PCSOM vs DCOM

[DoctorMom78]

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YAY!!! I just got home from spending the majority of the last four days driving to and from Kentucky. I am SOOOO happy to be home and I missed you all!!! Anyway, after seeing PCSOM there is no question in my mind that DCOM is a much better fit for me, but I thought that I would post some info about PCSOM in case anyone was interested. I went to PCSOM so I could compare it to DCOM and this is my opinion on that comparision. I also have a few pics for you all which at the moment I am unable to upload, so they will be coming at later. I was actually disappointed with PCSOMs presentation. They really didn't talk a lot about their program. At DCOM, they really went into a lot of detail about every year and we met a large number of the faculty. I thought the faculty and staff at DCOM were more friendly and helpful and they did a better job giving a great "sales pitch" about why DCOM. (Not that the people at PCSOM were not friendly or helpful; I just thought they were more that way at DCOM.) Anyway, this is just my opinion, so hopefully it doesn't upset anyone. Everyone has their own niche and I am sure that PCSOM is the right school for a lot of people, but I am just not one of them. GOOD LUCK EVERYBODY!!!😀

PCSOM vs DCOM
-The cost of living in the city of Pikeville is strangely high vs lower cost in Harrogate. It was actually really weird. I guess they have a really high tax in the city and there were a lot of REALLY NICE houses. They actually have a lot of doctors in the city too. It was a little bit unexpected.
-The closest "large" city near Pikeville is Huntington, WV which is probably close to two hours away. The population is only 50,000 so it is actually not that large. DCOM is a little over an hour from Knoxville, TN which has a population twice that of Huntington.
-PCSOM is in the moutains. There is actually very little level land. DCOM is in the Cumberland Gap which (in my opinion) is a prettier area, plus it makes travel much easier.
-The facilites/building/resources at DCOM are much better than at PCSOM. The osteopathic school at PCSOM is in a building where some undergraduate courses are held. DCOM will have their brand new, state-of-the-art 105,000 sq foot building that will only be for the use of the osteopathic students. PCSOM seems to have a really great medical library though and they also give you your laptop, stethescope, test fees, scrubs, books, etc.
-The class size is smaller at PCSOM. It is about half of the size of DCOM.
-I think DCOM will have a more diverse class.
-EVERYONE SMOKES EVERYWHERE!!! LOL!!! I am not kidding. The people in the minimart, hotel lobby, and even the Dean's office were smoking. It was really strange because in NY you can't smoke anywhere!
-The only thing that only PCSOM has over DCOM is the fact that it is already an established school. I know a lot of people are concerned about this with DCOM. Although I am not concerned about this, PCSOM does have something to look at in terms of pass rates, etc.

OK, that is all I can think of at the moment. I will post more if I think of it. 😀

 

[Dr.Inviz]

YAY!!! I just got home from spending the majority of the last four days driving to and from Kentucky. I am SOOOO happy to be home and I missed you all!!! Anyway, after seeing PCSOM there is no question in my mind that DCOM is a much better fit for me, but I thought that I would post some info about PCSOM in case anyone was interested. I went to PCSOM so I could compare it to DCOM and this is my opinion on that comparision. I also have a few pics for you all which at the moment I am unable to upload, so they will be coming at later. I was actually disappointed with PCSOMs presentation. They really didn't talk a lot about their program. At DCOM, they really went into a lot of detail about every year and we met a large number of the faculty. I thought the faculty and staff at DCOM were more friendly and helpful and they did a better job giving a great "sales pitch" about why DCOM. (Not that the people at PCSOM were not friendly or helpful; I just thought they were more that way at DCOM.) Anyway, this is just my opinion, so hopefully it doesn't upset anyone. Everyone has their own niche and I am sure that PCSOM is the right school for a lot of people, but I am just not one of them. GOOD LUCK EVERYBODY!!!😀

PCSOM vs DCOM
-The cost of living in the city of Pikeville is strangely high vs lower cost in Harrogate. It was actually really weird. I guess they have a really high tax in the city and there were a lot of REALLY NICE houses. They actually have a lot of doctors in the city too. It was a little bit unexpected.
-The closest "large" city near Pikeville is Huntington, WV which is probably close to two hours away. The population is only 50,000 so it is actually not that large. DCOM is a little over an hour from Knoxville, TN which has a population twice that of Huntington.
-PCSOM is in the moutains. There is actually very little level land. DCOM is in the Cumberland Gap which (in my opinion) is a prettier area, plus it makes travel much easier.
-The facilites/building/resources at DCOM are much better than at PCSOM. The osteopathic school at PCSOM is in a building where some undergraduate courses are held. DCOM will have their brand new, state-of-the-art 105,000 sq foot building that will only be for the use of the osteopathic students. PCSOM seems to have a really great medical library though and they also give you your laptop, stethescope, test fees, scrubs, books, etc.
-The class size is smaller at PCSOM. It is about half of the size of DCOM.
-I think DCOM will have a more diverse class.
-EVERYONE SMOKES EVERYWHERE!!! LOL!!! I am not kidding. The people in the minimart, hotel lobby, and even the Dean's office were smoking. It was really strange because in NY you can't smoke anywhere!
-The only thing that only PCSOM has over DCOM is the fact that it is already an established school. I know a lot of people are concerned about this with DCOM. Although I am not concerned about this, PCSOM does have something to look at in terms of pass rates, etc.

