Whats the point of getting a BS degree if...

[mathlegend]

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you're planning to get a DPM anyways? (like if you apply during your sophomore or junior year in college and get accepted, any point in spending another year or two to get a BS degree?)

 

[capo]

you're planning to get a DPM anyways? (like if you apply during your sophomore or junior year in college and get accepted, any point in spending another year or two to get a BS degree?)

If school requires it for admiss then you must. If not, then no worries.

 

[allenmarchallo]

If school requires it for admiss then you must. If not, then no worries.

No pod. school requires you to get a BS/BA.....It's just a fact that 90+% of students do end up getting one anyway.......WesternU may be the first though since they had 100% BS/BA degree for their other prof. programs...Having one is viewed highly in their acceptance decision...The misconception is preparedness...Some believe that 4 years of education prepares you better..However, in my case, I've completed all the bio. major requirements for a B.S degree in 3 years, but WONT get a BS b/c of politics/policy (I refuse to take a biblical class, P.E class, & intro. computer class)....lol....

If you look @ the stats, the minimum for entrance is atleast 90 credits...Besides the pre-reqs. you can squeeze quite a few upper level bio classes in there....So, if you have a great stats as a junior, taken many 300-400 level bio classes, I'd apply & save yourself an extra year.....Once u get your DPM, it's not like you'll be using that ol' Biology B.S..(unless you try a MS, MPH program, etc that requires u to have one)

Unfortunately, the downside is that if you FAIL/LEAVE pod. school early, you're kinda stuck being a 90+ credit student with no degree to fall back on (i.e graduate programs).....This is just more motivation for me to do well

 

[mathlegend]

Hm...well what if at the time in your undergrad times, you don't major in bio? Would it change much? If I'm not planning to get a degree, is it wiser to take the prereqs then several upper division courses?

allenmarchallo. did you complete all the prereqs and the 90 credit hours before you applied? What were your grades like? Your MCAT?

 

[allenmarchallo]

Hm...well what if at the time in your undergrad times, you don't major in bio? Would it change much? If I'm not planning to get a degree, is it wiser to take the prereqs then several upper division courses?

allenmarchallo. did you complete all the prereqs and the 90 credit hours before you applied? What were your grades like? Your MCAT?

There is no specific major...However, it is wise to take quite a few upper level bio classes bc it helps create a broad range of biological understanding....Classes like A&P, genetics, cell biology, histology, neurobiology, biochem, etc......NOT required but may help with a better understanding of the body...Think of them as bonus...(& you'll be seeing some of these classes in pod. school)----But if you don't take them, no big deal.....Most people forget most of that stuff anyway (like who really remembers all the Biochemical pathways from biochem in undergrad??)----The schools will teach u what u need to know, it's up to you 2 put in the time & study if you haven't seen the material before...

When I applied (Sept 08), I had completed all pre-reqs + extra stuff except physics 1 &2...I was currently in Phys.1+ 400 level bio classes......I took the DAT first (look on my predents profile) b/c I was actually a pre-dent 1st until I hooked up with my DPM mentor that works with me in the military.....

I haven't received my MCAT scores back yet....I just took it last Friday (5/1/09)....But, I'm confident that I did well enough to finalize my spot..(I have a conditional acceptance to OCPM)...


*EDIT* Please use your undergraduate experience wisely.....It's suppose to be time for parties, making friends, maturing, and learning about life.....I'm a NON-TRAD. student after being active duty Navy for 6-years, Navy Reserve for 3, married, 2 kids...lol......So, I'm kinda in a time crunch.....HOWEVER, if I didn't go into the military, I'd spend my college years relaxing (for all 4 years), & studying hard before I went to a professional school....It's great that you have so much ambition @ a young age!!! Remember you're only young once my friend, so you shouldn't rush it...

 

[cool_vkb]

many schools like scholl and dmu offer a BS degree at the end of 1st year. I left my undergrad in 3rd year and joined pod school. it saved me around $40K in fees & housing 🙂 (i attended a private undergrad univ which was like $20k per year and then housing costs,etc)

 

[mathlegend]

Thanks for the input guys 🙂

So much to think about!

 

[kale sannis]

you're planning to get a DPM anyways? (like if you apply during your sophomore or junior year in college and get accepted, any point in spending another year or two to get a BS degree?)

Well, I think that the experience that you have as an undergraduate is great. You'll probably never get the opportunity to go to school or hang out as often with the friends that you made in college (most of the graduates I know have jobs or are trying to rebuild their gpas at a CC). Its also a great feeling when you graduate and walk across the stage.

