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

[Bacchus]

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From what I've seen in this thread and years past, PCOM truly wants an interesting student body, that's why you see a lot of Non trads with lower GPAs but a wealth of life experience get interviews/acceptances...and with the amount of applications they get, they can pick and choose really whoever they want, which is also why you see many 3.8+ 30+ MCATs not even getting interviews.

Its not even worth trying to wrack your brain of why PCOM picks who they do. Sometimes it seems like a dart board is hung and names pinned to it, haha.

 

[vagitarian001]

Got accepted today!! I was blown away. I thought for sure that I would have to retake my MCAT. Interviewed on 1/13, Accepted 2/3. MCAT 24, 22 second time. 3.66 GPA 3.75 sGPA. Tons of volunteering, EMT, research, organization president. There is hope!!! Good luck to everyone!!!

Congrats! Are you an urm by any chance?

 

[chizledfrmstone]

Got accepted today!! I was blown away. I thought for sure that I would have to retake my MCAT. Interviewed on 1/13, Accepted 2/3. MCAT 24, 22 second time. 3.66 GPA 3.75 sGPA. Tons of volunteering, EMT, research, organization president. There is hope!!! Good luck to everyone!!!

Congrats!

@user3 is going to love this.

 

[countrygirl14]

@vagitarian001 not a urm! Just your average white girl 🙂

 

[chocolateislife]

-

 

[quadcity]

I am assuming I have been silently rejected.

 

[chocolateislife]

PCOM needs to get their mailing system together. I was supposed to have my interview yesterday but campus was closed so all FEB 5th interviews were cancelled. Last night, I get an email from DOPHL thanking me for attending my campus interview.......the one that didnt happen

 

[BK Blaxta]

PCOM needs to get their mailing system together. I was supposed to have my interview yesterday but campus was closed so all FEB 5th interviews were cancelled. Last night, I get an email from DOPHL thanking me for attending my campus interview.......the one that didnt happen

what...That is crazy! Why was it cancelled? Bad weather?

 

[DomoKunMD]

PCOM needs to get their mailing system together. I was supposed to have my interview yesterday but campus was closed so all FEB 5th interviews were cancelled. Last night, I get an email from DOPHL thanking me for attending my campus interview.......the one that didnt happen

It's obviously an automated system, they're going to get back to you probably a little later today.

Log onto http://www.pcom.edu/ -- they usually have weather updates written in Gold a the top, for example, 2/6 the campus will open at 10am

 

[chocolateislife]

what...That is crazy! Why was it cancelled? Bad weather?

yea the campus was closed so they had to cancel/reschedule all interviews. They sent us two emails in the week before interview saying , warning us in case of bad weather. They called me back. My ii was moved to feb 27th 🙁 I'm a local candidate i don't know why I have to wait another month since I can drive down at anytime.

 

[DomoKunMD]

yea the campus was closed so they had to cancel/reschedule all interviews. They sent us two emails in the week before interview saying , warning us in case of bad weather. They called me back. My ii was moved to feb 27th 🙁 I'm a local candidate i don't know why I have to wait another month since I can drive down at anytime.

Yeah :/ I hear you

But someone just posted in January saying that the class is only half-filled (Can someone confirm this???), and so I'm sure they'll be working hard to fill the class up considering they only interview into March--this is probably why there are sparse interview dates available.

When I got my II, they said the following:

"This message is to inform you that the committee has in fact chosen you to be scheduled for an interview on our Philadelphia Campus for the Doctor of Osteopathy program. However, we are currently in the process of expanding the interview calendar. When interview dates become available, you will be contacted via email from [email protected]"

 

[chocolateislife]

Yeah :/ I hear you

But someone just posted in January saying that the class is only half-filled (Can someone confirm this???), and so I'm sure they'll be working hard to fill the class up considering they only interview into March--this is probably why there are sparse interview dates available.

When I got my II, they said the following:

"This message is to inform you that the committee has in fact chosen you to be scheduled for an interview on our Philadelphia Campus for the Doctor of Osteopathy program. However, we are currently in the process of expanding the interview calendar. When interview dates become available, you will be contacted via email from [email protected]"

I just feel like if they interview up to March 1st then I will basically just be interviewing for the waitlist. Unless maybe expanding the interview calendar means it's going past march? I don't know. It wasn't even snowing yesterday.

 

[DomoKunMD]

I just feel like if they interview up to March 1st then I will basically just be interviewing for the waitlist. Unless maybe expanding the interview calendar means it's going past march? I don't know. It wasn't even snowing yesterday.

They interview INTO March...so I suppose at least the entire month of March.

 

[june7]

They interview INTO March...so I suppose at least the entire month of March.

I just recently interviewed, and they will be interviewing up through mid-April due to weather and cancellations.

 

[chocolateislife]

I just recently interviewed, and they will be interviewing up through mid-April due to weather and cancellations.

That's such great news! a friend of mine is patiently waiting to hear as I am sure many people on this thread are.

