Geisinger Commonwealth School of Medicine
About
Geisinger Commonwealth School of Medical Sciences was founded by innovative community’s creative initiatives, who envisioned what a community-based medical school will offer to the nation and tried to make it a success. Their objective was to offer the people of northeast and central Pennsylvania with more doctors and better health facilities. Geisinger Commonwealth foundations started with the foundational Seven in 2004. This team was constituent of area doctors. The Northeastern Pennsylvania joint venture for Medical Education Development was formed by 2005. The partnership comprised members from industry, health, culture, and parliament. Blue Cross of Northeastern Pennsylvania, after raising revenues from channels including the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. The Commonwealth Medical College (TCMC) was established in 2008 and in August 2009 accepted the first-ever batch of Medical Doctor graduates and Master of Biomedical Sciences (MBS) graduates. TCMC launched its 185,000-square-foot Medical Sciences department building in April 2011.Mission
The Geisinger Commonwealth School of Medicine enlightens ambitious doctors and researchers to help humanity using a community-oriented, patient-oriented, multidisciplinary, and evidence-based teaching system that is dedicated to integration, encourages development, and uses modern strategies.Values
At Geisinger Commonwealth School of Medicine (GCSOM), the university upholds the values of being kind, being exemplary, ensuring safety, imparting and gaining knowledge and creativity that Geisinger holds. GCSOM has always maintained the following principles since its founding:Integrity:
Function as a public trust endorsed and developed by northeastern Pennsylvanian citizens. University will carry forward the work with integrity and moral stewardship of the resources.Respect:
The coworkers, the students, and the societies are respected. University views other people and their thoughts in a way that transmits respect as the differences are addressed. By demonstrating this conduct, Geisinger University teaches the students to support their patients, other partners of the medical team, and their coworkers.Compassionate:
Compassion characterizes a great doctor; it is at the very core of everything done by humans at Geisinger. The university seeks out mentors for students and teachers who have this attribute and tries to develop this through education, research, and other facilities.Collaboration:
The University values what people in the area will have to bring and realize that the collaboration enhances learning. Furthermore, the university will strive to strengthen alliances with academic and health-related programs that promote the mission to offer an interprofessional learning experience to the students and promote the public wellbeing of northeastern Pennsylvanian citizens. University will contribute to what everyone will learn.Discovery and Scholarship:
What distinguishes educational medicine is the invention and scholarship. University will urge students and professors to continue to try and promote information development to enhance the human experience.Student Friendly:
University is devoted to providing an outstanding educational environment for the students. It will look for input from students on enhancing the learning methods and education from their feedback. The university will deliver academic services in a way that honors participants, encourages their aspirations to be successful physicians and researchers, and offers a high standard learning opportunity. Students will be educational collaborators. A balance between the educational and private life of students will be promoted.Community Health:
University is devoted to taking a toll on enhancing the population’s health condition, and making an impact. University will engage students, faculty, and staff in the development of community health programs and recognition and collaborate with other projects that aim for the same purpose.Social Responsibility:
The students, faculty, and staff form a community, area, country, and global society. The university will inspire everyone to connect with their local communities, commit to the best care provision, and be engaged citizens to improve the lives of people. The educational focus will stress on excellent service to the community.Best Practice:
Not only will the university teach the students that medicine is ideal if it is endorsed by reasonable scientific proof but will also answer questions to staff and society doctors that will allow them to alter their strategy as research indicates by providing access to information and knowledge and ongoing medical data.Quality:
Strive to create a high-quality educational environment: performance in healthcare delivery, and quality in the research and service initiatives. Furthermore, the university wants to prepare the students to understand the process of improving quality in medical practice.Communication:
University plans to inculcate a comprehension in the students that effective communication is a big part of being an excellent doctor. Everyone will make efforts to develop communication skills in students. University also takes note that many people around the community are helping the school and working not only to promote success but also to respond to their concerns and expectations from school.Admission to Geisinger Commonwealth School of Medicine
Admission Requirements
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- The student must complete the following premedical course requirements in good standing:
- General biology with laboratory (1 year/2 semester)
- General inorganic chemistry with laboratory (1 year/2 semester)
- Organic chemistry with laboratory (1 year/2 semester)
- General physics with laboratory (1 year/2 semester)
- English and English composition (1 semester)
- Online coursework will not be accepted.
- The candidate must be a US citizen or a permanent resident for taking admission in Geisinger University School of Medicine.
- Before matriculation, the candidate must possess a degree from an accredited American or Canadian College.
- The candidate is required to complete all necessary criminal record checks and go through drug screenings. If a candidate is admitted into Geisinger Commonwealth, Certiphi Screening, Inc. may notify the candidate by email regarding the procedure of criminal background testing.
- The candidate must be present in the student orientation program.
