My chances?

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SIUnit

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Background

No nice way to put it, but I'm pretty much an MD reject, and the MD forums suggested for me to look into podiatry. From what I see I think I will enjoy the profession, since I always wanted to do surgery (I'm a hands on work kind of person), and I'm not very picky on what I get to operate on so long as I get to operate.


Numbers

I'm sure the podiatry GPA calculations will be a bit different, but based on my last year's AMCAS, I have a cGPA of 3.17, sGPA of 3.04, and I did a year of SMP finishing with a 3.02 GPA, which pretty much killed my MD chances even though it proved I can do fine in medschool courses. I took the MCAT July 2009 (I know it's still good for 1 more MD/DO cycle, but not sure about Podiatry) and got a 32R.

So I was just wondering if I'm even any competetive for podiatry, or I should go with my backup plan and switch careers.

I'm currently waiting on hearing back from my 2 interviews at ScribeAmerica, and since those are 1 year minimum commitment, I will be applying for the fall 2012 cycle, assuming if I even have a shot at it.

Can anyone give me some ideas? I don't mind blunt, honestly answers, and in fact I would prefer them over the sweettalk my advisor(s) gave me about my MD chances even though they should've known that even I knew my chances are nil.
 
Your Gpa is a little bit lower then average applying podiatry students, but your MCAT is super high. I think you will have a really high chance of getting into most podiatry school. I would apply first of Aug. Good Luck.
 
uhhm try DO if you want to be a physician?
 
Adlogin said:
uhhm try DO if you want to be a physician?
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I agree.. Dont go into podiatry unless you want it. You could be setting yourself up for disappointment. Aplly broadly and you will get a few DO bites.
 
I agree... don't use podiatry as a fall back profession. Go the DO route for sure!
 
The MCAT is considered more important than GPA since it is the only standardized evaluation of the applicant, thus I believe you have a fantastic chance of being accepted to every podiatry school based on your score.

You need to figure out if being a foot/ankle specialist is what you'd like to do with your life. My advice would be to learn as much about the profession as possible, shadow multiple podiatric physicians, and then make a rational decision.
 
Ferocity said:
I believe certain entities consider a podiatrist to be a physician. 👍
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Indeed. To help the OP... If you can accept even the most negative stereotypes of Podiatry and still be be happy with it, then you know it's for you!
 
Hey OP,

Number-wise you're a strong applicant but don't come to the podiatry forum flaunting your MD reject status. It's just not cool. I'm sure you've done some research about this side of medicine but until you have shadowed a podiatrist or two you really won't have a clue about what it's like practicing podiatric medicine. Podiatry isn't all about surgery and surgery shouldn't be the sole reason you're choosing to walk this path. If podiatry truly is your last shot at practicing medicine then do yourself a favor. Shadow (if you already haven't done so).

And last but not least,
Cheer up, never give up, and good luck 👍
 
If you want to be an MD, make it happen. Do a Master's or apply to a foreign Medical School. Fall backs never satisfy.
 
TheFootDoc said:
Hey OP,

Number-wise you're a strong applicant but don't come to the podiatry forum flaunting your MD reject status. It's just not cool. I'm sure you've done some research about this side of medicine but until you have shadowed a podiatrist or two you really won't have a clue about what it's like practicing podiatric medicine. Podiatry isn't all about surgery and surgery shouldn't be the sole reason you're choosing to walk this path. If podiatry truly is your last shot at practicing medicine then do yourself a favor. Shadow (if you already haven't done so).

And last but not least,
Cheer up, never give up, and good luck 👍
Click to expand...

Sorry, I never meant to flaunt anything, but I don't want to hide anything either. It is what it is no matter how much anyone want to sugarcoat it.

As for the DO route, I am applying for that too, but I'm not too hopeful since I don't have a MD/DO letter, I'm restricted to just 4 DO schools (and even then, I get the feeling that they are "optional"). I can probably get a letter, but that probably wouldn't happen until 1 or 2 months I assume (not sure how the time frame on this goes) so it'll be way late for the application, not to mention I'm way below the average for DO school as well, so that gives me about 3 strikes already.

And the reason MD is pretty much a bust for me is that I already did a SMP and didn't do too well in that. Ideally I'd want to go MD, but I really don't have the money to spend to pull my GPA up, and the time spent doing that means I could've be well on my way to a different careers path. Frankly I'm also not too keen on retaking the MCAT tbh, it's not an experience that I want to repeat if I can help it. I guess I could try my luck with St. George on that, but again, I'm not too sure about my numbers, but I'll let the adcom decide that.
 
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Whether you choose podiatry or the DO route, you will need to shadow the respective professionals so you should go about doing that and decide which you like better and get those letters from them. Definitely shadow multiple podiatrists to see if you're even interested and then you can apply later on in the cycle if you have to. Have you considered the Caribbean if earning an MD is your main goal?
 
