PCOM vs. LECOM-Seton Hill

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han14tra

han14tra

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I'm not sure what to do. I've been accepted into LECOM, PCOM, and WVSOM. I can't decide between LECOM and PCOM.

LECOM- SH
- Great location!! Close to home
- No anatomy lab, but opportunity to dissect during summer.
- PBL
- Standardized pts but no simulators

PCOM
- Best reputation from what I understand.
- Hate the location.
- simulators and standardized patients.
- No PBL.

How did you decide which school to go to? I find that I really want to pick a school based on prestige, even if I doubt I'll be happy there.

Why is PCOM such a good DO school?
 
On a UT Longhorns site I go to, I saw the following thread posted today:

"Law School Choices: University of Texas vs. St. Mary's"

Did you start that thread too?

With law, it matters a lot more where you go, but you probably don't want to be a guinea pig in the inaugural class, if you can help it. Then again, the first class at Bradenton has done pretty well.

If you go to the new LECOM, you will miss out on the joys of SPOM.
 
I really don't like cities (the crowds, the noise, the people asking me for money, the taxi drivers that try to run you over, the highway at rush hour).

Greensburg: Quiet little city with good neighbors, and small shops and restaurants.
 
People are all about PCOM being the end-all DO school in the country. It's not. It seems that the ultimate decision lies in your comfort with PBL. I wrote a decent synopsis about PBL here (http://forums.studentdoctor.net/showthread.php?t=574934). It's not fantastic, but it gives you a somewhat real look at how PBL truly is. If you think it's the best for you: LECOM-SH. If you think that LDP is best for you: PCOM.

Good luck.
 
City Avenue and the surrounding suburbs, Bala, Cynwyd, Bala-Cynwyd, Manayunk, and Roxborough are nothing like Center City, north Philly, West Philly, etc. It was my impression when on PCOM's campus and in the surrounding area that its a good place to "set up shop." Its not as busy (people wise), there are a lot of afluent areas, its low crime compared to west and north Philly, and there is everything you need and if not Center City is a 20 minute bus ride away. With Seton-Hill you are locked into PBL. I doubt there will be a way for you to go back to Erie to do LDP. Its more rural. You'll get more exposure in Philadelphia. You're also not the inaugural class. Comparing the two, void of location, PCOM-Philadelphia wins hands down. Let it also be known there is no dress code (not a big deal), there is no beverage ban, technology allows you to stream lectures and you don't have to go to class (I believe LECOM has an attendance policy), and at PCOM you don't share a campus with [distracting] undergrads.
 
Thanks for all the input.
With PBL, does the group define which chapters to read or do you decide what's important on your own?
I read BCLumas' synopsis, but I'm still a little confused. I've read a lot of the unbiased research papers published on PBL, and it seems that the end result is the same. However, PBL students tend to be more prepared for clinical years since you're more likely to recall information when it was initially presented in a way that you are later encountering it.

I don't think I could do very well with LDP. In college classes, I just sit there not really paying much attention and watching the minutes count down until I can really go learn the material by reading and searching for the answers.
 
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In PBL the group defines what is important to read. For this case we're working on right now, our group has decided to pick 2 Physiology chapters, 1 Embryology chapter, 1 Immunology chapter, 1 Microbiology "chapter" (a section, really), and 1 Biochemistry chapter. Oh, did I mention we're only first years?

There are required readings for each test. The first test we had required Chapters 1-5 of Embryology; the second required Chapters 4, 5, and 11 of Biochemistry; this last test requires Chapters 1, 2, 3, and 7 of Pathology.

It goes kind of fast, but as long as you stay on top of everything, it is manageable. I definitely don't like lectures, so having your own time to teach yourself what is important is definitely more interesting for me. Also, you learn how everything interrelates. There's no worry of forgetting the basic physiologies when you start to learn the pathologies and pharmacologies. Just my thoughts.

Good luck!
 
