Think this is a good path?

[golfmontpoker]

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Hey everyone, new to the podiatry forum, well met! Anyways, guess ill give everyone a little background. I was a dental hopefull, but after shadowing the dentist, it reallllly turned me off... Well I shadowed a pod the other day, just out of curiousity, and absolutely loved it! Seemed like such a nice balance of medicine and specialization, and I have always had something about a womens feet 😀 weird, I know.

Im graduating in May with my bachelors in Biology and minors in chemistry and business. My GPA will be around a 3.5 or a 3.6 when I graduate. Im really not wanting to take the MCAT, for various time issues, so the GRE would be awesome if I could get in with that. My plan is to take a year off, mainly because I need physics, and unfortunately I do not have enough time to take it at my undergrad if I want to graduate early... So I guess my main question is this, should I take a year off, take some classes at a CC, work, and basically relax before trying to get into POD school? Any advice/tips would be very helpful!

 

[gustydoc]

If you want to get into one of the better pod schools the MCAT is a must. Your GPA is solid so just take the MCAT and apply.

 

[Cheetos]

So I take it you're applying for fall 2008? If so, I'd definately take the MCATs. Theres already changes going on this yr, 2 schools already responded to me wanting me to take MCATs before matriculation even tho I took the DATs and did well. As for GRE, who knows what other changes can occur for the entering class of 2008, which would limit you to only a few schools. Only a few schools accept the GRE as is. The MCATs is switching over to computer format starting Jan 2007 and is alot shorter than before. I believe its about 5 hrs total now.

Taking a year off wouldn't be so bad. Could use that time to study for the MCATs or other things before committing yourself to another spouse (grad school) 😛

 

[golfmontpoker]

So I take it you're applying for fall 2008? If so, I'd definately take the MCATs. Theres already changes going on this yr, 2 schools already responded to me wanting me to take MCATs before matriculation even tho I took the DATs and did well. As for GRE, who knows what other changes can occur for the entering class of 2008, which would limit you to only a few schools. Only a few schools accept the GRE as is. The MCATs is switching over to computer format starting Jan 2007 and is alot shorter than before. I believe its about 5 hrs total now.

Taking a year off wouldn't be so bad. Could use that time to study for the MCATs or other things before committing yourself to another spouse (grad school) 😛

Ya Ill be applying for fall 2008, considering I need to take physics next year, which im not looking forward to 😡 So my GPA is pretty solid eh? Well thats good to hear. I suppose though I could man up and try to take that damn MCAT 😛 What would be a sufficient score to get in with my GPA ya think? I have another question to, If i want to matriculate in 2008, What would be the most adviseble advice concerning when to apply and all the fun things that come along with applying to professional school? THanks again!

 

[gustydoc]

Ya Ill be applying for fall 2008, considering I need to take physics next year, which im not looking forward to 😡 So my GPA is pretty solid eh? Well thats good to hear. I suppose though I could man up and try to take that damn MCAT 😛 What would be a sufficient score to get in with my GPA ya think? I have another question to, If i want to matriculate in 2008, What would be the most adviseble advice concerning when to apply and all the fun things that come along with applying to professional school? THanks again!

I would shoot for low to mid twenties and you'll be fine. If you are planning on applying for the class of 2012 (starting fall 2008) you wouldn't need to get your apps in until next fall, so you have a year to look into what schools you are intersted. Good luck.

 

[teefRcool]

the cali school called me wanting me to take MCAT but they still called me for an interview i'm guessing their gonna give provisional admittance till i take the MCAT and the way the dean was talking to me sounded like he just wants me to take the mcat, and doesn't really care about what score i get.

 

[Cheetos]

the cali school called me wanting me to take MCAT but they still called me for an interview i'm guessing their gonna give provisional admittance till i take the MCAT and the way the dean was talking to me sounded like he just wants me to take the mcat, and doesn't really care about what score i get.

I pretty much got the same call as well. When are you interviewing? Any idea if theres a minimum we need?

 

[golfmontpoker]

So if I apply next fall and still havent taken the MCAT, could I still get an interview and a provisional acceptance? Then take the MCAT lets say in like April? Just curious if that would be possible. Going to be pretty booked up next summer so I wouldnt have a whole lot of time to study for the August MCAT. Also I wouldnt have taken physics yet, and I dont think it would be a good idea to go into the test with no physics experiance. BTW, thanks for the advice everyone! Much appreciated

 

[funfeet]

So if I apply next fall and still havent taken the MCAT, could I still get an interview and a provisional acceptance? Then take the MCAT lets say in like April? Just curious if that would be possible. Going to be pretty booked up next summer so I wouldnt have a whole lot of time to study for the August MCAT. Also I wouldnt have taken physics yet, and I dont think it would be a good idea to go into the test with no physics experiance. BTW, thanks for the advice everyone! Much appreciated

Well there is good news for you! 🙂 MCAT is going to be offered every month. Its changing to computer (like DAT) and instead of 8 hours will be closer to 4-5 hours. 😱 Computer starts Jan 2007. So starting next year, you can take it whenever you are ready. And yes, they do conditional acceptance. An SDNer already got accepted with mcat scores. So good luck!

