Application Invites from 3 schools need help!

[LloydBanks]

Cali has a great program...but the problem is location. The students have to commute between two campuses in Oakland and SF. Plus, the living expenses in the bay are are the worst in the nation. I think alot of Californians, including myself, would be willing to give up Cali for 3 years and live in the midwest for $500 month as opposed to $1500 a month in the bay area.

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[poormansDO]

how long do ocpm and nycpm allow to reply to an accpetance, do they have a waitlist?

 

[krabmas]

how long do ocpm and nycpm allow to reply to an accpetance, do they have a waitlist?

yes there is a waitlist and I do notknow how long the time limit is. Call or email [email protected] and ask them.

 

[poormansDO]

my gpa in reality is 3.50 and mcat 23. what kind of scholarship (amount) if any would i receive if i did get accepted to scpm, ocpm, or nycpm. runnersfeet how much you get from scholl?

 

[gsrimport]

when did you receive this interview call, recently? do they have to receive the lor's by interview day or can you give it after?

I recieved the interview call about 1-3 days after I sent in my application. They recommend that they have your file complete by the interview date so they review it but they also told me that if they didn't have the completed file, they can still offer an conditional acceptance.

As for stats, 330+ applications, accepted 150 for 80 seats.

 

[krabmas]

my gpa in reality is 3.50 and mcat 23. what kind of scholarship (amount) if any would i receive if i did get accepted to scpm, ocpm, or nycpm. runnersfeet how much you get from scholl?

For NYCPM the highest scholarship amount is $10,000 over 4 years. The top 10 students in each class receive scholarships every year in addition to that amount plus other service and involvement scholarships. The top student in biochemistry and dermatology always receive a few thousand dollar scholarships.

I got a scholarship for enrolling but my GPA was lower and my MCATs higher so I can't say how much you will get. I do not know if the GPA or the MCAT is weighted higher. PM me for more info.

 

[poormansDO]

I recieved the interview call about 1-3 days after I sent in my application. They recommend that they have your file complete by the interview date so they review it but they also told me that if they didn't have the completed file, they can still offer an conditional acceptance.

As for stats, 330+ applications, accepted 150 for 80 seats.

thanx i think i might apply there now.

 

[runnersfeet]

My overall GPA is lower than yours..by quite a bit...but my grades from the first few classes Ive taken in my post bac this year are all A's. I have not taken the MCAT or GRE and Scholl offered me 6,000.00. They gave me 30 days to committ...so I have until the 30th of Dec. I still cant decide between there and AZPOD.

my gpa in reality is 3.50 and mcat 23. what kind of scholarship (amount) if any would i receive if i did get accepted to scpm, ocpm, or nycpm. runnersfeet how much you get from scholl?

 

[PickledEels]

I recieved the interview call about 1-3 days after I sent in my application. They recommend that they have your file complete by the interview date so they review it but they also told me that if they didn't have the completed file, they can still offer an conditional acceptance.

As for stats, 330+ applications, accepted 150 for 80 seats.

How long ago did you apply? And which school is this that took 1-3 days (if I read correctly I assume your talking about TUSM)? I sent in an application monday but still no word from them or DMU.

 

[gsrimport]

How long ago did you apply? And which school is this that took 1-3 days (if I read correctly I assume your talking about TUSM)? I sent in an application monday but still no word from them or DMU.

My application was sent in mid October. I recieved interviews from all schools within 3 days except for AZPod and NYCPM. I did apply to all 8 schools.
I believe interviews are in full swing now so it may take longer for them to reply. Be sure to call them to see what is going on.

 

[doclm]

my gpa in reality is 3.50 and mcat 23. what kind of scholarship (amount) if any would i receive if i did get accepted to scpm, ocpm, or nycpm. runnersfeet how much you get from scholl?

I got a 50% tuition scholarship from Scholl for the first year and they also told me that if I keep around a 3.5 GPA I should qualify for a $10,000 scholarship each year.

From Barry University, they offered me a $6000 scholarship each year if I keep a 3.0 GPA.

My Stats: 3.8GPA, 20L MCAT, however many extracurricular activities. For example, Committee member of American Cancer Society, Management/Laboratory Position at Mayo Clinic, Golden Key, National Honor Society, Ect...

 

[doclm]

thanx i think i might apply there now.

Yes,

You should apply soon if you want a chance to get some $$$. With your 3.5GPA, and average MCAT scores I definitely believe you are qualified for some scholarships. Although they only give out scholarships to so many people, you should be able to qualify for something if you interview sometime within the next month.

Good Luck

 

[poormansDO]

i'm so dumb. i mailed in the application fee on tuesday but forgot to put a stamp on the envelope. now i have to wait for the envelope to come back to my house so i could mail it again and so i have to wait longer to hear back from schools.

has anybody been to this site? http://www.angelfire.com/on/podiatry/index.html?main=pod.html, then click on podiatry's biggest lies on the side and read other stuff on the site.
frankly im a little scared of going into podiatry after what i read on the site.
should i believe this?

