You need a pod letter of rec
Being under 2.75 might get auto reject from AZ, DMU or a few others. I had a 2.9 and got into all but AZ and DMU (I did do really well on the MCAT). I would say aim to be north of 25 on the MCAT (try for 27+ to further solidfy your prospects, PS getting 27+is not that hard if you truly study and keep track of what parts of the test you are good at and which not so good). Just apply early as possible (getting interviews in by Dec is usually early enough as several schools said the flood comes in around feb and mar). If you can afford it, then I would apply to all 9, if anything else though between Kent, Temple, Scholl, and NYCPM one of them you will get the acceptance as they take the big classes.Didnt find out about podiatry until recently. Watched youtube videos of a few procedures (ingrown toenails, partial amputation, apligraf, diabetic ulcers, draining gouty tophi out of lesions, etc) and became really interested in the field. Will start shadowing a pod to watch actual procedures beginning in January (really looking forward to it!)
upward trend after years of terrible GPAs, and ended up wih a 3.2 and 4.0 in my last 40 hrs/2 semesters taking all upper level sciences. Brought both science and cGPA from 2.5-2.8. Poor GPA was due to a toxic relationship all through college and being too immature to know when to end it. Will be taking the MCAT this August to apply in September. I plan to start studying using SN2ed's plan in May! I know i have a sub 3.0 GPA but is it possibe for me to get accepted into either AZPOD or DMU? if so, around what mcat score will I need?I really like those schools so far because they have the same exact curriculum as the med school students. If I can't get into those 2, what other schools would I have a chance at? Thanks in advance!
Edit: 2 semesters of research
Set up to start volunteering at a hospital this january
Being under 2.75 might get auto reject from AZ, DMU or a few others. I had a 2.9 and got into all but AZ and DMU (I did do really well on the MCAT). I would say aim to be north of 25 on the MCAT (try for 27+ to further solidfy your prospects, PS getting 27+is not that hard if you truly study and keep track of what parts of the test you are good at and which not so good). Just apply early as possible (getting interviews in by Dec is usually early enough as several schools said the flood comes in around feb and mar). If you can afford it, then I would apply to all 9, if anything else though between Kent, Temple, Scholl, and NYCPM one of them you will get the acceptance as they take the big classes.
Finally be prepared to explain the GPA without sounding like damaged goods. My GPA came up in interviews and I am sure yours as well. What happened is in the past, but just be aware it will probably be asked.
thank you so much! Maybe i should just say i was immature and leave it at that? Definitely don't want to seem like damaged goods lol
I wouldn't leave the end of the question as "I was immature." I think perhaps when you get the question (which you definitely will), you might want to take an opportunity to re-emphasize your strengths in coming back with a strong upward trend.
A lot of pod students have been in your shoes before (ie Rushrhees and myself). I wouldn't automatically run away from DMU. During my year, I applied with a sub 2.8 cGPA (medical issues), but I went back and did a postbac (4.0) and did pretty well on my MCAT. I interviewed in March and even got a decent scholarship. Don't count yourself out. I know it's corny, but schools like to see growth over adversity.
I don't know if anyone suggested this, but plan your interviews in a way that perhaps you already have an acceptance under your belt? Some school interviews (like DMU) kind of put you on the spot by asking moral/ethical questions to you. If it were your first interview, you might be a nervous wreck (like I was).
While I admit that was a factor for me, I would not reccommend saying that as it belittles yourself and minimizes a redflag that your interviewer wants to be addressed. I basically stated my time mgmt and prioritization skills were not up to par, but my postbacc and MCAT scores while having a successful first career shows I overcame that. The low grades is not a deal breaker, but do not pretend it is not on your transcript or think the interviewer will just overlook that. Think of some reason to show why the grades were not but, but more importantly think of why it is something you overcome. I would recommend practicing a good response to that question as it will come up.thank you so much! Maybe i should just say i was immature and leave it at that? Definitely don't want to seem like damaged goods lol
I'm finishing my senior year at Oregon State University with a major in General Science, Pre-Podiatry, and a minor in Chemistry. I have a letter from 1 science teacher so far, working on the 2nd, and a letter from a podiatrist. Applying as soon as I can!! Hoping MCAT scores are decent enough, but kinda worried (I only had a month to study for it due to a heavy course load Fall 2013).