 

[futurexray]

I just recently interviewed, and they will be interviewing up through mid-April due to weather and cancellations.

Also they are going to use those dates for the applicants that they needed to cancel due to the weather, not necessarily new interviews from what they said

 

[GqSkrub]

I've heard from birdies (semi-reliable) that the class is about 3/4 full but that interview slots are pretty much booked. I'm guessing that those of us with no II at this point should put our hopes elsewhere.

 

[frodohobo]

I've heard from birdies (semi-reliable) that the class is about 3/4 full but that interview slots are pretty much booked. I'm guessing that those of us with no II at this point should put our hopes elsewhere.

Fiwvsoxjeof dbauabakbsjs!!!!!

 

[victoriax87]

spots will open up after april 30th since that is when the 2nd deposit is due.

 

[DomoKunMD]

Anyone else get invited for an interview, but haven't been scheduled for a date yet??? I got invited 2 weeks ago and I'm still waiting.

 

[Drrrrrr. Celty]

spots will open up after april 30th since that is when the 2nd deposit is due.

That's when they will start taking ppl off of the waitlist.

 

[broken tibula]

Anyone else get invited for an interview, but haven't been scheduled for a date yet??? I got invited 2 weeks ago and I'm still waiting.

I'm in the same boat, called today and was told that they had no information and would email us when they did. Unsurprising, but I thought I'd give it a go anyway.

 

[DomoKunMD]

I'm in the same boat, called today and was told that they had no information and would email us when they did. Unsurprising, but I thought I'd give it a go anyway.

Ohh ok ok good, bc I've been checking my spam folder in case I missed the email or something. Thank you!

 

[1358]

They told us it will take about a month to hear after interview, has anyone heard before that?

 

[DomoKunMD]

They told us it will take about a month to hear after interview, has anyone heard before that?

yeah dude, just go through the thread. it's generally a 2 week turn around time, but can take up to a month.

 

[TopTomato]

Looks like PCOM is getting a nicer looking website. Just clicked prospective students and was brought to a new webpage. Pretty cool

 

[EDK]

Hey guys, I have a question related to what someone asked previously. What is a letterhead? The reason I'm asking is that it seems like I have been hearing different things and I thought I would get a definite answer here. Some people tell me that letterhead has to have a logo of the institution and some say the opposite and that only the contact information of the letter writer is needed to be consider a letterhead (name, address, phone). Sorry to bug you guys and thank you.

 

[beoptimistic]

I was recently able to get a DO letter of recommendation. Do you think I can send it in to add into my file?

 

[chocolateislife]

I've heard from birdies (semi-reliable) that the class is about 3/4 full but that interview slots are pretty much booked. I'm guessing that those of us with no II at this point should put our hopes elsewhere.

3/4 full! so scared my rescheduled interview will be cancelled too! dumb weather ugh

 

[superdoc2.0]

I am trying everywhere to find PCOM's class profile. Does anyone know their cGPA, sGPA, MCAT?

 

[DomoKunMD]

I am trying everywhere to find PCOM's class profile. Does anyone know their cGPA, sGPA, MCAT?

In 2012, the entering D.O. Class of 2016 consisted of 268 first-time students from different colleges and states. The average class GPA was 3.46, the science GPA was 3.37 and the mean MCAT score was 28. Students averaged 23 years of age with a range from 21 to 39; 49 percent are women and 18 percent are under-represented minorities.

Source: http://admissions.pcom.edu/faq/

Remember, these are just averages, and that PCOM is a Non-trad heavy and "overall applicant"--heavy kind of school.

 

[99445]

Too late to submit secondary? Primary has been verified for a while, was hoping for a possible MD, however chances are looking grim. 28 (10/9/9) 3.5c 3.3s.

 

[AkGrown84]

Too late to submit secondary? Primary has been verified for a while, was hoping for a possible MD, however chances are looking grim. 28 (10/9/9) 3.5c 3.3s.

I don't mean to sound mean, but yes, it's too late for ANY school. My guess is that they're already scheduling the last bit they want to interview. I'd say waste of money. Wait 3 months, submit Both MD and DO June 1st, and apply broadly. You're stats are definitely decent enough for most DO schools as long as you apply early and broadly.

 

[99445]

I don't mean to sound mean, but yes, it's too late for ANY school. My guess is that they're already scheduling the last bit they want to interview. I'd say waste of money. Wait 3 months, submit Both MD and DO June 1st, and apply broadly. You're stats are definitely decent enough for most DO schools as long as you apply early and broadly.

Thanks for the advice. Would you recommend retaking mcat? It'd be third go at it. 25 first time (10/6/9). The 28 was one month later.

 

[kingbob128]

Thanks for the advice. Would you recommend retaking mcat? It'd be third go at it. 25 first time (10/6/9). The 28 was one month later.

You would be fine for DO schools with that MCAT, a retake is not necessary

 

[AkGrown84]

Thanks for the advice. Would you recommend retaking mcat? It'd be third go at it. 25 first time (10/6/9). The 28 was one month later.

