PCOM's Master's program as a "bridge" to DO?

[AkGrown84]

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Hi everyone!
I have a question that I am wondering if any of you have any experience or knowledge of. I'm matriculating at PCOM this fall, and my brother in law is contemplating applying this next cycle for the DO program at PCOM as well (we both have larger families-3 and 4 kids each-and it would be nice to be close to family!). He is a non-trad (like myself), and doesn't have the most amazing GPA.

Is PCOM's master's programa decent "bridge" for application to the DO program? He doesn't mind taking a year or two to help his application, but would like some type of statistic on how many of their students that perform well in the Masters program end up matriculating into the DO program. Upon looking at their website, it says that it is not specifically a "bridge" program. However, in practice, I am wondering if those in the Master's get any special attention come application/interview time?

Thanks so much!

 

[AlbinoHawk DO]

Call the program. These are valid questions.

 

[Ogmora]

This is all hearsay, but I've heard as long as you maintain the minimum GPA, you will be "guaranteed" an interview, if not after the first year, then after the second (first year you get a grad certificate, second year you get your masters degree). I couldn't tell you the exact statistics on how many matriculate though, but I pretty sure it's one of the better SMP-esque programs out there, definitely at the top of the list for DO schools.

I was accepted into their masters program last year and now have second thoughts about not attending. Instead, I chose a program that was closer to where I did my UD, that didn't have any "linkage" to it's doctoral program and had a record of questionable reviews here on SDN. That being said, although my program is not specifically a "bridge" program either, there are definitely a large number of people who finish the 1 year masters and continue to the medical program the following year.

A good idea is to call the program, like Albino said. Another option, that would probably give you a spattering of subjective and objective info, would be to go through the Post-Bacc forum here on SDN. Thats where I got most of the info for the program I'm in now. Granted, administration will be helpful, but they're only going to try to sell you on it. The reviews from people on SDN will give you the nitty gritty on the reliability of the program and the truth to whatever claims are made by the program administrators.

 

[987234]

I completed the first year of PCOM-GA's biomedical sciences program last year (I skipped the second year because I already have another masters and wanted to get some more work experience). You're correct that there is no direct linkage between the biomed and D.O. programs; that being said, I would estimate that ~20-25 of the 70 people in my class went on to a D.O. program (not necessarily PCOM) after the first year. It's obviously much more difficult to get into the PA program and I think only 1-2 people from my class ended up at PCOM-PA after one year. I don't think they state the "guaranteed interview" policy anywhere, but if you do well in the biomed program and hit somewhere near the average MCAT you'll get an interview.

Personally, I felt the program was worth the money. It took my sGPA from a 3.25 to a 3.65 and helped me to get a taste of what med school will be like. I currently have two D.O. acceptances, 1 waitlist, and my decision from PCOM-PA was deferred until late April-May (I think the PA campus looks less favorably on GA applicants, but this shouldn't be a problem for your brother-in-law since he'd be doing the biomed program in PA).

 

[swinsh01]

I'm currently a first year in the biomed program in PA and will be matriculating as a DO student in the fall. The "guaranteed policy" we were told was a 3.0 in the program, with no failures or withdrawals, and at least a 24 on the MCAT with an 8 in each section.

They really try to interview the second year biomeds in the fall and the first years in the winter. I was a lucky first year in that I had a pretty early interview. The program has been great and very helpful prep for next year! It also helps that the an admissions administrator is willing to meet with the biomeds to help them talk through their application to discuss competitiveness, strengths, weaknesses, etc. After my informal meeting with an administrator I had an interview invitation in less than 24 hours, so it's not a direct bridge, but it can definitely be helpful in many other aspects!

 

[Ailleurs]

I'm currently a first year in the biomed program in PA and will be matriculating as a DO student in the fall. The "guaranteed policy" we were told was a 3.0 in the program, with no failures or withdrawals, and at least a 24 on the MCAT with an 8 in each section.

They really try to interview the second year biomeds in the fall and the first years in the winter. I was a lucky first year in that I had a pretty early interview. The program has been great and very helpful prep for next year! It also helps that the an admissions administrator is willing to meet with the biomeds to help them talk through their application to discuss competitiveness, strengths, weaknesses, etc. After my informal meeting with an administrator I had an interview invitation in less than 24 hours, so it's not a direct bridge, but it can definitely be helpful in many other aspects!

Congrats!!!!!! 🙂 If you are accepted as a DO student (well assuming you decided to attend PCOM), do they make you re-take the classes you took during the biomed program or can you "get out" of those classes if you did well in them?

 

[DloopF2]

I'm currently a first year in the biomed program in PA and will be matriculating as a DO student in the fall. The "guaranteed policy" we were told was a 3.0 in the program, with no failures or withdrawals, and at least a 24 on the MCAT with an 8 in each section.

They really try to interview the second year biomeds in the fall and the first years in the winter. I was a lucky first year in that I had a pretty early interview. The program has been great and very helpful prep for next year! It also helps that the an admissions administrator is willing to meet with the biomeds to help them talk through their application to discuss competitiveness, strengths, weaknesses, etc. After my informal meeting with an administrator I had an interview invitation in less than 24 hours, so it's not a direct bridge, but it can definitely be helpful in many other aspects!

Can you talk more about your experience in the pcom-ms program? Maybe with some simple Pro / cons?

 

[TopTomato]

Congrats!!!!!! 🙂 If you are accepted as a DO student (well assuming you decided to attend PCOM), do they make you re-take the classes you took during the biomed program or can you "get out" of those classes if you did well in them?

The only classes you can be exempt from is taking histology practicals if you test out of them (this option is available to any student if they have taken a histology class and got a B or better in it), however when you test out, the grade you get on your exam will be the grade replaced for all histo practicals.

As far as PCOM biomeds getting into the DO program, they tend to do very well during the first 2 trimesters due to having the same material, and professors before.

 

[DloopF2]

I have a few friends who just got their MCAT scores back last week. Is it too late to apply for the Pcom masters? And how competitive is 24(8/8/8) for the master?

 

[cometstarg]

I have a few friends who just got their MCAT scores back last week. Is it too late to apply for the Pcom masters? And how competitive is 24(8/8/8) for the master?

I'm a first year in the biomed program and I'm pretty sure I applied around this time last year. That MCAT score, coupled with a >3.0 in the program gets you a guaranteed med school interview so it should be good enough for acceptance into the biomedical sciences program.

 

[DloopF2]

Thanks for the insight! How do they handle interviews for students that only want the certificate after one year?

 

[cometstarg]

I know that a few students that already had pretty good stats and applied over the summer got interviews in the fall/winter after first term grades came out and were accepted. People that applied with not as good undergrad stats but still making the cut off have been interviewing for the past few weeks, not sure about their admissions decisions.

 

[drminajoon]

Hi all, I have recently discovered this program.. not sure if I am too late apply..but for this year or next year.. if you are doing the certificate program (1st year only) are you still able to file for financial aid? I know that many Certification programs dont qualify for a financial unless you are doing a Master classification degree.

I toured the school a few days ago and its actually 20 mins aways from my new apt., and my rent is decent!

Also does PCOM-GA have good rotations sites around? Or are most of the places dominate by MSM, Emory, Mercer etc.? There are tons of medical schools in the area, so I wonder

Thanks for any help 🙂

 

[LuluMed]

Just one example.... but I know someone who did the PCOM biomed program and applied to MD & DO schools during her first year in the program. She was accepted and now attends an MD school. So, the program definitely sets you up well to be prepared to apply to any medical school

 

[drminajoon]

Just one example.... but I know someone who did the PCOM biomed program and applied to MD & DO schools during her first year in the program. She was accepted and now attends an MD school. So, the program definitely sets you up well to be prepared to apply to any medical school

That is very encouraging to hear. I am a little worried about the the financial aid situation, but I am thinking about applying this late anyway 🙂

 

[DloopF2]

That is very encouraging to hear. I am a little worried about the the financial aid situation, but I am thinking about applying this late anyway 🙂

I know a few people that applied two months ago and were wait listed. How are your stats?

 

[drminajoon]

3.6 cGPA, 3.0sGPA, 3.9 MPH GPA, 25 MCAT 🙁

 

[DloopF2]

3.6 cGPA, 3.0sGPA, 3.9 MPH GPA, 25 MCAT 🙁

If your mcat was a few points higher, I think you'd have a shot straight into DO. Youre a great candidate for the ms. Me thinks. Good luck!