OK, that is all I can think of at the moment. I will post more if I think of it. 😀

Despite PCSOM's tradition, I wasnt thoroughly impressed with them based on the reads abut the school. The ONLY plus in my mind was the free stuff they provide their students; however, free stuff doesnt sway my decision when it comes to so many negatives about the school. Plus, they truly do stress primary care and sticking around in those mountainous regions to practice medicine, and as much as I like the idea of primary care, I do wish to possibly specialize as well. I didnt like the lack of diversity in their rotations, and I dont like kentucky. I lived in bowling green for about 3-4 years, and the only thing I enjoyed was the Corvette factory. There truly is nothing to do in KY except watch UK Basketball, and the diversity (like you mentioned), is not great. However, racism isnt a huge factor either, but I do not know about the racism factor in the northern regions. Ultimately, I opted to not apply there, but I am quite sure that those who love the area and community/family practice will enjoy the school (and the perks of free stuff isnt bad either).

 

[Kuba]

it sounds like you went in there looking for reasons to choose DCOM rather than to explore PCSOM (i.e. smoking in the minimarts). Either way, Im glad DCOM is a good fit for you and hope you excel there.

 

[DoctorMom78]

it sounds like you went in there looking for reasons to choose DCOM rather than to explore PCSOM (i.e. smoking in the minimarts). Either way, Im glad DCOM is a good fit for you and hope you excel there.

LOL!! No, the smoking had nothing to do with my decision. I really went in there with an open mind. PCSOM was actually one of my top choices before I heard about DCOM. I would love to go to school in that area and be able to practice medicine there. I really wanted to compare the two schools, but I was really disappointed by what I saw. The smoking thing was just a little weird, but certainly not enough to affect my decision. I am actually an ex-smoker so I don't really care about that. It is just a big change from NY. I am glad that I got the opportunity to look at the school though. I am still hoping to get the opportunity to look at UNECOM, but I have withdrawn most of my other applications at this point and will be sending in my deposit to DCOM next week. Thanks!🙂

 

[Tom Sizemore]

DrMom, thanks for the comparisons. I have to agree, the rent is high and you get an old place that is really too small. And, yes seems like everyone smokes, including the cooks and servers at the restuarants! Yuk!

I suppose a person would encounter some degree of that at Harrogate as well, it is just that I didn't see the hired help standing outside the local burger place. But, anyway comparing the schools....it seems that DCOM has a more enthusiastic faculty...I couldn't help but think that would be ever present in the classroom. And, that is exactly what my relatives/friends who have attended PCSOM have told me that is lacking there. They tell me the Dean is a political type who is the current Prez of the AOA and is rarely on site at PCSOM. Actually, they told me more than that, but it wouldn't serve any purpose to relay any of that here on this forum.

 

[mdille2]

There will also be nursing students using the facilities at DCOM, as well as local fire and paramedics. One of the faculty also mentioned that med students from other school would also be using the patient rooms in their training as well. So the osteo students wil not be the only ones there, all the time. But hey, who wants to be around the same people ALL the time. 😉

Marcia D

 

[DoctorMom78]

DrMom, thanks for the comparisons. I have to agree, the rent is high and you get an old place that is really too small. And, yes seems like everyone smokes, including the cooks and servers at the restuarants! Yuk!

I suppose a person would encounter some degree of that at Harrogate as well, it is just that I didn't see the hired help standing outside the local burger place. But, anyway comparing the schools....it seems that DCOM has a more enthusiastic faculty...I couldn't help but think that would be ever present in the classroom. And, that is exactly what my relatives/friends who have attended PCSOM have told me that is lacking there. They tell me the Dean is a political type who is the current Prez of the AOA and is rarely on site at PCSOM. Actually, they told me more than that, but it wouldn't serve any purpose to relay any of that here on this forum.

I definitely agree about the enthusiasm. It definitely did appear to be lacking. It would have been nice to have met the Dean as well as more of the faculty. I just feel that I left PCSOM knowing little more than I did before the interview. So, does that mean I will see you at DCOM in August?😉 🙂

 

[DoctorMom78]

There will also be nursing students using the facilities at DCOM, as well as local fire and paramedics. One of the faculty also mentioned that med students from other school would also be using the patient rooms in their training as well. So the osteo students wil not be the only ones there, all the time. But hey, who wants to be around the same people ALL the time. 😉

Marcia D

HEY YOU!!! 😀 Obviously the DO students have priority over everyone else. I believe the other students would be using the facilities primarily on the weekends, but I did hear the same thing at my interview.🙂

 

[Super21]

There will also be nursing students using the facilities at DCOM, as well as local fire and paramedics. One of the faculty also mentioned that med students from other school would also be using the patient rooms in their training as well. So the osteo students wil not be the only ones there, all the time. But hey, who wants to be around the same people ALL the time. 😉

Marcia D

As a matter of fact, you are partially correct. Only nursing students will share the building with us, but its a very small class and the only time we will really interact with them is when we are doing that "interactive dummy thing"! The fire dept and paramedics will not be there much, they are letting them use "OUR STATE-OF-The-ART DUMMIES!"

 

[naijagurl]

oh no, she is back 😡

just kidding girl! Glad to hear you will finally be going to your beloved DCOM (As if this is a big surprise😀 )

Here's wishing u all the best in med schl and in all your other future endeavors....

 

[DoctorMom78]

oh no, she is back 😡

just kidding girl! Glad to hear you will be finally be going to your beloved DCOM (As if this is a big surprise😀 )

Here's wishing u all the best in med schl and in all your other future endeavors....

😀 Thanks!!! The best of luck to you too! I didn't think that anyone could steal my heart away from DCOM and I guess I was right!

 

[Super21]

😀 Thanks!!! The best of luck to you too! I didn't think that anyone could steal my heart away from DCOM and I guess I was right!

Whatever DoctorMom, the only reason why you wanna go to DCOM is bc im going there!!! gee... tell them the truth will ya!

