What Are My Chances: WAMC Podiatry

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Applying for the Fall of 2019. What are my chances?

Live in NY and graduated with a bachelors degree in biology with a minor in chemistry.
*cGPA- 3.67 ( out of a 4.0 scale)
*sGPA (major)- 3.71
*sGPA (minor)- 3.33
*MCAT- 494 (as of right now but still havent taken it yet so could get higher)
*Great LOR
*Currently over 200+ hours of shadowing and counting
*Great extracurriculars (was president of multiple honor societies and did 4 years of my own research)
 
grossmed198 said:
Applying for the Fall of 2019. What are my chances?

Live in NY and graduated with a bachelors degree in biology with a minor in chemistry.
*cGPA- 3.67 ( out of a 4.0 scale)
*sGPA (major)- 3.71
*sGPA (minor)- 3.33
*MCAT- 494 (as of right now but still havent taken it yet so could get higher)
*Great LOR
*Currently over 200+ hours of shadowing and counting
*Great extracurriculars (was president of multiple honor societies and did 4 years of my own research)
Click to expand...
Accepted, even if you apply now.
 
grossmed198 said:
Really? What about for NYCPM? Do you think I have a good shot to appy for Spring of 2018? Or is applying for spring harder than applying for fall?
Click to expand...

You should be fine for NYCPM to begin classes in Aug 2018, if everything else in your app is complete.
 
Hello All,

Posted this in the pre-med thread but would appreciate pre-pod's thoughts too.

Asking for a friend who is a 4th year senior in undergraduate, psychology major with a 2.3 overall GPA with 1.89 science GPA (1.64 if you include repeat courses taken) and 2.50 non-science GPA. Reasons for poor grades: too much partying, not caring as much or passively learning, cramming for exams, etc. She took the MCAT this past summer and scored a 493. She is non-URM.

Med school is out of the question but she is still interested in a healthcare profession.
What options does she have? She is interested in podiatry, nursing, or basically any healthcare profession with some sort of job security.

She is not declaring for graduating and planning on retaking the science courses she did poorly in maybe for another year. What career options are available to her regarding her GPA? What steps would she need to take? Her advisor already said post-bach programs wont really help much. She called a bunch of podiatry schools that said to retake the science courses and do well in them. Assuming she aces those classes is it realistic to assume she'd have a chance at podiatry school?

If healthcare is completely out of the question, which I anticipate would be the case (if it's not already) where she starts re-taking the courses and still is unable to do well. In that case, what other careers can one go into? There are other underlying issues that need to be addressed such as studying habits, time management, etc but assuming those are fixed, what can she do?

Any advice or feedback would be appreciated. Thanks so much!
 
Ask your friend to make an account and ask these questions. Taking up responsibility for our own actions should start early.

Anyways..she should: re-take all the Pre-med classes that she has a B or less and ace them. In addition, she should take classes like biochemistry, genetics, microbiology, and cellular biology (would help on mcat and also prepare her for pod school).

Granted a score of 493 might be fine for a Pod program, taking the MCAT again would open other doors, so I think she should take the MCAT again (after finishing the pre-med courses).

Realistically speaking, with her current GPAs, her best shot might be a nursing program, but even here, if she gets accepted, there is no guarantee she would make it out based on her science GPA.
 
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DexterMorganSK said:
Ask your friend to make an account and ask these questions. Taking up responsibility for our own actions should start early.

Anyways..she should: re-take all the Pre-med classes that she has a B or less and ace them. In addition, she should take classes like biochemistry, genetics, microbiology, and cellular biology (would help on mcat and also prepare her for pod school).

Granted a score of 493 might be fine for a Pod program, taking the MCAT again would open other doors, so I think she should take the MCAT again (after finishing the pre-med courses).

Realistically speaking, with her current GPAs, her best shot might be a nursing program, but even here, if she gets accepted, there is no guarantee she would make it out based on her science GPA.
Click to expand...
I agree with Dexter, but I wouldn't retake classes with B or above. If you have exhausted all the option of courses with Cs and below, then you would move to courses with Bs if needed.

What if you are not ready to ace classes and retake a course and get B again or even worse grade. That wouldn't be good.

