Pre-Medical Preparation at UHMānoa: Podiatric Medicine

(Text compiled from the American Association of Colleges of Podiatric Medicine website www.aacpm.org, NAAHP's Medical Professions Admission Guide, and the UHM 2008-2009 Catalog.)

Podiatric D.P.M. Programs
Prerequisites for Admission
What makes a strong candidate?
Standardized Tests
The Application Process
Additional Information
Downloadable Brochure

Medical doctors, or physicians, are highly trained healthcare professionals who perform medical examinations, diagnose illnesses, prescribe drugs, and treat patients suffering from injury or disease using a variety of techniques.

Physicians serve in all types of communities, from rural to inner city, and in a wide variety of settings, from private practice to clinics and hospitals. They also work in specialized settings, such as homeless shelters, schools, sports programs, prisons, nursing homes, third-world countries, and the armed forces. About one-third of the nation's physicians are generalists, or "primary care" doctors, although that percentage is declining as more physicians choose to become specialists. Generalists include fields such as internists, family physicians, and pediatricians. Specialists focus on a particular system or part of the body; examples include neurologists, hematologists, cardiologists, and podiatrists, to name only a few.

Physicians also serve in research, studying and developing new treatments for disease, in academia, sharing their skills by educating medical students, in health organizations, pharmaceutical companies, medical technology manufacturing, health insurance companies, and in corporations with health and safety programs.

"Practitioners of podiatric medicine treat a variety of ailments and employ innovative techniques to improve the overall well-being of patients. The Doctor of Podiatric Medicine (DPM) is a vital member of the health-care team. He or she is often the first to detect symptoms of diabetes or cardiovascular disease because of the human foot’s interrelation with the rest of the body."

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Podiatric D.P.M. Programs

Becoming a Doctor of Podiatric Medicine (D.P.M.) requires approximately 9-10 years of education:

  • Bachelors Degree (3-4 years);
  • Podiatric Medical School (4 years);
  • Residency (approximately 2 years).

According to the American Association of Colleges of Podiatric Medicine website:

"To enter a college of podiatric medicine, one must first complete at least three years or 90 semester hours of college credit at an accredited institution. Over 95% of the students who enter a college of podiatric medicine have a bachelor's degree. Many have also completed some graduate study."

"Eight colleges of podiatric medicine offer graduate or post-doctoral training programs in podiatric medicine.  The curriculum for the Doctor of Podiatric Medicine (D.P.M.) degree includes classroom instruction and laboratory work followed by study of clinical science and patient care."

"After completing the four-year curriculum required by podiatric medical schools, a new podiatric physician is required to participate in residency training. In general, states require a minimum of two years of postgraduate residency training in an approved healthcare institution. Board certified podiatric physicians are required to have two years of residency training. A residency provides an interdisciplinary experience with rotations such as anesthesiology, internal medicine, infectious disease, surgery, ER and pediatrics."

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Prerequisites for Admission

Most importantly, remember that requirements vary from school to school! See the attached list of schools and their prerequisite courses; you should create a list of all the courses you will need to apply to the schools you are interested in attending.

The American Association of Colleges of Podiatric Medicine (AACPM) mentions that over 95% of students who enter podiatric medical schools have completed a baccalaureate degree before being admitted. The following UHM courses are commonly required for minimum required courses for admission to podiatric medical schools:

Biol 171/171Lab and 172/172Lab
Introductory Biology I and II
Chem 161/161Lab and 162/162Lab
General Chemistry I and II
Chem 272/272Lab and 273/273Lab
Organic Chemistry I and II
Phys 151/151L and 152/152Lab
College Physics I and II
English (2 courses)

"The science courses you take should be those designed for health professional students (pre-medical students), and MUST include laboratory experience. Courses for non-science majors are not accepted."

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What makes a strong candidate?

Podiatric medical school tuition, as high as it is, covers only a fraction of the cost of educating a D.P.M., which means that each new student represents a huge investment. Schools need to be certain that the students they accept will be capable of completing the curriculum and are likely to become good physicians.

Are you capable of completing the medical curriculum?

Medical school admissions committees are looking for students who have:

  • completed the prerequisites
  • a high overall GPA
  • a high science/math GPA
  • performed well on the MCAT, DAT, or GRE
  • balanced their course load so it is challenging yet realistic

Are you likely to become a good physician?

