What Are My Chances: WAMC Podiatry

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Telekinesis said:
Chem 1 D Retook for C
Chem 2 D Retook for C
Biol 1 B
Biol 2 B
Taking OChem 1 and Phys 1 this fall

MCAT in January

Should I apply in December?
Click to expand...

Apply after MCAT. Especially if you don't know what your score might be.
 
sGPA: 3.0
cGPA: 3.3

I've shadowed close to a total of 50hrs with two different podiatrists.
Close to 150 volunteer/service hours all done in a hospital and free clinics.
Taking the MCAT in August for the first time, my practice test scores range from 23-26. So hopefully I get around a 25.

What are my chances? and What should I do over my senior year to strengthen my application?
 
allday92 said:
sGPA: 3.0
cGPA: 3.3

I've shadowed close to a total of 50hrs with two different podiatrists.
Close to 150 volunteer/service hours all done in a hospital and free clinics.
Taking the MCAT in August for the first time, my practice test scores range from 23-26. So hopefully I get around a 25.

What are my chances? and What should I do over my senior year to strengthen my application?
Click to expand...

You will be fine.

Did you have any science class that you got a lower than a B- in? If so, maybe you can retake it your senior year if you have time. At interviews, they might ask about a low grade but then you can say "well, I improved when I retook it"
 
jonod1107 said:
You will be fine.

Did you have any science class that you got a lower than a B- in? If so, maybe you can retake it your senior year if you have time. At interviews, they might ask about a low grade but then you can say "well, I improved when I retook it"
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I made the mistake of taking Biochem and Ochem 2 in the same semester, and I ended up making a C in both of those classes. At my university, if I retook those classes my grades for them would be averaged, rather than replaced. So would it still be beneficial to retake?
 
allday92 said:
I made the mistake of taking Biochem and Ochem 2 in the same semester, and I ended up making a C in both of those classes. At my university, if I retook those classes my grades for them would be averaged, rather than replaced. So would it still be beneficial to retake?
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It doesn't matter if it is averaged because it is also averaged on the Pod application GPA calculation. So in that sense, it won't raise your GPA by a whole lot but it will look good if you got a B or higher since you can use that to prove that you had a bad semester but you do actually know your stuff.

Now, the big question is, are you certain you can do better the 2nd time around? I might not take both classes but choose one to take. Also, you haven't taken the MCAT right? I got a B- in Orgo I but I got an 10 on the Biological science on the MCAT and I mentioned that since it tested for Orgo. My interviewer also agreed with me that my MCAT score proved to him that I knew my Orgo. Plus, I got a A- on Orgo II.

So my advice is, take one class over if you are CERTAIN you can do better. If you do the same or worse, it will only hurt you.

Now, if you decide not to take a class over, then I would still take some upper science courses, just to show that you are not slacking off. Choose a science course that you know will be easier to get a good grade in.
 
Which is more important to pod schools: MCAT or GPA? I am waiting on MCAT scores and just hoping I break a 20+. I have a 3.43 cGPA and a 3.30 sGPA and all the necessary ECs/shadowing such as:

Hospital volunteering (40 hours)
Pod shadowing both in office and in OR (40 hrs)
Outpatient Rehab/PT shadowing (50 hrs)
Volunteer tutoring at public library (30 hrs)
EMT experience (2 yrs)
Research intern (1 semester worth)
Camp Counselor (for work - 1 summer)

I know I don't have the most unique experiences but I invested a lot of time putting quality work in them. Just freaking out about how the MCAT went but if anyone could tell me how everything looks that would be great. I am hoping pod schools take a holistic approach and that the GPA is looked at with big emphasis.

thanks!
 
also planning to submit early august if that would help any chances. I have a letter from a pod, from a PT supervisor (from my outpatient rehab volunteering), and I applied to get a pre-health letter (which would synthesize those two people plus two additional science profs that already filled out LOR forms for it).

