future DPM

[DPMrick]

New to the forum. Is there any future or current DPM student? I am entering NYCPM in Sept. and I want to start making some connections.

Like some of you, I also came across other podiatry forums that were mostly negative. It is true that being a podiatrist is not the same as being MD/DO. But I do believe that if you love what you do, apply yourself, and work hard then you will be happy in any field of medicine.

---

Members don't see this ad.

 

[dr2bjake]

New to the forum. Is there any future or current DPM student? I am entering NYCPM in Sept. and I want to start making some connections.

Like some of you, I also came across other podiatry forums that were mostly negative. It is true that being a podiatrist is not the same as being MD/DO. But I do believe that if you love what you do, apply yourself, and work hard then you will be happy in any field of medicine.

Hey!

I too don't post very much on this site but check here and there to get a sense of who else is pursuing the podiatry route. I too am really annoyed with the negativity on other podiatry forums. I am actually starting at Temple this August since it was much closer to me than NYCPM. The podiatrist i shadowed actually went there and is VERY successful. I am glad that you believe in the work hard and get want you want philosophy. I would say that this is true in 95% of professions excluding the entertainment industry.

Are you planning on the 2, 3, or 4, year residency - just curious... i know its quite soon to tell!

Best of Luck!

 

[AFVET]

Have you guys been offered any type of scholarships?

 

[dr2bjake]

Have you guys been offered any type of scholarships?

Not much but some for the first year... I would prefer to not talk money on this forum.

They all seem pretty good with giving out some money. There is a crazy distinguished scholar one at Scholl if you have a 3.6 GPA. It's like $12,000.

I am hoping to do well enough to get more money after the first year.

If you want specifics: you can PM me.

 

[dpmjeff77]

[hey jake

Do you have your financial aid and housing set up? Again, are you getting a new computer ? I dont know whether to ditch my old one or not? Living on or off campus? YOu said you were doing the summer thing (i forget what its called) ?

Jeff

CAN"T WAIT FOR PHILLY !!!

 

[AFVET]

Not much but some for the first year... I would prefer to not talk money on this forum.

They all seem pretty good with giving out some money. There is a crazy distinguished scholar one at Scholl if you have a 3.6 GPA. It's like $12,000.

I am hoping to do well enough to get more money after the first year.

If you want specifics: you can PM me.

Understandable. I'm putting in an app. to AZ. The only two podiatrists I know are very successful, but I have to tell you everything I read on the internet makes me a little leery sometimes.

 

[dr2bjake]

[hey jake

Do you have your financial aid and housing set up? Again, are you getting a new computer ? I dont know whether to ditch my old one or not? Living on or off campus? YOu said you were doing the summer thing (i forget what its called) ?

Jeff

CAN"T WAIT FOR PHILLY !!!

Sup Jeff!

I got my financial aid papers. I am still trying to work out my budget to figure out how much debt I want my first year. I am living off campus with my girlfriend. We are going up there this weekend to apt shop. I am probably looking to live in the Art Museum Area (22nd street). I am starting SARP a week late and doing the pro-rated 2 weeks for $300. I did suck it up and bought a laptop. I got a good deal at CompUSA for $500. Its a 1.3 GHz M350 (Compaq) with DVD-R / CD-R and built in wireless internet.

With the "smart classroom" setup I wanted to have my powerpoints and lectures on my laptop prior to class - that was my "system" in grad school.

Finding housing is a little nuts... not living in philly and all. I did get a list of realtors off the university of penn webiste and spoke with David Martin (from Temple Student Affairs), who was very helpful.

See you at Orientation!!!

Take Care!

Jake

 

[AFVET]

I am starting SARP a week late and doing the pro-rated 2 weeks for $300.

What is SARP?

 

[dr2bjake]

Understandable. I'm putting in an app. to AZ. The only two podiatrists I know are very successful, but I have to tell you everything I read on the internet makes me a little leery sometimes.