1. Schools you are applying to: AZPod, Kent, Western, and Samuel Merritt (not too keen on Merritt...)
2. cGPA/sGPA: 3.21 cGPA/3.25 sGPA
3. MCAT Score: Taking it on 1/23/14!! (practice scores were a 19 and 22, so kinda nervous)
4. Podiatry Experience: 20 hours with 5 different podiatrists (including a 7 hour surgery shadow, which was amazing)
5. Non-Podiatry Shadowing/Clinical Experience (If Applicable): None
6. Volunteering: 2+ years working with a Science Outreach program for kids, 9 months volunteering at the hospital (coffee cart to patients rooms)
I have a feeling that it is really late in the application year and the April 1st deadline is really for exceptional students/scores. I'm VERY excited about a career in podiatry, but I realize I'm pretty average and the application year is closing soon... I really would like to apply this year and see what happens though. Do I have a shot this year? Or does the next application year look more promising for me? I DO have a plan if I don't get in this year, I'm just anxious...
3.38 cumulative GPA, 3.91 Science GPA, 23 MCAT score, lor from two science professors as well as a lor from my school's premed committee, no lor from podiatrist (nor any podiatry shadowing). Do I have a chance without a lor from a DPM? Thanks
Hello Everybody
I am a senior this year in undergrad planning on applying to DO schools and Pod schools next year (want to do orthopedics, sports med with and foot and ankle stuff) and was wanting to know my chances at getting into a Pod school somewhere
GPA: 3.4c, 3.0 science.
Mcat: Haven't taken it yet. I suspect a score around a 26 or so. What should I score on it to be "in the running"?
ECs: Very good, lots of clinical experiences. Even a pending publication!
Where should I apply and what schools are the better ones to apply to?
You can't possibly be serious? Go get a pod LOR. How do you know that you want to be a podiatrist without having shadowed? Cold call a local podiatrist, shadow a few times, ask for LOR, profit. End of discussion.
For DO schools, your science GPA is low. You will need to kill the MCAT (27+) and apply broadly in order to matriculate.
One thing to keep in mind is that AACOMAS (DO) does grade replacement. So if your sgpa is low due to low grades in a few courses, you could retake those courses and really improve your sgpa by completely eliminating your prior low grades.
Although AACPMAS (DPM) does not do grade replacement, your cgpa is Great, your sgpa is good. Score a 22+ on the MCAT and you will get accepted practically everywhere. Score a 25+ and you will received some scholarships. The higher you score on it, the greater your scholarships will be.
So, I took the MCAT yesterday morning and I'm in the "WHY WON'T THEY JUST GIVE ME THE SCORE??!" phase of waiting. I have a true dilemma: in all honesty, I have absolutely NO idea how I did on it and I have to start thinking about if I'm signing up to retake it in either March or April. I REALLY want to submit my application by the April 1st deadline--also, is that truly the priority deadline, or am I mistaken and it is JUST June 30th?--but I'm uncertain what to do regarding my scores.
I suppose I could wait until I receive my score (around Feb. 25th), sign up accordingly for the MCAT and list on my application that I'm planning on taking it...but I'm at a loss.
In general:
1. How important is the April 1st deadline compared to the June 30th?
2. Do schools view you application without your MCAT or do they wait until they receive it (and other documents)?
3. Is it a bad idea to send my application without knowing my score on this test?
4. Is it a good idea to wait for my score (Feb. 25th) to schedule another test if necessary? OR should I be thinking about scheduling the test now?
5. Advice???
I know most everyone goes through this, but I'd appreciate some insight if you have any... Thank in advance.
I'm in the same boat. Just took the MCAT today and have no clue how I did. My practice scores have not been very high (19-21). I was going to submit my app soon after I take the exam, but now I'm not so sure. My sGPA/cGPA: 3.66/3.6. Schools I'm planning on applying to: DMU, Western, and CSPM.
I think I'm still gonna apply and just hope that my GPA will stand out. I'm not so sure if I want to retake that beast again...
So this is another cliche "what are my chances thread?" . I have yet to take my MCAT so I fully realize that any advice would only be half hearted.
My predicament: I am already accepted into a CLS program for this coming summer (Clinical Lab Science) at a local university, but I don't really want to be a Med Tech the rest of my life. I have worked in a lab for 2 years as an assistant.
My degree: Unified Science (GPA 3.9 something? in major) Science is 4.0. I have had all pre reqs except for biochemistry which I am taking next semester.
Other Stuff?: I have been involved in lots of charity stuff (organized MS walk 2 years). Led my social fraternity in scholarship chair. Reading with kids, sports, paintball, blah blah, lots of other stuff...
The thing that makes me nervous: I was also accepted into a RN program a couple of years ago which I completed a semester of (Pharmacology, pathophysiology, health assessment, and such). I switched out because I hated the profession (Mostly because it was care-based not diagnostic).
My question: What is your opinion? Does the lack of commitment to the RN program make me undesirable to the podiatry program? Would you go ahead and go into CLS even though it is a short-term job or post-pone and attempt to apply for podiatry for 2015?
