PCOM (Philadelphia) Discussion Thread 2011-2012

Discover Your Odds of Getting into Medical School
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I'd like to throw this out to the gallery, because honestly I'm stuck. I was accepted to TOUROCOM-NY, and recently interviewed at PCOM. Not sure if I am accepted yet, but I will have to decide soon since my deadline to respond to Touro is approaching.

I really enjoyed both schools, and comparing them to a few of the schools I had seen prior, loved their openness, lively classes, and of course locations. Each seems to have a few pros and cons of things that stood out to me. I am already convinced that both schools would provide a great education, have great classes with friendly people, have awesome facilities, and will be insanely expensive, so those factors are a push one way or the other.

PCOM - Pros:
Alumni connection and experience of 112 years, traditional lecture style (I tend to show up to every lecture), really active student clubs, cost of living probably lower than NY, easy to shadow Docs at the clinical site right next door to classrooms, Philly is a little farther from the parents.

Touro-NY - Pros:
Smaller class size (135 vs. 270), LOCATION! (x3), no need for a car (at least first two years) is Jewish school (no worries about getting those holidays off), newer school with reputation to build, easy access to food since I don't know how much time I will have to cook 3 meals a day if I also study, work-study, volunteer, etc... Endless opportunities to get involved with health care providers.

PCOM - Cons:
Little more tucked away from the center of Philly, the larger class size is maybe more impersonal (though my undergrad class was 4K, so I should talk)? Might need a car? Less food in immediate vicinity (but cafeteria on campus and more likely I can find an apt. with a usable kitchen than in NYC). Scan-tron exams (but moving to computer)

Touro-NY Cons:
I have prior experience learning via a podcast lecture style. Can anyone explain this to me? Are ALL the classes this way, or only some? Touro seems to rely on clickers. Food at events has to be strict kosher, which means university/clubs less likely to bother providing free food at events. Not sure if shadowing is quite as at PCOM with the clinical center on-campus, might be more spread across the city.

That's just a small glimpse of my total thought process. I already realize that I think about food a lot. Otherwise, I am really stuck, so I was just wondering from other people who might have interviewed at both schools this cycle, or perhaps last cycle and ultimately chose one (or neither) had any insight they could offer about the two schools in comparison. For all I saw, I was in the end only on each campus for a day or two.

Thanks so much!
 
Hi Waddling- I certainly understand where you're coming from...

I'm an applicant this year as well, but PCOM is definitely at the top of my list of a couple places I'm deciding between. I don't know much about NY, but I can say that the student community is one thing that really impressed me about PCOM. I've been in touch with several current students, have friends that are alums, and even took the time to speak with the tour guides, etc. and everyone raves about PCOM. The class size never came up once as a con.

Also, I saw you mentioned traditional lecture v podcast, etc. All of the PCOM lectures are recorded, posted almost immediately, and accessible from anywhere on the Internet. Lecture attendance is "optional" and even for those who attend, the recorded lectures are good for review or to fast forward/rewind, etc.

For one of the cons, scan-tron exams? I'm not sure that's much of a big deal. I think the gist was that exams were designed to parallel the types of questions on the boards...but I also believe they are moving toward computer-based too.

Good luck with your choice, and maybe we will see each other next year! Feel free to PM me with any questions. (Again, I'm an applicant, but happy to discuss decisionmaking, etc.)
 
Someone with 15,129 SDN posts can't be wrong. 😀
 
waddlingduck said:
I'd like to throw this out to the gallery, because honestly I'm stuck. I was accepted to TOUROCOM-NY, and recently interviewed at PCOM. Not sure if I am accepted yet, but I will have to decide soon since my deadline to respond to Touro is approaching.

I really enjoyed both schools, and comparing them to a few of the schools I had seen prior, loved their openness, lively classes, and of course locations. Each seems to have a few pros and cons of things that stood out to me. I am already convinced that both schools would provide a great education, have great classes with friendly people, have awesome facilities, and will be insanely expensive, so those factors are a push one way or the other.

PCOM - Pros:
Alumni connection and experience of 112 years, traditional lecture style (I tend to show up to every lecture), really active student clubs, cost of living probably lower than NY, easy to shadow Docs at the clinical site right next door to classrooms, Philly is a little farther from the parents.

Touro-NY - Pros:
Smaller class size (135 vs. 270), LOCATION! (x3), no need for a car (at least first two years) is Jewish school (no worries about getting those holidays off), newer school with reputation to build, easy access to food since I don't know how much time I will have to cook 3 meals a day if I also study, work-study, volunteer, etc... Endless opportunities to get involved with health care providers.