I too know a handful of podiatrist and ALL are successful. My girlfriend knows of a handful of podiatrists and guess what??? THEY ARE ALL SUCCESSFUL! Its a doctorate level education and a profession with few physicians. Also, with everyone telling us that the world doesn't need podiatrists... I think its a great service that people ultimately will require. For example I train in brazilian jiu jitsu quite seriously... I was in class last week and TWO people broke their toes - randomly. Sure enough, they both went to the podiatrist. I was walking down the street the night before my interview at Temple and bumped into an old friend from college (quite random I might add) and after some talking, discovered that they have had numerous foot procedures done by podiatrists. I just think its one of those things that patients who see podiatrists prefer not to discuss their health issues. How many times have you heard someone say ... I just had an appointment with a wonderful Urologist - he gave me Cialis and my erectile dysfunction is gone!
Plus, I can now have sex for 36 hours!!! Hooray!!! As long as people are happy with the service you provide there is no reason that one cannot obtain great success. In the end, podiatry is a well respected sub-specialty with consults from other areas of medicine quite readily handed to them. Of course this is just from my own research. Shoot me if I am wrong but I am very happy to be entering this field and am going to take it as far as it will let me.


Enough rambling.. its a big typing day for me - just got a new laptop.

Best of Luck!

 

[dr2bjake]

What is SARP?

Hmm... i forget what the acronym stands for ... i think its STUDENT A.... REINFORCEMENT PROGRAM???

Its basically a 3 week program to get students acclimated to med school. Its like 3 week mini med school (Anatomy and Biochemistry).

 

[PharmDr.]

Im also interested in podiatry,but I am soo scared that I will become only a toe nail clipper after residency and 8 yrs. schooling. I am a very ambitious guy but all the negativetity on the net saying how even surgical trained pods end up in nursing homes and scrambling for jobs freightens me. Im just afraid that theres no market out there for pods. I havent shadowed or talked to any pods in my area, so I have no real life opinions on podiatry. I would want at least a 3 yr. residency so that I am marketable and capable of performing complex surgical cases. I really am interested in surgery but if I went to MD/DO school, I am not guranteed a surgical spot. It appears to be a lot easier to land a surgical residency for pod students and this appeals to me. I would love to become a surgeon that only focuses on a limited area of the body like podiatry. Ive done some research online and found this DPM in Miami who is doing total ankle replacement surgeries. Pretty cutting edge stuff right now. How do you guys see or hope to practice podiatry?

Jon N. CPhT.

 

[DPMrick]

I am also looking for 3-4 year residency training. I definitely want to do surgery. Very nice to meet all of those who are interested or in the field of podiatry. As for the scholarships....NYCPM offered me $14,000 to start. I don't know what is their criteria for scholarships but that is what they offered me with GPA around 3.6 and MCAT of 25.

Also, my aol username is rcc323 so feel free to IM if you got aol. Good luck with school guys.

 

[H to the Izzy]

I am glad to see this thread because I'm certainly applying to pod schools once sept. rolls around. I have noticed that some schools allow the DAT instead of the MCAT for admissions....that's nice that they're trying to accomodate, but I don't understand the rational really? What kind of DAT scores are considered for scholarships since we're talking about scholarships. What does everyone know, think, hear about SM in Oakland? Let's keep the DPM talk up.

 

[AFVET]

As for the scholarships....NYCPM offered me $14,000 to start.

Wow! That would take some of the sting off, especially because I'm going to try and do this while supporting a family. I'm going to have some serious loans.

 

[dpmjeff77]

I am glad to see this thread because I'm certainly applying to pod schools once sept. rolls around. I have noticed that some schools allow the DAT instead of the MCAT for admissions....that's nice that they're trying to accomodate, but I don't understand the rational really? What kind of DAT scores are considered for scholarships since we're talking about scholarships. What does everyone know, think, hear about SM in Oakland? Let's keep the DPM talk up.

