Philadelphia COM - Philadelphia (PCOM) Discussion Thread 2013 - 2014

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Just submitted my secondary this week.
3.32 sgpa, 3.32 cgpa (graduate school)
3.1 cgpa (undergraduate school)
27 MCAT (9ps,9v,pbs)
OOS, lower socioeconomic status, first generation college student, rural area, worked 2 jobs while in undergrad and grad school.
What do my odds look like at PCOM? I really want to go here!
 
i also just submitted my secondary
3.5cGPA, 3.4 sGPA
31 MCAT (10,10,11)
Hoping for some love from PCOM!
 
Just submitted my secondary this week.
3.32 sgpa, 3.32 cgpa (graduate school)
3.1 cgpa (undergraduate school)
27 MCAT (9ps,9v,pbs)
OOS, lower socioeconomic status, first generation college student, rural area, worked 2 jobs while in undergrad and grad school.
What do my odds look like at PCOM? I really want to go here!

I'd say you have a good chance of receiving an interview invite. Applying in December lowers your odds a little, but I still think you have a good chance. I was just accepted with similar stats (3.4c, 27MCAT). Your work experience and background can only help. I think you'll get an interview. Best of luck!
 
Just submitted my secondary this week.
3.32 sgpa, 3.32 cgpa (graduate school)
3.1 cgpa (undergraduate school)
27 MCAT (9ps,9v,pbs)
OOS, lower socioeconomic status, first generation college student, rural area, worked 2 jobs while in undergrad and grad school.
What do my odds look like at PCOM? I really want to go here!

Just for some perspective I have a 3.4/30, complete in September, lived right outside Philly for 20 years, first gen college grad, rural upbringing and worked full time in undergrad.

Total silence. This whole process is such a crap shoot.
 
Just for some perspective I have a 3.4/30, complete in September, lived right outside Philly for 20 years, first gen college grad, rural upbringing and worked full time in undergrad.

Total silence. This whole process is such a crap shoot.
What are your extra curricular and essays like? PCOM looks honestly for a handful of specific things in their potential students. If you don't fit it then maybe it wasn't meant to be. Also with over 7000applicants what about your application stands out?
 
What are your extra curricular and essays like? PCOM looks honestly for a handful of specific things in their potential students. If you don't fit it then maybe it wasn't meant to be. Also with over 7000applicants what about your application stands out?

Non-trad, Research, EMT, free clinic patient tech for under served. Spoke about wanting to move back to take care of my retired parents and serving the Philly area.

Honestly don't know what else I could have done but I have had a successful cycle so I'm not overly concerned. Just kind of surprising is all, haha.
 
Non-trad, Research, EMT, free clinic patient tech for under served. Spoke about wanting to move back to take care of my retired parents and serving the Philly area.

Honestly don't know what else I could have done but I have had a successful cycle so I'm not overly concerned. Just kind of surprising is all, haha.

Honestly I'm thrilled you got in because it sounds like you're going to be a great doc some day, and I agree with you that sometimes this process can feel like a 'crapshoot' because on the surface seeing someone with lower GPA/MCAT than you who got an II or acceptance might make you be like "WTF?". I had my fair share of those moments this cycle, but I'm sure the gpa/mcat didn't tell the whole story.
 
Honestly I'm thrilled you got in because it sounds like you're going to be a great doc some day, and I agree with you that sometimes this process can feel like a 'crapshoot' because on the surface seeing someone with lower GPA/MCAT than you who got an II or acceptance might make you be like "WTF?". I had my fair share of those moments this cycle, but I'm sure the gpa/mcat didn't tell the whole story.

Exactly. And as you said, PCOM has the most applications each year so they could easily fill their class with 3.5+ and 30+ students but they don't and I'm glad to see that. I just try to remind people that you can never really know with this process because I was rejected by my two "safeties" and got into two of my top three. So I like to bring opposing perspectives to the school specific threads, whether it's good or bad.

