how late is too late ?

[stupperman]

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after thinking M.D./D.O. was the only way i stumbled across podiatry for a variety of reasons. I had originally planed on applying next year (September of 2010) but I am having second thoughts. I'm thinking about applying yet this year and I'm wondering if that is a good idea or not. Here are my stats:
GPA and sGPA are both 3.7
MCAT = 25
lots of various volunteering and I have worked in a hospital for the last 2 years assisting patients in transport and prep for their procedures.

My only downfall is that I have yet to actually shadow a DPM. Is there anyway I could get in without a DPM LOR? I have talked to a couple DPM's but don't have any shadowing experience and I don't feel i know them well enough to ask for a LOR yet. I would feel more comfortable asking for a LOR after shadowing a few more times but it's going to be December before that ever happens.

I'm primarily interested in DMU and I know they require a LOR so it would be late December when i apply, if I have to get the LOR.

so should i apply in late December or should i wait until next year?

thanks

 

[dropfoot]

after thinking M.D./D.O. was the only way i stumbled across podiatry for a variety of reasons. I had originally planed on applying next year (September of 2010) but I am having second thoughts. I'm thinking about applying yet this year and I'm wondering if that is a good idea or not. Here are my stats:
GPA and sGPA are both 3.7
MCAT = 25
lots of various volunteering and I have worked in a hospital for the last 2 years assisting patients in transport and prep for their procedures.

My only downfall is that I have yet to actually shadow a DPM. Is there anyway I could get in without a DPM LOR? I have talked to a couple DPM's but don't have any shadowing experience and I don't feel i know them well enough to ask for a LOR yet. I would feel more comfortable asking for a LOR after shadowing a few more times but it's going to be December before that ever happens.

I'm primarily interested in DMU and I know they require a LOR so it would be late December when i apply, if I have to get the LOR.

so should i apply in late December or should i wait until next year?

thanks

That is not too late, and you should have no problem. Apply!

 

[165007]

It might not be too late, but I would shadow a pod and do more research.
Podiatry isnt for everyone.

 

[stupperman]

It might not be too late, but I would shadow a pod and do more research.
Podiatry isnt for everyone.

Thanks for the input, it's not like i turned a new leaf yesterday and decided podiatry was for me. I've been researching it for a few months now, I just haven't shadowed a podiatrist, only M.D.'s. Believe me I will not apply until i am 100% sure, it's too big of a commitment to mess up on and I may just take the year off to figure things out. I just want to know whether or not i have a chance when/if i apply in December.

 

[darazon]

after thinking M.D./D.O. was the only way i stumbled across podiatry for a variety of reasons. I had originally planed on applying next year (September of 2010) but I am having second thoughts. I'm thinking about applying yet this year and I'm wondering if that is a good idea or not. Here are my stats:
GPA and sGPA are both 3.7
MCAT = 25
lots of various volunteering and I have worked in a hospital for the last 2 years assisting patients in transport and prep for their procedures.

My only downfall is that I have yet to actually shadow a DPM. Is there anyway I could get in without a DPM LOR? I have talked to a couple DPM's but don't have any shadowing experience and I don't feel i know them well enough to ask for a LOR yet. I would feel more comfortable asking for a LOR after shadowing a few more times but it's going to be December before that ever happens.

I'm primarily interested in DMU and I know they require a LOR so it would be late December when i apply, if I have to get the LOR.

so should i apply in late December or should i wait until next year?

thanks

I applied in January and had no problems getting interviews to the schools that I wanted. I also did not get my LOR's in until even later. The schools would not give me a firm acceptance until they received all the LOR's though.

You should have no problems waiting until December -earlier is always better, but as you said, you want to make sure it is right for you before you commit.

Good luck.

 

[air bud]

there is an easy solution to this. keep banging on pods doors until you can find someone to follow. Then, spend as much time shadowing them as you feel necessary so you are comfortable asking for a LOR. Next, get the LOR and turn it in. Finally, interview and gain acceptance (easily fulfilling the stat requirement).

 

[podpal]

You may contact the school and request a mentor. Most pod schools have them. They can link you to rotate with a pod in your area. If the school is too new to have prior admitted pods in practice, you can try to get a mentor from another school. You can contact the AACPM, at www.aacpm.org and link to the mentors there. They are there for you to gain a better understanding of the field.

December isn't too late. You have excellent grades.

 

[newdoc79]

after thinking M.D./D.O. was the only way i stumbled across podiatry for a variety of reasons. I had originally planed on applying next year (September of 2010) but I am having second thoughts. I'm thinking about applying yet this year and I'm wondering if that is a good idea or not. Here are my stats:
GPA and sGPA are both 3.7
MCAT = 25
lots of various volunteering and I have worked in a hospital for the last 2 years assisting patients in transport and prep for their procedures.

My only downfall is that I have yet to actually shadow a DPM. Is there anyway I could get in without a DPM LOR? I have talked to a couple DPM's but don't have any shadowing experience and I don't feel i know them well enough to ask for a LOR yet. I would feel more comfortable asking for a LOR after shadowing a few more times but it's going to be December before that ever happens.

I'm primarily interested in DMU and I know they require a LOR so it would be late December when i apply, if I have to get the LOR.

so should i apply in late December or should i wait until next year?

thanks

Some schools actually help you get set up to shadow a DPM. I would probably contact the school and see if they can help out with that.