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

[Mountaineer12]

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Hi All,
I really want an II here. I was complete 8/16 and haven't heard a peep since the complete email. I have a sGPA/GPA 3.5 and a 28, and I'm from Boston.

Does anyone have a suggestion? The complete emails says that status checks are not availble by email or over the phone, and I don't want to be annoying by calling but is anyone else in this same boat? Any outright rejections?

I was complete around then too, maybe a little before, and I haven't heard a word from them since. I'm assuming silent rejection?

 

[mwahnster]

Hi All,
I really want an II here. I was complete 8/16 and haven't heard a peep since the complete email. I have a sGPA/GPA 3.5 and a 28, and I'm from Boston.

Does anyone have a suggestion? The complete emails says that status checks are not availble by email or over the phone, and I don't want to be annoying by calling but is anyone else in this same boat? Any outright rejections?

I talked to the Assistant Director of Admissions on Wednesday, because he visited my school, and he said it's all just a waiting game. They only started sending out II's mid-Sept. and continue to do so through March/May (can't remember which "m" month it was...). Also, they don't send any rejection notices until the near end of the cycle, so I'd say just sit tight, but I know it's easier said than done. I've been neurotic since the whole admissions process started Hope I helped somewhat though. Oh, and for reference, I was complete 8/7 with similar stats.

 

[drunicorn]

Got an interview invite this week!! Excited/nervous!

 

[Pigglyjuff]

Got an interview invite this week!! Excited/nervous!

Congrats. How long were technically complete? Did they send a "Your app is considered complete and will be reviewed by our admission's committee?" or anything similar before your interview e-mail/phone call?

 

[drunicorn]

Congrats. How long were technically complete? Did they send a "Your app is considered complete and will be reviewed by our admission's committee?" or anything similar before your interview e-mail/phone call?

oh geez, I'm sorry I didn't include that info. I meant to.
I did not get a completed app email. I got an email that verified that they received my supplementary after I emailed the pdf to them. I emailed it the 3rd week in Sept; got the conformation email a day later. My status on the online status page for submitted materials is wonky... some have dates from last cycle and some do not have the recent dates on which I submitted them. I got my MCAT score back in October and emailed my score report to the office of admissions for a faster unofficial submission (AACOMAS can be slow.) Honestly, I just called the admissions office to verify that my file was absolutely complete and I asked if they had this item, this item, etc. Got my ii on Oct. 18. Good luck!!

 

[Guero]

oh geez, I'm sorry I didn't include that info. I meant to.
I did not get a completed app email. I got an email that verified that they received my supplementary after I emailed the pdf to them. I emailed it on Sept. 20; got that email on Sept. 21. My status on the online status page for submitted materials is wonky... some have dates from last cycle and some do not have the recent dates on which I submitted them. I got my MCAT score back in October and emailed my score report to the office of admissions for a faster unofficial submission (AACOMAS can be slow.) Honestly, I just called the admissions office to verify that my file was absolutely complete and I asked if they had this item, this item, etc. Got my ii on Oct. 18. Good luck!!

Congrats and good luck! Would you mind sharing/PMing your stats? No worries if you'd rather not.

 

[drunicorn]

Congrats and good luck! Would you mind sharing/PMing your stats? No worries if you'd rather not.

omg your avatar 👍
and thank you! good luck to you, too!
I'll PM you

 

[Guero]

omg your avatar 👍
and thank you! good luck to you, too!
I'll PM you

Haha, thanks, me encanta Trejo. I died laughing when I first saw the pic and knew it was finally "the one" I'd actually keep for more than a few months.

 

[cheerios29]

Is there even a completed email?

I received an email when they received my secondary, and the website listed in the email lets you log in to see what's complete/incomplete about your file.

 

[Ptowusu]

Hey interview on the 31st anyone else? Any advice ?

 

[drunicorn]

Hey interview on the 31st anyone else? Any advice ?

congrats 🙂
mock interview!