The only way I'd consider retaking is if you're consistently scoring well over 30 in practice exams and you're dead set on MD. Your GPA is on the low side for MD, so unless you have a stellar MCAT AND extra curriculars, I'd actually just advise DO (or unless you have a strong tie to your state MD school). If you're fine with DO, your stats are completely fine.

Taking the MCAT for a 4th time and scoring any less than your 28 I think might be a kiss of death to both MD and DO apps.

 

[99445]

You would be fine for DO schools with that MCAT, a retake is not necessary

The only reason why I'm debating a retake is for a possible in-state MD school (cheaper tuition, close to home) I'm seriously torn on what to do. Last semester I got a 4.0, so my stats are now 3.6c, 3.39s. I'm on track for a high GPA this semester also. I guess I'm just stuck if another effort for MCAT is worth the chance for an MD school.

 

[99445]

The only way I'd consider retaking is if you're consistently scoring well over 30 in practice exams and you're dead set on MD. Your GPA is on the low side for MD, so unless you have a stellar MCAT AND extra curriculars, I'd actually just advise DO (or unless you have a strong tie to your state MD school). If you're fine with DO, your stats are completely fine.

Taking the MCAT for a 4th time and scoring any less than your 28 I think might be a kiss of death to both MD and DO apps.

I'm not dead set on MD, It'd just be the ideal situation for me (I know I shouldn't talk ideals when apply to med schools...lol) I have pretty strong ties to my in-state MD school (the associate dean of one its clinical campuses wrote a LOR specifically for the school). This school just began average MCAT, so I "technically" have a 26.5. I'm thinking give the MCAT one more go, if it doesn't feel right I can always void. I'll apply broadly and early both MD and DO. If taking the MCAT again is too big a risk, someone please convince me not to...

 

[99445]

Sorry for the many posts, I just want to make the right decision! I'm pretty sure that PCOM looks at your highest MCAT, and not only most recent. Is this true for most other DO schools? If so, would a retake mcat with a less than 28 still be a kiss of death?

 

[Donkk]

If your state school now averages the MCAT, even if you get a 34 next time, (25 + 28 + 34) / 3 = 29. So even after all that hard work, for your state school your MCAT score will have gone up by 1. Will 1 point increase grant you entrance next year? Who knows I would talk to that office of admission. I would just sit down and be honest with yourself, to determine if this score is possible for you and what your end goals are as a physician.

 

[Donkk]

Sorry for the many posts, I just want to make the right decision! I'm pretty sure that PCOM looks at your highest MCAT, and not only most recent. Is this true for most other DO schools? If so, would a retake mcat with a less than 28 still be a kiss of death?

 

[chocolateislife]

Sorry for the many posts, I just want to make the right decision! I'm pretty sure that PCOM looks at your highest MCAT, and not only most recent. Is this true for most other DO schools? If so, would a retake mcat with a less than 28 still be a kiss of death?

they look at highest,

also retakes are not a kiss of death. I think you're absolutely fine for DO with 28 but if you want to go MD not sure.. The Admissions Director at PCOM said at the open house this year that one of their applicants took it 8 times. They were impressed by her determination.

Last time I checked though Jefferson averages...not sure about other MD schools in the area

I would reapply since it's pretty late for DO now to apply that is. Keep working! maybe MD will reconsider you next time.

 

[99445]

Is there any harm in applying DO this cycle (excluding the secondary app fees), such as having no significant changes in application when I reapply? (besides slightly higher GPA and some more clinical experience.)

 

[safetythird]

Too late to submit secondary? Primary has been verified for a while, was hoping for a possible MD, however chances are looking grim. 28 (10/9/9) 3.5c 3.3s.

I was in the same boat. I submitted at mucom on jan 27 and I still got an interview. I say go for it with 1 or 2 schools and see what happens

 

[broken tibula]

March 18th interview! Anyone else?

 

[MissDaphne]

March 18th interview! Anyone else?

Did you just get the interview invite today? I've been waiting to hear from PCOM for so long so I'm curious if they're still sending out interview invites this late...either way, CONGRATS to you!

 

[MissDaphne]

Did you just get the interview invite today? I've been waiting to hear from PCOM for so long so I'm curious if they're still sending out interview invites this late...either way, CONGRATS to you!

Never mind, just realized you're the same person I asked before haha...sorry!

 

[Ski.the.East]

Did you just get the interview invite today? I've been waiting to hear from PCOM for so long so I'm curious if they're still sending out interview invites this late...either way, CONGRATS to you!

Keep the faith! They are most certainly still sending out IIs, I just received one at 5pm today - scheduled for March 20th!

 

[MissDaphne]

Keep the faith! They are most certainly still sending out IIs, I just received one at 5pm today - scheduled for March 20th!

Ahh thank you for letting me know! Congratulations to you!! Now just crossing my fingers I'll have the same fate haha

 

[DomoKunMD]

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