PCOM stuff

[skapone33]

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just thought i'd start a thread for PCOM apps, interviews, acceptances and such...so post any and everything about PCOM!!! Good luck everyone!!!
p.s. I have my interview next monday, wish me luck!!!
anyone else with interviews????

 

[WishUponAStar]

If you have any questions... Do post them. JPHazelton will be happy to answer all of them. Right Josh? ;-p

Seriously, If you have questions about the interview, the school, whatever, let us know. We'll do our best with our limited amount of time.

 

[jd star]

i have an inteview on Oct16 at PCOM -- i'm so excited because its my first choice school and i know that erly interviews are definitely a god thing! one of my best friends from high school is interviewing on the same day as me, and on of my good friends from college has his interview on the 17th. i'm excited that we're all hearing good news from them.

do you know how many people interview on the same day? and i think the interview is by a student, two teachers, and one of the admissions deans -- is that right?

 

[jd star]

sorry, i forgot one thing....

skapone33 -- good luck next monday! let us know how it goes
🙂

 

[Dr JPH]

I DO seem to be one of the more popular people to question regarding PCOM.

In fact, in only 3 days of interviews at PCOM I have met 2 SDNers...both of whom I emailed and gave advice to prior to their arrival here!

How cool is that? How cool am I??

Anyway...Wish is absolutely correct. I, or Wish, would be more than happy to answer any questions about PCOM that you may have. PCOM was by far my top choice, without question. I was accepted to another DO school and turned down interviews at several others as well.

I enjoy it here, although the workload is pretty significant...but then again, this is big kid school, right?

There are about 10 people per interview group. You go in one at a time and can meet with Admissions rep, student, physician, or a basic science faculty. Could be a mix of those. The interview day is really laid back and informal. Know about osteopathic medicine, know about PCOM, and know about yourself. Try not to be nervous and simply look at the interview as a time to get to know another person at PCOM. You are not on trial...they are not trying to break you down...they really jsut want to get to know a little bit about you...I know that sounds cliche, but it is really true here at PCOM.

Again, please forward any questions along...PM or email would be better as I don't get to check the board that often anymore.

I will probably not write back before the 8th...Anatomy Exam...but would be more than happy to help you after that.

Good luck to all who have interviews...I would love to meet you, or at least give a quick hello so if any SDNers are interviewing, drop me an email and remind me. After the interview maybe we can grab some lunch or something. Wish has offered to treat! 🙂

Off to study.

Josh "The Hammer"

 

[H0mersimps0n]

I've had my PCOM secondary in since 8/23 (well that was the day I mailed to them), called them a few weeks later, they said everything was completed and being reviewed.

PCOM is HANDS DOWN my first choice, I was just wondering how long it takes to hear from them (typically)...?

thanks so much!

 

[shreebee]

Hey JPHazleton,

Did you happen to stop into the Admissions Office this past Tuesday (October 1)? I had my interview that day and met a ton of students. I was really impressed with the school and the enthusiasm the students have for it. Hopefully, I'll get some good news come the end of the month!

Shree 🙂

 

[jd star]

shree - how did your inteview go?

 

[Dr JPH]

Once the seconday is sent in, the next step is the interview.

I believe that PCOM interviews all the way up until April or maybe even May.

First come, first served does not apply here. Generally, early is better...but, you need to have a competitive application in order to be invited for an interview.

PCOM typically gets close to 4,000 applications (numbers I have heard in the last 2 years), and certainly do not interview that many.

For the most part, the more competitive applicants will be interview earlier, along with those with "good" chances who get their applications in early.

Stay positive and hang in there. I know people who interviewed up until the last week and are here now.

I think I did stop by the admission office on the 1st...I was talking with someone else from SDN who was interviewing that day...2 more people actually.

Good luck to everyone applying. Confidence is the most important thing.


Now...if I could only say that were true about the Anatomy exam.

Wish...if you pass this upcoming exam not only will I let you buy me lunch, I will let YOU handle the dissections for the rest of the term...how does that sound? 🙂

 

[ussdfiant]

Originally posted by JPHazelton

First come, first served does not apply here.

I'll second that emotion! I interviewed Halloween, 2001 and I didn't make it. I think that this is still bothering me because PCOM was my only rejection. Hey, I'm happy at Temple (which was my first choice) but that rejection still stings!

 

[lala990]

Hey,
I interviewed at PCOM on Sept. 26th. So I am waiting to hear back from them. I am very nervous, so we shall see!!!!!
~Lauren

 

[Dr JPH]

Lauren - good luck.

 

[spunk11]

Lauren,
GOOD LUCK!!

Would you mind sharing what the interview was like?

THANKS! Spunk 🙂

 

[lala990]

Hey Spunk,
The interview was pretty laid back and relaxed. I had three women interviewing me. They were very nice and made you feel comfortable. They basically ask you questions that you know already. Like why osteopathic doctor? What do you do in your spare time? You know the basics. Nothing unexpected. When are you going to interview? If you need any more info, don't hesitate to ask!!!
GOOD LUCK!!!!🙂

 

[walrus]

Hey lala -

if you don't mind, what are your stats? Just wondering what caliber of students are interviewing at PCOM? Thanks.

