Application Deadline
The application deadline for admission to AZPOD is June 30 of the year of matriculation

Interview/Selection Process
To be considered for an interview, applicants must meet the admissions requirements listed previously. They must also submit all of the materials necessary to complete their file, e.g., an application, transcripts, and two letters of recommendation.

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.

Technical Standards for Admission
A candidate for the Doctor of Podiatric Medicine degree must have abilities and skills in five areas: I) observation; II) communication; III) motor; IV) intellectual, conceptual, integrative, and quantitative; and V) 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.

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:

1. Submit deposit monies by the dates designated in his/her matriculation agreement. The entire deposit is applied toward the student’s first quarter tuition.
2. 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.
3. 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.
4. 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.
5. For non-U.S citizens/nonpermanent residents only, provide documentation verifying that sufficient funds have been deposited in a U.S. bank to cover all expenses while attending Midwestern University.
6. Submit additional documents as required by the Office of Admissions.
7. Sign the authorization form allowing a criminal background check.
8. Sign the MWU Drug-Free Workplace and Substance Abuse Policy.
9. Complete the physical exam and submit the form.
10. Sign the Credit Policy Statement.
11. Satisfy the Technical Standards for the Program.

f 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.

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 the following:

1. 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);
2. The AZPod Transfer Application (available through the Office of Admissions);
3. Scores from the Medical College Admissions Test (MCAT) or other appropriate testing agencies;
4. Official transcripts from all schools attended: undergraduate, graduate, and professional;
5. 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
6. 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.