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The 2026-2027 DO School Specific Threads are now available in the School Specific Discussions forum. The 2025-2026 discussions are now available in the prior year discussions forum.
POST-BAC at LECOM or PCOM?
Started by Stillfocused
I am currently going through the post-bacc program at LECOM. I can tell that so far it has been a great experience. We have our interviews for the DO program this week. From what the administration told us, our spots are virtually automatic. As long as you do well the first semester. That is the key!!!!!!!!!!! I have also recently interviewed at PCOM and I have an interview scheduled at NYCOM in a couple of weeks. I haven't heard from PCOM yet, but I'm am waiting. Also, when I speak to first year DO students, they always tell us that the students who went through the post-bacc program have such an advantage that it is almost unfair. We mess up the curve. Hey as far as I'm concerned....that's a good thing. I would definately recommend doing a post-bacc program. Good Luck!
Thanks gellecress1!
Would you mind including your undergrad and post-bac gpas along with MCAT scores.
Also, are the classes considered graduate credit or undergrad credit?
Have you had opprotunities to work on a research project while at LECOM?
What kind of work do people in the progam do during the day? Do people work full time or part time?
Would you mind including your undergrad and post-bac gpas along with MCAT scores.
Also, are the classes considered graduate credit or undergrad credit?
Have you had opprotunities to work on a research project while at LECOM?
What kind of work do people in the progam do during the day? Do people work full time or part time?
PCOM's program is not a post-baccalaureate *premedical* program, if that's what you're thinking. As such, you need to have taken all the required premed classes (i.e., bio, chem, orgo, physics) to get in. It's a M.S. in biomedical sciences, which you can do in one year or two, depending on whether or not you want to do research, which is all you'd do the second year. I know that a few students in the second year are doing stem cell research, which is interesting.
I've spoken to a couple of students in the PCOM program who enjoy it very much. From what I hear, it is good preparation for medical school, as it's sort of a highly watered-down version of PCOM's MSI year.
Good luck.
I've spoken to a couple of students in the PCOM program who enjoy it very much. From what I hear, it is good preparation for medical school, as it's sort of a highly watered-down version of PCOM's MSI year.
Good luck.
My undergrad GPA was 3.1 (science) and 3.25 overall. I got a 24 on my MCAT. I suggest that you DON'T WORK!!! That is unless you absolutely have to. They provide you with living expenses in your FA package. Not everyone is doing research, however I may be working with a professor on carbonic anhydrase inhibitors this summer. The opportunities here are pretty good, and the professors are really friendly. When I was applying to the post-bacc program, I just decided to e-mail the director. He will get back to you really quickly. Two weeks later I got my acceptance letter into the post-bacc program.
This is from the PCOM website. As you can see, they a grant a "post-baccalaureate certificate" upon completion of the first year.
<a href="http://www.pcom.edu/Academic_Programs/Degree_Programs/Degree_Programs_Biomedical_Sci/degree_programs_biomedical_sci.html" target="_blank">http://www.pcom.edu/Academic_Programs/Degree_Programs/Degree_Programs_Biomedical_Sci/degree_programs_biomedical_sci.html</a>
"All courses are similar in depth and intensity to courses in graduate medical programs. Classes meet in the early evening. A post-baccalaureate certificate is awarded for successful completion of all first year courses.
Students with satisfactory first-year academic performance will be considered for candidacy for the Master of Science in Biomedical Sciences degree."
<a href="http://www.pcom.edu/Academic_Programs/Degree_Programs/Degree_Programs_Biomedical_Sci/degree_programs_biomedical_sci.html" target="_blank">http://www.pcom.edu/Academic_Programs/Degree_Programs/Degree_Programs_Biomedical_Sci/degree_programs_biomedical_sci.html</a>
"All courses are similar in depth and intensity to courses in graduate medical programs. Classes meet in the early evening. A post-baccalaureate certificate is awarded for successful completion of all first year courses.
Students with satisfactory first-year academic performance will be considered for candidacy for the Master of Science in Biomedical Sciences degree."
Just to add to Jean's post:
1) LECOM grading system IS NOT on a curve; your grade is what you get.
2) As far as the Post-Baccs having an advantage: possibly, but not a guarantee; the Post-Bacc info runs out at a certain point (usually after the first few tests in certain subjects first semester and one subject second semester -- after that, you're on your own like the rest of the class). I know plenty of post-baccs who are just skating by with a "C" in many subjects, despite all the "extra information". Post-bacc is not a "guarantee" to an "A" - excellent time management and smart studying will get you farther, especially in the long run.
Kat 🙂
1) LECOM grading system IS NOT on a curve; your grade is what you get.
