PCOM waitlisted

[mcp5016]

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So I wanted to make this thread so that anyone else who has to suffer through the summer because of a waitlist, can suffer with me 😀. This is not going to be fun, but I would like to talk to you people going through the same thing. Anyway I was a "delayed decision" until April 8, when I got the official waitlist letter. Everything about me is in my MDapps, and yes I know my MCAT isn't great. So please join me for the hard times, the happy times, and the celebration at the end of this summer while we all get off the waitlist and start medical school...maybe 🙄.

 

[engineeredout]

Hey at least you got something. PCOM has still not technically decided on my application (or at least they did decide but they never told me about it).

 

[mcp5016]

Hey at least you got something. PCOM has still not technically decided on my application (or at least they did decide but they never told me about it).

I have two waitlists and no acceptances. I need a place to vent. I hope it changes by the end of the summer, but until then I am on two waitlists and dying.

 

[gorgi]

I have two waitlists and no acceptances. I need a place to vent. I hope it changes by the end of the summer, but until then I am on two waitlists and dying.

I am in the exact same situation as you. 2 waitlists, including PCOM, and no acceptances.

I feel like this next month is crucial with people sending in deposits (or hopefully not sending in deposits).

Does anyone know anything about PCOM's waitlist? From what I've read it seems like some years they go through the whole thing and other years... not so much.

 

[Bacchus]

It really depends on whether or not those offered admission are going to commit to the school. I don't think there is any logistical way to predict this before April 15 rolls around. If it fluctuates from year to year like you say then its a big waiting game.

 

[mcp5016]

I am in the exact same situation as you. 2 waitlists, including PCOM, and no acceptances.

I feel like this next month is crucial with people sending in deposits (or hopefully not sending in deposits).

Does anyone know anything about PCOM's waitlist? From what I've read it seems like some years they go through the whole thing and other years... not so much.

From what I have read in the past years on SDN, it seems like there really isn't any serious movement until late June and July, even up until August.

The really interesting thing about the waitlist is that they do not rank there waitlisted students. Instead, as people drop out of the program, the ADCOM meets and tries to take a person off the waitlist that matches the person who left. For example, if a woman drops out, they will try to replace her with another woman with similar stats.

My nerves are horrible right now. I just want to fast forward a couple months and know where I will be. Grrr...I have never wanted to go back to school as much as I will after I graduate.

 

[Zinger09]

I am also on the waitlist at PCOM. I wrote them a letter of intent, so hopefully that will show them something. Luckily for me, I have been accepted somewhere else, but being in Philadelphia would be a lot more convienent.

 

[13 man]

I'm with you. The waiting is the worst.

 

[Bacchus]

Best of luck!

 

[235750]

If it's any consolation, there were people at the PCOM new student brunch who were talking about all the other schools they got in to and that they really "weren't sure" if they were going to choose PCOM.

Honestly those people are really annoying (can we PLEASE quit talking about our MCAT/undergrad GPA now??!?!) , I hope you get their spot(s)!!

 

[Bacchus]

If it's any consolation, there were people at the PCOM new student brunch who were talking about all the other schools they got in to and that they really "weren't sure" if they were going to choose PCOM.

Honestly those people are really annoying (can we PLEASE quit talking about our MCAT/undergrad GPA now??!?!) , I hope you get their spot(s)!!

That's wierd. None of the people I talked to brought up statistics at all. I was happy. I hate comparing numbers. We were all obviously within the needed range or we wouldn't have been at the brunch.

 

[smooch01]

2 waitlists and no acceptances also!!! Thats really interesting about the "stat matching." When I called they basically couldn't answer any of the questions I asked because it was all information that could not be disclosed. They also said there could be movement on the list at anytime...hopefully April 15th will be a crucial date and the committee will meet again after that.

 

[mcp5016]

Just finished my letter of intent so I can have it in the mail by tomorrow. I figure it should be perfect timing since it takes about 2 days for things to get from Erie to Philly. Here's to wishful thinking...

