PCOM, wild admissions

This forum made possible through the generous support of SDN members, donors, and sponsors. Thank you.
PA resident
GPA: 3.89/3.88
MCAT: 25

What got me in is probably the shadowing of a PCOM alumni and his wonderful letter.
 
ruiner said:
My EC's were good, I think what hurt me at PCOM was that I didn't have any real exposure to osteopathic medicine and no DO letter of rec.
Click to expand...

When you and others say they didn't get exposed to osteopathic medicine, do they typically mean they didn't shadow a DO or do they mean that they weren't exposed to a DO doing OMM and other very traditional osteopathic things?

For instance, if you shadow a DO surgeon who doesn't incorporate any OMM into his practice and pretty much practices like an allopathic physician, the only reason you'd be exposed to "osteopathic medicine" is the fact that the dude doing the surgery is a DO. If you covered up their name tag, you probably wouldn't know the difference. But if you shadow a FP doc who does OMM in his clinic, that seems more like "osteopathic medicine. What are admissions people looking for in this respect?
 
MLT2MT2DO said:
Not being sarcastic but are these stats real? Do you have anything to back these up? 1/3rd of all residencies in Philly seems exhorbant, not saying you're wrong but I'd be suprised if you were right. I would guess 2nd most medical schools off the top of my head (NY being first). Also the city of the best programs and research seems like a subjective title.
Click to expand...

"The greater Philadelphia region is the second-largest medical research and education centre in the U.S. More than one third of the conventions and meetings held in the region are life sciences-related. One out of every six doctors in the country was trained in Philadelphia, and 80 percent of America’s pharmaceutical firms, as well as 80 percent of the world’s major biotech companies are located within a two-hour drive of the city. Philadelphia faculty and graduates pioneered the use of X-ray, helped identify the first colon cancer gene, invented ultrasound gels, discovered the existence of chromosomes and endorphins, founded six of the top 10 pharmaceutical companies, and continue to run the country’s number one children’s hospital."
http://www.philadelphiausa.travel/LQxFeJ


"More than 150,000 students attend college in Philadelphia, while one out of every six U.S. doctors is trained in the city. "
http://www.cvent.com/destination-guide/philadelphia/

"The region ranks third in the nation for the number of health professions and related degrees conferred. One out of every six doctors in the country was trained in Philadelphia."
http://www.onebigcampus.com/pdf/fsb_ls.pdf



Also, the American College of Physicians (ACP) is located in philly. The ECFMG is located in Philly, and Philly was the site of the original Step 2 CS site. American Board of Internal Medicine is in Philly. American Board of Surgery is in Philly. American Board of Allergy and Immunology, American Board of Plastic Surgery, and American Board of Ophthalmology are located in Philly (well, technically Ophthalmology is in Bala Cynwyd, a neighboring suburb ... if you cross the street from PCOM, you're in Bala Cynwyd)
 
Maryland Resident
Accepted PCOM (PA)

I think that the admissions committee at PCOM looks for applicants who have a good understanding of osteopathic medicine, and are able to convey a strong interest in it in the secondary application and interview. The first three questions the interviewers asked me were:

1) Why PCOM?
2) What do you know about osteopathic medicine?
3) What do you know about OMM?

In my experience, the interviewers didn't care that I had not shadowed a DO. I mentioned during the interview that I had made arrangements to shadow a DO endocrinologist, but they told me it wasn't necessary to send a letter of recommendation to update them (Even though they "strongly recommend" one on their website).
 
group_theory said:
"The greater Philadelphia region is the second-largest medical research and education centre in the U.S. More than one third of the conventions and meetings held in the region are life sciences-related. One out of every six doctors in the country was trained in Philadelphia, and 80 percent of America’s pharmaceutical firms, as well as 80 percent of the world’s major biotech companies are located within a two-hour drive of the city. Philadelphia faculty and graduates pioneered the use of X-ray, helped identify the first colon cancer gene, invented ultrasound gels, discovered the existence of chromosomes and endorphins, founded six of the top 10 pharmaceutical companies, and continue to run the country’s number one children’s hospital."
http://www.philadelphiausa.travel/LQxFeJ