 

[doglvr]

has anybody been to this site? http://www.angelfire.com/on/podiatry/index.html?main=pod.html, then click on podiatry's biggest lies on the side and read other stuff on the site.
frankly im a little scared of going into podiatry after what i read on the site.
should i believe this?

First of all, did you notice that this website was made nearly 8 years ago? A lot can change in 8 years, and I personally do not believe everything this guys says.

Have you spoken with or had experience with other podiatrists that you know? I'd say before you get scared about the field, make an opinion on it based on what you have seen first hand, not what you read on the internet (especially from an outdated website). Ask the podiatrists who you know well to tell you the truth...would they do it again? Would they recommend you going into the field? Chances are, they have known a podiatrist like the author of this website and will hopefully be able to set you in the right direction about this mess! Good Luck!

 

[scpod]

has anybody been to this site? http://www.angelfire.com/on/podiatry/index.html?main=pod.html, then click on podiatry's biggest lies on the side and read other stuff on the site.
frankly im a little scared of going into podiatry after what i read on the site.
should i believe this?

If the ravings of the mad lunatic on that site scare you so much, then maybe you should spend another year improving your stats and hope the MSUCOM doesn't put you on the waiting list next year. I know how you feel, but you need to spend a LOT of time thinking this thing out before you commit to something this big.

I interviewed, and was accepted, at two DO schools, but I decided to go into podiatry anyway. My story is a little different from most people, though. Podiatry will be my second carreer. I have two very good friends, both of whom are DO's and orthopaedic surgeons. Obviously, each of them wanted me to follow in their footsteps when I decided to go into medicine, so I applied to their respective alma maters. Why then did I decide on podiatry? My friends both work for the same practice (there are 4 MD's and two DO's in the practice) and each of the surgeons specialize in an area. One of my friends does ONLY hip and knee replacements-- that's all. At my advanced age, I just couldn't see all those years of medical school, residency, and fellowship just to do the same two operations over and over again. Podiatry will allow me the opportunity to specialize in an area of surgery, as well as to practice other areas of medicine-- not the same old thing over and over-- and do it in much less time.

Did I mention that there is no foot specialist at my friends' practice, and there probably won't be any time soon? Each of the surgeons, though, refer quite a few cases to the local podiatric groups. I have been assured that if I decide to "set up shop" locally, that I will never suffer from a lack of patients.

Of course, in the back of my mind, I may wonder from time to time if I did the right thing. It's natural to feel that way. Yet, I am really convinced that I will have a wonderful life in podiatry. One last admission, though: I am still holding an acceptance at one DO school. I don't think that I'll ever use it, though. It's much like the time 8 years ago when I quit smoking cigarettes. I carried around a pack of them in my car for two years just to prove that I could have something tempting nearby without automaticaly partaking in it. I'll lose a few hundred dollars by holding onto it, but I really think it's the best way to prove that I'm doing what I really want.

I guess what I am trying to say is that if you really want to go to MSUCOM, don't give up so easily. Don't do something drastic that you might end up hating later. Before you begin podiatry school, take the time to make sure that it is really what you want to do.

 

[jonwill]

The funny thing about the internet is that you can find that type of page for ANY profession in the United States. These are the opinions (and quite demented ones) of a person that is obviously failing and is bitter about it. On the other hand, I talk to TONS of podiatrists that are doing very well every day (as he admits on his site).
The bottom line is that, in any profession, you will find miserable people. I tend to believe the thousands of successful docs as opposed to one unhappy one. This guys unhappiness has nothing to do with podiatry. If his complaints were valid, you'd hear about it. (example: I've seen quite a bit of news about the massive default rate of chiropractic students as reported by loan agencies) As the post above says, do your homework and I think you'll be pleasantly suprised.

 

[jonwill]

If the ravings of the mad lunatic on that site scare you so much, then maybe you should spend another year improving your stats and hope the MSUCOM doesn't put you on the waiting list next year. I know how you feel, but you need to spend a LOT of time thinking this thing out before you commit to something this big.

I interviewed, and was accepted, at two DO schools, but I decided to go into podiatry anyway. My story is a little different from most people, though. Podiatry will be my second carreer. I have two very good friends, both of whom are DO's and orthopaedic surgeons. Obviously, each of them wanted me to follow in their footsteps when I decided to go into medicine, so I applied to their respective alma maters. Why then did I decide on podiatry? My friends both work for the same practice (there are 4 MD's and two DO's in the practice) and each of the surgeons specialize in an area. One of my friends does ONLY hip and knee replacements-- that's all. At my advanced age, I just couldn't see all those years of medical school, residency, and fellowship just to do the same two operations over and over again. Podiatry will allow me the opportunity to specialize in an area of surgery, as well as to practice other areas of medicine-- not the same old thing over and over-- and do it in much less time.

Did I mention that there is no foot specialist at my friends' practice, and there probably won't be any time soon? Each of the surgeons, though, refer quite a few cases to the local podiatric groups. I have been assured that if I decide to "set up shop" locally, that I will never suffer from a lack of patients.