 

[DoctorMom78]

Whatever DoctorMom, the only reason why you wanna go to DCOM is bc im going there!!! gee... tell them the truth will ya!

That's it! You have me all figured out! LOL!!! Hmmm, but maybe its the other way around.... 😉

 

[weredonenow]

That's it! You have me all figured out! LOL!!! Hmmm, but maybe its the other way around.... 😉

whatever you do keep away from uss pikeville....too many egos on staff too little room to keep it real!

some say we get free stuff, nothing is free. Now that Dr. stro is aoa prez pcsom has the lowest moral i ever seen. the navy guys took care of that

 

[DoctorMom78]

whatever you do keep away from uss pikeville....too many egos on staff too little room to keep it real!

some say we get free stuff, nothing is free. Now that Dr. stro is aoa prez pcsom has the lowest moral i ever seen. the navy guys took care of that

Everyone did seem a bit depressed there. Hmmm....intriguing...I keep hearing whispers about all kinds of drama going on at PCSOM. Maybe it could be the basis of a new primetime medical drama...😀

 

[Dr.Inviz]

haha, they didnt even have update brochures about their med school and their program ... they didnt impress me at all. hell, even id go to DCOM over PCSOM .. I'd go to ANY medical school (including the Carribean/Europe) over PCSOM lol.

 

[DoctorMom78]

haha, they didnt even have update brochures about their med school and their program ... they didnt impress me at all. hell, even id go to DCOM over PCSOM .. I'd go to ANY medical school (including the Carribean/Europe) over PCSOM lol.

😡 😡 WHAT?!?!?! Why are you putting DCOM in there?!?!?! Don't say it like that! DCOM really is a great school. LOL!!! GO LOOK AT THE SCHOOL!!! I think you will be pleasantly suprised. 😉 😀

 

[Dr.Inviz]

😡 😡 WHAT?!?!?! Why are you putting DCOM in there?!?!?! Don't say it like that! DCOM really is a great school. LOL!!! GO LOOK AT THE SCHOOL!!! I think you will be pleasantly suprised. 😉 😀

lol, wasnt meant to be an insult ...

i meant to say that, if given the choice of dcom (contemplating still applying in case I did get rejected everywhere else, just so it'd be another school option to look forward to, before yet another rejection 🙁) .. or pcsom, id take dcom in a heartbeat ... id actually take any school over that ... im re-reading what i wrote lastnite just now and yea, it looks a lil insultinesque, my apologies😳

 

[DoctorMom78]

lol, wasnt meant to be an insult ...

i meant to say that, if given the choice of dcom (contemplating still applying in case I did get rejected everywhere else, just so it'd be another school option to look forward to, before yet another rejection 🙁) .. or pcsom, id take dcom in a heartbeat ... id actually take any school over that ... im re-reading what i wrote lastnite just now and yea, it looks a lil insultinesque, my apologies😳

😉 I knew you didn't mean it as an insult. I was just teasing you. 🙂

 

[AustinFinklea]

😉 I knew you didn't mean it as an insult. I was just teasing you. 🙂

Yo Docmom,

How's my online gal doin???? Good to have you back. Yo, check it.........Dr. Invisible totally was puttin down DCOM..... We should tar and feather him.....Just kiddin Dr Inviz.........SO are you DCOM-in it chiquita????? Is that going to be your choice?? We have couple large due in a few days ya know.....

 

[Super21]

lol, wasnt meant to be an insult ...

i meant to say that, if given the choice of dcom (contemplating still applying in case I did get rejected everywhere else, just so it'd be another school option to look forward to, before yet another rejection 🙁) .. or pcsom, id take dcom in a heartbeat ... id actually take any school over that ... im re-reading what i wrote lastnite just now and yea, it looks a lil insultinesque, my apologies😳

Isn't this the guy that was talking SMACK about DCOM in the other thread, about being NEW and being the worse school in the world?? NOW you wanna joing us huh?? haha... jk! Dude, you should apply man, joing the cool croud!

 

[DoctorMom78]

Isn't this the guy that was talking SMACK about DCOM in the other thread, about being NEW and being the worse school in the world?? NOW you wanna joing us huh?? haha... jk! Dude, you should apply man, joing the cool croud!

LOL!

 

[Buster Douglas]

haha, they didnt even have update brochures about their med school and their program ... they didnt impress me at all. hell, even id go to DCOM over PCSOM .. I'd go to ANY medical school (including the Carribean/Europe) over PCSOM lol.

wow... quite the statement there. you'd be crazy to base the quality of a program on its brochure. you might as well go to the foreign med school with the coolest banner ad on sdn. 😛

i am a pcsom 4th year that has rotated with, and interviewed for residency with sgu, auc, puerto rican, euro, and various u.s. allopathic students. from speaking to students who will graduate from other countries, i can say that you'd be foolish to pick any school outside of the u.s. over pcsom (or any u.s. school for that matter).

the most important part of choosing a school is choosing one that will help you get where you need to go. many of our students do choose to come to pikeville with intentions of doing primary care in the appalachian region, but those that choose to specialize and go elsewhere have managed to attain some quite impressive positions and have done quite well. i have applied for competitive allopathic positions along the east coast and have had no problems getting interviews.

as for dcom vs pcsom, DoctorMom78, i think that's really a decision you should base on overall fit. having done undergrad in nyc and going straight into med school at pikeville, i can relate to your concerns. there was a bit of a culture shock, but as painful as the process can be (as it is at every school), i would definitely do it again.

