Philadelphia COM - Georgia (GA-PCOM) Discussion Thread 2012 - 2013

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Recently read a review about the clinical rotations of this school is as follows:

The rotations of 3rd and 4th year students are on a match program with different tracts in surrounding states. You get matched with a particular rotation and will have to make arrangements to relocate if necessary.
​

How accurate is this review?

How can a 3rd/4th year student arrange his/her rotations ahead of time in order not to relocate, at all (or just once?) Having a school-age kid makes things a little bit of more complicated.
 
DrBumblebee said:
Recently read a review about the clinical rotations of this school is as follows:

The rotations of 3rd and 4th year students are on a match program with different tracts in surrounding states. You get matched with a particular rotation and will have to make arrangements to relocate if necessary.
​

How accurate is this review?

How can a 3rd/4th year student arrange his/her rotations ahead of time in order not to relocate, at all (or just once?) Having a school-age kid makes things a little bit of more complicated.
Click to expand...

As I understand it from the upperclassmen, this is accurate. However, there are 70(?) spots J-tract slots available around the Atlanta area as well. The rotation are done entirely by lottery, your class rank does not affect your options or chance. Out of state tracts usually are anchor-tracts, so you stay in the same hospital/system for all your rotations whereas the Atlanta rotations tend to send you all over the area. Atlanta track rotations tend to provide housing I think, whereas the anchor tracts will basically require that you relocate. 4th year (non-core?) rotations can be arranged by the student or done with any of the affiliated hospitals from a rather large list.

I am very fuzzy on the details as you can tell, so with any luck an upper classman can drop by and fill in the rest.
 
THH said:
As I understand it from the upperclassmen, this is accurate. However, there are 70(?) spots J-tract slots available around the Atlanta area as well. The rotation are done entirely by lottery, your class rank does not affect your options or chance. Out of state tracts usually are anchor-tracts, so you stay in the same hospital/system for all your rotations whereas the Atlanta rotations tend to send you all over the area. Atlanta track rotations tend to provide housing I think, whereas the anchor tracts will basically require that you relocate. 4th year (non-core?) rotations can be arranged by the student or done with any of the affiliated hospitals from a rather large list.

I am very fuzzy on the details as you can tell, so with any luck an upper classman can drop by and fill in the rest.
Click to expand...

I'd highly appreciate if upperclassmen jump in and explain this to us.

I hope the school is aware of that some are married with children, in which case their ability to relocate (or stay away home) that frequently is significantly reduced.
 
I've been complete for a while now and havent heard anything. Anyone else in the same situation? Does anyone have a contact email?
 
I can clarify a few things for you about rotations.
The person who was explaining how it works above is pretty accurate. If you have a family or SO that you are living with that you do not want to take the chance that you will have to be away from for a year, I would advise that you consider not coming. The J track is around atlanta, and if you are selected early on the lottery, you can work it out so you can get MOST of your rotations nearby, but not all. You will have to spend a few rotations around the state, there is no way around that. If you get selected last and the only thing available is 3 hours away, you are going to either have to find someone to trade with or deal with it.
Mind you, PCOM is NOT the only school where this is the case. Pretty much every DO school has a similar set up. Please think about this carefully before you are stuck 2 years down the road.
 
nfh21500 said:
I can clarify a few things for you about rotations.
The person who was explaining how it works above is pretty accurate. If you have a family or SO that you are living with that you do not want to take the chance that you will have to be away from for a year, I would advise that you consider not coming. The J track is around atlanta, and if you are selected early on the lottery, you can work it out so you can get MOST of your rotations nearby, but not all. You will have to spend a few rotations around the state, there is no way around that. If you get selected last and the only thing available is 3 hours away, you are going to either have to find someone to trade with or deal with it.
Mind you, PCOM is NOT the only school where this is the case. Pretty much every DO school has a similar set up. Please think about this carefully before you are stuck 2 years down the road.
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Sorry, with your post count as 3, yet a "medical student" status, I'll have a legit reservation not to listen.

I'll ask this question directly to my interviewers when I'm at GA-PCOM tomorrow.
 
DrBumblebee said:
Sorry, with your post count as 3, yet a "medical student" status, I'll have a legit reservation not to listen.

I'll ask this question directly to my interviewers when I'm at GA-PCOM tomorrow.
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Yes, because god forbid I wait to use my account to help out people. Look, I am a second year here going through the process right now. There is no one better but my class to give you information about what the process is like in honest terms. There is no reason to be a jerk about it.
 
nfh21500 said:
Yes, because god forbid I wait to use my account to help out people. Look, I am a second year here going through the process right now. There is no one better but my class to give you information about what the process is like in honest terms. There is no reason to be a jerk about it.
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Yes, don't be jerk about it.