Of course, in the back of my mind, I may wonder from time to time if I did the right thing. It's natural to feel that way. Yet, I am really convinced that I will have a wonderful life in podiatry. One last admission, though: I am still holding an acceptance at one DO school. I don't think that I'll ever use it, though. It's much like the time 8 years ago when I quit smoking cigarettes. I carried around a pack of them in my car for two years just to prove that I could have something tempting nearby without automaticaly partaking in it. I'll lose a few hundred dollars by holding onto it, but I really think it's the best way to prove that I'm doing what I really want.

I guess what I am trying to say is that if you really want to go to MSUCOM, don't give up so easily. Don't do something drastic that you might end up hating later. Before you begin podiatry school, take the time to make sure that it is really what you want to do.

Good call.

 

[poormansDO]

If the ravings of the mad lunatic on that site scare you so much, then maybe you should spend another year improving your stats and hope the MSUCOM doesn't put you on the waiting list next year. I know how you feel, but you need to spend a LOT of time thinking this thing out before you commit to something this big.

I interviewed, and was accepted, at two DO schools, but I decided to go into podiatry anyway. My story is a little different from most people, though. Podiatry will be my second carreer. I have two very good friends, both of whom are DO's and orthopaedic surgeons. Obviously, each of them wanted me to follow in their footsteps when I decided to go into medicine, so I applied to their respective alma maters. Why then did I decide on podiatry? My friends both work for the same practice (there are 4 MD's and two DO's in the practice) and each of the surgeons specialize in an area. One of my friends does ONLY hip and knee replacements-- that's all. At my advanced age, I just couldn't see all those years of medical school, residency, and fellowship just to do the same two operations over and over again. Podiatry will allow me the opportunity to specialize in an area of surgery, as well as to practice other areas of medicine-- not the same old thing over and over-- and do it in much less time.

Did I mention that there is no foot specialist at my friends' practice, and there probably won't be any time soon? Each of the surgeons, though, refer quite a few cases to the local podiatric groups. I have been assured that if I decide to "set up shop" locally, that I will never suffer from a lack of patients.

Of course, in the back of my mind, I may wonder from time to time if I did the right thing. It's natural to feel that way. Yet, I am really convinced that I will have a wonderful life in podiatry. One last admission, though: I am still holding an acceptance at one DO school. I don't think that I'll ever use it, though. It's much like the time 8 years ago when I quit smoking cigarettes. I carried around a pack of them in my car for two years just to prove that I could have something tempting nearby without automaticaly partaking in it. I'll lose a few hundred dollars by holding onto it, but I really think it's the best way to prove that I'm doing what I really want.

I guess what I am trying to say is that if you really want to go to MSUCOM, don't give up so easily. Don't do something drastic that you might end up hating later. Before you begin podiatry school, take the time to make sure that it is really what you want to do.

i definitely like podiatry and thats why i applied. i brought up the website to see what you guys say about it, if anything on the website is true or not in your opinion. msucom is definitely my number one choice but i wont know from them until the spring. i just thought i should look at other medical school options and ran into podiatry which i liked. so instead of waiting for msucom i thought i would apply to podiatry and see what happens. because if msucom doesn't accept me then i just waisted a whole application cycle. so if i dont get into msucom i still have something that i'm interested in.

 

[shawmahmed]

for some schools such as tuspm they offer 150 admissions for 80 seats so let's say that all 150 people admitted decided they wanted to attend tuspm, does that mean they would take all 150 and if not what would they do.

 

[scpod]

for some schools such as tuspm they offer 150 admissions for 80 seats so let's say that all 150 people admitted decided they wanted to attend tuspm, does that mean they would take all 150 and if not what would they do.

All schools, graduate and undergraduate (not just podiatry), operate on a formula when it comes to admissions. It is based on past statistics. If you offer X number of positions, then Y number of people are likely to attend. Most schools have a range rather than a finite number of seats-- 65 to 70 or 110 to 120, for example. Still, they might end up with a number that is slightly higher and they know that. Often times schools will be overwhelmed by an unusual number of matriculants, but they generally make accomodations to handle the new number. Some cadavers might have five students cutting on them instead of four, but the possibility of having all 150 who were accepted wanting to attend is miniscule.

 

[PickledEels]

I am a little worried. I have not heard from many schools. My application was sent on monday. Any one else having similar worries.

 

[doclm]

for some schools such as tuspm they offer 150 admissions for 80 seats so let's say that all 150 people admitted decided they wanted to attend tuspm, does that mean they would take all 150 and if not what would they do.

This is exactly what happened to DMU-COM a couple years back. DMU had to make a lot of accomidations for this, however the next year they just wait listed a lot more people.

 

[poormansDO]

in case any new podiatric students wanted to find out which school is the best.