Most important, the best thing about the degree is that you can hang it on the wall at your workplace. 😀

 

[smartman716]

The extra year or two spent in getting a BS may help you mature more before starting professional school. Maturity not in terms of age but rather maturity based on intellect and insight.

 

[kale sannis]

The extra year or two spent in getting a BS may help you mature more before starting professional school. Maturity not in terms of age but rather maturity based on intellect and insight.

I agree. I had a 15 year old that lived in the dorms with us. Smart guy, but lacked any type of social skills and extremely immature.

 

[binh]

yea, if youre tight on money then go ahead and do the college in 3 years thing. otherwise, whats the rush? you got the rest of your life to work. i miss undergrad.

 

[miller4362]

It seems to me that a fair amount of people entering podiatry school dont graduate. Obviously its not a ton of people, but there are people every year who drop out for whatever reason. If you become one of these people it would sure be nice to have a degree to fall back on. Not taking extra upper level courses in a 4th year gives a good chance for you to be behind other students. You wanna be smart enough to get good grades and rankings in pod school so you can be successful and get a good residency. Plus it will make pod school easier.

 

[mathlegend]

It seems to me that a fair amount of people entering podiatry school dont graduate. Obviously its not a ton of people, but there are people every year who drop out for whatever reason. If you become one of these people it would sure be nice to have a degree to fall back on. Not taking extra upper level courses in a 4th year gives a good chance for you to be behind other students. You wanna be smart enough to get good grades and rankings in pod school so you can be successful and get a good residency. Plus it will make pod school easier.

Makes sense.

Just another question, what makes the undergrad years so good?

 

[smartman716]

Makes sense.

Just another question, what makes the undergrad years so good?

You can "party like a rockstar" 😀

 

[kale sannis]

Makes sense.

Just another question, what makes the undergrad years so good?

I assume that you're still in high school. There are a lot of things that make it fun. Living in the dorms is super fun (18 year olds living on their own for the first time = super fun times). Do it if you can. the people that you meet are really cool. You can join a frat, join ultimate frisbee, etc. there's just a lot of things to do. You could join a pre-med organization, but I always felt that too many of those members were more concerned with putting a title on their resume than doing anything.

you also get to take classes with other people that were at the top of their schools. you get to see how "pre-meds" act like. you'll see how some are cut throat and then friendly to you if they think you can help them (they usually become nicer in your 3rd/4th year when they realize they can't get into any professional schools with their grades) .

overall, you could just go to a CC, get good grades, apply, and get in (2-3 years depending on courseload and summer school and if classes are full or not. there are budget cuts, so some classes are reduced). you'll just be missing out on the fun experiences that you could have at a 4 year college.

if you really want to grow up that fast, then more power to you.

 

[mathlegend]

I don't party, even now. I never enjoyed it...who knows why?

Yep I'm still in high school. I don't think I'd like to go to a CC....4 year universities seem to offer so much more. Im thinking of joining some BJJ/Judo clubs, chamber music ensembles, campus orchestras, etc. 🙂

 

[Darklord]

If I choose podiatry, I'll stay for the full 4 years. That would be an utmost waste of time.

Coo_Vkb you brought up a good point of granting a BS after the first or second year of podiatry school. Many 6 year MD or DO programs do this. It would be a good thing to look into.

Mathlegend, if you can go to a four year, do it. It is a really true saying that college is what you make of it. You can do whatever you want and no one will care. No one will care how you dress; no one will care of you don't bathe (except for the people around you 😛). College can be really boring or really fun because you can do whatever you want! You can be a library bookworm or a late night partyer or someone in between! You decide what college is. It can be really productive and get you into medical school or it can be an extreme waste of time and money. Remember, education is just a tool.

Pardon any typos.

 

[mathlegend]

College does sound good 🙂 lol about the not bathing part. I know I'll get into a 4 year for sure...hopefully cal...but it's pretty dang competitive there. Wonder if I'd end up spending all my time studying instead of having fun...

 

[air bud]

Mathlegend, if you can go to a four year, do it. It is a really true saying that college is what you make of it. You can do whatever you want and no one will care. No one will care how you dress; no one will care of you don't bathe (except for the people around you 😛). .

man, I bet you have some awesome stories from your college years. Riding the rail at Mickeys, the annual Kegfest in the Quad, Homecoming....

 

[Darklord]

Time management and balancing priorities is the key Mathlegend, You don't want to be too studious or too much into partying (I couldn't think of any partying adjective, lol).

Feel free to share with us some stories 'bud.

