So there are 4 and 5 year podiatry programs out there. I was just wondering how residency directors compare a student with a 3.0 GPA in a 4 year program VS 4.0 GPA in a 5 year program? Obviously based on the number of classes you take per semester, it is more feasible to achieve a better grade if you can take the basic science courses over a span of 3 years instead of 2 years. Can anyone chime in?
4 vs 5 year program
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5 year programs at podiatry schools means that the student had academic problems in their 1st or 2nd year and are on academic probation during the 3rd and 4th year. So, a 4.0 GPA in a 5 year academic probation progam in podiatry school would indicate to a residency director a sign of academic progress. A 4.0 GPA in a 4 year standard program would tell the residency director that the student is simply an overachieving smart student. In both cases, a positive attribute along with positive traits during the 4th year externship at the residency program.
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Sorry, gotta take exception with this part. It is not overachieving. It is doing what is expected of you. This does not mean those whom do not have a 4.0 are under-achieving though (myself included). We are dealing with medicine here, and peoples lives. This is important stuff. We should all put in the EFFORT necessary to get a 4.0. We should all strive for perfection. We may not succeed at this, but in the process we have done our best to learn as much as possible to be as knowledgeable as possible to benefit our future patients.
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5 year programs are for students who are struggling academically, so I don't think there has ever been a 5 year student with a 4.0. Having good grades is an important part of getting the residency you are interested in, but not everything. Personality match is a big part during the externship time you spend at the program your 4th year. I know many high GPA people who are not great with patients and they will struggle getting the residencies they want.
I would focus your academic goals more on setting a certain amount of time to study for each subject or a goal to get through a certain amount of material. The grades will reflect your dedication to setting study goals. Don't stress over GPA, you will drive yourself nuts and act too competitively with others. Put the time in and the grades will reflect that.
We all are trying to be better doctors and that requires a well balanced life. Not all academics.
I would focus your academic goals more on setting a certain amount of time to study for each subject or a goal to get through a certain amount of material. The grades will reflect your dedication to setting study goals. Don't stress over GPA, you will drive yourself nuts and act too competitively with others. Put the time in and the grades will reflect that.
We all are trying to be better doctors and that requires a well balanced life. Not all academics.
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Unless things have changed dramatically in the last 10 years, there are no 5 year programs. Some student take 5 years, as one year is typically some sort of remediation or in some very special circumstances, students have to take a year off for personal reasons. Otherwise the curriculum is intended to be completed in 4 years. This "extra" year is at the discretion of the powers that be at each individual school and one a case by case basis. Has this changed? Do students now have a choice on whether to complete in 4 vs. 5 years?
Thanks, i was just curious b/c I have a few buddies who are on the 5 year track and I was just wondering how this is viewed. I believe ocpm and barry have 5 year programs and NYPOD has a 4 1/2 year program with their january start date.
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A few?? Hmmmm...I'm speechless.
Once again, they ALL have the discretion to allow a student extra time to complete the curriculum on a case by case basis. None of the schools will "allow" you to matriculate and you to demand they let you take the course load in 5 years.
We had a student in our class who was doing the first year for the third time. Then he transferred to another School and never did complete his course work. That's an expensive way to figure out medicine is not for you. You do realise that you still have to pay another year of tuition, room and board, and depending on who you borrow money from, they may not have the "5th" year in account? Financial ruin to accomplish a goal, even one as altruistic as becoming a doctor, is rarely a wise choice.
Think about it...
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There is not really an advantage for being in the 5 year program. At Barry, you have to be on academic probation to go into the 5th year program. When I interviewed at Ohio, the dean wanted me to start in the 5 year program because my wife was going to have our 2nd child the first week of school. She thought my marriage couldn't handle all of that. Well, she was wrong and I am in my 3rd year and passed the boards. Whatever.
Not sure about the other schools. It is a case by case basis.
Not sure about the other schools. It is a case by case basis.
I have deep respect for podiatry students like you who are married and being a full time PROFESSIONAL SCHOOL student in a medical program, which is much more difficult and time consuming than undergraduate school. I have heard some married students get divorced in the middle of podiatry school, and I have heard some married students just quitting or getting kicked out despite a 5 year academic probation program. For the married podiatry students, and married medical students in general, who graduate as A/B students and start a residency, all I can say making it through is a testament that your marriage with your spouse is equipped with compatible core values. And I am sure you successful married ones can complete residency and still maintain a marriage. Otherwise, I dont see how any married couple could survive the rigors of medical school and subsequent residency and/or fellowship training.
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The 5yr option programs are designed as a safety net for people who fail classes on the regular 4yr program... or ppl who have family emergency, pregnancy, etc which causes them to put their education on hold.
There's absolutely no reason to start behind the 8 ball if you don't have to. On 5yr, you have no safety net... you fail, you're gone. Also, you are needlessly delaying residency, being an attending, etc. It goes without saying that your overall education costs and interest are higher in 5yr as well. Unless there's a real good reason or you have no choice, I'd definitely avoid it.
There's absolutely no reason to start behind the 8 ball if you don't have to. On 5yr, you have no safety net... you fail, you're gone. Also, you are needlessly delaying residency, being an attending, etc. It goes without saying that your overall education costs and interest are higher in 5yr as well. Unless there's a real good reason or you have no choice, I'd definitely avoid it.
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That is simply not true. I have known people who have been strung along so that the schools can continue to get their tuition money. Sad but true.
that is sad.....I have a friend at Temple who say this type of thing is going on right now....students fail classes and never get kicked out...students cheat and never get kicked out...they just keep retesting them.....very strange😱
