Good luck! Just stay focused it’s your last hurdle and you’re in.. use that as your motiveUpdate! I just did my interview at NYCPM and Temple. I applied with a 3.5 cGPA and a 3.3 science GPA with no MCAT score yet. I am taking the MCAT in March so all my decisions are pushed back until May when the MCAT scores come in. I am a really bad test taker...I really hope I do okay on the MCAT!!
I enjoyed the Temple interview more than the NYCPM interview, however neither were difficult I would say. The Temple interview was definitely more laid back. The day I was there, (President's day), almost all of the admissions staff were out cause they called out. It was just the assistant Dean and a few podiatrist staff that teach at Temple. So my experience may not be similar to yours for the interview, however I only interviewed with one person and it was just one of the professors at the school. The day is going to be long, be prepared to hear about Philadelphia for about 4-5 hours before the actual interview, which is right when lunch is going on. In the interview at Temple, they asked me pretty basic questions that I prepared for such as why podiatry? Why Temple/Philadelphia? He did bring up a withdrawal I had on my transcript, but that is pretty much it for grades.
Unlike the MD/DO cycle, the DPM cycle runs pretty late into May, June, sometimes even July/August of the incoming year. I have heard that you should apply early as in when the application cycle opens if you have lower than average stats. However, you have a really good GPA (both cumulative and science) and so waiting extra won't do any harm. I am currently at a cGPA 3.5 and sGPA 3.3 and I got interviews at both schools I applied to (NYCPM&Temple) before taking the MCAT. This was just this week so it is already almost March and they are still handing out interviews, so I think you would be fine even if you waited to take the January MCAT. They will do what they did to me, keep you application on hold pending decision after MCAT scores arrive. Temple and NYCPM said that their final spots in the program don't usually get filled until June/July and that is when it gets much more competitive.
Thank you so much for the insight! It really helped. And since your situation is a bit different due to not taking the MCAT yet, did they say anything about accepting you for the January class instead?
Both of them simply stated that the amount of scholarship money depends on your GPA/MCAT score. NYCPM actually said it was 1/3 GPA and 2/3 MCAT score. I asked them if there was a chart or something that tells me what I can get with a specific MCAT score/GPA and they both said no.
you are good if you apply before deadline.
For EC’s? Anything goes. Any type of volunteering it does even have to be medically related.
Thank you. Is research required or the norm for pod school?
consider it is as required since you will be spending 7 years in training and around 250K in loans.
Basically it’s a requirements if you want all your options to be open. I think NY, Kent, AZ are the only one that don’t technically require but to limit your options (to 3) would be a bad choice. I absolutely wouldn’t give any recommendation to any prepod to apply at all without letters.
Surgery in 3 year residency rather than 5-7 for everything else. Interest in FA and biomechanics. A very high demand and need in the rural area in from. Being a specialist from the day you start. Being able to work in a multitude of settings including sports medicine. There are also many other reasons but those are the main ones.
There is no hierarchy to medicine. Everyone has their own specialties. Some may be a little more glamorous yeah. When you’re practicing no one cares who came from what, you are there to do what you are trained to do. DO to MD is different because they have the same pathway and testing. Pod is separate. There is unpleasant things in literally every specialty. Go do GI, urology, plastics, OBGYN, FM, and then come back to foot/ankle... anyone who says that clearly has not been exposed to enough subspecialties of medicine. I have never met any practicing physician who said anything but positives about podiatry. It’s literally only premeds who think their is a “hierarchy” when in reality you have the same responsibilities for your scope as any other MD DO specialty (residency, prescriptions, surgery, ect). That should be obvious.
I always wanted to go into the healthcare field but I didn't necessarily know what to choose. I began to shadow various doctors such as cardiologist, dermatologist, oncologist, ED physician (work for), and then podiatry. When I shadowed a podiatrist I saw a lot of the fields I followed, work closely with them for either consultations or referrals. I also choose podiatry because of the various fields of the specialty that you can choose to concentrate on (wound care, sports medicine, podopeds, biomechanics, etc). And I don't want anyone to think I'm generalizing the other doctors but just from my personal experience, the podiatrist always seemed more motivated and not hesitant to evaluate the patients, which made me believe the lifestyle they had is a bit less stressful. The podiatrist also formed a professional friendship with her patient's that made them feel at ease and trust the doctor more. The surgery aspect is also a plus to the field. Many other reasons to add on, but you get the point.
I agree with this. I just don’t agree with the term “hierarchy”. Prestige especially while a premed? Yes. Hierarchy entails power over another. A neurosurgeon isn’t going to tell a podiatrist how to do his work and visa versa. Not can one advance from one specialty to another. That’s not how it works. In fact it just completely defeats he purpose of having specialties.
Best buddy of mine just got back from that as well.
Could you share the highlights of it for us?
Yes I’m wondering this as well!
Again hierarchy is not the word you’re looking for. They are more competitive specialties due to the spots available as well as lifestyle and salary. Go look at the unemployment rate for podiatrists. When you’re done and everyone is a doctor there is no power over one another. You have your own job. That’s it. And comparing Pods now to the D.O.'s of the 50's and 60's is completely irrelevant. They basically didn't even have the right to practice until the 90's (as complete as MD’s). They didn't even have formal training until the late 80's (for most specialties especially the more competitive). Pods are already way passed that. They couldn't prescribe either (in all states until the 70's). You're comparing apples to oranges.
that's so wrong. DO and MD schools accept more students with less than 3.0 than podiatry. Look at the numbers and then come back. By the numbers they accept more, by percentage, I agree, pod schools accept more.
That's an insanely good MCAT score, you could go to MD, DO, or Podiatry. Just whichever route you prefer.
You seem really passionate about podiatry and I think that is exactly what we need in this field. I say go for it and don't listen to anyone telling you to do something different.
Apply now and every pod school will drool over your mcat. But yeah get a pod letter and shadow like 10 hours and you’re good.
The Deans might come to your house and recruit you, NCAA sports style