 

[Willcott]

Take the DAT. While the prevailing sentiment on this forum is "...you should take the MCAT because I had to" or "...you're not really serious (or motivated or dedicated) unless you take the MCAT," the DAT still is a science test that will get you into a number of podiatry schools. People that say things like "you wouldn't take the postal exam to become a firefighter, would you?" haven't considered that there is no dentistry or dental specific knowledge tested on the DAT. It is simply a test over math, reading, general and organic chemistry, perceptual ability, and biology. It is quite diagnostic in revealing both the studs and the duds.
In your particular case, the DAT would be especially suitable considering you haven't taken physics yet. I would take it while the testable subjects are still fresh.
I would also like to suggest looking at the Ohio College of Podiatric Medicine. I am a first year here and I love it. The staff is kind, the professors are brilliant, and the students are cohesive. The other night, the 2nd years took over the cadaver lab and set up a mock practical to help the 1st years get prepared for the upcoming exam in gross anatomy. People here share resources and generally help each other out. While OCPM gives a chance to some applicants that other schools wouldn't, there are also very talented people studying here. People who have seen the place once make arbitrary ratings that don't reflect the quality of the school. OCPM has produced some great podiatrists. Keep in mind also that there is no "Harvard" of podiatry schools. Some may be better than others in various ways but geographic region still determines where a number of students end up matriculating. For instance, OCPM has a lot of students from the upper midwest with Ohio being the most represented state. In your situation (coming from North Carolina), OCPM is probably your closest school. And, OCPM takes the DAT. Give it some thought.
With your grades and an average DAT score, I can say with relative certainty that you would be accepted (all other things being equal, of course). Pardon the shameless plugging of my school; I just love it and I want people to give it honest consideration before allowing themselves to be swayed by popular opinion. PM with any questions, and good luck.

 

[karntrev]

Well said Willcott, I totally agree with what you said about the MCAT and the DAT. I am just now looking at podiatry as a profession. I applied to dental school last year and with the increasing amount of people applying to dental school I decided to look at some other professions to keep my options open. I am not stuck on being a dentist, I just want to help people and from what I have seen, I really like podiatry. However, I have seen a lot of posts on here about taking the LSAT if you want to be a chemical engineer and crap like that. The fact is there is nothing dental related to the DAT. It goes the same for the MCAT there is nothing medical on the MCAT they both test your biology, chemistry, and other college subjects. I have taken the DAT and it is not an easy way out. I would recommend though like you said there is no physics on the DAT, so anyone who plans to apply and needs to take the test, take the MCAT. I am applying to Pod school right now and I think all but Arizona, Samuel Merritt, and California will accept the DAT. So unless your stuck on those schools you have your choice on what test to take this year. Next year will be a different story.

 

[dougiefresh27]

Never rush into this. If you rush, your scores will not be what they could. So take the year off, better prepare, and definitely take the MCAT. Some accept the other tests but Scholl told me that they will only accept MCAT scores after this year.

 

[golfmontpoker]

Thanks for the advice everyone. I will take Ohio into serious consideration! Since I wont be applying until the next cycle, It seems that the DAT wont be accepted to a lot of schools, is this correct? I wouldnt mind taking the MCAT, but the DAT would be a better choice, simply because I was thinking about dentistry and purchased a large amount of DAT material... Do any schools accept the PCAT or GRE that anyone knows of? Again, thanks for the help

 

[lillytwig]

Thanks for the advice everyone. I will take Ohio into serious consideration! Since I wont be applying until the next cycle, It seems that the DAT wont be accepted to a lot of schools, is this correct? I wouldnt mind taking the MCAT, but the DAT would be a better choice, simply because I was thinking about dentistry and purchased a large amount of DAT material... Do any schools accept the PCAT or GRE that anyone knows of? Again, thanks for the help

i took the dat in august. i have decent grades, and very strong extras. barry accepted me, ohio, temple, des moines, sholl, san fran, and nycpm all offered me interviews. des moines told me originaly that i would need to take the mcat prior to mat., but after the interview invite, told me to hold off taking the mcat. scholl, san fran, and temple all told me i will need to take the mcat b/f matricuation. the point is that many schools seem serious about the mcat. although i agree that the dat is a survey of important scientific subjects, the schools tend to be moving away from it, and i think, especially if you are not applying until next year, that you would be wise to just go for the mcat. that seems to be what the schools are wanting to see. des moines told me they want that because it is a good indication of performance in graduate school.

 

[bmp0404]

i've asked around, but does anybody know for sure the approx. gpa you need to get into pod school? yeah, i know, "the higher, the better," but i've got a 3.0 and i work in the O.R. at a level 1 trauma center, that has to count for something right? how is it looking for me?

 

[Dr_Feelgood]

Is that overall GPA or your pre-reqs??? Have you taken the MCAT???

 

[bmp0404]

overall. i'll be graduating NEXT december. i haven't taken the MCAT yet. i'm currently working full-time in surgery, and i've shadowed a handful of surgeons and physicians. i've got some volunteer work under my belt, but i feel like it's my GPA that will hold me back. do you think my experience will outweigh my 3.0 GPA and carry me through?

 

[karntrev]

I don't think that a 3.0 will hold you back. I don't remember which school says this but on one website it says they are looking for students in the 3.07 to 3.09 gpa range (Or something like that). I have always worked full-time during my undergraduate and during my first year in graduate school. I also worked in an OR for over a year. My gpa is only a 2.9 overall (undergraduate), I am still in my first semester in graduate school. I just applied and I have received one interview so far and that is at Temple. I know that an interview doesn't guarantee acceptance but it's a start. I'm sure the gpa range of those accepted will continue to go up, but just work hard, keep your gpa up, and do well on the MCAT. I have an overall of 3.3 my last couple of years of undergraduate and I think that adcoms look at that, upper trends are always good.