2) As far as the Post-Baccs having an advantage: possibly, but not a guarantee; the Post-Bacc info runs out at a certain point (usually after the first few tests in certain subjects first semester and one subject second semester -- after that, you're on your own like the rest of the class). I know plenty of post-baccs who are just skating by with a "C" in many subjects, despite all the "extra information". Post-bacc is not a "guarantee" to an "A" - excellent time management and smart studying will get you farther, especially in the long run.
Kat 🙂
hi jean, did you mean that LECOM grades for medical students are not curved or were you referring to LECOM's post bacc program? I would assume that in courses like Biochem, the class curve is over 70% if there is no curve, is that true as well? Thanks
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I am currently a post-bacc at LECOM, and I have been accepted into the medical school at LECOM and NYCOM. As far as the financial aid is concerned, yes loans do cover tuition, and you also have living expenses provided in your financial aid packet. Oh and as an aside, LECOM is really good about getting your refund check out to you quickly. Well mine came quickly.
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I like the program a lot. I can't believe how much we have learned. I have not been working, but I know many people who do. If you can afford it, I wouldn't work. Spend that time studying. If you have to work, then you have to. Financial aid does cover living expenses, but some people choose to work instead of accumulating more loan debt.
There are approximately 47 people in the program this year. The cost of living in Erie, PA is wonderful. Right now we live in a large 2 bedroom apartment for only $450/month. There are places that are even cheaper than this. You can get a luxury 2 bedroom townhome for about $700/month.
hey guys,
going back to the ms biomedical science program at PCOM, what does the curriculum comprise of in your first year? also, is this program convienient for full-timer workers who want to continue while pursue the degree? would anyone recommend this for the purpose of pursuing med school if your pre-req grades from undergrad weren't good enough? how do allopathic schools look at this program? your input will be greatly appreciated. thanks
PharmDR
going back to the ms biomedical science program at PCOM, what does the curriculum comprise of in your first year? also, is this program convienient for full-timer workers who want to continue while pursue the degree? would anyone recommend this for the purpose of pursuing med school if your pre-req grades from undergrad weren't good enough? how do allopathic schools look at this program? your input will be greatly appreciated. thanks
PharmDR
hey guys,
i recently recieved a letter from LECOM-Bradenton asking me to apply to their post-bac program. After inquiring about the program, I learned that with a minimum MCAT of 22 and a gpa over 3.0 after the first semester there, the student will have a gauranteed interview at LECOM Bradenton's medical school. Also, completion of their post bac program will increase chances to other medical schools. I already have an MCAT over 22, however, I want to know what are the chances of students doing this program actually getting into that school? Is anyone currently in this program? Does the post bac at Erie offer the same gauranteed interview? Any information would be helpful. Thanks.
i recently recieved a letter from LECOM-Bradenton asking me to apply to their post-bac program. After inquiring about the program, I learned that with a minimum MCAT of 22 and a gpa over 3.0 after the first semester there, the student will have a gauranteed interview at LECOM Bradenton's medical school. Also, completion of their post bac program will increase chances to other medical schools. I already have an MCAT over 22, however, I want to know what are the chances of students doing this program actually getting into that school? Is anyone currently in this program? Does the post bac at Erie offer the same gauranteed interview? Any information would be helpful. Thanks.
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I have heard some mixed reviews. Yes erie does have an guaranteed interview. But remember, it is most likely going to be in april when seats are limited. It screwed over my friend, because he had a late interview. I am not sure if there is a guarenteed acceptance if you reach a certain gpa. My whole opinion on the matter is if you have a 3.0 and 22, just retake the mcat, put in the same effort you would in class, which is like 7-8 hrs a day. get a 27-28 and you will get in. You save 20 something thousand dollars. Hell a private toutor for the mcat's is cheaper and probably will give you a better chance of getting in. That is my opinion on the matter. If you have 3.0 and like 2.3 in science that is a different story. I would rather go back to school (undergrad and raise the science gpa)
BTW: If you have any question PM me, i can ask my friend about the erie program, but i am sure there has to be someone on the forum that did the program.
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first the interviews aren't in april...mine was the first week of february and a couple kids had theirs before x-mas. depends when you get your stuff in.
second, to the person that brought an old thread from the graveyard, i just got your message and i'll reply in a few min to it 🙂
sorry, my friend had his interview in april, so i was going by his description of the program.
