chances?

[chocolaterie]

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A while back I posted in this forum because I was very much interested in DPM. After some negative flack I abandoned the idea and pursued the DO route. My ultimate goal is to work with bone and muscle, this is why a DPM degree appealed and still appeals to me (I guess it's just been in the back of my mind) - especially if I could specialize as a foot surgeon.

I did terribly on my MCAT b/c I didn't finish all the pre-reqs beforehand and I had other personal circumstances... finished with a 20Q. My gpa is 3.97.

I have heard that my stats are good, other says my mcat is too low? I have a lot of diverse EC's. I am in the process of scheduling time to shadow a local dpm. If I do apply, what are my chances at AZpod? I own a house here and with this market, realistically I couldn't sell. Thanks for reading.

 

[G0dFather]

Your GPA is top of the line man good stuff.. you should be fine anywhere... it will make up for ur mcat

 

[dropfoot]

A while back I posted in this forum because I was very much interested in DPM. After some negative flack I abandoned the idea and pursued the DO route. My ultimate goal is to work with bone and muscle, this is why a DPM degree appealed and still appeals to me (I guess it's just been in the back of my mind) - especially if I could specialize as a foot surgeon.

I did terribly on my MCAT b/c I didn't finish all the pre-reqs beforehand and I had other personal circumstances... finished with a 20Q. My gpa is 3.97.

I have heard that my stats are good, other says my mcat is too low? I have a lot of diverse EC's. I am in the process of scheduling time to shadow a local dpm. If I do apply, what are my chances at AZpod? I own a house here and with this market, realistically I couldn't sell. Thanks for reading.

As of right now, you should have no problem getting in anywhere; however, i don't know how much longer a low twenties MCAT is going to float. With your GPA, i would guess that your MCAT score was a hiccup, and i would take it again just to prove it to myself, but it is not necessary (as of 2009). 👍

 

[chocolaterie]

As of right now, you should have no problem getting in anywhere; however, i don't know how much longer a low twenties MCAT is going to float. With your GPA, i would guess that your MCAT score was a hiccup, and i would take it again just to prove it to myself, but it is not necessary (as of 2009). 👍

more like a loud vurp! 🙁 it's bc I was dumb and had life issues when I should have just waited to take the darn thing. I've been kicking myself ever since.

I plan to apply early for the fall of 2010. Here's me keeping hope alive

 

[smartman716]

Strong GPA but very low MCAT(IMO). Is your goal to
become a DPM based on your sincere passion for podiatry or is it simply because you tried to enter professional school via the DO route and it didn't work?

 

[smartman716]

Bottomline:

If I were you, I would spend significant time shadowing several DPM's before applying. I wish you the best in your endeavors.

 

[chocolaterie]

I looked at DPM around the same time as DO but stopped pursuing it bc of some flack I was receiving in family life. So it's always been in the back of my mind. I stopped pursuing it to appease other people (I'm from an old school type family, that has skewed views). I could understand your question if I had never looked into it and was using it as a "back up" plan. But if you check my posts, you'll notice I was in this forum before I was in the DO forum.

Ultimately, I know my interest lies in surgery. Not surgery of the heart, brain, organs.. but in bones and muscle.

I'm confident if I had any prior knowledge of Ochem/Physics before taking the mcat, i could have significantly increased my mcat score. I only had the knowledge for half the material... i know i'm still kicking myself. What I am concerned about is the future. I know Ortho is competitive - that doesn't bother me - what does is the time, the pay off and the family balance. I don't want to be called into the OR at 3 am in the morning bc some drunk driver crashed into a pole. But I sincerely enjoy the thought of helping people walk. This is where it hits home for me. I guess, it's just more thinking for me.

 

[shava9865]

I looked at DPM around the same time as DO but stopped pursuing it bc of some flack I was receiving in family life. So it's always been in the back of my mind. I stopped pursuing it to appease other people (I'm from an old school type family, that has skewed views). I could understand your question if I had never looked into it and was using it as a "back up" plan. But if you check my posts, you'll notice I was in this forum before I was in the DO forum.

Ultimately, I know my interest lies in surgery. Not surgery of the heart, brain, organs.. but in bones and muscle.

I'm confident if I had any prior knowledge of Ochem/Physics before taking the mcat, i could have significantly increased my mcat score. I only had the knowledge for half the material... i know i'm still kicking myself. What I am concerned about is the future. I know Ortho is competitive - that doesn't bother me - what does is the time, the pay off and the family balance. I don't want to be called into the OR at 3 am in the morning bc some drunk driver crashed into a pole. But I sincerely enjoy the thought of helping people walk. This is where it hits home for me. I guess, it's just more thinking for me.

I say go for it! If you really know what you want to do, then it's just a matter of submitting your application. Podiatry school, just as any other professional school, will be challenging and stressful. In the end, if you know that you have that option of balancing family life and other personal interests, that should speak volumes. You don't want to come out and be miserable as a podiatric physician!

 

[MaseratiGT]

I looked at DPM around the same time as DO but stopped pursuing it bc of some flack I was receiving in family life. So it's always been in the back of my mind. I stopped pursuing it to appease other people (I'm from an old school type family, that has skewed views). I could understand your question if I had never looked into it and was using it as a "back up" plan. But if you check my posts, you'll notice I was in this forum before I was in the DO forum.

Ultimately, I know my interest lies in surgery. Not surgery of the heart, brain, organs.. but in bones and muscle.

I'm confident if I had any prior knowledge of Ochem/Physics before taking the mcat, i could have significantly increased my mcat score. I only had the knowledge for half the material... i know i'm still kicking myself. What I am concerned about is the future. I know Ortho is competitive - that doesn't bother me - what does is the time, the pay off and the family balance. I don't want to be called into the OR at 3 am in the morning bc some drunk driver crashed into a pole. But I sincerely enjoy the thought of helping people walk. This is where it hits home for me. I guess, it's just more thinking for me.

So, your MCAT isn't the highest, but I think it will get you an interview. You seem really dedicated, and I think that your grades and positive outlook with have a greater influence than your MCAT score, when you're face to face with staff at schools. Good luck!

 

[templepodnc]

I wouldn't worry. Your GPA is obviously on the high end which is good. As far as the MCAT score, I think it's perfectly fine. Most of the pod schools these days are accepting an average score of 22-24. It doesn't take a genius to figure out if thats the average then people well below that are getting accepted as well.

The one area I can see you MCAT score coming back to bite you is in scholarship offers from schools. A lot of schools base their scholarship awards for incoming first years on the MCAT score and then GPA. So you could potentially get slightly less money first year but hey it is what it is. If you do fine once you get in, it's all golden.

Bottom line, apply to a wide net of schools that you are interested in and you will be fine. I think applying early also shows you are very eager about podiatry and not waiting to apply as a backup option.