The Final List:

1.DMU-CPMS
2.SCPM
3.TUSPM
4.AZPM
5.BUSGMS
6.NYCPM
7.OCPM
8.CSPM

 

[doclm]

The funny thing about the internet is that you can find that type of page for ANY profession in the United States. These are the opinions (and quite demented ones) of a person that is obviously failing and is bitter about it. On the other hand, I talk to TONS of podiatrists that are doing very well every day (as he admits on his site).
The bottom line is that, in any profession, you will find miserable people. I tend to believe the thousands of successful docs as opposed to one unhappy one. This guys unhappiness has nothing to do with podiatry. If his complaints were valid, you'd hear about it. (example: I've seen quite a bit of news about the massive default rate of chiropractic students as reported by loan agencies) As the post above says, do your homework and I think you'll be pleasantly suprised.

What I have been told from MD's that I work with is much more frightening than what I have read about DPM's. This is exactly what I see come from a few MD's working at Mayo.

For example, my cousin who graduated top of his class in undergrad/Medschool got a great anesthesiology residency and at the end of his thrid year here he is miserable. WHY?? Well, 80Hrs a week doing the same damn thing while having two young children at home with his unhappy wife. Not to mention that Anes residents work 30hrs straight every thrid day in a surgical ICU and every fourth day all other times. And days off are spent coming in for meetings/ect. Although, hours in Anes get better after residency with well compensated wage, your still doing very few things over and over again. Putting in Arterial Lines, Intubating Morbidly Obese patients, watching over CNRA's which do most of the work, and monitoring meds and strange vital signs. Overall, Anesthesia is a good choice for many because of $$ and good hours for an MD.

Another example, an MD friend of mine, who is internal med, works 80hrs a week/30hrs straight every 4th day in the same stinky hallways dealing with patients with serious GI problems. I told him how stressful this whole process is about how med schools accept people. His reply, "yeah the process sucks, but wait until you start residency, there are a lot more things that will come your way that sucks."

My brother in law, is a top anesthesiologist consultant and now at age 50 he finally got married, bought a house, and got dropped from his on-call weekends for the first time in 20 years.

Also, there are two other older MD's who have discouraged me of going their route. In addition, I did not mention the process/stress some physicians have to go through when a patient dies unexpectedly. Or when some very very little thing happens that doesn't follow the huge guidelines that are placed on MD/DO's within a hospital.

Overall, instead of looking at Podiatry wondering if you will regret this choice, look into the negatives of being an MD/DO and weigh your options. For me, Podiatry is an obvious decision after working with many MD's for two years. WHY? Great Hours, Great $$$, being able to have your own business, and doing everything for your patients. (trust me, now-a-days doctors don't get to have much of a relationship with their patients, unless you become a family physician) Having the power to be creative in your practice also made me turn towards Podiatry. Less competition is GOOD.

Also, I have seen a couple people wondering if they would be able to pay off loans after becoming a DPM. Well considering the statistical data of what the average NET income has been is good news. WHY??

Say that you are a primary care MD/DO: you make about 120-140K after many long years. After taxes: 60-70K is yours.

Say that you become a top MD/DO surgeon after many years (keep in mind that residency is much longer ): you make up to 300K. After taxes: 150K is yours.

However, a DPM who gets a PM&S-36 can make well up to 150-250K depending on how ambitious you are. There are huge tax breaks in owning a business/ part of a business. So your income is probably closer to 125K-175K after taxes. Also, you still don't have to work long hours and can take a vacation somewhat spontaneously. Besides working for the patients, you are working for yourself, not being a slave to a hospital. Heck, if you want hospital resources, you can still be on staff as one of their specialists.

 

[doclm]

I have heard of some med students going the MD/PhD route just so they can be somewhat competitive towards the booming field of Dermatology. Why go through so many years just to treat skin disorders? HOURS, BUSINESS, and $$$. Talking to some docs, statistics show that Derm is the second best field in medicine with the least amount of hours. What comes in 1st place? PODIATRY!

 

[poormansDO]

I have heard of some med students going the MD/PhD route just so they can be somewhat competitive towards the booming field of Dermatology. Why go through so many years just to treat skin disorders? HOURS, BUSINESS, and $$$. Talking to some docs, statistics show that Derm is the second best field in medicine with the least amount of hours. What comes in 1st place? PODIATRY!

thanx i feel much better now!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[poormansDO]

What I have been told from MD's that I work with is much more frightening than what I have read about DPM's. This is exactly what I see come from a few MD's working at Mayo.

For example, my cousin who graduated top of his class in undergrad/Medschool got a great anesthesiology residency and at the end of his thrid year here he is miserable. WHY?? Well, 80Hrs a week doing the same damn thing while having two young children at home with his unhappy wife. Not to mention that Anes residents work 30hrs straight every thrid day in a surgical ICU and every fourth day all other times. And days off are spent coming in for meetings/ect. Although, hours in Anes get better after residency with well compensated wage, your still doing very few things over and over again. Putting in Arterial Lines, Intubating Morbidly Obese patients, watching over CNRA's which do most of the work, and monitoring meds and strange vital signs. Overall, Anesthesia is a good choice for many because of $$ and good hours for an MD.