Thanks again!
 
jonod1107 said:
It doesn't matter if it is averaged because it is also averaged on the Pod application GPA calculation. So in that sense, it won't raise your GPA by a whole lot but it will look good if you got a B or higher since you can use that to prove that you had a bad semester but you do actually know your stuff.

Now, the big question is, are you certain you can do better the 2nd time around? I might not take both classes but choose one to take. Also, you haven't taken the MCAT right? I got a B- in Orgo I but I got an 10 on the Biological science on the MCAT and I mentioned that since it tested for Orgo. My interviewer also agreed with me that my MCAT score proved to him that I knew my Orgo. Plus, I got a A- on Orgo II.

So my advice is, take one class over if you are CERTAIN you can do better. If you do the same or worse, it will only hurt you.

Now, if you decide not to take a class over, then I would still take some upper science courses, just to show that you are not slacking off. Choose a science course that you know will be easier to get a good grade in.
Click to expand...

Thanks for the advice. I've taken Principles of Physiology - B, Genetics - A, and Neurobiology - A.

I'll try to retake Biochem again, but would these sciences classes show that I wasn't slacking off?
 
Generally speaking, can a MCAT higher than the average guarantee admission provided you have the proper ECs?
 
Telekinesis said:
Generally speaking, can a MCAT higher than the average guarantee admission provided you have the proper ECs?
Click to expand...

Well that depends on how high of an MCAT. I know a friend who had a 3.2 GPA but got a 36 on the MCAT and was able to get into his state MD school.

For Pod, if you score a 27+, I'm sure you have a good shot if your science GPA as at least a 2.6. Repeats with better grade will look good too.
 
According to the 2013/2014 Podiatric medical college information book several schools had no one enrolled with under a 2.75 but a few schools accepted students with lower gpas. I know CSPM has a strict cutoff at 2.75, but it also looks like NYCPM and Temple do too, or at least the lowest enrolled GPAs were coincidently cut off there. Ohio had someone enrolled with a 2.5 sci but at Western, no one enrolled with under a 3.02 sci gpa, and no one at Arizona enrolled with under a 3.1cGPA. I understand that enrolled doesn't necessarily mean cutoff but it gives you an idea of the school's standards.
 
when do you think the official aacpm website will update to include the 2013 statistics for applicants and matriculants in terms of gpa and mcat? As of right now the statistics are up to 2012 and am wondering if they will be updated by the time the 2014 app cycle opens up. It would be really helpful if they did that.
 
benoit75 said:
BS from college of engineering at flagship state school on full academic scholarship. Minors in chemistry and business admin. Fluent in French, English, Spanish.

cgpa 3.4
sgpa 3.0
mcat 22 (waiting for 2nd scores to come in, probably did better by 1 or 2 points)

150 hours of emergency room volunteering at 2 hospitals.
1 week of shadowing in a top tier ortho group.
LOR from 1 Chemistry professor, 1 PreMed Counselor, 1 ortho surgeon (DO), 1 DPM.
1.5 years of student work position in the department of engineering.
4 year fraternity member with 2 officer positions.
National Collegiate Honor Society member.
Dean's list 2013.
Upwards trend in cgpa.

Have been shadowing a pod for the summer. Will continue shadowing until the end of the fall. Expecting roughly 50 hours total.

Willing to apply broadly. Would prefer DMU.

Cons:
C in the 2nd physics lecture
Repeat organic I from C -> A


Thanks in advance for any input!
Click to expand...

Well in case any fellow pre-pods were interested, my MCAT scores came back today. Looks like I've improved my chances with a 25 (9v 8p 8 b).
 
benoit75 said:
Well in case any fellow pre-pods were interested, my MCAT scores came back today. Looks like I've improved my chances with a 25 (9v 8p 8 b).
Click to expand...