I make enough to support myself in the lab and would love to shadow more podiatrists and take more classes like histology and virology, but if I don't get in (here comes the fear) to the podiatry school I have wasted a year in which I could be done with CLS school and making low 50's a year while I try again.
I work very closely with MD's and shadowed MD's and DO's and I realize I DO NOT want to be one (Long hours, etc..) I really enjoyed podiatry medicine but am also concerned with job aspects and residency after school.
Thanks for reading my book and thank you for helping future podiatrists whom once held your doubts and fears of the future!
So this is another cliche "what are my chances thread?" . I have yet to take my MCAT so I fully realize that any advice would only be half hearted.
My predicament: I am already accepted into a CLS program for this coming summer (Clinical Lab Science) at a local university, but I don't really want to be a Med Tech the rest of my life. I have worked in a lab for 2 years as an assistant.
My degree: Unified Science (GPA 3.9 something? in major) Science is 4.0. I have had all pre reqs except for biochemistry which I am taking next semester.
Other Stuff?: I have been involved in lots of charity stuff (organized MS walk 2 years). Led my social fraternity in scholarship chair. Reading with kids, sports, paintball, blah blah, lots of other stuff...
The thing that makes me nervous: I was also accepted into a RN program a couple of years ago which I completed a semester of (Pharmacology, pathophysiology, health assessment, and such). I switched out because I hated the profession (Mostly because it was care-based not diagnostic).
My question: What is your opinion? Does the lack of commitment to the RN program make me undesirable to the podiatry program? Would you go ahead and go into CLS even though it is a short-term job or post-pone and attempt to apply for podiatry for 2015?
I make enough to support myself in the lab and would love to shadow more podiatrists and take more classes like histology and virology, but if I don't get in (here comes the fear) to the podiatry school I have wasted a year in which I could be done with CLS school and making low 50's a year while I try again.
I work very closely with MD's and shadowed MD's and DO's and I realize I DO NOT want to be one (Long hours, etc..) I really enjoyed podiatry medicine but am also concerned with job aspects and residency after school.
Thanks for reading my book and thank you for helping future podiatrists whom once held your doubts and fears of the future!
Everyone seemed to focus on my "Long Hours" statement (which was just something I typed in there without much thought). I don't consider 50-70 hours a week long hours, most people I know work this much, hell I work this much. In truth, there are many reasons why I would not go into MD or DO school, the least of which is the long hours, the main reason is that I simply not interested like POD.
I realize that some Pre-Pod student saying he would like to avoid "Long Hours" is completely ridiculous and I totally agree. It was beyond stupid for me to type something that I didn't mean. I work full time and go to school full time, I'm not afraid of long hours. I suppose I simply meant that at some point I would like to have a life outside of a hospital or clinic.
Thank you all for your responses.
BTW How much did you guys study for the MCAT?
Not sure if you'll need to retake chem 2 because of the C-. I would call and check. Do you have an MCAT or prospective MCAT score?Hey guys I applied with a 2.87 sgpa and 3.17 cgpa. The only low is my chem 2 class which I got a C- in. What are my chances ?
Hey guys I applied with a 2.87 sgpa and 3.17 cgpa. The only low is my chem 2 class which I got a C- in. What are my chances ?
Not sure if you'll need to retake chem 2 because of the C-. I would call and check. Do you have an MCAT or prospective MCAT score?
I graduate in May with my bachelors degree. I a played lacrosse all 4 years and unfortunately my GPA suffered. It has improved but, it's still on the low side. I took the MCAT without a prep course. I submitted my podiatry app last week. I know that I am a borderline applicant but, am hoping to get to the interview stage. What do you guys think?
1. Applying to all 9 schools
2. c3.0/s2.85
3. MCAT 20
4. Over 100 hours shadowing 2 different Podiatrists
5. 2 years working part time as EMT
6. More than 500 hours volunteering with habitat and hospice
7. Very strong letters of rec - 2 from Pods and 2 from profs.
If you are applying to all 9 schools then you haven't done your homework. The schools are all very different and are located across the country in different regions with different weather, different culture and people, different neighborhoods/lifestyles and different costs of living. I'm very skeptical of anyone who says they have no preference between living in New York City, a suburb of Des Moines, and California.
Do the math classes count for the science gpa as well?
What are my chances of acceptance? Scholarships?
1. Still deciding on schools....
2. overall GPA 3.48, sci is about ~3.3
3. MCAT Score: practice test have been ~23
4. Podiatry Experience: Multiple surgical and clinic days with podiatrist.
5. Shadowed trauma, ER, radiology, GI, ICU, and general surgeons
6. Volunteering: Pediatric oncology
7. Research: work at major research medical school in a lab full time