Overview
Podiatric medicine is a branch of the medical sciences devoted to the study of human movement, with the medical care of the foot and ankle as its primary focus. A Doctor of Podiatric Medicine (DPM) undergoes lengthy, thorough study to become uniquely well-qualified to treat a specific part of the body. Many practitioners focus on a particular area of podiatric medicine, including surgery, sports medicine, biomechanics, geriatric care, pediatrics, orthopedics, and primary care. Additionally, care of diabetic patients is a rapidly growing field of podiatric medicine as lower extremity problems often develop in those with diabetes. The skills of podiatric physicians are in increasing demand because disorders of the foot and ankle are among the most widespread and neglected health problems. The skills of podiatric physicians are in increasing demand because disorders of the foot and ankle are among the most widespread and neglected health problems.
—from ExploreHealthCareers.org
Application Process
Applications for podiatric colleges are processed through the American Association of Colleges of Podiatric Medicine Application Service (AACPMAS).
Applications should be submitted in the year prior to the year for which you are seeking admission. Many schools have rolling admissions, so applicants would do well to apply as early as possible.
Curriculum Prerequisites
Students following the recommended curriculum for pre-med students will meet the prerequisite courses set by colleges of podiatric medicine.
Entrance Exam Requirements
The Medical College Admission Test (MCAT) is required for admission to most programs. It is a standardized, computer-based exam.
Letters of Evaluation/Recommendation
Your adviser from the Health Professions Advising Committee will compose a composite letter from the letters of recommendation you solicit from professors, supervisors, research mentors, and others who know you in professional or service contexts; that letter will also contain a rating of you on behalf of the committee based on your academic record, service, experience, and other factors. Students should consult early and closely with their adviser to determine whom to solicit for letters of recommendation. It is recommended that students receive at least one letter from a podiatrist.
Interviews
Schools usually require personal, on-campus interviews, though how many applicants are interviewed and at what point in the application timeline those interviews take place varies widely. Members of the Health Professions Advising Committee conduct at least one mock interview with applicants the spring before they apply; subsequent mock interviews are readily available and heartily encouraged.