To interview at PCOM or to not? What do u think?

[irishlaydi]

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Hi All. I know how much everyone loves polls, and I have a decision to make so...for all who want to give me their opinion here you go:
I have been accepted to NYCOM and UNECOM and have an interview offer at PCOM. I chose UNECOM no questions asked, and worked hard to get accepted off the wailist. I LOVE maine and the school and there are tons of reasons...
Now, I was offered an interview at PCOM (before being accepted to Maine) for a few weeks from now. I know PCOM is a great school, and its close to some of my immediate family (whereas UNECOM is not).
I of course will be making this decision on my own, but I thought it would be interesting to see what you all would do if you were in my position. Should I go to the interview at PCOM or give it up so that someone who is dying to interview/go to PCOM can have the chance?
Ok, have fun 😀 let me know what u think.

 

[Buckeye(OH)]

Find out if this is for a real spot or for an alternate spot.

In either event, its always beneficial to go to an interview, if anything, to sharpen your interview skills which you will need when its time to choose a residency.

 

[Kazema]

I'm in a similar situation; I've been accepted at UMDNJ-SOM, a school I really love, and recently received an invitation from PCOM to interview. I am going to the interview because it's totally possible that after I visit I'll feel like PCOM is a better fit for me. If not, I'll just withdraw.

But without visiting the school you will never know. I think it's always best to give yourself a choice; it also gives you more motivation to do more research about your schools and maybe discover something you didn't consider before.

When is your interview by the way?

 

[irishlaydi]

I'm in a similar situation; I've been accepted at UMDNJ-SOM, a school I really love, and recently received an invitation from PCOM to interview. I am going to the interview because it's totally possible that after I visit I'll feel like PCOM is a better fit for me. If not, I'll just withdraw.

But without visiting the school you will never know. I think it's always best to give yourself a choice; it also gives you more motivation to do more research about your schools and maybe discover something you didn't consider before.

When is your interview by the way?

Thanks for your advice. My interview is April 11th.

 

[NeuroDO]

Hi irishlady,

I've interviewed at both UNECOM and PCOM, and I was accepted to both. You loved UNECOM, so go there. It's a great school. I would have gone to UNECOM over PCOM if I didn't need to stay in Philly for family reasons.

The only reasons I'd advise someone to go to PCOM over UNECOM is 1) if you want a highly competitive allopathic residency as PCOM is more established and better known, or 2) if you really want to be in a large city. I love living in a city, but Maine is sooo charming.

It's a personal choice, but if I were you, I'd stick with UNECOM and let the PCOM interview go to someone who needs it.

 

[Karine04]

Hi irishlady,

I've interviewed at both UNECOM and PCOM, and I was accepted to both. You loved UNECOM, so go there. It's a great school. I would have gone to UNECOM over PCOM if I didn't need to stay in Philly for family reasons.

The only reasons I'd advise someone to go to PCOM over UNECOM is 1) if you want a highly competitive allopathic residency as PCOM is more established and better known, or 2) if you really want to be in a large city. I love living in a city, but Maine is sooo charming.

It's a personal choice, but if I were you, I'd stick with UNECOM and let the PCOM interview go to someone who needs it.

I don't mean to hijack this thread, but I have a related question. Is it considered standard protocol to mention a family/geographic concern when interviewing at a school? I would much rather get in on my own merits, but I'm just wondering whether it could hurt to mention the situation.

Here's my situation: I just interviewed at PCOM and I absolutely adored the school. It is very much my first choice (just based on what I know about the school and the feeling I had there), but I also really want to be in Philly because my significant other of 3.5+ years will be attending grad school in Philly next year. There probably isn't anything more I can do at this point, but if I do get waitlisted (crossing my fingers that this doesn't happen!), I'll be writing another letter of intent. Should I then mention this situation?

Again, irishlaydi, sorry to hijack your thread! Just seeing if anyone who stumbles upon this may have some advice.

 

[alibubble]

I don't mean to hijack this thread, but I have a related question. Is it considered standard protocol to mention a family/geographic concern when interviewing at a school? I would much rather get in on my own merits, but I'm just wondering whether it could hurt to mention the situation.

Here's my situation: I just interviewed at PCOM and I absolutely adored the school. It is very much my first choice (just based on what I know about the school and the feeling I had there), but I also really want to be in Philly because my significant other of 3.5+ years will be attending grad school in Philly next year. There probably isn't anything more I can do at this point, but if I do get waitlisted (crossing my fingers that this doesn't happen!), I'll be writing another letter of intent. Should I then mention this situation?

Again, irishlaydi, sorry to hijack your thread! Just seeing if anyone who stumbles upon this may have some advice.

Definately mention any ties to Philly. PCOM is known to favor PA residents and other individuals that either have family in the area or plan to permanently relocate there. In fact, their panels have asked interviewees whether they'd consider living in PA after training (medschool + residency).

As for the question by irishlaydi regarding the interview at PCOM after acceptance by UNECOM, I think you never really know about a school until you visit. Even after you visit, you won't know everything you need to know to make a completely informed decision since PCOM has not been giving out folders of info like other schools. Still, in the end, the intangible qualities of a school matter just as much if not more than the statistics-- most schools are great academically. It's really up to you as an individual to do well in school and secure a top residency. So, you need to think of what's important to you and what kind of environment will contribute to your academic achievement.

Hope this helps a bit 😛

 

[Khenon]

Please cancel your interview, so I can interview there!

Just kidding! 😀 I'm actually happy with my COMP acceptance and won't be going to any other interviews. But seriously, it sounds like you're happy with UNECOM so I'm not sure why you want to go to the PCOM interview. I would personally want to save the money for travel, but I guess for some people that's less of an issue. I suppose if you have the money, then go for it. You never know until you see the place.

 

[irishlaydi]

Please cancel your interview, so I can interview there!

Just kidding! 😀 I'm actually happy with my COMP acceptance and won't be going to any other interviews. But seriously, it sounds like you're happy with UNECOM so I'm not sure why you want to go to the PCOM interview. I would personally want to save the money for travel, but I guess for some people that's less of an issue. I suppose if you have the money, then go for it. You never know until you see the place.

thanks to everyone so far for their advice, votes etc... (its a close race) ha ha. Anyway, I really do appreciate people taking the time to reply and all. To Khenon: I am very happy with UNECOM, I just am not sure if I would regret not going to the PCOM interview or not. I wish I had lots of money 😀 but that is not too much of an issue for PCOM because my mom lives relatively close to the school so no hotel costs. thanks for your input, congrats on COMP