Dilemma

[Columbia09]

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I unfortunately learned today that my school will only work with me on either d.o applications or podiatry but not both. They will send a committee letter to only one type of school so this puts me in a difficult position. I can apply to both but I just won't have the committee letter for one of them and my pre med advisor said that the committee letter holds a lot of credibility. He also mentioned that its a risk to apply to both in the same cycle because admissions officers do talk to one another. So I don't know what I should do. I like podiatry because the average mcat scores for the schools are probably in the same range that mine will be in and I don't mind working with feet. I like osteopathic school because of their emphasis on the skeletal muscle system and the diversity it offers. So I don't know what, I should do?

 

[scarecrow90]

I am unfamiliar with premed committees, so I can't speak as to whether or not this is unusual or not for them not being willing to send two different letters. With that said, I think that you may have to decide what kind of physician you would like to be.

I shadowed a podiatrist over the period of 4-5 years, and I learned that podiatry was just not for me. I am not a big fan of surgery (gasp) and you see a lot of the same stuff: hammertoe, bunions, plantar fasciitis, warts, diabetic foot care, etc. However, if you enjoy that stuff, by all means, go for it! 🙂 I think that podiatry is a great field with a lot of opportunity to develop your practice. I just decided that it wasn't the route that I would like to pursue. Have you shadowed podiatrists? Seen any surgeries? If you haven't, then you most definitely should.

You can still approach podiatry from a holistic approach, of course; though if you decide to pursue DO, then you will give up working with feet pretty much. Osteopathic medicine is freaking awesome, and it's where I fit in, but you need to decide what will be right for you. What makes you most happy? Do that.

Best of luck! 😎

Edit: Although, if you pursue podiatry, maybe you'd be lucky enough to get to work with this gem one day:

 

[Pharmakon]

Thank you for making my foot itchy....

 

[Columbia09]

Someone said on the podiatry form that I should use the comity letter for d.o school since its generally harder. they also said the the admissions officers won't know unless they are from the same school. Can anyone concur?

 

[Goro]

That's not an issue. You are NOT required to submit committee letters. If such a condition were true, then no non-trad would ever get into medical school.


I can apply to both but I just won't have the committee letter for one of them and my pre med advisor said that the committee letter holds a lot of credibility.


Sounds bogus. well, the DO Admissions people communicate (not intimately though) but across disciplines? No way.

He also mentioned that its a risk to apply to both in the same cycle because admissions officers do talk to one another.

In the absolute worst case scenario, pick the one you love the best and go that route, and don't look back.

So I don't know what I should do. I like podiatry because the average mcat scores for the schools are probably in the same range that mine will be in and I don't mind working with feet. I like osteopathic school because of their emphasis on the skeletal muscle system and the diversity it offers. So I don't know what, I should do?[/QUOTE]

 

[Columbia09]

Do I have to put on my d.o application that I applied to podiatry

 

[scarecrow90]

Thank you for making my foot itchy....

 

[SurgeDO]

Do I have to put on my d.o application that I applied to podiatry

No. Don't even bring it up anywhere.

 

[GUH]

I unfortunately learned today that my school will only work with me on either d.o applications or podiatry but not both. They will send a committee letter to only one type of school so this puts me in a difficult position. I can apply to both but I just won't have the committee letter for one of them and my pre med advisor said that the committee letter holds a lot of credibility. He also mentioned that its a risk to apply to both in the same cycle because admissions officers do talk to one another. So I don't know what I should do. I like podiatry because the average mcat scores for the schools are probably in the same range that mine will be in and I don't mind working with feet. I like osteopathic school because of their emphasis on the skeletal muscle system and the diversity it offers. So I don't know what, I should do?

just don't apply DO and DPM at the same school

 

[TriagePreMed]

Send the committee letter to the osteopathic schools. Most podiatry schools can't afford to be too selective. When applying, don't send an application for two programs at the same school. Chances are you're not competitive for western or azcom osteopathic programs, so send the podiatry applications there. Also, stop listening to your ******* advisor. There's no way admissions will talk about a specific applicant over different schools.