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Your chances of getting into DO school should be very good with a 32 MCAT. The average MCAT for DO school is around 25-27 and your well above that. This will make up for your lower GPA. DO avg. GPA is around 3.4. GPA for MD school is around 3.6 and 28-32 MCAT average. Your chances for MD are somewhat less than average. However you will be a competitive applicant for DO school. DO's and MD's are considered to be fully licensed physicians and they practically can do the same stuff, there's not much difference between the two, can specialize in the same stuff and so on. The only real difference is the approach to medicine, DO's use a holistic model, meaning they look at the whole person's overall health, on the other side MD's look for specifics, there more worried about treating the problem only, for example a disease. You will easily get into all the pod schools you apply too, avg MCAT can range from 18-25, depending on the strength of the applicant pool that year and two out of the 9 schools, you can take the DAT instead, and 1 out of those two you can also take the GRE. Usually a 2.5-2.75 GPA or higher is needed to be eligible to apply, avg. being 3.3 for accepted students, your GPA is not far off, 0.13 won't make a difference. You should shadow pods b4 applying, don't use it as a fall back, Pods are not considered fully licensed physicians, only MD'S and DO's are. The Doctor of Podiatric Medicine degree is along the same lines as the Doctor of optometry degree, Doctor of Chiropractic, Doctor of Physical Therapy, Doctor of Nursing Practice, Doctor of Veterinary Medicine and so on. However Podiatry is the closest thing or next best thing you can get to a MD/DO degree. If your really passionate about the MD route consider the Caribbean big 4 schools, like Ross and St. Georges. You can also consider a 2-Yr masters program, Or even PA school if your really interested in Surgery. Podiatrist is limited to the Foot & Ankle. PA's can specialize in anything and switch specialties whenever they want. Down side is you will always work under a doctor. Best advice is shadow shadow shadow and research your options. Actually the 1st ever PA bridge to DO program was initiated, PA's can now become DO's but only 1 school so far offers this and few get accepted. More schools may follow suit but no one knows how long it will take or if it will actually happen.
 
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Your chances of getting into DO school should be very good with a 32 MCAT. The average MCAT for DO school is around 25-27 and your well above that. This will make up for your lower GPA. DO avg. GPA is around 3.4. GPA for MD school is around 3.6 and 28-32 MCAT average. Your chances for MD are somewhat less than average. However you will be a competitive applicant for DO school. DO's and MD's are considered to be fully licensed physicians and they practically can do the same stuff, there's not much difference between the two, can specialize in the same stuff and so on. The only real difference is the approach to medicine, DO's use a holistic model, meaning they look at the whole person's overall health, on the other side MD's look for specifics, there more worried about treating the problem only, for example a disease. You will easily get into all the pod schools you apply too, avg MCAT can range from 18-25, depending on the strength of the applicant pool that year and two out of the 9 schools, you can take the DAT instead, and 1 out of those two you can also take the GRE. Usually a 2.5-2.75 GPA or higher is needed to be eligible to apply, avg. being 3.3 for accepted students, your GPA is not far off, 0.13 won't make a difference. You should shadow pods b4 applying, don't use it as a fall back, Pods are not considered fully licensed physicians, only MD'S and DO's are. The Doctor of Podiatric Medicine degree is along the same lines as the Doctor of optometry degree, Doctor of Chiropractic, Doctor of Physical Therapy, Doctor of Nursing Practice, Doctor of Veterinary Medicine and so on. However Podiatry is the closest thing or next best thing you can get to a MD/DO degree. If your really passionate about the MD route consider the Caribbean big 4 schools, like Ross and St. Georges. You can also consider a 2-Yr masters program, Or even PA school if your really interested in Surgery. Podiatrist is limited to the Foot & Ankle. PA's can specialize in anything and switch specialties whenever they want. Down side is you will always work under a doctor. Best advice is shadow shadow shadow and research your options.
 
