Podiatry (DPM)

Sample 4 Year Plan

    Fall

    • General Biology I with Lab

    • General Chemistry I with Lab

    • English Composition or Writing I

    • College Algebra or Pre-Calculus (if needed)

    • First-Year Seminar / Introduction to Health Professions

    Spring

    • General Biology II with Lab

    • General Chemistry II with Lab

    • English Composition or Writing II

    • Introduction to Psychology or Sociology

    • Elective or General Education Course

    Co-Curricular Goals

    • Join a Pre-Health or Pre-Podiatry Club or start one

    • Start logging clinical volunteer hours

    • Begin looking for podiatrists to shadow

    • Attend career services workshops on resumes & health careers

    Fall

    • Organic Chemistry I with Lab

    • Human Anatomy and Physiology I (if not in your major yet)

    • Statistics (often recommended for MCAT)

    • General Education Requirement (e.g., History, Arts)

    • Shadowing (1–2 hours/week if possible)

    Spring

    • Organic Chemistry II with Lab

    • Human Anatomy and Physiology II

    • Microbiology (recommended)

    • Public Speaking or Communications

    • General Education Requirement

    Co-Curricular Goals

    • Continue volunteering and shadowing (target ≥50 podiatry hours by end of junior year)

    • Apply for summer clinical or research internships

    • Begin preparing for the MCAT (review materials, practice tests)

    Fall

    • Biochemistry (often recommended, sometimes required)

    • Physics I with Lab

    • Genetics or Cell Biology

    • Medical Terminology or Health Elective

    • MCAT prep (official study begins this semester)

    Spring

    • Physics II with Lab

    • Upper-division Biology (e.g., Immunology, Developmental Biology)

    • MCAT Prep / Practice Exams

    • Health Ethics, Cultural Competency, or Bioethics (optional)

    • General Education Requirement

    Summer After Junior Year

    • Take the MCAT

    • Begin application via AACPMAS (opens early summer)

    • Request letters of recommendation (including from a podiatrist)

    • Work, volunteer, or shadow during summer if possible

    Co-Curricular Goals

    • Attend podiatry school open houses or virtual events

    • Write and revise your personal statement

    • Secure strong letters of recommendation

    • Prepare for potential interviews

    Fall

    • Complete and submit AACPMAS application

    • Attend interviews for podiatry schools

    • Upper-level electives (e.g., Physiology, Pathophysiology, Histology)

    • Capstone, Senior Seminar, or Research Project

    • Maintain strong academic performance

    Spring

    • Final upper-division science or general education courses

    • Finalize DPM school decisions

    • Graduate with a Bachelor’s degree

    Co-Curricular Goals

    • Reflect on undergraduate journey and prepare for transition to DPM program

    • Finish strong in final interviews or second-look events