Seeing as how PCOM is, arguably, in the best city in the country to go to med school, I would say PCOM's location is much better
 
han14tra said:
Thanks for all the input.

I don't think I could do very well with LDP. In college classes, I just sit there not really paying much attention and watching the minutes count down until I can really go learn the material by reading and searching for the answers.
Click to expand...

ummm at PCOM u dont sit in class unless u want to. A majority of the class eventually converts to learning at home.

No anatomy lab is a disgrace no matter what the logic is. This is a way for them to save money and raise their profits.
 
I think that solidifies why it is greatest to learn medicine. You have fat, ugly, mutated people roaming around. What's the fun in learning medicine with healthy people?
 
PCOM. It's not even a question in my mind.
 
Bacchus said:
Woah partner, you best not be putting down the Delph.
Click to expand...

:whistle:

MossPoh said:
I think that solidifies why it is greatest to learn medicine. You have fat, ugly, mutated people roaming around. What's the fun in learning medicine with healthy people?
Click to expand...

:laugh: I never thought of it that way.

Ultimately, OP, I would look at PBL vs LDP (even though apparently it becomes PBL because you never go to class anyways). Also, compare Gross Anatomy with and without a cadaver.

Good luck.
 
I would pick PCOM. It's been around and is very well known. Just seems like that would put you at an advantage compared to a new school.

But ulitmately it's up to you. If you don't think you'd be happy there then it's not the shcool for you.
 
Of course I have a bit of bias because I attend PCOM, but my experience here has been nothing but great. If I were you, I would be very weary about a new school. Although LECOM has the success of two other institutions behind it, it is still a new school. There will be changes made during your education, and the organization of the classes and administration will be tweaked. I think it comes down to location for you, as well whether you want to learn via PBL vs. LBL. Location is important. If you are interested in practicing rural medicine, then PCOM probably isn't your best bet. But if you are interested in working in a large metropolitan area, then you would be foolish not to attend PCOM.
 
BCLumas said:
👍 Agreed.



EDIT: I would say Austin, TX is better than Philadelphia. Just IMO.
Click to expand...
My best friend would agree, hah! We met as neighbors in Philly and he's down in Austin now (praying for rain) and I'm still up here in Philly.
The times I visited down there I liked it a lot... but I'm thinking Asheville,NC beats out Austin? Food for thought.
 
The entire decision comes down to how YOU like to learn. If you prefer lectures, then LECOM is not for you because of the PBL. This is really important to consider because the lectures are long and can be very boring if you do not learn well in that environment. PBL gives you more free time to learn in an individual way, as long as you are responsible enough to stay on top of the material.

As for the location, Greensburg is admittedly rural, but Pittsburgh is only 30 minutes away. Also, what type of medicine you eventually end up practicing has more to do with where you do your residency (and in what) than where you go to medical school. Many physicians do residencies in urban areas despite going to med school in the middle of nowhere. Hell many folks just go where they get in! You are lucky to even have a choice. Also, many of the clinical rotations are in Pittsburgh if you choose them.

Finally, anatomy lab is not all that important unless it interests you. You will NEVER use a cadaver in clinical practice, and once you get in the OR, you will see that live bodies look nothing like the cadavers anyway. There are more reasons than money that anatomy labs have been changed. Much of it has to do with long term exposure to fixatives (formaldehyde and phenol) that are carcinogenic and can cause students and faculty (who are exposed all the time year after year) to develop allergies and contact reactions. These chemicals are bad for you and there is much documented evidence of health risks associated with exposure. BUT- if you are interested in anatomy lab and feel it is something that will help you learn, then it is a consideration. Personally, I have no desire to smell like a cadaver and do not believe I would get much out of it. 😱

Overall it just has to be what you are more comfortable with- and don't underestimate the trauma of moving far away from home and to a completely foreign environment.

Good luck!
 