I was accepted into Temple's program with a 9000 dollar scholarship with 18s AA and SCiences and a 20 PAT on the DAT...Can't wait to get there.

Jeff

 

[Dmayor22]

What does anyone know about Barry down in florida. I have heard great things about temple and others but what about Barry. I know it is rather new compared to the others but do they produce a lot of surgical residents?

 

[DPMrick]

Not sure about Barry. I know that Scholl and Temple are pretty good programs. NYCPM is pretty good as well. I decided on NYCPM because of its Foot Clinic and professors; and the scholarships helps too . I don't think there is a ranking for podiatry school....it just depends on what you are looking for and the locations. Good luck

 

[dpmjeff77]

Not sure about Barry. I know that Scholl and Temple are pretty good programs. NYCPM is pretty good as well. I decided on NYCPM because of its Foot Clinic and professors; and the scholarships helps too . I don't think there is a ranking for podiatry school....it just depends on what you are looking for and the locations. Good luck

Does NY do ankle? I was under the impression that the ankle surgeries and anatomy was not taught there...???

J

 

[DPMrick]

Yes. General anatomy is taught in the 1st year while the lower extremmity anatomy is taught in the 2nd year. The foot and ankle surgery is taught in the 3rd year. I sat in the anatomy lab when I was interviewed.

 

[oncogene]

I was accepted into Temple's program with a 9000 dollar scholarship with 18s AA and SCiences and a 20 PAT on the DAT...Can't wait to get there.

Jeff

Hey dpmjeff77 what was your gpa and sci. gpa? Thanks.

 

[dpmgrad]

I came across this forum by accident and found it interesting to read. I am an alumni of the Temple University School of Podiatric Medicine. If any of the future students of TUSPM have any questions, feel free to contact me.
Jim

 

[dnice]

Hey everyone! I will be starting at TUSPM in August and thought it wouldn't hurt to go ahead and make a few connections. I actually think I interviewed with dr2bjake at Temple in March! Does anyone know much about the areas surrounding Philly, namely Delaware County? My boyfriend may be getting a job there and we're looking for housing that would be convenient to both TUSPM and Ridley Park. Any suggestions re: where to look regarding nice but affordable housing would be great.

 

[DPMrick]

Hi dnice. I am a new student as well. I will be starting at NYCPM in Sept. I started this thread initially to make connections and I am very glad to see people respond and show support. As for your question, I am from north carolina so I probably know less about the area than you do. Maybe dpmjeff77 or dpmgrad can help you out. Good luck with the house search and school

rick

 

[dr2bjake]

Hey everyone! I will be starting at TUSPM in August and thought it wouldn't hurt to go ahead and make a few connections. I actually think I interviewed with dr2bjake at Temple in March! Does anyone know much about the areas surrounding Philly, namely Delaware County? My boyfriend may be getting a job there and we're looking for housing that would be convenient to both TUSPM and Ridley Park. Any suggestions re: where to look regarding nice but affordable housing would be great.

Hey Girl!

Seeing as though you were the only one with a boyfriend, we did probably interview on the same day! How the heck are ya?

I am going through the worst time of my life with housing - I am moving with my girlfriend. We have a deposit down for the Parkway House Apartments in Art Museum. Working on the credit check and so forth - what a pain in the ass! (I can tell you via PM what happened with me and Philadelphia Management - they are shady crooks).

We found a bunch of places to live. Delaware county is probably much cheaper than center city and you can probably get a nicer, larger place. TUSPM has an awesome location and I think anywhere you live is convenient for commuting there.

Are you doing the SARP program?

 

[discusdan]

Anyone on here starting at Des Moines this August?

 

[dnice]

Hey Girl!

Seeing as though you were the only one with a boyfriend, we did probably interview on the same day! How the heck are ya?

I am going through the worst time of my life with housing - I am moving with my girlfriend. We have a deposit down for the Parkway House Apartments in Art Museum. Working on the credit check and so forth - what a pain in the ass! (I can tell you via PM what happened with me and Philadelphia Management - they are shady crooks).

