Philadelphia COM - Philadelphia (PCOM) Discussion Thread 2014 - 2015

BU Medical Sciences
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I agree about the essay. 250 words was tight, but in the end, I pulled off what I wanted to say in under 240. And managed a minor technical flourish that pulled all three paragraphs together nicely. Glad I pre-wrote that.

My only real worry now is that, while being perfectly candid and even a bit modest, I come off sounding a little too good to be true. I look over my application, and I'm like: they are going to have to think that I am BSing them about this, or that. But I can't cut it out because it is legit.

I'm just not comfortable with tooting my own horn, I guess.
 
WorldChanger36 said:
Sent PCOM the money... Geezzz an electronic payment system would really be helpful. Damn cheapos
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I can only begin to imagine the logistical challenge of dealing with 8k applications for so few seats. I feel lucky that they get them sorted through at all. It does seem like having some kind of electronic automation would serve them well... except that then they would have to handle the tech support of all the glitches that could happen with double charges, etc. Congrats on getting that sent out. Tomorrow is my day to mail.
 
GOK<3 said:
Seriously! Took me a while to:
A) Understand the prompt
B) Answer it
Haha! 250 words seriously?!
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Just finished this essay and submitted. Was probably the hardest I've done so far, and from what the others look like, it will remain that way. I'm now realizing that after copying and pasting into the text boxes, I didn't confirm that the entirety of my essay was included. I finished with exactly 250 words. Hope they all made it through.
Now on to DCOM.
 
nontrad78 said:
Just finished this essay and submitted. Was probably the hardest I've done so far, and from what the others look like, it will remain that way. I'm now realizing that after copying and pasting into the text boxes, I didn't confirm that the entirety of my essay was included. I finished with exactly 250 words. Hope they all made it through.
Now on to DCOM.
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I know! When I pasted it, it all fit. So I hope it all went through too. I was under 250 by a word or two tho.
 
GOK<3 said:
I know! When I pasted it, it all fit. So I hope it all went through too. I was under 250 by a word or two tho.
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I'm not sure if the essay was so hard because it was the only one, because I really want to go there, or because it was just a real bear of an essay. Probably all of the above. Either way, I'm glad to have that one past me so I can move to some of the others. 8 down, 6 or 7 to go.
 
nontrad78 said:
I'm not sure if the essay was so hard because it was the only one, because I really want to go there, or because it was just a real bear of an essay. Probably all of the above. Either way, I'm glad to have that one past me so I can move to some of the others. 8 down, 6 or 7 to go.
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Yeah same reasons. So much to say in so few words. Maybe it was the way they phrased the question? Anyhow same story.. 6 done, ~3-4 to go. GL!
 
Just to give you guys an idea of where you stand on PCOM, according the our admissions office for last year we had:

8,300 applicants
~600 interview invites
~400 acceptances given out
270 seats
 
TopTomato said:
Just to give you guys an idea of where you stand on PCOM, according the our admissions office for last year we had:

8,300 applicants
~600 interview invites
~400 acceptances given out
270 seats
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Geez they rejected 200 people post interview... Interview must be a beast
 
When you also consider that

1. Not everyone with an interview invite shows up
2. There are quite a few who struggle with interviews, or simply do not prepare enough

67% acceptance post interview is very high

They truly weed out pre interview, which is favorable for both students and the school in the interests of time and money

By the way, when can we expect II's here?
 
They so say it can take at least 15 business days to process, can not imagine the number of applications and materials that go with them they are receiving right now. I think they are getting things done quicker than that but should use those 15 days as a guideline before calling them or complaining.
 
Hi all, would someone mind posting (or messaging me) the instructions for mailing in our secondary application payment? Trying to get on the ball here and my application is held up 😀 Please?? Thank you!!! 🙂
 
cmlanz said:
Hi all, would someone mind posting (or messaging me) the instructions for mailing in our secondary application payment? Trying to get on the ball here and my application is held up 😀 Please?? Thank you!!! 🙂
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The instructions are stated clearly on the email. The key thing is probably to not forget your id number on the check.
 
Complete! I think. All of my Requirements have dates listed in the "Received" column, but my MCAT is still listed as "TEST DATE: 2014-06-01 00:00:00.0" Also, there is nothing in the "Status" column.

Should I contact them about the MCAT? Does anyone have anything listed in "Status"?
 
If you read the instructions above the summary page it says "Note that the Status column will always remain blank" in the second bullet point. I have the same test date for my MCAT. I do not think it is a big deal. I took it in June.
 
vlazlo said:
If you read the instructions above the summary page it says "Note that the Status column will always remain blank" in the second bullet point. I have the same test date for my MCAT. I do not think it is a big deal. I took it in June.
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Thank you. This is why I post to SDN before getting all alarmist and sending PCOM an email. Does your file also show zeros instead of your actual MCAT score?
 
Mine says TEST DATE: 2014-06-01 00:00:00.0. I think the zeroes are just a time not a score. My PCOM-GA status page just says Test Date 01-JUN-2014 for my MCAT scores section.
 
I believe I read somewhere that it doesn't matter what the actual test date is, but when they upload the MCAT score it will have the first of the month that you took the MCAT on. I hope that helps...But on another note, I e-mailed the school and since then, my test date was changed to the actual date I took the exam.
 