 

[DEC321]

I had my interview just last week. I'll tell you what I know.

The interview itself is around 30 minutes. You'll be in a room with 2 people, a faculty member and a med student in his/her clinical years. They'll have laptops in front of them with your info on it, and they'll hit you with all the standard questions. Here's some of the stuff I remember from the top of my head:

- If you applied to both DO and MD schools, what about DO appeals to you?
- When did you realize that you wanted to enter medicine?
- What separates PCOM from all the other schools you applied to?
- Tell me something about the state of healthcare today.
- The med school curriculum is intense. What will you do to unwind in your spare time?
- What is your opinion on OMM?
- What specialty will you be doing in 10 years?

It's nothing too crazy, but I guess those are questions that they want to ask every applicant. Other than that, I also got a few questions "tailored" towards me specifically. Like, I finished my BS one year early, so they asked me about why I did that. I worked in a hospital for a couple of years, so they asked me what I learned from it. I lived in Jersey, so they wanted to know if I got an acceptance from both UMDNJSOM and PCOM, which one would I pick? Stuff like that.

For me, the interview was pretty intense. I mean, it went well, but I was hit with questions left and right and did 90% of the talking. That being said, it wasn't too stressful; I didn't feel like I was being interrogated, and my interviewers shared jokes and had banter back and forth. So definitely know your **** like it was the back of your hand, but also relax and try to have a conversation.

Hope I helped! If you have any more questions, lemme know!

 

[Thebigdog3232]

Hey there, I interviewed last week and it was very laid back! When my interview was over one of the current med students said the doc and med student make the accept/reject decision right after the interview. Decisions are communicated by letter two weeks after interview! So I have one more week to find out if i was accepted and the waiting is soooooooo hard! Good luck everyone and God bless!

 

[Night Hawk]

.

 

[DC1987]

Interview Invite Received 10/18
Supplemental was Received 8/24
Not sure when I was complete did not get an email about that.
3.2 GPA 3.0 Science 33 Mcat

Interview November 5th.

 

[member147]

Hey there, I interviewed last week and it was very laid back! When my interview was over one of the current med students said the doc and med student make the accept/reject decision right after the interview. Decisions are communicated by letter two weeks after interview! So I have one more week to find out if i was accepted and the waiting is soooooooo hard! Good luck everyone and God bless!

i can speak from being a current student here that whoever told you that lied.....the info from the interview is given to a board that reviews everything and then the decision is made....this early on it might be a semi-quick response but not always (either way keep your head up)

 

[Thebigdog3232]

Thx for the update!!! Hopefully I will hear within a week or so!!!!!

 

[mouse428]

Interview Invite Received 10/18
Supplemental was Received 8/24
Not sure when I was complete did not get an email about that.
3.2 GPA 3.0 Science 33 Mcat

Interview November 5th.

Oh yay! Your stats are just like mine, there is hope for me at PCOM yet! Congratulations, and thanks for sharing 🙂

 

[Lewist02]

Hey there, I interviewed last week and it was very laid back! When my interview was over one of the current med students said the doc and med student make the accept/reject decision right after the interview. Decisions are communicated by letter two weeks after interview! So I have one more week to find out if i was accepted and the waiting is soooooooo hard! Good luck everyone and God bless!

Just FYI it's not a set in stone decision, it is a recommendation to the entire admissions committee, which usually meets once a month. The entire admissions committee reevaluates your application and the recommendation based off of the interview, and then makes a decision. That's why it unfortunately can take anywhere from a week to a month to get a decision letter.


Edit: sorryyyyy. didn't see the response above.

 

[Thebigdog3232]

I was told decisions are made every two weeks not once a month. I find it hard to believe that they only meet once a month to make decisions when most other schools meet either weekly or twice a month. Also, a few other people posted that they received acceptance two weeks later which means they have to be reviewing every two weeks.

 

[virtuoso735]

Interviews at Drexel and Jefferson but nothing from PCOM. I really don't feel like making another trip to Philly even if I do get an II as I will have been twice in a month already.