 

[DoctorMom78]

wow... quite the statement there. you'd be crazy to base the quality of a program on its brochure. you might as well go to the foreign med school with the coolest banner ad on sdn. 😛

i am a pcsom 4th year that has rotated with, and interviewed for residency with sgu, auc, puerto rican, euro, and various u.s. allopathic students. from speaking to students who will graduate from other countries, i can say that you'd be foolish to pick any school outside of the u.s. over pcsom (or any u.s. school for that matter).

the most important part of choosing a school is choosing one that will help you get where you need to go. many of our students do choose to come to pikeville with intentions of doing primary care in the appalachian region, but those that choose to specialize and go elsewhere have managed to attain some quite impressive positions and have done quite well. i have applied for competitive allopathic positions along the east coast and have had no problems getting interviews.

as for dcom vs pcsom, DoctorMom78, i think that's really a decision you should base on overall fit. having done undergrad in nyc and going straight into med school at pikeville, i can relate to your concerns. there was a bit of a culture shock, but as painful as the process can be (as it is at every school), i would definitely do it again.

It is actually not that much of a culture shock for me. I have a lot of family in Coeburn because my mother grew up there and I was actually born in Norton. I want to practice rural family medicine in that region because of my connection to the area and the need that I know exists. PCSOM was actually one of my top choices prior to learning about DCOM. I know I want to live and practice medicine in a rural area and ironically it is NYCOM that I am having concernes over interviewing at. LOL!!! i am definitely a country girl at heart. I have to be honest though, I was really not impressed at my interview. I started this thread to try to look at the differences between the two schools. I just felt that they didn't do a really good job at my interview trying to "sell" the school to me. Very little information was given regarding the program and the rotations and we hardly met any faculty or staff. This was the complete opposite of how the interview at DCOM went. I just think DCOM is a better fit for me, although I am honored that PCSOM not only took the time to interview a "yankee" but also accepted one.😀 Nothing against your school, but I don't think it is the right place for me. I am open to hearing anymore information you want to give me about PCSOM that might change my mind. 😉 😀

 

[Tom Sizemore]

DoctorMom,

I heard a funny thing today. Just wanted to know if you happened to be aware of it. Supposedly, an interviewee was staying in the Super 8 hotel in Pikeville and when "she" got there and told them that she was there for an interview the next day at the Osteopathic Medical school, the staff had no idea that there was any kind of medical school at Pikeville College. So, the manager called the undergraduate dean to find out where it the medical school was located. So much for the fine rep PCSOM has in the local Pikeville area.

I have another question or two and some info about PCSOM that I would like to chat with ya about, then if you think others would benefit from knowing the scoop on PCSOM then I can post it here....not a prob! Can I send ya a PM?

 

[DoctorMom78]

DoctorMom,

I heard a funny thing today. Just wanted to know if you happened to be aware of it. Supposedly, an interviewee was staying in the Super 8 hotel in Pikeville and when "she" got there and told them that she was there for an interview the next day at the Osteopathic Medical school, the staff had no idea that there was any kind of medical school at Pikeville College. So, the manager called the undergraduate dean to find out where it the medical school was located. So much for the fine rep PCSOM has in the local Pikeville area.

I have another question or two and some info about PCSOM that I would like to chat with ya about, then if you think others would benefit from knowing the scoop on PCSOM then I can post it here....not a prob! Can I send ya a PM?

SURE!!! Send me a PM or IM me if you have AOL. Thanks!!!

 

[supersash]

not trying to hijack the thread, but doctormom, what'd you think of NYCOM? i go to grad school there, so i know the area and school, but i know you were on the fence about it. how'd it go?!!?

 

[DoctorMom78]

not trying to hijack the thread, but doctormom, what'd you think of NYCOM? i go to grad school there, so i know the area and school, but i know you were on the fence about it. how'd it go?!!?

LOL!!! I already started another one about how much I loved it. I was really impressed. Thanks!😀

 

[hossofadoc]

I probably know more about Pikeville then anyone of the students. Pikeville is a very sound school, it has one of the best clincal and basic sciences of any school that I have seen. I would put my education up against anyone from anywhere...I've seen other DO students and I've trumped them in every location I have been in. I have done more procedure then most interns and residents. I will say that DCOM will be a good school, keep in mind that every school has it's growing pains (be prepared to fly by the set of your pants, this is how new schools work, you are the a project that is always at work) and your fellow classmates will have a lot of complaining, ...believe me I've seen this at Pikeville and VCOM when both of them opened. DCOM will be a great school, I know a lot of the prof. and dean personally.

As far as the Dean being gone, well that happens when you are AOA president, it's an office that requires a lot of time away from the school. Keep in mind that DCOM will one day have the same problem, because I'm sure your dean will one day be AOA president. Just think of it as a plus, it adds a lot more connections for your school. Hey, Tom why don't you pm me your "advicce from your friends and I'll be happy to discuss it with you.

 

[DoctorMom78]

I probably know more about Pikeville then anyone of the students. Pikeville is a very sound school, it has one of the best clincal and basic sciences of any school that I have seen. I would put my education up against anyone from anywhere...I've seen other DO students and I've trumped them in every location I have been in. I have done more procedure then most interns and residents. I will say that DCOM will be a good school, keep in mind that every school has it's growing pains (be prepared to fly by the set of your pants, this is how new schools work, you are the a project that is always at work) and your fellow classmates will have a lot of complaining, ...believe me I've seen this at Pikeville and VCOM when both of them opened. DCOM will be a great school, I know a lot of the prof. and dean personally.

As far as the Dean being gone, well that happens when you are AOA president, it's an office that requires a lot of time away from the school. Keep in mind that DCOM will one day have the same problem, because I'm sure your dean will one day be AOA president. Just think of it as a plus, it adds a lot more connections for your school. Hey, Tom why don't you pm me your "advicce from your friends and I'll be happy to discuss it with you.

