Philadelphia College of
Osteopathic Medicine
Outline
Brief History of Osteopathic Medicine
What is a D.O.?
Life at PCOM
Admission Process
Class Profiles
How to be a more competitive applicant
Biomedical Science Program
Other Programs
Tuition and Financial Aid
Q 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
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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:
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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 ServiceAACOMAS
• https://aacomas.aacom.org/
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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
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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)
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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)
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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
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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
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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
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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
Medicine
http://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 Admissions
4170 City Avenue
Philadelphia, PA 19131
Phone: 215-871-6700 • 800-999-6998
Fax: 215-871-6719
E-mail: admissions@pcom.edu
www.pcom.edu