Which school would you rather go to?

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I'd go to PCOM... they're both accredited satellite campuses basically from northeastern schools.

I'm from Florida and I'd rather be in northern Georgia than in parts of south/central Florida so that might tell you something also. lol I work with a pharmacist who is from PCOM's main campus and he does his job very well... so I don't see why anyone would have an issue going there, although I've heard good and bad things about LECOM (the cost of living is a lot higher in Bradenton, although not bad considering the rest of Florida).
 
Thank you all for your input. I really appreciate it.

I hope LECOM isn't reading this but I love the PCOM campus, faculty and students. I think I've made up my mind.
 
I'm in a dilemma too. Both schools sound good to me, if I were you, I might choose LECOM, although PCOM sounds good too.
 
ct0012 said:
I'm in a dilemma too. Both schools sound good to me, if I were you, I might choose LECOM, although PCOM sounds good too.
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thanks for your 2 cents. Would ya mind giving me a few reasons for LECOM? the 3 people above you seem to think otherwise.

and I'd like to add that I'm not worried at all about PCOM's future as a pharmacy school, I have no doubt it will become fully accredited.
 
drhenPharmD said:
and I'd like to add that I'm not worried at all about PCOM's future as a pharmacy school, I have no doubt it will become fully accredited.
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The same was said I'm sure by some people about St. Joseph's...

A good reason for LECOM is that you won't be the first class going through the curriculum, so they sort of know what to do with your class come rotations. It's tough being a part of a new curriculum. I go to a well-established school right now but they changed the PharmD curriculum starting with our class, and them not knowing what to do often interferes with us getting a quality education (and this is in a school that has been there for over 150 years, I would imagine it would be worse in a completely new school).

However, I've heard terrible things about LECOM-Erie. I don't know if LECOM-B is different (and most people on this board also judge the LECOM name by LECOM-Erie).
 
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drhenPharmD said:
thanks for your 2 cents. Would ya mind giving me a few reasons for LECOM? the 3 people above you seem to think otherwise.

and I'd like to add that I'm not worried at all about PCOM's future as a pharmacy school, I have no doubt it will become fully accredited.
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Spoken like a HICP student.
 
Wait... I thought PCOM was accreditted through the main campus the same way LECOM and UF's distance campuses are. They're affiliated with the main school so its kind of 'grandfathered in' no? LECOM hasn't graduated their 1st class in Bradenton yet have they? I couldve sworn I researched around and this was the case?
 
Tinkerbell22 said:
Wait... I thought PCOM was accreditted through the main campus the same way LECOM and UF's distance campuses are. They're affiliated with the main school so its kind of 'grandfathered in' no? LECOM hasn't graduated their 1st class in Bradenton yet have they? I couldve sworn I researched around and this was the case?
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It has pre-candidate status.
 
rxlea said:
It has pre-candidate status.
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Okay I was so confused... how did LECOM and UF receive automatic accreditation then?

OP, I take back everything I said... go to LECOM... I'd never advise to go to a pre-candidate school, but that's just my personal issue. lol
 
rxlea said:
I still advise PCOM. Rxforlife has been here for a long time and this is what he has to say about LECOM...

http://forums.studentdoctor.net/showthread.php?t=725499
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Hmmm... that's pretty bad. The OP of thread is referring to Bradenton though right? Or maybe I'm just confused again (you know why I'm stressed right now, plus I just got shot up with Varicella Vaccine :laugh:).

One of my good friends from high school is a P2 at LECOM-B right now and she likes it... I haven't heard that many bad things on here about that campus, but I could be wrong.

Tough call...
 
Tinkerbell22 said:
Hmmm... that's pretty bad. The OP of thread is referring to Bradenton though right? Or maybe I'm just confused again (you know why I'm stressed right now, plus I just got shot up with Varicella Vaccine :laugh:).

One of my good friends from high school is a P2 at LECOM-B right now and she likes it... I haven't heard that many bad things on here about that campus, but I could be wrong.

Tough call...
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Vaccines make me tired. LOL

OP, it really is up to you. What will save you the most money and what campus did you feel the most comfortable at?
 
rxlea said:
It has pre-candidate status.
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PCOM actually does not have precandidate status. They have applied for precandidate status and will be assessed by the ACPE next month.

and I shouldn't have said that I have no doubt about accreditation. I have a lot of confidence that the faculty and staff know what they're doing.
 
bacillus1 said:
The same was said I'm sure by some people about St. Joseph's...

A good reason for LECOM is that you won't be the first class going through the curriculum, so they sort of know what to do with your class come rotations. It's tough being a part of a new curriculum. I go to a well-established school right now but they changed the PharmD curriculum starting with our class, and them not knowing what to do often interferes with us getting a quality education (and this is in a school that has been there for over 150 years, I would imagine it would be worse in a completely new school).

However, I've heard terrible things about LECOM-Erie. I don't know if LECOM-B is different (and most people on this board also judge the LECOM name by LECOM-Erie).
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Isn't st. joseph's going to open next fall? It sucks, but at least it isn't hawaii college of pharm status.

I understand it going to be tough being the first class, but it comes with plenty of perks. Starting traditions, small class, getting more attention, having the whole school to ourselves for a yr..etc. plus the director of experiential education seems like a good find (that counts for plenty right?). PCOM found a great core of faculty to start off with.

And yea, I've heard bad things about LECOM-E. I have a buddy at LECOM-B right now, he says it isn't too bad.
 
rxlea said:
Vaccines make me tired. LOL

OP, it really is up to you. What will save you the most money and what campus did you feel the most comfortable at?
Click to expand...

PCOM is cheaper. PCOM makes me feel more comfortable.

Everything is going PCOM's way except the difficulties that come with being part of the inaugural class.
 
Tinkerbell22 said:
Wait... I thought PCOM was accreditted through the main campus the same way LECOM and UF's distance campuses are. They're affiliated with the main school so its kind of 'grandfathered in' no? LECOM hasn't graduated their 1st class in Bradenton yet have they? I couldve sworn I researched around and this was the case?
Click to expand...

LECOM-B has graduated a couple classes already. I'm not too familiar with programs that have been grandfathered into accreditation by the ACPE. Do you mind explainin a little bit? I'm still new to some of this stuff and I havent heard of this yet.

Thanks!!

And thank you everyone for your input, I really appreciate it!
 
drhenPharmD said:
LECOM-B has graduated a couple classes already. I'm not too familiar with programs that have been grandfathered into accreditation by the ACPE. Do you mind explainin a little bit? I'm still new to some of this stuff and I havent heard of this yet.

Thanks!!

And thank you everyone for your input, I really appreciate it!
Click to expand...

I'm not sure either... I just remember a really long time ago we had this discussion about how UF's distance campuses were fully accredited and everything (maybe because they aren't really completely separate from the main campus).

Then I was trying to get information about when LECOM-B opened, and I checked everywhere because I was having trouble with the website... though I probably found incorrect information because it said they opened in the late 2000's... however maybe that was their first graduating class. 😕
 
OH..yeah I just looked it up:

http://www.acpe-accredit.org/pdf/AnnualReport.pdf

That is the accreditation status for the schools that have recently applied/are in candidate and pre-candidate status..

I didn't know PBA was on probation before 😕 kinda scary...

St Joseph's isn't opening the Fall either. Their "incoming" students just got kinda screwed over and wasted a lot of money on the application process only to have interviews canceled (after airfare was paid and stuff) and told that the new class won't start until 2011. SUX!
 
PCOM is not cheaper than LECOM Bradenton.


According to the figures from both interviews, PCOM tuition is $29,900 and LECOM-Bradenton tuition is $22,000. Factor in your cost of living in Atlanta versus living in Bradenton and PCOM is definitely going to be way more expensive. Just thought I'd throw that in there 🙂
 
drhenPharmD said:
LECOM-B has graduated a couple classes already. I'm not too familiar with programs that have been grandfathered into accreditation by the ACPE. Do you mind explainin a little bit? I'm still new to some of this stuff and I havent heard of this yet.

Thanks!!

And thank you everyone for your input, I really appreciate it!
Click to expand...


LECOM Bradenton has not graduated any classes yet. The first class graduates Spring 2011. I know this because one of my older sister's friends is part of the first class of LECOM-Bradenton students.
 
I'm torn between these two schools as well!

I am much more comfortable with PCOM and their reputation as an osteopathic school, but I'm worried about the faculty /staff. I want teachers who know what they are doing!
 
sRX said:
I'm torn between these two schools as well!

I am much more comfortable with PCOM and their reputation as an osteopathic school, but I'm worried about the faculty /staff. I want teachers who know what they are doing!
Click to expand...

Maybe you could google them and see their qualifications and where they have taught before? You bring up an important thing to consider....
 
rxlea said:
OH..yeah I just looked it up:

http://www.acpe-accredit.org/pdf/AnnualReport.pdf

That is the accreditation status for the schools that have recently applied/are in candidate and pre-candidate status..

I didn't know PBA was on probation before 😕 kinda scary...

St Joseph's isn't opening the Fall either. Their "incoming" students just got kinda screwed over and wasted a lot of money on the application process only to have interviews canceled (after airfare was paid and stuff) and told that the new class won't start until 2011. SUX!
Click to expand...

Nova was on probation that same year (2009, year that I was getting ready to graduate). It kind of threw me off because those were basically my "hometown" schools, but I feel like everything worked out better since I took this year to take more classes, work, apply outside of south Florida, etc.

takins33613 said:
PCOM is not cheaper than LECOM Bradenton.


According to the figures from both interviews, PCOM tuition is $29,900 and LECOM-Bradenton tuition is $22,000. Factor in your cost of living in Atlanta versus living in Bradenton and PCOM is definitely going to be way more expensive. Just thought I'd throw that in there 🙂
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Atlanta is kinda cheaper than Bradenton for cost of living though... especially a bit outside the actual city/perimeter where PCOM is at. I mean, Bradenton is not bad, considering it's in Florida... but Atlanta is generally cheaper (I'm sure there are exceptions for both, depending on what you're looking at though).

takins33613 said:
LECOM Bradenton has not graduated any classes yet. The first class graduates Spring 2011. I know this because one of my older sister's friends is part of the first class of LECOM-Bradenton students.
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Now I'm super confused. This is exactly what I thought too. I have a friend there now, but I feel weird asking her all these questions about her school. lol
 
takins33613 said:
LECOM Bradenton has not graduated any classes yet. The first class graduates Spring 2011. I know this because one of my older sister's friends is part of the first class of LECOM-Bradenton students.
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You're absolutely right. LECOM-Erie has graduated a few classes already. LECOM-B started in '06. My bad

And I was thinkin of the cost of living in Suwanee, GA where PCOM is. I think its a little cheaper than Atlanta. And I thought the cost of living in Florida was pretty high?

Thanks for your input takins, i see that you've been accepted to a couple schools including PCOM and LECOM-B, have you decided?
 
drhenPharmD said:
You're absolutely right. LECOM-Erie has graduated a few classes already. LECOM-B started in '06. My bad

And I was thinkin of the cost of living in Suwanee, GA where PCOM is. I think its a little cheaper than Atlanta. And I thought the cost of living in Florida was pretty high?

Thanks for your input takins, i see that you've been accepted to a couple schools including PCOM and LECOM-B, have you decided?
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Yeah I agree... not to repeat myself or anything, but in my opinion Atlanta is cheaper. Of course this all depends on where you are looking... I'm sure there are studio apartments in Bradenton that are cheaper than the larger and/or "upgraded" one bedrooms in Atlanta... but in general Atlanta is a lot cheaper for the average student than most cities in Florida (I feel like Bradenton is getting more expensive because it's growing and becoming more popular). I just reserved an pretty affordable one bedroom right next to Mercer and it was the largest one available. I also have family in the Bradenton area, so I was thinking about applying to LECOM, and I couldn't find anything comparable to what I found in GA... but it was definately not that much more expensive, especially compared to most places in southern/central FL.
 
So far these posts haven't helped me much as everyone seems to have different information (accreditation, tuition, etc). The biggest thing is everyone seems to talk about lecom-erie. While I assume they are similar in a lot of ways, they are different in the 4-year program and the location. That thread someone sent was all about lecom erie and how much that city sucked, lol. Basically, I want to learn everything I can about bradenton from people that know. I wish I knew some current students there but I don't.
My situation is that I am waitlisted at bradenton but I am fairly confident I will get in eventually. I am from an area about 1.5 hours from there which is a plus of course as I've been living 6 hours away in my undergrad. But, at the same time I wonder if maybe suwanee/atlanta might be the better option (start completely fresh and new). SO, I want to get all of the information about the actual schools as possible (mainly lecom since pcom is so new, though any info possible on pcom will be appreciated)

LECOM (obvious) pros:
-tuition
-location (for me)
-accreditation
-facilities (i liked both lecom and pcom)
LECOM cons:
-dress code/rules (no water in classrooms..?)
-it's association with erie (how similar are the programs?)
-students and staff don't seem as friendly..with each other even.
-large class size (well larger than pcom will be)
-while the building is nice there, pcom seemed more alive and had a gym which is a +

Basically, I want to hear all of the praises of both programs and the dirt. If possible I want to know about the classes/faculty and the actual educational aspects mostly. I just want to figure out where I'll fit in best (educationally) and I don't think the interviews were enough. Thanks for any help... 😀
 