PCSOM may be a great school. I have heard they are a very "sound" school, but they didn't do a good job of convincing me of it. There were typos and grammatical errors in the letter I got and the PowerPoint they showed. They really didn't talk about the program at all, but rather left the talking to the student ambassadors who couldn't answer my questions. We didn't meet the faculty and staff. Quite honestly, they put on a really poor presentation. I was actually really disappointed becuase I had heard good things about PCSOM prior to going. I know DCOM will have its issues, but their facilities and resources will be phenomenal and they have recruited some amazing faculty. Did you graduate from PCSOM? It seems to me that there are current'y some "political" issues at PCSOM and that they need to be reorganized and restructured. It is unfortunate, because like I said I had heard it was a good school, they do offer the students a lot of perks, and I love the small class size. As I stated before, I am truly honored that they interviewed and accepted a "yankee", but it is not the school for me. No offense intended to anyone who has or is attending the school. 😀

 

[Tom Sizemore]

DocMom,

I agree, it really is a matter of individual choice after gaining as much info as possible. That is what all of us pre-med are attempting to do. For me, I was a graduate of the the undergraduate school and have family still living in Pikeville practicing law and medicine, as well as having family and friends who attended PCSOM. These are people I know, so obviously I would listen to their perspective. And, yes they know about the 6 year struggle for the AOA presidency for the Dean and all that it entailed. Those politics and machinations are not what influenced me to look away from PCSOM. As DocMom said, I too don't mean to offend any current students or graduates of PCSOM. Every DO school is required to teach a standard curriculum, some are able to offer more and some have the makings of a superb school. That is what DCOM is striving for, and is doing a better presentation to prospective students of their mission and goals. The Dean at DCOM is not a political hack and has no desire or ego to keep pumped up. The faculity and staff seem to have good rapport and it showed in the coordination of the interview day.

DocMom, I contacted you because those of us in the back of the room had traded email addresses/cell numbers so we encourage and/or send comgrats. What we have determined is that out of the 15 of us there that Saturday, 9-11 of us got an acceptance from PCSOM and at least 6 of us are considering other schools. One girl called me from her cell and I couldn't tell if she got an acceptance call on Monday or not. Maybe I will call her back this weekend, she works at a resturant on the weekends so she'll be busy. Another interviewee is going to Cambridge to visit a friend there for the summer and after that he is not sure of his plans. Anyway, again I have one other DO school in mind before I decide, but for me DCOM is the present first choice.

And, again kudos to DocMom for all the threads and your calm approach to all of this and not letting the discussions take a negative direction. You'll be a good class leader at DCOM!

 

[DoctorMom78]

DocMom,

I agree, it really is a matter of individual choice after gaining as much info as possible. That is what all of us pre-med are attempting to do. For me, I was a graduate of the the undergraduate school and have family still living in Pikeville practicing law and medicine, as well as having family and friends who attended PCSOM. These are people I know, so obviously I would listen to their perspective. And, yes they know about the 6 year struggle for the AOA presidency for the Dean and all that it entailed. Those politics and machinations are not what influenced me to look away from PCSOM. As DocMom said, I too don't mean to offend any current students or graduates of PCSOM. Every DO school is required to teach a standard curriculum, some are able to offer more and some have the makings of a superb school. That is what DCOM is striving for, and is doing a better presentation to prospective students of their mission and goals. The Dean at DCOM is not a political hack and has no desire or ego to keep pumped up. The faculity and staff seem to have good rapport and it showed in the coordination of the interview day.

DocMom, I contacted you because those of us in the back of the room had traded email addresses/cell numbers so we encourage and/or send comgrats. What we have determined is that out of the 15 of us there that Saturday, 9-11 of us got an acceptance from PCSOM and at least 6 of us are considering other schools. One girl called me from her cell and I couldn't tell if she got an acceptance call on Monday or not. Maybe I will call her back this weekend, she works at a resturant on the weekends so she'll be busy. Another interviewee is going to Cambridge to visit a friend there for the summer and after that he is not sure of his plans. Anyway, again I have one other DO school in mind before I decide, but for me DCOM is the present first choice.

And, again kudos to DocMom for all the threads and your calm approach to all of this and not letting the discussions take a negative direction. You'll be a good class leader at DCOM!

Thanks!!!😀 See you at DCOM then!

 

[OceanPotion]

DocMom,

I agree, it really is a matter of individual choice after gaining as much info as possible. That is what all of us pre-med are attempting to do. For me, I was a graduate of the the undergraduate school and have family still living in Pikeville practicing law and medicine, as well as having family and friends who attended PCSOM. These are people I know, so obviously I would listen to their perspective. And, yes they know about the 6 year struggle for the AOA presidency for the Dean and all that it entailed. Those politics and machinations are not what influenced me to look away from PCSOM. As DocMom said, I too don't mean to offend any current students or graduates of PCSOM. Every DO school is required to teach a standard curriculum, some are able to offer more and some have the makings of a superb school. That is what DCOM is striving for, and is doing a better presentation to prospective students of their mission and goals. The Dean at DCOM is not a political hack and has no desire or ego to keep pumped up. The faculity and staff seem to have good rapport and it showed in the coordination of the interview day.

DocMom, I contacted you because those of us in the back of the room had traded email addresses/cell numbers so we encourage and/or send comgrats. What we have determined is that out of the 15 of us there that Saturday, 9-11 of us got an acceptance from PCSOM and at least 6 of us are considering other schools. One girl called me from her cell and I couldn't tell if she got an acceptance call on Monday or not. Maybe I will call her back this weekend, she works at a resturant on the weekends so she'll be busy. Another interviewee is going to Cambridge to visit a friend there for the summer and after that he is not sure of his plans. Anyway, again I have one other DO school in mind before I decide, but for me DCOM is the present first choice.