There's always a way or two to accommodate married people, and I think this is common at most of the DO schools.
 
DrBumblebee said:
Yes, don't be jerk about it.

There's always a way or two to accommodate married people, and I think this is common at most of the DO schools.
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I am married, and there are several people married and with children in our class. There is a TON of heartache going on at the moment because a lot of people were not aware of exactly how it works. Of course it COULD be done, but I am trying to explain to you that if you feel like this is a situation that you would not want to be in, please consider it and speak to your spouse about it, especially if you have other options on the table. The lottery process is blind to your family status, your only option is getting a fellow classmate to trade with you if you end up with something you don't want. Theres a lot of fellow classmates who wish they knew, and I am trying to let you be informed before you make a decision. My apologies for trying to help.
 
nfh21500 said:
I am married, and there are several people married and with children in our class. There is a TON of heartache going on at the moment because a lot of people were not aware of exactly how it works. Of course it COULD be done, but I am trying to explain to you that if you feel like this is a situation that you would not want to be in, please consider it and speak to your spouse about it, especially if you have other options on the table. The lottery process is blind to your family status, your only option is getting a fellow classmate to trade with you if you end up with something you don't want. Theres a lot of fellow classmates who wish they knew, and I am trying to let you be informed before you make a decision. My apologies for trying to help.
Click to expand...

I wish you've written this in your first post. Any case, thanks bro!

Why do you think people didn't know about this in the first place and committed to GA-PCOM? I hardly believe that they didn't ask about it during admissions process. So, how come to feel the heartache leaving the family behind?
 
DrBumblebee said:
I wish you've written this in your first post. Any case, thanks bro!

Why do you think people didn't know about this in the first place and committed to GA-PCOM? I hardly believe that they didn't ask about it during admissions process. So, how come to feel the heartache leaving the family behind?
Click to expand...

When I asked during my interview, they stated that the state was broken in sections and you would rotate within that section (such as NE, SW, Central, etc) for your last two years. The lottery system was in place if there were too many people asking for the same area. Most people get their first or second option. You also have the option to do a track outside of the state, if you choose.

Please do update us with the answer you get so we can compare.
 
DrBumblebee said:
I wish you've written this in your first post. Any case, thanks bro!

Why do you think people didn't know about this in the first place and committed to GA-PCOM? I hardly believe that they didn't ask about it during admissions process. So, how come to feel the heartache leaving the family behind?
Click to expand...

Maybe there was some miscommunication. In any case, whatever.

I am not really sure why so many people didn't know. I came here fully aware, when you ask on your interview tomorrow they will be honest with you (or they should be. They were with me). Maybe it was that no one asked, or that they weren't listening. Interviews are nerve wracking, you never know.

Anyways, I feel like I have been a little down on my school, so just so that you don't feel like I am hating, I do love it here. If I could go back and make the choice again, I would pick PCOM again no question.
 
BrittanieY said:
When I asked during my interview, they stated that the state was broken in sections and you would rotate within that section (such as NE, SW, Central, etc) for your last two years. The lottery system was in place if there were too many people asking for the same area. Most people get their first or second option. You also have the option to do a track outside of the state, if you choose.

Please do update us with the answer you get so we can compare.
Click to expand...

Will do. Thanks,
 
Poliscidoc said:
So books? Thoughts?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk ignore spelling and/grammar
Click to expand...

This is something that is highly individual, and depends on what kind of learner you are. I need physical books to highlight in, so I buy most of the book list. Other people only buy e texts, and still others use only review books (first aid, rapid review, pathoma, BRS, etc). Then there are those who only use lecture notes.

If you come here, at the beginning of each semester the class ahead of you will set up a panel where they will tell you which text they think is helpful and why, and what to expect from different professors.
 
nfh21500 said:
Maybe there was some miscommunication. In any case, whatever.

I am not really sure why so many people didn't know. I came here fully aware, when you ask on your interview tomorrow they will be honest with you (or they should be. They were with me). Maybe it was that no one asked, or that they weren't listening. Interviews are nerve wracking, you never know.

Anyways, I feel like I have been a little down on my school, so just so that you don't feel like I am hating, I do love it here. If I could go back and make the choice again, I would pick PCOM again no question.
Click to expand...

So, how will you handle it, if your rotations won't be around where you've been settled now? How people married with kids do it?

IMHO, it would be impossible to move the whole family several times in a year or two, kids' education will be affected quite badly.
 
DrBumblebee said:
So, how will you handle it, if your rotations won't be around where you've been settled now? How people married with kids do it?

IMHO, it would be impossible to move the whole family several times in a year or two, kids' education will be affected quite badly.
Click to expand...