 

[gorgi]

I had sent a letter of intent after I received a letter saying a decision was to be withheld until April 15th, before I received my official waitlist letter. Do you think it would be overkill to send another letter?

 

[235750]

That's wierd. None of the people I talked to brought up statistics at all. I was happy.

Most of the people I sat with were fine, it was just a couple of folks. Great brunch though wasn't it? Really good food!

Bottom line is, people will drop out and spaces will open up. So, just relax and hope it works out.

Just incase things don't work out, start planning what you'll do this year. Not getting into medical school the 1st/2nd/3rd time isn't the end of the world (trust me on that one 🙂 )

 

[mcp5016]

I had sent a letter of intent after I received a letter saying a decision was to be withheld until April 15th, before I received my official waitlist letter. Do you think it would be overkill to send another letter?

I am in the same boat as you. I sent my own letter of intent/interest in today and I was going to wait to send another in until after the first round of waitlist call-ups (assuming I don't get the invite).

 

[DOCSDO]

I'm on the same boat...WL at 2 schools...bummer! 🙁

 

[mcp5016]

Tomorrow is a big day for us people. Let's hope for a miracle...or a bunch of people dropping out of the best osteopathic school in the country 😀

 

[Bacchus]

Tomorrow is a big day for us people. Let's hope for a miracle...or a bunch of people dropping out of the best osteopathic school in the country 😀

I'm pretty sure the PCOM admissions staff doesn't read SDN. 😉 Best of luck!

 

[Bleurberry]

Most of the people I sat with were fine, it was just a couple of folks. Great brunch though wasn't it? Really good food!

Bottom line is, people will drop out and spaces will open up. So, just relax and hope it works out.

Just incase things don't work out, start planning what you'll do this year. Not getting into medical school the 1st/2nd/3rd time isn't the end of the world (trust me on that one 🙂 )

Really? The food was good? Really?

 

[mcp5016]

I'm pretty sure the PCOM admissions staff doesn't read SDN. 😉 Best of luck!

I'm sure I have no clue what your talking about

 

[mcp5016]

This is the big day. Let's go non-depositers and people with other acceptances; I am most definitely rooting for you.👍

 

[Bleurberry]

Let the Great Purge begin!!!

 

[Bacchus]

I just thought of this. The Adcom is still out on interviews done in late March and early April. I don't think there will be much movement until those seats are accounted for.

 

[235750]

Really? The food was good? Really?

It's a buffet so you can't hold to high standards, but yes, I thought the pancakes and eggs were lovely. I don't care for meat, but people seemed to be enjoying their sausages/bacon as well

Plus I got a free plant at the end!! 🙂

 

[mcp5016]

I just thought of this. The Adcom is still out on interviews done in late March and early April. I don't think there will be much movement until those seats are accounted for.

Way to kill the mood

 

[Bacchus]

It's a buffet so you can't hold to high standards, but yes, I thought the pancakes and eggs were lovely. I don't care for meat, but people seemed to be enjoying their sausages/bacon as well

Plus I got a free plant at the end!! 🙂

Hahahaha... that was great. That's something my family does, usually it isn't a plant.

 

[Patrick O]

I decided to take a peek in this section of SDN forums...the first time in about 5 years.... I graduated from PCOM in 05. I too was waitlisted (total BS) back in 2001. After I received the waitlist letter I made an appointment to talk with Carol Fox...came in (I lived about an hour north of PCOM at the time) and restated why I wanted to go PCOM so bad (my number one choice, i only applied to lecom and pcom and got accepted to lecom very quickly)..... the next thing I knew there was an acceptance at my house with a postmark dated the same date as my meeting with Carol. It worked for me... I bet it would (has) work(ed) for others.
Good luck!!.... and I commend all those about to take on those hefty student loans. I graduated with ~165k in 2005!.... I shudder to think what they are now.... must take 2 lifetimes to pay back as a FP doc. My one word of advice to those about to enter medicine.... SPECIALIZE

 

[rc4ch]

Good advice. I think if I had to, I would also try and talk to Deb (head of admissions) about getting in. She was a very nice woman and I could see her giving an acceptance to someone for the effort.