skyboy99 said:
Your chances of getting into DO school should be very good with a 32 MCAT. The average MCAT for DO school is around 25-27 and your well above that. This will make up for your lower GPA. DO avg. GPA is around 3.4. GPA for MD school is around 3.6 and 28-32 MCAT average. Your chances for MD are somewhat less than average. However you will be a competitive applicant for DO school. DO's and MD's are considered to be fully licensed physicians and they practically can do the same stuff, there's not much difference between the two, can specialize in the same stuff and so on. The only real difference is the approach to medicine, DO's use a holistic model, meaning they look at the whole person's overall health, on the other side MD's look for specifics, there more worried about treating the problem only, for example a disease. You will easily get into all the pod schools you apply too, avg MCAT can range from 18-25, depending on the strength of the applicant pool that year and two out of the 9 schools, you can take the DAT instead, and 1 out of those two you can also take the GRE. Usually a 2.5-2.75 GPA or higher is needed to be eligible to apply, avg. being 3.3 for accepted students, your GPA is not far off, 0.13 won't make a difference. You should shadow pods b4 applying, don't use it as a fall back, Pods are not considered fully licensed physicians, only MD'S and DO's are. The Doctor of Podiatric Medicine degree is along the same lines as the Doctor of optometry degree, Doctor of Chiropractic, Doctor of Physical Therapy, Doctor of Nursing Practice, Doctor of Veterinary Medicine and so on. However Podiatry is the closest thing or next best thing you can get to a MD/DO degree. If your really passionate about the MD route consider the Caribbean big 4 schools, like Ross and St. Georges. You can also consider a 2-Yr masters program, Or even PA school if your really interested in Surgery. Podiatrist is limited to the Foot & Ankle. PA's can specialize in anything and switch specialties whenever they want. Down side is you will always work under a doctor. Best advice is shadow shadow shadow and research your options.
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I understand that you are trying to help, but you are providing a lot of misinformation here. i don't have time to correct it.
 
skyboy99 said:
Your chances of getting into DO school should be very good with a 32 MCAT. The average MCAT for DO school is around 25-27 and your well above that. This will make up for your lower GPA. DO avg. GPA is around 3.4. GPA for MD school is around 3.6 and 28-32 MCAT average. Your chances for MD are somewhat less than average. However you will be a competitive applicant for DO school. DO's and MD's are considered to be fully licensed physicians and they practically can do the same stuff, there's not much difference between the two, can specialize in the same stuff and so on. The only real difference is the approach to medicine, DO's use a holistic model, meaning they look at the whole person's overall health, on the other side MD's look for specifics, there more worried about treating the problem only, for example a disease. You will easily get into all the pod schools you apply too, avg MCAT can range from 18-25, depending on the strength of the applicant pool that year and two out of the 9 schools, you can take the DAT instead, and 1 out of those two you can also take the GRE. Usually a 2.5-2.75 GPA or higher is needed to be eligible to apply, avg. being 3.3 for accepted students, your GPA is not far off, 0.13 won't make a difference. You should shadow pods b4 applying, don't use it as a fall back, Pods are not considered fully licensed physicians, only MD'S and DO's are. The Doctor of Podiatric Medicine degree is along the same lines as the Doctor of optometry degree, Doctor of Chiropractic, Doctor of Physical Therapy, Doctor of Nursing Practice, Doctor of Veterinary Medicine and so on. However Podiatry is the closest thing or next best thing you can get to a MD/DO degree. If your really passionate about the MD route consider the Caribbean big 4 schools, like Ross and St. Georges. You can also consider a 2-Yr masters program, Or even PA school if your really interested in Surgery. Podiatrist is limited to the Foot & Ankle. PA's can specialize in anything and switch specialties whenever they want. Down side is you will always work under a doctor. Best advice is shadow shadow shadow and research your options.
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Seriuosly...Seriously...Seriously. However, all the other you said are somewhat true.
 
skyboy99 said:
Your chances of getting into DO school should be very good with a 32 MCAT. The average MCAT for DO school is around 25-27 and your well above that. This will make up for your lower GPA. DO avg. GPA is around 3.4. GPA for MD school is around 3.6 and 28-32 MCAT average. Your chances for MD are somewhat less than average. However you will be a competitive applicant for DO school. DO's and MD's are considered to be fully licensed physicians and they practically can do the same stuff, there's not much difference between the two, can specialize in the same stuff and so on. The only real difference is the approach to medicine, DO's use a holistic model, meaning they look at the whole person's overall health, on the other side MD's look for specifics, there more worried about treating the problem only, for example a disease. You will easily get into all the pod schools you apply too, avg MCAT can range from 18-25, depending on the strength of the applicant pool that year and two out of the 9 schools, you can take the DAT instead, and 1 out of those two you can also take the GRE. Usually a 2.5-2.75 GPA or higher is needed to be eligible to apply, avg. being 3.3 for accepted students, your GPA is not far off, 0.13 won't make a difference. You should shadow pods b4 applying, don't use it as a fall back, Pods are not considered fully licensed physicians, only MD'S and DO's are. The Doctor of Podiatric Medicine degree is along the same lines as the Doctor of optometry degree, Doctor of Chiropractic, Doctor of Physical Therapy, Doctor of Nursing Practice, Doctor of Veterinary Medicine and so on. However Podiatry is the closest thing or next best thing you can get to a MD/DO degree. If your really passionate about the MD route consider the Caribbean big 4 schools, like Ross and St. Georges. You can also consider a 2-Yr masters program, Or even PA school if your really interested in Surgery. Podiatrist is limited to the Foot & Ankle. PA's can specialize in anything and switch specialties whenever they want. Down side is you will always work under a doctor. Best advice is shadow shadow shadow and research your options.
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SIUnit - If I were you I would disregard what skyboy99 posted. Entirely too long response filled with rubbish and spelling errors that fails to answer your question or provide accurate information.
 