The best option for married people or people with kids who don't want to travel is to take one of the anchor options. There are about 40 spots spread over different regions of georgia (warner robins, rome, columbus, etc), and then a few more over in Alabama. You have to move to that area, but then you don't have worry about having to travel month to month. My personal reason for not choosing one of those is that I am heavily considering staying in Atlanta for residency, so it is in my best interest to make contacts here.
The nice thing is that if you do have J track and end up with a site that is over 45 minutes away, they will pay for your housing, so you don't have to worry about that expense.

I've been sitting in the classroom today, probably saw you at some point! Hope your interview went well.
 
Interview went quite well. Professors, managers, and students seemed so friendly as well as enthusiastic about their school. They answered each and every question in full details during the whole day (well, it was all about 2-3 hours.) The school's building isn't a warehouse as many tells about it. The campus' picture doesn't represent the real thing, because it's so convenient to be accessed and is sufficient to study medicine, IMHO. Parking is free.

I even learned a new thing from a professor: that DO schools follow the British style in clinical learning (visiting different locations for different rotations), whereas MD schools follow German style (everything is located in a big building). Now, some MD schools like Emory, as she said, has been sending its medical students to the same locations with GA-PCOM because of the success of its system.

All of the applicants were nice and friendly. I'd love to be classmates with them all. Many asked several questions about the clinical rotations, residency preparation, and whatnot. all in all, I was made sure of that clinical rotations aren't gonna be that big of a problem for anyone to exaggerate, at all. I love to get an acceptance from here.
 
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nfh21500 said:
The best option for married people or people with kids who don't want to travel is to take one of the anchor options. There are about 40 spots spread over different regions of georgia (warner robins, rome, columbus, etc), and then a few more over in Alabama. You have to move to that area, but then you don't have worry about having to travel month to month. My personal reason for not choosing one of those is that I am heavily considering staying in Atlanta for residency, so it is in my best interest to make contacts here.
The nice thing is that if you do have J track and end up with a site that is over 45 minutes away, they will pay for your housing, so you don't have to worry about that expense.

I've been sitting in the classroom today, probably saw you at some point! Hope your interview went well.
Click to expand...

Were you one of the student ambassadors, I should have seen you, as well. I wish we met with you during the interview to talk to a little. Hope you're doing well with your rotation scheduling..
 
DrBumblebee said:
Now, some MD schools like Emory, as she said, has been sending its medical students to the same locations with GA-PCOM because of the success of its system.
Click to expand...

I have my doubts about the accuracy of that.
 
THH said:
I have my doubts about the accuracy of that.
Click to expand...

Could you please elaborate what you mean?

This was spelled out by a blond, old professor (don't recall her name, but she must be the one who's been scheduling the clinical rotations and whatnot) right before the whole applicant crowd in the room, three-four other professors sitting behind us, and Ms. Gologan (assistant director of admissions.) I can hardly imagine one can lie something before such a crowd. Or can she?
 
Poliscidoc said:
I don't think they are saying Emory thinks PCOM GA is better or redefining how Emory teaches, but maybe they are doing a good job and feel that those rotation spots are up to the Emory "standard".


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk ignore spelling and/grammar
Click to expand...

Although, yours might also be the explanation for it, I thought of that she meant that some MD schools like Emory now prefer to go the British system of clinical education as most DO schools such as GA-PCOM goes.

She seemed like so much proud of that GA-PCOM has been a good role model for other medical schools around in that regard.
 
aburnet2 said:
What time did you interview? I interviewed in the morning on 11/9 and really thought it was probably one of the worst interview days I have ever experienced. I have been to a total of 6 medical school interviews this year alone and this one was pretty lacking in info. My main issue was that I never got to talk to a med student!! Biomed students are not the same, sure similiar classes but still not the same. I understand why I couldn't, with it being finals week and all but still how could they let this happen. I want to know about the school from the actual students that are doing what I will be doing. If I had not asked questions then I believe I wouldn't have learned anything more then what you said about the German-MD/British-DO thing. No financial aid session, no explaining the 1st/2nd classes, and an overall hurried environment for the 2-3hr day. The interview itself consisted of 3 Q's that were the most generic Q's possible. My main issue with not talking to med students is that I still don't know what the environment is like. Is it friendly, gunnerish, or clicky? I noticed some groups but I never got the chance to see if they were the norm. Also never got a good answer about cost of living in the area. All the stuff you learn from med students went unanswered or pisspoorly answered by others. I asked several questions and most of the time wasn't convinced they actually knew what they were saying. Even though the interview day was horrible, I still think that it is a good school. It's facilities seem a little dated but still seems like a decent education and good rotations within ga/southeast. If any current students can chime in and answer some of my above questions then it would be appreciated. I grew up in north ga and was really hoping to be blown away by the school. It was an unfortunate day but still is high on my list due to location and reputation.

