Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine

OutlineBrief History of Osteopathic MedicineWhat is a D.O.?Life at PCOMAdmission ProcessClass ProfilesHow to be a more competitive applicant Biomedical Science ProgramOther Programs Tuition and Financial AidQ and A

Andrew Taylor Still (1828-1917)

• Father of Osteopathic Medicine

• Dr. Still was dissatisfied with Medicine of the 19th Century.

• Started Osteopathic Medicine in Kirksville, Missouri in 1874.

• He founded Kirksville College of Osteopathic Medicine in 1892, which is now A.T. Still University.

Andrew Taylor Still (1828 -1917)

• Dr. Still developed a philosophy that focuses on the unity of all body parts.

• He recognized the body’s ability to heal itself and stressed preventive medicine.

• He identified the musculoskeletal system as the key element of health.

What is Osteopathic Medicine?

• Focuses on examining and treating the whole person not just the symptoms.

• Focuses on preventative maintenance.• Uses manipulation (OMM/OMT) as a

modality of treatment.• Training as a generalist first and a

specialist second.

Osteopathic vs. Allopathic

• Similarities• Application process• Four year program• National boards• State licensing boards• Unlimited rights to practice all phases of medicine (including

writing prescriptions)

• Distinctions• Philosophy (holistic/preventive care)• Emphasis on musculoskeletal system• Generalist education/Primary care(Family practice,

OB/GYN, Pediatrics, General Internal Medicine)

PCOM’s Location• Located in

Philadelphia • On the boarder

between Philadelphia and Montgomery Counties

• Urban School with a suburban feel

• Close to Manayunk, Center City District, Museums, and Fairmont Park

Life at PCOM• 1st and 2nd years

• “Doctors from Day One”• Integrated Curriculum

• Primary care skills integrated with basic and clinical biomedical sciences and Osteopathic Manipulative Medicine (OMM).

• Systems-Based Curriculum• Uses a variety of methods to present this

information: • Lectures, laboratory study, small group

conferences, student-centered study and projects, problem-oriented cases, and selected symposia.

Life at PCOM• Opportunities for research,

community service, and campus involvement• Sigma XI Scientific Research Society • Center for Chronic Disorders of Aging

• Clubs and interest groups on campus:• Rugby, PCOM East, Surgery Club,

Pediatric Club, etc.

Standardized Patient and STAN

• Robotic Simulation• Stan (Top Right)• Noel and Hal (Bottom

Right)

• Can simulate a variety of Different Medical Conditions

• Practice Emergency Care in a risk free environment

Life at PCOM• 3rd and 4th Years

• Series of clerkships• Urban (required)• Rural (required)• International

(elective)

After Graduation • 2011 Graduates have

gone into all the major specialties for residency but a majority go into a primary care role.

• Examples of locations:• Walter Reed Medical Center• Pennsylvania Hospital • Temple University Hospital • Thomas Jefferson University

Hospital • Drexel Hanemann

University• PCOM – Mednet Consortium

Admission Process• Apply Through Centralized Application Service-

AACOMAS• https://aacomas.aacom.org/

• Supplemental Application • Premedical Committee/Advisor Letter• Personal Statement• Additional supporting letters of recommendation

(faculty, PhD’s, MD’s, etc.)• D.O. Letter (strongly recommended)• Admissions Committee Interview

2011 Class Profile• 4,531 applicants in the pool • 684 were invited to interview• 597 were interviewed• 401 were accepted• 268 matriculated in Class of 2015

2011 Class Profile (cont’d)

• Overall GPA: 3.47• Science GPA: 3.37• Non-Science GPA: 3.57• MCAT Scores: Average of at least 8 per section• 49% male, 51% female• 66.4% Pennsylvania residents

• 178 PA Residents• 90 Other States in the US

2011 Class Profile (Georgia Campus)

• 1,856 applicants in the pool • 462 were invited to interview• 315 were interviewed• 256 were accepted• 135 matriculated in Class of 2015

2011 Class Profile (Georgia Campus)

cont’d• Overall GPA: 3.36• Science GPA: 3.24• Non-Science GPA: 3.48• MCAT Scores: 25• 61% male, 39% female• 39% Georgia residents

• 53 GA Residents• 82 Other States in the US

How can I be a more competitive applicant?

• Apply early in application cycle (Rolling Admission)• Share experiences with premed advisor• Recommended coursework

• Biochemistry• Immunology• Anatomy & Physiology• Microbiology

• If possible, take a preparatory class for the MCAT• Shadow a DO• Volunteer• Post Baccalaureate or Graduate Program

Biomedical Science Program

• Program offered at both campuses• Two Year Master’s Degree Program • First Year

• Coursework similar to 1st year medical student.• Molecular Basis of Medicine, Infectious Process,

Anatomy, Physiology, Histology, Pharmacology, Neuroscience

• Second Year• Several Tracks

• Thesis, Non-Thesis, Forensic Biology, • Organizational Leadership in the Bioscience

2011 Class Profile-Biomedical Science

• 414 Applicants • 146 Accepted • 79 Matriculated

• Average GPA: 3.28

• Average MCAT: 22• (At least 7 on each

section)• Average GRE:

1034• Verbal: 430• Quantitative: 604• Writing: 3.93

Dual Degree Programs• D.O./ PhD Biomedical Research (PCOM and

University of the Sciences)• D.O./Masters of Business Administration (with St.

Joseph’s University)• D.O./Masters of Public Health (with Temple

University)• D.O./PhD in Health Policy (with the University of the

Sciences)• D.O./Masters of Science in Forensic Medicine

(PCOM Graduate Program)• D.O./Masters of Science in Organizational

Development and Leadership (PCOM Graduate Program)

Other Degree Programs• Physician Assistant Studies (MS)• Forensic Medicine (Pathway, MS)• School Psychology (MS, EdS, PsyD)• Counseling and Clinical Health

Psychology (MS)• Clinical Psychology (PsyD, CAGS, post-

doc)• Organizational Development and

Leadership (MS) (Philadelphia and Georgia Campus)

• Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD) (Georgia Campus)

Tuition and Fees• 2011-2012 Tuition and Fees per

year • DO program = $40, 812• Biomedical Science = $21,779

(certificate)• Does not include room and board or

other expenses.• Will vary depending on living situation

Financial Aid• Several Sources of Aid

• Loans (Public and Private)• Need-based grants • Merit-based scholarships

• Apply through FAFSA and internal application

• Questions?• Contact Office of Financial Aid • 215-871-6170

Suggested Reading• Gallagher, R. Michael and Humphrey II, Frederick ‑

Osteopathic Medicine ‑ A Reformation in Progress

• Gevitz, Norman ‑ The DO's: Osteopathic Medicine in America

• Northrup, George -Osteopathic Medicine – An American

Reformation • Walter, Georgia Warrener -

Osteopathic Medicine: Past and Present

Websites• American Association of Colleges of Osteopathic

Medicinehttp://www.aacom.org

• American Association of Colleges of Osteopathic Medicine Application Service (aacomas)

https://aacomas.aacom.org • American Osteopathic Association

http://www.osteopathic.org• MCAT

http://www.aamc.org/students/mcat/start.htm

Upcoming Events• DO Open House – Friday, April 13th

• 4pm – 8pm EST

• Graduate Programs Open House – Friday, April 20th • 6pm – 8pm EST

Connect with PCOM • Find us on the PCOM Facebook

and UTube pages.

PCOM Office of Admissions4170 City AvenuePhiladelphia, PA 19131Phone: 215-871-6700 • 800-999-6998Fax: 215-871-6719E-mail: admissions@pcom.eduwww.pcom.edu