 

[tkim]

I'm interviewing at LECOM late October, so I called PCOM to see if there was a chance I could be interviewed while I was in town.

The person snorted and said "Well, you can't schedule your own interviews, you have be invited."

I said, of course, but if there was a chance that I would be in line for an interview, that I could perhaps coordinate them so I'd only have to go to PA once.

She took my number and said that everyone was busy doing interviews.

I don't think they're gonna call back.

Was calling up and asking to see if they would interview as long as I was in town considered a rude thing to do? All I know is, I got some attitude shot back at me.

- Tae

 

[ussdfiant]

Originally posted by tkim6599
I'm interviewing at LECOM late October, so I called PCOM to see if there was a chance I could be interviewed while I was in town.

You do realize that Erie is 6 hours away from Philadelphia.

 

[WishUponAStar]

Yowch,

Asking a medical school, especially PCOM with 4000+ applicants, to try to fit an interview into a convenient schedule for you is inviting some bad vibes. Medical school interviews are not meant to be convenient. They aren't meant to work around your schedule. It is a game of take it or leave it, and you have to play the game. You have to interview when they decide you should interview and no sooner.

What you have to remember is that they don't need you. They have 4000 other applicants that they can use to fill their seats. You need them, and you need to show them that you are willing to be inconvenienced should they decide to interview you. I'm not trying to be difficult; this is the way medical schools think.

I don't think you did any real damage to your application, but I think now would be a good time to keep quiet and wait. If you have any new experiences, coursework, etc. that you can add to your application, foreward that information to them. It also doesn't hurt to call once every 2 weeks just to ask the status of your application, and to express your continued interest.

Remember the golden rule to medical school admissions. You need them, they don't need you.

 

[tkim]

Originally posted by ussdfiant
You do realize that Erie is 6 hours away from Philadelphia.

Yeah, but it's even further away from Boston, which is where I'm driving from. I'd save myself a roundtrip and at least a day.

- Tae

 

[tkim]

Originally posted by WishUponAStar
Yowch,

Asking a medical school, especially PCOM with 4000+ applicants, to try to fit an interview into a convenient schedule for you is inviting some bad vibes. Medical school interviews are not meant to be convenient. They aren't meant to work around your schedule. It is a game of take it or leave it, and you have to play the game. You have to interview when they decide you should interview and no sooner.

I'd have to disagree. NOVA was very accomodating when it came to rescheduling my interview when the offered date didn't jibe with my schedule. I was able to book back-to-back interviews with TUCOM and COMP. My request was pretty simple and without attitude or ego - if I was in line to interview, then could I interview when I'm already going to be there?

What you have to remember is that they don't need you. They have 4000 other applicants that they can use to fill their seats. You need them, and you need to show them that you are willing to be inconvenienced should they decide to interview you. I'm not trying to be difficult; this is the way medical schools think.

Again, I'd have to disagree. My experiences at the above mentioned schools shows that they were very accomodating with my scheduling requests.

I don't think you did any real damage to your application, but I think now would be a good time to keep quiet and wait.

Well, since I left my name and number, it won't do much good to bide my time.

Honestly, though, I don't think I did anything wrong. I didn't call up and demand an interview, or browbeat anyone. I simply called and asked that since I was coming in from out of town, that if I was in line for an interview, then could I schedule it so I wouldn't have to travel twice. Is that really wrong?

If the answer was, no - that you get a date when you get a date, then fine. But for someone *who didn't even have the authority to make such a decision* to snort at me and say 'well, you have to be invited to interview' ... Well, that's just a tad unneccessary.

If you have any new experiences, coursework, etc. that you can add to your application, foreward that information to them. It also doesn't hurt to call once every 2 weeks just to ask the status of your application, and to express your continued interest.

Remember the golden rule to medical school admissions. You need them, they don't need you.

Is this really a golden rule? I'm not trying to be difficult, honestly, but c'mon - is there some rule that I have to suck it up and tolerate being treated rudely in order to get into school?

Every other interaction with all of the other medical schools were pleasant and civil. Is it really too much to expect the same from the person from PCOM?

From what people are posting here, PCOM sounds like a great school. I just got my nipples in a twist because of the person I talked to.

- Tae

 

[NKMU]

I'm working on my PCOM supplemental app right now. An instruction on the page: "On the reverse side of this application, write a statemetn indicating why you wish to become an osteopathic physician."

How much did you write for this? Could a paragraph suffice?

 

[tkim]

Originally posted by WishUponAStar
You are going to have to get used to being treated like the poo that gets scraped off of the bottom of someone's shoes. The poo floweth downhill in medical school. When faculty have bad days, you stay out of the way, or else the poo runneth over on you.

Well, I already have a bit of experience with being treated that way - my past 12 years as an ALS-level paramedic has exposed me to the way EMS workers are treated like the red-headed stepchildren of medicine.

I can take 'no' for answer - it wouldn't be the first time. What I find distasteful is the way that 'no' is rendered.

As I said, nothing against the truths you speak about - my nippies just got twisted today in the wrong way - on top of finding out AMCAS screwed up something in my app.