 

[KaitD]

Some schools offer a three plus four year program. For my undergrad I completed three years of my core sceince classes. My first year at podiatry school will count as my last year of college. When all is said and done I will have earned a BS and a DPM in 7 years.

Some schools have this option. If you are looking to save money or impatient to start pod school this might be a good path to take. 🙂

 

[cool_vkb]

I assume that you're still in high school. There are a lot of things that make it fun. Living in the dorms is super fun (18 year olds living on their own for the first time = super fun times). Do it if you can. the people that you meet are really cool. You can join a frat, join ultimate frisbee, etc. there's just a lot of things to do. You could join a pre-med organization, but I always felt that too many of those members were more concerned with putting a title on their resume than doing anything.
you also get to take classes with other people that were at the top of their schools. you get to see how "pre-meds" act like. you'll see how some are cut throat and then friendly to you if they think you can help them (they usually become nicer in your 3rd/4th year when they realize they can't get into any professional schools with their grades) .
overall, you could just go to a CC, get good grades, apply, and get in (2-3 years depending on courseload and summer school and if classes are full or not. there are budget cuts, so some classes are reduced). you'll just be missing out on the fun experiences that you could have at a 4 year college.

if you really want to grow up that fast, then more power to you.

This sounds great and fun. but if someone is continuing undercollege for a year or two even after getting accepted to med school or prepod just for these experiences then i believe he should pay from his own pocket! Financial aid system is getting stretched. let people pay their own fees for their self enrichment experience.

considering the sorry state of this economy and majority taking financial aid (which comes out from mine and yours tax money). i would like to see my money being used to do some better things.

Fun experiences shoudnt be costing $20-$30K a year (especially when on financial aid). Plz note iam not at all against having fun in college. But lets give financial aid to people who are going to undergrad for entering real job market. not to people who are premeds/prepods who wanna stay for extra year or two for their fun or life enriching experiences.

 

[cool_vkb]

The extra year or two spent in getting a BS may help you mature more before starting professional school. Maturity not in terms of age but rather maturity based on intellect and insight.[/QUOTE]

naah thats hogwash brother. Only North america has this system of BS degree then proff school.

Majority of countries (europe/aussie) accept students in professional school right from high school. they graduate young, less loans, more time in hand to do fellowships/postdoc/research,etc etc. the doctors there seems to be doing fine and mature.

 

[Darklord]

naah thats hogwash brother. Only North america has this system of BS degree then proff school.

I couldn't agree more!

 

[smartman716]

The extra year or two spent in getting a BS may help you mature more before starting professional school. Maturity not in terms of age but rather maturity based on intellect and insight.[/QUOTE]

naah thats hogwash brother. Only North america has this system of BS degree then proff school.

Majority of countries (europe/aussie) accept students in professional school right from high school. they graduate young, less loans, more time in hand to do fellowships/postdoc/research,etc etc. the doctors there seems to be doing fine and mature.[/quote]

cool_vkb that advice was meant for mathlegend a high school student and it is not hogwash. Have you ever lived in Europe or Australia or Asia or Africa and have you ever been part of those school systems? Or did you attend professional school in these regions? If you thoroughly and carefully read my statement, I used the word "may". Please choose your words carefully. For your information, many regions are beginning to shift towards the North American model of acquiring an undergraduate degree before commencing professional school. Ask yourself, why the shift in trends before posting and calling my statement hogwash.

 

[cool_vkb]

For your information, many regions are beginning to shift towards the North American model of acquiring an undergraduate degree before commencing professional school. Ask yourself, why the shift in trends before posting and calling my statement hogwash

My applogies for using that term. i shouldnt have used that term. you are right i guess i should have read your message thoroughly.

okie back to topic,

No sir! there is no shift in trend. I know some med schools in UK and Aussies have started that but they are merely adding that as an option for nontraditional students or students after BSc degree to enter med school route. They are not imposing it as a requirement to join med school like we have in US or Canada. i can bet with you that it will never ever happen. Highschool acceptance will always be there. Infact isnt there a trend in US for early application programs where they are accepting highschool students straight to med shcool and they just have to finish 2-3yrs of premed?

Iam indian (iam a dual citizen of both india and US). i moved here 5yrs ago. i did my highschool in aussie, Dubai and India. I know the whole system. I had initially planned to move to US after finishing my MBBS from india but i had few issues with my visa stuff. Then i liked podiatry and here iam 🙂

Iam sure everybody has their own views and experiences. may be my views are because of my indian background. but to say honestly what did i got from my undergrad.