We found a bunch of places to live. Delaware county is probably much cheaper than center city and you can probably get a nicer, larger place. TUSPM has an awesome location and I think anywhere you live is convenient for commuting there.

Are you doing the SARP program?

Nah, I'm not doing the SARP program. I think it's a really good idea and would like to consider it, but it's not really feasible due to $$$. It would actually work out well if I could do it, though, because I don't know what I'll be doing until school starts if we move up there soon!

 

[dpmgrad]

When I attended TUSPM, I lived in the dorms initially. However, I moved off campus in my second year. There is a row of apts on 9th street between Race and Cherry streets that rent to TUSPM students. The one that I lived in was a two bedroom apt with central AC with washer and dryer in apt. Back then, the apt was $685 per month. So, it was half when I lived with a classmate. The apts do vary in price. They are not as nice looking as some of the more expensive properties in the Art Museum arrea. You can walk along those apts to see if there are any apts avaialble for rent. If you don't like living in chinatown (where TUSPM is located), I recommend you to look around Walnut, Spruce, Pine, Locust, Lombard Streets between 4 street and Broad street. You might be able to find some cheaper housing options. Many of my classmates avoided the major housing complexes because they cost that much more.

As for the student looking for housing in Delaware County, there are plenty of housing options. If you plan on commuting to Center City, I would recommend looking for places that are relatively close to the SEPTA Regional Rail trains. Driving into Center city can be a pain during rush hour traffic and parking can be tough and expensive. There is a parking lot in front of TUSPM, but it would cost you 5 to 7 dollars a day to park there. Many students took the SEPTA Regional Rail or PATCO (if you live in Southern NJ) to school every day since the train station is about 4-5 blocks from school. Of course, certain suburbs will be cheaper than Center city.

If you have any other questions, feel free to private mail me.
Good luck.
Jim

 

[dnice]

Thanks for the housing info, Jim! When did you graduate and what kind of residency did you have? Where are you now?

 

[dpmgrad]

I graduated from TUSPM in 2002. I am currently doing a 3 years podiatric surgical residency program in the greater Philadelphia area. If you have any other questions, feel free to ask away

Thanks for the housing info, Jim! When did you graduate and what kind of residency did you have? Where are you now?

 

[jays2cool4u]

I graduated from TUSPM in 2002. I am currently doing a 3 years podiatric surgical residency program in the greater Philadelphia area. If you have any other questions, feel free to ask away

1. Are the cases interesting?
2. What time do you arrive at the hospital and how long is a typical day?
3. How many cases do you have a day?
4. How many days in the week do you operate?
5. Do you have any on-calls?

I heard that podiatric surgical residents just clip toenails and their days are the 9-5er. Please bury the rumors.

Jays2Cool4u

 

[DPMrick]

Hey what's up everyone.....just thought I bump this thread to the top, keep the DPM topic fresh For those who are doing the summer program, has classes started yet? I am not doing it but would like to hear others' experiences...etc. Good luck guys

rick

 

[dpmgrad]

There are a variety of different podiatric surgical residency programs out there. As you may or may not know, many residency program are currently undergoing changes to fit into one of two new podiatric surgical residency program models. By the time you apply for residency programs, most of the programs will have been converted into one of the two new models and very few will be in the old model. The two new models will allow all grads to be trained in podiatric surgical procedures. PM&S-24 (Two years) will train grads to perform mainly forefoot procedures. PM&S-36 (Three years or more) will train grads to perform both forefoot and reconstructive rearfoot procedures. However, all new resident grads will need to pass the respective ABPS exams to be boarded for their respective surgical priviledges.