"More than 150,000 students attend college in Philadelphia, while one out of every six U.S. doctors is trained in the city. "
http://www.cvent.com/destination-guide/philadelphia/

"The region ranks third in the nation for the number of health professions and related degrees conferred. One out of every six doctors in the country was trained in Philadelphia."
http://www.onebigcampus.com/pdf/fsb_ls.pdf



Also, the American College of Physicians (ACP) is located in philly. The ECFMG is located in Philly, and Philly was the site of the original Step 2 CS site. American Board of Internal Medicine is in Philly. American Board of Surgery is in Philly. American Board of Allergy and Immunology, American Board of Plastic Surgery, and American Board of Ophthalmology are located in Philly (well, technically Ophthalmology is in Bala Cynwyd, a neighboring suburb ... if you cross the street from PCOM, you're in Bala Cynwyd)
Click to expand...

Thank you for clearing that up Group_Theory. Your my favorite homunculus now =).
 
In addition:
Philadelphia was where John Morgan and Benjamin Rush, as well as other physicians rose and developed a university based medical school. First ever medical school started at the College of Philadelphia (now the University of Penn), and many other states around it based their models on Philadelphia's...this was before any kind of germ theory, osteopathic philosophy, x-ray, etc etc was discovered

Directly from "Seeking the Cure, a history of medicine in America" book by Ira Rutkow
 
HimeMomo said:
In addition:
Philadelphia was where John Morgan and Benjamin Rush, as well as other physicians rose and developed a university based medical school. First ever medical school started at the College of Philadelphia (now the University of Penn), and many other states around it based their models on Philadelphia's...this was before any kind of germ theory, osteopathic philosophy, x-ray, etc etc was discovered

Directly from "Seeking the Cure, a history of medicine in America" book by Ira Rutkow
Click to expand...

Pennsylvania Hospital (located in Philly) was America's first hospital. (FYI, Pennsylvania Hospital is a rotation site for PCOM students)

Pennsylvania Hospital was founded in 1751 by Dr. Thomas Bond and Benjamin Franklin.
http://www.uphs.upenn.edu/paharc/features/creation.html
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pennsylvania_Hospital


Pennsylvania Hospital also recently created a dually accredited (ACGME and AOA accredited) Internal Medicine residency in partnership with PCOM's OPTI (PCOM MedNet).
http://www.uphs.upenn.edu/pahedu/gme/medicine.html
 
DOwnage said:
When you and others say they didn't get exposed to osteopathic medicine, do they typically mean they didn't shadow a DO or do they mean that they weren't exposed to a DO doing OMM and other very traditional osteopathic things?

For instance, if you shadow a DO surgeon who doesn't incorporate any OMM into his practice and pretty much practices like an allopathic physician, the only reason you'd be exposed to "osteopathic medicine" is the fact that the dude doing the surgery is a DO. If you covered up their name tag, you probably wouldn't know the difference. But if you shadow a FP doc who does OMM in his clinic, that seems more like "osteopathic medicine. What are admissions people looking for in this respect?
Click to expand...

I meant never shadowed a DO, never even talked to one.
 
JaggerPlate said:
How do you know they're even real ...
Click to expand...

How do I know that your a real thing behind that avatar? How do I know anyone is real.

Yah, ask that question in front of a psychiatrist and he'll strap you down to a ECT table lol hahaha.
 
Oh no, I really liked PCOM but am from the west coast.

🙁
 
Last edited:
ruiner said:
My EC's were good, I think what hurt me at PCOM was that I didn't have any real exposure to osteopathic medicine and no DO letter of rec.
Click to expand...

PCOM is very strict about its LOR requirements! They will not make any exceptions and you can't substitute letters.
 
HeelHookin said:
PCOM is very strict about its LOR requirements! They will not make any exceptions and you can't substitute letters.
Click to expand...

D.O letter is only recommended, not required. People have gotten in without it, but I'm sure they'll make sure and grill you about osteopathic principles.
 