Another example, an MD friend of mine, who is internal med, works 80hrs a week/30hrs straight every 4th day in the same stinky hallways dealing with patients with serious GI problems. I told him how stressful this whole process is about how med schools accept people. His reply, "yeah the process sucks, but wait until you start residency, there are a lot more things that will come your way that sucks."

My brother in law, is a top anesthesiologist consultant and now at age 50 he finally got married, bought a house, and got dropped from his on-call weekends for the first time in 20 years.

Also, there are two other older MD's who have discouraged me of going their route. In addition, I did not mention the process/stress some physicians have to go through when a patient dies unexpectedly. Or when some very very little thing happens that doesn't follow the huge guidelines that are placed on MD/DO's within a hospital.

Overall, instead of looking at Podiatry wondering if you will regret this choice, look into the negatives of being an MD/DO and weigh your options. For me, Podiatry is an obvious decision after working with many MD's for two years. WHY? Great Hours, Great $$$, being able to have your own business, and doing everything for your patients. (trust me, now-a-days doctors don't get to have much of a relationship with their patients, unless you become a family physician) Having the power to be creative in your practice also made me turn towards Podiatry. Less competition is GOOD.

Also, I have seen a couple people wondering if they would be able to pay off loans after becoming a DPM. Well considering the statistical data of what the average NET income has been is good news. WHY??

Say that you are a primary care MD/DO: you make about 120-140K after many long years. After taxes: 60-70K is yours.

Say that you become a top MD/DO surgeon after many years (keep in mind that residency is much longer ): you make up to 300K. After taxes: 150K is yours.

However, a DPM who gets a PM&S-36 can make well up to 150-250K depending on how ambitious you are. There are huge tax breaks in owning a business/ part of a business. So your income is probably closer to 125K-175K after taxes. Also, you still don't have to work long hours and can take a vacation somewhat spontaneously. Besides working for the patients, you are working for yourself, not being a slave to a hospital. Heck, if you want hospital resources, you can still be on staff as one of their specialists.

can you tell me what PM&S-36 means? i don't know a lot about medical terminology.

 

[krabmas]

in case any new podiatric students wanted to find out which school is the best.

The Final List:

1.DMU-CPMS
2.SCPM
3.TUSPM
4.AZPM
5.BUSGMS
6.NYCPM
7.OCPM
8.CSPM

Is that your ranking or a statistic you found somewhere?

 

[poormansDO]

Is that your ranking or a statistic you found somewhere?

i found it on pogo.com apparently it has something to do with video games.

 

[krabmas]

i found it on pogo.com apparently it has something to do with video games.

So it is someone's oppinion?

 

[poormansDO]

So it is someone's oppinion?

yeah apparently thats what it is.

 

[dpmgrad]

can you tell me what PM&S-36 means? i don't know a lot about medical terminology.

PM&S-36 stands for Podiatric Medicine and Surgery 36 Months. It is one of the two new Podiatric Surgical residency models. In the PM&S-36 model, the resident will complete the training over a 3 year period and will be trained in both forefoot and reconstructive rearfoot surgery. The other new Podiatric Surgical residency model is the PM&S-24, which requires 24 months to complete and the residency graduate will be able to sit for the forefoot surgery board exam only.

 

[doclm]

can you tell me what PM&S-36 means? i don't know a lot about medical terminology.

Recently within the past two years all of the DPM residencies have went toward a surgical subspecialty. Now, all residencies are either PM&S-24 or PM&S-36. Which I believe stands for Podiatric Medicine and Surgery Residency, either 24 months or 36 months. From what I understand is the PM&S-36 residency will allow you more surgical options, especially with reconstructive rear-foot and other advanced new surgical technology. However, you still can do a lot with a PM&S-24. As for avaliability to get these residency spots, is really good considering there are currently more spots than graduates. I believe if you do well in medical school and pass the boards in a somewhat competitive manner, it should be easy to obtain a PM&S-36 residency.

I know there is a lot more explaining than what I can provide at the moment. I am still learning more about the changing field of Podiatric Medicine. However, if someone else could explain more in detail or may correct me in any way that would be great.

 

[poormansDO]

Recently within the past two years all of the DPM residencies have went toward a surgical subspecialty. Now, all residencies are either PM&S-24 or PM&S-36. Which I believe stands for Podiatric Medicine and Surgery Residency, either 24 months or 36 months. From what I understand is the PM&S-36 residency will allow you more surgical options, especially with reconstructive rear-foot and other advanced new surgical technology. However, you still can do a lot with a PM&S-24. As for avaliability to get these residency spots, is really good considering there are currently more spots than graduates. I believe if you do well in medical school and pass the boards in a somewhat competitive manner, it should be easy to obtain a PM&S-36 residency.

I know there is a lot more explaining than what I can provide at the moment. I am still learning more about the changing field of Podiatric Medicine. However, if someone else could explain more in detail or may correct me in any way that would be great.

thanx for the info.what if i don't want to be involved in surgery (which i dont) what about for non-surgical. what if i just want to be a regular podiatrist and have nothing to do with surgery. what is there for me.