With that even balance you're in DO land. You should get substantial scholarships offers if you decide to apply pod. Good luck.
 
postbacpremed87 said:
With that even balance you're in DO land. You should get substantial scholarships offers if you decide to apply pod. Good luck.
Click to expand...

I will be applying to some DO schools, but I'm still regarding POD as my #1 choice.
 
1. Schools you are applying to
DMU and Scholls I'm very interested in

2. cGPA/sGPA
3.39c / 3.5s

3. MCAT Score
23 / 19 / 22

4. Podiatry Experience
About 15hours so far, on-going

5. Non-Podiatry Shadowing/Clinical Experience (If Applicable)
MD doctors shadowed (roughly 75hours)
DO doctor shadowed (roughly 20 hours)

6. Volunteering
Out of country 400hours of volunteering. Childrens hospital 200hours.

Will be applying the very first day applications open (Aug 1st)
 
Telekinesis said:
Generally speaking, can a MCAT higher than the average guarantee admission provided you have the proper ECs?
Click to expand...

Tbqh, an MCAT a point or two below the average guarantees admission to most schools if your GPA is around the average too. (And you don't apply late, you don't fall asleep during interview, etc etc).

You have to realize MCAT averages are deceiving because the plotted MCAT scores are skewed left - or more people have MCAT scores below the average than above it. Schools realize this and will accept people accordingly.
 
My summer hasn't gone according to plan and I have had health issues. Nonetheless I've managed to pull my gpa up to 3.2 through summer coursework. I moved my MCAT date to Sept 7th. My summer courses officially end on August 1st so I will start studying for MCAT from then till Sept 7th. If I take the MCAT in September as planned I will not receive my MCAT marks until October. It will also take some additional time to shadow more podiatrists (already shadowed once before and loved it) and get LORs.

Will it be too late to apply and get in with only a 3.2 gpa and probably average MCAT (around 23, will only have 1 month to study) if I am applying in mid October/early November? Hopeful schools are NYCPM, BUSPM, TUSPM, KSUCPM, and SCPM.
 
k2k said:
My summer hasn't gone according to plan and I have had health issues. Nonetheless I've managed to pull my gpa up to 3.2 through summer coursework. I moved my MCAT date to Sept 7th. My summer courses officially end on August 1st so I will start studying for MCAT from then till Sept 7th. If I take the MCAT in September as planned I will not receive my MCAT marks until October. It will also take some additional time to shadow more podiatrists (already shadowed once before and loved it) and get LORs.

Will it be too late to apply and get in with only a 3.2 gpa and probably average MCAT (around 23, will only have 1 month to study) if I am applying in mid October/early November? Hopeful schools are NYCPM, BUSPM, TUSPM, KSUCPM, and SCPM.
Click to expand...

When to apply has been beaten to death on this forum and even on this thread. Use the search function.

Short answer is no, Oct is not too late.
 
my stats:

applying to: NYCPM, oakland, scholl, AZPOD, and iowa
cGPA: 3.1
sGPA: 3.0

MCAT: 23 (retaking it)
chem: 7
bio: 6
verbal: 10
I don't have any clinic experience with a podiatrist because I just switched to pre-pod, but I plan on starting in the fall. I do have clinic experience in pharmacy, dentistry, and MD fields however.
Volunteer hours: 125 in college

Note that I am applying for admission in jan 2015 (for nycpm) and fall 2015 for the rest so I am still trying to bring up my GPA.
 
Last edited:
piris said:
my stats:

applying to: NYCPM, oakland, scholl, AZPOD, and iowa
cGPA: 3.1
sGPA: 3.0
(from UT Austin)
MCAT: 23 (retaking it)
chem: 7
bio: 6
verbal: 10
I don't have any clinic experience with a podiatrist because I just switched to pre-pod, but I plan on starting in the fall. I do have clinic experience in pharmacy, dentistry, and MD fields however.
Volunteer hours: 125 in college because I'm in a service sorority.

Note that I am applying for admission in jan 2015 (for nycpm) and fall 2015 for the rest so I am still trying to bring up my GPA.
Click to expand...

