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[amberkas11309]

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So I just kind of discovered the whole podiatry field today. Well not really, I have always known about it, but it was always something I looked past for some reason. After doing some research and watching a couple youtube videos I realized that it wasn't as bad as I thought it was. I think I am going to find a podiatrist to shadow some time soon, but before then I was wondering if anyone could answer me.
I just took the mcat so I have not got my score back, but I was curious about what you guys think would be the lowest possible score one could get and still have somewhat of a chance of getting in. I have a ~3.7 gpa with a little lower science gpa. I have shadowed a very wide range of doctors in the past (orthopedic, opthamologist, cardiologist, family doctor, oncologist, optometry, and dentist). Clearly, I am trying to find exactly the right field for me. lol so why not try podiatry too. I dont have many extra curricular's besides playing Division 1 soccer for my school, and about 45 hours of volunteering in an ER. I also just got a job working with a flight surgeon for the summer (not exactly sure what it all entails, but it will be somewhat medical). Anyway, with these stats, what do you think I need as an mcat score?
Also, does anyone have any other advice for me? One thing I am worried about if I do apply to a podiatry school is being questioned about why I am just now, as a senior, starting to shadow. I wouldn't be applying till next year so I would have a year off to get fully acquainted with the field. Sorry if I sound like I am rambling, I just need some advice!

 

[347932]

So I just kind of discovered the whole podiatry field today. Well not really, I have always known about it, but it was always something I looked past for some reason. After doing some research and watching a couple youtube videos I realized that it wasn't as bad as I thought it was. I think I am going to find a podiatrist to shadow some time soon, but before then I was wondering if anyone could answer me.
I just took the mcat so I have not got my score back, but I was curious about what you guys think would be the lowest possible score one could get and still have somewhat of a chance of getting in. I have a ~3.7 gpa with a little lower science gpa. I have shadowed a very wide range of doctors in the past (orthopedic, opthamologist, cardiologist, family doctor, oncologist, optometry, and dentist). Clearly, I am trying to find exactly the right field for me. lol so why not try podiatry too. I dont have many extra curricular's besides playing Division 1 soccer for my school, and about 45 hours of volunteering in an ER. I also just got a job working with a flight surgeon for the summer (not exactly sure what it all entails, but it will be somewhat medical). Anyway, with these stats, what do you think I need as an mcat score?
Also, does anyone have any other advice for me? One thing I am worried about if I do apply to a podiatry school is being questioned about why I am just now, as a senior, starting to shadow. I wouldn't be applying till next year so I would have a year off to get fully acquainted with the field. Sorry if I sound like I am rambling, I just need some advice!

I think if you break 20 on the MCATs, with your GPA, you should have no trouble being accepted to any if not all the Podiatry Schools.

I wouldn't worry about the interview at all tbh. Apply, get asked for an interview, be yourself, and with your background and your interest showing by shadowing a Podiatrist, I don't think you have anything to worry about.

 

[Sabin]

I think if you break 20 on the MCATs, with your GPA, you should have no trouble being accepted to any if not all the Podiatry Schools.

I wouldn't worry about the interview at all tbh. Apply, get asked for an interview, be yourself, and with your background and your interest showing by shadowing a Podiatrist, I don't think you have anything to worry about.

👍

 

[amberkas11309]

Thanks for the input guys. Are both of you in podiatry school right now? If so how do you like it?

 

[Podophile]

Thanks for the input guys. Are both of you in podiatry school right now? If so how do you like it?

Kidsfeet is an attending. The other is a pre-pod.

 

[amberkas11309]

Kidsfeet is an attending. The other is a pre-pod.

ok, so I see your a podiatry student. What do you think about it? Likes Dislikes?

 

[Podophile]

ok, so I see your a podiatry student. What do you think about it? Likes Dislikes?

I like when I figure out a diagnosis and then get to treat the patient. Podiatry is generally very hands-on, which is a big positive for me.

Dislikes: mostly nail dust, the endless amounts of reading, and not being able to remember details from the endless amounts of reading

 

[347932]

Dislikes: mostly nail dust,...

Wear a mask and watch out for your contact lenses. 😀

Reading and retaining gets easier and easier once you train yourself to do it efficiently. Never stop reading. It will make you a better doctor. I promise!

 

[g squared 23]

Some people say the nasty infected wounds are the worst. I would have to wholeheartedly disagree.

I (along with more than one of my classmates) am sort of a "purulence junkie" 😎 and just love the sight of thick, creamy pus that can drain out of a wound.

If that is something that turns your stomach, then perhaps podiatry is not for you.

 

[amberkas11309]

Also, do schools require personal statements? I looked at the OCPM website and it doesn't say anything about one, but i would be very surprised if they didn't want one. Am I just missing it somewhere?

 

[Podiatry1]

Also, do schools require personal statements? I looked at the OCPM website and it doesn't say anything about one, but i would be very surprised if they didn't want one. Am I just missing it somewhere?

You apply to all the schools online via http://www.e-aacpmas.org/. You need a 4500 word personal statement.

 

[Sabin]

You apply to all the schools online via http://www.e-aacpmas.org/. You need a 4500 word personal statement.

Correct me if I am wrong, but I thought it was a 4,500 character (not word) P.S.

 

[amberkas11309]

yea, big difference! He probably meant to put characters...i doubt a personal statement would need to be 4 pages lol. Thanks for all the help guys. I just called a couple podiatrists today so hopefully they get back to me.