 

[dpmgrad]

Recently within the past two years all of the DPM residencies have went toward a surgical subspecialty. Now, all residencies are either PM&S-24 or PM&S-36. Which I believe stands for Podiatric Medicine and Surgery Residency, either 24 months or 36 months. From what I understand is the PM&S-36 residency will allow you more surgical options, especially with reconstructive rear-foot and other advanced new surgical technology. However, you still can do a lot with a PM&S-24. As for avaliability to get these residency spots, is really good considering there are currently more spots than graduates. I believe if you do well in medical school and pass the boards in a somewhat competitive manner, it should be easy to obtain a PM&S-36 residency.

I know there is a lot more explaining than what I can provide at the moment. I am still learning more about the changing field of Podiatric Medicine. However, if someone else could explain more in detail or may correct me in any way that would be great.

You are basically correct about PM&S-24/36. In PM&S-24, which requires 2 years to complete, you will get a well rounded training forefoot surgery along with some basic rearfoot surgical procedures. In PM&S-36, which requires 3 or more years to complete, you will get an additional year to train in reconstructive rearfoot surgical procedures. PM&S-24 grads will be able to sit for the ABPS (American Board of Podiatric Surgery) Foot Surgery board exam, which would basically certify you to do forefoot surgery. PM&S-36 grads will be able to sit for both ABPS Foot Surgery board exam and the Reconstructive Rearfoot Surgery board exam, which would expand the certification to do reconstructive rearfoot surgery.

As for the current situation about the number of residency spots, you are correct in that there are currently more residency spots than residency applicants. The number of residency applicants will increase over the next few years due to increasing number of podiatry students. On the flip side, the number of residency spots will decrease over the next few years due to closure of the residency program (if it can not meet the requirements of PM&S-24 or PM&S-36 residency models) or merging of various residency programs together (in order to meet the requirements of PM&S-24 or PM&S-36). Hence, it will get more competitive to get into the podiatric residency programs, especially the PM&S-36 programs.

 

[dpmgrad]

thanx for the info.what if i don't want to be involved in surgery (which i dont) what about for non-surgical. what if i just want to be a regular podiatrist and have nothing to do with surgery. what is there for me.

Unfortunately, non surgical podiatric residency programs are being phased out over the next few years. Most residency programs will be required to be reclassified as either PM&S-24 or PM&S-36. Hence, you will be getting surgical training either way. However, just because you did a surgical training program, it does not mean that you cannot choose to focus only on non surgical podiatric intervention. There are many non surgical podiatric areas that you can focus on. These include Podiatric Dermatology, Sports Medicine, Wound care, etc... If you feel that your residency program did not adequately train you in one of these non surgical podiatric specialties, there are fellowships in those areas available for you to pursue. I know of a friend of mine who completed a PM&S-36 program and decided to join an orthopedic group where he would focus on mainly non surgical podiatric intervention and minor office surgical procedures, since there was already a foot and ankle orthopedic surgeon in the group. He is doing well financially (6 figure salary) and is very happy with his decision to join the group. The fact that he graduated from a PM&S-36 program had helped him in getting that position in the orthopedic group, even though it is mainly a nonsurgical position. Most of the conditions that he sees and treats conservatively include athletic injuries, heel pain, 1st MTPJ pain, gout, RA/OA, tendonitis, etc... In the area where he is practicing, he rarely does any routine foot care because most of the patients needing routine foot care would go to a podiatry group and not to an orthopedic group for routine foot care. My point is that you can still choose to focus on non surgical podiatric intervention, even though, you did a podiatric surgical residency program.

 

[doclm]

thanx for the info.what if i don't want to be involved in surgery (which i dont) what about for non-surgical. what if i just want to be a regular podiatrist and have nothing to do with surgery. what is there for me.

Also you can get a DPM/PhD at a couple schools and do research if that interests you. I know that Scholl has a really good research program, with one of the top Diabetic Foot researchers. I don't know for sure but I think Temple also has a joint PhD program as well. If research interests you, look up Scholls program and labs at www.rosalindfranklind.edu, one of their famous research labs is called CLEAR. With a PhD you can broaden your scope to do research for a podiatric medical school as well as having your choice of POD specialty.

 

[dpmgrad]

Also you can get a DPM/PhD at a couple schools and do research if that interests you. I know that Scholl has a really good research program, with one of the top Diabetic Foot researchers. I don't know for sure but I think Temple also has a joint PhD program as well. If research interests you, look up Scholls program and labs at www.rosalindfranklind.edu, one of their famous research labs is called CLEAR. With a PhD you can broaden your scope to do research for a podiatric medical school as well as having your choice of POD specialty.

