Postbac Programs: LECOM vs PCOM-GA vs. TCOM

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LaxPreMed

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I have been applying to multiple postbac programs that are associated with osteopathic medical schools and received an acceptance letter from LECOM today. I am still waiting on all of the others (TCOM/PCOM/PCOM-GA/LMU-DCOM/Edward Via/William Carey). Does anyone have any info about any of these as to which would be the best choice? or has anyone attended any of these postbac programs?
 
LaxPreMed said:
I have been applying to multiple postbac programs that are associated with osteopathic medical schools and received an acceptance letter from LECOM today. I am still waiting on all of the others (TCOM/PCOM/PCOM-GA/LMU-DCOM/Edward Via/William Carey). Does anyone have any info about any of these as to which would be the best choice? or has anyone attended any of these postbac programs?
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If you have a 23+ MCAT score, you should stick with LECOM since they have somewhat a 'guaranteed' DO acceptance if you maintain a 3.0 GPA in their program.
 
If you are actually interested in attending LECOM for med school it is a good choice because of the interview guarantee (basically an acceptance to med school guarantee but not in so many words). It also gives you a leg up during first year because the material from post bac is some of what is covered first year (and the same professors in most cases).
 
Out of curiosity, do DO post-bacc use grade replacement?
 
CapCrunch said:
Out of curiosity, do DO post-bacc use grade replacement?
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I heard most if not all don't. But the bar is somewhat lower. You can get into most DO postbacc with 3.0/2.75 c/sGPA and 24 MCAT.
 
Why do a DO postbacc instead of utilizing grade replacement?
 
pre med 2014 said:
How long is this post bac? 2 years?
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I know LECOM and LMU--DCOM are 1 year. According to posters on SDN, these are good postbacc programs with 'guarantee' acceptance if you maintain the 3.0 gpa required.
 
Back 5 said:
Why do a DO postbacc instead of utilizing grade replacement?
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Because of the off the record guaranteed acceptance.

Think of it this way: You have a 3.0 and a 24. You can either 1) Take a year on your own and retake classes and retake the MCAT and hope you get in or 2) Do LECOM's post bac and do just ok to guarantee your seat.

The only time I think a post-bac is acceptable for pre-DO is if it either guarantees your spot or you don't have to repeat the classes once you matriculate into med school. I don't know of any places where the latter happens.
 
Mehd School said:
Because of the off the record guaranteed acceptance.

Think of it this way: You have a 3.0 and a 24. You can either 1) Take a year on your own and retake classes and retake the MCAT and hope you get in or 2) Do LECOM's post bac and do just ok to guarantee your seat.

The only time I think a post-bac is acceptable for pre-DO is if it either guarantees your spot or you don't have to repeat the classes once you matriculate into med school. I don't know of any places where the latter happens.
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If it is off the record, then how is it a guarantee?
 
Does anyone know any specifics about any of the other postbac programs? or feel that one is better than the rest?
 
GypsyHummus said:
If it is off the record, then how is it a guarantee?
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From the website:

The placement rate for the 2011-2012 academic year students completing the program is 88% as of June 30, 2012. The placement rate for the students completing the program in the Class of 2007 through the Class of 2011 is 67% as of June 30, 2011. The placement rate refers to the students accepted into a medical college or another advanced degree program.
 
pre med 2014 said:
From the website:

The placement rate for the 2011-2012 academic year students completing the program is 88% as of June 30, 2012. The placement rate for the students completing the program in the Class of 2007 through the Class of 2011 is 67% as of June 30, 2011. The placement rate refers to the students accepted into a medical college or another advanced degree program.
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what I am reading is that 88% of students make it through the postbacc and only 67% get in and make it through the medical school. Is that right?
 
GypsyHummus said:
If it is off the record, then how is it a guarantee?
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Well, to my knowledge (please someone correct me if I'm wrong), I don't think anyone has been denied acceptance to LECOM due to academic reasons after completing the program with the minimum required stats. It's off the record because they won't straight up tell you "3.3/23 and you're 100% in", but at the same time it's a guarantee because they set limits, and everybody that gets at or above those limits gets in.
 