I would start with taking easier courses and see what I need to do to improve my studying habits and then take harder courses.

I would take MCAT only after you take or retake most core science prerequisites.
 
BallisLife08 said:
took the MCAT this past summer and scored a 493.
Click to expand...
Why would you take MCAT with such low GPA? There was no point for that.

I would suggest to do a postbacc for sure. There are no other options anyways if you want to go to any healthcare program. It doesn't have to be formal PB program. You can start at local community college or state university and see how it is for you.

I would suggest to start retaking easier science courses and the one with C- or below. Then, if you have done with them you can start retaking courses with Cs.

I have a psychology minor. I can't imagine what you need to do to get 2.3 in Psychology. They are considered low-medium weight.

Nevertheless, you will have to take science courses for about 2 years to retake and bring your cGPA and sGPA closer to 3.0

What about your status in terms of volunteering hours, shadowing and such?


About healthcare paths:

I do not think that you will be able to get into any bachelor of nursing programs with your stats. Nursing is competitive too. Most applicants, if not all, have GPAs in 3.0-3.8 range. Maybe some rural community college will take you, but from what I know even rural colleges have applicants from all over the state.

When my sister started her Associate of Nursing at rural community college, she had 4.0 GPA and she was on a waitlist. When she got in her classmates were from all over the state from major cities because they couldn't get in.

Other healthcare careers will require 3.0+ GPA as well. In addition, nursing and other healthcare programs require certain courses. This usually takes 2 semester to complete anyways. For one nursing program I looked at all prerequisites had to be with a B or above.

Clinical psychology is pretty good career path of one likes it. But again, with that GPA there is no chance. In fact any graduate program wants about 3.0 GPA or above.

If you plan to get any graduate education, I suggest to act now and ace from now on in any field you decide to go.

Podiatry is definitely possible. If that MCAT score is actual score, it's good enough for pod schools, but for applicants with higher GPAs. By the time you retake your courses and get ready to apply, you might have to retake MCAT again.
 
Can your "friend" get a Pod school? A reach at one of the low tier programs, The MCAT is passable and the GPA is in range at the big programs (Barry, Kent). 1.89 science GPA may disqualify her however.
 
GypsyHummus said:
Can your "friend" get a Pod school? A reach at one of the low tier programs, The MCAT is passable and the GPA is in range at the big programs (Barry, Kent). 1.89 science GPA may disqualify her however.
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It's not just GPA. That GPA means that there are a lot of Cs, Ds or Fs. It means retaking courses. Even 6 science courses to retake means to spend 2 semesters.

With undergrad in Psychology, I think they couldn't even fulfill all the prerequisites. I doubt they can even graduate if BS requirements are not met by failing certain courses.
 
GypsyHummus said:
Can your "friend" get a Pod school? A reach at one of the low tier programs, The MCAT is passable and the GPA is in range at the big programs (Barry, Kent). 1.89 science GPA may disqualify her however.
Click to expand...

Don't give them false hope. A low GPA like that in a Psy major means this person would not even make it 1 day in a Pod program.
Barry might have accepted someone with lower stats than the other Pod schools, but those applicants usually have a graduate degree to back up their application. In this case, the friend has no chance, not even at a good nursing program, maybe at some online ASN program.
If they want to get serious and want to do something in healthcare, then they will have to re-do most if not all of their pre-med courses.

I have said this in the past and I'll say it again: getting in a Pod program is one story, but making it from term 1 to term 2 is another story.

And anyone who is currently a Pod student would agree with this.
 
BallisLife08 said:
Hello All,

Posted this in the pre-med thread but would appreciate pre-pod's thoughts too.

Asking for a friend who is a 4th year senior in undergraduate, psychology major with a 2.3 overall GPA with 1.89 science GPA (1.64 if you include repeat courses taken) and 2.50 non-science GPA. Reasons for poor grades: too much partying, not caring as much or passively learning, cramming for exams, etc. She took the MCAT this past summer and scored a 493. She is non-URM.

Med school is out of the question but she is still interested in a healthcare profession.
What options does she have? She is interested in podiatry, nursing, or basically any healthcare profession with some sort of job security.