TUSPM (Temple) has several joint degrees programs. TUSPM has a DPM / PhD in Bioengineering. With the joint DPM / PhD, you can pursue your PhD either with University of Pennsylvania School of Engineering and Applied Science or Drexel University Biomedical Engineering and Science Institute. In additional to the DPM/PhD joint degrees, TUSPM also offer DPM/MBA and DPM/MPH with Temple University. You can learn more about the TUSPM joint degree programs at http://podiatry.temple.edu/prospt_studs/prospect_studs.html and scroll down to the combined degree section. There are several other podiatry schools that offer DPM/MBA and DPM/MPH.

 

[poormansDO]

which of the following has the nicest campus? scpm, ocpm, tuspm, nycpm and is safest.

 

[LloydBanks]

which of the following has the nicest campus? scpm, ocpm, tuspm, nycpm and is safest.

They are all trash. Des Moines is nice and safe.

 

[doclm]

which of the following has the nicest campus? scpm, ocpm, tuspm, nycpm and is safest.

Personally I would look at either SCPM or TUSPM. However, you probably need to make the final decision where you feel the most comfortable. I know that SCPM is not in downtown chicago, it is actually in a nicer area 30 miles north. However, there is still areas in Northern Chicago where it is not perfectly safe either. But, I feel it is more safe than a school that is located downtown in a metropolitan area.

However, this is just my opinion. I grew up on farm in rural Minnesota, went to H.S. in a town of 1,200 people. My graduating class was 26.

 

[dpmgrad]

Personally I would look at either SCPM or TUSPM. However, you probably need to make the final decision where you feel the most comfortable. I know that SCPM is not in downtown chicago, it is actually in a nicer area 30 miles north. However, there is still areas in Northern Chicago where it is not perfectly safe either. But, I feel it is more safe than a school that is located downtown in a metropolitan area.

However, this is just my opinion. I grew up on farm in rural Minnesota, went to H.S. in a town of 1,200 people. My graduating class was 26.

TUSPM is located in the chinatown section of Center City, which is the downtown area of Philadelphia. The downtown area has been undergoing quite a bit of renovation and has now become the trendy place for younger professionals to live. TUSPM is in a pretty safe area of Philadelphia. Of course, one would still need to use common sense when living in any major metropolitan city setting. TUSPM campus also has a dormitory for students right next to the school. TUSPM Foot and Ankle Institute and Surgery Center are also located on the TUSPM campus. TUSPM is also within walking distance to many of the major attractions of Philadelphia and night life. There is a Temple shuttle bus that connects TUSPM with the Temple University Main Campus and the Temple University Health Science Campus (both are in North Philadelphia, which is not so nice area).

 

[scpod]

However, this is just my opinion. I grew up on farm in rural Minnesota, went to H.S. in a town of 1,200 people. My graduating class was 26.

I went to Minnesota a few years ago with my best friend to visit his grandmother in one of those little towns. She lived in a place called Hector, a little more than an hour from Minneapolis. I'm not sure there were 1,200 people in her town, but the people were really nice there. (Of course, they all sounded just like the people in the movie Fargo )She told us some "horror" stories about the winter and the snowfall. So, I guess the weather in North Chicago won't be a problem for you at all

 

[doclm]

I went to Minnesota a few years ago with my best friend to visit his grandmother in one of those little towns. She lived in a place called Hector, a little more than an hour from Minneapolis. I'm not sure there were 1,200 people in her town, but the people were really nice there. (Of course, they all sounded just like the people in the movie Fargo )She told us some "horror" stories about the winter and the snowfall. So, I guess the weather in North Chicago won't be a problem for you at all

Yeah,

Actually North Chicago is usually 10F warmer than where I live in MN. It is much closer to the environment that I am used to. If you grow up with lots of snow and cold weather, I guess you get somewhat used to it. However, it still seems really cold when the temp reaches in the single (+/-) digits. Also, with wind chills in the cold part of winter, it can feel like-30 to -40F in the wind. Driving conditioins really suck in the winter with all the snow. You need at least FWD or 4x4 to get around well. Overall, people up here get used to it or don't take many extra trips outside. There are some winter sports people get into: Snowmobiling, Snow Skiing, ect...

When I went to FL a week ago, I left MPLS at -1F and arrived at FTLD 76F. This was a huge difference. However, it did seem more difficult to find your way around, because of me being used to flat lands. The palm trees ( as beautiful as they are) did seem to get into the way when trying to find exits and businesses. FL is definitly a place where I would like to visit a few weeks every year, but not a place to live unless I had some $$$. I stayed in my parents timeshare condo in a newer town of Weston. There were so many things to do in the Miami area that I felt like I was wasting time being at the resort. If Barry University was somewhere else than Miami, I would like it more. Too much city for me to live in. I would be much more temped to go it it was located in the Ft. Myers or Sarasota area. However, I still really like FL and may consider practicing down some day. Hands down there is definitely business to go around for Podiatry. Especially with the expanded range of scope that a POD has in FL.

The people do seem nicer up here verus Miami. Many people up here in MN are friendly to absolute strangers. I could not believe how many people cut me off in traffic down in Miami. I guess it could be more like this in any Metropolitan City.