Appreciate the compliment btw <3
 
Exactly. And as you said, PCOM has the most applications each year so they could easily fill their class with 3.5+ and 30+ students but they don't and I'm glad to see that. I just try to remind people that you can never really know with this process because I was rejected by my two "safeties" and got into two of my top three. So I like to bring opposing perspectives to the school specific threads, whether it's good or bad.

Appreciate the compliment btw <3

is PCOM your first choice?
 
How do you know if your online supplemental application was submitted? Do you get an email confirming your submission right away?
 
How do you know if your online supplemental application was submitted? Do you get an email confirming your submission right away?

Yeah but I got mine after like a month of submitting everything and sending the check.
 
For everyone waiting to get an interview invite... if you get the chance, go to a Pre-SOMA conference. I went to one up here at New England CoM and spoke with a rep. from PCOM about my application. I received an interview invite a few days later. The rep. turned out to be one of my interviewers...
 
Hi,

I completed my secondary on 10/30 and still waiting to hear about an interview. I am 3.65/29 with 8 years of employment in underserved community health centers. Any thoughts on how long a response will take? What are other people experiencing?
 
How much was rent at lincoln green?
I share a Lincoln Green apt. with a fellow student.

For rent, water, electricity, and FiOS it costs ~$880 a month for each of us.

Honestly, I think this place is pretty good. It's a nice quite community, you get free parking, the staff is pretty awesome, and I can walk to school in less than 10 min.

Personally I think living within walking distance is the best thing to do, especially during anatomy your first term when you are going to be spending a lot of extra time in the lab.
 
3.79s/3.81c/35 (12 BS/11 PS/12 VR) with five years of hospital experience (3.5 years ICU, 1.5 years ED) from OOS and not a word. Complete in September. Maybe they didn't like my essay, who knows. PCOM is a great school though, good luck to all of you in getting in. Based on the wide variety of stats in the people they have been accepting, everyone is in the game, so don't let the long wait get you down!
 
3.79s/3.81c/35 (12 BS/11 PS/12 VR) with five years of hospital experience (3.5 years ICU, 1.5 years ED) from OOS and not a word. Complete in September. Maybe they didn't like my essay, who knows. PCOM is a great school though, good luck to all of you in getting in. Based on the wide variety of stats in the people they have been accepting, everyone is in the game, so don't let the long wait get you down!

you should have no problem getting in any DO or MD school! I think it's just backed up tho, the application processing
 
It has been over a month since I sent my supplemental app in and it hasn't been processed. Is this normal?
 
complete since October 28 according to the checklist. no word yet 🙁

+1 … I think…
I've had everything done on the checklist since Oct 16th but have not received ANY news since then. I haven't received a "your status is complete" email so I'm just basing my "complete-ness" off of the checklist being done.
 
I didn't get a complete email but I called a month ago and they said that I am.
I have everything on the checklist done except the secondary wasn't processed. I called, and they said it takes a month with the high volume of applicants. I've been waiting over a month now lol. I'm starting to think maybe I forgot to hit the submit button?:wtf:
 
I have everything on the checklist done except the secondary wasn't processed. I called, and they said it takes a month with the high volume of applicants. I've been waiting over a month now lol. I'm starting to think maybe I forgot to hit the submit button?:wtf:

did you ask them if they have everything? that's what I asked, I didn't ask them what my application status was I am not sure if we are allowed to ask that or if thats annoying lol

I don't understand. So there's no date next to secondary received on your checklist?
 
did you ask them if they have everything? that's what I asked, I didn't ask them what my application status was I am not sure if we are allowed to ask that or if thats annoying lol

I don't understand. So there's no date next to secondary received on your checklist?
Yup, there is no date next to secondary received on the checklist...
 
Absolute silence. OOS (NJ Resident) 3.68, 3.51, 29S.

The F?
 
Absolute silence. OOS (NJ Resident) 3.68, 3.51, 29S.

The F?

Same. 3.65/29 , 8+ years (and thousands of hours) both employed and volunteering in free urban community clinics. Spoke at multiple national conferences and at an international conference in Istanbul.

My application has been complete since October 30th and, just like you, I still havent heard anything.......
 
Guys most people have been complete since August and haven't heard anything yet...
Crap.... what is their deal? I can't think of any other school I applied to that is backed up this badly.
 