I also still wonder if the curriculum during the 1st two years overlaps well or is it just by spread out systems?
Click to expand...

I was in the afternoon session.

There were 3-4 student ambassadors throughout the interview. They talked to us all day long, took us an extended school tour within the building itself, showed us exam rooms and robotic patients (I've even had a chance to see a robot's giving birth!!! An ob/gyn doctor was instructing 3-4 3rd year students about the labor. It was interesting.), lecture rooms, library, gym, book store, etc. They kept talking to us about their thoughts, experiences about the school, etc. It was a 2-3 hours of interview waiting for your turn to meet with the interviewers. Meanwhile, I've listened a ton of questions coming from the applicants to professors and admissions team, which were answered sincerely and in full details. I even started getting bored of so many questions being asked but the school's officials were always enthusiastically answering them all. They kept telling that our afternoon group is such a silent group and the morning group (that must be your group by the way) was more talkative!😕

Did they mention about the British-DO vs. German-MD ways of clinical rotations during your morning session, as well? Awesome.

My interview was long enough to talk about many of my application details, and if the school could satisfy what I expected.

I also don't have any idea if I'll get in since I sensed no negative or positive response from them, at all. I possibly won't be their type of student. Maybe I've become a little bit of pessimistic after all of this BS, which is also called the interviewing season.

All in all, I still think of that this school is a good osteopathic medical school.

I hope we'll be hearing the decisions very soon.
 
aburnet2 said:
What time did you interview? I interviewed in the morning on 11/9 and really thought it was probably one of the worst interview days I have ever experienced. I have been to a total of 6 medical school interviews this year alone and this one was pretty lacking in info. My main issue was that I never got to talk to a med student!! Biomed students are not the same, sure similiar classes but still not the same. I understand why I couldn't, with it being finals week and all but still how could they let this happen. I want to know about the school from the actual students that are doing what I will be doing. If I had not asked questions then I believe I wouldn't have learned anything more then what you said about the German-MD/British-DO thing. No financial aid session, no explaining the 1st/2nd classes, and an overall hurried environment for the 2-3hr day. The interview itself consisted of 3 Q's that were the most generic Q's possible. My main issue with not talking to med students is that I still don't know what the environment is like. Is it friendly, gunnerish, or clicky? I noticed some groups but I never got the chance to see if they were the norm. Also never got a good answer about cost of living in the area. All the stuff you learn from med students went unanswered or pisspoorly answered by others. I asked several questions and most of the time wasn't convinced they actually knew what they were saying. Even though the interview day was horrible, I still think that it is a good school. It's facilities seem a little dated but still seems like a decent education and good rotations within ga/southeast. If any current students can chime in and answer some of my above questions then it would be appreciated. I grew up in north ga and was really hoping to be blown away by the school. It was an unfortunate day but still is high on my list due to location and reputation.

I also still wonder if the curriculum during the 1st two years overlaps well or is it just by spread out systems?
Click to expand...

Hey, we are all extremely busy with finals so sorry if we seemed pretty antisocial when you came to visit.

The environment is overall friendly but it seems to differ between classes so our experience may vary from yours. I think our class does a good job of having fun even with the workload. Of course, social groups still form, but overall, I think everyone is pretty friendly with one another.

Cost of living is quite cheap in my opinion, $400-700 for rent is pretty normal depending on what sort of living situation you prefer. Lots of options in the area. I'd definitely recommend living close to PCOM if possible.

Let me know if you have any other questions and I'll do my best to respond.
 
Anyone get a call today from Trena? I was sleeping due to working 3rd shift and missed it. Not sure if good or bad thing, she did not specify. She only said to call her back. Anyone else get this? I interviewed 11/9
 
I interviewed on 11/9 as well and they said that all decisions (accepted, waitlisted, or rejected) will be notified by mail only.
 
CRCprofessional said:
Any suggestions on calling/following up after sending in secondaries?
Click to expand...

I emailed them two days ago about my status, and they replied that they don't give an update status after you are complete. However, I received an ii today...so, if I were you, I would email them to refresh their memory about your application..
 
FutureDocMed said:
I emailed them two days ago about my status, and they replied that they don't give an update status after you are complete. However, I received an ii today...so, if I were you, I would email them to refresh their memory about your application..
Click to expand...
Hmm, I was complete 10/31, so I'm shortly behind you. Thanks for the advice!
 
Edit
 
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hab84 said:
I got a call on Thurs asking if I wanna pick up my decision letter since I live in the ATL area. Just told them to mail it to me and to my surprise I received a nice healthy acceptance letter. I also interviewed on 11/09, looking forward to meet the rest of the team. Good times ahead, squad up.
Click to expand...

congrats, I'll be setting up a Facebook group once there are more acceptances on SDN.
 
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