And, again kudos to DocMom for all the threads and your calm approach to all of this and not letting the discussions take a negative direction. You'll be a good class leader at DCOM!

FYI...I interviewed that Saturday and was accepted as well

 

[DoctorMom78]

FYI...I interviewed that Saturday and was accepted as well

Congratulations! Are you going? What did you think about the school?🙂

 

[Tom Sizemore]

FYI...I interviewed that Saturday and was accepted as well

OceanPotion,

Thanks for the post, there were about 4 ppl interviewing that day that I hadn't talked to, so you must have been one. I confirmed today that PCSOM def offerred seats to 11 of those interviewed that Sat. And, there of 7 of us not going. Have you heard from PCSOM, what are your plans, if you don't mind sharing with us?

 

[hossofadoc]

I wish that I was one of the student ambassadors that day...I would have sold you on PCSOM. I'm a current student (class of 2007) and my father was class of 2002, so I've been connected with PCSOM since almost day one. I'm a native of Pikeville and keep up with about everything that goes one with the school and the future of the school. I'm hoping to one day become the actual dean of PCSOM in all honesty. I do know that they do have a lot of politics, of course it being a smaller school it's easier to see, what you will learn is that every school has politics. Just as PCSOM has does, DCOM will have there's (trust me, your dean will be AOA president within the next ten years, he's a great osteopath and good for the profession). Like I told you before I know all about DCOM and I'm sure that it will be a wonderful school. Heck...they designed it after PCSOM, I still remember Mr. Debusk coming and speaking to our class during my first year and talking to us about this. I think that they are taking a unique approach to the basic science years and that will be a work in progress, but it's a work that looks promising.

Here's basicly what I'm getting at...
1. DCOM will have a better facilty then PCSOM, heck they started with 5 times more money then we did....makes it a little easier.
2. PCSOM will have a better basic and clinical sciences then DCOM (not trying to start an argument...but the DCOM model will take awhile to get used too and I'm not sold on it yet).
3.DCOM had to do a better job at presenting to you...keep in mind that they don't have a class there yet to sell the school. This is also the reason you got to meet the majority of there prof. is because they haven't started teaching and have nothing else to do (Again, I remember when Pikeville and VCOM were at this stage).
4.PCSOM is a cheapier place to go to school, with all the free stuff (yes, it is free, we get money from the oil and coal companies to pay for this) plus, you will be surprised at the cost of housing is, just 3-4 miles outside of the city.


I'm not trying to sell you on Pikeville and I personally want you to go to school where you will be the happiest...it will make med school and life a lot easier. I just think that you are looking at this through a little bit of rose colored glasses (not that it's a bad thing). I just don't want you to be surprised when you get there and everything doesn't go smooth (because it won't go smooth...that first year at a new school is rough, seeing Pikeville and VCOM go through this). Plus, don't tell me that Eastern Kentucky isn't alot like Eastern Tenn. (they both smoke like a frieght train and are the same type of people...so you can't pull that one on me).

 

[DoctorMom78]

I wish that I was one of the student ambassadors that day...I would have sold you on PCSOM. I'm a current student (class of 2007) and my father was class of 2002, so I've been connected with PCSOM since almost day one. I'm a native of Pikeville and keep up with about everything that goes one with the school and the future of the school. I'm hoping to one day become the actual dean of PCSOM in all honesty. I do know that they do have a lot of politics, of course it being a smaller school it's easier to see, what you will learn is that every school has politics. Just as PCSOM has does, DCOM will have there's (trust me, your dean will be AOA president within the next ten years, he's a great osteopath and good for the profession). Like I told you before I know all about DCOM and I'm sure that it will be a wonderful school. Heck...they designed it after PCSOM, I still remember Mr. Debusk coming and speaking to our class during my first year and talking to us about this. I think that they are taking a unique approach to the basic science years and that will be a work in progress, but it's a work that looks promising.

Here's basicly what I'm getting at...
1. DCOM will have a better facilty then PCSOM, heck they started with 5 times more money then we did....makes it a little easier.
2. PCSOM will have a better basic and clinical sciences then DCOM (not trying to start an argument...but the DCOM model will take awhile to get used too and I'm not sold on it yet).
3.DCOM had to do a better job at presenting to you...keep in mind that they don't have a class there yet to sell the school. This is also the reason you got to meet the majority of there prof. is because they haven't started teaching and have nothing else to do (Again, I remember when Pikeville and VCOM were at this stage).
4.PCSOM is a cheapier place to go to school, with all the free stuff (yes, it is free, we get money from the oil and coal companies to pay for this) plus, you will be surprised at the cost of housing is, just 3-4 miles outside of the city.


I'm not trying to sell you on Pikeville and I personally want you to go to school where you will be the happiest...it will make med school and life a lot easier. I just think that you are looking at this through a little bit of rose colored glasses (not that it's a bad thing). I just don't want you to be surprised when you get there and everything doesn't go smooth (because it won't go smooth...that first year at a new school is rough, seeing Pikeville and VCOM go through this). Plus, don't tell me that Eastern Kentucky isn't alot like Eastern Tenn. (they both smoke like a frieght train and are the same type of people...so you can't pull that one on me).

