Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine

1. Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine

2. 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

3. 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.

4. 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.

5. 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.

6. 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) Osteopathic vs. Allopathic

7. 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

8. 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.

9. 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.

10. 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

11. Life at PCOM • 3rd and 4th Years • Series of clerkships • Urban (required) • Rural (required) • International (elective)

12. 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

13. 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

14. 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

15. 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

16. 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

17. 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

18. 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

19. 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

20. 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

21. 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)

22. 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)

23. 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

24. 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

25. 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

26. 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

27. Upcoming Events • DO Open House – Friday, April 13th • 4pm – 8pm EST • Graduate Programs Open House – Friday, April 20th • 6pm – 8pm EST

28. Connect with PCOM • Find us on the PCOM Facebook and UTube pages.

29. 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