not a problem, there were a few people who had that happen. as far as i know it was mostly people who were later with their stuff. the majority of interviews as far as i know were in February. best of luck to your friend
/sorry if i came off harsh in the first post, didn't mean to at all
heh thanks i'll need it...best of luck to you as well in whatever you're doin
and as for the bundling up...hell i got nothing, it's gonna be cold
Hey there. I just finished the first year of PCOM's biomed program, and it was great. The classes, profs, students, everything was great. I learned a lot, and I know it will help me out when I do start med school. I was accepted to one DO school and waitlisted at another. As a PCOM biomed you are guaranteed an interview, but as someone said, you get kinda screwed because they are very late in the year. I have a strong MCAT (28Q), low undergrad GPA (3.0), but did very well in the biomed program (3.7), and I still haven't heard a decision from them. In my opinion, I got a little screwed over. But, I don't regret doing this program. I needed something to enhance my application, and I don't think just working for a year would have done that. I'm a little annoyed that I'm still waiting on a decision from them in mid June, but at the same time I don't think I would have gotten that other acceptance without this program. I don't know how our program compares to LECOM's. I wasn't very fond of LECOM, so PCOM was the better choice for me. Just spend some time looking into exactly what you want to do. If you do the first year of PCOM's program and then get accepted into the DO school, you can finish the masters while in the DO program without paying any tuition for it. You just spread it out over 4 years instead of just 1. That is a major perk of this program, because you will graduate in 4 years with 2 degrees (DO and MS). You'll also be published, which is huge when it comes to residency/fellowship. There are a lot more faculty research projects you can get involved with at PCOM vs LECOM. You basically have your choice of doing research in any area, including pretty much every clinical specialty. Keep in mind if you want to go into cardiology, derm, or other competative specialities, you'll need at least one publication in that field.
if anyone is interested, I think there is a post-bac program forum under the main SDN forum page. There should be tons more information.
Few points from talking with friends at two programs:
1. if it is a new program, they will continue to grow through changes. So, one policy one year will be different than previous.
2. ask plenty of questions to admissions/director so you know exactly what you are getting yourself into. Than say, "I got screwed."
3. if you want to do research, personally contact the research faculty members if positions are available. sometimes at smaller programs, they dont have room for any more students or endup doing something that you have no interest in.
4. DONT think that doing good in the program somehow guarantees you an admission to medschool. I know for fact that UMDNJ/TCOM/PCOM have strict guidelines on how assess MS applicants. They dont want the program to be a backdoor to medschool.
One of my friend is upset because eventhough she did everything right, high gpa with good mcat score, she still didnt get an admission anywhere.
medschool admin staff is totally different than MS programs so they may talk to eachother, but no way would MS program staff will somehow get you into medschool side.
5. Have an alternative plan of what you may do IF you dont get in. Meaning, start applying for jobs well before you graduate from the program. So you will have a work and not scrabbling to find a decent job. remember that career job track is a lenghthy process and takes weeks before something becomes fruitful. It is not like working at a grocery store, where they can hire you in a day or two to start work.
6. Last, you get what you put into these programs. Being an all around person will boost your application. I have another friend who did the DO school MS program and ended up getting into md/phd program. Just be an overall good candidate to show how serious you are and put everything else in the back burners. I know number of students, whose relationships got in the way of them doing well.
Few points from talking with friends at two programs:
1. if it is a new program, they will continue to grow through changes. So, one policy one year will be different than previous.
2. ask plenty of questions to admissions/director so you know exactly what you are getting yourself into. Than say, "I got screwed."
3. if you want to do research, personally contact the research faculty members if positions are available. sometimes at smaller programs, they dont have room for any more students or endup doing something that you have no interest in.
4. DONT think that doing good in the program somehow guarantees you an admission to medschool. I know for fact that UMDNJ/TCOM/PCOM have strict guidelines on how assess MS applicants. They dont want the program to be a backdoor to medschool.
One of my friend is upset because eventhough she did everything right, high gpa with good mcat score, she still didnt get an admission anywhere.
medschool admin staff is totally different than MS programs so they may talk to eachother, but no way would MS program staff will somehow get you into medschool side.
5. Have an alternative plan of what you may do IF you dont get in. Meaning, start applying for jobs well before you graduate from the program. So you will have a work and not scrabbling to find a decent job. remember that career job track is a lenghthy process and takes weeks before something becomes fruitful. It is not like working at a grocery store, where they can hire you in a day or two to start work.
6. Last, you get what you put into these programs. Being an all around person will boost your application. I have another friend who did the DO school MS program and ended up getting into md/phd program. Just be an overall good candidate to show how serious you are and put everything else in the back burners. I know number of students, whose relationships got in the way of them doing well.
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What makes you such an expert on these programs? The reason I say I got screwed is because I believe that I am an all around good candidate. I wouldn't have gotten other acceptances and waitlists if I wasn't. I did go in to meet with the admissions director to ask why I hadn't heard a final decision yet, and she didn't have an answer for me. I asked her if there was any one point in my application I could improve on specifically that would help my chances, and she said no, that I was strong overall and just had to wait it out. The whole point of my post was that med school admissions is somewhat random sometimes, and that these programs are not a guaranteed admissions ticket, but they can really help to improve your application.
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one quality you do lack is being open-minded
That makes no sense. Did you not get into medical school yet? What that poster had to say was true. Just because you attend a certain school's post-bacc program does in no way guarantee acceptance into their medical school program. We have quite a few at DCOM that attended Post-Bacc programs at other schools but did not get into that same medical school program.
