Hello!
I am a recent college graduate looking to pursue a career in podiatry (obviously).
I was initially planning on pursuing a career in medicine (MD/DO). However, after shadowing a local podiatrist I found his work very engaging and realized there are many more health professions left unexplored. Therefore, instead of rushing into a life-long decision *YOLO* I have decided to take a few years off (gap years) to thoroughly explore various health professions before I fully commit to a decision. In the meantime, I am working for a not for profit organization and am continuing my undergraduate research. I also want to apologize in advance if I write anything that may come across ignorant, irrelevant, or offensive. I am still learning a lot about podiatry!
That being said, please let me know, WAMC? Thanks in advance 🙂
1. Schools you are applying to: Potentially all of them. I'm still learning about the schools and their programs.
2. cGPA:3.78/ sGPA:3.6
3. MCAT: VS:8/BS:12/PS:11 = 31
4. Podiatry experience: minimal. ~50 hours of shadowing.
5. Non-Podiatry Shadowing/Clinical Experience: >150 hours of volunteering at a local hospital (escorting patients). Scribed for an MD (>320 hours).
6. Volunteering: >150 hours of volunteering at a local hospital (escorting patients).
Community health research for 4 years during my undergrad (health fairs, seminars, outreach, etc.). Summer Internship in a foreign country as a translator in a major hospital.
Misc. information that may or may not be helpful. Some of the details are intentionally vague for my privacy. I apologize for the lack of detail.
- University: I attended a top 25 university as reported by the US&W News Report (for whatever that's worth...)
- Major: Humanities/Non-science.
- Notable Extra Curricular:
1. Community Health Research: Published 3x (2nd author, 3rd author, 3rd author) - span of 4 years.
2. Fraternity: Vice President, Secretary, Academic Chair, Historian - span of 4 years.
3. Undergraduate Peer Reviewed Journal: Editor in Chief, Editing Director - span of 2 years.
4. Residential Advisor (1 yr.)
I was wondering if someone could be so kind to also answer a few questions for me as well. I completely understand if you choose to ignore them or refer me to the proper thread.
1. Medical schools look favorably (or at least not unfavorably) to non-science majors. Is that the same for podiatry schools? I did not major in a science discipline. However, I do have a passion for science and excelled in my pre-requisite courses. I just so happen to be passionate about another field, and thus took advantage of my undergrad to explore it knowing full well that my future would be devoted to health.
2. Podiatry (at least personally) is a very appealing field, why are the average MCAT/GPA so much lower than medical school? I feel it should be much more competitive, especially with fewer schools.
3. Is there in-state preference for podiatry schools? If so, how significant is it?
4. There is less than a dozen podiatry schools so are there any legitimate rankings? I'm inclined to decide based on the program, mission statement, location, etc.
5. On average how many schools do people apply to?
6. Do schools look unfavorably at non-traditional applicants? (i.e., I will be 25 years old when I apply).
Thanks everyone in advance!
Well, I'll give my shot at answering these. I've been around podiatry for a few years now through family practice (though, I am just starting my first year) and can provide
some insight.
1. As with any medical field they will always look favorably towards science degrees, but that doesn't mean you can't get in without one. As long as you have the prereqs done, and done well, you can get in. During your interview they will most likely ask you why you chose a non-science major to pursue a career in medicine and at that point you can just explain to them you wanted to explore all your options. As I've come to find out most admission committees are very understanding.
2. This question is one that probably will continue to linger for a while. The problem with podiatry is that it isn't as
old as osteopathic and allopathic schools. Obviously, when podiatry was first starting out they weren't going to get the cream of the crop who were applying to get into MD/DO and they had to accept substandard GPAs. Unfortunately, this practice has continued simply because not enough people know about the rewarding career of podiatry. But, you don't need to worry that only low GPAs/MCATS are getting into podiatry school because that's simply not true. I got into both podiatry and osteopathic schools as I am sure a lot of other students did as well. There are some very bright and talented minds going into podiatry and I can't see the low GPA trend lasting much longer, it's just a matter of AACPM getting the word out there. Also, many of the students with the low GPAs realize their mistakes from undergraduate and bring a whole new attitude to podiatry school and are very successful. But, I understand where this question is coming from.
3. I'd say slightly, if any. I got into all 4 podiatry schools I applied to and none were instate.
4. If you ask us to rank the schools we will all most likely have different answers. Before I interviewed I was told DMU, Midwestern, and Scholl were the top three. After researching online I ended up applying to DMU, Scholl, Kent, Barry, and Western. I never took the interview to Barry, and to me personally, I found DMU and Scholl my top two. Kent and Western were amazing schools, but I felt more at home at Scholl and DMU. I ended up choosing Scholl because of the location. But, every school will give you the education you desire, it's just up to you to apply that education. Don't base your decision off of what others tell you; choose your school after you research them and interview at them, then choose which one you feel will give you the greatest education while making you feel at home.
5. I applied to 5, got interviews to all, but only interviewed at 4. I'd say that's pretty average. I know people who applied to less and I know people who applied to them all. You can definitely save money by researching them online first and only applying to the ones that interest you though. Your statistics are great and I would say you shouldn't have trouble getting in anywhere.
6. Nope! You'll be fine and feel very welcomed.
Hopefully, that helps a bit. I hope someone else also takes the time to answer your questions as well because I think you will find we all answer them, for the most part, slightly different.