LOL! The areas are very similar. I was kidding about the smoking. I know that is tobacco country down there. It was just more apparent when we were in Pikeville. It is the similarity between the two schools and their missions that is the reason that I wanted to look at Pikeville after my DCOM acceptance. I really want to practice medicine in the Appalachian region. I was born there and my mother is literally a coal miners daughter and an eleventh generation Virginian. I am very proud of my heritage and through my family that still lives in the area, I know that they need more good doctors. I wish you had been there the day I interviewed. Honestly, I don't know anything about their basic and clinical sciences because they didn't talk about it at all. I hope someone (maybe you) mentions this to the staff there. I did have a really nice guy that did my tour. I forgot his name now, but I wanted to stick that in here in case he reads SDN. He was an "older" student like I am and somewhere I have his email in case I had any questions. He even offered to scope out real estate for me if I saw something online that I liked so that I wouldn't have to come down and look at it. The other student ambassadors were really nice, but couldn't answer a lot of my questions. The students all seemed great and of course most of the people we met were really friendly as southerners tend to be. The staff really did not put on a good presentation and it was really unfortunate. Hopefully they will change things in the future. I am not trying to be mean or offensive, just honest. DCOMs first two years are set up using a systems approach. They use a similar approach at NYCOM and I have heard mixed opinions on that. I know there will be issues at DCOM and I know there are political issues withing every school. It just seemed like there were more at PCSOM. Pete DeBusk donated a fortune to DCOM and so of course their facilites and resources will be better. There were a few things that I did like at PCSOM including the small class size and of course the free stuff, but I feel like they didn't even give me enough information at my interview for me to make an informed decision about attending the school. Thanks for all your information and help!🙂

 

[dcratamt]

Not the systems approach!!

 

[DoctorMom78]

Not the systems approach!!

What do you mean by not the systems approach? 😱

 

[OceanPotion]

OceanPotion,

Thanks for the post, there were about 4 ppl interviewing that day that I hadn't talked to, so you must have been one. I confirmed today that PCSOM def offerred seats to 11 of those interviewed that Sat. And, there of 7 of us not going. Have you heard from PCSOM, what are your plans, if you don't mind sharing with us?

Tom,
I heard from PCSOM on Monday and was informed of my acceptance. So that makes PCSOM, DCOM, WVSOM (loved the school/area, not in love with the OOS tuition) that I have been accepted to thus far. I will be sending in my deposit to DCOM in the next few days, although I have an interview at VCOM on the 13th. I pretty much agree with Dr. Mom that the presentation was lacking, but I can say they definitely put the effort in to 'sell' me the school during the interview (my interview prob ran over an hour). Hope this answers your question!

 

[DoctorMom78]

Tom,
I heard from PCSOM on Monday and was informed of my acceptance. So that makes PCSOM, DCOM, WVSOM (loved the school/area, not in love with the OOS tuition) that I have been accepted to thus far. I will be sending in my deposit to DCOM in the next few days, although I have an interview at VCOM on the 13th. I pretty much agree with Dr. Mom that the presentation was lacking, but I can say they definitely put the effort in to 'sell' me the school during the interview (my interview prob ran over an hour). Hope this answers your question!

My interview was long too. It was actually the most intense interview I have had so far. They really grilled me on a lot of stuff, but they didn't talk that much about the program. So, I guess I "sold" myself to PCSOM in the interview, but they didn't "sell" PCSOM to me. Oh well, DCOM it is!!!😀

 

[weredonenow]

My interview was long too. It was actually the most intense interview I have had so far. They really grilled me on a lot of stuff, but they didn't talk that much about the program. So, I guess I "sold" myself to PCSOM in the interview, but they didn't "sell" PCSOM to me. Oh well, DCOM it is!!!😀

You made a great choice. PCSOM is just a pool of who can press the students to the wall the best. PCSOM has a path instructor who taught high school and published a paper so now she teaches do2b, with that she does spend her whole time researching what she teaches before teaching, so she can answer most questions asked.
profs are full of ego with no concern for education...yes there are maybe three who care the rest, esp'ly navy folks, make the school a place to cure egos....if this is your only choice, rethink it, just reapply next year if you can

 

[Buster Douglas]

You made a great choice. PCSOM is just a pool of who can press the students to the wall the best. PCSOM has a path instructor who taught high school and published a paper so now she teaches do2b, with that she does spend her whole time researching what she teaches before teaching, so she can answer most questions asked.
profs are full of ego with no concern for education...yes there are maybe three who care the rest, esp'ly navy folks, make the school a place to cure egos....if this is your only choice, rethink it, just reapply next year if you can

if you're headed to texas, im happy for ya. people are trying to make real life decisions and could go without your strange hang-ups with your interview day.

 

[hossofadoc]

Everything that I've heard about the new path professors has been great. Yeah, Pikeville will press you to the wall...that might be the reason that we do so well in our clinical years and we match in a lot of specialties. I'm not saying that I didn't cuss some of my education...it happens at every school. Why are you so upset at the school??? The way I see it if you bad mouth your school that also reflects on your education, thus doesn't benefit anyone. Plus, you have students in front of you that are working to lay a foundation for future students, yet you are here trying to destroy what they have done.

 

[DoctorMom78]

Sorry everyone. I didn't mean to start a war over PCSOM. There does seem to be a number of people who are angry with PCSOM and that makes me wonder, but there are certainly problems with any school. You will never make everyone happy no matter what you do. PCSOM was just not the right school for me and I feel that DCOM is. I didn't want this thread to become about bashing PCSOM because a lot of the people I met were really nice and I wouldn't want to offend them. I feel that this thread may be headed in the wrong direction and before it gets ugly, lets just all agree to disagree and hope that we all find our place in life, wherever that may be.😀 😍

 

[weredonenow]

you seem to be really fixated on these 3 navy docs and path instructor, considering that's what all 4 of your posts have been about. if you're headed to texas, im happy for ya. people are trying to make real life decisions and could go without your strange hang-ups with your interview day.

never mind.
what needs to happen will not.
good luck to those who go to pcsom.