PCOM - Cons:
Little more tucked away from the center of Philly, the larger class size is maybe more impersonal (though my undergrad class was 4K, so I should talk)? Might need a car? Less food in immediate vicinity (but cafeteria on campus and more likely I can find an apt. with a usable kitchen than in NYC). Scan-tron exams (but moving to computer)

Touro-NY Cons:
I have prior experience learning via a podcast lecture style. Can anyone explain this to me? Are ALL the classes this way, or only some? Touro seems to rely on clickers. Food at events has to be strict kosher, which means university/clubs less likely to bother providing free food at events. Not sure if shadowing is quite as at PCOM with the clinical center on-campus, might be more spread across the city.

That's just a small glimpse of my total thought process. I already realize that I think about food a lot. Otherwise, I am really stuck, so I was just wondering from other people who might have interviewed at both schools this cycle, or perhaps last cycle and ultimately chose one (or neither) had any insight they could offer about the two schools in comparison. For all I saw, I was in the end only on each campus for a day or two.

Thanks so much!
Click to expand...

Food is everywhere, so don't worry. There is a big shopping center right next to PCOM with some good options and couple minutes drive down City Ave and you get even more choices, not to mention 2-3 grocery stores within 5 mile radius of the school.

Lectures are optional, and you say now that you will attend every lecture but mark my words, you will probably end up skipping many of them, if not all of them halfway through your first year. I was like you and thought I would attend every single lecture but that dream quickly died 3rd week into first year because I realized I was wasting my time in lectures when I could be home studying on my own and getting things done faster.

You will most definitely need a car in 3rd and 4th years because rotations are spread out throughout the city.

I wouldn't consider being able to shadow docs next door a pro because you won't have time to shadow docs your first two years. I guess if you really wanted to, you could find time but there is no point because you should be spending your free time doing something fun like hiking or drinking whiskey or reading fiction.

And that vast PCOM alumni connection and its reputation....yeah that factor alone should trump all other factors like food or lecture recording or scantron exams when weighing pros and cons.....don't focus on the little things....think BIG.

See ya at PCOM.
 
3.35 cpga 3.1 sgpa and 35R MCAT..I was complete in mid-late October but haven't heard back yet from this school. Are my numbers competitive? I just hope I still have a chance here because this is one of my top choices.
 
Rollo said:
Food is everywhere, so don't worry. There is a big shopping center right next to PCOM with some good options and couple minutes drive down City Ave and you get even more choices, not to mention 2-3 grocery stores within 5 mile radius of the school.

Lectures are optional, and you say now that you will attend every lecture but mark my words, you will probably end up skipping many of them, if not all of them halfway through your first year. I was like you and thought I would attend every single lecture but that dream quickly died 3rd week into first year because I realized I was wasting my time in lectures when I could be home studying on my own and getting things done faster.

You will most definitely need a car in 3rd and 4th years because rotations are spread out throughout the city.

I wouldn't consider being able to shadow docs next door a pro because you won't have time to shadow docs your first two years. I guess if you really wanted to, you could find time but there is no point because you should be spending your free time doing something fun like hiking or drinking whiskey or reading fiction.

And that vast PCOM alumni connection and its reputation....yeah that factor alone should trump all other factors like food or lecture recording or scantron exams when weighing pros and cons.....don't focus on the little things....think BIG.

See ya at PCOM.
Click to expand...

reading this makes me 20,000x more excited that i chose PCOM! 🙂
 
nav525 said:
3.35 cpga 3.1 sgpa and 35R MCAT..I was complete in mid-late October but haven't heard back yet from this school. Are my numbers competitive? I just hope I still have a chance here because this is one of my top choices.
Click to expand...

Same boat as you. I am turning in yet another LOR this week and my fall semester grades from my master's program. Hoping that helps out in getting an interview. :/
 
Agh! Still no letter, so I called to see where they sent it... They sent it to my old address... Sent on the 7tg, moved on the 8th. I even called early december to update my address! My mail forwarding didnt change until the 10th.

Trying to get in touch with my old roommate, haha
 
FINALLY!! My acceptance letter was sitting at my old residence, and I had to have my old roomie read it over the phone (not ideal!).

Nevertheless, I'm IN!
 
R1MD said:
Yes!! Congrats UGA!
Click to expand...

Thanks! There's only one other school I interviewed at that would top this, but even then... I'm psyched about PCOM!

Is there a FB group? All that I've seen is some "community" but it's not for members or anything (you can just "like" it).
 
waddlingduck said:
PCOM - Pros:
Alumni connection and experience of 112 years, traditional lecture style (I tend to show up to every lecture), really active student clubs, cost of living probably lower than NY, easy to shadow Docs at the clinical site right next door to classrooms, Philly is a little farther from the parents.