- An expenditure of 60-70K for 3yrs (my dad paid it though😀)
- 3 yrs late in getting on career track
- Honestly none of the courses i took in undergrad really made a difference in pod school

Sure i had fun and enjoyed but i dont think it was really worth it of this much expenditure and time loss when i look back at my old days.

 

[tmoney]

i can see where a lot of you all are coming from. i'll add my story-

went to a small (5000 student) public liberal arts college. i was instate, so tuition was ~$5k a year, worked part time at an easyass college job which covered my rent and food. majored in something i actually found interesting, anthropology, while taking the premed bio, chem, physics.

i have a useless B.A. degree, BUT i feel i have a concrete cultural/social/psychological foundation that helps me in my day to day. helps to understand people, where they are coming from when they do certain things, helps me understand a little more about how this crazy ole world works. helped me fine tune my writing skills (mad skilz yo), helped have an appreciation for a wide range of things that i doubt i would have been exposed to if i did 90credits of premed/sole bio courses.

since i took minimal science courses, i tended to do well in them, as they were like a little treat. did well on the MCAT, graduated with 20k in debt, had a tonnnnn of fun in college, learned how to speak and communicate properly, and then went to pod school-- where the "party" ended, but, i have done well... and still have time for lil ole tmoney.

so staying in college through degree completion can still be cheap, fun, and informative!! the end.

 

[Darklord]

Cool_vkb, I believe you replied casually as well and included "brother" at the end. But, oh well, forget the misconceptions.

Actually, the high school track is improving here in the US as well. More and more combined programs and being created for all professions: pharmacy, medicine, ect.

Check the high school forum for a complete list. It's actually quite huge; however, all of these programs accept anywhere from 1-28 students. The seat numbers are small and quite variable.

Just to throw this fact out there.

 

[cool_vkb]

Cool_vkb, I believe you replied casually as well and included "brother" at the end. But, oh well, forget the misconceptions.
.

😕 what are you talking abt?

 

[Darklord]

naah thats hogwash brother.

That. I was just saying it doesn't sound very serious or intentionally argumentative to me.

 

[UW66]

VkB was that you in boxer today putting up the pillars of islam display?

 

[dtrack22]

ZING UW66

As far as college goes...GO! Where else can you have a good time with a rubber hose, a litter of puppies, a 10lb bag of flour, some KY, and a leaf blower...all at the same time???

That was just my experience though. I'm sure many others on this board have lit their fair share of couches on fire, stolen toilet seats and shower curtains from the women's halls, and launched water balloons filled with various liquids at security. Again, maybe that was just my experience.

 

[cool_vkb]

VkB was that you in boxer today putting up the pillars of islam display?

Lol no! it was not me. i stay 100 steps away from religious organizations (not that iam against any but i keep mine in my home.) you can find me in library. iam always there 🙂

 

[smartman716]

My applogies for using that term. i shouldnt have used that term. you are right i guess i should have read your message thoroughly.

okie back to topic,

No sir! there is no shift in trend. I know some med schools in UK and Aussies have started that but they are merely adding that as an option for nontraditional students or students after BSc degree to enter med school route. They are not imposing it as a requirement to join med school like we have in US or Canada. i can bet with you that it will never ever happen. Highschool acceptance will always be there. Infact isnt there a trend in US for early application programs where they are accepting highschool students straight to med shcool and they just have to finish 2-3yrs of premed?

Iam indian (iam a dual citizen of both india and US). i moved here 5yrs ago. i did my highschool in aussie, Dubai and India. I know the whole system. I had initially planned to move to US after finishing my MBBS from india but i had few issues with my visa stuff. Then i liked podiatry and here iam 🙂

Iam sure everybody has their own views and experiences. may be my views are because of my indian background. but to say honestly what did i got from my undergrad.

- An expenditure of 60-70K for 3yrs (my dad paid it though😀)
- 3 yrs late in getting on career track
- Honestly none of the courses i took in undergrad really made a difference in pod school

Sure i had fun and enjoyed but i dont think it was really worth it of this much expenditure and time loss when i look back at my old days.

sup brah no probs we cool

 

[Darklord]

I live in the library as well. 🙂

It's always so sad when it closes.

 

[UW66]

Lol no! i did wear boxers today but it was not me. i stay 100 steps away from religious organizations (not that iam against any but i keep mine in my home.) you can find me in library. iam always there 🙂

...........I meant Boxer the library lol, goodgrief.

 

[cool_vkb]

...........I meant Boxer the library lol, goodgrief.

i guess i should concentrate on surgery exam.

 

[smartman716]

i guess i should concentrate on surgery exam.

Yep! Good luck 👍