I am currently in a three year podiatric surgical residency program in the greater Philadelphia area. In my program, I usually arrive at the hospital somewhere between 6-7:30 am during weekdays depending if I have surgery that day or not. I also have to come in on the weekends to round on patient if I am on call. On surgery days, I would arrive earlier. I usually have to round on the in house patients, see patients in the clinics or see preop / postop patients in private practice, scrub in surgical cases, do consults on the hospital floors or in the ER and admit patients to the hospital for my attendings. On the average, I usually don't leave the hospital before 6 pm. On the average, I will leave around 7 or 8 pm. In terms of call, my residency program allows us to take call from home. So, I don't have to sleep in the hospital for call. However, it also means that I have to live within reasonable driving distance to the hospital. Most of my calls are usually from the ER, the hospital floors, or patients with issues from my attending offices after hours. In my residency progarm, we have an awesome relationship with the orthopedics department. We are fortunately since podiatry in many hospitals in the greater Philadelphia do not have a good relationship with orthopedic surgery. Since there are no orthopedic residents at my hospital, we basically cross cover and serve as ortho residents. We cover all of the orthopedic cases as well as the podiatry cases at my hospital. If there is an ankle case or a foot case, the orthopedic surgeon will let us do the entire procedure skin to skin, provided that you have scrub enough with the orthopedic surgeon and gain his / her trust. My surgical cases include hammertoe surgery, bunion surgery, plantar fasciotomy, I&D of foot infection, amputations, ankle arthroscopy, neuroma surgery, ORIF of ankle fracture and other foot fractures, flatfoot reconstruction surgery, triple arthrodesis, ankle fusion, etc... Recently, one of my attending applied a Depuy IM Versanail for ankle fusion. On the average, we do about 15-20 cases a week. We also do rotation with other medical and surgical specialties. When we are on Internal Medicine or General Surgery service, we are required to take in house call as dictated on those services. In terms of the clinics and floor consults, we do everything from routine foot care to bedside procedures. Since my program puts an emphasis on rearfoot reconstruction surgery, I am currently applying for one of the AO/ASIF Trauma Fellowship in Europe. Several podiatric surgical residents get nominated for the AO/ASIF Trauma Fellowship annually along with the orthopedic surgeons. My residency program also has journal clubs, residents giving lectures, attending giving lectures, cadaver lab, etc...
As you begin your residency program search, you will discover that there are a variety of residency programs, as I said earlier. There are programs where you just have a 9-5 job and you do minimal work. There are other programs, which are very intensive and you will see about 30-40 cases a week and work long hours. There are some excellent podiatric surgical residency programs out there. It really depends on what you are looking for. However, with the change in the residency model, everyone will now be exposed to podiatric surgery.
Well, hopefully, I have been able to answer some of your questions. If you have any other questions, feel free to ask. Good luck

1. Are the cases interesting?
2. What time do you arrive at the hospital and how long is a typical day?
3. How many cases do you have a day?
4. How many days in the week do you operate?
5. Do you have any on-calls?

I heard that podiatric surgical residents just clip toenails and their days are the 9-5er. Please bury the rumors.

Jays2Cool4u

 

[dr2bjake]

Hey what's up everyone.....just thought I bump this thread to the top, keep the DPM topic fresh For those who are doing the summer program, has classes started yet? I am not doing it but would like to hear others' experiences...etc. Good luck guys

rick

Hey Rick!

Just wondering if you are going to NYCPM... where are you going to live in the city? That was a huge consideration for me when choosing a podiatry school. Isn't the school right in Harlem?

I went to undergrad at Rutgers, New Brunswick and am reasonably familiar with the city, but still seems like a big hastle to me.

Best of luck with everything!

Jake

 

[dr2bjake]

There are a variety of different podiatric surgical residency programs out there. As you may or may not know, many residency program are currently undergoing changes to fit into one of two new podiatric surgical residency program models. By the time you apply for residency programs, most of the programs will have been converted into one of the two new models and very few will be in the old model. The two new models will allow all grads to be trained in podiatric surgical procedures. PM&S-24 (Two years) will train grads to perform mainly forefoot procedures. PM&S-36 (Three years or more) will train grads to perform both forefoot and reconstructive rearfoot procedures. However, all new resident grads will need to pass the respective ABPS exams to be boarded for their respective surgical priviledges.

