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Podiatric Medicine in Glendale
Click here to apply online at AACPMAS
Admission Requirements
Prerequisite Courses
International Students
Technical Standards for Admission
Application Process and Deadline
Interview / Selection Process
Matriculation Process
Reapplication Process
Transfer Admission
Frequently Asked Questions about Podiatric Medicine
Related Links
Podiatric Medicine Program Admission
The Arizona Podiatric Medicine (AZPod) Program considers for admission those students who possess the academic, professional, and personal qualities necessary for development as exemplary podiatric physicians. In the selection process, the Program uses a competitive rolling admissions process. The Program uses multiple criteria to select the most qualified candidates including cumulative grade point average (GPA), science GPA, Medical College Admissions Test (MCAT), personal experiences and character, ability to communicate, familiarity with the profession, volunteer and community involvement, research experience, and other considerations.
Admission Requirements
To be considered for admission to AZPod, the successful candidate must submit the following documented evidence:
- Minimum cumulative GPA and science GPAs of 2.75 on a 4.00 scale.
- Ability to successfully complete a rigorous curriculum which requires critical thinking skills, effective oral and written communication skills, and voluminous reading, as well as the capacity for responsible, self-directed learning.
- Competitive scores on the Medical College Admissions Test (MCAT).
- Completion of the necessary course prerequisites. The candidate must complete a minimum of 90 semester hours at a regionally accredited college or university. A bachelor's degree is preferred.
- Two letters of recommendation.
- A good understanding of podiatric medicine and a sincere interest in a career in the field. Candidates will not be accepted if they have not visited at least one podiatric practice.
- Demonstration of extracurricular or community activities that indicate a well-rounded background and demonstrate a service orientation.
- Medically-related experiences that indicate sufficient exposure to allow an informed decision about a medical career.
- Personal integrity and sound moral character.
- Interpersonal and communication skills necessary to relate effectively with others.
- Passage of the Midwestern University criminal background check.
- Commitment to abide by the Midwestern University Drug-Free Workplace and Substance Abuse Policy.
Prerequisite Courses
| Course | Sem Hrs | Qtr Hrs |
| Biology with lab | 8 | 12 |
| General/Inorganic Chemistry with lab | 8 | 12 |
| Organic Chemistry with lab | 8 | 12 |
| Physics | 8 | 12 |
| English | 6 | 9 |
Grades less than C are not acceptable for any prerequisite courses (grades of C-are not acceptable).
INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS
An international student must satisfy all of the requirements for admission to the college or program that apply to a student who has completed all of his/her prerequisite coursework in the U.S. at a regionally accredited college or university. In addition, an international student must demonstrate proficiency in the English language. This may be accomplished by satisfying both of the following requirements:
- The international student has completed a minimum of two full time semesters or three full time quarters of instruction at a postsecondary institution in the United States. Completed coursework must include a minimum of 50% of the prerequisite science coursework for the college or program of interest, 6 semester hours of non-remedial English composition, and 3 semester hours of public speaking/speech.
- The international student must submit official TOEFL scores. A minimum passing score is 550 (paper version, maximum score 677) or 100 (internet version, maximum score 120). The TOEFL scores must be from an exam taken within two years of the anticipated date of matriculation into the college or program.
If the international student wishes to receive credit for prerequisite coursework completed at a college or university outside of the United States, he/she must submit an official, detailed, course-by-course evaluation of this coursework. The student must obtain this evaluation from one of the following services:
- Educational Credential Evaluators (ECE): 414/289-3400 or Fax 414/289-3411 (www.ece.org, e-mail: info@ece.org)
- Josef Silny & Associates International Education Consultants: 305/273-1616 or Fax 305/273-1338
- World Education Service (WES): 212/966-6311 or Fax 212/739-6100 (www.wes.org, e-mail: info@wes.org)
Based on the official foreign transcript evaluation and the grade earned in the course(s), the college or program will decide if it will apply any of these credits toward fulfillment of its prerequisites.
