Pre-Podiatric Medicine

Podiatric Medicine as a Career

Podiatric medical schools require a minimum of 90 credits prior to matriculation, and 97% of all admitted students have their bachelor’s degree.  Students complete a 4-yr DPM (Doctor of Podiatric Medicine) program and then 3 years of residency training.  For more information, see Explore Health Careers.org: Podiatric Medicine Overview and Podiatrist (Doctor of Podiatric Medicine)

University Course Work

• Meet with your pre-med adviser twice each semester and add your name to the “pre-med email distribution list.”
• Choose a college major that you enjoy and that provides a good “back-up plan” and career path in case you change your mind about medicine.  Common majors include biology, microbiology, chemistry, biochemistry, exercise science, psychology, nutrition, etc.
• Carefully check admission requirements at DPM schools of most interest and take the required coursework as shown below and specified at Admission Requirements (American Association of Colleges of Podiatric Medicine).
  • A year of general chemistry (Chem 111 and 112) with labs
  • A year of general physics (Phys 111 and 112 or Phys 211 and 212) with labs
  • A year of organic chemistry (Chem 277 and 372) with labs
  • A year of biology (Bio 115 and 116) with labs
  • A year of English (6-8 cr)
  • Additional courses that could be useful include biochemistry, microbiology, anatomy, physiology, genetics, statistics, etc.
  • Podiatric Medical School Directory
• Maintain a competitive GPA. As below, successful applicants from 2006-2010 had an average cumulative GPA of 3.3, a cumulative science GPA of 3.1, and a MCAT score of 21.
  • Matriculant GPA Averages by Year (2006-2010)
  • Matriculant MCAT Averages by Year (2006-2010)

School (Your Time at University)

• Get significant DPM shadowing and clinical experience and maintain a log (Professional Development Activities Log (Word)). Find out firsthand what the profession is like, decide if it is right for you, explore different areas of the field and in different settings, and be sure to meet clinical experience requirements of your preferred schools.
• Develop strong relationships with faculty mentors, health care professionals, and others who will be writing letters of reference
• Join the UI Premed Club and get involved in extracurricular, leadership, and volunteer activities
• Complete the University of Utah Med School Self Assessment

Applying to DPM School

• The application process consists of taking the Medical College Admissions Test (MCAT), applying through the American Association of Colleges of Podiatric Medicine Application Service (AACPMAS), submitting college transcripts and letters of reference, and then participating in invited interviews.