Crap.... what is their deal? I can't think of any other school I applied to that is backed up this badly.

Silent rejections
2-2.5x as many applicants as any other DO school
Generally esoteric methodology in selecting applicants

PCOM has the privilege of selecting who they want, when they want, and for any reason they want. You could bring them a golden application with perfect sparkle toppings and it may in the end not matter to them. All I can say is play the waiting game, they'll still be sending out interview invites over the next few months.
 
Silent rejections
2-2.5x as many applicants as any other DO school
Generally esoteric methodology in selecting applicants

PCOM has the privilege of selecting who they want, when they want, and for any reason they want. You could bring them a golden application with perfect sparkle toppings and it may in the end not matter to them. All I can say is play the waiting game, they'll still be sending out interview invites over the next few months.


Ha yeah, honeslty I feel like that is how applying to any medical school goes down. Its a complete crap-shoot
 
Hi all,

I received an invitation invite from PCOM last week scheduled for this Thursday. PCOM is my top school right now, but unfortunately my first med school interview and I don't want to blow it. I've looked over information about med school interviews already and prepped, but I was curious if anyone who has already gone through the process had any helpful suggestions.
 
And for anyone interested in my stats and just overall PCOM app status info:

3.56/3.4/27 - Volunteered as Hospital Transporter, ~50 hrs of shadowing exp, 1 year of working in a Psych Research Lab, Big Brother for 4 years, Actively involved in campus ministry at my school for 3 years, went on service trips to renovate a Kentucky summer camp, Actively involved in collegiate sports (Tennis & Ping Pong) and Intramural sports, Tennis Pro/Instructor 2 Years

Secondary Complete in mid November, II Dec 12th
 
Hi all,

I received an invitation invite from PCOM last week scheduled for this Thursday. PCOM is my top school right now, but unfortunately my first med school interview and I don't want to blow it. I've looked over information about med school interviews already and prepped, but I was curious if anyone who has already gone through the process had any helpful suggestions.

Be yourself and be relaxed. Remember, you, on paper, are a good candidate for the school so go into the interview with confidence and finish selling yourself as the best candidate out there. The interview day is great - you either get breakfast or lunch depending on your interview time. Good luck!
 
Why hasn't my secondary been processed yet? WTF it has been over a month!:wtf:
 
Why hasn't my secondary been processed yet? WTF it has been over a month!:wtf:


I feel like I am in the same boat as you. I sent in my secondary and letters of recommendation November 15th, and my check has also been cashed, but I never received a complete email or any login and pin information. Is this normal? It's been a month for me as well. I called and they said my secondary and fee was submitted as well. It is possible to get an interview without ever getting your log in information?

Oh and my stats are MCAT 25 (8P, 8V, 9B), 3.8 cGPA, and 3.65 sGPA. One of my top three choices.
 
I feel like I am in the same boat as you. I sent in my secondary and letters of recommendation November 15th, and my check has also been cashed, but I never received a complete email or any login and pin information. Is this normal? It's been a month for me as well. I called and they said my secondary and fee was submitted as well. It is possible to get an interview without ever getting your log in information?

Oh and my stats are MCAT 25 (8P, 8V, 9B), 3.8 cGPA, and 3.65 sGPA. One of my top three choices.

Glad to know I'm not the only one in this situation. I received a complete email for pcom-ga, not for philly though. Try logging in here https://bannerweb.pcom.edu/pls/pcom/bwskalog.P_DispLoginNon_2

user id is your prom id.
pin is just your birthday. i.e. Jan 23 1992 = 012392
 
Hi all,

I received an invitation invite from PCOM last week scheduled for this Thursday. PCOM is my top school right now, but unfortunately my first med school interview and I don't want to blow it. I've looked over information about med school interviews already and prepped, but I was curious if anyone who has already gone through the process had any helpful suggestions.
Be sure to prep possible questions. Don't memorize, but have some sort of "scaffolding" ready. Trust me, it will help you immensely. Spend a couple hours a few days prior looking all your application stuff over.
 
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