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PghMedic6 said:
As for the location, Greensburg is admittedly rural, but Pittsburgh is only 30 minutes away. Also, what type of medicine you eventually end up practicing has more to do with where you do your residency (and in what) than where you go to medical school. Many physicians do residencies in urban areas despite going to med school in the middle of nowhere. Hell many folks just go where they get in! You are lucky to even have a choice. Also, many of the clinical rotations are in Pittsburgh if you choose them.
Click to expand...

First, PghMedic6, congrats on med school acceptance from another medic in SW PA. In fact, I am a medic for the ambulance service in Greensburg and surrounding area, Mutual Aid. I spent 1.5 yrs in Greensburg as a medic before getting shipped south towards Scottdale and New Stanton.

Anywho, Greensburg is an awesome place. It is rural to some folks, urban to others. I find it a nice medium between the two. There are plenty of things to do, including theaters and clubs. There is also a lot of outdoor activities. Greensburg is a tight-knit community and is very welcoming. The one thing I can say is compared to surrounding communities (mostly ones to the South) it is very progressive. I really do love living in Westmoreland county and plan on attending LECOM-SH in a few years.

Any questions about the area or what not, feel free to msg me.

DU
 
udsoccer7 said:
Of course I have a bit of bias because I attend PCOM, but my experience here has been nothing but great. If I were you, I would be very weary about a new school. Although LECOM has the success of two other institutions behind it, it is still a new school. There will be changes made during your education, and the organization of the classes and administration will be tweaked. I think it comes down to location for you, as well whether you want to learn via PBL vs. LBL. Location is important. If you are interested in practicing rural medicine, then PCOM probably isn't your best bet. But if you are interested in working in a large metropolitan area, then you would be foolish not to attend PCOM.
Click to expand...

What up fellow Blue Hen?! haha
 
I was just on the LECOM website and it wasn't clear on the structure of the PBL classes..

Do you take a class such as "embryology" and then do cases that pertain to that class/subject? Or are the cases/problems random and from different areas of study?

Are any classes taught in lecture format and at what point do we attend lab?


I just graduated college and am taking a year to decide what I want to do. I'm leaning toward osteopathic school (if someone would like to talk me into it that would be great!) however its a huge decision that I am having a hard time making. I want to be in FL and am trying to get a feel for LECOM
 
kjp010 said:
I was just on the LECOM website and it wasn't clear on the structure of the PBL classes..

Do you take a class such as "embryology" and then do cases that pertain to that class/subject? Or are the cases/problems random and from different areas of study?

Are any classes taught in lecture format and at what point do we attend lab?


I just graduated college and am taking a year to decide what I want to do. I'm leaning toward osteopathic school (if someone would like to talk me into it that would be great!) however its a huge decision that I am having a hard time making. I want to be in FL and am trying to get a feel for LECOM
Click to expand...

Had you read the thread which is not long, you would have seen that BCLumas attached a thread to the description of PBL. It's the 5th post.

There is a whole bunch of info about LECOM's PBL, you just need to do a search. Actually, that is one of the biggest things about PBL, the fact that you need to take more of a active approach to learning and not just expecting to be force fed information.

As for LECOM-SH being a new school...well, it is and it isn't. While it is a new location, the learning method has been a tried and true approach that has been established at Erie and improved at Bradenton with very successful rates.
 
Krisss17 said:
Had you read the thread which is not long, you would have seen that BCLumas attached a thread to the description of PBL. It's the 5th post.

There is a whole bunch of info about LECOM's PBL, you just need to do a search. Actually, that is one of the biggest things about PBL, the fact that you need to take more of a active approach to learning and not just expecting to be force fed information.

As for LECOM-SH being a new school...well, it is and it isn't. While it is a new location, the learning method has been a tried and true approach that has been established at Erie and improved at Bradenton with very successful rates.
Click to expand...



There is no need to be rude, thank you, and yes, I actually did read the entire thread and do understand fairly completely the nature of PBL. Had you read the entirety of LECOM's PBL information on their website you would have noticed the part about "other courses" which states the PBL students do take some LPD classes during their 1st and 2nd, which is precisely what I was asking about in my post.