DPMGRAD,

What is the 4th year at temple if the 3rd year of residency is rear foot/ankle reconstruction?

Thanks.

BTW: Taking a day trip to philly this weekend... what should I see?

Jake

 

[DPMrick]

Hey Rick!

Just wondering if you are going to NYCPM... where are you going to live in the city? That was a huge consideration for me when choosing a podiatry school. Isn't the school right in Harlem?

I went to undergrad at Rutgers, New Brunswick and am reasonably familiar with the city, but still seems like a big hastle to me.

Best of luck with everything!

Jake

Yeah, the shcool is located on the edge just outside of Harlem. They have 30-40 rooms at Draper Hall that they leased out. Draper Hall belongs to the Metropolitan Hospital Center and is located on 99th and 1st. It's about 15-20mins subway ride from the Hall to NYCPM. They told me the rent is ~$650/month including utilities. It is a single person room and kitchen and bathroom are shared. The room is assigned on a first-come-first-serve basis with priority given to out of state students (which I qualify). I sent in the housing application and I am waiting to see if I will get assigned to Draper Hall. Of course they have some apartment-like rooms in the Bronx as well as studios near the Upper East side. But those are usually reserved for upper-classmans or student with families...and they cost extra $$$.

BTW, I have some friends that just graduated from Rutgers as well.

 

[DPMrick]

We also do rotation with other medical and surgical specialties. When we are on Internal Medicine or General Surgery service, we are required to take in house call as dictated on those services.

Besides Ortho, how does other medical specialties view and treat DPM residents compare to MD/DO residents?

 

[dr2bjake]

Besides Ortho, how does other medical specialties view and treat DPM residents compare to MD/DO residents?

Good Question! Can't wait for the reply... but I am going to guess that the answer varies from institution to institution.

I work at Univ. of Maryland, Baltimore (Dept. of Surgery, Division of Urology) doing research. I talk to residents daily and their friends in other specialties... the majority of them don't pay attention to podiatrists.

Its actually funny, that on mondays they have Podiatry Clinic in the Urology Clinic.

Just not interested in feet I suppose. Like their anatomical specialty is any better???

 

[dpmjeff77]

Good Question! Can't wait for the reply... but I am going to guess that the answer varies from institution to institution.

I work at Univ. of Maryland, Baltimore (Dept. of Surgery, Division of Urology) doing research. I talk to residents daily and their friends in other specialties... the majority of them don't pay attention to podiatrists.

Its actually funny, that on mondays they have Podiatry Clinic in the Urology Clinic.

Just not interested in feet I suppose. Like their anatomical specialty is any better???

I am definitely going to agree with drJake (future classmate) on this one. The podiatrists that I shadow are respected at our cities' Mercy hospital, but NOT at our University hospital in the same area. Eventhough some of the docs there do send some of their patients their way. It just depends on the person and mentality of the physicians in that particular hospital. To me, the more university based hospitals are going to be asses, whereas a more community based hospital would be more willing to look at the podiatrists as true physicians and not think twice.

Jake...im headed to philly and atlantic city this weekend as well....make sure to hit up the gino's philly steaks...and south street.

Jeff
Looking forward to the Fall !
Did you and your GF find a place yet? And are you still going through with the SARP ?

 

[DPMrick]

To me, the more university based hospitals are going to be asses, whereas a more community based hospital would be more willing to look at the podiatrists as true physicians and not think twice.

Is there a reason to why there is such a difference between university based vs. community based hospitals? Is it because they got their own MD/DO residents to think about so naturally the pods get kick to the curb? I guess I am trying to find out if there is an obvious difference of treatment between MD/DO and Pod residents.....or they just don't like residents in general.

