Is Caribbean a one shot MD option? Can I go, flunk out or leave and still go to another health profession?

[ToeTag1999]

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My stats are not good enough for DO but fall in line for both SGU (Caribbean Med School) and Podiatry.

I have 3.57 overall gpa and 3.67 sGPA (Biology degree) and 495 MCAT. I plan retake the MCAT since my practice scores were higher.

So I plan to start at SGU next Fall IF and only IF I can still get the loans I'll need for Podiatry School if I flunk out and/or don't like it there at SGU.

I do not mind wasting 1 year of my life and/or 60-70K if it gives me an opportunity for the MD. BUT I am not willing to gamble everything on this endeavor. I would just go straight up Podiatry if I can only take out 1 Grad Plus Loan. I also have excellent credit at Sallie Mae (Paying off my undergrad and never delinquent) so I will attempt to get a private loan from them knowing I'm then safe to do the Federal Grad Plus if I flunk out or leave SGU. And I don't have to "Flunk" to decide I can't handle the curriculum. If I'm not pulling at least a B+ or better in all courses I'll consider myself as doing subpar and unlikely to do well on the USMLE.

I'm sure I can figure out by 2nd half of year 1 at SGU how I'm doing and whether I'll leave. At that point I would no longer study I'd just take the rest of my time as a vacation.

So if SGU goes well then great, I have a decent chance at a Family Practice Physician and will be happy.

However, I'm not upset too much if I wind up with the Podiatry backup option for three reasons I am assuming. If my ASSUMPTIONS are inaccurate please correct me

1) Podiatrists have autonomy and top experts in their field of care (foot/ankle)
2) Podiatrist get to do surgeries which I would have likely not matched into if I went DO (do Pods get to do torn achilles ruptures and other cool surgeries?)
3) Pods have full DEA rights to prescribe narcotics for chronic foot ailments
4) Podiatrist have a decent ability to be mobile (at least at the outset) and work in a city/suburb they want
Bonus - I have a legit foot fetish for women's feet and often would smell/inhale my ex-GF high heels and shoes.

OK ALSO I plan to get into Pod school for Fall 2020 IF and only IF my 2nd MCAT goes well because then why waste time at SGU. Now IF my MCAT goes well when I retake this April and I'm SURE I can get into DO (I'll have to improve to 506 to feel certain I'm good....and the 495 no excuses but I didn't study much or take many practice exams I took like 3 only this time I would get UWorld/Next Step and just take like 20-30 practices, I also accidentally got inebriated the evening before though I felt Amazing morning of the exam no headache felt awesome.

So my QUESTION is IF I do well on the MCAT and want to go DO. Can I start at Podiatry School since they have the same curriculum as DO (at Temple where I plan to apply, also applying Barry and NYCPM) and I can just transfer straight into 2nd year DO?

Thanks for you time.

 

[deleted480308]

That sounds impossible

 

[Catalystik]

So my QUESTION is IF I do well on the MCAT and want to go DO. Can I start at Podiatry School since they have the same curriculum as DO (at Temple where I plan to apply, also applying Barry and NYCPM) and I can just transfer straight into 2nd year DO?

They don't have the same curriculum, unless I'm missing something and they now teach OMM in Pod school.

 

[kfcchikin]

Why do you think they have the same curriculum as DO?

Temple podiatry's year 1 curriculum:

Biochemistry
Fundamentals of Podiatric Practice I
General Anatomy
Histology
Lower Extremity
Anatomy
Neurophysiology
Physiology

Temple's MD school year 1 curriculum is:

Fundamentals of Anatomy
Fundamentals of Medicine I
Biological Systems I: Cardiovascular, Blood, Respiratory & Renal Systems
Biological Systems II: Integumentary, Endocrine, Reproductive and Male and Female Reproductive Systems and Nutrition
Biological Systems III: Nervous System
BioSystems IV: Immunology and Inflammation

For DO, PCOM's 1st year curriculum:

Structural Principles of Osteopathic Medicine
Osteopathic Principles and Practice I
Primary Care Skills I
Clinical Reasoning in Basic Sciences I
Cellular and Molecular Basis of Medicine
Osteopathic Principles and Practice II
Primary Care Skills II
Clinical Reasoning in Basic Sciences I

 

[ToeTag1999]

Why do you think they have the same curriculum as DO?

Temple podiatry's year 1 curriculum:

Biochemistry
Fundamentals of Podiatric Practice I
General Anatomy
Histology
Lower Extremity
Anatomy
Neurophysiology
Physiology

Temple's MD school year 1 curriculum is:

Fundamentals of Anatomy
Fundamentals of Medicine I
Biological Systems I: Cardiovascular, Blood, Respiratory & Renal Systems
Biological Systems II: Integumentary, Endocrine, Reproductive and Male and Female Reproductive Systems and Nutrition
Biological Systems III: Nervous System
BioSystems IV: Immunology and Inflammation

For DO, PCOM's 1st year curriculum:

Structural Principles of Osteopathic Medicine
Osteopathic Principles and Practice I
Primary Care Skills I
Clinical Reasoning in Basic Sciences I
Cellular and Molecular Basis of Medicine
Osteopathic Principles and Practice II
Primary Care Skills II
Clinical Reasoning in Basic Sciences I

why do I think that? Because that is what I read from "reputable" posters on the Pod Forum before I joined here. So now I consider them liars and won't believe anything I read in the Pod Forum.

They specifically said that at Temple that Pod and DO had the same 1st year curriculum. Liars then

 

[imbesrs]

Putting too much faith in 1 school, and pod and do are obviously different just by name. One only focuses on the foot/ankle, the other sets you up for your choice in body function specialization.

3.67sGPA you should by no means prepping for an SGU attendance. Get your **** together, actually study for the ****ing MCAT. go on r/mcat, mcat subforums here and learn how to study for an exam like that, and get a 507+. For sure DO/low MD competitive, and if you do better, then greater chances for a US MD.

Cmon dude

 

[imbesrs]

495 no excuses but I didn't study much or take many practice exams I took like 3 only this time I would get UWorld/Next Step and just take like 20-30 practices, I also accidentally got inebriated the evening before though I felt Amazing morning of the exam no headache felt awesome.

"No excuses" I hate to be blunt dude, but you my friend are something else. This post pisses me off ill leave now

 

[kfcchikin]

why do I think that? Because that is what I read from "reputable" posters on the Pod Forum before I joined here. So now I consider them liars and won't believe anything I read in the Pod Forum.

They specifically said that at Temple that Pod and DO had the same 1st year curriculum. Liars then

Temple doesn't have a DO school. I'm sure some of their pod classes: biochemistry, anatomy, histology, physiology, and neurophysiology are common at medical schools but it's not gonna be the exact same as any medical school and they would not be willing to accept courses not taken at their own institution, let alone for a different degree entirely

 

[ToeTag1999]

Putting too much faith in 1 school, and pod and do are obviously different just by name. One only focuses on the foot/ankle, the other sets you up for your choice in body function specialization.

3.67sGPA you should by no means prepping for an SGU attendance. Get your **** together, actually study for the ****ing MCAT. go on r/mcat, mcat subforums here and learn how to study for an exam like that, and get a 507+. For sure DO/low MD competitive, and if you do better, then greater chances for a US MD.

Cmon dude

I just assumed the poster was reliable and that Pod was similar enough to MD/DO in the first year because they are essentially foot specialists. But thought it sounded reasonable that it was possible they could be the same year 1.

 

[ToeTag1999]

Temple doesn't have a DO school. I'm sure some of their pod classes: biochemistry, anatomy, histology, physiology, and neurophysiology are common at medical schools but it's not gonna be the exact same as any medical school and they would not be willing to accept courses not taken at their own institution, let alone for a different degree entirely

okay that makes sense. If something seems ridiculous it probably is. Those Pod posters are not giving good info to people

 

[MedDoc305]

why do I think that? Because that is what I read from "reputable" posters on the Pod Forum before I joined here. So now I consider them liars and won't believe anything I read in the Pod Forum.

They specifically said that at Temple that Pod and DO had the same 1st year curriculum. Liars then

Yeah, I don't think you will ever be able to transfer. Honestly, I understand exactly what you're feeling and what you're trying to do in your head. I am an extremely cautious person myself and decided to do a linkage masters even though I have a 3.5 and a 513 MCAT just to have a back up to the back up. But you've taken it to a whole other level. You need to decide to do either podiatry or sacrifice a year and attempt DO. Your posts and responses are off the wall. I felt like I was reading a post that just captured every word off someones racing thoughts.

 

[ScreamingInternally]

I'm sure I can figure out by 2nd half of year 1 at SGU how I'm doing and whether I'll leave. - Are you made of money??? Doing 50k+ of coursework just for funsies. Get a grip.

1) Podiatrists have... - If you like Pods so much, go for Pods. No one is forcing you to try for a DO/MD. You're asking about pods stuff in the wrong place, my friend.


OK ALSO I plan to get into Pod school for Fall 2020 IF and only IF my 2nd MCAT goes well because then why waste time at SGU. - Getting drunk the night before the MCAT, you'd fit right in at SGU tbh. But yeah, I'd probably do podiatry straight through before spending a second at the "Big4"

495 no excuses - Proceeds to list excuses

they have the same curriculum as DO (at Temple where I plan to apply, also applying Barry and NYCPM) and I can just transfer straight into 2nd year DO? - No. No, no. Just No. Transfer straight into 2nd year???? Lol. You have no idea how anything works. Even the people who do those post-bac programs which often have LITERALLY THE IDENTICAL CURRICULA to M1 (or at least it did at my school) still have to do all 4 years for the MD.

 

[907914]

Just go podiatry. Or not. Retake the MCAT

 

[gonnif]

1) What I think is crazy here is you have GPAs only slightly below average for MD and Certainly enough for DO
2) prepping and retaking the MCAT is perhaps the easiest thing to fix in a weak record
3) Podiatry is a reason profession and is a medical specialty. In clinical practice you are seen by other physicians as equal and just another specialist
4) podiatry schools are moving towards USMLE as standard

 

[sm96]

WHY would you write that on here

 

[Orangekiwi]

Yo OP quick question what the f***?

 

[Goro]

My stats are not good enough for DO but fall in line for both SGU (Caribbean Med School) and Podiatry.

I have 3.57 overall gpa and 3.67 sGPA (Biology degree) and 495 MCAT. I plan retake the MCAT since my practice scores were higher.

So I plan to start at SGU next Fall IF and only IF I can still get the loans I'll need for Podiatry School if I flunk out and/or don't like it there at SGU.

I do not mind wasting 1 year of my life and/or 60-70K if it gives me an opportunity for the MD. BUT I am not willing to gamble everything on this endeavor. I would just go straight up Podiatry if I can only take out 1 Grad Plus Loan. I also have excellent credit at Sallie Mae (Paying off my undergrad and never delinquent) so I will attempt to get a private loan from them knowing I'm then safe to do the Federal Grad Plus if I flunk out or leave SGU. And I don't have to "Flunk" to decide I can't handle the curriculum. If I'm not pulling at least a B+ or better in all courses I'll consider myself as doing subpar and unlikely to do well on the USMLE.

I'm sure I can figure out by 2nd half of year 1 at SGU how I'm doing and whether I'll leave. At that point I would no longer study I'd just take the rest of my time as a vacation.

So if SGU goes well then great, I have a decent chance at a Family Practice Physician and will be happy.

However, I'm not upset too much if I wind up with the Podiatry backup option for three reasons I am assuming. If my ASSUMPTIONS are inaccurate please correct me

1) Podiatrists have autonomy and top experts in their field of care (foot/ankle)
2) Podiatrist get to do surgeries which I would have likely not matched into if I went DO (do Pods get to do torn achilles ruptures and other cool surgeries?)
3) Pods have full DEA rights to prescribe narcotics for chronic foot ailments
4) Podiatrist have a decent ability to be mobile (at least at the outset) and work in a city/suburb they want
Bonus - I have a legit foot fetish for women's feet and often would smell/inhale my ex-GF high heels and shoes.

OK ALSO I plan to get into Pod school for Fall 2020 IF and only IF my 2nd MCAT goes well because then why waste time at SGU. Now IF my MCAT goes well when I retake this April and I'm SURE I can get into DO (I'll have to improve to 506 to feel certain I'm good....and the 495 no excuses but I didn't study much or take many practice exams I took like 3 only this time I would get UWorld/Next Step and just take like 20-30 practices, I also accidentally got inebriated the evening before though I felt Amazing morning of the exam no headache felt awesome.

