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

[dsoz]

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Anyone else still waiting on a secondary? Still nothing for me. Delivered primary nearly a month ago.

I just got one about two hours ago. It would have been 8:39 Pacific time

Well I may just kiss my chances at PCOM goodbye then. I have no such letter and no way of really getting one, but do have 6 II's so far. I hate to limit myself but I guess that's how's it's gonna be.

I am in the same boat. I graduated undergraduate a double digit number of years ago (yes, I am old). How the heck am I going to get a letter from a dean/department head when everyone that was in one of those positions is either moved on, retired, or dead by now (most likely dead).

I emailed them asking if I could substitute a different letter and gave them the following options: two letters from current employers; two professors that I took A&P from last academic year; two physicians, one MD and one DO; the volunteer coordinator at the hospital where I volunteer. If none of those work, I don't know how I will get a letter in.😕

Once I get an answer, I will submit my secondary.

sGPA 3.55, cGPA3.62, 31R

dsoz

 

[dsoz]

Just got it at about 11:45PM EST.

Where are you guys sending your LORs?

This line is in the PDF form that they sent in the email. It also gives an email address and a snail-mail address.

Please indicate below how the Office of Admissions will receive recommendation letters on your behalf:
(Check all that apply)
Interfolio ___ VirtualEvals ___ [email protected] ___ Mail ___

Good luck to you. 🙂

dsoz

 

[dudeliness]

I just got one about two hours ago. It would have been 8:39 Pacific time



I am in the same boat. I graduated undergraduate a double digit number of years ago (yes, I am old). How the heck am I going to get a letter from a dean/department head when everyone that was in one of those positions is either moved on, retired, or dead by now (most likely dead).

I emailed them asking if I could substitute a different letter and gave them the following options: two letters from current employers; two professors that I took A&P from last academic year; two physicians, one MD and one DO; the volunteer coordinator at the hospital where I volunteer. If none of those work, I don't know how I will get a letter in.😕

Once I get an answer, I will submit my secondary.

sGPA 3.55, cGPA3.62, 31R

dsoz

Please post here or pm me to let me know what they say about that letter requirement. One of my letters is from my pre-med advisor, but I'm pretty sure she didn't mention anywhere that I'm in good academic standing. Sheesh.

 

[Tianar]

I hate when they say application processing could "take up to 15 days" and then they actually do take that long. 😛 Anyone's app get processed yet?

 

[docgirl17]

I hate when they say application processing could "take up to 15 days" and then they actually do take that long. 😛 Anyone's app get processed yet?

my app check was cashed yesterday. Don't know if that means anything. I mailed fee on 8/3.

 

[dsoz]

Please post here or pm me to let me know what they say about that letter requirement. One of my letters is from my pre-med advisor, but I'm pretty sure she didn't mention anywhere that I'm in good academic standing. Sheesh.

This is what I got back this morning. That was quick!

PCOM Admissions [email protected] (sent by [email protected])
3:06 AM (4 hours ago)

to me

The admissions committee requires a letter from the pre-med advisor or committee, academic advisor, or dean of your undergraduate institution where you received your bachelor's degree. It is basically a letter stating you were a student in good standing with no disciplinary actions against you during your time at their institution. You may submit other letters but one of these three options is required to make your application complete.

Looks like I need to ask my undergraduate school to look up some old records.

PCOM does not want to make this easy, do they?

dsoz

 

[dudeliness]

This is what I got back this morning. That was quick!



Looks like I need to ask my undergraduate school to look up some old records.

PCOM does not want to make this easy, do they?

dsoz

Wait, so a letter from a pre-med advisor is enough, as long as they mentioned that I was in good academic standing? That's what I get from that.

 

[dsoz]

Wait, so a letter from a pre-med advisor is enough, as long as they mentioned that I was in good academic standing? That's what I get from that.

Good academic standing AND no disciplinary actions while at the school. But, yes, a pre-med adviser would work.

dsoz

 

[avodemas]

This is what I got back this morning. That was quick!



Looks like I need to ask my undergraduate school to look up some old records.

PCOM does not want to make this easy, do they?

dsoz

That's the same response (verbatim) I got from PCOM when I emailed them. Now I am having trouble getting in touch with my pre-med advisor from (double-digit) years ago.

 

[ModernAlchemist]

I have a semi-specific question that I hope someone can answer. I heard PCOM screens out people with low scores in a given section of the MCAT. I have a 6 VR from my most recent test and a 9 from a test in 2011. I'm worried they're going to take my more recent score, which is higher, and then screen me out because of the 6.

Does anyone have any insight into something like this?

 

[playaodamonth]

Just got the user ID email. Hopefully next one will be an II. Kind of on a dry spell at the moment...

 

[Ost3oclast]

Just got the user ID email. Hopefully next one will be an II. Kind of on a dry spell at the moment...

