What are Pod-Specific ECs?

[laureelee07]

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Hi everyone,

I hear over and over again that Pod Specific Extracurricular activities are strongly suggested. Now, what would that entail?

To be honest, I've been pre-med, so I've done tons of shadowing and even currently work as a ED Scribe. I want to convince the AdComs that I'm 100% podiatry after training for a few marathons. Other than shadowing a podiatrist, what more can I do to beef up my apps?

Any tips will be greatly appreciated.

 

[MaxillofacialMN]

Hi everyone,

I hear over and over again that Pod Specific Extracurricular activities are strongly suggested. Now, what would that entail?

To be honest, I've been pre-med, so I've done tons of shadowing and even currently work as a ED Scribe. I want to convince the AdComs that I'm 100% podiatry after training for a few marathons. Other than shadowing a podiatrist, what more can I do to beef up my apps?

Any tips will be greatly appreciated.

You hear that a lot? Strange.

"Pod specific extracurricular activities" are really just shadowing a pod for ~20 hours. You don't need to work at a foot health clinic, do pedicures, or baby sit for the local podiatrist. Shadowing is really enough.

My experience: I have TONS of dental experience, shadowing endos, orthos, oms, GDs, 6-week summer course at Columbia U in dentistry - lots of dentistry stuff. My MCAT and GPA are on par with MD admissions. All of this was included in my application for DPM schools, and so far the only time that it came up was, "You have a lot of options, why did you pick podiatry?"

The only pod-related "extracurric" I had was shadowing.

But if you are still concerned, most of the schools offer programs during the summer/winter breaks for you to check out their schools for a few days. I know DMU, KSUCPM, NYCPM, and Temple (I think..?) have these programs. You can also ask to attend a podiatry conference that is happening near you. I subscribe to podiatry today and I get invited to these things like every other day a conference is happening. But really though, none of these are necessary.

 

[DrRock44]

I think MaxillofacialMN is spot on on this one. I chose to participate in one of the summer programs just to have something pod specific, but it hasn't been mentioned in any of my interviews. My pre-med counselor also has visited a lot of the pod schools and talked to their admissions counselors and posed this same question. interestingly enough, they mentioned volunteering at marathons and other sporting events as pod-specific. I don't get it but someone said it. (maybe sports med?)
I have been asked to talk about my service a lot, they seemed interested in that type of stuff if that helps

 

[podlover]

Hi everyone,

I hear over and over again that Pod Specific Extracurricular activities are strongly suggested. Now, what would that entail?

To be honest, I've been pre-med, so I've done tons of shadowing and even currently work as a ED Scribe. I want to convince the AdComs that I'm 100% podiatry after training for a few marathons. Other than shadowing a podiatrist, what more can I do to beef up my apps?

Any tips will be greatly appreciated.

1. Shadow a Pod
2. Attend an Open House or two
3. Apply to an Internship program
4. If you are conducting research, try to get into a project focused on or related to diabetes (as per I was told by NYCPM)

You are required to prove that you know what you are getting into and that you have plans to overcome any adversities during your training.

Gluck!

 

[Shinobiz11]

You hear that a lot? Strange.

"Pod specific extracurricular activities" are really just shadowing a pod for ~20 hours. You don't need to work at a foot health clinic, do pedicures, or baby sit for the local podiatrist. Shadowing is really enough.

My experience: I have TONS of dental experience, shadowing endos, orthos, oms, GDs, 6-week summer course at Columbia U in dentistry - lots of dentistry stuff. My MCAT and GPA are on par with MD admissions. All of this was included in my application for DPM schools, and so far the only time that it came up was, "You have a lot of options, why did you pick podiatry?"

The only pod-related "extracurric" I had was shadowing.

But if you are still concerned, most of the schools offer programs during the summer/winter breaks for you to check out their schools for a few days. I know DMU, KSUCPM, NYCPM, and Temple (I think..?) have these programs. You can also ask to attend a podiatry conference that is happening near you. I subscribe to podiatry today and I get invited to these things like every other day a conference is happening. But really though, none of these are necessary.

Why did you pick podiatry?

 

[MaxillofacialMN]

Why did you pick podiatry?

Because I really like working with kids!!

 

[podlover]

Because I really like working with kids!!

 

[laureelee07]

I appreciate the feedback. I live near Samuel Merritt, so maybe I'll go ahead and meet with an admin committee!

Just finished a 6-hour shift with a podiatrist today, I LOVED EVERY MINUTE OF IT, even had a 3rd year Samuel Merritt student to dish with. A-Mazing.

 

[Shinobiz11]

I appreciate the feedback. I live near Samuel Merritt, so maybe I'll go ahead and meet with an admin committee!

Just finished a 6-hour shift with a podiatrist today, I LOVED EVERY MINUTE OF IT, even had a 3rd year Samuel Merritt student to dish with. A-Mazing.

That's great dude. The shadowing was really the turning point for me. Best of luck!

Haha Max, I swear we get that crap a little too much. Maybe we should tell people we want to be podiatricians?