PRE-PODIATRY

Doctors of Podiatric Medicine (DPMs) strive to improve the overall health of their patients by focusing on preventing, diagnosing, and treating conditions associated with the foot and ankle. They treat a variety of conditions and employ innovative treatments to improve the well-being of their patients.*  Although not as competitive as medical school, it is still important that students prepare themselves well for application to podiatry schools during the undergraduate years.

*Description of Podiatric Medicine taken from www.aacpm.org.

GPA AND MCAT

GPA is an important part of your application to podiatry school. Podiatry schools will consider your science, non-science and cumulative GPAs as well as the trend of grades.  All grades received for college credit will be calculated into your GPA even if you have retaken the class.  If you have taken any classes at a different school or if you have retaken classes, your UVU GPA will not be an accurate calculation for podiatry schools.

The MCAT is a standardized examination required as part of your application to podiatry school. It is a very challenging exam that requires extensive preparation in the form of review and practice. Your preparation for the MCAT will begin with the first day of your first pre-podiatry prerequisite course.

The MCAT consists of the following 4 sections:

• Physical Sciences (General Chemistry and Physics)
• Biological Sciences (Biology and Organic Chemistry)
• Verbal Reasoning
• Writing Sample

The first 3 sections (PS, BS, and VR) are scored from 1 through 15, with the writing sample being scored from J through T. It is recommended that students take the exam in the spring of the year of application so scores can be available for early application to podiatry school.

Listed below are the current accepted GPAs and MCAT scores:

• Average accepted science GPA: 3.1
• Average accepted overall GPA: 3.3
• Average accepted MCAT score: 22*

*Some schools will also accept the GRE or DAT, but MCAT is preferred.

PREREQUISITE COURSES

NOTE: Podiatry schools determine their own individual requirements. The courses listed below are a general guide. Refer to the www.aacpm.org and the individual school's website to determine the specific requirements for that institution. 

Required by all podiatry schools with a grade of C or better:

• Intro to Writing: ENGL 1010
• Intermediate Writing: ENGL 2010 or 2020
• College Biology I and II with labs: BIOL 1610/1615 and 1620/1625
• Principles of Chemistry I and II with labs: CHEM 1210/1215 and 1220/1225
• Organic Chemistry I and II with labs: CHEM 2310/2315 and 2320/2325
• College Physics I and II with labs: PHYS 2010/2015 and 2020/2025

EXTRACURRICULAR ACTIVITIES

It is important to be involved in activities outside of the classroom in order to be competitive for admission into podiatry school. GPA and MCAT scores are important, but they do not make you unique. Extracurricular activities are a chance for you to set yourself apart and display your motivation for pursuing podiatry and dedication to serving the community. Preparing to apply for podiatry school is NOT about checking off boxes.  Podiatry schools are not going to care if you have done the experiences if you have not learned from them. Admissions committees want to know that you are willing and able to learn in any circumstance and/or environment.

The activities you should be involved in and the recommended hours are listed below:

• Volunteer Service: 50 hours during each of the pre-podiatry years including the year of application. To be a strong applicant for podiatry school you must show dedication to serving the community. Volunteer service can be done with any group or organization and does not have to be medically related. Being involved in 2-3 service opportunities will benefit you more than having several brief experiences.



• Leadership: 2 different leadership positions during the pre-podiatry years. These should be experiences that have lasted at least 3 months or more. This includes experiences as tutors, mentors, coaches, teachers or leaders in campus clubs and organizations as well as employment and church leadership.



• Podiatrist Shadowing: 2 different podiatrists for a total of 24 hours or more during the pre-podiatry years. Students should gain exposure to the podiatry field and have a clear understanding of what life as a podiatrist entails. Shadowing is an opportunity to observe podiatrists as they go through a routine day seeing patients, completing paperwork, talking with insurance companies, etc.



• Patient Contact: 50 hours during the pre-podiatry years. Direct patient contact can be in the form of employment or volunteering and can take place in a variety of settings such as hospitals, assisted care facilities, clinics, etc. This shows admissions committees that you are comfortable around people who are sick or injured and have experienced some of the rewards and difficulties associated with patient interaction.