Little guidance needed

[kikiD623]

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Hi everyone, I'm new to this forum but have a few ?'s about podiatry. I'm entering my senior year as an undergraduate in biology and have been thinking about podiatry for quite sometime. I'm hesitant to apply after graduation though because of my MCAT score. I got a 17R on the exam. I was wondering how much the mcat is considered. I have a 3.8 GPA, I'm a hard working, and actually don't mind studying. But I'm looking for opinions on whether or not these statistics and my low MCAT score would get me into a podiatry program. I do have a good deal of experence in the medical field, although not directly related to podiatry.

Also, I was wondering how you guys are certain that know that you want to become podiatrists. I dont want to waste my whole life trying to figure out what profession suits me best because, after so many years of contemplation and gaining experience I'm sick of trying to find the "perfect" field. I do know that I LOVED anatomy, do want good hours whatever profession I go into, want job security, and want to work with people.

I'd appreciate any advice
Thanks!

 

[Feli]

Assuming you were a BS bio grad at a reasonably tough university, I don't think your MCAT score would hold you back very much with a high GPA that high. Studying and student work ethic is generally the more important factor in graduate programs - especially in straight memorization classes like anat or pharm, but your test score might indicate that you will need a lot of time with conceptually hard classes like biochem, physio, path, etc. Nonetheless, you could still re-study and retake the MCAT later this fall or spring to increase your chances at acceptance to a pod program of your choice and/or scholarship considerations.

As for being "certain that know that you want to become podiatrists," that is good and valid question due to the fact that in podiatry, you choose your specialty at the onset and don't have much flexibility. You need to know well what you are undertaking, and that is where the shadowing of a few podiatrists and doing your own research comes in. I'd suggest getting into a few pod offices in your area, asking questions while there, some reading around on the net, and asking questions here regarding anything you don't understand. The sticky "what is podiatric medicine" in the pod students forums is a great start. If you like what you see in the offices and what you learn on your own, applying and interviews/visits to a few pod schools would be the next step.

I have pretty much the same strengths you do (anat interest and working with people), and podiatry fits those well for me. I like chatting with patients, educating them on their conditions, and often being able to help them right away with a simple procedure or problem solution they hadn't though of. Anatomy is also key because podiatry is a specialty which involves a good deal of radiology (XR, CT, MRI, etc) and surgery, so you really have to know the structures and relationships well.

 

[APMAHelp]

Find a DPM and make arrangements to shadow him/her for a few days. Once you've done that, you can determine if this is the career for you and you can make an educated decision. If you need help finding a DPM to shadow in your area, you can contact the APMA and they can recommend someone for you. Feel free to email at [email protected] to get more information. Good luck this fall!

 

[crhoody12]

I agree with the above. I had the interest in podiatry but no shadowing. I went to the aacpm website and they have a contact a mentor section. I clicked on Pennsylvania, and found one right in Philly. Emailed him and he got back to me the next day and within 5 days (weekend included), I was in his office watching him work and talking about the profession. I contacted a few local Podiatrist and most all of them (4 of 5) we're more than welcoming to have me come watch (the 5th wanted to but couldn't due to liability reasons). It really is a great profession where the current practicing podiatrist seem to, from my experiences, have a genuine interest in helping out the upcoming students and build their field for the future.

The contact a mentor site is below. Hopefully there is one in your area.
http://www.aacpm.org/contactpod/default.asp

 

[kikiD623]

Hey! thanks for all the responses, they were very helpful. I took your advice and called a few podiatrists around my area today, hopefully I will get a call back saying that I can shadow them. I really do hope that the MCAT doesn't hold me back. I'm horrible at those kind of exams.. maybe its cuz i get so anxious before them. But I'd rather not repeat it if i didnt have to.

 

[Feli]

Well, GL whether you retake or not. Let us know how your shadowing goes or if you have any more questions you need cleared up.

Here's a thread with a similar situation (saves me from typing it again lol):
http://forums.studentdoctor.net/showthread.php?t=418822

 

[kikiD623]

Thanks for all the help Feli!