Need Advice + NYCPM Chances?

[pinkplayer]

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I’m really interested in starting at NYCPM, I graduated in december from a state college with a biology degree in which I took all the basic prerequisites. I had a 2.6 cumulative GPA and a 2.2 science GPA. I am ready to take courses this spring, summer, and fall to strengthen my application for podiatry school. I took the MCAT last September and received a 25, 8P/9B/8V. I want to know what courses I should take, should I retake the prerequisites or take upper division biology courses such as anatomy, physiology, genetics? What are my chances? Thank you so much in advance!

 

[dudestheman90]

I’m really interested in starting at NYCPM, I graduated in december from a state college with a biology degree in which I took all the basic prerequisites. I had a 2.6 cumulative GPA and a 2.2 science GPA. I am ready to take courses this spring, summer, and fall to strengthen my application for podiatry school. I took the MCAT last September and received a 25, 8P/9B/8V. I want to know what courses I should take, should I retake the prerequisites or take upper division biology courses such as anatomy, physiology, genetics? What are my chances? Thank you so much in advance!

your chances are really good, podiatry is not that hard to get into. Plus you have a 25 mcat, which is 3 points above the average. Do well in your post bacc and you'll be guaranteed admission

 

[Ask]

I’m really interested in starting at NYCPM, I graduated in december from a state college with a biology degree in which I took all the basic prerequisites. I had a 2.6 cumulative GPA and a 2.2 science GPA. I am ready to take courses this spring, summer, and fall to strengthen my application for podiatry school. I took the MCAT last September and received a 25, 8P/9B/8V. I want to know what courses I should take, should I retake the prerequisites or take upper division biology courses such as anatomy, physiology, genetics? What are my chances? Thank you so much in advance!

well on the NYCPM website, it says the minimum is 2.75 for cGPA and sGPA, i would recommend calling NYCPM to see your options...

 

[EK18]

MCAT is decent, but your GPA (sGPA especially) is shockingly low, even for Podiatry school. According to AACPM numbers, the lowest sGPA and cGPA that someone got accepted with in 2011 was a 2.35 and 2.55 respectively. I believe that NYCPM has a 2.75 GPA cutoff as well, in addition to a handful of other programs.

Do well in your retakes and try to boost that sGPA up as much as you can. Apply early and broadly. I wouldn't set your heart on any single school.

 

[rushrhees]

" It is recommended that candidates with less than a 2.75 grade point average consult the Office of Admissions prior to applying." From NYCPM's website, so I do not think it is a hard cut off. I will say though AZ you are cut out of and I think DMU and Western might be cut out too being under 2.75. My advice is do just that, touch basis with an admissions counselor, they are going to know your GPA one way or another. As for what classes to take I would only retake prereqs if there are Ds or Fs as there is no grade replacement, otherwise take upperlevel bio or chem classes and do well in them. If you can not cut those classes you will not cut it in pod school. Best of luck

 

[pinkplayer]

do you think it matters if I take courses at a community college, it is financially far more doable for me. also should i retake general bio, chem, orgo, physics, or take more upper division courses, or both? thanks again for the responses, appreciate it!

 

[rushrhees]

do you think it matters if I take courses at a community college, it is financially far more doable for me. also should i retake general bio, chem, orgo, physics, or take more upper division courses, or both? thanks again for the responses, appreciate it!

No it does not matter if taken at CC. This came from a friend of my parents who was a visiting member of UofC's MD admissions committee, if CC is good enough for one of the top MD schools it is good for POD school.

Honestly what was the reason for the low grades, family/health issues, working while in school and over extended, did not put full effort forward, or was the material simply too much. If if was the first three take some upper level chem and bio to impress the committee more. If the material was too much, maybe retake the prereqs again to see if you abilities have improved. The MCAT and the prereqs are a cake walk compared to POD school where you are taking 27 hours or so of 400 level+ science classes. Just because you get in is no assurance, plus it seems NYCMP does have a decent amount of attrition. I am sure they are not proud of this fact, but it stands that they do accept people who can not cut it. I would really examine what is different now versus then that will allow you to succeed in POD school. Best of luck.

 

[pinkplayer]

Yeah, I called NYCMP to confirm and you are right. I will be taking some upper division along with some prereqs that I believe I can improve in. I had not put my 100% in undergraduate but now I am more serious than ever and I do believe that I will perform much better. Thank you for the encouragement and advice.

 

[hughesn2]

Don't mean to be rude, but what made you think about going into medicine? Second, how does one find a way to average a 2.2 science GPA??? Like really, did you just not try or care about school at all.

If I were a patient and found out that the doctor operating on me went through college thinking it was a complete joke and wasted 4yrs at college to get a 2.6 cumulative GPA and a 2.2 science GPA I would walk out. That is what these admissions offices will look at as well. I feel as if two years ago you should have thought out a couple back up plans along the way.

Final question, so how many backup plans have already not panned out when you realized "I guess I could try podiatry"

And for the CC question, yeah it is complete BS how MD, PA, DPM, DO schools consider 2yrs of CC credits equal to 2yrs at an elite university.

 

[PatchAdamsFan]

Actually most MD/DO schools limit the number of CC courses a student can take in their undergraduate career. Some forbid them outright, knowing that the level of education is sub-par, and the difficulty doesn't transfer equally.

 

[TheFootDoc]

Your MCAT is fine.

It's good that you've recognized your problem and you are willing to fix it.
Do whatever you can to ace the courses you have signed up for. Not just for #s sake but also to show that you're capable of giving it your best shot to produce good results and that is a quality that every school wants for their students. Although you may not be in the 3.0 region nor even the 2.75, your hard work and determination will surely come through for you.

btw pod school is no joke. Don't let the lower #s fool you. If you get in the mindset that you had back in undergrad then you will get washed away VERY quickly. You will need to know your sxxx inside and out whether you're a good doc or a bad doc. If you're comfortable getting Cs and barely passing the courses then career in medicine is not for you. Just put yourself in the patient's shoes. Once you feel that your doc isn't putting his best effort to help you, you will lose confidence in him and have pretty much given up on your well-being too. You can truly fight off illness when both you and your patients work together. Help them to help you to help them.

So what you, as an aspiring pre-pod, can do right now is to give it your best in the courses and apply. If you try, you will get good grades, and the adcoms will get the msg. Then continue to work hard and keep reminding yourself about why you're there and the good things in your life that you have sacrificed to get there.

Good luck! 👍