 

[Bleurberry]

It's a buffet so you can't hold to high standards, but yes, I thought the pancakes and eggs were lovely. I don't care for meat, but people seemed to be enjoying their sausages/bacon as well

Plus I got a free plant at the end!! 🙂

I got a plant, too, since guy who actually was awarded the plant didn't want it. Woo hoo!
Ended up giving it as a gift, too, hahaha.
Point well taken about brunch, but PCOM's food and coffee leaves a lot to be desired IMO. It's such a serious situation that I may run for class President to lobby for some improvement (w/o affecting tuition, of course).

As far as specializing because of money concerns, I don't know how sound this advice is. I peek in on the FP threads and some docs make very good money - I'm not altogether confident you can't join a practice as an FP and make well over 200k a year - after a little bit of time - in some areas. Also it appears there are going to be some changes as far as FP incentives go.


But the real equation comes down to - Are you going to buy a $450,000 home when you get out of residency because "you've earned it"?
If not, even on an FP salary, one can pay off $250,000 in a reasonable amount of time , and the new IBR policy actually gives incentive for FP's to stretch out their repayment plan to 25 years, since it forgives any remaining debt after that period - and you're only obligated to pay 15% (typically) of what your loan interest dictates if participating in the program.

Payments are capped at 15% of the amount by which your AGI exceeds 150% ... ​

Under a standard 10-year repayment plan, the same resident (with $155,000 total debt − the national average4) would be required to make monthly payments of $1,784. You can determine your monthly payment under IBR using the calculator at www.IBRinfo.org. ​

So... specialize in something you're not going to fully embrace or enjoy? Don't do it. But if you are "born to be a "Y" specialist" and can make bank, go for it.

 

[Rollo]

Umm...FP is a specialization. I find it amusing that people still have that misconception.

 

[Patrick O]

I got a plant, too, since guy who actually was awarded the plant didn't want it. Woo hoo!
Ended up giving it as a gift, too, hahaha.
Point well taken about brunch, but PCOM's food and coffee leaves a lot to be desired IMO. It's such a serious situation that I may run for class President to lobby for some improvement (w/o affecting tuition, of course).

As far as specializing because of money concerns, I don't know how sound this advice is. I peek in on the FP threads and some docs make very good money - I'm not altogether confident you can't join a practice as an FP and make well over 200k a year - after a little bit of time - in some areas. Also it appears there are going to be some changes as far as FP incentives go.


But the real equation comes down to - Are you going to buy a $450,000 home when you get out of residency because "you've earned it"?
If not, even on an FP salary, one can pay off $250,000 in a reasonable amount of time , and the new IBR policy actually gives incentive for FP's to stretch out their repayment plan to 25 years, since it forgives any remaining debt after that period - and you're only obligated to pay 15% (typically) of what your loan interest dictates if participating in the program.

Payments are capped at 15% of the amount by which your AGI exceeds 150% ... ​

Under a standard 10-year repayment plan, the same resident (with $155,000 total debt − the national average4) would be required to make monthly payments of $1,784. You can determine your monthly payment under IBR using the calculator at www.IBRinfo.org. ​

So... specialize in something you're not going to fully embrace or enjoy? Don't do it. But if you are "born to be a "Y" specialist" and can make bank, go for it.

