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

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question for current pcom students...(1) do the professors give thorough notes which cover everything you need to know for the exams? (2) can you understand these notes without the lectures? (3) are these notes in powerpoint slides or are they word documents? (4) how are the electronic resources for anatomy classes? how much of the labs can you do electronically?
 
common man said:
question for current pcom students...(1) do the professors give thorough notes which cover everything you need to know for the exams? (2) can you understand these notes without the lectures? (3) are these notes in powerpoint slides or are they word documents? (4) how are the electronic resources for anatomy classes? how much of the labs can you do electronically?
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+1
 
macbookpro45 said:
Is there anyone who didn't get accepted post interview??
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im from the area so I know quite a few who weren't accepted post interview in the past years as well as who were accepted. so yea doesn't guarantee an acceptance. don't let that discourage you just have a good interview! Good luck!
 
EnergyDrink said:
Just a heads up to everyone waiting, I was completed in August and didn't get an invite until late March after I completely forgot about it.
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Does this mean that people with lower GPAs but decent MCATs get interviewed later? Sounds like this is going to be a long and stressful process for me.
 
common man said:
Does this mean that people with lower GPAs but decent MCATs get interviewed later? Sounds like this is going to be a long and stressful process for me.
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I have a 3.92 gpa and 28 MCAT and submitted my secondary the day after they sent them out. Haven't heard anything from them.
 
Mr2018 said:
I have a 3.92 gpa and 28 MCAT and submitted my secondary the day after they sent them out. Haven't heard anything from them.
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As previously stated, I had a 25 MCAT broken down to 9/6/10 and a GPA of 3.90, and I was just granted an interview after a little over 2 months.
 
common man said:
Does this mean that people with lower GPAs but decent MCATs get interviewed later? Sounds like this is going to be a long and stressful process for me.
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I don't know what it means. But it's a long process. And if they haven't gotten to you yet, they still might. I think PCOM focuses more on personality than anything else.

You guys will realize this thing is a crap shoot, and admissions makes no sense at all.
 
Those who have interviewed and have already received a decision: how long from interview to getting your letter?
 
common man said:
question for current pcom students...(1) do the professors give thorough notes which cover everything you need to know for the exams? (2) can you understand these notes without the lectures? (3) are these notes in powerpoint slides or are they word documents? (4) how are the electronic resources for anatomy classes? how much of the labs can you do electronically?
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1. Some do, some don't - expect to take notes or use the scribe service (which costs extra)
2. Plan on watching the lectures, anything they say can be used on a test
3. Usually powerpoint, but some are in word; likewise, some are organized very well, and some very poorly
4. All lab attendance is expected, they give pop quizes. The extra online resources are great, but nothing will compare to seeing it in a real body.
 
Lacktherof said:
1. Some do, some don't - expect to take notes or use the scribe service (which costs extra)
2. Plan on watching the lectures, anything they say can be used on a test
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Can you speed up or slow down lectures when you play them online?
 
I got a 27, 3.87 gpa with a lot of research, would i be competitive for the phd/DO program?
 
Modoc said:
I got a 27, 3.87 gpa with a lot of research, would i be competitive for the phd/DO program?
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I believe they posted their minimum on the website. I think they expect an MCAT of at least 30, but there is no harm in trying
 
Has anyone who was complete mid-August not received any communication from PCOM yet? It's been almost three months and I'm getting a little worried?

Is it okay to call and ask for a status update? I've already been accepted to some DO schools and the deadline for turning in the deposit is approaching...
 
I have been complete since around August and haven't heard anything. I even sent an update letter but have not heard anything from the school
 
AkGrown84 said:
Those who have interviewed and have already received a decision: how long from interview to getting your letter?
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It took me exactly 4 weeks, but it could take less depending on the time between your interview and when the admissions committee meets. Good luck!
 
ShockDoctrine said:
Has anyone who was complete mid-August not received any communication from PCOM yet? It's been almost three months and I'm getting a little worried?

Is it okay to call and ask for a status update? I've already been accepted to some DO schools and the deadline for turning in the deposit is approaching...
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I don't think you're supposed to, but that's exactly what I said. I emailed them and asked for a status update since other school's deadlines are approaching, but PCOM is my first choice/I would love a chance to go there. I figured, if nothing, I would get a rejection out of it :naughty:
 
Complete since mid-August and nothing as well. Resident for 30 years and told them I was gonna be in the area and heard nothing back. Sucks.
 
common man said:
question for current pcom students...(1) do the professors give thorough notes which cover everything you need to know for the exams? (2) can you understand these notes without the lectures? (3) are these notes in powerpoint slides or are they word documents? (4) how are the electronic resources for anatomy classes? how much of the labs can you do electronically?
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1 yes
2 yes, but you'll have to review the class recording or actually attend to get all the extra things they ad during the lecture
3 sometimes a combination of the two, but generally ppt slides
4 I wouldn't bank on any of that.
 
I accidentally put in the wrong PCOM ID on my supp. would they edit this on their own or bye bye to PCOM considering me? lol
 
LOL Has anyone called admissions and spoke to the angry lady who hates her job ?

I just wanted to know what "no email" meant right next to my application fee and she was yelling and speaking faster than most Spanish soccer commentators (and I speak Spanish and understand it completely too!)
 
marvinv said:
LOL Has anyone called admissions and spoke to the angry lady who hates her job ?

I just wanted to know what "no email" meant right next to my application fee and she was yelling and speaking faster than most Spanish soccer commentators (and I speak Spanish and understand it completely too!)
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hahah I've talked to her twice, I honestly don't know how anyone can talk that fast. She definitely hates her job.
 