 

[scpod]

I could not believe how many people cut me off in traffic down in Miami. I guess it could be more like this in any Metropolitan City.

In every one that I have driven in it's been that way. I've been to NYC quite a few times, but only driven there once. It seems that the favorite sport of drivers is to see who can be the first to blow their horn when the light turns green. Then there was Brooklyn-- hundreds of one-way streets but all the street signs have been stolen so the only way you can tell which way to go is to look at the direction that the cars are double and triple-parked in. I've been to Chicago a few times, but never driven. I've always stayed near the airport and taken the El into the city. I did, however, have the world's scariest cab ride down Michigan avenue and quickly decided that the train, although fairly disgusting, was a better alternative. I drove in Philly once and was nearly run over by a cab trying to get out of my car-- decided not to try that one again either. Never drove in DC; never want to. I always park in Northern VA at the "Park and Ride". The Metro can take you to 99 out of 100 places you want to go anyway. Oh, and it's clean too.

 

[ihrtchitown]

which of the following has the nicest campus? scpm, ocpm, tuspm, nycpm and is safest.

SCPM is right between the very rich and the "less well to do" (to say it nicely). the campus however has 24 hour security as well as cameras set up in the on campus housing, school, and parking lot. i have always felt VERY safe walking from the school to the apartments at any hour. you are right up the street from lake forest (where i believe vince vaughn is from) and lake bluff which are VERY well to do areas and michael jordan's house is about 15 min from school! i'd be careful in parts of north chicago and waukegan but you have no reason to ever venture to those parts. the shopping in the "north shore" is amazing and there are many restaurants to choose from as well. i really like the campus as well but i only went to OCPM and Temple when i applied mainly because of the locations. i highly suggest visiting all the schools and you will for sure take a liking to the one which meets your needs the best.

 

[poormansDO]

i do not want to take the TOEFL or TSE tests. i know how to speak english, i started kindergarten in U.S. i have my citizenship and i also know how to speak english better than my native language. i received a 27 on the english part of the ACT. is there any way i could get out of taking the TOEFL or TSE because i don't really need to take it?

 

[ladpm]

Wow, there's lots of CSPM haters out there. Well, I guess I'll put in my west coast bias.

From what I've gathered from meeting other students from the other schools here's my opinionated rank of my school...there's no such thing as a perfect school...its basically who sucks the least. It really doesn't matter where you go, as long as you make the most of your education

Overall subjective rank range (education, location, tuition, etc.) = 3rd-4th

The campus is clean, nice, and safe. Its in between downtown Oakland (west side) and Berkeley. Not too far from Lake Merritt or Piedmont (really nice upper middle class area) for apartments. Its east Oakland thats dangerous and the campus is not even close to. Great resturaunts on Piedmont Ave or in Berkeley near University of California (15 minute drive locally). The newly opened Bay Street mall is a 5-10 minute drive locally (AMC, Best Buy, Barnes and Nobles) Not to mention all the cool stuff in San Francisco across the Bay bridge. The weather is sunny (2 hrs of fog in the afternoon if you live in SF) with 75-65 degrees for the most part all year round. If you like great food and the outdoors (hiking, surfing, biking, skiing) the bay area is the place for you! Sounds like I'm selling time-shares

 

[jonwill]

I don't think there are a lot of CSPM-haters out there. It's more the fact that you don't hear much from the school right now. The whole accredatation issue a few years ago really mixed things up. But to CSPM's credit, they were the victims in the whole Vallejo thing.

 

[scpod]

I don't think there are a lot of CSPM-haters out there. It's more the fact that you don't hear much from the school right now. The whole accredatation issue a few years ago really mixed things up. But to CSPM's credit, they were the victims in the whole Vallejo thing.

Although I really don't like the west coast that much (simply because I'm used to the east coast ) I have no problems with CSPM. I think that they have had a few porblems in the past few years that have turned a few peopleo ff. They have also gained a reputation as a school in financial crisis and a really easy school to get into. Whether it's really true or not, I can't say, but that's what the general belief is.

That being said, I have alwaysm believed that any of the (now) eight schools can give you a good enough start to do well in podiatry. In fact, four of the professors at Barry graduated from CSPM and they are wonderful people. Dr. Evans is Vice Preident for Medical Affairs, Dean of the School of Graduate Medical Sciences, and founder of the American Academy of Wound Management. Dr. Losito, professor of Orthopedics and Biomechanics, lectures around the world and began the Yucatan Crippled Children's Project that has treated thousands of children and is now attracting ortho's to treat facial deformities in these children as well. Dr. Southerland is also a well-known lecturer, committee chair for the AAPSM, and researcher. Click on the current page of podiatrytoday.com and you'll see a feature article thay he co-authored. And Dr. Buchman is an Assistant Professor, and one of the few female professors. All graduated from California.

I have no problem with it. The problem is that there just doesn't happen to be anyone defending them at the current time. If you were to read this forum for the first time, you might think that Scholl, DMU, and Temple were the only schools out there, simply because there are more posts about them.