- The candidate must notify the Admissions Office at Geisinger Commonwealth if there were any legal or disciplinary measures taken against the applicant from the time the application is sent to AMCAS and matriculation at Geisinger Commonwealth.
Application Process
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- Fill an application via the American Medical College Application Service, the United States national application, website. Schedules for MD.
- Completion of the AMCAS application requires a payment for the application and all relevant information as needed.
- Geisinger Commonwealth will consider only authenticated AMCAS applications (it will not evaluate inaccurate applications).
- Send out letters of recommendation through the AMCAS letter service.
- All candidates are instructed to send one professional / pre-health / group letter or three letters of assessment/recommendation by faculty members that are acquainted with the individual’s career aspirations and educational coursework.
- The panel of the admission committee will accept supplementary letters that demonstrate and endorse aspects not mentioned previously in the candidate’s current profile and are sent through the AMCAS Letter Program.
- For non-traditional students, the panel will consider recommendation letters presented by persons who are familiar with the abilities, work ethics, and potential of the applicant.
- All candidates confirmed by AMCAS will obtain a secondary application automatically.
- The entry fee is $100.
Application Timeline
June
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- AMCAS application opens.
August
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- Early Decision Program applicants must submit all documents by Aug. 1 for consideration.
- Interview invitations sent.
September
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- MD interviews begin.
October
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- Early Decision Program applicants are notified.
- Regular decision applicants are notified.
November
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- Last month to take the MCAT exams for consideration in the application cycle.
December
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- The deadline to submit the completed AMCAS application is Dec. 15.
January
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- Geisinger Commonwealth Secondary Application deadline is 11:59 p.m. on Jan. 15.
February
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- MD interviews conclude.
March
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- The pre-matriculation portal made available to admitted students.
- Accepted Students Day
April
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- Deadline for accepted students to hold at multiple schools
- Notifications for regular decision applicants and update on deferred status
May
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- Geisinger Commonwealth will consult its alternate list as needed. Students can be called from this list up until the first day of orientation.
June
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- Accepted students should complete their pre-matriculation requirements.
July
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- The deadline to submit all pre-matriculation materials is July 1.
August
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- Orientation and classes begin.
Interview
Candidates are informed after an analysis of the application documents if they have been called for an interview for the MD program. All meetings are in-person with a college professor of the Geisinger Commonwealth and an existing interactional medical student. The interview about admissions is a vital part of the process. It gives the panel of admission committee a detailed knowledge into who you are as an applicant and gives the applicant a detailed look at the revolutionary course of the Geisinger Commonwealth School of Medicine and its society and as well as nearby areas. Eligible candidates will receive a confirmation email for an invitation to interview at Geisinger Commonwealth after examination by the admissions committee. The board will evaluate based on the educational competitive strength of the candidates, as well as their integration with the purpose and objectives of Geisinger Commonwealth.Geisinger Commonwealth School of Medicine Clubs and Organizations
The Geisinger Commonwealth School of Medicine realizes how the student clubs and organizations contribute to enhance the standard of university life and society at the college. Clubs and organizations give students the chance to perform well in academic, cultural, social, and recreational activities in line with the creation of the awareness, abilities, beliefs, and traditions anticipated from healing. There are already several existing clubs; however, the Student Affairs Office is still involved in addressing the needs of students and is working in partnership with the Medical Student Council, the governing body, to encourage ideas for forming new clubs. Student Club activities and operations are regarded as college operations, and must consequently:- Be listed with the committee for Medical Students and authorized by the academic advising office.
- Operate properly in keeping with Geisinger Commonwealth principles, heritage, and objective.
- Cooperate with school rules and practices.
- Available to all students admitted to Geisinger Commonwealth.
- Complete one project per academic year.
