today to get an idea about when I should receive it and found out it is still in processing - up to two more weeks. However, the lady in the student affairs office said I should call after two weeks - to see if there is a problem with my application!
Maybe I'm reading too much into her last comment, but should I be worried? Any advice/previous experience would be greatly appreciated, thank you.
 
dudechiefboss said:
So, I haven't received my packet yet - acceptance a month ago/deposit two weeks ago. I called today to get an idea about when I should receive it and found out it is still in processing - up to two more weeks. However, the lady in the student affairs office said I should call after two weeks - to see if there is a problem with my application!
Maybe I'm reading too much into her last comment, but should I be worried? Any advice/previous experience would be greatly appreciated, thank you.
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Check to see that the deposit you paid was umm deposited by PCOM (I'm assuming you paid with a check so look at your bank statements or what have you)

This did NOT happen at PCOM for me, but it happened at a different school when I was applying last year, that they had "misplaced" my deposit check.

I'm sure you'll be fine but just double check yourself. Call the admissions again if you need to.
 
I originally did not plan to send in a secondary to PCOM, but have completely changed my mind and sent in a secondary last week. I mentioned a personal reason as being one of the factors I would like to attend PCOM (my mother lives in the area and was in a severe car accident, and I would like to live as close as possible to her). I will have a retired faculty member and alumni write me a LOR to PCOM and I was going to ask if he could call them as well.

I have 25Q MCAT and 3.69 GPA...any suggestions or should I loose all hope?

Oh and side note, my secondary was 1.5 pages long describing why I wanted to go to DO school and PCOM specifically, and I made a list of my health related activities. I was checking it today, and I had minor typos... (wrote alumni instead of alumnus, forgot a comma one spot, and one other minor mistake). As you can tell, I am freaking out about the whole thing right now.
 
I'm super confused.
I was complete in November, no interview invite yet.

I feel like my stats are fairly strong....

32R MCAT
cGPA 3.68
sGPA 3.49

I just called them again today (I called several times in November) to make sure my potential invite didn't get lost in the mail and nope, nothing.

This is so disconcerting :/
 
coconutt said:
I originally did not plan to send in a secondary to PCOM, but have completely changed my mind and sent in a secondary last week. I mentioned a personal reason as being one of the factors I would like to attend PCOM (my mother lives in the area and was in a severe car accident, and I would like to live as close as possible to her). I will have a retired faculty member and alumni write me a LOR to PCOM and I was going to ask if he could call them as well.

I have 25Q MCAT and 3.69 GPA...any suggestions or should I loose all hope?

Oh and side note, my secondary was 1.5 pages long describing why I wanted to go to DO school and PCOM specifically, and I made a list of my health related activities. I was checking it today, and I had minor typos... (wrote alumni instead of alumnus, forgot a comma one spot, and one other minor mistake). As you can tell, I am freaking out about the whole thing right now.
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-
 
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veeka said:
I'm super confused.
I was complete in November, no interview invite yet.

I feel like my stats are fairly strong....

32R MCAT
cGPA 3.68
sGPA 3.49

I just called them again today (I called several times in November) to make sure my potential invite didn't get lost in the mail and nope, nothing.

This is so disconcerting :/
Click to expand...

You have really good numbers. Its pretty strange you haven't heard.
 
I'm kinda in a tough situation and was wondering if anyone had any suggestions about what they would do with this...PCOM was my number one choice from the start, but obviously I applied elsewhere too. Thus far I've been accepted to LECOM Bradenton and RVUCOM. I'm from NJ and haven't been invited to interview at PCOM. I am considering taking the extra year and applying for the biosciences certificate (one year program) at PCOM with hopes that the established affiliation would help me with admission to the class of 2015. Is it crazy to turn down an acceptance to take this program? I'm 22 now, and don't like the idea of making the road longer, but really do want to live in Philadelphia. Any input would help, thanks guys.
 