Nesmall2 said:
I believe I read somewhere that it doesn't matter what the actual test date is, but when they upload the MCAT score it will have the first of the month that you took the MCAT on.
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I apologize, what I was reading was for a different medical school....sorry about the confusion
 
I mailed my check Friday and it was received yesterday. I have no idea how they got it so fast but I'm not complaining!
 
Application complete 8/18/14. Looking forward to an interview invite!
 
WorldChanger36 said:
PCOM has cashed the check so I am guessing a complete email is on its way.
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PCOM does not send complete emails, we need to check if all materials are there, can be confusing but take the time to look at the site as they will not verify what has been received.
 
Does anyone understand what happens to the premedical committee line in the required box if your school does not have one? I have submitted all the required letters and it shows that they have received them. However, that line is still there and empty. The way the instructions read, it sounds like it should disappear.
 
Lt_Yash said:
Does anyone understand what happens to the premedical committee line in the required box if your school does not have one? I have submitted all the required letters and it shows that they have received them. However, that line is still there and empty. The way the instructions read, it sounds like it should disappear.
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My school didn't have pre-med committee either. I'm not sure if my status ever had a line for 'premedical committee', but now it shows 'LOR Sci Faculty 1', 'LOR Sci Faculty 2', and 'LOR Sci/Other Faculty 1', each with a date next to it. My guess is that once they process your letters, it will change to read similar to what mine does.
 
nontrad78 said:
My school didn't have pre-med committee either. I'm not sure if my status ever had a line for 'premedical committee', but now it shows 'LOR Sci Faculty 1', 'LOR Sci Faculty 2', and 'LOR Sci/Other Faculty 1', each with a date next to it. My guess is that once they process your letters, it will change to read similar to what mine does.
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They did process my letters but now I know that they might have incorrectly classified my other faculty letter. Thank you for the reply.
 
Lt_Yash said:
They did process my letters but now I know that they might have incorrectly classified my other faculty letter. Thank you for the reply.
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Uh oh. I'm sure it's nothing that can't be fixed by a quick phone call, but definitely an inconvenience. Best of luck!
 
Hmm it says the committee letter will be removed from required documents when it is received and letter requirements are fulfilled...

My committee letter was submitted and is marked under received. But it didn't move out of required. Anybody else? And PCOM won't tell status over the phone.
 
I just sent my other faculty letter again a few hours ago. Hopefully that fixes the problem.
 
futurexray said:
PCOM does not send complete emails, we need to check if all materials are there, can be confusing but take the time to look at the site as they will not verify what has been received.
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Awesome Sauceome said:
Exactly, go online to their portal and you will see what is in their system.
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I think they do! I received one last year and I spoke to someone from admissions and they told me that everyone should get a complete email..
 
tennant said:
I think they do! I received one last year and I spoke to someone from admissions and they told me that everyone should get a complete email..
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Nope, no complete emails from PCOM. They don't tell you complete or tell you status. Trust me on that.
 
In the email they said that if you read carefully that once all the dates are listed in the columns on the status page your considered complete. There are no complete emails I don't think and interviews begin mid-sept so everyone sit tight as they are gonna ii probably early sept
 
kl0117 said:
In the email they said that if you read carefully that once all the dates are listed in the columns on the status page your considered complete. There are no complete emails I don't think and interviews begin mid-sept so everyone sit tight as they are gonna ii probably early sept
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I saw that too. I'm not really sure what to believe cause I was told from someone on the committee that you would be receiving a complete email. I guess we'll see in the next few weeks?
 
Does that premed committee letter thing ever go away or get a date next to it to show I am good if you send in two science and a non science like they requested? They seem to be ignoring my emails and I am just going to keep having interfolio send the letters everyday until they mark that section complete or the respond to my email....
 
WorldChanger36 said:
Does that premed committee letter thing ever go away or get a date next to it to show I am good if you send in two science and a non science like they requested? They seem to be ignoring my emails and I am just going to keep having interfolio send the letters everyday until they mark that section complete or the respond to my email....
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Sounds like an awesome plan! Alternatively, if you were inclined to try a tactic that doesn't involve intentionally irritating people who get to decide whether you get into med school, you could try giving the admission office a call. Some offices are much more responsive to phone calls than they are to emails.
 
Member 303956 said:
Sounds like an awesome plan! Alternatively, if you were inclined to try a tactic that doesn't involve intentionally irritating people who get to decide whether you get into med school, you could try giving the admission office a call. Some offices are much more responsive to phone calls than they are to emails.
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I figured. I am just venting. Just a complete email or some kind of indication that everything is ok would be better than the hope and guess page we currently have.
 
WorldChanger36 said:
Does that premed committee letter thing ever go away or get a date next to it to show I am good if you send in two science and a non science like they requested? They seem to be ignoring my emails and I am just going to keep having interfolio send the letters everyday until they mark that section complete or the respond to my email....
Click to expand...
It is supposed to go away when the letter requirements are met if you don't have a committee letter. I was having the same problem. I emailed them yesterday to ask about it and they answered me back a few hours later. Here my non-science faculty letter did not have a letterhead and they will not accept it without one. So that would be a good place to start to correct it.
 
Mine also hasn't moved even though my letter is in, so I called yesterday. They said everything is good my file and my letters are fine! As much as I like following directions, their portal isn't following its own directions lol
 
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