Admissions committees look for students who have:

  • demonstrated empathy, compassion, and a commitment to public service
  • high ethical and moral standards and a conscientious work ethic
  • demonstrated maturity (judgment, responsibility, dependability)
  • a broad liberal arts education that includes the humanities and social sciences
  • experience in the field and with what podiatry entails
  • a well-rounded life that balances academics, community service, social activities, and personal interests (hobbies, skills, sports, etc.)
  • excellent oral and written communication skills
  • strong letters of recommendation

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Standardized Tests

All podiatric schools require applicants to take a standardized test such as the MCAT. According to AACPM: "Traditionally the MCAT has been the only standardized test required for admissions to the colleges of podiatric medicine. However, some colleges will accept the GRE or DAT in lieu of the MCAT."

School Standardized Tests Accepted
Arizona Podiatric Medical Program (AZPod) MCAT
Barry University School of Podiatric Medicine (BUSPM) MCAT, DAT
California School of Podiatric Medicine (CSPM) MCAT
Dse Moines University College of Podiatric Medicine and Surgery (CPMS) MCAT
New York College of Podiatric Medicine (NYCPM) MCAT, DAT
Ohio Colloege of Podiatric Medicine (OCPM) MCAT
Dr. William M. Scholl College of Podiatric Medicine (SCPM) MCAT
Temple University School of Podiatric Medicine (TUSPM) MCAT, DAT, GRE
Western University College of Podiatric Medicine (WUCPM) MCAT

The MCAT is offered only in computer-based format several times each year. The MCAT takes approximately 5 hours and tests your knowledge and skills in Biological Sciences, Physical Sciences, Verbal Reasoning, and Writing. Scores for the biological, physical, and verbal sections range from 1 to 15, with 8 being average. Scores for the writing section range from 'J' (lowest) to 'T' (highest), with 'O' being average. Both individual and composite scores are reported; a composite score of 25 'O' and higher is considered competitive.

When registering for the MCAT, remember to request that your scores be reported to AACPMAS because they will be forwarded automatically.

Your most important preparations for the MCAT are your undergraduate courses, not only the prerequisites for podiatric school, but all of your courses. Many courses sharpen your writing and verbal reasoning skills. Your Verbal Reasoning score is the most difficult score to improve and is often considered the most accurate predictor of how well you will do in medical school.

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The Application Process

Admission applications are processed beginning September 1st each year, for Fall admission the following year. Deadline Dates are as follows: For priority consideration April 1st of each year for the upcoming Fall admission. The final application deadline date is July 31st of each year for Fall admission of the same year.

There are two general steps in applying to podiatric medical schools: the initial, or primary application, and the interviews.

Primary applications must be filed with the American Association of Colleges of Podiatric Medicine Application Service (AACPMAS). Once the application is complete, AACPMAS forwards it to whichever schools the student has specified.

After reviewing the AACPMAS applications they have received, many podiatric medical schools request letters of recommendation and transcripts from all undergraduate and graduate institutions attended/attending, which are sent DIRECTLY to the schools.

After reviewing the applications, podiatric medical schools invite promising applicants to come for an interview. Applicants are responsible for all costs incurred while interviewing, including airfare, lodging, and meals.

Although the application process varies from school to school, AACPMAS has established "traffic rules" to ensure fairness for all concerned. The rules, available online, stipulate both schools' and applicants' rights and responsibilities in the application process. All applicants should be familiar with the rules before applying.

  • The more you know about the school, the better your chances of being accepted.
  • Most application questions can be answered by reading the MSAR
  • Contact individual schools' Admissions Offices to find out how they handle:
    • advanced placement (AP) credits
    • College-Level Examination Program (CLEP) credits
    • courses taken at a community college
    • courses taken for credit/no credit instead of a grade
    • residency issues
    • time limits on acceptable science courses
    • coursework taken outside the U.S.

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Additional Information

UHMānoa's Pre-Health/Pre-Law Advising Center (PAC) has reference books, lists of volunteer opportunities, academic planning worksheets, and one-on-one advising by peers who can help you prepare for and apply to podiatric medical schools.

UHM's Pre-Medical Association (PMA) www.hawaii.edu/premed
premed@hawaii.edu
UHM's Biology Club www2.hawaii.edu/~bioclub
bioclub@hawaii.edu
American Podiatric Medical Association (APMA) www.apma.org
American Association of Colleges of Podiatric Medicine (AACPM) www.aacpm.org
Medical College Admissions Test (MCAT) www.aamc.org/students/mcat
Medical Professions Admission Guide: Strategy for Success by NAAHP available in PAC

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