GypsyHummus said:
what I am reading is that 88% of students make it through the postbacc and only 67% get in and make it through the medical school. Is that right?
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No, you're reading that wrong. What they are saying is that over the years the placement rate (LECOM post bacs matriculating into the COM) has increased from ~67% to almost 90%. The focus of that statement is the percent that matriculated, not the percent that only finished the post bac.
 
GypsyHummus said:
what I am reading is that 88% of students make it through the postbacc and only 67% get in and make it through the medical school. Is that right?
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last year it was 88%. Previous years was 67%, notice how it also says that the rate includes students accepted to med school and 'other advanced health program'

still seem like pretty good odds if you work hard.
 
And anyone know how long you have to put down a deposit after an acceptance? I imagine a lot of people are gonna wait till very late cycle to make sure they don't get in anywhere else before doing post bac ?
 
Mehd School said:
Well, to my knowledge (please someone correct me if I'm wrong), I don't think anyone has been denied acceptance to LECOM due to academic reasons after completing the program with the minimum required stats. It's off the record because they won't straight up tell you "3.3/23 and you're 100% in", but at the same time it's a guarantee because they set limits, and everybody that gets at or above those limits gets in.
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From what I also heard if you that 3.0 in their postbacc and you mcat score is 23+, you are in. They do interview you but I heard the interview it's more like a 'formality'. I guess they reserve that privilege so they can reject anyone who is a jerk.
 
Temperature101 said:
From what I also heard if you that 3.0 in their postbacc and you mcat score is 23+, you are in. They do interview you but I heard the interview it's more like a 'formality'. I guess they reserve that privilege so they can reject anyone who is a jerk.
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Do they interview for their postbacc?
 
What's the GPA for incoming post-bacc students?
 
Mehd School said:
Because of the off the record guaranteed acceptance.

Think of it this way: You have a 3.0 and a 24. You can either 1) Take a year on your own and retake classes and retake the MCAT and hope you get in or 2) Do LECOM's post bac and do just ok to guarantee your seat.

The only time I think a post-bac is acceptable for pre-DO is if it either guarantees your spot or you don't have to repeat the classes once you matriculate into med school. I don't know of any places where the latter happens.
Click to expand...

LMU-DCOM's program allows for this. You get an 80% in MGA/histology and either Physiology or Neuroanatomy (depending on what you take Spring semester) and you don't have to retake those IF you matriculate. They have a fairly high acceptance rate, too (only know of 3 people that are/were WL)
 
LaxPreMed said:
I have been applying to multiple postbac programs that are associated with osteopathic medical schools and received an acceptance letter from LECOM today. I am still waiting on all of the others (TCOM/PCOM/PCOM-GA/LMU-DCOM/Edward Via/William Carey). Does anyone have any info about any of these as to which would be the best choice? or has anyone attended any of these postbac programs?
Click to expand...

I did one semester of LECOM's post-bacc program (my story is different from most as to why). Anyhow LECOM's post-bacc is designed to enhance your ability to get through their medical school program. It is not designed for grade replacement. So their post-bacc is "watered down" medical school. The same professors, the same exams, the same material just not as many hours, not as intense. It is 4 nights a week 3 hours a night.

So the "guarantee" comes in when a student who does LECOM's post-bacc, does well and passes everything, have a decent MCAT, and barring any other univeristy snafu's (there was a guy in my class who couldn't get his transcripts due to unpaid parking tickets at his under grad univ therefore didn't have a complete application and couldn't apply) that student generally is offered a spot in the next year's medical school class without having to go through all the application service hassles.