skyboy99 said:
Your chances of getting into DO school should be very good with a 32 MCAT. The average MCAT for DO school is around 25-27 and your well above that. This will make up for your lower GPA. DO avg. GPA is around 3.4. GPA for MD school is around 3.6 and 28-32 MCAT average. Your chances for MD are somewhat less than average. However you will be a competitive applicant for DO school. DO's and MD's are considered to be fully licensed physicians and they practically can do the same stuff, there's not much difference between the two, can specialize in the same stuff and so on. The only real difference is the approach to medicine, DO's use a holistic model, meaning they look at the whole person's overall health, on the other side MD's look for specifics, there more worried about treating the problem only, for example a disease. You will easily get into all the pod schools you apply too, avg MCAT can range from 18-25, depending on the strength of the applicant pool that year and two out of the 9 schools, you can take the DAT instead, and 1 out of those two you can also take the GRE. Usually a 2.5-2.75 GPA or higher is needed to be eligible to apply, avg. being 3.3 for accepted students, your GPA is not far off, 0.13 won't make a difference. You should shadow pods b4 applying, don't use it as a fall back, Pods are not considered fully licensed physicians, only MD'S and DO's are. The Doctor of Podiatric Medicine degree is along the same lines as the Doctor of optometry degree, Doctor of Chiropractic, Doctor of Physical Therapy, Doctor of Nursing Practice, Doctor of Veterinary Medicine and so on. However Podiatry is the closest thing or next best thing you can get to a MD/DO degree. If your really passionate about the MD route consider the Caribbean big 4 schools, like Ross and St. Georges. You can also consider a 2-Yr masters program, Or even PA school if your really interested in Surgery. Podiatrist is limited to the Foot & Ankle. PA's can specialize in anything and switch specialties whenever they want. Down side is you will always work under a doctor. Best advice is shadow shadow shadow and research your options. Actually the 1st ever PA bridge to DO program was initiated, PA's can now become DO's but only 1 school so far offers this and few get accepted. More schools may follow suit but no one knows how long it will take or if it will actually happen.
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Stopped reading here.
 
skyboy99 said:
The Doctor of Podiatric Medicine degree is along the same lines as the Doctor of optometry degree, Doctor of Chiropractic, Doctor of Physical Therapy, Doctor of Nursing Practice, Doctor of Veterinary Medicine and so on.
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Yea, EXCEPT podiatrists are members of medical staff at hospitals (including CMO's and Chief of Surgery), have medical and surgical privileges, take call, perform complex forefoot, rearfoot, and ankle trauma and reconstructive surgery, write prescription meds, and practice allopathic medicine. Besides that, they are all pretty much the same. :laugh:
 
I think I provided a lot of accurate information. What's important to remember is to shadow and decide if this career is right for you, only way of knowing. This is why I stated the DPM degree is the "next" best thing to MD/DO degree. Let's face it, Podiatry is not well known and in most cases patients don't even know what D.P.M stands for. There are only 9 pod schools compared to 26 DO and over 100 MD schools, A low applicant pool, residency shortage ect... The profession certainly is facing problems that need to be addressed otherwise many college grads will pursue other medical careers including DMD, PA ect. I would consider the MD or DO degree to be greater for very one important reason. That is the admissions standards are much more higher and much more competitive in these too respective fields than in podiatry. Also the scope of practice for Pods varies from state to state, While MD's are pretty much the same not just nationally but internationally as well. Let's not kid ourselves, we are not Brain surgeons, or Cardiologists, or Oncologists, we are foot/ankle doctors. And Ortho docs with MD's can also specialize in foot/ankle surgery as well, let's not forget that. These fields mentioned i would assume are more well respected and most importantly more well known. We should love what we do and advance the profession, but let's not think to highly of ourselves. Podiatry is a great field and a great profession with lot's of opportunities, let's get that message across to america, but we have a lot of work to do.
 
skyboy99 said:
I think I provided a lot of accurate information. What's important to remember is to shadow and decide if this career is right for you, only way of knowing. This is why I stated the DPM degree is the "next" best thing to MD/DO degree. Let's face it, Podiatry is not well known and in most cases patients don't even know what D.P.M stands for. There are only 9 pod schools compared to 26 DO and over 100 MD schools, A low applicant pool, residency shortage ect... The profession certainly is facing problems that need to be addressed otherwise many college grads will pursue other medical careers including DMD, PA ect. I would consider the MD or DO degree to be greater for very one important reason. That is the admissions standards are much more higher and much more competitive in these too respective fields than in podiatry. Also the scope of practice for Pods varies from state to state, While MD's are pretty much the same not just nationally but internationally as well. Let's not kid ourselves, we are not Brain surgeons, or Cardiologists, or Oncologists, we are foot/ankle doctors. And Ortho docs with MD's can also specialize in foot/ankle surgery as well, let's not forget that. These fields mentioned i would assume are more well respected and most importantly more well known. We should love what we do and advance the profession, but let's not think to highly of ourselves. Podiatry is a great field and a great profession with lot's of opportunities, let's get that message across to america, but we have a lot of work to do.
Click to expand...