Was wondering if PCOM is anywhere near City Center? Going to school in a big city is somehow really appealing to me.

 

[zoner]

Interviews at Drexel and Jefferson but nothing from PCOM. I really don't feel like making another trip to Philly even if I do get an II as I will have been twice in a month already.

Was wondering if PCOM is anywhere near City Center? Going to school in a big city is somehow really appealing to me.

Not like its in downtown where all the action is but ay the same time its in an urban like suburb area

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I997 using SDN Mobile

 

[Lewist02]

Oh maybe they changed that this year. It's not really hard to believe because it wasn't that way when I interviewed, it was the third wednesday of every month, and that was told to me by the admissions director. My friend last year took three weeks to get her acceptance as well and that was right before Thanksgiving.

Either way, mine only took just over a week to get to me, because I interviewed right before the committee met. Hope it isn't much longer of a waiting game for you! The suspense is awful.

 

[Lewist02]

Interviews at Drexel and Jefferson but nothing from PCOM. I really don't feel like making another trip to Philly even if I do get an II as I will have been twice in a month already.

Was wondering if PCOM is anywhere near City Center? Going to school in a big city is somehow really appealing to me.

What's nice about PCOM is that you can still live in the City and the commute to school is not bad. I live about a 5-10 min drive from school and it is easy to take back roads during rush hour. The downside is that if you don't live in the city, you either have to drive or take the bus in. You can't just walk, take the subway, or grab a cab (without it costing at least $20 one way).

Drexel is also nice because you can live in University City or the Fairmount Park area without hitting too crazy of city traffic/parking issues. The downside is, as far as I am aware, that the Drexel parking garage is independently owned, not on Drexel property, and parking is like $10/day. Not sure if they have some sort of discount for student or if there is easier parking around the school, but I know they didn't offer some sort of discount while I rotated there.

 

[Thebigdog3232]

Oh maybe they changed that this year. It's not really hard to believe because it wasn't that way when I interviewed, it was the third wednesday of every month, and that was told to me by the admissions director. My friend last year took three weeks to get her acceptance as well and that was right before Thanksgiving.

Either way, mine only took just over a week to get to me, because I interviewed right before the committee met. Hope it isn't much longer of a waiting game for you! The suspense is awful.

Thx for the update!!! whatever it is, I will hopefully get an acceptance letter in the next week or so!!!! Thx again!!!!

 

[Sarlack]

I got an interview invite! its my first one ever. its for december 5th. anyone else have that one?!?! WOO WOOO.

 

[Night Hawk]

.

 

[DrBumblebee]

I wish! Starting to think I'm not going to get an invite here....Anywho, congratz!

you're not alone in this feeling😎

 

[Guero]

you're not alone in this feeling😎

+1

 

[Sarlack]

After the initial email of II... what happens next? Im probably being impatient, but do they send out the packet of information same day? or next week? I already confirmed im interested in the interview via email. Im just so excited, any advice will be great! thanks everyone.

 

[FermiParadox42]

I was told decisions are made every two weeks not once a month. I find it hard to believe that they only meet once a month to make decisions when most other schools meet either weekly or twice a month. Also, a few other people posted that they received acceptance two weeks later which means they have to be reviewing every two weeks.

They told all of us the day I interviewed (9/24) that we wouldn't hear until the end of October. I got my acceptance letter in the mail 12 days later on 10/6, so who really knows?

 

[skyline5791]

They said the admissions committee meets every two weeks on Tuesday. I interviewed here last week and they said they would probably review our applications this Tuesday. Hopefully that means we will get mail tomorrow or Friday on decisions.

 

[Thebigdog3232]

They told all of us the day I interviewed (9/24) that we wouldn't hear until the end of October. I got my acceptance letter in the mail 12 days later on 10/6, so who really knows?

What are your stats??? Thx!!!