Technical Standards for Admission
A candidate for the Doctor of Podiatric Medicine degree must have abilities and skills in five areas: 1) observation; 2) communication; 3) motor; 4) intellectual, conceptual, integrative, and quantitative; and 5) behavioral and social. Technological compensation can be made for some limitation in certain of these areas, but a candidate should be able to perform in a reasonably independent manner.
I. Observation: The candidate must be able to accurately make observations at a distance and close at hand. Observation necessitates the functional use of the sense of vision and somatic sensation and is enhanced by the functional use of all of the other senses.
II. Communication: The candidate must be able to communicate effectively, efficiently, and sensitively in both oral and written form and be able to perceive nonverbal communication.
III. Motor: Candidates must be able to coordinate both gross and fine muscular movements, maintain equilibrium, and have functional use of the senses of touch and vision. The candidate must possess sufficient postural control, neuromuscular control, and eye-to-hand coordination to perform profession-specific skills and tasks.
IV. Intellectual, Conceptual, Integrative, and Quantitative Abilities: The candidate must be able to problem solve, measure, calculate, reason, analyze, record, and synthesize large amounts of information in a timely manner. The candidate must be able to comprehend three-dimensional relationships and understand spatial relationships.
V. Behavioral and Social Attributes: The candidate must possess the emotional health required for full utilization of his/her intellectual abilities; the exercise of good judgment; the consistent, prompt completion of all responsibilities; and the development of mature, sensitive, and effective relationships. Candidates must be able to tolerate physically, mentally, and emotionally taxing workloads and to function effectively under stress. The candidate must be able to adapt to changing environments, to display flexibility, and to learn to function in the face of uncertainties. Compassion, integrity, concern for others, effective interpersonal skills, willingness and ability to function as an effective team player, and interest and motivation to learn are all personal qualities required during the educational process.
Candidates are required to certify that they understand and meet these Technical Standards. Candidates must provide such certification prior to matriculation. Candidates who may not meet the Technical Standards must inform the Director of Admissions, who will then contact the Dean of Students. The Dean of Students, in consultation with the academic dean (and program director), will identify and discuss what accommodations, if any, the College(/Program) would need to make that would allow the candidate to complete the curriculum. The College(/Program) is not able to grant accommodations that alter the educational standards of the curriculum. Students must meet the Technical Standards for the duration of enrollment in their professional program.
Application Process and Deadlines
Individuals interested in applying for admission to AZPod may download an application from the American Association of Colleges of Podiatric Medicine (AACPM) or obtain an application packet by writing or calling:
The American Association of Colleges of Podiatric Medicine (AACPM)
15850 Crabbs Branchway
Suite 320
Rockville, MD 20855-2622
800/922-9266
To initiate the competitive selection process, applicants must complete an application packet, which must include:
- A completed Application for Admission form (a non-refundable application fee will be also be due to the AACPM Application Service [AACPMAS]).
- Two letters of recommendation. Applicants must submit two signed and sealed letters of recommendations from professionals who know the applicant well. One letter must be from a medical practitioner. Letters from podiatric physicians are strongly encouraged. The second letter must be from a pre-health professions advisor or a science professor. Additional letters from individuals who can attest to the applicant's character are welcome.
- Official transcripts from each college or university attended. Applicants must submit official transcripts from every undergraduate, graduate, or professional school that they have attended or are currently attending. These transcripts must be sealed and signed by the registrar at each institution.
- Official MCAT score report.
Application Deadline
The application deadline for admission to AZPod is June 30 of the year of matriculation.
Interview and Selection Process
To be considered for interviews, applicants must meet the admissions requirements listed previously. After the Office of Admissions receives these materials, the applicant's file is reviewed to determine if the applicant merits an interview, based on established criteria of the Admissions Committee. The Admissions Director, with the approval of the Program Director, may also place a large number of students on an interview wait list, pending possible interview openings toward the end of the interview cycle.
If an applicant accepts an interview, he/she joins several other interviewees in a meeting with members of a three-person interview panel — a panel selected from a volunteer group of basic scientists, administrators, and clinicians. Team members question each student about his/her academic, personal, and health care preparedness for podiatric medical school, rating the students on a standardized evaluation form relative to each of these variables.