Is there any way that you could stop posting? A field being more well known is a totally irrelevant concern as there are many medical specialties that are uncommon but are extremely important and lucrative.

Your posts are embarrassing and they aren't helping the original poster.
 
skyboy99 said:
I think I provided a lot of accurate information. What's important to remember is to shadow and decide if this career is right for you, only way of knowing. This is why I stated the DPM degree is the "next" best thing to MD/DO degree. Let's face it, Podiatry is not well known and in most cases patients don't even know what D.P.M stands for. There are only 9 pod schools compared to 26 DO and over 100 MD schools, A low applicant pool, residency shortage ect... The profession certainly is facing problems that need to be addressed otherwise many college grads will pursue other medical careers including DMD, PA ect. I would consider the MD or DO degree to be greater for very one important reason. That is the admissions standards are much more higher and much more competitive in these too respective fields than in podiatry. Also the scope of practice for Pods varies from state to state, While MD's are pretty much the same not just nationally but internationally as well. Let's not kid ourselves, we are not Brain surgeons, or Cardiologists, or Oncologists, we are foot/ankle doctors. And Ortho docs with MD's can also specialize in foot/ankle surgery as well, let's not forget that. These fields mentioned i would assume are more well respected and most importantly more well known. We should love what we do and advance the profession, but let's not think to highly of ourselves. Podiatry is a great field and a great profession with lot's of opportunities, let's get that message across to america, but we have a lot of work to do.
Click to expand...
:laugh:
 
Any one else feel like DO is sometimes abused like Pod? A lot of you guys suggested the DO route, but isn't that basically the same thing as telling an MD to try Pod instead? I know that the vast majority of DO graduates don't practice OMM after graduation, but they should, shouldn't they?

I feel that the osteopathic degree is just as "specialized" as pod, because there is a certain methodology of approaching medicine - different than MD. If a person wants to be a "normal" doctor, but don't have the stats for MD, should they apply to DO if they aren't interested in OMM? I know a lot of you would just say that is the way it is, so it's not a big deal, but I would suggest that DO shouldn't be used as a backup just like Pod shouldn't be used as a backup...

Just food for thought...
 
Well.... you are correct. Got me thinking...

MaxillofacialMN said:
Any one else feel like DO is sometimes abused like Pod? A lot of you guys suggested the DO route, but isn't that basically the same thing as telling an MD to try Pod instead? I know that the vast majority of DO graduates don't practice OMM after graduation, but they should, shouldn't they?

I feel that the osteopathic degree is just as "specialized" as pod, because there is a certain methodology of approaching medicine - different than MD. If a person wants to be a "normal" doctor, but don't have the stats for MD, should they apply to DO if they aren't interested in OMM? I know a lot of you would just say that is the way it is, so it's not a big deal, but I would suggest that DO shouldn't be used as a backup just like Pod shouldn't be used as a backup...

Just food for thought...
Click to expand...
 
Stop posting, no way, my information is very valuable. We can't be afraid to ask difficult questions or hide from the truth. We must educate ourselves. I'm only here to help. Podiatry is a medical specialty however my state does not consider them to be fully licensed physicians, only MD's and DO's can hire PA's in my state and probably others. DO probably is a back-up for MD rejects but fact of the matter is they are still considered fully licensed physicians and can do anything an MD can do. What's on paper is what counts, b/c it will effect your scope of practice. The field of podiatry has grown very well over the past few years, but much more work needs to be done to make it a lucrative and attractive field for bright and intelligent undergrads with stellar stats. The applicant pool for podiatry dropped in 2010 from 2009 by about 100 applicants, obv. something is wrong. What about 2011? If the field wants to survive it will need to get at least over 1000 applicants, we cannot keep attracting MD/DO rejects, b/c this 1) Brings in a # of unqualified applicants who may gain admission due to a low applicant pool and will either drop out of medical school or become poor practitioners. I think every future pod applicant needs to know what there getting themselves into b4 applying, it's not fair for a POD graduate to not get residency and be stuck with a 250,000 dollar loan. Applicants need to realize they are going to go through medical school training and if they can't handle it then don't even bother. Look at it this way. if SI unit got into a MD/DO school would he have ever considered podiatry???, No, the answer is no, it seems it was his 3rd option, as SI unit is looking to become a physician, desperately anyway he can be called a doctor. My friend considers podiatry only if he can't get in to a MD/DO school as well, he even told me. We would all like it if all students apply b/c they love the profession and most do, but you do have your rejects mixed in as well.
 