Brunetteb89 said:
So far these posts haven't helped me much as everyone seems to have different information (accreditation, tuition, etc). The biggest thing is everyone seems to talk about lecom-erie. While I assume they are similar in a lot of ways, they are different in the 4-year program and the location. That thread someone sent was all about lecom erie and how much that city sucked, lol. Basically, I want to learn everything I can about bradenton from people that know. I wish I knew some current students there but I don't.
My situation is that I am waitlisted at bradenton but I am fairly confident I will get in eventually. I am from an area about 1.5 hours from there which is a plus of course as I've been living 6 hours away in my undergrad. But, at the same time I wonder if maybe suwanee/atlanta might be the better option (start completely fresh and new). SO, I want to get all of the information about the actual schools as possible (mainly lecom since pcom is so new, though any info possible on pcom will be appreciated)

LECOM (obvious) pros:
-tuition
-location (for me)
-accreditation
-facilities (i liked both lecom and pcom)
LECOM cons:
-dress code/rules (no water in classrooms..?)
-it's association with erie (how similar are the programs?)
-students and staff don't seem as friendly..with each other even.
-large class size (well larger than pcom will be)
-while the building is nice there, pcom seemed more alive and had a gym which is a +

Basically, I want to hear all of the praises of both programs and the dirt. If possible I want to know about the classes/faculty and the actual educational aspects mostly. I just want to figure out where I'll fit in best (educationally) and I don't think the interviews were enough. Thanks for any help... 😀
Click to expand...

I have a good friend from high school who will be a P3 at LECOM-B in August... I can give you her facebook link if you want and you can message her. You can just tell her you know me or something. lol If you're really desperate for info that's what I would suggest if you feel comfortable with that (messaging random people).

I'm not much help besides that... 🙁

delano2000 said:
I wonder if schools actually check these forums on a regular basis.
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Someone at UCSF said their admissions person reads the forum, and I'm pretty sure other faculty at random schools might do the same. Just guessing though.
 
delano2000 said:
Maybe I shouldn't use my picture as my avatar lol.
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LOL I wouldn't worry about it unless you're saying really bad stuff or something. 😛

Seriously though, as long as it's not an easily recognizable picture I wouldn't even be concerned... I'm weird about putting pictures of people on a public forum myself, so when I did have my own picture it was too small to even see.
 
Tinkerbell22 said:
LOL I wouldn't worry about it unless you're saying really bad stuff or something. 😛

Seriously though, as long as it's not an easily recognizable picture I wouldn't even be concerned... I'm weird about putting pictures of people on a public forum myself, so when I did have my own picture it was too small to even see.
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So that big football player is not you? 😀
 
I am a third year student at Lecom-Bradenton. I can say, like every school we have our pros and cons, but overall the program is very intense and somewhat difficult. The one thing I will tell you is that Lecom-Bradenton is fully accredited through Erie, but the programs are very different from each other. I also agree with what some of the people have been saying when it comes to be part of a new program. If your option comes down to going to a school that has been established as opposed to one that has none gone through the kinks, I suggest you go to the established program. Speaking from experience, sometimes it really sucks being a lab rat for the program. My class has been so much better off than the class of 2011 just because we don't go into things blindly. We are much better prepared and we are also much better students overall. Although, some say that this is a minor con of a new program, trust me, it is a drastic effect on you preparation and education. I feel like the comparison between the first class and my class is like night and day. Everything that has gone wrong with their class has been fixed by the time it get to us. Even when it comes to grades. Even the rotations for the fourth year have not been great for the 4th years now, and already our rotations blocks have been opening up much more than the current class. Good luck to you all and put you best foot forward. I always think that you should go with the school that makes you feel more comfortable. If PCOM is the only school that accepts you, than i suggest you attend that school, but If LECOM takes you, I think you should really consider what i said.
 
drhenPharmD said:
GA-PCOM or LECOM Bradenton?

I would love some help developing a pros and cons list from people who have experience choosing between schools.

As far as I know the major factors (in no particular order) are:

faculty

rotations

tuition

accreditation
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So what was your decision? (Maybe PM me if that'd be a better way to explain 🙂 )

I had decided to just forget about LECOM-B and go to PCOM, but LECOM-B finally accepted me today.
 
Tinkerbell22 said:
Okay I was so confused... how did LECOM and UF receive automatic accreditation then?

OP, I take back everything I said... go to LECOM... I'd never advise to go to a pre-candidate school, but that's just my personal issue. lol
Click to expand...


LECOM Bradenton received Full accreditation because its main campus in Erie has a pharmacy program that is already fully accredited. PCOM in Philadelphia does not have a pharmacy program, so that is why their pharmacy school in Georgia has pre-candidate status, and not full accreditation.
 
sRX said:
So what was your decision? (Maybe PM me if that'd be a better way to explain 🙂 )

I had decided to just forget about LECOM-B and go to PCOM, but LECOM-B finally accepted me today.
Click to expand...

Did you get in today? I'm still waiting last I heard was on Thursday and Jackie said I was #5 on the list hopefully I get my call this week
 
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