Lewist02 said:
D.O letter is only recommended, not required. People have gotten in without it, but I'm sure they'll make sure and grill you about osteopathic principles.
Click to expand...

Isn't a "Dean's Letter" required?
 
elftown said:
Applicants are required to submit a letter of recommendation from the premedical committee or premedical advisor of the undergraduate college that grants or will grant a bachelor's degree, regardless of your academic major, course of study or graduation. If that is not possible, a letter from your academic advisor or Dean of the same institution may substitute. Another letter of recommendation, preferably from an osteopathic physician, is strongly suggested but is not required.

http://www.pcom.edu/Admissions/adm_app_process/adm_DO/adm_do.html
Click to expand...

Ah, got my info from chocolate bear's spreadsheet (can't open it up at work to verify). Think I'll add GA-PCOM since I don't need it.
 
group_theory said:
"The greater Philadelphia region is the second-largest medical research and education centre in the U.S. More than one third of the conventions and meetings held in the region are life sciences-related. One out of every six doctors in the country was trained in Philadelphia, and 80 percent of America's pharmaceutical firms, as well as 80 percent of the world's major biotech companies are located within a two-hour drive of the city. Philadelphia faculty and graduates pioneered the use of X-ray, helped identify the first colon cancer gene, invented ultrasound gels, discovered the existence of chromosomes and endorphins, founded six of the top 10 pharmaceutical companies, and continue to run the country's number one children's hospital."
http://www.philadelphiausa.travel/LQxFeJ


"More than 150,000 students attend college in Philadelphia, while one out of every six U.S. doctors is trained in the city. "
http://www.cvent.com/destination-guide/philadelphia/

"The region ranks third in the nation for the number of health professions and related degrees conferred. One out of every six doctors in the country was trained in Philadelphia."
http://www.onebigcampus.com/pdf/fsb_ls.pdf



Also, the American College of Physicians (ACP) is located in philly. The ECFMG is located in Philly, and Philly was the site of the original Step 2 CS site. American Board of Internal Medicine is in Philly. American Board of Surgery is in Philly. American Board of Allergy and Immunology, American Board of Plastic Surgery, and American Board of Ophthalmology are located in Philly (well, technically Ophthalmology is in Bala Cynwyd, a neighboring suburb ... if you cross the street from PCOM, you're in Bala Cynwyd)
Click to expand...


I never said Philadelphia wasn't huge when it came to medicine. 1/6 doctors trained does not equal 1/3 doctors trained. The stat also says it ranks third in the nation for health professionals (yes I know this encompasses nurses/techs/etc), not first.

Again I never argued that Philly was a mecca for the medical profession, I simply didn't agree with...

serenade said:
It's the city where almost 1/3rd of all residents do their residency. It's the city with some of the best programs and research. It's been called the medical capital of America because it's where so much research and training happen. Not to mention it's the city with the most medical schools or 2nd most medical schools.
Click to expand...

I have contributed too much to the derailment of this thread and will exit it so it has a chance to get back on track.
 
MLT2MT2DO said:
I never said Philadelphia wasn't huge when it came to medicine. 1/6 doctors trained does not equal 1/3 doctors trained. The stat also says it ranks third in the nation for health professionals (yes I know this encompasses nurses/techs/etc), not first.

Again I never argued that Philly was a mecca for the medical profession, I simply didn't agree with...



I have contributed too much to the derailment of this thread and will exit it so it has a chance to get back on track.
Click to expand...
Bah, I doubled the real stat. My bad.
 
Last edited:
Apologies for the tangent, but I have a question about 'regions' and states and such. I am moving with my fiancee to Omaha, NE in August while she attends an accelerated nursing program and I'll be working (hopefully medical or biotech with my fancy new degree under my belt). I have just submitted my application to med schools, so will they consider me a CA resident (since I am right now) or will they consider me a Nebraska resident, since I will be living there--not for school, for about a year?

