another what are my chances

[michk]

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Sorry everybody, but I would really appreciate HONEST and TRUTHFUL opinions about what my chances are for getting into different podiatry schools.
I am a second semester senior and I am taking a year off after graduating so I want to start applying fall 2008 to the fall 2009 matriculation.
As of now:
BCPM: 3.1
Cumulative GPA: 3.3
Have had a medical anthropological paper published.
Have shadowed two podiatrists.
Have strong LORs.
Have clinical and bench research experience
Very involved in extracurriculars and I have held several leadership positions
Serving in Americorps during my year off

I have not taken the MCAT yet but what score should I realistically aim for to have a great chance of acceptance? Also, does the personal statement have to reflect why I chose podiatry? Right now I have a great personal statement but it has nothing to do with podiatry. I know that i want to be a podiatrist, but my epiphany about that is not interesting. What do you suggest?

 

[165007]

3.1 is kind of low.

But your cum. gpa is 3.3 which is average according to some of the schools I have talked to.

With a 22+ MCAT, I think you can get quite a few interviews.

 

[meats]

i think you def need to mention why you want to go into pod in your essay...be creative...i think the admissions committees will like that...i told a story in mine and put in bits about my experiences, podiatry and etc...
i thnk you should be fine with your GPA, just get a 22+ on the MCAT for good pod schools like DMU or Scholl...i don't think you'll have any issues getting into barry and schools like such (no offense to their students)...but that's my opinion
GOOD LUCK! 👍

 

[Dr_Feelgood]

i think you def need to mention why you want to go into pod in your essay...be creative...i think the admissions committees will like that...i told a story in mine and put in bits about my experiences, podiatry and etc...
i thnk you should be fine with your GPA, just get a 22+ on the MCAT for good pod schools like DMU or Scholl...i don't think you'll have any issues getting into barry and schools like such (no offense to their students)...but that's my opinion
GOOD LUCK! 👍

The newest average at DMU is 23 (http://www.dmu.edu/cpms/admissions/profile/). So with a lower GPA I would shoot for a 25+.

 

[michk]

I don't know if this matters that much or at all, but I go to a very prestigious university that is extremely well known for its competitive pre-med track/sciences. Do you think that that will help balance out my lower science GPA?

ALso, right now my personal statement is about how my mom, who is a nurse, accidentally pricked herself with a needle after she administered a shot to a patient who was HIV positive. I am just talking about how that experience influenced my decision to get into medicine in the first place.

I don't know what to write about podiatry because I decided that I loved podiatry after talking to a bunch of different doctors who said many positive things about it and after shadowing two podiatrists and seeing how happy they are doing their job. I could just really see myself as a podiatrist too. I don't know how to describe that boring epiphany into my personal statement.

 

[meats]

oh man, what happened to your mom? did she end up being alright?
i think you can start with that, as it will show how you initially started thinking about medicine...but somehow link it into pod, in that, maybe when you researched various avenues in medicine, it was podiatry that intrigued your interest the most. also, it was appealing because of.....you know, whatever...that sounds good 🙂 start by telling that story and somehow end up at a pod's office...months/ years later??

Are you applying for Fall '08???

Also, I wouldn't mind reading over your essay, if you wanted help...you could just e-mail it to me...good luck!

 

[165007]

i think you def need to mention why you want to go into pod in your essay...be creative...i think the admissions committees will like that...i told a story in mine and put in bits about my experiences, podiatry and etc...
i thnk you should be fine with your GPA, just get a 22+ on the MCAT for good pod schools like DMU or Scholl...i don't think you'll have any issues getting into barry and schools like such (no offense to their students)...but that's my opinion
GOOD LUCK! 👍

nope, not offended 😀

my essay was also about my mom (well some part). haha

 

[michk]

thanks meats...I really appreciate it.

My mom actually got super lucky and she is HIV negative. But my personal statement really just talks about how the experience made me realize that there is more to medicine than just research and clinical approximation...it requires compassion and caring...etc.

 

[Dr. Agape]

Make sure that you apply early. Applying early gives you a better chance of getting in because the Pod schools have a rolling admission. The longer you wait to apply during that admission year the hard it is to get in. Also, if you have the funds it certain does not hurt to visit the schools. I know NYCPM and Temple both schools have an open house and internship program where you meet with admission staff members and faculty. If those school do not interest you should check to see if the other Pod schools have similar programs of that nature. Every little bit helps.

 

[OSUDDS]

ocpm has an intership program as well

 

[footfixer]

Hey there--I am a 3rd year pod at the AzPOD school and the average GPA for the class of 2009 was a 3.7 with average MCAT scores of 25+. You should not limit yourself on what school you wish to apply. Apply to all of them and go from there. There is nothing wrong with that at all. I know the stakes are high at AzPOD because the matriculating class size is 35 students per year, so the program can be as picky as they wish. Anyway, good luck and let me know how it turns out.

 

[Dr_Feelgood]

Hey there--I am a 3rd year pod at the AzPOD school and the average GPA for the class of 2009 was a 3.7 with average MCAT scores of 25+. You should not limit yourself on what school you wish to apply. Apply to all of them and go from there. There is nothing wrong with that at all. I know the stakes are high at AzPOD because the matriculating class size is 35 students per year, so the program can be as picky as they wish. Anyway, good luck and let me know how it turns out.