Why not apply for Fall 2014? You can get in with your current GPA and you still have time to shadow a podiatrist for this cycle.
 
I would apply for Fall 2014, but I'm not graduating until Dec 2014 🙁
 
piris said:
I would apply for Fall 2014, but I'm not graduating until Dec 2014 🙁
Click to expand...

If you have met your premed requirements you may not need to graduate. I believe pod school only officially requires 90 hours and pre-med reqs. You would need to check with the schools you are interested in first.

I would recommend getting the bachelors degree though.
 
pacpod said:
If you have met your premed requirements you may not need to graduate. I believe pod school only officially requires 90 hours and pre-med reqs. You would need to check with the schools you are interested in first.

I would recommend getting the bachelors degree though.
Click to expand...

Would you care to look at my stats on the bottom of page 11 and give me some insight? If I apply tomorrow, when should I expect a response? I'm trying to get a rough schedule for the next few months. Any predictions or past experience would help a lot!
 
allsop21 said:
Would you care to look at my stats on the bottom of page 11 and give me some insight? If I apply tomorrow, when should I expect a response? I'm trying to get a rough schedule for the next few months. Any predictions or past experience would help a lot!
Click to expand...

I would call each school to make sure. I know NYCPM requires a graduation degree.
 
Applying to all pod schools

cGPA: 3.78
sGPA: 2.98
(from Saint Francis University in Pennsylvania, currently a senior)
MCAT: 23, just retook in July
PS: 6
BS: 8
VR: 9
I am the president of my sorority, the coordinator of my school's Relay for Life, the director of Freshman Orientation, an emergency room volunteer, member of beta beta beta biological honor society, winner of the regional beta beta beta research conference, research lectures at Pitt and SFU, president of Health Occupation Students of America.
I just started my podiatry shadowing with approx 15 hours in.

I am also quite nervous.
 
DrSFU said:
cGPA: 3.78
sGPA: 2.98
Click to expand...

???? I don't mean to be rude by asking, but what was your major? Just seems extremely odd as to how you have a 3.78 cumulative GPA, but under a 3.0 SCIENCE GPA. Because I understand some people aren't all Natural Science major students.
 
My major is a double major in physics and chemistry with minors in philosophy and quantitative methods. My school is a liberal arts school so I had to take a lot of English and Religious Studies, and I have never gotten anything below an A. Also, my cGPA is a 3.68, not 3.78. I wish, I mistyped. Also, I currently have 140 credits because I haven't taken a semester off trying to bring up my grades-- went to school through summer and winter every year. My mom died of cancer when I was 19 and it really affected my school work.
 
I am a non-traditional pre-med student (27 yrs old) with a BA in Psychology from a big midwestern state school. I am considering Pod now since I am pretty sure that DO is out of reach at the moment and have spent some time the past month shadowing a local Pod. My AACPMAS gpa is much lower than my AACOMAS gpa, unfortunately so I am looking to take some extra UG coursework at a local community college to raise my overall gpa. Here are my calculated AACPMAS stats:
cGPA: 2.66
sGPA: 3.09
MCAT: 1st--> 23 and 2nd--> results come back August 27th

I also have 3 years experience working full-time as a behavioral tech at a youth mental institution and have been working full-time since I graduated in 2008 while taking all of the pre-med science courses. Here are my pre-med science grades as well: Gen Chem 1: C+, Gen Chem 1 lab: B-, Gen Chem 2: C+, Gen Chem 2 lab: B, Physics 1 (re-take): B-, Physics 1 lab: B, Physics 2 (re-take): A-, Physics 2 lab: B, Orgo 1 + lab: B-, Bio 1 + lab: B, Bio 2 + lab: B+, Genetics: A, Microbiology: A, Biochemistry: B+, Immunology: B+

I figured out that if I re-take 4 courses (2 non-science, 2 science) from my undergrad for 15 credits total (assuming I get all A's) at my local CC, it would raise my cGPA to 2.76 and sGPA to 3.15. These courses would be finished by mid-November if I take them in September.