Thanks for the insight!
 
mmikey said:
Apologies for the tangent, but I have a question about 'regions' and states and such. I am moving with my fiancee to Omaha, NE in August while she attends an accelerated nursing program and I'll be working (hopefully medical or biotech with my fancy new degree under my belt). I have just submitted my application to med schools, so will they consider me a CA resident (since I am right now) or will they consider me a Nebraska resident, since I will be living there--not for school, for about a year?

Thanks for the insight!
Click to expand...

It depends, if you own property in NE, I think you become a resident. However check with the state if they consider you a resident. As you might be a resident of NE until a year's up.
 
megathunder said:
Oh no, I really liked PCOM but am from CA.

🙁
Click to expand...

I am from SoCal. I met 6-7 people from CA (probably more) in my class. My only suggestion to you is APPLY EARLY ...that means NOW...and return your completed secondaries and send LORs ASAP --- the rest is up to the admissions office but at least you did what you can to maximize your chance...good luck 👍
 
bigyihoroi said:
I am from SoCal. I met 6-7 people from CA (probably more) in my class. My only suggestion to you is APPLY EARLY ...that means NOW...and return your completed secondaries and send LORs ASAP --- the rest is up to the admissions office but at least you did what you can to maximize your chance...good luck 👍
Click to expand...


Way off topic, but after reading the whether or not to fart during the MCAT thread in pre-allo, I find your avatar especially amusing :laugh:
 
Waitlisted then accepted

PA resident, undergrad at Temple University, did the biomed program at PCOM
sci gpa: 3.2
cum gpa: 3.4
Post bacc gpa: 3.6


It is true that Philly is/was the medical capital. When I visited the Mutter Museum here I found out that Philly used to contain about 15 medical schools at once because it was the the location to learn and practice medicine in the early 1900s I believe. It probably still is a medical capital since the city itself still contains 5 medical schools as well as many hospitals. America's first pharmacy school, USP, is also located here.
 
bigyihoroi said:
I am from SoCal. I met 6-7 people from CA (probably more) in my class. My only suggestion to you is APPLY EARLY ...that means NOW...and return your completed secondaries and send LORs ASAP --- the rest is up to the admissions office but at least you did what you can to maximize your chance...good luck 👍
Click to expand...

If you're from CA and want to go to medical school in Philly, I have heard from at Temple Med that their class is almost half PA and half CA.
 
elftown said:
Applicants are required to submit a letter of recommendation from the premedical committee or premedical advisor of the undergraduate college that grants or will grant a bachelor's degree, regardless of your academic major, course of study or graduation. If that is not possible, a letter from your academic advisor or Dean of the same institution may substitute. Another letter of recommendation, preferably from an osteopathic physician, is strongly suggested but is not required.

http://www.pcom.edu/Admissions/adm_app_process/adm_DO/adm_do.html
Click to expand...


Ahh that's right this is the school I had to get a letter from my advisor for, which was awesome, because my advisor is the guy that told me I wouldn't get into any allopathic schools and was a long shot at DO schools. Course I got into multiple of each type so in short....F him.
 
yeah obvi there are a lot of people from PA here. I have no idea what percentage of people apply that are from OOS. They probably want people that are more likely to stay around PA as someone said in an earlier post, but trying to make sense of admissions via MCAT and EC's is probably impossible. It depends on each individual application. One person may be lacking in one area and completely excell in another. I mean yes, applicants should be well rounded. For people applying this cycle the best thing to help your chances is to apply early. Good luck!👍
 
Accepted last year

Overall GPA 3.5
Science GPA 3.6
MCAT 32
PA resident
 
serenade said:
Unfortunately I can't back up these stats. But like I said i've heard these stats from Mod's on the pre-allopathic part. These might be in fact in correct. However 1/3rd of all residencies was incorrect. It's more like "1/3 physicians will partake in some or all of their training in Philadelphia," which is why it's called the medical capital of the US.
Click to expand...

Serenade...dont worry ive heard it called this many many times. Ive heard that its more than a 3rd of all physicians that have completed some sort of training here. Drexel,Jeff,Penn,PCOM,Temple....not exactly a shortage of medical schools here.