futuredoc12221 said:
I'm kinda in a tough situation and was wondering if anyone had any suggestions about what they would do with this...PCOM was my number one choice from the start, but obviously I applied elsewhere too. Thus far I've been accepted to LECOM Bradenton and RVUCOM. I'm from NJ and haven't been invited to interview at PCOM. I am considering taking the extra year and applying for the biosciences certificate (one year program) at PCOM with hopes that the established affiliation would help me with admission to the class of 2015. Is it crazy to turn down an acceptance to take this program? I'm 22 now, and don't like the idea of making the road longer, but really do want to live in Philadelphia. Any input would help, thanks guys.
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It would be pretty crazy to turn down an acceptance. If you would have only of went to PCOM why didn't you just apply there? You will get questions about this if you do decided to turn down both acceptances for the chance at PCOM next year. But of course if you won't be happy whatsoever at either school then it is a valid concern and something that you need to think long and hard about.

(LECOM-B is a great up and coming school in sunny Florida so that might grow on you if you give it a chance.)
 
futuredoc12221 said:
I'm kinda in a tough situation and was wondering if anyone had any suggestions about what they would do with this...PCOM was my number one choice from the start, but obviously I applied elsewhere too. Thus far I've been accepted to LECOM Bradenton and RVUCOM. I'm from NJ and haven't been invited to interview at PCOM. I am considering taking the extra year and applying for the biosciences certificate (one year program) at PCOM with hopes that the established affiliation would help me with admission to the class of 2015. Is it crazy to turn down an acceptance to take this program? I'm 22 now, and don't like the idea of making the road longer, but really do want to live in Philadelphia. Any input would help, thanks guys.
Click to expand...


hmm that's pretty risky if you don't get in next year, you'd be that much further behind. If it is worth the risk to you by all means, take it. You have to carefully weigh your options though. Who knows, maybe you will get accepted this year! Have you filled out the postbac app yet? LECOM-B is a good school. Do you like their PBL style?
 
I haven't heard back from PCOM yet with an interview request so I'm kinda figuring that I'm not getting in. As far as LECOM-B goes, I really do like the PBL style and was happy with the school. I'm mostly concerned about the distance as there are reasons I'd prefer to stay in the Philly/NJ area. The more I think about it the more I feel like it would be stupid to turn down an acceptance, but sometimes circumstances make the decision that much harder. Thanks so much for your input I really appreciate it!
 
futuredoc12221 said:
I'm kinda in a tough situation and was wondering if anyone had any suggestions about what they would do with this...PCOM was my number one choice from the start, but obviously I applied elsewhere too. Thus far I've been accepted to LECOM Bradenton and RVUCOM. I'm from NJ and haven't been invited to interview at PCOM. I am considering taking the extra year and applying for the biosciences certificate (one year program) at PCOM with hopes that the established affiliation would help me with admission to the class of 2015. Is it crazy to turn down an acceptance to take this program? I'm 22 now, and don't like the idea of making the road longer, but really do want to live in Philadelphia. Any input would help, thanks guys.
Click to expand...

I would definitely take the acceptance. If you didn't want to attend any of the other schools, you shouldn't have applied there from the beginning.

You will regret it if you wait a year and still don't get into PCOM.
 
Thanks for the advice...At the time that I applied I was in a different situation and wouldn't have minded being as far from home, but that has since changed. I guess it would really be stupid to turn down an acceptance.
 
veeka said:
I'm super confused.
I was complete in November, no interview invite yet.

I feel like my stats are fairly strong....

32R MCAT
cGPA 3.68
sGPA 3.49

I just called them again today (I called several times in November) to make sure my potential invite didn't get lost in the mail and nope, nothing.

This is so disconcerting :/
Click to expand...

I'm with you buddy. Complete in october but have heard nothing yet. I have a 3.0, but with a 34 mcat. Really good LORs, except I decided to use an MD letter and not get a DO (I talked with an PCOM admissions counselor in person about this. They recommended a lor from a doctor that knows you best, not just a DO you briefly met).

Congrats to all the ppl that got interviews, but I feel like if ppl with 22s are getting invites, I'd think that having an +12 difference in mcat scores would make up for my low gpa.

the waiting game continues 🙁
 
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