Premed student looking to come to Podiatry, what am I getting into?

[2dumb]

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I am an unsuccessful medical school applicant who recently received an email from NYCPM, which got me interested in the field. I am debating whether to go to the Caribbean, spend nearly half a million dollars and come back by the time and struggle and compete in a pool that will likely increase tenfold in the next 4 years, or go into the podiatry field, which kind of unknown waters for me.

I have recently reached out a local podiatrist for a shadowing opportunity, but I want to gauge some other people. My question is, what am I getting into? I know that Podiatry is kind of a "fallback" for me, but at the same time, I don't really want it to be. I really want to learn more about the field and get an appreciation for the field. A little background for me: South Asian male, 24. I come from a family that is 90% medical doctors, and as such have kind of a limited and biased view. My family is a bit elitist, and views podiatry as a "good" field, but for "lazy" people or "stupid" who couldn't cut it as doctors, so I was hesitant in not pursuing the field earlier, but now am at the point where I just stopped caring about their opinions.

Other than NYCPM, what are some other programs I should look at? Also, are Podiatrists involved in international medical missions with any NGOs? I have always wanted to go into MSF, and wonder if there are any parallels to that in this field.

Please don't take any offense to things I have said here.

 

[SLCpod]

Here's a great thread: https://forums.studentdoctor.net/threads/one-stop-shop-for-podiatry-information.968522/

It will answer most of your questions. There are also a few recent threads that discuss transitioning from Pre DO/MD to DPM in the forum. Go ahead and scroll through the threads and you will find some that talk about making the switch.

 

[Weirdy]

I am an unsuccessful medical school applicant who recently received an email from NYCPM, which got me interested in the field. I am debating whether to go to the Caribbean, spend nearly half a million dollars and come back by the time and struggle and compete in a pool that will likely increase tenfold in the next 4 years, or go into the podiatry field, which kind of unknown waters for me.

I have recently reached out a local podiatrist for a shadowing opportunity, but I want to gauge some other people. My question is, what am I getting into? I know that Podiatry is kind of a "fallback" for me, but at the same time, I don't really want it to be. I really want to learn more about the field and get an appreciation for the field. A little background for me: South Asian male, 24. I come from a family that is 90% medical doctors, and as such have kind of a limited and biased view. My family is a bit elitist, and views podiatry as a "good" field, but for "lazy" people or "stupid" who couldn't cut it as doctors, so I was hesitant in not pursuing the field earlier, but now am at the point where I just stopped caring about their opinions.

Other than NYCPM, what are some other programs I should look at? Also, are Podiatrists involved in international medical missions with any NGOs? I have always wanted to go into MSF, and wonder if there are any parallels to that in this field.

Please don't take any offense to things I have said here.

My family background is extremely similar to yours.

I got **** for even asking if my physician relatives knew any pods I could shadow. After that I just kept my head down up until deposit day. Even now half of them have no idea what I'm up to.

My parents didn't respect my decision even after finding out I got accepted to my top pick. After realizing I didn't give a **** (well I did, but success is the best eye opener) they started warming up to it.

Don't worry about what they say. You could be a neuro-ortho-whatever-surgeon and still catch flak from your parents and relatives. Its their job to beat you down so you can use that fire lit under your ass to go for it.

You seem pretty level headed. One of the biggest sources of info are the thread SLC linked. Also start reading through the 2015-2016 and 2016-2017 application threads. They're extremely useful. Its a good community here. Don't be afraid to reach out at all.

 

[dr.phoot]

@bobtheweazel .... you win!

Welcome to the podiatry section. Read the thread SLCpod linked you to.

One thing I'll like to say is, relax and take a deep breath. Have you applied and gotten rejected, or you haven't applied yet?

 

[Weirdy]

@bobtheweazel .... you win!

Welcome to the podiatry section. Read the thread SLCpod linked you to.

One thing I'll like to say is, relax and take a deep breath. Have you applied and gotten rejected, or you haven't applied yet?

One of my siblings is applying MD.

Expect a lot of traffic up until Feb. 29th.

And then expect even more traffic....maybe.

 

[bobtheweazel]

@bobtheweazel .... you win!

Lol. No, you have good points too phoot. We're both right I believe, it's just what percentage will gravitatate towards podiatry and what percentage won't. I'm certain there will be people on both sides.

Guess we'll find out in about a year or so.


Sent from my Nexus 5X using SDN mobile

 

[dr.phoot]

One of my siblings is applying MD.

Expect a lot of traffic up until Feb. 29th.

And then expect even more traffic....maybe.

I have my eyes on the August 2017 cycle. That's the one I'm really concerned for but it shouldn't be too bad. The D.O. situation won't hit us as bad as people are making it out to seem, I think.

But everything is put in place to really make my app strong for August.

But you're right, bro. I'm prepared for anything to happen at this point.

 

[2dumb]

I haven't applied at all this cycle. Is it too late? I have good LORs, but nothing from a podiatrist. I don't even have any shadowing.