 

[FermiParadox42]

What are your stats??? Thx!!!

Well, I think PCOM (and really most DO schools) are looking at a lot more than just stats, so I wouldn't worry to much about comparing numbers. But..... I am totally guilty of comparing numbers too 😀 So here you go:

cGPA: 3.45
sGPA: 3.30
MCAT: 26P

 

[drunicorn]

Well, I think PCOM (and really most DO schools) are looking at a lot more than just stats, so I wouldn't worry to much about comparing numbers. But..... I am totally guilty of comparing numbers too 😀 So here you go:

cGPA: 3.45
sGPA: 3.30
MCAT: 26P

They really do and I love this school for that.

 

[DrBumblebee]

Well, I think PCOM (and really most DO schools) are looking at a lot more than just stats, so I wouldn't worry to much about comparing numbers. But..... I am totally guilty of comparing numbers too 😀 So here you go:

cGPA: 3.45
sGPA: 3.30
MCAT: 26P

How can a school screen by using more than numbers without first interviewing the candidate? Regional bias? (race bias?)

 

[zoner]

How can a school screen by using more than numbers without first interviewing the candidate? Regional bias? (race bias?)

Or non transitional bias. This is the only school I have not gotten an interview request from

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[DrBumblebee]

Or non transitional bias. This is the only school I have not gotten an interview request from

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I997 using SDN Mobile

I think you meant non traditional, right?

 

[Thebigdog3232]

Well, I think PCOM (and really most DO schools) are looking at a lot more than just stats, so I wouldn't worry to much about comparing numbers. But..... I am totally guilty of comparing numbers too 😀 So here you go:

cGPA: 3.45
sGPA: 3.30
MCAT: 26P

Thx for the stats and information!!!!!

 

[FermiParadox42]

How can a school screen by using more than numbers without first interviewing the candidate? Regional bias? (race bias?)

I think what you write in your application really does matter. Your AACOMAS personal statement, what you write about your experiences, and what you put on your secondary truly matter.

My grades, MCAT score, race, gender, religion and current residence are hardly anything special, so I can only guess that the schools that have accepted me have done so based on what I put across in my written application. But that's only my experience, and as I am not on an admissions committee I really have no idea and my assessment of what PCOM and other schools are looking for could be totally wrong.

 

[zoner]

I think you meant non traditional, right?

doh!!!, yes,,, i hate using SDN mobile app

 

[DrBumblebee]

I think what you write in your application really does matter. Your AACOMAS personal statement, what you write about your experiences, and what you put on your secondary truly matter.

My grades, MCAT score, race, gender, religion and current residence are hardly anything special, so I can only guess that the schools that have accepted me have done so based on what I put across in my written application. But that's only my experience, and as I am not on an admissions committee I really have no idea and my assessment of what PCOM and other schools are looking for could be totally wrong.

I don't think I wrote anything that might negatively affect my app, noone does this... Besides, you can always skew your experiences when you're aware of that your writing would affect the outcomes of a competition. Numbers won't lie for a fact, though. Anyway, congrats to all who received their iis... Now, back to waiting...🙁

 

[Mash43]

I don't think I wrote anything that might negatively affect my app, noone does this... Besides, you can always skew your experiences when you're aware of that your writing would affect the outcomes of a competition. Numbers won't lie for a fact, though. Anyway, congrats to all who received their iis... Now, back to waiting...🙁

I think there is some truth to the fact that what you write does matter. But some schools just wont overlook the numbers. I have a sgpa 3.41, cgpa 3.5 and 24P. I got 4 ii's and one acceptance but PCOM will give me zerooo love and its my number 1 choice.. Havent heard anything back from them or any of the northeast schools. You guys think i would be wise to take the January MCAT to increase my chances of hearing back from these schools? I would lovee to go here

 

[Guero]

I think there is some truth to the fact that what you write does matter. But some schools just wont overlook the numbers. I have a sgpa 3.41, cgpa 3.5 and 24P. I got 4 ii's and one acceptance but PCOM will give me zerooo love and its my number 1 choice.. Havent heard anything back from them or any of the northeast schools. You guys think i would be wise to take the January MCAT to increase my chances of hearing back from these schools? I would lovee to go here

What's so weird for me is the fact that I got an MD and a DO II back-to-back in early Sept, an acceptance a couple weeks after the MD interview, but no more IIs. Wtf? If two schools jumped on me and loved me that much, why not the others? It's truly perplexing! There is no rhyme or reason to this insanity. And it's so difficult to just sit back and wait not knowing what to expect...