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skyboy99 said:
Stop posting, no way, my information is very valuable. We can't be afraid to ask difficult questions or hide from the truth. We must educate ourselves. I'm only here to help. Podiatry is a medical specialty however my state does not consider them to be fully licensed physicians, only MD's and DO's can hire PA's in my state and probably others. DO probably is a back-up for MD rejects but fact of the matter is they are still considered fully licensed physicians and can do anything an MD can do. What's on paper is what counts, b/c it will effect your scope of practice. The field of podiatry has grown very well over the past few years, but much more work needs to be done to make it a lucrative and attractive field for bright and intelligent undergrads with stellar stats. The applicant pool for podiatry dropped in 2010 from 2009 by about 100 applicants, obv. something is wrong. What about 2011? If the field wants to survive it will need to get at least over 1000 applicants, we cannot keep attracting MD/DO rejects, b/c this 1) Brings in a # of unqualified applicants who may gain admission due to a low applicant pool and will either drop out of medical school or become poor practitioners. I think every future pod applicant needs to know what there getting themselves into b4 applying, it's not fair for a POD graduate to not get residency and be stuck with a 250,000 dollar loan. Applicants need to realize they are going to go through medical school training and if they can't handle it then don't even bother. Look at it this way. if SI unit got into a MD/DO school would he have ever considered podiatry???, No, the answer is no, it seems it was his 3rd option, as SI unit is looking to become a physician, desperately anyway he can be called a doctor. My friend considers podiatry only if he can't get in to a MD/DO school as well, he even told me. We would all like it if all students apply b/c they love the profession and most do, but you do have your rejects mixed in as well.
Click to expand...

That's their problem.



and this too,

skyboy99 said:
We would all like it if all students apply b/c they love the profession and most do, but you do have your rejects mixed in as well.
Click to expand...

Honestly I don't care about having rejects in my class. As long as we study hard and work hard to become an excellent clinician, that's good enough for me.
 
MaxillofacialMN said:
Any one else feel like DO is sometimes abused like Pod? A lot of you guys suggested the DO route, but isn't that basically the same thing as telling an MD to try Pod instead? I know that the vast majority of DO graduates don't practice OMM after graduation, but they should, shouldn't they?

I feel that the osteopathic degree is just as "specialized" as pod, because there is a certain methodology of approaching medicine - different than MD. If a person wants to be a "normal" doctor, but don't have the stats for MD, should they apply to DO if they aren't interested in OMM? I know a lot of you would just say that is the way it is, so it's not a big deal, but I would suggest that DO shouldn't be used as a backup just like Pod shouldn't be used as a backup...

Just food for thought...
Click to expand...

I think you are absolutely correct when you say that applicants should thoroughly understand the dichotomy between the schools before they apply, rather than just applying in hopes that one day they will have a comparable and highly respected title in front of their name. However, I disagree that the osteopath is "specialized", rather they have a different set of tools to use in their practice than the MD. I personally choose to see a DO as my PCP.

In the long run it is the smartest and hardest working people who are going to be the most successful and happy doctors, whether they are DO's, MD's, or DPM's.
 
Iamyourfaja said:
However, I disagree that the osteopath is "specialized"
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Yeah, I thought I might run into trouble phrasing it like that. I was merely attempting to illustrate that they are supposed to follow OMM - something MDs do not (generally) ever do - which isn't exactly "specialized" but it is "special."

Does your physician actually follow OMM/OMT? Most DOs do not treat this way, which sort of "justifies" MD "rejects" to go that route, but I still fundamentally think that in order to become a DO, you should be interested in osteopathy.

Interesting read: Johnson, SM; Kurtz (Aug 2001). "Diminished use of osteopathic manipulative treatment and its impact on the uniqueness of the osteopathic profession". Academic medicine : journal of the Association of American Medical Colleges
 
Wow, so much info bomb haha.

Btw, assuming if I do end up doing podiatry, does it mean I have to contact all of my professors and letter writers as well as my pre-med committee to write a separate portfolio for podiatry instead of MD? I suppose there's the same problem from MD to DO as well.