Me too. I checked and it shows that I dont have the professor requirement although I sent it to them. Anyone else see this?

 

[joedontknoe]

Just got the secondary

 

[BabyDoc86]

Secondary submitted!

 

[Night Hawk]

.

 

[unhappytnt]

Will submit mine tonight.

I really don't like that they don't have an online payment option. I am currently overseas and sending a check via post is going to take a looong time

 

[WorldChanger36]

Will submit mine tonight.

I really don't like that they don't have an online payment option. I am currently overseas and sending a check via post is going to take a looong time

UPS, DHL or FEDEX can get it there next day. It is the only way I send checks.

 

[Sarlack]

Secondary received by them 8-2 and on 8-11 my application has been updated that once everything is complete, mcat scores and letters and such then the admission committee will "determine if I am qualified."

Im sorry a ton of people are still waiting on secondaries. Best of luck to everyone, dont forget its still a little early in the season. Plenty of time to get a ton of II's for us.

best

z

 

[plugy0urears]

Got my secondary Thursday night at 11:45. They certainly do like to email late don't they.

Everything's submitted now. Fingers crossed.

 

[allicat99999]

For people waiting for secondaries (I felt like I was waiting forever), my timeline may be helpful:
AACOMAS released 7/5
Secondary received 8/7
Secondary submitted 8/9
Secondary submission acknowledged 8/9
Check sent on 8/9

Waiting on complete email. Hope that helps!

 

[joedontknoe]

Submitted today!

 

[virtuoso735]

For those with fee waivers from AACOMAS, how does PCOM handle fee waivers?

Also, do you think it would be a problem if they received the LOR's before they received the secondary? My school sent out the letters out in mid-July so I know PCOM definitely has them by now. Hopefully they don't throw them out or anything if they get them early.

 

[Night Hawk]

.

 

[virtuoso735]

PCOM is so picky. They want an official letter from AACOMAS stating that I qualify for the fee waiver. All the other schools were fine with me just forwarding an email.

 

[dudeliness]

PCOM is so picky. They want an official letter from AACOMAS stating that I qualify for the fee waiver. All the other schools were fine with me just forwarding an email.

I'm thinking that I may not finish the secondary for PCOM with all the issues they've been making. Why can't they be as easy as all the other schools. 🙁

 

[Night Hawk]

.

 

[WorldChanger36]

I'm thinking that I may not finish the secondary for PCOM with all the issues they've been making. Why can't they be as easy as all the other schools. 🙁

Easy? PCOM was the easiest besides nova's ******ed secondary... I mean come on describe an osteopathic experience yes or no... Classy nova...

 

[ModernAlchemist]

Easy? PCOM was the easiest besides nova's ******ed secondary... I mean come on describe an osteopathic experience yes or no... Classy nova...

DMU's was the easiest

 

[dudeliness]

Other than the fee waiver thing and the health committee/dean LOR, what is so off putting?

Ok, you got me. That's really all there is to it is the letter and fee waiver thing. I'm already graduated and moved away from my undergrad so the letter is kinda a big deal in term of difficulty, but the reality is I guess I'm kind of lazy. Lol

 

[Napoletana1007]

Ok, you got me. That's really all there is to it is the letter and fee waiver thing. I'm already graduated and moved away from my undergrad so the letter is kinda a big deal in term of difficulty, but the reality is I guess I'm kind of lazy. Lol

I graduated from ugrad in 2006, I spent an hour sending out a bunch of emails and by the end of the day I had a new problem: I had two letters sent to PCOM(one from my department and one from the dean's office.)

 

[dudeliness]

I graduated from ugrad in 2006, I spent an hour sending out a bunch of emails and by the end of the day I had a new problem: I had two letters sent to PCOM(one from my department and one from the dean's office.)

An inspirational story! Too bad I'm still lazy...lol




That's a good idea though. I could always just send a few emails and try my luck.

 

[TallScrubs]

No problem. sGPA 3.32 cGPA 3.45 30O MCAT. 800+ hours volunteer non-clinical 400+ hours volunteer medical interpreter for hospitals 50 hours shadowing DO's
I think my EC's and MCAT helped balance my GPA which wasn't awful to begin with.
Interviews scheduled with Midwestern AZCOM, AT Still SOMA, DMU, NOVA, both LECOM campuses. Problem is I wasn't expecting nearly so many interviews and I have no idea which schools are better than others. My main objective is a school with good match lists for residency and good clinical rotation sites (as in I don't have to travel all over the country for each year). No specific specialty in mind, but I'd like to keep my options open. Any suggestions on good schools?

Be very careful when using match lists to make your decision. To quote a personal hero of mine, 'Looks can be..deceptive'.

 

[Tianar]

Anyone who has a status page had their LOR received yet??

 

[Night Hawk]

.

 

[CholeCystems]

How do you know you have a status page? They email it to you? I couldn't find a link online.