I've heard several RNs whom work at the UNC hospital say that they don't like residents because they sometimes try to do too many unnecessary things to try to impress others and thus can be in the way. Now granted they don't have DPM residents....but that's how they think of their MD residents.

 

[dr2bjake]

Jake...im headed to philly and atlantic city this weekend as well....make sure to hit up the gino's philly steaks...and south street.

Jeff
Looking forward to the Fall !
Did you and your GF find a place yet? And are you still going through with the SARP ?

Hey Jeff,

Found a place in Art Museum (my credit went through ) will be moving the last weekend in July and starting SARP August 1st.

The GF is coming 3 weeks later when she starts at Temple Law.

I actually only had a philly cheesesteak one time and that was at Pat's (sorry).

I will be in philly on sat. for the day with the girlfriend (praying for good weather) and then next weekend in AC for UFC 53 - can't wait!

drop me a line.

Jake

 

[dr2bjake]

Is there a reason to why there is such a difference between university based vs. community based hospitals? Is it because they got their own MD/DO residents to think about so naturally the pods get kick to the curb? I guess I am trying to find out if there is an obvious difference of treatment between MD/DO and Pod residents.....or they just don't like residents in general.

I've heard several RNs whom work at the UNC hospital say that they don't like residents because they sometimes try to do too many unnecessary things to try to impress others and thus can be in the way. Now granted they don't have DPM residents....but that's how they think of their MD residents.

Mind you this post has nothing concrete to go on except for the few interactions I have had with these people.

Having friends that are nurses... (especially OR nurses) they hate med students and residents.

Unless they are hooking up with them... then all hate turns to love.

 

[AFVET]

Anybody been to the school in Arizona? I've driven through the area but never actually been to the school.

 

[DPMrick]

Mind you this post has nothing concrete to go on except for the few interactions I have had with these people.

Having friends that are nurses... (especially OR nurses) they hate med students and residents.

Unless they are hooking up with them... then all hate turns to love.

Hahaha...the key to sucess

 

[cg2a93]

NYCPM is not on the outskirts of Harlem. It is in Harlem.

 

[DPMrick]

NYCPM is not on the outskirts of Harlem. It is in Harlem.

Haha, thanks for the correction man. I am from out of state so I just went by what people told me. What is the exact area of Harlem anyway? Do you go to NYCPM as well?

rick

 

[GASDR]

Hi guys (and girls),
I find it encouraging and discouraging that all of you are so pumped about starting podiatry and podiatry school. DPMgrad sounds like he is also pumped and excited about his future career.
I was there once.
Let me fill you in on the reality of the whole situation and maybe save you from years of useless (but excellent) training.
Let me know if this story sounds familiar and if it does maybe you should follow my advice.
I was in premed with not such a spectacular GPA but wanted to go into medicine. A podiatry recruiter somehow got my address, (I think through the MCAT application), and he painted a rosy picture of podiatry : i.e. 40 hr work weeks, being called Dr. and making 140k/yr. It all sounded great, although not something I had considered previously, but hey I would still be called Dr. and I would not have to struggle to get into school.
I bought it, hook, line and sinker. I too was enthusiastic like yourselves, ignoring all the naysayers,thinking that they were all losers and not hardworking.

I have lived the reality. If you want to be a physician, go to MEDICAL SCHOOL!! Do not go to podiatry school!! They are not the same at all. They basic sciences is comparable, but the clinical years are not.
Anyway the point I am trying to make is that if you cannot get into a US medical school, a foreign medical school is an excellent option.