She is not declaring for graduating and planning on retaking the science courses she did poorly in maybe for another year. What career options are available to her regarding her GPA? What steps would she need to take? Her advisor already said post-bach programs wont really help much. She called a bunch of podiatry schools that said to retake the science courses and do well in them. Assuming she aces those classes is it realistic to assume she'd have a chance at podiatry school?

If healthcare is completely out of the question, which I anticipate would be the case (if it's not already) where she starts re-taking the courses and still is unable to do well. In that case, what other careers can one go into? There are other underlying issues that need to be addressed such as studying habits, time management, etc but assuming those are fixed, what can she do?

Any advice or feedback would be appreciated. Thanks so much!
Click to expand...

Your friend (or you) will not make it.

Funny because I'm seeing similar post/stats pop up from a new account in the OD forum as well.

Your friend will not make it anywhere currently. Even Post-bacs/Masters have GPA minimums.
That 493 is the bare minimum the schools will accept.
I highly doubt she actually took it and you are quoting hypotheticals to see where she can get by.

Redo every single one of her science undergrad courses. It is not enough to get Bs.
She needs to get As on top of taking upper level science, not just psychology major specific courses.

If she scores all Bs and gets into a program within the next few years, she will not make it past 1st semester with the same work ethic/ego/laziness/whatever it is that is plaguing her (you?).

We have all been there one time or another. Being lazy, getting a taste of freedom, wanting to party.

How she managed to screw up for 4 consecutive years takes some dedication.
 
I applied to medical school but realized that I really wanted any healthcare job where I’m helping patients. Is there a lot of variety in podiatry( I’d be most interested in podiatric surgery)?

3.3c; 3.0s; 500 MCAT. I’ve taken all prerequisites excluding physics II and lab. My ECs are fairly good. In addition, I’d need to shadow a podiatrist.
 
azolesoul said:
I applied to medical school but realized that I really wanted any healthcare job where I’m helping patients. Is there a lot of variety in podiatry( I’d be most interested in podiatric surgery)?

3.3c; 3.0s; 500 MCAT. I’ve taken all prerequisites excluding physics II and lab. My ECs are fairly good. In addition, I’d need to shadow a podiatrist.
Click to expand...
Ask schools about physics II. You might have to take it.

Stats are fine for pod schools.
 
azolesoul said:
I applied to medical school but realized that I really wanted any healthcare job where I’m helping patients. Is there a lot of variety in podiatry( I’d be most interested in podiatric surgery)?

3.3c; 3.0s; 500 MCAT. I’ve taken all prerequisites excluding physics II and lab. My ECs are fairly good. In addition, I’d need to shadow a podiatrist.
Click to expand...

lol what?

You are helping patients, either way. Go shadow a Pod(s) first before submitting anything.
 
Stats fine for almost all pod schools. Gotta get that DPM letter and shadow to make sure this is what you wanna do. You’ll help patients alright, you’ll help them with all the nasty foot fungus, infections, and dead tissue that other people don’t wanna touch.

Lots of variety in Podiatry, but go shadow. You could prolly still get into a school if you applied in the next two weeks.


azolesoul said:
I applied to medical school but realized that I really wanted any healthcare job where I’m helping patients. Is there a lot of variety in podiatry( I’d be most interested in podiatric surgery)?

3.3c; 3.0s; 500 MCAT. I’ve taken all prerequisites excluding physics II and lab. My ECs are fairly good. In addition, I’d need to shadow a podiatrist.
Click to expand...
 
azolesoul said:
I applied to medical school but realized that I really wanted any healthcare job where I’m helping patients. Is there a lot of variety in podiatry( I’d be most interested in podiatric surgery)?

3.3c; 3.0s; 500 MCAT. I’ve taken all prerequisites excluding physics II and lab. My ECs are fairly good. In addition, I’d need to shadow a podiatrist.
Click to expand...

Do realize you'll also be doing a lot of the routine care stuff as well.

You could be fellowship trained and still not get the surgical case load you want.

Yes, podiatry offers surgery-- but it is not a staple nor should it be the main reason for becoming a podiatrist.