Touro-NY - Pros:
Smaller class size (135 vs. 270), LOCATION! (x3), no need for a car (at least first two years) is Jewish school (no worries about getting those holidays off), newer school with reputation to build, easy access to food since I don't know how much time I will have to cook 3 meals a day if I also study, work-study, volunteer, etc... Endless opportunities to get involved with health care providers.

PCOM - Cons:
Little more tucked away from the center of Philly, the larger class size is maybe more impersonal (though my undergrad class was 4K, so I should talk)? Might need a car? Less food in immediate vicinity (but cafeteria on campus and more likely I can find an apt. with a usable kitchen than in NYC). Scan-tron exams (but moving to computer)

Touro-NY Cons:
I have prior experience learning via a podcast lecture style. Can anyone explain this to me? Are ALL the classes this way, or only some? Touro seems to rely on clickers. Food at events has to be strict kosher, which means university/clubs less likely to bother providing free food at events. Not sure if shadowing is quite as at PCOM with the clinical center on-campus, might be more spread across the city.


Thanks so much!
Click to expand...

With the bolded above, I don't know why 'reputation' to build is a pro. This is NOT taking anything away from Touro; however, when people mention top three DO schools...PCOM is usually among them. Regardless of whether or not that is true, it is on peoples' minds.

I don't need a car to get to school. Many of my classmates don't. Even people who live in Manayunk take the buss and make it just fine.

But to repeat the sentiment of others, definitely go PCOM--you really can't go wrong with it.
 
I got an interview invite the other day for Jan 4, 2012. Who else is interviewing that day?
 
Hi everyone,

I recently received an II for 1/9 which I cannot attend due to a work commitment. If anyone who is scheduled for 1/5 is looking to withdraw or rescind their invitation, I would appreciate if you would let me know. I would like to reschedule my visit for this date, but I would also like to know that this date is available before when I call. You can send me a private message if so.

Thanks!
 
UGA2008 said:
Thanks! There's only one other school I interviewed at that would top this, but even then... I'm psyched about PCOM!

Is there a FB group? All that I've seen is some "community" but it's not for members or anything (you can just "like" it).
Click to expand...

Yes there is! if you search "PCOM Class of 2016" it should come up as a group, but you may have to go into the more advanced search to find it! congratulations!! 🙂
 
Uspchef said:
I got an interview invite the other day for Jan 4, 2012. Who else is interviewing that day?
Click to expand...


Do you mind saying when your secondary was complete? I'm still waiting on an interview invite.
Thanks!
 
Uspchef said:
I got an interview invite the other day for Jan 4, 2012. Who else is interviewing that day?
Click to expand...

I am interviewing Jan 23, so Uspchef - we aren't going to cross paths (just yet anyway...fingers crossed).

Anyone else set up for the 23rd yet? Let me know here or PM, as other SDN's have noticed, it helps calm the nerves if you can at least get to know a few people in your interview group beforehand...

Hope a few more people on this thread get selected soon!
And congratulations to R1MD (change your name to R1DO?!) and UGS2008 - I was rooting for both of you and pumped two great contributors got in!!
 
Thanks Jim- appreciate it. The screenname was originally for my fire dept (in MD), but it was a nice coincidence.

Congrats and good luck with the interview! Don't stress too much, its very laid back, and you'll have lots of time to talk to other folks in your group. Assuming the schedule is the same, you'll have a tour, lunch, and potentially an hour or two to wait in the admissions office before your actual interview.

Feel free to PM if you have any questions. You'll love it!
 
CCHS RX said:
Do you mind saying when your secondary was complete? I'm still waiting on an interview invite.
Thanks!
Click to expand...
Sure. I applied pretty early and got my supplemental completed on Sept 19 so it was a long wait for me. I was losing hope and starting looking for backup plans but keep it up!
jimsmith49i said:
I am interviewing Jan 23, so Uspchef - we aren't going to cross paths (just yet anyway...fingers crossed).

Anyone else set up for the 23rd yet? Let me know here or PM, as other SDN's have noticed, it helps calm the nerves if you can at least get to know a few people in your interview group beforehand...

Hope a few more people on this thread get selected soon!
And congratulations to R1MD (change your name to R1DO?!) and UGS2008 - I was rooting for both of you and pumped two great contributors got in!!
Click to expand...
Hope that when we meet, it'll be during the white coat ceremony! *double fingers crossed*
 
Thanks as well Jim, and like R1MD said, good luck on your interview. Just be yourself, and relax... it's actually an enjoyable day!

Has anyone not gotten in... or are they just doing waitlist at this point? Not sure what the policy is, but I met some great people at my interview... here's hoping!
 