 

[Medchik]

never mind.
what needs to happen will not.
good luck to those who go to pcsom.

Mr. Weredonenow,

Are you in a year after Mr. Webb (who seems to be extremely pro PCSOM) and have you anything other than the "Navytation" of the school that you have issues or concerns about? Something that a potential student should know about. Two of my classmate are applying there also and eventhough we all researched and review the info on the net with regard to my previous posts, they still feel that they will go forward with an interview if invited. I am guessing that you maybe the former Army guy in the first year, but you sound as if you have formed an opinion based on serious observations.

Thanks, PM me if you prefer to avoid rhetoric from the peanut gallery.

 

[weredonenow]

Mr. Weredonenow,

Are you in a year after Mr. Webb (who seems to be extremely pro PCSOM) and have you anything other than the "Navytation" of the school that you have issues or concerns about? Something that a potential student should know about. Two of my classmate are applying there also and eventhough we all researched and review the info on the net with regard to my previous posts, they still feel that they will go forward with an interview if invited. I am guessing that you maybe the former Army guy in the first year, but you sound as if you have formed an opinion based on serious observations.

Thanks, PM me if you prefer to avoid rhetoric from the peanut gallery.

I can just recall how our neuro class, not neuro sci, was one contradiction after another. Dr. S had it together and set me back on the straight and narrow. If you have specific questions PM me. we still don't have a solid first yr clinical guy, and rather giving more emphasis to major classes I was informed by a current second yr there is talk more use less classes are added. What was I thinking time devoted to boards at the end of the year. Oh, I forgot, we got a free two week kaplan course. Dr. Stiles still hangs in the eaves enjoying his jazz, there is only one OPP guy.

 

[Monday1]

Hello all!
I am a current 3rd year at PCSOM and would just like to second a couple things said. Yes the politics are nasty at school, but every school is going to eventually have that. You are getting into a profession where you will always be dealing with politics, so you might as well get started early. There are a few teachers and classes that could you some work, but overall all of our professors are enthusiastic about teaching and always willing to help. As for Pathology, the new professor is AWESOME, I only had her for the second half of the course, but I learned more from her in 1 month than I did from the other the entire 1st half of the class, and coming from the current second years, it is not as bad of a class anymore. Yes the free stuff (laptop, lab coat, scrubs, otoscope/opthalmoscope, stethoscope, books, OMT table) is great because you don't have to worry about having extra money for stuff, but the courses speak for themselves. Compared to some schools, we have the opportunity to have more courses, such as Pediatrics, ENT, Surgery, OBGYN, Dental, Radiology, etc. You may get a lot of this in other classes at other schools, but is nice to have a course set aside for just these things. After taking Step 1 of the boards I don't know how some students do well without having a large OBGYN Course.
I am really sad to here that a lot of you had poor interview experiences. When I interviewed I thought they did a great job at "selling" the school. I also felt the students really knew a lot about what interviewees needed to hear about the school. I will definetly be passing the information you all have posted to admissions so they can improve the interview process.
I don't know much about DCOM, so I'm not trying to put them down. I'm also not saying that your choice not to got to PCSOM is a bad one, that is decision only you can make. I just want our school to get the credit it deserves. It is a great school, I am getting great experience and every other 3rd year I have talked to feels the same from their rotations. I have also talked to many doctors that love PCSOM students. I just don't want a bad interview experience to discourage you from really finding out what the school has to offer. I will try to start coming to some interviews after the Holidays to see how they have changed things.

 

[DoctorMom78]

Hello all!
I am a current 3rd year at PCSOM and would just like to second a couple things said. Yes the politics are nasty at school, but every school is going to eventually have that. You are getting into a profession where you will always be dealing with politics, so you might as well get started early. There are a few teachers and classes that could you some work, but overall all of our professors are enthusiastic about teaching and always willing to help. As for Pathology, the new professor is AWESOME, I only had her for the second half of the course, but I learned more from her in 1 month than I did from the other the entire 1st half of the class, and coming from the current second years, it is not as bad of a class anymore. Yes the free stuff (laptop, lab coat, scrubs, otoscope/opthalmoscope, stethoscope, books, OMT table) is great because you don't have to worry about having extra money for stuff, but the courses speak for themselves. Compared to some schools, we have the opportunity to have more courses, such as Pediatrics, ENT, Surgery, OBGYN, Dental, Radiology, etc. You may get a lot of this in other classes at other schools, but is nice to have a course set aside for just these things. After taking Step 1 of the boards I don't know how some students do well without having a large OBGYN Course.
I am really sad to here that a lot of you had poor interview experiences. When I interviewed I thought they did a great job at "selling" the school. I also felt the students really knew a lot about what interviewees needed to hear about the school. I will definetly be passing the information you all have posted to admissions so they can improve the interview process.
I don't know much about DCOM, so I'm not trying to put them down. I'm also not saying that your choice not to got to PCSOM is a bad one, that is decision only you can make. I just want our school to get the credit it deserves. It is a great school, I am getting great experience and every other 3rd year I have talked to feels the same from their rotations. I have also talked to many doctors that love PCSOM students. I just don't want a bad interview experience to discourage you from really finding out what the school has to offer. I will try to start coming to some interviews after the Holidays to see how they have changed things.

Thanks! I appreciate your input. I am sure that there are a lot of things that PCSOM has to offer, but I just felt that it was not the right fit for me. Best of luck to you! 😀