Not that I don't believe you but these stats are much higher than previously reported by your classmates.

 

[SportPOD]

Hey there--I am a 3rd year pod at the AzPOD school and the average GPA for the class of 2009 was a 3.7 with average MCAT scores of 25+. You should not limit yourself on what school you wish to apply. Apply to all of them and go from there. There is nothing wrong with that at all. I know the stakes are high at AzPOD because the matriculating class size is 35 students per year, so the program can be as picky as they wish. Anyway, good luck and let me know how it turns out.

Well, of course there can be an average of 25+ MCAT score when this school accepts all types of scores including the GMAT, DAT, LSAT or GRE. Come on AZPOD get with the program, you're a podiatric MEDICAL school.

 

[iceman69]

Personally, I would strive to get as high a score as possible on the MCAT, and use the studying process as a learning experience for preparation for future higher stakes examinations. Good luck.

 

[JEWmongous]

Hey there--I am a 3rd year pod at the AzPOD school and the average GPA for the class of 2009 was a 3.7 with average MCAT scores of 25+. You should not limit yourself on what school you wish to apply. Apply to all of them and go from there. There is nothing wrong with that at all. I know the stakes are high at AzPOD because the matriculating class size is 35 students per year, so the program can be as picky as they wish. Anyway, good luck and let me know how it turns out.

The admission stats were that high and more than half your class failed out? Something isn't so kosh.

 

[HenryH]

Well, of course there can be an average of 25+ MCAT score when this school accepts all types of scores including the GMAT, DAT, LSAT or GRE. Come on AZPOD get with the program, you're a podiatric MEDICAL school.

Do any other schools take the GRE? How about the DAT?

 

[JEWmongous]

Do any other schools take the GRE? How about the DAT?

It's podiatric medical school, take the MCAT

 

[Sinop]

Is the MCAT the best predictor of success in Pod. School?

 

[Feli]

Is the MCAT the best predictor of success in Pod. School?

Assuming you're halfway intelligent, I'd say interest in the pathology and career and is actually the best predictive factor. You have to like what you're learning... and the long term goal of practicing podiatry as well.

It takes steady dedication, and it's hard (and miserable) to study for years at something that's not interesting to you. The initial inspiration will fizzle out sometime in second semester midterms, trust me 😛. That's probably the main reason why shadowing is required; they want students to find out if they have a calling for the profession.

 

[Sinop]

To clarify my question, since most podiatry schools accept or have previously accepted various entrance exams. Have any of those schools ever done a comparison to see if there is a trend between which entrance exam was taken and if there is any correlation to successful completion of podiatry school? Just curious.

 

[HenryH]

It's podiatric medical school, take the MCAT

Would anyone else like to offer a response? 🙄

 

[iceman69]

Take the MCAT. It's not that bad.

 

[HenryH]

I guess I'll just e-mail the schools myself...

 

[TheBee]

I think there's another thread on this, but I know Scholl is not going to take anything but the MCAT anymore, and DMU only takes the MCAT. Not sure about the others...

 

[Sinop]

I guess I'll just e-mail the schools myself...

This is going to be your best bet. Just call the admissions staff they are very nice and you will get your answer. There seems to be a lot of rumors and hear say posted about which school accepts what as far as entrance exams, but that is what you get on a public forum. Being its your education, I suggest you take your own advice and find out what your options are by contacting the schools directly.

 

[JEWmongous]

Most of us said it before, just take the MCAT. It's Podiatric Medical Scholl not Podiatric dental school.

For reference:

OCPM, Barry, AZPOD, NYCPM, and Temple still take the DAT.

Scholl, Cali, and DMU are MCAT only.

This will definitely change soon though. I'm sure the next application cycle a few DAT optional schools will require the MCAT (I hope AZPOD, I cannot believe they take the DAT and GRE).

 

[OSUDDS]

Most of us said it before, just take the MCAT. It's Podiatric Medical Scholl not Podiatric dental school.

For reference:

OCPM, Barry, AZPOD, NYCPM, and Temple still take the DAT.

Scholl, Cali, and DMU are MCAT only.

This will definitely change soon though. I'm sure the next application cycle a few DAT optional schools will require the MCAT (I hope AZPOD, I cannot believe they take the DAT and GRE).

i dont know what your sources are but from what ive heard this isnt entirely true. this year DMU was still accepting the DAT on a case by case basis. this is the same as at ocpm, its case by case.

 

[JEWmongous]

i dont know what your sources are but from what ive heard this isnt entirely true. this year DMU was still accepting the DAT on a case by case basis. this is the same as at ocpm, its case by case.

Right, I know DMU is on a case by case basis for the DAT. But one has to realize, this is not very common AT ALL. The dean, website, admissions people will tell applicants that you need to take the MCAT.

Considering OCPM, isn't it true they take the DAT, GRE, PCAT, OAT, and MCAT? I know that's what it was last year...as I was told this during the winter internship. Ridiculous if you ask me.

 

[OSUDDS]

Considering OCPM, isn't it true they take the DAT, GRE, PCAT, OAT, and MCAT? I know that's what it was last year...as I was told this during the winter internship. Ridiculous if you ask me.

from what i heard, this year its MCAT only, and anything else is per case.