Heard from 3 MD schools before hearing from PCOM, of which I was complete at first. What is this
 
same! I've already had two acceptances and 4 md interview invites and havent heard a single thing from pcom! same goes for nova! at this rate I give up on these schools
 
cerium said:
hahah I've talked to her twice, I honestly don't know how anyone can talk that fast. She definitely hates her job.
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I asked her three times to please slow down because I can't understand anything she was saying. She responded by talking to me in slowly condescending way. She then asked for my PCOM ID number which I responded "I will try and call back another time". Yeah right!!!! I am not about to get myself on the black list LOL!
 
Modoc said:
I accidentally put in the wrong PCOM ID on my supp. would they edit this on their own or bye bye to PCOM considering me? lol
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Call them up and tell them you need to have it changed. If you're on top of it, things can be fixed, but if you wait they may not spend the time piecing your file together.

PCOM gets slammed hard with applications, and sometimes their admissions committee in charge of going through everything does get overwhelmed. Your best bet is to call and make sure you request they physically look up your account to make sure everything is complete in their system. Also, after a few months [of hearing nothing] a status check doesn't hurt. Keep in mind PCOM is very different in who and how they want to interview their potential students. It's a different game with them... Also, From what I've heard through the grapevine, this school is used to squeaky wheels- so they won't "blacklist" you for your inquiries.
 
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common man said:
Can you elaborate on this? I am curious.
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I don't know their equation for selection criteria exactly, but I know of several circumstances where people are selected out of order from the timeline in which they've applied. I also know acceptances have ranged- in the past cycle- from horrifically low MCATs to the most stellar. Some may be interviewed very early and placed on a wait until mid-summer, etc.

I'm sure plenty of other schools have similar traits, I'm just saying the whole process really isn't cut and dry at PCOM either. If you're applying, you need patience (I can empathize that it's easier said than done).
 
marvinv said:
I asked her three times to please slow down because I can't understand anything she was saying. She responded by talking to me in slowly condescending way. She then asked for my PCOM ID number which I responded "I will try and call back another time". Yeah right!!!! I am not about to get myself on the black list LOL!
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Smart move...

Understandably these admissions department secretaries are stressed with the high volume of calls and redundant questions. However, I wish they kept in mind that we who are calling are doing so on behalf of our future, and some of us are hanging by just a thread emotionally. I feel that whomever is on the other end of our calls should be respectful of that as we are more than respectful to them when we call. But I guess we are all human.
 
My friend used to workstudy in the admissions office. Talked about the stupid questions we would ask...am I complete? we can check that...what is my status? they do not update that and it is in the email they sent out...can I send my payment other than by check? no, don't you think if they had other options they would tell us? They know we are stressed but after answering the 50th phone call with questions that we should be able to answer ourselves they must get frustrated. Then we want to know why our stuff isn't in our application and they don't have time to do it because of phone calls. That is why they got my friend to answer calls or get things in the applications. Over 8000 applications, damn! Luckily I can contact her with any questions I have so I don't need to call them. Afraid they have a list of people who ask stupid questions.
 
futurexray said:
My friend used to workstudy in the admissions office. Talked about the stupid questions we would ask...am I complete? we can check that...what is my status? they do not update that and it is in the email they sent out...can I send my payment other than by check? no, don't you think if they had other options they would tell us? They know we are stressed but after answering the 50th phone call with questions that we should be able to answer ourselves they must get frustrated. Then we want to know why our stuff isn't in our application and they don't have time to do it because of phone calls. That is why they got my friend to answer calls or get things in the applications. Over 8000 applications, damn! Luckily I can contact her with any questions I have so I don't need to call them. Afraid they have a list of people who ask stupid questions.
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This is something I think most applicants don't realize. PCOM receives the most applications out of all the osteopathic schools. Imagine thousands of people calling you and asking the same questions over and over again. I imagine it can be frustrating. I'm not making excuses for being rude, but i'm just trying to put myself in their shoes.
 
You couldn't pay me enough to handle phone calls from neurotic pre-meds all day. Think before you call.
 
Just interviewed here yesterday, really liked what I saw from the school, staff, and students. Would be excited to get an acceptance.
 
ACoe4014 said:
Just interviewed here yesterday, really liked what I saw from the school, staff, and students. Would be excited to get an acceptance.
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Did they mention when they would send acceptance/rejection letters?
 
I interviewed on Oct. 31st and they told me to expect a decision before Thanksgiving.

Sounds like it takes 3-4weeks, depending on what day of the week you interview on.
 
moneyman698 said:
Did they mention when they would send acceptance/rejection letters?
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I interviewed 11/8, and was told that I'd have a decision letter by the end of the month.....so just 3ish weeks!! Considering I'm on vacation from 11/11-11/27, it'd be nice to get home to an envelope with an acceptance!
 
For those of you guys who were accepted was your 250 dollar pretuition payment check cashed? I sent mine in the day after my acceptance (10/24), and I got the emails saying "welcome to the PCOM family" telling me they received my check, however they never actually cashed it. I just think it's a little odd. Did this happen to anybody else?
 
The admissions secretary is a bit understaffed, but she's actually really nice. Keep your calls brief, and I usually started with "I'm sorry to bother you..." or "I know your busy, so I'll make this fast..." and she was really nice.
 
are the envelopes for acceptance and rejection the same size? Was the acceptance letter a packet?
 
are the envelopes for acceptance and rejection the same size? Was the acceptance letter a packet?
 
Yes, acceptances and rejections both come in same size envelope. No packet
 
Batphysician said:
How do you know?
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They told us during the interview to make sure not to throw it out without looking at it. There were cases where the person automatically assumed it was a rejection and ripped it up without reading it - come to find out it was an acceptance. Acceptances and rejections are the same size.
 
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