Ah..... you got to love SDN. I try to give some advice and this is what I get. Are you even in med school yet? I am done with residency and have been down that financial road many times. You are listed as being in Philly... so you should know what the docs get paid and how much the cost of living is. Why would you want to end up at an Indian reservation or in Alaska with that IBR plan .... you want someone to tell you where you have to work? BTW most grads have a 30 year payback plan on their loans. The reality is if you are in Peds or FP you will generally NOT make that much no matter where you are .... look at the statistics.... they are not banking it. Sure you shouldn't get into medicine to make money.... but come back in 4 years after you have actually completed med school and residency and tell me after all that work you enjoy living in a 1 bedroom apartment and driving a 15 year old civic, paying down your loans. I am not trying to bash the primary care specialties (fine I meant subspecialize in my word of advice), I was just trying to let you guys know how you can easily forget about how much money you are going to owe and how long it will take to pay back. That being said good luck to the waitlisters.

 

[Bleurberry]

For my part, I hadn't intended your chagrin.

 

[Bleurberry]

GOOD LUCK WAITLISTERS!!!!
👍

 

[DrMaz]

I decided to take a peek in this section of SDN forums...the first time in about 5 years.... I graduated from PCOM in 05. I too was waitlisted (total BS) back in 2001. After I received the waitlist letter I made an appointment to talk with Carol Fox...came in (I lived about an hour north of PCOM at the time) and restated why I wanted to go PCOM so bad (my number one choice, i only applied to lecom and pcom and got accepted to lecom very quickly)..... the next thing I knew there was an acceptance at my house with a postmark dated the same date as my meeting with Carol. It worked for me... I bet it would (has) work(ed) for others.
Good luck!!.... and I commend all those about to take on those hefty student loans. I graduated with ~165k in 2005!.... I shudder to think what they are now.... must take 2 lifetimes to pay back as a FP doc. My one word of advice to those about to enter medicine.... SPECIALIZE

I am in the same situation now as you were in '05. I only applied to LECOM and PCOM, and was accepted to LECOM in October. I have been waitlisted to PCOM and sent a LOI the day after I received the waitlist letter. I would love to do the same thing, but I'm too far from PCOM to make a visit there right now. I am also originally an hour north from PCOM and could do it after graduation. Do you think it would be good to schedule at that point? When did you meet with Carol Fox, and was she still in the same position as she is in now? If so, why did you meet with her and not Deb Benvenger (Dir. of Admissions)?

Just out of curiosity, what specialty did you choose?

 

[Patrick O]

I am in the same situation now as you were in '05. I only applied to LECOM and PCOM, and was accepted to LECOM in October. I have been waitlisted to PCOM and sent a LOI the day after I received the waitlist letter. I would love to do the same thing, but I'm too far from PCOM to make a visit there right now. I am also originally an hour north from PCOM and could do it after graduation. Do you think it would be good to schedule at that point? When did you meet with Carol Fox, and was she still in the same position as she is in now? If so, why did you meet with her and not Deb Benvenger (Dir. of Admissions)?

Just out of curiosity, what specialty did you choose?

You know it was many years ago...now that I think about it it probably was with Deb (I remember a brunette not a blond like Carol was at the time). Are you at PSU (so was I)...

yes if you can't get there until after you grad and your still on the waitlist... definitely still meet with Deb then. It shows how determined you are. I was amazed when I started med school, and finally got to get to know my classmates, at some of the people they accepted (I was like, and they waitlisted me? ...sure my MCATS weren't like 35s but I did really good at Penn State.....needless to say my judgement of them was correct because they didn't make it past the first or second year). My specialty is dermatopathology (fellowship starts this July), there aren't many of us DOs in this field....and I don't know of any that were PCOM grads....it is a small commununity.)

 

[235750]

Ah..... you got to love SDN. I try to give some advice and this is what I get. Are you even in med school yet?

Well Patrick, I'm not in medical school either, but I think Bleurberry posted some great information. You didn't seem to find any factual faults with anything he/she said, and I don't see any reason to dismiss him/her like you did. BTW, thanks for the links Bleurberry!

Your advice, to subspealize, is really a very specific piece of advice that only applies to a few people. For people who are just about to start medical school, I don't see how 'go for the money' is a helpful statement.

Patrick, we're not all 21 year-old recent college grads. You've been a physician for the past four years now, and I've been a working professional since before you started medical school. If my goal was to make money, I would keep with my job and continue to earn a steady living.