Shadow thoroughly. Don't take shortcuts to the MD/DO route simply because you want to do surgery. That surgery is not as common place as you think-- even if we are trained for it.
 
That sGPA is gonna raise some eyebrows, but with a 502 and a masters degree to help offset the undergrad GPA, I see a lot of Pod acceptances coming your way.

I wouldn’t count on more picky schools, but certainly worth applying to all you have the money for and seeing which one takes a handle on you.

helpmehelp said:
I have a 3.18 cGPA, 2.64 sGPA, 3.22 masters GPA, and 502 MCAT . Everything else (shadowing/extracurriculars/recs) is good.
Click to expand...
 
GypsyHummus said:
That sGPA is gonna raise some eyebrows, but with a 502 and a masters degree to help offset the undergrad GPA, I see a lot of Pod acceptances coming your way.

I wouldn’t count on more picky schools, but certainly worth applying to all you have the money for and seeing which one takes a handle on you.
Click to expand...
Thanks! In the middle of interviews now so hope things work out!
 
GypsyHummus said:
That sGPA is gonna raise some eyebrows, but with a 502 and a masters degree to help offset the undergrad GPA, I see a lot of Pod acceptances coming your way.

I wouldn’t count on more picky schools, but certainly worth applying to all you have the money for and seeing which one takes a handle on you.
Click to expand...
Which schools are considered harder to get in or more picky?
 
AudiLova619 said:
Which schools are considered harder to get in or more picky?
Click to expand...
Here on SDN people say that DMU and AzPoD are the ones that are more picky.

For some reason, I felt that Scholl was more picky than DMU in my case.

Added: DMU average GPA is about 3.48 and AzPOD average is 3.45. Some DO schools have similar averages.
 
hello everyone, im hoping for fall 2019 admission
stats:
cGPA: 3.02 ( with a big upward trend)
sGPA:2.86 (Orgo Chem did not like me too much)
MCAT: 505 (1st time. im thinking about another crack at it. because i feel my GPA is on the lower side)
lots of hours Shadowing a DPM. i can get a LOR from my DPM and Science proffessors.
What are my chances??
is there anything else you guys recommend that will enhance my Application?
 
Last edited:
stoinisjohn said:
hello everyone, im hoping for fall 2019 admission
stats:
cGPA: 3.02 ( with a big upward trend)
sGPA:2.86 (Orgo Chem did not like me too much)
MCAT: 505 (1st time. im thinking about another crack at it. because i feel my GPA is on the lower side)
lots of hours Shadowing a DPM. i can get a LOR from my DPM and Science proffessors.
What are my chances??
is there anything else you guys recommend that will enhance my Application?
Click to expand...
GPA is low but high MCAT will offset it. You could get in this cycle if you applied now.
 
stoinisjohn said:
hello everyone, im hoping for fall 2019 admission
stats:
cGPA: 3.02 ( with a big upward trend)
sGPA:2.86 (Orgo Chem did not like me too much)
MCAT: 505 (1st time. im thinking about another crack at it. because i feel my GPA is on the lower side)
lots of hours Shadowing a DPM. i can get a LOR from my DPM and Science proffessors.
What are my chances??
is there anything else you guys recommend that will enhance my Application?
Click to expand...

I think you could get in if you apply this cycle as well but if you do wait until the next cycle you would have a chance for some scholarships. I applied early this year with similar stats and got some scholarships.
cGPA: 3.3
sGPA: 2.88
MCAT: 508
 
stoinisjohn said:
hello everyone, im hoping for fall 2019 admission
stats:
cGPA: 3.02 ( with a big upward trend)
sGPA:2.86 (Orgo Chem did not like me too much)
MCAT: 505 (1st time. im thinking about another crack at it. because i feel my GPA is on the lower side)
lots of hours Shadowing a DPM. i can get a LOR from my DPM and Science proffessors.
What are my chances??
is there anything else you guys recommend that will enhance my Application?
Click to expand...
I do not think you need to retake MCAT.

I think you will get in if you apply early next cycle at almost any school.

You probably can get in even this cycle if you want at some schools. Depends where you want to go.
 