My post-bacc class I would say 95% ended up staying at LECOM. There were a few who got accepted elsewhere and attended a different school.
 
schwasted589 said:
LMU-DCOM's program allows for this. You get an 80% in MGA/histology and either Physiology or Neuroanatomy (depending on what you take Spring semester) and you don't have to retake those IF you matriculate. They have a fairly high acceptance rate, too (only know of 3 people that are/were WL)
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Excellent. Thank you for that information. LMU is quietly jumping up my DO list. Hopefully I'll have good enough stats to get in next cycle. Looks to be a very promising institution.
 
VCOM's postbacc is guaranteed acceptance with 3.6/24/positive professor evals. It is basically a slower version of VCOM's first block because it is spread out over a year with one or two extra classes. You also have to do some medical outreach. They don't guarantee which of the campuses you will end up at but I don't know of anyone that hasn't gotten their preference yet.

Sent from my DROID RAZR HD using SDN Mobile
 
Mehd School said:
Excellent. Thank you for that information. LMU is quietly jumping up my DO list. Hopefully I'll have good enough stats to get in next cycle. Looks to be a very promising institution.
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No problem. if you have any questions, you can PM me. I attended the program this year and am attending DCOM next year.
 
Have you heard back from PCOM-GA? Its a pretty good program in the sense if you maintain a 3.5 gpa and have a 24 mcat you are guaranteed interview. Most of the kids in my class who met these requirements have gotten accepted!
 
LaxPreMed said:
I have been applying to multiple postbac programs that are associated with osteopathic medical schools and received an acceptance letter from LECOM today. I am still waiting on all of the others (TCOM/PCOM/PCOM-GA/LMU-DCOM/Edward Via/William Carey). Does anyone have any info about any of these as to which would be the best choice? or has anyone attended any of these postbac programs?
Click to expand...

what are your stats btw
 
LECOM program is now 5 days a week, 4 scheduled hours (however, usually class doesn't run that long). Everything else still applies, same profs, tests, powerpoints, etc. all same with the exception of no labs and no OMM.
Guarantee applies if you meet min., and they do interview (ans believe it or not, someone did bomb interview and was not offered admission into DO program, even though they had stats). This year roughly 65% met min. GPA, don't know if they met MCAT requirement.
 
SecretIdentity said:
LECOM program is now 5 days a week, 4 scheduled hours (however, usually class doesn't run that long). Everything else still applies, same profs, tests, powerpoints, etc. all same with the exception of no labs and no OMM.
Guarantee applies if you meet min., and they do interview (ans believe it or not, someone did bomb interview and was not offered admission into DO program, even though they had stats). This year roughly 65% met min. GPA, don't know if they met MCAT requirement.
Click to expand...

definitely something people applying to these programs should take into account.

not sure how they bombed it though, as I believe this school does closed-file group interviews with very run-of-the-mill type questions. even for regular applicants, many people say they feel the interview does not count for much.
 
Don't know the details. Agree that it's difficult to screw up a group interview. Maybe personality issue?
 
SecretIdentity said:
LECOM program is now 5 days a week, 4 scheduled hours (however, usually class doesn't run that long). Everything else still applies, same profs, tests, powerpoints, etc. all same with the exception of no labs and no OMM.
Guarantee applies if you meet min., and they do interview (ans believe it or not, someone did bomb interview and was not offered admission into DO program, even though they had stats). This year roughly 65% met min. GPA, don't know if they met MCAT requirement.
Click to expand...

Really? Did someone really bombed the Interview this year. I thought class this year had pretty smart kids and interview was a group interview for heavens sake
 
SecretIdentity said:
Don't know the details. Agree that it's difficult to screw up a group interview. Maybe personality issue?
Click to expand...

That's crazy. It has to be something weird. Basically as long as you show interest and are courteous, I don't see how you could mess it up.

If I was going for the post-bac, I'd be more concerned by the 35% that don't make the 3.0 cutoffs. The 35% are basically destroying their chances at entering any US medical program.
 
UNTHSC's MS baby. Guaranteed interview at TCOM with good standing.

