Applying to podiatric medical school is an intensive process with multiple components, and the HPO wants to help you by breaking the information down. In this section, we cover researching podiatric medical schools, the application timeline, application services, letters of recommendation, exams, personal statements and more.
Research Podiatric Medical Schools Before You Apply
- UT Health Rio Grande Valley School of Podiatric Medicine - Currently approved for accreditation and expects to be accredited by graduation of first entering class.
- AACPM has a list of accredited programs on its website. Use this to research programs before you apply.
Follow the Application Timeline
- Application Timeline and Steps to take by month (Coming Soon)
Learn About the Application Services
UTRGV SOPM uses TMDSAS (Texas Medical and Dental School Application Service)
- Check out their Application Handbook
Out-of state podiatry schools use AACPMCAS (The American Association of Colleges of Podiatric Medicine Application Service). It is the AACPM's centralized podiatric medical school application processing service.
- AACPMCAS Application Tools and Tutorials
For any school NOT using TMDSAS or AACPMCAS, see individual school admission web pages for application instructions.
Request Letters of Evaluation
Letters of evaluation are key pieces to your application. Each application has its own way of collecting letters and number and type of letters vary from school to school. Check with the application service you are using for additional details.
Write Your Personal Statement
The personal statement is a critical component of your application, as the personal statement can either significantly help or harm your chances for success, it is important to take it seriously. The statement must be personal. This is your chance to let the Admissions Committee hear from you and understand who you are. Take advantage of the opportunity to express your commitments, motivations and values.
Schedule and Take CASPer!
What is CASPer?
CASPer is a form of situational judgement test. Situational judgement tests (SJTs) are a type of psychological test which present the test-taker with realistic, hypothetical scenarios and may ask the individual what they would do in the dilemma and why they would do it..
Situational judgement tests tend to determine behavioral tendencies, assessing how an individual will behave in a certain situation, and knowledge instruction, which evaluates the effectiveness of possible responses.
Complete Your Secondary Applications
Some health professions schools require secondary applications to be completed in addition to the primary application.
- Applications are not considered complete until the secondary application is submitted!
- Most secondary applications require an additional fee and the majority of secondary application fees are non-refundable.
- Some secondary applications are available and should be completed very soon after you submit your primary application. Other secondary applications are by invite only.
- If a schools secondary application is by invite only they will notify you and ask you to complete their own specific secondary application only after they have reviewed your primary application.
- Please check with the schools on the secondary policies, availability & application fees. Application fees range from $0 - $100+.
Any questions relating to a secondary application should be directed to the respective school.
Prepare for Your Interview
It is important to professionally and properly represent yourself to an admissions committee, from what to wear to anticipating what questions might be asked.