Mcat is very strong no need to retake, but your gonna get grilled on your science GPA during interviews. Have a good explanation and get a DPM letter, and I can see acceptances coming your way.

stoinisjohn said:
hello everyone, im hoping for fall 2019 admission
stats:
cGPA: 3.02 ( with a big upward trend)
sGPA:2.86 (Orgo Chem did not like me too much)
MCAT: 505 (1st time. im thinking about another crack at it. because i feel my GPA is on the lower side)
lots of hours Shadowing a DPM. i can get a LOR from my DPM and Science proffessors.
What are my chances??
is there anything else you guys recommend that will enhance my Application?
Click to expand...
 
GypsyHummus said:
Mcat is very strong no need to retake, but your gonna get grilled on your science GPA during interviews. Have a good explanation and get a DPM letter, and I can see acceptances coming your way.
Click to expand...
Yea 🙁 unfortunately I don't have the GPA I would've liked. But I did take science courses like biochemistry and microbiology to show that I'm fully dedicated to becoming a future pod.
 
Nervous Pre-Pod said:
I think you could get in if you apply this cycle as well but if you do wait until the next cycle you would have a chance for some scholarships. I applied early this year with similar stats and got some scholarships.
cGPA: 3.3
sGPA: 2.88
MCAT: 508
Click to expand...
Congratulations on your acceptance 🙂. Thank you for the reply.
 
stoinisjohn said:
Yea 🙁 unfortunately I don't have the GPA I would've liked. But I did take science courses like biochemistry and microbiology to show that I'm fully dedicated to becoming a future pod.
Click to expand...
As long as those courses were As and Bs, you'll be fine.

Tell them exactly what you just told us. They take upward trends and effort into account.

Do not retake your MCAT. That time and effort can be put to better use elsewhere.
 
PashaOdesit said:
Which schools did you apply and which you decided to interview at?
Click to expand...
I applied to all the schools.

Got rejected by DMU and AZPOD. Got interviews to all the rest. Have only interviewed at 2 so far and gotten acceptances to those two.
 
Nervous Pre-Pod said:
I think you could get in if you apply this cycle as well but if you do wait until the next cycle you would have a chance for some scholarships. I applied early this year with similar stats and got some scholarships.
cGPA: 3.3
sGPA: 2.88
MCAT: 508
Click to expand...
Your good. Apply sooner than later.
 
Hey Everyone, i'am so nervous need guidance.

what are my chances???

cumulative GPA: 2.97
science GPA: 2.63
MCAT: 501

40 hrs DPM shadowing.

tons of non-medical community service hours.

Am i totally Screwed??? what should i do???
 
NeedGuidance1122 said:
Hey Everyone, i'am so nervous need guidance.

what are my chances???

cumulative GPA: 2.97
science GPA: 2.63
MCAT: 501

40 hrs DPM shadowing.

tons of non-medical community service hours.

Am i totally Screwed??? what should i do???
Click to expand...
Is that MCAT score real or hypothetical score?

That MCAT score is pretty good to open some door for you as far as interview. The rest is on you.

Have you done any post-bacc or masters degree?

Since your Science GPA is so low, are all of yout prerequisite courses taken with C or above?
 
PashaOdesit said:
Is that MCAT score real or hypothetical score?
Thanks for the quick reply.
That MCAT score is pretty good to open some door for you as far as interview. The rest is on you.

Have you done any post-bacc or masters degree?

Since your Science GPA is so low, are all of yout prerequisite courses taken with C or above?
Click to expand...

The MCAT is real score i took it twice, this is the highest score.

All of my pre reqs are C and above, i did retake gen chem cuz i got Ds the first time.

Bio 1-B+
Bio 2-A
Gen Chem 1 retake- B
Gen Chen 2 retake- C+
Physics 1- B+
Physics 2- B
Organic Chem- C+ Lab: B+
Organic Chem 2- C Lab: B+
BioChem- B- 5credit hour class
Microbiology-C+
Chemistry course 2000 level-B

these were the grades i recieved in my pre reqs, idk if my science GPA is accurate i calculated it myself.

Also im not a scince major, im Sociology Major and Chemistry Minor
 
NeedGuidance1122 said:
The MCAT is real score i took it twice, this is the highest score.