At the conclusion of the interviews, the team members forward their evaluation for each student to the Admissions Committee. The committee may recommend to accept, deny, or place the student on either the hold or alternate list. This recommendation is then forwarded to the Dean of the College of Health Sciences for final approval. The Dean, via the Office of Admissions, typically notifies the student of his/her status within one or two weeks of the interview.
Matriculation Process
To initiate the matriculation process, newly accepted students must return both their signed matriculation agreement and their initial deposit by the date designated in their matriculation agreement. To conclude the matriculation process, a student must do the following:
- Submit deposit monies by the dates designated in their matriculation agreement. The entire deposit is applied toward the student's first-quarter tuition.
- Submit official final transcripts from all colleges attended post-high school by the deadline of two weeks (14 calendar days) prior to the first day of classes. For students who are accepted to MWU less than one month prior to the first day of classes, they will have 30 calendar days from the date of their acceptance to submit all official transcripts to the Office of Admissions. Any special circumstances or requests for exceptions to this policy must be made by the Office of the Dean of the college. If students fail to submit all official final transcripts by the stated deadline, their acceptance or continued enrollment in the college may be jeopardized.
- Submit documented laboratory proof of the absence of tuberculosis (updated yearly) and proof of immunization against measles, mumps, rubella, varicella (chicken pox), diphtheria/tetanus, and hepatitis B.
- Submit proof of medical and disability insurance coverage. The student may select either a plan offered by Midwestern University or a comparable plan offered by an outside carrier approved by the University.
- For non-U.S citizens/non-permanent residents only, provide documentation verifying that sufficient funds have been deposited in a U.S. bank to cover all expenses while attending Midwestern University.
- Submit additional documents as required by the Office of Admissions.
- Authorize and pass the Midwestern University criminal background check.
- Sign and submit the Midwestern University Drug-Free Workplace and Substance Abuse Policy.
- Complete aphysical exam and submit the form.
- Sign and submit the Credit Policy Statement.
- Meet the Technical Standards for the Program.
If a student fails to satisfy these matriculation requirements and/or omits or falsifies information required on official admissions documents, the student automatically forfeits his/her seat at the College. The student receives no further notification relative to this forfeiture.
Reapplication Process
After receiving either a denial or end-of-cycle letter, a prospective student may reapply for the next enrollment cycle. Before reapplying, however, the student should seek the advice of an admissions counselor. To initiate the reapplication process, prospective students must complete and submit new applications and proceed through the standard application process.
Related Information
Transfer Admission Policy
AZPod may elect to accept transfer students from other U.S. podiatric medical schools as long as these students are in good academic standing and have an acceptable reason(s) for seeking a transfer. Typically, transfers are only granted to students desiring to transfer in as a third- or fourth-year student; however, transfers to the second year may be granted.
To be considered for transfer, a student must meet the Program's general requirements for admission. He/she must also submit:
- A letter to the Director of Admissions indicating why he/she wishes to transfer and explaining any difficulties encountered at his/her previous institution(s);
- The AZPod Transfer Application (available through the Office of Admissions);
- Official MCAT score report;
- Official transcripts from all schools attended: undergraduate, graduate, and professional;
- A letter from the dean of the college in which the student is enrolled. The letter(s) must indicate the student's current academic status and/or terms of withdrawal/dismissal; and
- Additional documents or letters of evaluation as determined necessary by the Director of Admissions.
Following receipt of these materials, a decision by the Admissions Committee is made regarding whether or not the student merits an on-campus interview. If the student receives an invitation, he/she interviews with an appropriate interview team. The interview team then makes an admissions recommendation to the Dean of the College of Health Sciences who approves both the student's admissions status and class standing.
The transfer application must be received three months prior to the desired matriculation date. This allows time for processing of the application, interview, and moving of the student prior to the start of the next academic term.
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions about Podiatric Medicine
Related Links
American Association of Colleges of Podiatric Medicine (AACPM)
Medical College Admissions Test (MCAT) Program Office
