Podiatric medicine is the profession that strives to improve the overall health and well-being of patients by focusing on preventing, diagnosing, and treating conditions associated with the foot and ankle.

Are you interested in a field of medicine highly involved with athletes and athletics? Perhaps pediatric surgery? Perhaps trauma? Perhaps just helping people do something most of us take for granted – walk painlessly? Many diseases manifest earliest in the body’s extremities. Podiatrists are frequently the first to diagnose diabetes and heart disease. Podiatrists work in all environments, from private practice to large hospitals. It is also a branch of medicine that provides practitioners with control over their time, allowing them to spend more time with their families.

What type of education is required?

A four-year professional program.

Coursework required for most medical schools*

1 year general chemistry with labs
1 year organic chemistry with labs
1 year introductory biology with labs
1 year general physics with labs

* Although this coursework will meet the requirements for many schools, students should research the prerequisites of the schools to which they hope to apply.

Note: Schools have differing policies for accepting AP, IB or CLEP credits to meet program prerequisites. Students should contact the schools to which they would like to apply to find out that school's policy. Since most students will not know what schools they will apply to when they are planning their schedules, many students choose to retake the science prerequisites or take the honors version of the course. The decision should be made on an individual basis and it is recommended that students speak to an adviser when making this choice.

Recommended undergraduate coursework

English — Most medical schools require that you complete 1 year of English. This can be a combination of literature and writing requirements. Some schools will not consider writing across the curriculum to meet this requirement. To be on the safe side we suggest you plan on completing three English courses prior to taking the MCAT

Mathematics — The amount of math needed depends upon your choice of major and selection of medical schools. We recommend MATH 124, 144, or Q SCI 291 as a beginning course. We also recommend that students complete a statistics course in addition to calculus.

Biology — Because of high demand, some students are not able to enroll in BIOL 180 in Autumn quarter. The BIOL 180 sequence can be started in Autumn, Winter, Spring, and Summer. Students doing a physical science or non-science major may prefer to take physics in Year 2 and biology in Year 3, as juniors should be able to register in BIOL 180 even in Autumn quarter. Students applying to medical schools requiring additional cell and molecular biology should consider BIOL 355 and/or BIOL 401.

Biochemistry — The UW offers two biochemistry sequences, both starting in Autumn quarter: BIOC 405, 406, and BIOC 440, 441, 442.

Courses in ethics, diversity, language — Medical schools are not just looking for students who are strong in the sciences. It is imperative that future doctors understand how society functions and are well-rounded academically. In addition, the University of Washington School of Medicine has a humanities and social sciences requirement. For more advice on how to think about meeting this requirement and on being a well-rounded student, click here.

Example four-year schedule (in advance of entering a professional program)

	Autumn	Winter	Spring	Summer
Four years before	Chem 142 Math 120 Engl Comp	Chem 152 Math 124	Chem 162 Engl
Four years before	Recommended activities: • Attend an information session • Do some independent research on health careers • Join a health related student group • Take VLPA, I&S classes and/or finish your foreign language requirement

Three years before	Chem 237 Biol 180	Chem 238 Chem 241 Biol 200	Chem 239 Chem 242 Biol 220
Three years before	Recommended activities: • Attend a Roadmap to Choosing Your Major workshop • Attend session on MCAT preparation • Set-up some informational interviewing • Learn about Allopathic vs. Osteopathic Medicine philosophy • Begin getting healthcare experience • Take classes that will prepare you for your major • Get to know at least one professor

Two years before	Phys 114/117 or 121 Bioc 405 or 440 Engl	Phys 115/118 or 122 Bioc 406 or 441	Phys 116/119 or 123 Bioc 442 (if 440 and 441 taken)
Two years before	Recommended activities: • Attend information session on the application process • Take the MCAT • Plan for a "Gap Year" • Take an English writing course • Begin writing your personal statement • Submit your application on AMCAS • Get to know at least two professors

One year before	Course work in this year will focus primarily on your major however if you can add a class in Ethics and Genome 371 that would be great.
One year before	Recommended activities: • Attend an information session on interviewing • Complete a Mock Interview through the Career Center • Complete your major

Major information

Medical schools do not care what major you choose; they care that you do well in your major and your pre-requisite courses. You should be thinking of alternate future careers in the event that you change your mind, or are not admitted to medical school.

Student groups

Actively participating in student groups can be an invaluable experience. The student groups not only offer services that premedical students find helpful, such as hosting medical student panels, informational interviews and group volunteering events, but they also provide a community of students who have similar interests and goals. By taking on an active role, students can also develop their leadership skills.

Websites to visit

Here are some helpful websites to learn about the podiatry, the application process and more:

Applying to medical school

• MCAT

• Primary Application

• Secondary Applications

• Letters of Recommendation

• Acceptance

Applying to podiatric school is a year-long process. The actual application steps are:

Take the MCAT (some schools will accept the DAT or GRE)
Submit the AACPMAS application
Submit secondary applications
Interview
Accept your admissions

However, before you begin you must complete pre-requisite coursework; obtain letters of recommendations and actively engage in healthcare experience. For more information on the application process, visit www.aacpm.org.

Preparing for the gap year(s)

Consider other schooling, or volunteering with the following organizations: