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[Red Head]

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Hey, I just found this forum and looks very helpful, so I decided to give it a try.

I'm a South Florida kid who is trying for Podiatry this year, majoring in BioMedical Sciences (BMS) and minoring in BioPhysics. Have 3.88 overall gpa, and a 3.82 science gpa. Did research, Just took the MCAT for the first time, on Thursday (Aug. 9 2007) and feel a little worried about one of my scores. My BS and PS has to be at least an 7 or 8 for each... but I took a fairly long break before my Verbal and came back late hehe (my stomach and the stupid check in with the line and finger printing didn't help me time wise lol). The Aug 9th 130pm test was a little rough verbal wise too, I saw people complaining about the Verbal for that time and day, so I don't know what to think of it. Hoping for the best, and preparing for the worst.

I would just like to know my chances for a worst case scenario on my MCAT for getting accepted into Podiatry. I'll try to apply the first day or week I'm able to, which is like Aug 3rd or something.

Anyway's I would really like to go to Des Moines maybe Barry (I need a change of weather though! only seen snow like 3 times in my life lol). Can't take big cities and congestion so even though Philadelphia, New York, and Chicago look nice, the city or even close to it, is too much for me. As for AZPOD and California that's a little too far away for my family and me.

Anyone know about my chances, scholarships... any info at all, and I would be extremely grateful.

 

[Red Head]

also do most people work somewhere when they are in podiatry?

 

[Dr_Feelgood]

Hey, I just found this forum and looks very helpful, so I decided to give it a try.

I'm a South Florida kid who is trying for Podiatry this year, majoring in BioMedical Sciences (BMS) and minoring in BioPhysics. Have 3.88 overall gpa, and a 3.82 science gpa. Did research, Just took the MCAT for the first time, on Thursday (Aug. 9 2007) and feel a little worried about one of my scores. My BS and PS has to be at least an 7 or 8 for each... but I took a fairly long break before my Verbal and came back late hehe (my stomach and the stupid check in with the line and finger printing didn't help me time wise lol). The Aug 9th 130pm test was a little rough verbal wise too, I saw people complaining about the Verbal for that time and day, so I don't know what to think of it. Hoping for the best, and preparing for the worst.

I would just like to know my chances for a worst case scenario on my MCAT for getting accepted into Podiatry. I'll try to apply the first day or week I'm able to, which is like Aug 3rd or something.

Anyway's I would really like to go to Des Moines maybe Barry (I need a change of weather though! only seen snow like 3 times in my life lol). Can't take big cities and congestion so even though Philadelphia, New York, and Chicago look nice, the city or even close to it, is too much for me. As for AZPOD and California that's a little too far away for my family and me.

Anyone know about my chances, scholarships... any info at all, and I would be extremely grateful.

I think that you have a great chance. But without knowing you MCAT score, it makes it harder to judge exactly where you stand. One thing about applying to CPMS-DMU, is do it early. For the last few years, they are the first school to fill. This means the earlier you apply, the better your chances for acceptance and scholarships.

also do most people work somewhere when they are in podiatry?

I'm not sure what you mean by this? Most people work somewhere unless they are retired and then they generally do work aroudn the house. 😀

 

[PODonny]

also do most people work somewhere when they are in podiatry?

I don't think that very many people while in school. The curriculum is very demanding. I think it's important to take it seriously and treat it as though it's your job. Plus, if you don't take a little time out to have some fun and rest😴 , the experience will be miserable...so between the day job of school and some relaxation, there really isn't much time left to work. I don't. I know a lot of others who don't either.

 

[Feli]

...the earlier you apply, the better your chances for acceptance and scholarships...

Yep.^ Even if your MCAT isn't stellar, I'd go ahead and apply. You can always send re-take scores later if it really comes out badly, but get the ball rolling.