I do have a true interest in pod now that I have been exposed and would like to apply to Rosalind Franklin, Samuel Merritt, New York, and Temple.

What do you all think of my chances, pending re-takes? I know that AACPMAS does not factor in grade replacement, btw.

Thank you.
 
JDMcNugent said:
I am a non-traditional pre-med student (27 yrs old) with a BA in Psychology from a big midwestern state school. I am considering Pod now since I am pretty sure that DO is out of reach at the moment and have spent some time the past month shadowing a local Pod. My AACPMAS gpa is much lower than my AACOMAS gpa, unfortunately so I am looking to take some extra UG coursework at a local community college to raise my overall gpa. Here are my calculated AACPMAS stats:
cGPA: 2.66
sGPA: 3.09
MCAT: 1st--> 23 and 2nd--> results come back August 27th

I also have 3 years experience working full-time as a behavioral tech at a youth mental institution and have been working full-time since I graduated in 2008 while taking all of the pre-med science courses. Here are my pre-med science grades as well: Gen Chem 1: C+, Gen Chem 1 lab: B-, Gen Chem 2: C+, Gen Chem 2 lab: B, Physics 1 (re-take): B-, Physics 1 lab: B, Physics 2 (re-take): A-, Physics 2 lab: B, Orgo 1 + lab: B-, Bio 1 + lab: B, Bio 2 + lab: B+, Genetics: A, Microbiology: A, Biochemistry: B+, Immunology: B+

I figured out that if I re-take 4 courses (2 non-science, 2 science) from my undergrad for 15 credits total (assuming I get all A's) at my local CC, it would raise my cGPA to 2.76 and sGPA to 3.15. These courses would be finished by mid-November if I take them in September.

I do have a true interest in pod now that I have been exposed and would like to apply to Rosalind Franklin, Samuel Merritt, New York, and Temple.

What do you all think of my chances, pending re-takes? I know that AACPMAS does not factor in grade replacement, btw.

Thank you.
Click to expand...

I think if you show them that you truly want to be a Pod, you will have a good shot. Your MCAT is about average for a good Pod school, Pre-med grades aren't bad, but your cumulative may hurt you. As I said, just show them how dedicated you are during an interview.
 
you might get a rejection by a few schools because of your cGPA, but otherwise apply early and if you get an interview invite you are pretty much golden. I forgot which schools flat out rejected a few students last cycle, but that was more of the rarity than the norm.

JDMcNugent said:
I am a non-traditional pre-med student (27 yrs old) with a BA in Psychology from a big midwestern state school. I am considering Pod now since I am pretty sure that DO is out of reach at the moment and have spent some time the past month shadowing a local Pod. My AACPMAS gpa is much lower than my AACOMAS gpa, unfortunately so I am looking to take some extra UG coursework at a local community college to raise my overall gpa. Here are my calculated AACPMAS stats:
cGPA: 2.66
sGPA: 3.09
MCAT: 1st--> 23 and 2nd--> results come back August 27th

I also have 3 years experience working full-time as a behavioral tech at a youth mental institution and have been working full-time since I graduated in 2008 while taking all of the pre-med science courses. Here are my pre-med science grades as well: Gen Chem 1: C+, Gen Chem 1 lab: B-, Gen Chem 2: C+, Gen Chem 2 lab: B, Physics 1 (re-take): B-, Physics 1 lab: B, Physics 2 (re-take): A-, Physics 2 lab: B, Orgo 1 + lab: B-, Bio 1 + lab: B, Bio 2 + lab: B+, Genetics: A, Microbiology: A, Biochemistry: B+, Immunology: B+

I figured out that if I re-take 4 courses (2 non-science, 2 science) from my undergrad for 15 credits total (assuming I get all A's) at my local CC, it would raise my cGPA to 2.76 and sGPA to 3.15. These courses would be finished by mid-November if I take them in September.