I went back to med school in the caribbean and i am well on my way to being a medical doctor. I no longer have to feel guilty about calling my self a doctor. I wasted 4 years and 160k in loans plus 1 year in an incredibly low paying residency and 4 years of struggle in private practice before I had the nads to go back to med school. Now I am making as an intern what I made as a first year associate in private practice after finishing my podiatry residency.
If you love feet or have a dad who is a pod then go for it. But if you want to be a doctor then eschew podiatry and apply to DO school or med school abroad and be a real doctor. It is logistically somewhat more difficult (harder to get loans and having to move) but in the long run much more satisfying.
Don't take the path of least resistance, follow your dream!
Sorry for the long diatribe, but I am honestly and sincerly trying to prevent some of you from making the same mistake I made.
I am sure that you can tell from the sincerity of my post that I am not trying to flame podiatry but trying to help. If you have any questions, please email me.

 

[AFVET]

I guess it was only a matter of time. The whole thing is rather strange to me. I have two cousins who are podiatrists and they are doing great. I get excited about it a start filling out applications then I see a post like this. I don't understand how there could be such a chasm between experiences. Isn't that one year residency pretty much a kiss of death? What part of the country did you try to start a practice?

 

[GASDR]

Hi AFVET,
I am also an Air Force vet. I was a medical technologist (92430 I think).
I actually bought a practice in AZ in an underserved area that already had 3 podiatrists in a town of 30k. You cannot go anywhere in the country without intense competition and having continually having to hustle business (another reason I went to medical school). The reason for this is self evident. If you fix the foot problem, you are no longer needed.
I am sorry to rain on the parade of optimism all you guys have. I am just trying to help people not make the same mistake I made. Don't get me wrong, I am sure some of my classmates are happy. I think that many are also very disillusioned. I also did not listen as an incoming student and even 1st year student. My thought was that the failures were not well motivated. Another problem for podiatry in the near future is the quality of graduates coming out in the last couple of years. The pod schools basically took anyone with the 50 dollar application fee. That cannot bode well for the reputation of the profession.

Anyway, you guys will likely do what you believe and do what I did and take what I perceived as the path of least resistance. The loans for pod school are readily available after all. Following your dream to be a physician and going overseas or DO school is more of a leap of faith and trust me will pay off much mroe in the long run.
Good luck, and don't say I did not warn you.

 

[AFVET]

Hi AFVET,
I am also an Air Force vet. I was a medical technologist (92430 I think).
I actually bought a practice in AZ in an underserved area that already had 3 podiatrists in a town of 30k. You cannot go anywhere in the country without intense competition and having continually having to hustle business (another reason I went to medical school). The reason for this is self evident. If you fix the foot problem, you are no longer needed.
I am sorry to rain on the parade of optimism all you guys have. I am just trying to help people not make the same mistake I made. Don't get me wrong, I am sure some of my classmates are happy. I think that many are also very disillusioned. I also did not listen as an incoming student and even 1st year student. My thought was that the failures were not well motivated. Another problem for podiatry in the near future is the quality of graduates coming out in the last couple of years. The pod schools basically took anyone with the 50 dollar application fee. That cannot bode well for the reputation of the profession.

Anyway, you guys will likely do what you believe and do what I did and take what I perceived as the path of least resistance. The loans for pod school are readily available after all. Following your dream to be a physician and going overseas or DO school is more of a leap of faith and trust me will pay off much mroe in the long run.
Good luck, and don't say I did not warn you.

I guess I don't know what you mean by disillusioned, my cousins are making money, I mean a lot of money. Do you think a three year residency would have made a difference for you? I was maintenance in the AF 2A6X2. Out of curiosity, did you get any kind of advanced standing when you went back to med school?

 

[DPMrick]

I guess I don't know what you mean by disillusioned, my cousins are making money, I mean a lot of money. Do you think a three year residency would have made a difference for you? I was maintenance in the AF 2A6X2. Out of curiosity, did you get any kind of advanced standing when you went back to med school?

Good question. I am also under the impression that to make myself stand out among pods and to get referrals from physicians, I need to have at least a 3 year surgical residency.

AFVET: I don't think med school counts anything you did in pod school. When I interviewed at NYCPM, I met a student who was accepted into Columbia P&S after 2 years of pod school...and he has to start all over.