Since I am posting in this thread here are my stats:

Philly resident
27M,29 MCAT
2.45 ugrad at SUNY school
3.7+ masters at drexel u
8 years full time work in my (clinical) field

first time rejected...retook the mcat and finished masters...accepted on 2nd round.
 
Hey guys, I have a few questions that relate to PCOM/applying DO in general:

I'm going to be on a trip that's going to be in Philly this summer. Does anyone have any experience with touring the school?

I'll admit, this is my second time applying to schools and didn't really consider applying DO the first go-round because I didn't feel like I had enough information to confidently commit to that route.

Now that I've done some research, am considering going the traditional family medicine route and later a sports med concentration, do you think my limited exposure to Osteopathic Medicine will hurt me in the long run? I'm currently trying to locate a DO in my community to get some experience with also.

Stats are traditional, non-URM, VA resident with Cum GPA 3.94, Sci GPA 3.86, MCAT 27R (PS 8/VR 9/BS 10).

Any help or suggestions would be SO appreciated. Happy Father's Day by the way 😀
 
noalias said:
Hey guys, I have a few questions that relate to PCOM/applying DO in general:

I'm going to be on a trip that's going to be in Philly this summer. Does anyone have any experience with touring the school?

I'll admit, this is my second time applying to schools and didn't really consider applying DO the first go-round because I didn't feel like I had enough information to confidently commit to that route.

Now that I've done some research, am considering going the traditional family medicine route and later a sports med concentration, do you think my limited exposure to Osteopathic Medicine will hurt me in the long run? I'm currently trying to locate a DO in my community to get some experience with also.

Stats are traditional, non-URM, VA resident with Cum GPA 3.94, Sci GPA 3.86, MCAT 27R (PS 8/VR 9/BS 10).

Any help or suggestions would be SO appreciated. Happy Father's Day by the way 😀
Click to expand...

I don't think limited exposure to osteopathic medicine will hurt you that much, as long as you've shown the admissions committee that you've tried to learn all you can about it by shadowing and doing your research. Your stats look fine for DO schools, and as for the tour, they do conduct them at open houses. If you can't make it to an open house then maybe ask admissions if there is a way for you to explore the school outside the open house. Students here are very friendly so they might hook you up with one of them to do that.
 
bluefaeriedusts said:
I don't think limited exposure to osteopathic medicine will hurt you that much, as long as you've shown the admissions committee that you've tried to learn all you can about it by shadowing and doing your research. Your stats look fine for DO schools, and as for the tour, they do conduct them at open houses. If you can't make it to an open house then maybe ask admissions if there is a way for you to explore the school outside the open house. Students here are very friendly so they might hook you up with one of them to do that.
Click to expand...


Thanks!
 
willen101383 said:
Serenade...dont worry ive heard it called this many many times. Ive heard that its more than a 3rd of all physicians that have completed some sort of training here. Drexel,Jeff,Penn,PCOM,Temple....not exactly a shortage of medical schools here.

Since I am posting in this thread here are my stats:

Philly resident
27M,29 MCAT
2.45 ugrad at SUNY school
3.7+ masters at drexel u
8 years full time work in my (clinical) field

first time rejected...retook the mcat and finished masters...accepted on 2nd round.
Click to expand...


Thanks 🙂. Well hopefully if I'm lucky i'll get into PCOM, Philadelphia is one of my rather favored cities and It's close. Hopefully the regional bias is extended to Marylanders.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

Mr.Smile12
SNMA Med School Admissions Panel
Replies
0
Views
734
Mr.Smile12
Mr.Smile12
1
DO admissions cycle timing question
Replies
8
Views
2K
1994sec311
1
V
Should I email admissions regarding cancellation of MCAT retake?
Replies
5
Views
852
noah__ollie
noah__ollie
H
rolling admission question
Replies
10
Views
2K
Goro
Goro
wysdoc
2025-2026 Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine (PCOM-PA)
2 3
Replies
109
Views
19K
doctor10111
D
Top