As far as being "reject" goes, I think part of it is also because there are simply not enough spots for everybody in the MD and DO schools. I'm pretty sure far more qualified people than me get turned away every year simply because of the sheer number of people that are simply better.
 
skyboy99 said:
I think I provided a lot of accurate information. What's important to remember is to shadow and decide if this career is right for you, only way of knowing. This is why I stated the DPM degree is the "next" best thing to MD/DO degree. Let's face it, Podiatry is not well known and in most cases patients don't even know what D.P.M stands for. There are only 9 pod schools compared to 26 DO and over 100 MD schools, A low applicant pool, residency shortage ect... The profession certainly is facing problems that need to be addressed otherwise many college grads will pursue other medical careers including DMD, PA ect. I would consider the MD or DO degree to be greater for very one important reason. That is the admissions standards are much more higher and much more competitive in these too respective fields than in podiatry. Also the scope of practice for Pods varies from state to state, While MD's are pretty much the same not just nationally but internationally as well. Let's not kid ourselves, we are not Brain surgeons, or Cardiologists, or Oncologists, we are foot/ankle doctors. And Ortho docs with MD's can also specialize in foot/ankle surgery as well, let's not forget that. These fields mentioned i would assume are more well respected and most importantly more well known. We should love what we do and advance the profession, but let's not think to highly of ourselves. Podiatry is a great field and a great profession with lot's of opportunities, let's get that message across to america, but we have a lot of work to do.
Click to expand...

Skyboy, some of your statements seem reasonable but most of them show your naivity. How can you be giving so much advice on a profession that you are not in and then deem it to be accurate? For instance, DPM's are not well respected? Why then do MD's send us patients? In most healthcare networks, podiatrists are considered surgical specialists and cannot be seen without a referral. Nearly all of my patients are sent to me by FP's, internists, and ER docs. This is the case in most places around the country. If DPM's are not well respected, how can he hold hospital, surgical, and call privileges? I bring that up because a while ago, you clumped the DPM degree in with a bunch of other doctorates that cannot do these things.

The ortho thing is a lost argument because very few will touch a foot (hence the ortho groups hiring DPM's, even though I guess they don't respect us).

And yes, of course there are issues in the field like the whole residency thing which I think is affecting the applicant pool (as it should). But to infer that podiatry is a "back up" for ALL pod students is just ridiculous. Some of us simply did our homework and found podiatry to be a good fit. Is it a back up for some? Of course. But most of my classmates didn't even apply to other programs or turned down schools because podiatry was a good fit for them.
 
I think we are going to hear from jaggerplate in 3,2,1........
 
Most podiatric schools are tuition driven. They need to keep suboptimal students coming in for tuition/loan purposes/survival business purposes.

Herein lies a serious problem, your ingredients must be of high quality to make a great product. Right? as a provider or lead provider of foot and sometimes ankle care?

As a foot father, and realist, here is some tough love, as I LOVE podiatry and want to see it thrive. status quo is NOT an option:

A proposal may be something like this:

Make podiatry an ABMS speciality. The schools need to amalgamate NOT align with mainstream MD medical schools. Make the classes identical, 3rd and 4th years get core clerkships in there. 12h on/12h off schedules, identical to MD. No more running back to pod school in the afternoons to learn how to take off a cast/or do strapping/arch support voodoo.

Take the USMLEs parts 1-3. Podiatric medicine and surgery can be taught during 2-3rd years. PGY1 should be a surgical internships, same as general surgeons/orthos etc...

Also, enough of sock talk, flip flop fiascos, walkathon/talkathon, and other nonsense. Start discussing VEGF, CXC chemokines, and other real medical topics that one can earn a grant, publish in basic med sci journal, run a lab, and treat their patients optimally while showing the great work and clinical legitimacy of podiatric medicine.
 
Traum said:
Most podiatric schools are tuition driven. They need to keep suboptimal students coming in for tuition/loan purposes/survival business purposes.

Herein lies a serious problem, your ingredients must be of high quality to make a great product. Right? as a provider or lead provider of foot and sometimes ankle care?

As a foot father, and realist, here is some tough love, as I LOVE podiatry and want to see it thrive. status quo is NOT an option:

A proposal may be something like this:

Make podiatry an ABMS speciality. The schools need to amalgamate NOT align with mainstream MD medical schools. Make the classes identical, 3rd and 4th years get core clerkships in there. 12h on/12h off schedules, identical to MD. No more running back to pod school in the afternoons to learn how to take off a cast/or do strapping/arch support voodoo.

Take the USMLEs parts 1-3. Podiatric medicine and surgery can be taught during 2-3rd years. PGY1 should be a surgical internships, same as general surgeons/orthos etc...

Also, enough of sock talk, flip flop fiascos, walkathon/talkathon, and other nonsense. Start discussing VEGF, CXC chemokines, and other real medical topics that one can earn a grant, publish in basic med sci journal, run a lab, and treat their patients optimally while showing the great work and clinical legitimacy of podiatric medicine.
Click to expand...

Nice post. This really has a lot to do with the topic of the post!

SIUunit, do you have anymore questions?
 