I do have a true interest in pod now that I have been exposed and would like to apply to Rosalind Franklin, Samuel Merritt, New York, and Temple.

What do you all think of my chances, pending re-takes? I know that AACPMAS does not factor in grade replacement, btw.

Thank you.
Click to expand...
 
Hello everyone,
I'm planning to apply to podiatry this month. I need your advice on my chances of getting acceptance, please.I will apply to all schools. cGPA is 3.65, sGPA is 3.42, a 21 on my MCAT and I shadowed a podiatrist and an optometrist, I volunteered in a pharmacy and a member of two social organizations. I tutor high school and college students in Math, Biology and Physics. Also I'm a manager in a restaurant. Finally, I will be having a bachelor in Biology and a minor in Arabic.
Thank you in advance.
 
10452 said:
Hello everyone,
I'm planning to apply to podiatry this month. I need your advice on my chances of getting acceptance, please.I will apply to all schools. cGPA is 3.65, sGPA is 3.42, a 21 on my MCAT and I shadowed a podiatrist and an optometrist, I volunteered in a pharmacy and a member of two social organizations. I tutor high school and college students in Math, Biology and Physics. Also I'm a manager in a restaurant. Finally, I will be having a bachelor in Biology and a minor in Arabic.
Thank you in advance.
Click to expand...

If you apply now and broadly you should be fine. Depending on your score breakdown some of the schools may ask you to retake the MCAT. i.e. a 5 on verbal.
 
feet2017 said:
If you apply now and broadly you should be fine. Depending on your score breakdown some of the schools may ask you to retake the MCAT. i.e. a 5 on verbal.
Click to expand...

I emailed and called most of the schools concerning the mcat score breakdown and they said they dont have a minimum score or a cut off score in any section of the test because they will look at the application as a whole. What do u think?
 
10452 said:
Hello everyone,
I'm planning to apply to podiatry this month. I need your advice on my chances of getting acceptance, please.I will apply to all schools. cGPA is 3.65, sGPA is 3.42, a 21 on my MCAT and I shadowed a podiatrist and an optometrist, I volunteered in a pharmacy and a member of two social organizations. I tutor high school and college students in Math, Biology and Physics. Also I'm a manager in a restaurant. Finally, I will be having a bachelor in Biology and a minor in Arabic.
Thank you in advance.
Click to expand...

Basing only on the many people that got in last year when I was on the site your GPA is a near guarantee. Don't want to get your hopes up too much, but I don't think you should stress about getting the interview at all. A 3.65 cumulative GPA is great and especially well enough to get in.
 
10452 said:
I emailed and called most of the schools concerning the mcat score breakdown and they said they dont have a minimum score or a cut off score in any section of the test because they will look at the application as a whole. What do u think?
Click to expand...

can i ask you if you called/emailed nycpm for this as well? It's my number one choice and I'm wondering if they have mcat subsection cutoff scores...
 
1. Schools you are applying to
DMU and Scholls I'm very interested in

2. cGPA/sGPA
3.39c / 3.5s

3. MCAT Score
23 / 19 / 22

4. Podiatry Experience
About 15hours so far, on-going

5. Non-Podiatry Shadowing/Clinical Experience (If Applicable)
MD doctors shadowed (roughly 75hours)
DO doctor shadowed (roughly 20 hours)

6. Volunteering
Out of country 400hours of volunteering. Childrens hospital 200hours.

I've posted a few times but haven't got a clear answer. Apologies if I upset anyone posting more than once.
 
itsallgood19 said:
can i ask you if you called/emailed nycpm for this as well? It's my number one choice and I'm wondering if they have mcat subsection cutoff scores...
Click to expand...

Yes I talked to new york and they said the same thing they dont have a cut off score in any section of the mcat
 
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