7338849396_6e85a18fba_z.jpg
 
UTsksk said:
I'll be starting there in 3 weeks 😀
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Nice! I thoroughly enjoyed the program. Our classmates were really great, and I'm sure yours will be too. Almost everyone I know that got 4.0s (and most 3.8+) in the fall were pre-matched into TCOM so do your best.
 
Pigglyjuff said:
Nice! I thoroughly enjoyed the program. Our classmates were really great, and I'm sure yours will be too. Almost everyone I know that got 4.0s (and most 3.8+) in the fall were pre-matched into TCOM so do your best.
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Thanks. From what I heard about this program, I definitely won't be bored with nothing to study hah.
 
PCOM doesn't really have a post-bac, it's a two year MS or one year cert in biomedical sciences. First year is a bitch as it runs close to parallel with the MS-1 year (same professors, classes, books), and we work our anatomy trimester in the cadaver lab. Second year is focused on either research, medical forensics or organization leadership.

The program is a good litmus test of sorts. They take about 80 each year and it tends to always fall to high 60s by the end of the first year.
 
I'm trying to decide between PCOM-GA biomedical and LMU-DCOM post-bacc. Tough decision.
 
rza15 said:
I'm trying to decide between PCOM-GA biomedical and LMU-DCOM post-bacc. Tough decision.
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what are your numbers? many people enroll in these that do not actually need to.
 
user3 said:
what are your numbers? many people enroll in these that do not actually need to.
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Hello. Sorry for stealing another member's question, but I would also like to know. My stats are 3.3/3.15/22M. I plan to enroll in PCOM-GA postbac and hopefully get accepted into the DO program the following year. Thank you!
 
cabinbuilder said:
I did one semester of LECOM's post-bacc program (my story is different from most as to why). Anyhow LECOM's post-bacc is designed to enhance your ability to get through their medical school program. It is not designed for grade replacement. So their post-bacc is "watered down" medical school. The same professors, the same exams, the same material just not as many hours, not as intense. It is 4 nights a week 3 hours a night.

So the "guarantee" comes in when a student who does LECOM's post-bacc, does well and passes everything, have a decent MCAT, and barring any other univeristy snafu's (there was a guy in my class who couldn't get his transcripts due to unpaid parking tickets at his under grad univ therefore didn't have a complete application and couldn't apply) that student generally is offered a spot in the next year's medical school class without having to go through all the application service hassles.

My post-bacc class I would say 95% ended up staying at LECOM. There were a few who got accepted elsewhere and attended a different school.
Click to expand...

Will there be a gap year if you do well in the post bacc and secure your seat?
 
MD013 said:
Hello. Sorry for stealing another member's question, but I would also like to know. My stats are 3.3/3.15/22M. I plan to enroll in PCOM-GA postbac and hopefully get accepted into the DO program the following year. Thank you!
Click to expand...

research the two (LMU and PCOM Ga) and see which has better linkage. either way, apply during the program to other DO schools and see what happens. Your numbers are just below what I would consider the minimum to have a shot-- BUT I am constantly surprised at the gpa/mcat of many of the people I see getting into DO schools on here and MDapps, so you never know!
 
rza15 said:
I'm trying to decide between PCOM-GA biomedical and LMU-DCOM post-bacc. Tough decision.
Click to expand...

not to put down PCOM-GA but based off my interview at both schools and what i know about the LMU post-bacc....i strongly suggest you go with LMU. just my personal opinion.
 
I am also stuck in the same situation between LMU and GA-PCOM. I love the area that GA-PCOM but don't want to be stuck in another gap year after the program starts.

I have also gotten into LECOM post bac as well but uncertain about which to attend. GA-PCOM told me that if you have a 3.5 in the post bac and a 24 MCAT you are "guaranteed" an acceptance into the PCOM school. Can anyone shed light on this? How difficult is it? As well as the fact that this is a satellite campus so it is just a single building as opposed to LMU's giant 1,000 acre campus
 
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