Podiatry Expert Answers

Below are some frequently asked questions that have been answered by SDN Podiatry experts.

If you have a question that is not answered here, please visit the SDN Confidential Consult forum to ask your question of our expert panel.

Online Prerequisites?

I am currently a nontraditional having done no prerequisites in undergrad however I wish to change careers to podiatry. I was wondering since my job keeps me out of the country for long periods of time, will I be able to do the prerequisite courses needed via online programs such as the one offered by UNE? I will be doing all courses including lab components via this route.

mark-ER

I am almost certain you can take the coursework thru a reputable, accredited online universities (UNE Online would certainly apply). I am not 100% the same holds true for the laboratory component. I know a podiatry residency director here at my institution, let me reach out to him. Also, it would be pretty easy for you to check -- just e-mail the admissions office for the schools where you are interested in applying.

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Are there any flashcards/notes for BRS Physiology 6th Edition (Costanzo)?

mark-ER

Not formally, as there are for BRS pathology (though beware, some of the flashcards in this series did not have the same author as the books). Informally, if flashcards are your preferred learning tool -- cram.com has some flashcards based on this book, and Lange physiology has a flashcard set that is a companion to a review book in that series. Though that book is not as clear & succinct as BRS physiology, based on both reviews and my own personal experience.

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Opening your own clinic as a new podiatrist

How can a new podiatrist open his own clinic? Does that need a lot of personal money or there are loans for it?

SamburgerHelper

I would recommend directing your question within the Podiatric Resident & Physician forum - https://forums.studentdoctor.net/forums/podiatric-residents-physicians.181/. There should be several private practice owners that are members that could assist in answering your specific question.

Thank you, SDN Expert Staff

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Podiatry residency in US

Hi, I am from India. I have completed my medicine undergrad, Now I want to do residency in podiatry in US. I want to know , how can I apply ? What are eligibility criteria? What exams do I have to attend? Kindly guide me with this. Thanking you.

pacpod

One is only able to complete a podiatry residency program if graduating from a US podiatry school and passing APMLE parts 1 and 2.

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Is it possible to specialize on the knee as a podiatrist?

I'm really interested in sports medicine and I've heard its possible for someone with a DPM to specialize in particular areas of the leg/low extremity. I'm particularly interested in knee surgery, reconstruction, repair, etc. and was hoping to learn if this is possible as a podiatrist. Thanks

pacpod

I will preface this answer with the fact that I am not a lawyer and my answer does not constitute legal advice in any way. The scope of podiatry does not cover the knee. The scope of practice in most states is some variation on "The foot, ankle, and all governing structures". This does not include the knee but does allow for surgery on the foot, ankle, and sometimes somewhat higher depending on your state's scope of practice. If you have an interest in the knee, you may consider orthopaedic surgery. Best of luck to you in your career.

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If I want to go to podiatry school, what should I be doing in undergrad?

What are the things that admissions committees are looking for besides a good GPA and MCAT score?

pacpod

Outside of numbers (GPA/MCAT), there are a few things that schools are looking for: 1. Personality - It isn't that you have to be a super outgoing person, but they want to see that you are personable and that you will get along well with others as well as getting along with patients. What does this mean? For example, be able to comfortably talk about your interests, carry on a conversation about general knowledge topics, etc. 2. Interest - This should go without mentioning but regardless of what type of healthcare field you want to go into, you should show interest and that you have thoroughly researched your options. You should be able to discuss what brought your interest to foot and ankle.

Activities you should be doing in undergraduate: 1. Shadow! - This helps speak your interest. If you come in with 10 hours of shadowing vs an equally qualified candidate with 100 hours, they will have more pull. This is not always the case, but to the admissions committee it shows they pushed for a lot of experience. This is your life's career, it is hard to make that decision in 10 hours of shadowing. 2. Volunteer in healthcare - Show the admissions department that you exhibit the altruistic qualities they are looking for in a new class. Show them that you do care about the underserved and will continue to serve them in some fashion once you are out on your own. 3. Be involved - Get involved in your campus pre-medical group. They will often have ins with opportunities to volunteer and shadow. 4. Research - If you can, try and get involved with foot and ankle clinical research. This will be likely more difficult than the other areas suggested as it would likely require being near a foot and ankle surgery residency to utilize their resources.

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Are the pre-reqs for podiatry school the same as for medical school?

Is there anything that is Podiatry specific?

pacpod

There are no special pre-requisites for admission to podiatric medical school. They are the same as for those applying to MD/DO school.