Also, I am laughing at the conversation here about the DOs. Personally, I had grade replacement and it still failed to get me into DOs, so I don't think much is going to be affected. Caribbean medical schools are gonna be swimming in more cash, now, I feel. I think many people don't know much about Podiatry, or have a low opinion of it, so I think there will be more gravitating toward post-bacc/SMPs/master and toward international schools than podiatry. All my friends who were premed either stopped, or got admitted a long time ago (when they graduated). AACOM, in my opinion, just shot themselves in the foot. This, and the whole DO/MD merger is going to make DO student lives much more difficult because of the way the organization threw them under the bus.

 

[Weirdy]

I haven't applied at all this cycle. Is it too late? I have good LORs, but nothing from a podiatrist. I don't even have any shadowing.

Also, I am laughing at the conversation here about the DOs. Personally, I had grade replacement and it still failed to get me into DOs, so I don't think much is going to be affected. Caribbean medical schools are gonna be swimming in more cash, now, I feel. I think many people don't know much about Podiatry, or have a low opinion of it, so I think there will be more gravitating toward post-bacc/SMPs/master and toward international schools than podiatry. All my friends who were premed either stopped, or got admitted a long time ago (when they graduated). AACOM, in my opinion, just shot themselves in the foot. This, and the whole DO/MD merger is going to make DO student lives much more difficult because of the way the organization threw them under the bus.

Good to have perspective from you. I agree with the SMP/post-bac sentiment. It has and will continue to be a streamlined "This is the road to your acceptance". Lets hope the programs that pop up produce quality re-applicants instead of being a cash cow akin to online-DNP mills.

You for sure need shadowing. Rec letters most of the schools don't ask for it until after interviews, unless you're dead set on Scholl.

What are your stats? With 3.5 GPA + 500 MCAT for sure you'd get invites. Its not too late with decent stats.

 

[Cranjis McBasketball]

I have my eyes on the August 2017 cycle. That's the one I'm really concerned for but it shouldn't be too bad. The D.O. situation won't hit us as bad as people are making it out to seem, I think.

But everything is put in place to really make my app strong for August.

But you're right, bro. I'm prepared for anything to happen at this point.

You're applying this year? Me too haha It'll be interesting to see how many Pre-Meds migrate over here

 

[dr.phoot]

You're applying this year? Me too haha It'll be interesting to see how many Pre-Meds migrate over here

Nice. It's good I know someone applying in the same year as me. I was actuality supposed to have applied this current on going cycle but I chickened out. No excuses in 2017 though!

And I'm actually a pre-pod from the beginning. I didn't make the switch from M.D./D.O. lol but yeah... it'll be interesting to see many threads similar to this one when applications open up in August

 

[dr.phoot]

My family background is extremely similar to yours.

I got **** for even asking if my physician relatives knew any pods I could shadow. After that I just kept my head down up until deposit day. Even now half of them have no idea what I'm up to.

My parents didn't respect my decision even after finding out I got accepted to my top pick. After realizing I didn't give a **** (well I did, but success is the best eye opener) they started warming up to it.

Don't worry about what they say. You could be a neuro-ortho-whatever-surgeon and still catch flak from your parents and relatives. Its their job to beat you down so you can use that fire lit under your ass to go for it.

You seem pretty level headed. One of the biggest sources of info are the thread SLC linked. Also start reading through the 2015-2016 and 2016-2017 application threads. They're extremely useful. Its a good community here. Don't be afraid to reach out at all.

I mention that in my p/s.

And I'm basically doing what you're doing and just going to ignore them and apply anyway

 

[Weirdy]

I mention that in my p/s.

And I'm basically doing what you're doing and just going to ignore them and apply anyway

Just keep swimming

 

[GypsyHummus]

Nice. It's good I know someone applying in the same year as me. I was actuality supposed to have applied this current on going cycle but I chickened out. No excuses in 2017 though!

And I'm actually a pre-pod from the beginning. I didn't make the switch from M.D./D.O. lol but yeah... it'll be interesting to see many threads similar to this one when applications open up in August

Dude, u have no idea the flood about to come in.

 

[dr.phoot]

Dude, u have no idea the flood about to come in.

I'm hoping for the best and expecting the worse at this point... I just need one. Just one school to take me. Breaking into my savings just to "fund" this pursuit of pod school..

August can't come soon enough!

 

[PodGirl91]

Dude, u have no idea the flood about to come in.

Hahaha. I predict that podiatry will become just as competitive as MD/DO. Really the only reason why MD/DO have higher stats is because more applicants = more competition = higher stats. Plus those fields have been around longer than podiatry has. It will be hilarious to see in 10 years when the stats requirements for podiatry goes up and people who were putting down this field are hoping for their kids to get in.

 

[Weirdy]

Hahaha. I predict that podiatry will become just as competitive as MD/DO. Really the only reason why MD/DO have higher stats is because more applicants = more competition = higher stats. Plus those fields have been around longer than podiatry has. It will be hilarious to see in 10 years when the stats requirements for podiatry goes up and people who were putting down this field are hoping for their kids to get in.

Makes sense.

I believe stats will go up for sure.
Competition wise I believe it will depend on scope of practice and applicant preference. I wouldn't want to force a student interested in primary care to only deal with feet, and vice versa.

 

[GypsyHummus]

Makes sense.

I believe stats will go up for sure.
Competition wise I believe it will depend on scope of practice and applicant preference. I wouldn't want to force a student interested in primary care to only deal with feet, and vice versa.

With the diabetic population, podiatry may as well be considered a primary care specialty.