The word on PCOM

[nweb]

Any good things to say about the PCOM biomed program?

After looking around, it probably has the lowest admissions requirements...

Thank yous

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[EastCoaster78]

The PCOM biomed program is pretty good. I'm in the program now, so if you have any questions, let em fly...

 

[toxin]

well tell us more about you experiences, nad also what their acceptace rate to allo schools ...etc etc.....bring it on

 

[EastCoaster78]

Well?I?m sorry but I do not know the acceptance rate off hand for allo schools. I am sure that it is pretty good, since the program is well known and respected by the schools in the area. Ive heard from professors that most students who achieve a ?strong B? average are admitted to PCOM for the following academic year. Basically it?s a year to show that you have what it takes, and if you can prove that you can hack it, well, they give you a shot. PCOM seems to be a pretty tight knit school, so it is easy to make connections, get to know your profs. ect. what i mean by this, at least two of our course directors so far sit on the admissions committee, so it is easy to get your name out there...

 

[Airzonk]

Can you give us some idea on the courses you take. Do you take any with the current PCOM students. It seems this program prepares you for entrance to osteopathic programs. It does not seem really geared towards improving on a low undergraduate GPA, taking or retaking the MCAT, or any thing else needed for allopathic programs. It seems if you "prove" yourself in this program Osteopathic school will take you more seriously if you have borderline GPA, MCAT scores. Please tell me if this is incorrect. Also, how many students are in this program per year. I also see you can take a 1-year certificate track or another 2-year that leads to a non-thesis MS degree. Would the 2-year track be more geared to allothpathic entrance? Which program are you in? Ok enough questions for now but these are the things i think people are interested in when they ask about a program.

 

[naturalmd7]

Hi:

What does PCOM stand for?

 

[EastCoaster78]

Well as for curriculum...The program is graduate level so it wont improve upon a crappy undergrad GPA. Airzonk, I didnt mean to give the impression that the program only prepares students for osteo schools. Thats my focus, many of my classmates are interested into going to allo schools. sorry i didnt make that clear in my first post. No, we dont take classes with the DO class, they take classes during the day, Biomed classes are in the evening, whitch is kinda cool if you have a job. And there are no physics or chem. classes in the program. If you want to improve your mcat scores study harder for April or take kaplan. Ok back to curriculum...The school runs on a trimester system, so heres the classes were taking this year...

First Semester: Molecular Basis of Medicine, Infectious Process
Second Semester: Gross Anatomy, Histo.
Third Semester: Pharmacology, Neuro.

I hope this helps anyone who had any questions regarding the program, if not, just PM me.

Peace

 

[nweb]

Hey Eastcoaster-

What type of jobs do people you know in the program have to pass the daytime hours? Are there many good med-related jobs (similar to research specialist- my current job) right in Philly or do you have to branch out a bit. I have opportunities in Jersey, but would rather skip that drive everyday.

Let me know.

Thanks.

 

[EastCoaster78]

Hey nweb,
There are plenty of research oriented jobs available in the philadelphia area, as there are many large institutions and a lot of pretty big biotech indusfirms in the area. give it a search on careerbuilder.com

EC

 

[venus0206]

Hey guys,
Im currently finishing up my second year (thesis) of the Biomed program at PCOM. Other students in the same year as me are getting interviews from Drexel, Northwestern, U Chicago, Penn State, and other great allopathic schools so dont worry about that. Most of the students in the program are there to make up for their poor undergrad performance. true, The program does have low admission requirements, but its pretty hard to do well in the program since you are taking the same classes as first year medical students ( osteopathic or allopathic). I have found that the majority of people who stick around the second year are more allopath-oriented. If your goal is an Osteopathic school, all you need is the first year and your are basically guaranteed interviews at PCOM. Overall, I think the Biomed program is a decent one. PM if you have any questions.