The requirements are: Biology: 8-12 credits (Scholl requires 12 credits, all other schools require 8) General or Inorganic Chemistry: 8 credits Organic Chemistry: 8 credits Physics: 8 credits English: 6-8 credits (CSPM requires 8 credits, all other schools require 6)

Like with MD/DO medical school, it is not absolutely required to have a bachelors degree. You are only required to have completed 90 credit hours. While you are not required to have a bachelors, your chances are quite hindered without one. 97% of applicants have a bachelors degree upon matriculation.

For a full list of pre-requisites, please visit http://www.aacpm.org/html/careerzone/require.asp

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I want to go to podiatry school - what should I choose for a major?

pacpod

There is no specific major that is required for admission to podiatric medical school. While the majority of applicants have a degree in the natural sciences (biology, chemistry, biochemistry, etc.) you may major in anything you desire as long as you complete the required pre-requisites http://www.aacpm.org/html/careerzone/require.asp

In fact, majoring in another degree may give you a leg up for interviews. It will set you apart from the other applicants and give you something to talk about during your interviews. Just be ready to answer why you majored in a non-science field and now want to get a professional degree in the natural sciences.

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How much does it cost to apply to podiatry school?

Are the costs of applying to podiatry school equivalent to the costs to apply to medical school, or is it more?

pacpod

The cost of applying to podiatric medical school are roughly equivalent to that of applying to MD/DO medical schools. Like applying to MD/DO schools, your overall cost will dramatically range depending on how many schools you apply and choose to interview with.

Regarding cost, there is a base level of cost including the application fee*, and cost of taking the MCAT at least once. Application fee: 1 school: $160 2 schools: $175 3 schools: $230 4 schools: $265 5 schools: $300 6 schools: $335 7 schools: $370 8 schools: $405 All 9 schools: $440 ($50 fee for each designated school added AFTER your initial submission)

• Unfortunately, there are no fee assistance programs available from the American Association of Colleges of Podiatric Medicine (AACPM) at this time.

MCAT Cost**: $275

• • The MCAT does offer fee assistance. (https://www.aamc.org/students/applying/fap/)

After this initial base of "required" costs, it may begin to vary significantly.

Costs you should consider when interviewing. 1. Relative cost of time off of school/work to interview 2. Cost of travel to and from the interview site either by car or by airline 3. Cost of lodging at the interview location. Some hotels have special rates for interviewers, ask the school's admissions office about any of these opportunities. 4. Cost of transportation while at the interview location if you did not drive your own vehicle. Some hotels may provide transportation to the school if they have an arrangement with the school.

Once Accepted: Initial Moving/Apartment/House Expenses: 1. Cost of travel to the area for apartment/house shopping 2. Cost of moving truck rental/moving equipment 3. Deposit (often as high as a full month's rent) + 1st month's rent if renting 4. Deposit + 1st month's bill for utilities (electric, gas, water, internet, phone) 5. Class seat deposit ~$1000

My personal interview situation: Took MCAT Applied to 3 schools Decided to only interview at 2 schools Bought two round trip flights for the 2 interviews Hotels for the 2 interviews/meals It has been a while since I interviewed and I estimate I spent about $1,500. I realize this was on the lower end of interviewer cost, but it was my interview situation.

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Low chances of getting in, what do I do now?

Im currently a 4th year at a UC. My Science GPA is a 2.88. My overall GPA is a 3.06. I really made a mess of my 3rd year academically and my GPA dropped significantly. Also my GPA has a downward trend. I have yet to take my MCAT but plan on doing so during the summer. My question is now, I not quite sure what to do. As I am do I have a chance at getting into any Pod schools with such a low GPA? EC activities wise. I am a D1 Student Athlete, member of a student clinic, have had a hospital internship in an ICU, have shadowed multiple podiatrists, tutor at risk high school students at a local high school, have been nominated and attending multiple leadership retreats for athletics, coach local volleyball teams, and am a board member for an upcoming conference my school is hosting. Also what would you see as other options for me to pursue career wise?

casedentalmed

I hope you have talked with a career advisor and/or health professions advisor. If you are still intent on going into a health professional career, they will hopefully refer you to the Explore Health Careers website which describes a lot of different career directions you may want to think about. However, since you haven't taken your MCAT, and you still seem to want to go into podiatry, keep talking with admissions officers at the schools you are interested in. They may have suggestions on working on that low GPA.

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