As for the MCAT retake? Heck no. An acceptance is an acceptance, regardless of where you want to go. The residency matters so much more in the long run and each school will adequately prepare you for residency. Why go through this again? If I had an acceptance at my last choice last year, I'd be there rather than reapplying 100%. So many of my physician colleagues warned me to go wherever I received an acceptance and not to reapply unless I didn't get in. Sadly, that was the case last year.

 

[drunicorn]

What's so weird for me is the fact that I got an MD and a DO II back-to-back in early Sept, an acceptance a couple weeks after the MD interview, but no more IIs. Wtf? If two schools jumped on me and loved me that much, why not the others? It's truly perplexing! There is no rhyme or reason to this insanity. And it's so difficult to just sit back and wait not knowing what to expect...

As for the MCAT retake? Heck no. An acceptance is an acceptance, regardless of where you want to go. The residency matters so much more in the long run and each school will adequately prepare you for residency. Why go through this again? If I had an acceptance at my last choice last year, I'd be there rather than reapplying 100%. So many of my physician colleagues warned me to go wherever I received an acceptance and not to reapply unless I didn't get in. Sadly, that was the case last year.

👍

 

[minicoop]

What's so weird for me is the fact that I got an MD and a DO II back-to-back in early Sept, an acceptance a couple weeks after the MD interview, but no more IIs. Wtf? If two schools jumped on me and loved me that much, why not the others? It's truly perplexing! There is no rhyme or reason to this insanity. And it's so difficult to just sit back and wait not knowing what to expect...

Similar situation here, I received 3 ii's within 2 weeks in August and now have 2 acceptances + 1 deferred decision, but I haven't received anymore ii's for ~2 months now! It's torture. Seems like this process is just a crapshoot.

 

[Thebigdog3232]

Or non transitional bias. This is the only school I have not gotten an interview request from

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Where all have you gotten interviews too? What are your stats?? Thx!!

 

[Thebigdog3232]

Similar situation here, I received 3 ii's within 2 weeks in August and now have 2 acceptances + 1 deferred decision, but I haven't received anymore ii's for ~2 months now! It's torture. Seems like this process is just a crapshoot.

Where are your two acceptance to? What are your stats? Thx!!!

 

[Thebigdog3232]

What's so weird for me is the fact that I got an MD and a DO II back-to-back in early Sept, an acceptance a couple weeks after the MD interview, but no more IIs. Wtf? If two schools jumped on me and loved me that much, why not the others? It's truly perplexing! There is no rhyme or reason to this insanity. And it's so difficult to just sit back and wait not knowing what to expect...

As for the MCAT retake? Heck no. An acceptance is an acceptance, regardless of where you want to go. The residency matters so much more in the long run and each school will adequately prepare you for residency. Why go through this again? If I had an acceptance at my last choice last year, I'd be there rather than reapplying 100%. So many of my physician colleagues warned me to go wherever I received an acceptance and not to reapply unless I didn't get in. Sadly, that was the case last year.

Well thats great you got an acceptance, from where? What are your stats? Thx!!

 

[Guero]

Well thats great you got an acceptance, from where? What are your stats? Thx!!

Thanks! It was an MD acceptance for ETSU (Quillen College of Medicine). My stats are available on my MDApps profile linked below my avatar and separate AACOMAS, TMDSAS, and AMCAS stats below the school list. Good luck!