Going to medical school is a horrible financial choice for most of us. I get that, and I think others do to. I just want to be able to wake up in the morning and feel like I'm going to accomplish something for a change, not just crunch numbers and write papers like I do now. Going to medical school will hopefully make my professional life work living and fill a void in my life that's been present my whole adult life. So, hopefully that also answers your question below regarding why I would chose to help the underserved:

Why would you want to end up at an Indian reservation or in Alaska with that IBR plan .... you want someone to tell you where you have to work?

We do appreciate people with experience here (Taus is the man!), and we'd love to hear about your personal experiences. I would like to know, where did you do your residency, and did you enjoy it? Do you have a family, and if so how did you manage it all? Any advice on how to balance having kids?

 

[Patrick O]

Well Patrick, I'm not in medical school either, but I think Bleurberry posted some great information. You didn't seem to find any factual faults with anything he/she said, and I don't see any reason to dismiss him/her like you did. BTW, thanks for the links Bleurberry!

Your advice, to subspealize, is really a very specific piece of advice that only applies to a few people. For people who are just about to start medical school, I don't see how 'go for the money' is a helpful statement.

Patrick, we're not all 21 year-old recent college grads. You've been a physician for the past four years now, and I've been a working professional since before you started medical school. If my goal was to make money, I would keep with my job and continue to earn a steady living.

Going to medical school is a horrible financial choice for most of us. I get that, and I think others do to. I just want to be able to wake up in the morning and feel like I'm going to accomplish something for a change, not just crunch numbers and write papers like I do now. Going to medical school will hopefully make my professional life work living and fill a void in my life that's been present my whole adult life. So, hopefully that also answers your question below regarding why I would chose to help the underserved:



We do appreciate people with experience here (Taus is the man!), and we'd love to hear about your personal experiences. I would like to know, where did you do your residency, and did you enjoy it? Do you have a family, and if so how did you manage it all? Any advice on how to balance having kids?

Look, I'm not going to defend everything I said in intricate. Take my original post (that would be my experience with getting off the waitlist which I was posting to help others) subtract the last line and forget the rest of the stuff I said. For those of you that I have offended, I apologize. You will all enter a specialty (and perhaps subspecialty) that you (should) love. Also, realize that your feelings and views on medicine will also grow and change as you are now going to be an integral part of the system (living it). As for the money.... I never said go for the money ....if I was all about money (I wouldn't be in medicine for one) then I would be an interventional radiologist, etc. And yes, I know that not everyone out there is not a 21 year old college grad, I am friends with many that have gone that alternate route. I first did academic research out of college. I would be glad to share my opinions on med school, medicine, and the current state of the profession as a PM...but clearly not in a public forum because one statement I made about subspecializing has spiraled to this back and forth and has been blown way out of proportion (admittingly by my rather harsh and unnecessary responses to Bleurberry about my "sound" advice.)

 

[mcp5016]

I just want to get into med school first, that stuff is a couple years (hopefully) away. I sent letters of intent/interest and now I play the waiting game.

Did anyone do the biomedical certificate at PCOM. I am trying to decide if I should apply for it now or wait until I get some idea of how the waitlist will move. I want to go back home either way, I just don't want to apply to the certificate program and have them not consider me for DO school anymore. Any advice?

 

[rc4ch]

I just want to get into med school first, that stuff is a couple years (hopefully) away. I sent letters of intent/interest and now I play the waiting game.

Did anyone do the biomedical certificate at PCOM. I am trying to decide if I should apply for it now or wait until I get some idea of how the waitlist will move. I want to go back home either way, I just don't want to apply to the certificate program and have them not consider me for DO school anymore. Any advice?

I know a girl I interviewed with who was getting her Masters for Biomed there. Not sure if she got in, but I think if you do this, you have a great shot. She knew everyone at admissions. Good luck though.