Club Resources
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- Policy for recognition of student organizations
- Student Event/Meeting Request Form
- Event/fundraising approval form
- MSC organization funding guidelines
- MSC Semester Funding Request Form A
- MSC Reimbursement SA Accounts Payable Form B
- MSC Funding Modification Form C
- Recruiting & retaining members
- Group standards & management
- Planning & running meetings
Clubs and Organizations
Awards/honor society-related clubs
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- Alpha Omega Alpha Honor Medical Society (AOA)
- Gold Humanism Honor Society (GHHS)
Cultural-related clubs
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- Asian Pacific American Medical Student Association
- Association of Multicultural Students in Medicine
- Jewish Medical Student Association
- Latino Medical Students Association (LMSA)
- South Asian Society
Religion/spiritual-related clubs
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- Christian Medical and Dental Association
Social-related clubs
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- American Sign Language Interest Group
- Business of Healthcare
- Cerebellas A Cappella: GCSOM Female A Cappella Group
- Clinical Skills Club
- Colleges Against Cancer
- Community Garden Club
- Cooking Club
- Dance Club
- FlatLine: GCSOM Male A Cappella Group
- French Club
- Future Doctors Current Events
- GC Anime Club
- GC Ultimate Club
- Global Health Society
- The Jennifer A. Sidari, MD ’13 Global Health Award
- Great Escapes Book Club
- Health Systems Science Organization
- I Think I Can: Arts and Crafts Club
- Institute for Healthcare Improvement
- Jazz Club
- Medical Spanish Club
- Medical Students for Choice (MSFC)
- Military Medicine Interest Group (MMIG)
- Physicians for Human Rights
- Pre-Medical Mentoring and Advising Program (PMAP)
- PRIDE: Physicians Representing Inclusivity, Diversity, and Equality
- REACH-HEI
- Rural & Remote Medicine Club
- Youth Homeless Outreach
Specialty medicine-related clubs
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- American Academy of Developmental Medicine and Dentistry (AADMD)
- American College of Medical Genetics
- American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) – GCSOM Student Chapter
- American Medical Association (AMA)
- American Medical Student Association (AMSA)
- American Medical Women’s Association (AMWA)
- Association of Women Surgeons
- Biomedical Research Club
- Cardiovascular and Pulmonary Medicine Interest Group (CVPIG)
- Dermatology Interest Group
- Emergency Medicine Interest Group
- Family Medicine Interest Group (FMIG)
- General Surgery Interest Group
- Internal Medicine Interest Group (IMIG)/American College Physicians – Geisinger Commonwealth Chapter
- Med-Peds Interest Group
- Neurosurgery/Neurology Interest Society
- Ophthalmology Interest Group
- Pediatric Outreach Group for Students (POGS)
- Plastic Surgery Interest Group
- Precision Medical Interest Group
- Preventive Medicine Interest Group
- Primary Care Progress – Geisinger Commonwealth Chapter
- Psychiatry Student Interest Group (PsychSIGN) – GCSOM Student Chapter
- Student Musculoskeletal Society (SMS)
- Women in Surgery Interest Group
Sports/wellness-related clubs
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- Aspiring Doctors on the Run
- Chess Club
- Fly Fishing Club
- Golf Club
- Ice Packs Ski and Snowboard Club
- Martial Arts and Self-Defense Club
- Ping Pong Society
- Soccer Club
- Tennis Club
- Volleyball Club
- Yoga Club
Student governments
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- Graduate Student Council
- Medical Student Council
Geisinger Commonwealth community medical society involvement
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- Lackawanna County Medical Society
- Luzerne County Medical Society
Geisinger Commonwealth committee involvement
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- Committee on Diversity and Inclusion
- Curriculum Action Committee Library Subcommittee
- Regional Advisory Committees
- Student Computing Group
Special committees
- Turkey Trot
Geisinger Commonwealth School of Medicine Campus Life
Housing Facilities
Geisinger School of Medicine does not offer accommodation to students. List of off-campus housing-
- 316 Taylor Apartments
- 317 Linden Apartments
- Applewood Acres
- ATR Properties
- Connell Building
- DFM Properties
- Flats at Jefferson
- The Herold Building
- Loft Apartments at the Mill
- Mulberry 426
- Parasole Property Management & Associates
- Renaissance at 500
- Summit Pointe
- Summit by the Lake
- Tall Trees
- Warehouse Lofts at Monsey Ave.
- Wilk Properties
- Cumberland Living
- Gateway Apartments
- Green Acres
- East Mountain Apartments
- Mayflower Crossing Apartments
- Provincial Tower
- Wilkeswood
- Park Lane at Garden State Park
- Central Campus
- Betsy Deal
- Jodi Foulke
- Center Square Towers
- Sheena Hess
- Font Hill
- Regency Woods Townhomes
- Metropolitan Doylestown
Service Opportunities
Northeast and central Pennsylvania is connected to numerous non-profit organizations that help society by promoting health and well-being. During the year, most nonprofit organizations invite students for different plans and initiatives. The following is a short number of institutions in the local communities that will embrace participants studying at Geisinger Commonwealth.- American Cancer Society – Wilkes-Barre
- Better Tomorrows at Village Park Apartments
- Boy Scouts of America
- Boys and Girls Club of NEPA
- Camp Victory
- Care and Concern Clinic
- Friends of the Poor
- Geisinger Community Medical Center (hospital elder life program)
- Geisinger Wyoming Valley Medical Center (cuddling infants)
- Gino J. Merli Veteran’s Center
- Habitat for Humanity
- Jewish Community Center
- Lackawanna Blind Association
- Lackawanna County Children’s Library
- Lackawanna County Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA)
- Meals on Wheels of NEPA
- NeighborWorks NEPA
- St. Vincent de Paul Soup Kitchen
- United Neighborhood Centers of NEPA
- Women’s Resource Center
