PCOM vs LECOM

[llester]

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I was accepted to both PCOMs MSBS (GA) and LECOMs MMS (PA).

Ultimately, I’m looking for an SMP that best prepares me academically, and, offers an advantage for matriculating into a DO program.

I am a single mom of a, currently, 15-month little girl. So, location and cost of living are definitely factors that I need to take into consideration.

Could anyone offer any insight into what they know about how these two programs compare as far as curriculum, schedules, resources for student success, and strength of linkage? And, again, any insight into the areas is also much appreciated.

 

[rmarwah]

How do you feel about pbl?

 

[llester]

How do you feel about pbl?

excited and apprehensive. It sounds great in theory. I just hope we wouldn’t be completely left to allow the blind to lead the blind.

 

[6744]

How do you feel about pbl?

What is pbl? Lol

 

[rmarwah]

excited and apprehensive. It sounds great in theory. I just hope we wouldn’t be completely left to allow the blind to lead the blind.

If you're a disciplined enough to self study then LECOM is the better bet. Since you have a daughter, it will let you get to spend more time at home. Its also one of the cheapest medical schools in the U.S. (close to 60% cheaper than PCOM) and has the option to save even more by completing your degree in 3 years if you commit to primary care. I might've chosen LECOM over PCOM philly had I gotten accepted. Best of luck to you whichever you end up choosing!

 

[rmarwah]

What is pbl? Lol

Project Based Learning. LECOM's "teaching style"

 

[6744]

PCOM offers conditional acceptance and LECOM is just an interview correct? So PCOM has more advantages ?!

 

[llester]

If you're a disciplined enough to self study then LECOM is the better bet. Since you have a daughter, it will let you get to spend more time at home. Its also one of the cheapest medical schools in the U.S. (close to 60% cheaper than PCOM) and has the option to save even more by completing your degree in 3 years if you commit to primary care. I might've chosen LECOM over PCOM philly had I gotten accepted. Best of luck to you whichever you end up choosing!

I have really enjoyed and appreciated your response. Thank you very much for the input. And all the best of luck to you.

 

[llester]

PCOM offers conditional acceptance and LECOM is just an interview correct? So PCOM has more advantages ?!

officially, yes.

However, it seems LECOM essentially (unofficially) guarantees matriculation to their DO program if you maintain a 3.3 and have a 497 MCAT, then a satisfactory interview.

From what I’ve read, PCOMs conditional acceptance is difficult to achieve, especially in the 1st year of the program. This is a big reason I initially leaned toward LECOM since they are a 1 year program so there won’t be institutional incentive to keep you in the masters program an extra year.

 

[insaiyan-premed]

officially, yes.

However, it seems LECOM essentially (unofficially) guarantees matriculation to their DO program if you maintain a 3.3 and have a 497 MCAT, then a satisfactory interview.

From what I’ve read, PCOMs conditional acceptance is difficult to achieve, especially in the 1st year of the program. This is a big reason I initially leaned toward LECOM since they are a 1 year program so there won’t be institutional incentive to keep you in the masters program an extra year.

Doesn't the website state that you can matriculate in after a year of a 3.3 in the program & above a 500 on the mcat?

 

[Ineedcoffee28]

Doesn't the website state that you can matriculate in after a year of a 3.3 in the program & above a 500 on the mcat?

PCOM started their conditional acceptance linkage this year. Its been a bit touch and go for the past couple years according to other threads. Were going have to see how this year turns out for current BMS1.

 

[insaiyan-premed]

PCOM started their conditional acceptance linkage this year. Its been a bit touch and go for the past couple years according to other threads. Were going have to see how this year turns out for current BMS1.

OK, I called the rep earlier today about the conditional acceptance, but he waved it off and went back to stating that I need to do well in the interview anyway. I'm assuming meeting the conditional acceptance benchmarks will only make you slightly more competitive.

Looking at the curriculum, doesn't PCOM's program have an easier workload compared to LECOM?

 

[llester]

OK, I called the rep earlier today about the conditional acceptance, but he waved it off and went back to stating that I need to do well in the interview anyway. I'm assuming meeting the conditional acceptance benchmarks will only make you slightly more competitive.

Looking at the curriculum, doesn't PCOM's program have an easier workload compared to LECOM?

I thought the same thing. I also thought that PCOMs courses didn’t align with med school preparation quite as well as LECOM. I’m doing an SMP because my gpa isn’t great so I want the opportunity to prove I could handle a medical curriculum (and,at least to me, LECOMs program seemed to more closely mirror that).

 

[insaiyan-premed]

I thought the same thing. I also thought that PCOMs courses didn’t align with med school preparation quite as well as LECOM. I’m doing an SMP because my gpa isn’t great so I want the opportunity to prove I could handle a medical curriculum (and,at least to me, LECOMs program seemed to more closely mirror that).

How's the Lecom SMP so far? I'm at a middle point where a decent MCAT would allow me to get into do schools but I still might need a linkage program. Apparently the rep for that program said no MCAT was required. I wanted to know how your handling the workload and if you have an idea that you will link or not?

 

[llester]

How's the Lecom SMP so far? I'm at a middle point where a decent MCAT would allow me to get into do schools but I still might need a linkage program. Apparently the rep for that program said no MCAT was required. I wanted to know how your handling the workload and if you have an idea that you will link or not?

I will actually start the program this coming August, 2020. However, asa0009 has gone through the program and has been exceptional about answering questions.