I submitted my secondary and my check should've arrived there by now.

 

[Night Hawk]

.

 

[dudeliness]

Be very careful when using match lists to make your decision. To quote a personal hero of mine, 'Looks can be..deceptive'.

So what is the main criteria for choosing a school? Lol

 

[OPH4Life]

Primary released july 19 and still no secondary 🙁 should I be worried??

 

[avodemas]

Primary released july 19 and still no secondary 🙁 should I be worried??

I would be. Why don't you email them and ask?

 

[heybigA]

Well for all those that have not submitted the advisor letter I guess your advisor has to explicitly say in the letter I AM YOUR ACADEMIC ADVISOR because after going through the whole inconvenience of getting a letter from mine during the summer they said it wasn't enough. I'm getting slightly annoyed....

 

[dudeliness]

Well for all those that have not submitted the advisor letter I guess your advisor has to explicitly say in the letter I AM YOUR ACADEMIC ADVISOR because after going through the whole inconvenience of getting a letter from mine during the summer they said it wasn't enough. I'm getting slightly annoyed....

How did you check if your letter was good enough? Did you just call admissions and ask if your letters met the requirements? Thanks

 

[mavrich]

does an "academic coordinator" for the dept of psychology count?

 

[heybigA]

How did you check if your letter was good enough? Did you just call admissions and ask if your letters met the requirements? Thanks

I sent all the letters via interfolio and checked if i was complete on their login page. My "college letter requirement" was blank so I emailed them and they explained it needed to be more explicitly stated. It was in the letter but I don't think they read them so the person needs to sign it as your academic advisor!

 

[CholeCystems]

Can anyone post a link to the login page? I can't find it on their web site

 

[Tianar]

Can anyone post a link to the login page? I can't find it on their web site

I think you have to wait til they email it to you?

 

[avodemas]

I sent all the letters via interfolio and checked if i was complete on their login page. My "college letter requirement" was blank so I emailed them and they explained it needed to be more explicitly stated. It was in the letter but I don't think they read them so the person needs to sign it as your academic advisor!

So, what was the outcome? Were you able to convince them to take a better look at your letter?
The reason I am asking is that my pre-med advisor is in another state and has been ignoring my attempts to contact her. I've reached out to the dean and it looks like it would be possible to get the letter from the dean's office. I am just wondering whether it would all be worth the trouble if PCOM won't accept it since it won't be signed "academic advisor".

 

[heybigA]

So, what was the outcome? Were you able to convince them to take a better look at your letter?
The reason I am asking is that my pre-med advisor is in another state and has been ignoring my attempts to contact her. I've reached out to the dean and it looks like it would be possible to get the letter from the dean's office. I am just wondering whether it would all be worth the trouble if PCOM won't accept it since it won't be signed "academic advisor".

I'm speaking to these topics with just my knowledge from the past 4 months of talking to their office so dont take my word as bible. The admissions staff told me that the deans office OR academic advisor will suffice but the position must be indicated. For example, the dean can't just sign "Jane Doe" they need to explicitly state the position so the admissions office can discern that it will fit the requirement. In this case my advisor signed her name and put "department of biology."

Ultimately, I had to email my advisor and get her to then email the admissions office basically confirming she was my advisor. Thankfully she did not have to write another letter. So whoever is writing it I guess tell them to put their position or whatever under their name when they sign it, otherwise, the notation within the letter might go unnoticed.

Hope that helps!

 

[avodemas]

I'm speaking to these topics with just my knowledge from the past 4 months of talking to their office so dont take my word as bible. The admissions staff told me that the deans office OR academic advisor will suffice but the position must be indicated. For example, the dean can't just sign "Jane Doe" they need to explicitly state the position so the admissions office can discern that it will fit the requirement. In this case my advisor signed her name and put "department of biology."

Ultimately, I had to email my advisor and get her to then email the admissions office basically confirming she was my advisor. Thankfully she did not have to write another letter. So whoever is writing it I guess tell them to put their position or whatever under their name when they sign it, otherwise, the notation within the letter might go unnoticed.

Hope that helps!

Thanks, that actually helps a lot. I couldn't get a hold of my pre-med advisor, but then I remembered that I had an academic advisor in the Department of Biology. I couldn't remember her name so I saw that one of my former professors is an advisor now, so I reached out to him and, luckily, he agreed to write a letter for me. I asked him to put his "academic advisor" title and not just sign it "Professor of Biology". Let's hope this works. I will let everyone know if PCOM accepts it.

 

[CholeCystems]

I got the email from PCOM to check my app status online. It shows they have received two of my letters although they haven't processed them to discern what requirements they meet. I hope my advisor mentioned his position or else I'll have to have him email PCOM!

 

[virtuoso735]

Submitted my PCOM secondary this morning, so I'm done with all 14 of my DO secondaries! 😀