All of my pre reqs are C and above, i did retake gen chem cuz i got Ds the first time.

Bio 1-B+
Bio 2-A
Gen Chem 1 retake- B
Gen Chen 2 retake- C+
Physics 1- B+
Physics 2- B
Organic Chem- C+ Lab: B+
Organic Chem 2- C Lab: B+
BioChem- B- 5credit hour class
Microbiology-C+
Chemistry course 2000 level-B

these were the grades i recieved in my pre reqs, idk if my science GPA is accurate i calculated it myself.

Also im not a scince major, im Sociology Major and Chemistry Minor
Click to expand...
Do you have any other science courses besides the list above?
 
You might be able to get into the bigger schools like Kent or Barry. I would apply everywhere and see what happens.

MCAT is solid for Pod school.

NeedGuidance1122 said:
Hey Everyone, i'am so nervous need guidance.

what are my chances???

cumulative GPA: 2.97
science GPA: 2.63
MCAT: 501

40 hrs DPM shadowing.

tons of non-medical community service hours.

Am i totally Screwed??? what should i do???
Click to expand...
 
NeedGuidance1122 said:
Hey Everyone, i'am so nervous need guidance.

what are my chances???

cumulative GPA: 2.97
science GPA: 2.63
MCAT: 501

40 hrs DPM shadowing.

tons of non-medical community service hours.

Am i totally Screwed??? what should i do???
Click to expand...

MCAT is fine. Science GPA is too low. If you apply to all 9 schools then you might get an II from one of them.

The real issue will be passing classes during Pod school.
You have two options as of now: apply and if you get a seat then go all in and try to stay in school.
The second option is to take few high-level science courses at the undergrad level then apply for next year to begin in Summer 2019. I mean classes like biochemistry, A&P, cell molecular bio, etc. Doing well in these courses will raise that science GPA and you will be better prepared to tackle medical school courses.
 
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NeedGuidance1122 said:
The MCAT is real score i took it twice, this is the highest score.

All of my pre reqs are C and above, i did retake gen chem cuz i got Ds the first time.

Bio 1-B+
Bio 2-A
Gen Chem 1 retake- B
Gen Chen 2 retake- C+
Physics 1- B+
Physics 2- B
Organic Chem- C+ Lab: B+
Organic Chem 2- C Lab: B+
BioChem- B- 5credit hour class
Microbiology-C+
Chemistry course 2000 level-B

these were the grades i recieved in my pre reqs, idk if my science GPA is accurate i calculated it myself.

Also im not a scince major, im Sociology Major and Chemistry Minor
Click to expand...
Can you add how many credits per each? So far I am getting a higher sGPA for you, but maybe you had more courses taken and some retakes.
 
DexterMorganSK said:
MCAT is fine. Science GPA is too low. If you apply to all 9 schools then you might get an II from one of them.

The real issue will be passing classes during Pod school.
You have two options as of now: apply and if you get a seat then go all in and try to stay in school.
The second option is to take few high-level science courses at the undergrad level then apply for next year to begin in Summer 2019. I mean classes like biochemistry, A&P, cell molecular bio, microbiology, etc. Doing well in these courses will raise that science GPA and you will be better prepared to tackle medical school courses.
Click to expand...
I agree with dexter. You only have one A in general Bio. I would also suggest yo apply in the new cycle and use that time to take some science classes to raise GPA and for your own purposes so you can be prepared. So far, I would worry not just about getting in, but getting through med school.
 
PashaOdesit said:
Can you add how many credits per each? So far I am getting a higher sGPA for you, but maybe you had more courses taken and some retakes.
Click to expand...

Bio 1- 4 credit hrs
Bio 2- 4 credit hrs
Gen chem 1- 4 credit hrs
Gen chem 2- 4 Credit hrs
Physics 1- 4 credit hrs
Physics 2- 4 credit hrs
Organic chem- 4 credit hrs LAB: 2 credit hrs
Organic chem2 - 4 credit hrs LAB: 2 credit hrs
BioChem- 5 credit hrs
Microbiology- 3 credt hrs
Chem 2000 lvl course- 3 credit hrs

does this help. ive added the credit hrs for each class
 
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