Thanks for the advice.

- Tae

 

[SoCal]

Those nipples are really taking a beating!!

 

[tkim]

Originally posted by SoCal
Those nipples are really taking a beating!!

Yeah, if I'd mentioned one more time, I would think I had some kind of fixation or something ...

Wait! I just did. Heh.

- Tae

 

[Dr JPH]

Wish hit things right on the head.

Stay the course, mind your manners, and know when to keep quiet.

PCOM is a great place and I am sure that this is a much more student friendly school that 90% of the other medical schools in the country, but the rules of heirarchy show no mercy just because you step inside these walls.

 

[tkim]

Originally posted by JPHazelton
PCOM is a great place and I am sure that this is a much more student friendly school that 90% of the other medical schools in the country, but the rules of heirarchy show no mercy just because you step inside these walls.

I'll take your and WUAS's word for how student-friendly PCOM is, since you are there and I am not. Someone who just came back from an interview at PCOM mentioned how nice people were there.

But, doesn't anyone else sense some sort of dissonance when you couple the above statement with WUAS's:

"You are going to have to get used to being treated like the poo that gets scraped off of the bottom of someone's shoes. The poo floweth downhill in medical school. When faculty have bad days, you stay out of the way, or else the poo runneth over on you."

So the people there are really nice and friendly ... until you happen to catch their attention when they're having a bad day? And then you get treated like crap?

- Tae

 

[WishUponAStar]

Tae,

PCOM is great. I like the school. The faculty is cool. I think I am getting a good education. You have to remember that it is medical school. It's a unique experience.

I can't really say any more on the subject.

 

[tkim]

Originally posted by WishUponAStar

I can't really say any more on the subject.

Agreed, we've both wasted more time on it than necessary!

- Tae

 

[Dr JPH]

Overall point: you really don't understand what medical school is like until you get there.

Best of luck to you Tae.

 

[Chisel]

Hey Bill,


Think, CHOCOLATE FOUNTAIN!

 

[Dr JPH]

Originally posted by WishUponAStar
Chisel,

Do you know what goes great with chocolate fountains? Nuts. Big crunchy nuts. Some people like exotic nuts, but I personally prefer a good domestic one. Any domestic nut will do.

Icecream is great with chocolate fountains too. Cold cream goes down smooth after a little chocolate.

Go study or something

Wish, Chisel

I'm changing lab groups.

 

[tkim]

Originally posted by JPHazelton
Overall point: you really don't understand what medical school is like until you get there.

Best of luck to you Tae.

You know what - that sounds a bit smug from where I'm sitting.

I've been in medicine for close to 14 years now - 11 working in a hospital-based ACLS paramedic truck, with duties in and out of the hospital. So *please*, I have an idea of what the medical heirarchy is like, as I've been working with nurses and physicians for over a decade.

No, I don't know what medical school is like, but that wasn't the gist of my question in the first place - was it?

I had a simple question about scheduling for interviews, and what I got was "whoa, don't step outta line, buddy." and "ya gotta learn to slurp ****."

I *never* asked about the pecking order in medical school. And I *already* know what it's like to work at the bottom rung, believe me.

I already get the impression that calling PCOM was a bad idea. I ended my participation in this thread agreeing with WUAS that enough had been said.

Then you come out with this 'you don't know until you get here' stuff.

Was it necessary? Does it make you feel superior to me? I hope it was worth it though I am puzzled since the majority of your posts were informative and helpful, but you feel the need to 'put me in my place'.

You know it's funny - I can always tell the cool docs from the jerks when I first meet them before they give me medical command.

The cools ones always check me out, ask how long I've been a medic, then say "Do what you think is necessary and only call if you need a consult." The jerks always say "You need to call me for *everything* you do - from IVs to meds. I don't care how long you've been a medic - you work under *me*."

Thank you for your time and comments ... doctor.

- Tae

 

[ussdfiant]

🙄

 

[Dr JPH]

Tae

Wow

Point taken.

My response earlier was not so much directed towards you, but rather as a general statement. In fact, it followed along with what Wish and I were talking about just a few days ago regarding some of our friends who are applying.

If you think I am saying things to "put you in your place", well, take it however you want. That was not my intent. I was simply making a generalized statement that my expectations of medical school were far different than the reality.

Seems like you think I'm sitting up here on my high horse. Quite the opposite...if I fell off this horse it would be a short trip to the ground.

I am sure that you will be in medical school next year yourself. If you have already interviewed this early somewhere, then it is highly likely an acceptance is not far off.

I wish you the best of luck.

 

[tkim]

Originally posted by JPHazelton

My response earlier was not so much directed towards you, but rather as a general statement. In fact, it followed along with what Wish and I were talking about just a few days ago regarding some of our friends who are applying.

I mentioned previously in this thread about your postings being helpful and informative. That being true, then perhaps it's not the observed's behavior changing but the observer's.

Given that I've been wrong many, many times in life, and the only thing to do in such a situation is to own up to it ...

Josh, please accept my sincere apologies for flaming you. It was counterproductive, and uncalled for (though it did feel good). I certainly appreciate any insights that you, or any one else shares with me.

- Tae