"Iamyofaja"; if you look past the myopic view of the podiatric realm, you will realize that the comments I made are germane and require inference skills and reaching past the usual mediocrity parade that podiatric schools seem to embrace. ~900 APPLICANTS for 9 schools. That is not competitive, no matter how much you polish it, sugar coat it. Reality is reality. Time to stand in one's truth. Can we handle it? Perhaps, yes, or perhaps, no.

And yes, Sir/Madam, "it is a nice post." Why can't you comment on the remarks made in it. Or is it too real, or to much truth?

Rather, it is an emotional, knee-jerk response. Where is the real research, labs, NIH grants, professorships at MD schools, where are the core clerkships at 3rd and 4th year. Or, perhaps some are content with sock talk, flip flop fiascos, and another way to do a bunion?! How about medicine--VEGF and the diabetic LE, CXC chemokines and the inflammatory response?

This is medicine--these are the students we need to attract--NOT a bastion of MD rejects? Thoughts? Critical cogent comments? Or, emotional outbursts from defensive student loaners? Where thou art student loan repayment plans like MDs and RNs?

Now, solutions:

Full scope podiatric medicine. LCME, USMLES, ABGME, ABSITE, ABMS, etc..
broken record.
Accept only students from known colleges, high GPAs, MCATs, extracurrics, research, thinking skills, comm skills etc...

The student SUIT respondent got a higher MCAT score; they should NOT use podiatry as a fall back or reject centre. Podiatry schools should be making it so hard and competitive to gain a seat akin to vet school where competitive is severely difficult and more challenging than MD school in many respects.
 
Traum said:
"Iamyofaja"; if you look past the myopic view of the podiatric realm, you will realize that the comments I made are germane and require inference skills and reaching past the usual mediocrity parade that podiatric schools seem to embrace. ~900 APPLICANTS for 9 schools. That is not competitive, no matter how much you polish it, sugar coat it. Reality is reality. Time to stand in one's truth. Can we handle it? Perhaps, yes, or perhaps, no.

And yes, Sir/Madam, "it is a nice post." Why can't you comment on the remarks made in it. Or is it too real, or to much truth?

Rather, it is an emotional, knee-jerk response. Where is the real research, labs, NIH grants, professorships at MD schools, where are the core clerkships at 3rd and 4th year. Or, perhaps some are content with sock talk, flip flop fiascos, and another way to do a bunion?! How about medicine--VEGF and the diabetic LE, CXC chemokines and the inflammatory response?

This is medicine--these are the students we need to attract--NOT a bastion of MD rejects? Thoughts? Critical cogent comments? Or, emotional outbursts from defensive student loaners? Where thou art student loan repayment plans like MDs and RNs?

Now, solutions:

Full scope podiatric medicine. LCME, USMLES, ABGME, ABSITE, ABMS, etc..
broken record.
Accept only students from known colleges, high GPAs, MCATs, extracurrics, research, thinking skills, comm skills etc...

The student SUIT respondent got a higher MCAT score; they should NOT use podiatry as a fall back or reject centre. Podiatry schools should be making it so hard and competitive to gain a seat akin to vet school where competitive is severely difficult and more challenging than MD school in many respects.
Click to expand...

Have you ever met Caddypod? You need to seek him out because i think u guys could be BFF :laugh:
 
Traum said:
"Iamyofaja"; if you look past the myopic view of the podiatric realm, you will realize that the comments I made are germane and require inference skills and reaching past the usual mediocrity parade that podiatric schools seem to embrace. ~900 APPLICANTS for 9 schools. That is not competitive, no matter how much you polish it, sugar coat it. Reality is reality. Time to stand in one's truth. Can we handle it? Perhaps, yes, or perhaps, no.

And yes, Sir/Madam, "it is a nice post." Why can't you comment on the remarks made in it. Or is it too real, or to much truth?

Rather, it is an emotional, knee-jerk response. Where is the real research, labs, NIH grants, professorships at MD schools, where are the core clerkships at 3rd and 4th year. Or, perhaps some are content with sock talk, flip flop fiascos, and another way to do a bunion?! How about medicine--VEGF and the diabetic LE, CXC chemokines and the inflammatory response?

This is medicine--these are the students we need to attract--NOT a bastion of MD rejects? Thoughts? Critical cogent comments? Or, emotional outbursts from defensive student loaners? Where thou art student loan repayment plans like MDs and RNs?

Now, solutions:

Full scope podiatric medicine. LCME, USMLES, ABGME, ABSITE, ABMS, etc..
broken record.
Accept only students from known colleges, high GPAs, MCATs, extracurrics, research, thinking skills, comm skills etc...

The student SUIT respondent got a higher MCAT score; they should NOT use podiatry as a fall back or reject centre. Podiatry schools should be making it so hard and competitive to gain a seat akin to vet school where competitive is severely difficult and more challenging than MD school in many respects.
Click to expand...

Get a life.
 
These boards have been cluttered with his senseless ramblings the last week or so.

:troll:
 
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