...As for working a job in pod school, I'd avoid it if at all possible. I can only think of a couple people in my class who have a real job (ie more than just TA-ing or tutoring for a few hours per week). Most are people on extended (5yr) program or people who came in with previous grad work, so either way, they don't have a full credit load. I'm on the normal 4yr track and had a fairly intensive job last year (2nd year) and will again this 3rd year. It probably hurt my GPA a bit last year, and it might cause some real headaches this year with scheduling demanding medicine rotations (ER, gen surg, etc). It's a situation you want to be careful with. I'd put working a job, dual degree, getting overly involved with student gov/organizations, etc on hold until you are sure you're getting the grades you want in your program. At that point, you can gradually add in more responsibilities and time commitments, but always focus on pod classes and knowledge base first and foremost. That in itself is quite enough (or even too much) for most students. Telling a residency panel that "well I was prez of X" or "well I worked" will seldom make up for bad GPA/boards if there are other better statistical applicants for your desired spot.

 

[Red Head]

lol

thanks for the info, i've heard of some schools that strongly discourage working while in pod/do/md, just wasn't sure

i really dont want to work or have a real job, i just got engaged, and I'm a little worried about my fiancee parents thinking I can't fully contribute to rent, food, car etc... hehe (they haven't said anything but I just wanted to be responsible), but there's scholarships and loans

Also for Des Moines, it says I need a letter of recommendation from a health advisor... are they flexible with that title "health advisor", couldn't a professor, podiatrist, or someone who works in the career center technically advise on that? Just wondering, because I know someone very well who was my Resident Director (I was an RA), who now works for the career center.
again I really appreciate the help, thanks a bunch

 

[SportDPM]

On my application I had my biology adviser and a local DPM that I shadowed write letters. It isn't necessary to have a health adviser write a letter, but it does look better when you follow the directions they give you. It wouldn't hurt to send 3 letters and third could be your friend in the career center.

 

[Dr_Feelgood]

lol

thanks for the info, i've heard of some schools that strongly discourage working while in pod/do/md, just wasn't sure

i really dont want to work or have a real job, i just got engaged, and I'm a little worried about my fiancee parents thinking I can't fully contribute to rent, food, car etc... hehe (they haven't said anything but I just wanted to be responsible), but there's scholarships and loans

Also for Des Moines, it says I need a letter of recommendation from a health advisor... are they flexible with that title "health advisor", couldn't a professor, podiatrist, or someone who works in the career center technically advise on that? Just wondering, because I know someone very well who was my Resident Director (I was an RA), who now works for the career center.
again I really appreciate the help, thanks a bunch

To be honest with you, I believe that they are flexible but I would talk to Meghan Good the admission director. She is super nice and very easy to get a hold of (I think her contact info is on the website.)

 

[gustydoc]

also do most people work somewhere when they are in podiatry?

I worked for the AV department in podiatry school and literally got paid to sit in class and record the lectures on mp3. 😀 Thanks DMU

 

[Red Head]

alright that sounds good, thanks again😀

if anything ill do something not so bad like the AV heh... or something small like tutor or w.e, maybe if they have positions for guarding or teaching swim lessons up there and pays just as well down here (you can get about $30 an hr for privates), then id do that... but for the first year I'm taking easy then seeing how it goes

one last question (although i might think of more later hehe)

what are the best parts about Podiatry School? 👍 it can be either academically, social, environment, faculty, peers, entertainment around the surrounding area, anything

 

[Dr_Feelgood]

alright that sounds good, thanks again😀

if anything ill do something not so bad like the AV heh... or something small like tutor or w.e, maybe if they have positions for guarding or teaching swim lessons up there and pays just as well down here (you can get about $30 an hr for privates), then id do that... but for the first year I'm taking easy then seeing how it goes

one last question (although i might think of more later hehe)

what are the best parts about Podiatry School? 👍 it can be either academically, social, environment, faculty, peers, entertainment around the surrounding area, anything

The all you can eat buffet is my favorite. Other than joking I can't say I have a favorite part of school. It is cool when you get out of the classroom and into a clinic. You get that sense that you might actually be helping people.

Also, I worked as a TA. Other jobs (at least at DMU) are library assistant, AV (as Gusty stated), research assistant, and wellness center attendent. There maybe more but those are probably the big ones.