What's going on everyone! Just recently interviewed here on December 8 and had a great experience, even though it was in the midst of everyone's exams! I just wanted to relieve some peoples' stress about having below an 8 on the MCAT. I have a 6 on one section of the MCAT and received an interview, but have no idea if I was simply interviewing for a waitlist spot or not. Just be prepared for them to ask you about it in the interview, probably not to see exactly why you got a 6, but just to see if you can handle the stress of the question itself. If there are any 6's around here with acceptances, give a shout so I can begin to have a little bit of hope!! PCOM is my top choice!!
 
Interviewed here in this Month, not that stressful interview at all. some philosophical questions that i found to be amusing. I heard they are picking 2 DO/PhD students this yr (first time they are offering dual i believe?)
 
Just a friendly reminded that there is a facebook group..."PCOM Class of 2016"

If you can't find it please pm me your name and a way to ID your profile and I'd be glad to add you!
 
jimsmith49i said:
I am interviewing Jan 23, so Uspchef - we aren't going to cross paths (just yet anyway...fingers crossed).

Anyone else set up for the 23rd yet? Let me know here or PM, as other SDN's have noticed, it helps calm the nerves if you can at least get to know a few people in your interview group beforehand...

Hope a few more people on this thread get selected soon!
And congratulations to R1MD (change your name to R1DO?!) and UGS2008 - I was rooting for both of you and pumped two great contributors got in!!
Click to expand...

*edit*
Whoops I'm not 1/23, I'm actually 1/25. Guess I won't be seeing you there then. Good luck.
 
Last edited:
interviewed Dec 15th, just got my acceptance letter. Pretty quick turnaround, i'd say.
 
I guess it was a Christmas miracle after all!! Accepted!! Interviewed 12/8, Accepted 12/24
 
Does anyone know if PCOM has a high post-interview acceptance rate?
 
Uspchef said:
Does anyone know if PCOM has a high post-interview acceptance rate?
Click to expand...

Not sure what the numbers are now, but for the entering class of 2014, it was about 50% I think (~400 accepted from 800 interviewed), but i'm not sure where the wait list fits in there. I'm pretty sure it is unaccounted for. About 50% of the class is usually filled by the beginning of the year, and by the end of February, beginning of March, they start wait-listing.

If you're worried about your Jan 4th interview, you still have a great shot 🙂. They should still have plenty of spots left.:luck:
 
Lewist02 said:
Not sure what the numbers are now, but for the entering class of 2014, it was about 50% I think (~400 accepted from 800 interviewed), but i'm not sure where the wait list fits in there. I'm pretty sure it is unaccounted for. About 50% of the class is usually filled by the beginning of the year, and by the end of February, beginning of March, they start wait-listing.

If you're worried about your Jan 4th interview, you still have a great shot 🙂. They should still have plenty of spots left.:luck:
Click to expand...

Thank you for the reply!

Yeah... I'm stressing about the interview now.. haha I didn't stress about my interview at another school because I didn't really want to attend that one. But I really want to attend PCOM and I need to do well during the interview.
 
completed in early october.. havent heard anything? i got the complete email a while back.. what should i do?
 
qpqp123 said:
completed in early october.. havent heard anything? i got the complete email a while back.. what should i do?
Click to expand...
I was completed/received email in Sept and I got the interview invite in December not too long ago so don't give up hope!
 
Happy 2012 everybody!

Does anybody know what time the interview day generally lasts until? I'm trying to figure out flight plans right now...
 
dbizzy said:
Happy 2012 everybody!

Does anybody know what time the interview day generally lasts until? I'm trying to figure out flight plans right now...
Click to expand...
Happy 2012!

My interview is coming up too! My interview is this Wednesday, Jan 4. How about you?
 
I am interviewing tomorrow as well. I am super nervous, because PCOM was my top choice school going into it and my first (and only, so far) interview I have scheduled. Yowza.

I really, really hope I do well because I love this school and really want to go there. Fingers crossed!
 
DrRedhead said:
I am interviewing tomorrow as well. I am super nervous, because PCOM was my top choice school going into it and my first (and only, so far) interview I have scheduled. Yowza.

I really, really hope I do well because I love this school and really want to go there. Fingers crossed!
Click to expand...

I'm nervous too! I've been going over my questions and answers again and again. At least I'll know one person from SDN lol

We should have signs up saying "SDN" to recognize ourselves haha
 
Uspchef said:
I'm nervous too! I've been going over my questions and answers again and again. At least I'll know one person from SDN lol

We should have signs up saying "SDN" to recognize ourselves haha
Click to expand...

I'll be the one in the black suit.... ahahah. Like every other person. With the red hair! Say hi though. It could make it a bit less nerve-wracking.
 
DrRedhead said:
I'll be the one in the black suit.... ahahah. Like every other person. With the red hair! Say hi though. It could make it a bit less nerve-wracking.
Click to expand...

I most definitely will. I'm gonna be wearing a dark navy stripped suit with a red tie.
 
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