Dropping out of DO school for podiatry school

[willdaniel76]

Just based on your opinions how do you think the Pod Medical school admin people would look upon this? My grades\MCAT aren't a concern.

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[itswiggles]

- just curious, why are you doing this? motives? Do you really think this is what you want? Not trying to deter you but I am sure admins will ask you these types of questions and will wonder why the sudden change of heart..

 

[janV88]

Honestly, if your stats are good (which they should be since you are in DO), then they probably won't mind as long as you have a good reason (which you better have since you are willing to move and lose 1 year).

You should also look into which schools will allow you to transfer your credits so you don't have to retake your 1st year/1st semester classes again. You will still need to start at year 1 because of Podiatry specific classes like Lower Extremity Anatomy, Podiatric Medicine and Surgery, etc. The pluses would be a lighter course load, time to do research, or pursue a dual degree (MPH/MHA).

 

[willdaniel76]

I want the foot\ankle and I don't feel like I'm getting the level of education I'm going to need to make that happen if I continue at this school. To be competitive in pursing that in PG. I'm already older then most entering medicine so I don't have time to waste and I certainly don't want to end up doing something I'm not 100 percent about.


I want to either end up at the DVA or back in the military and becoming a Podiatric Physician can offer me both those choices AND the area I'm interested in mastering.

 

[RATM2010]

This is confusing to me. You can try to match ORS and then fellow in foot and ankle. How do you know you what foot/ankle from first year med school curriculum? When did you get the exposure that was enough to change your mind? Did you know about podiatry before applying to your current school? Too many gray zone questions. But in retrospect, you are academically capable of getting into any podiatry school (assuming GPA>3.0 & MCAT >24). I think that the adcom will ask many many questions about this because what is stopping you from dropping DPM and moving on to PA, OPT, back to DO, caribbean MD, or something else. I'm assuming you are making you decisionbased on your age and the quicker route to foot/ankle surgery. Personally, I would not do this. DO tuition is high (ie 30-60k per year). Do you want to eat that price to maybe get into a field you feel you want at the moment? My advice, work hard and match ORS--> foot/ankle fellow.

 

[janV88]

^I disagree

You can try to match ORS and then fellow in foot and ankle.

It is very very...very very difficult to match ORS. Your talking about 230+ steps, stellar GPA, and stellar reviews on your rotations. Odds are you will "settle" and match into a less competitive field.

I think that the adcom will ask many many questions about this because what is stopping you from dropping DPM and moving on to PA, OPT, back to DO, caribbean MD, or something else.

I doubt they will make a big fuss about it. willdaniel's stats are probably good and schools are looking for solid applicants. Also keep in mind that the push in Podiatry is for the profession to be seen as equals to MD/DO specialists. Podiatry should be seen as "just another specialty" by patients, students, and medical professionals.

Personally, I would not do this. DO tuition is high (ie 30-60k per year). Do you want to eat that price to maybe get into a field you feel you want at the moment?

I believe the most expensive Podiatry school is Temple at $33k out of state. The rest are around $25-27k. If willdaniel's DO school is let's just say $10k more per year then he will actually break even or even save a couple thousand bucks. Regardless...its only gonna be a difference of a few grand.

The big difference will be opportunity cost. 4yrs DO + 5yrs ORS + 1yr fellowship will be 10 years. 1yr DO + 4yrs DPM + 3yr PMS will be 8 years. In the DO route willdaniel will be earning ~$50k for 2 more years while in the DPM route willdaniel will be earning ~$150k+. This is assuming he matches in Ortho.

Just my opinion.

EDIT: I forgot to mention scholarships. Podiatry schools love to offer scholarships to well qualified applicants. Scholl has 15 half tuition scholarships for incoming first years.

EDIT part 2: no full scholarships...just half but that's still a substantial amount. And the exact numbers are 15 half scholarships for incoming 1sr years and 10 half scholarships for 2nd years (which is dependent on your performance your first year)

 

[willdaniel76]

They tell you before you start medical school that even the brightest star is one in a galaxy full of them once you actually start.


Boy they were right. I'm keeping up more then fine but I have to be realistic in saying that I more then likely will not make the cut for surgery\ortho. It's a gamble I'm uncomfortable making at my age and with a wife at home. Some may see it that I'm quitting or feeling sorry for myself but I don't see anything wrong with just facing the facts.

Plus like I hinted to I'm not happy with this school and I'm unlikely to be accepted anywhere else MD\DO and would face the same uphill battle to get to where I want if I went that route.

Plus Podiatry has other aspects that attract me. Based just off the Podiatrists I've talked to, been seen by and you fine people here I can honestly say, that for me, it's more my fit community wise as well. I'll leave it at that on that issue.

 

[willdaniel76]

I'm on the same train of thought as jan as well.

 

[longstech]

regarding the scholarships, since you said you were interested in the DVA or military after school IF you did go to pod school, they offer the Navy HPSP scholarship, where they will pay for 3 years of school plus a stipend and after residency you have to give them 3 years back. Just FYI...