 

[FALL06]

So I just kind of discovered the whole podiatry field today. Well not really, I have always known about it, but it was always something I looked past for some reason. After doing some research and watching a couple youtube videos I realized that it wasn't as bad as I thought it was. I think I am going to find a podiatrist to shadow some time soon, but before then I was wondering if anyone could answer me.
I just took the mcat so I have not got my score back, but I was curious about what you guys think would be the lowest possible score one could get and still have somewhat of a chance of getting in. I have a ~3.7 gpa with a little lower science gpa. I have shadowed a very wide range of doctors in the past (orthopedic, opthamologist, cardiologist, family doctor, oncologist, optometry, and dentist). Clearly, I am trying to find exactly the right field for me. lol so why not try podiatry too. I dont have many extra curricular's besides playing Division 1 soccer for my school, and about 45 hours of volunteering in an ER. I also just got a job working with a flight surgeon for the summer (not exactly sure what it all entails, but it will be somewhat medical). Anyway, with these stats, what do you think I need as an mcat score?
Also, does anyone have any other advice for me? One thing I am worried about if I do apply to a podiatry school is being questioned about why I am just now, as a senior, starting to shadow. I wouldn't be applying till next year so I would have a year off to get fully acquainted with the field. Sorry if I sound like I am rambling, I just need some advice!

I think it's great you're looking at all of your options. The only way to make an informed decision is to get out there and see it for yourself. I too was considering Allopathic Medical Schools and decided on podiatry.

I love podiatry. It has been nothing but good to me so far. I've matched into a top program and couldn't be happier.

However, I do think it's important to keep in mind that podiatry hasn't been so generous to everyone. I have classmates with above 3.0 grades (top 50%), passing part I and part II board scores, that have found themselves scrambling, and not matching. This year has been particularly bad in terms of residency positions available, but this is simply not fair.

Even as a student extern, you must understand that you will be looked at in a questionable way until you prove yourself. If you're not an aggressive, self motivated individual, this profession will not just take care of you. You have to be a go-getter.

My 2 cents

 

[amberkas11309]

Thanks Fall06...So are you basically saying the job market for podiatry isnt very big?

 

[Podophile]

Thanks Fall06...So are you basically saying the job market for podiatry isnt very big?

I don't think that's what he said at all...

 

[amberkas11309]

ok well then is there a big job field for podiatrists? what does the future look like for them?

 

[jonwill]

Scrambling itself is not a big deal. People scramble every year regardless of how many residency positions exist. It is a statistical certainty that students will scramble every year (as is the case with MD/DO). The problem is that there are not enough positions left to scramble to. That needs to be remedied.

 

[dyk343]

I think it's great you're looking at all of your options. The only way to make an informed decision is to get out there and see it for yourself. I too was considering Allopathic Medical Schools and decided on podiatry.

I love podiatry. It has been nothing but good to me so far. I've matched into a top program and couldn't be happier.

However, I do think it's important to keep in mind that podiatry hasn't been so generous to everyone. I have classmates with above 3.0 grades (top 50%), passing part I and part II board scores, that have found themselves scrambling, and not matching. This year has been particularly bad in terms of residency positions available, but this is simply not fair.

Even as a student extern, you must understand that you will be looked at in a questionable way until you prove yourself. If you're not an aggressive, self motivated individual, this profession will not just take care of you. You have to be a go-getter.

My 2 cents

I thought the numbers were better this year than last year? I thought something like 70ish people did not get a residency last year and less than 20 this year. If these numbers are true, which by all means the 20ish number comes only from word of mouth, then its hopefully getting better.

 

[Podophile]

I thought the numbers were better this year than last year? I thought something like 70ish people did not get a residency last year and less than 20 this year. If these numbers are true, which by all means the 20ish number comes only from word of mouth, then its hopefully getting better.

This year it was more like 120 students scrambling for around 60 positions initially. Part II board results probably mixed things up as well, but this year is probably at least as bad as last year.

 

[Podophile]

ok well then is there a big job field for podiatrists? what does the future look like for them?

The following is SOLELY my own personal opinion:

Since we are in the middle of a diabetes mellitus epidemic, there will be an increased need for foot & ankle care. IMO, this does NOT translate to an increased need for PODIATRY as a certain national four letter organization would have you believe.

But why is that so??? Because a large percentage of the general public does not know that we as a profession even exist and therefore are not able to take advantage of our services. Ask a random person on the street if they know what a podiatrist is, and they will either stare at you blankly or mention something about caring for children. That is the mainstay of our problem. The F&A care is being taken up largely by other specialties because patients don't know any other option. Those that know about us seem generally pleased with the results. Some patients are also steered away from us by other doctors who don't have the best things to say about us, based almost entirely on their assumptions and the fact that we didn't go to "real" medical school (there are other threads on just this issue, so let's not go there).

To answer your 2nd question about how our future looks. I foresee a relative overabundance of podiatrists scraping and fighting for the few patients that recognize our very specialized talents. If ALL or even a vast majority of F&A care was sent to and treated by podiatrists (as IMO it should be), then we presently (and yes most likely the future) would actually have a relative shortage of podiatrists and the future for the profession would most certainly be bright.

As things are right now I can't honestly tell you that podiatry is on the up and up. There is potential of course, and we still are continuing to make advancements in our training, respect in the medical community, etc, but those advances are probably not keeping up with the abundance of new podiatry graduates who are mostly 3 year surgically trained. Hence, many places are "saturated" with podiatric physicians and I (personally) don't see how it is going to improve without a national podiatry awareness campaign so that our profession gets a larger piece of the pie.

Point of encouragement: There will always be room and success to be found for really good doctors in any specialty, podiatrists included.

Point of cynicism: I just wonder how the middle to lower tier physicians (probably myself eventually) will fare in this profession and if it would be worth the investment.