It states "Students in the Problem-Based Learning Pathway will participate in courses from the LDP curriculum during the first and second years. These include the following:..."

I know that LECOM Bradenton is solely PBL however given that information on the website was curious as to the extend of any LPD at Bradenton, particularly from an actual student at LECOM-Bradenton. Thanks!
 
kjp010 said:
There is no need to be rude, thank you, and yes, I actually did read the entire thread and do understand fairly completely the nature of PBL. Had you read the entirety of LECOM's PBL information on their website you would have noticed the part about "other courses" which states the PBL students do take some LPD classes during their 1st and 2nd, which is precisely what I was asking about in my post.

It states "Students in the Problem-Based Learning Pathway will participate in courses from the LDP curriculum during the first and second years. These include the following:..."

I know that LECOM Bradenton is solely PBL however given that information on the website was curious as to the extend of any LPD at Bradenton, particularly from an actual student at LECOM-Bradenton. Thanks!
Click to expand...


I am a second year student in Bradenton. We do have a few traditional courses. Clinical Exam, OMM with lab, and mini courses. Mini courses are classes that dont fit into the hard sciences. We had Nutrition, Geriatrics, Healthcare Management, Ethics, and Public Heath in the first 2 1/2 weeks of the second semester. We are currently taking Behavioral Science, Medical Jurisprudence, and Human Sexuality. Anatomy is more of an overrview course given at the begining of the first year, but anatomy is always a subject revisited more indepth with each set of cases. We spend on average 10 hours a week on campus, though attendance is required. The rest of the time is spent however you wish. Many in our class study in small groups outside of the school, but others spend most of their time alone. It is really up to you.

I love PBL, but it is not for everyone! As for our scores, we are currently the top for pass rate in the nation (only waiting on a few scores). Many in the third year class also took the USMLE and did very well. I am possitive we have PCOM beat, but PCOM does have a great reputation.

I can tell you that if you interview with LECOM-Bradenton, you will sit in on a PBL session. That may help your decision go either way.
 
krozecki said:
I am a second year student in Bradenton. We do have a few traditional courses. Clinical Exam, OMM with lab, and mini courses. Mini courses are classes that dont fit into the hard sciences. We had Nutrition, Geriatrics, Healthcare Management, Ethics, and Public Heath in the first 2 1/2 weeks of the second semester. We are currently taking Behavioral Science, Medical Jurisprudence, and Human Sexuality. Anatomy is more of an overrview course given at the begining of the first year, but anatomy is always a subject revisited more indepth with each set of cases. We spend on average 10 hours a week on campus, though attendance is required. The rest of the time is spent however you wish. Many in our class study in small groups outside of the school, but others spend most of their time alone. It is really up to you.

I love PBL, but it is not for everyone! As for our scores, we are currently the top for pass rate in the nation (only waiting on a few scores). Many in the third year class also took the USMLE and did very well. I am possitive we have PCOM beat, but PCOM does have a great reputation.

I can tell you that if you interview with LECOM-Bradenton, you will sit in on a PBL session. That may help your decision go either way.
Click to expand...

I'm totally cool with LECOM, but is there proof or evidence that LECOM has better scores than PCOM? I need to see that before I believe you.
 
rc4ch said:
I'm totally cool with LECOM, but is there proof or evidence that LECOM has better scores than PCOM? I need to see that before I believe you.
Click to expand...

Is there proof that PCOM has better scores then LECOM? Or if LECOM has better scores then Harvard? Or if school X has better scores then school Y?

Of course not. All schools are "above average" :laugh:
 
ChiDO said:
Is there proof that PCOM has better scores then LECOM? Or if LECOM has better scores then Harvard? Or if school X has better scores then school Y?

Of course not. All schools are "above average" :laugh:
Click to expand...

That's exactly my point.
 
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