 

[235750]

Look, I'm not going to defend everything I said in intricate. Take my original post (that would be my experience with getting off the waitlist which I was posting to help others) subtract the last line and forget the rest of the stuff I said. For those of you that I have offended, I apologize. You will all enter a specialty (and perhaps subspecialty) that you (should) love. Also, realize that your feelings and views on medicine will also grow and change as you are now going to be an integral part of the system (living it). As for the money.... I never said go for the money ....if I was all about money (I wouldn't be in medicine for one) then I would be an interventional radiologist, etc. And yes, I know that not everyone out there is not a 21 year old college grad, I am friends with many that have gone that alternate route. I first did academic research out of college. I would be glad to share my opinions on med school, medicine, and the current state of the profession as a PM...but clearly not in a public forum because one statement I made about subspecializing has spiraled to this back and forth and has been blown way out of proportion (admittingly by my rather harsh and unnecessary responses to Bleurberry about my "sound" advice.)

Hey fair enough mate, I didn't mean to be harsh to you either. Like I said we do appreciate you sharing your experiences. Also, you're going to be in dermatopathology?! You are in it for the money! 🙂 Just joking. That is very impressive though

Good luck to you Patrick in your fellowship, and all the waitlisters waiting to hear to back!

 

[235750]

I know a girl I interviewed with who was getting her Masters for Biomed there. Not sure if she got in, but I think if you do this, you have a great shot. She knew everyone at admissions. Good luck though.

At the new student brunch there were 2 people at my table who were graduating from the biomed program. It seemed like PCOM looked favorably on people who had completed that degree. That makes sense since my understanding is that they take a lot of classes with the first year DO students, so if you do well in it I imagine you'd do well in the real thing.

Just as an off track side note, has anyone seen the 50+ pysch degrees that are offered at PCOM? I'm exaggerating of course, but they do seem to offer a lot

 

[JonnyG]

At the new student brunch there were 2 people at my table who were graduating from the biomed program. It seemed like PCOM looked favorably on people who had completed that degree. That makes sense since my understanding is that they take a lot of classes with the first year DO students, so if you do well in it I imagine you'd do well in the real thing.

Just as an off track side note, has anyone seen the 50+ pysch degrees that are offered at PCOM? I'm exaggerating of course, but they do seem to offer a lot

the biomeds take similiar but not exactly the same classes as the DO students they also do not take them together. They give great consideration to the bomeds but they leave them hanging a long time. They usually do not get interviews till the end f the process and even after the end (i think its guaranteed). They are usually admited though. I think they save spots for them. They just want to see most of their grades before deciding.

 

[Eric714]

I was wait-listed 2 years in a row at Western/COMP. I got in my 2nd year, with 3 weeks before school started. So just have to hang in there... I remember that limbo feeling which sucks.

Good luck!

 

[Bacchus]

I think you all should start hearing soon. I'd imagine the adcom met last week or this week and will be giving out final acceptances before waitlist analysis. Good luck!

 

[gorgi]

I think you all should start hearing soon. I'd imagine the adcom met last week or this week and will be giving out final acceptances before waitlist analysis. Good luck!

I hope you are right!

Does anyone know if they send a letter via snail mail or call us to inform us about movement off the waitlist?

 

[mcp5016]

I hope you are right!

Does anyone know if they send a letter via snail mail or call us to inform us about movement off the waitlist?

It depends on how long before classes start. I think I read that people were getting snail mail up until mid july and then people started getting phone calls.

 

[Bleurberry]

It depends on how long before classes start. I think I read that people were getting snail mail up until mid july and then people started getting phone calls.

That's how I read it, too. Our first day of orientation is the 9th of August, guys. That's a sunday.

 

[shamber]

does calling the admissions office to check up/in on waitlist status do any good? i wasn't sure if this would be effective or annoying to admissions. letters of intent have already been written....😎 thanks guys, good luck to all

 

[wanttogohome]

Wait-listed as well...PCOM is my first choice....29Q/3.8....NY resident...