So my QUESTION is IF I do well on the MCAT and want to go DO. Can I start at Podiatry School since they have the same curriculum as DO (at Temple where I plan to apply, also applying Barry and NYCPM) and I can just transfer straight into 2nd year DO?

Thanks for you time.

With that that MCAT score, you are are high risk for failing out of med school (which is even more amplified in the Carib) and/or failing Boards (which is another excuse for a Carib school to dismiss you.

Do better on the MCAT

 

[ChymeofPassion]

I love how these threads ALWAYS have some kind of sexual element.

 

[LizzyM]

1) Podiatrists have autonomy and top experts in their field of care (foot/ankle)
2) Podiatrist get to do surgeries which I would have likely not matched into if I went DO (do Pods get to do torn achilles ruptures and other cool surgeries?)
3) Pods have full DEA rights to prescribe narcotics for chronic foot ailments
4) Podiatrist have a decent ability to be mobile (at least at the outset) and work in a city/suburb they want
Bonus - I have a legit foot fetish for women's feet and often would smell/inhale my ex-GF high heels and shoes.

Sounds like you have your POD personal statement outlined. Go for it. Please stay in touch & let us know where you end up practicing.

 

[ScreamingInternally]

Sounds like you have your POD personal statement outlined. Go for it. Please stay in touch & let us know where you end up practicing.

Yeah I'd like to know as well so I can stay as far away as humanly possible

 

[chemdoctor]

OP, just retake the MCAT!!

your GPAs aren’t lethal for MD or DO!!

 

[kritten]

You legit got drunk before the MCAT and want to be taken seriously? This forum is nuts man.

 

[RNthenDoc]

Sorry OP, you don’t belong in the healthcare profession if you are including your sexual proclivities as reasons to pursue seeing and touching your patients. This kind of predation should 100% be banned from the profession.

I don’t want to give good advice and be complicit in empowering someone who will derive sexual gratification from their medical practice with vulnerable patients.

 

[DexterMorganSK]

I could go on and talk about OPs chances for either profession (DO/DPM) but I feel like OP was just born yesterday. That said, good luck, hope it works out.

 

[HarmonicConvergence]

1) Eww

2) although the first two years of Temple pod and med are similar in that we generally learn the same information taught by the same people. It's not identical. They are system based where pod is traditional and they take certain class we don't and vice versa. It is def not transferable. You can't even transfer within different pod schools. It's just too different for each school. Even pod schools where DO and PODs take the first two years together you can't transfer. Schools a rollercoaster. What ever ride you get on you're stuck on it. You either finish it out or jump out and hope you land feet first.

3) Pod is great and all but if you want to be an MD be an MD. Retake that mcat and get into a DO/MD school. Our schools may be similar but podiatry is very limiting. If you're ok with that then come on over but if you have even the slightest doubt then DO/MD gives you the kinda options that podiatry just doesn't

 

[Princeton Medical Student]

Doesn’t have to be predatory. He can just be more fulfilled by his work than some.

Same reason I want to go into pathology!!

 

[microbionerd]

You should not be entering any type of medical profession where you think this would considered a "bonus". This is absolutely predatory behavior towards women and should NOT be condoned, including on SDN. Also-making light jokes of predatory behavior is what continues to foster the rape culture in America. Please be respectful to women when you are making comments or suggestions. I'm looking at you Mr. Dr. Prof. Patrick.

There have been many medical professionals who have used their titles and their professions as a way to sexually assault women. THIS NEEDS TO STOP. This thread should have been closed just for this remark alone.

 

[kfcchikin]

Sorry OP, you don’t belong in the healthcare profession if you are including your sexual proclivities as reasons to pursue seeing and touching your patients. This kind of predation should 100% be banned from the profession.

I don’t want to give good advice and be complicit in empowering someone who will derive sexual gratification from their medical practice with vulnerable patients.

This! It's not even funny. Idk where my previous reply went but it's vile and frankly terrifying that people like this pull off the stats to go into medicine when they think it's even remotely acceptable to make such a comment anywhere or to anyone. There have been enough f'd up scandals and OP is a walking red flag standing next in line. What a sicko

 

[gyngyn]

Closing.