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Admission / Apply
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 School of Podiatric Medicine (AZPod) considers for admission those students who possess the academic, professional, and personal qualities necessary for development as exemplary podiatric physicians. The School 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. The School uses a competitive rolling admissions process and candidates are encouraged to apply early and take the MCAT no later than March prior to admission. Scores will be accepted only from tests taken less than three years prior to the time of application.
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 or higher is preferred.
- Letters of Recommendation are not required but will be accepted.
- 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
International applicants must complete a minimum of 30 semester hours of coursework from a regionally accredited college or university in the United States, or from a recognized post secondary Canadian institution that uses English as its primary language of instruction and documentation. Of the 30 semester hours, 15 hours must be in the sciences, six hours in non-remedial English composition, and three hours in speech/public speaking.
Applicants who wish to receive credit for prerequisite coursework completed outside the US or at a Canadian institution that does not use English as its primary language of instruction and documentation must submit an official, detailed, course-by-course evaluation obtained from one of the following evaluation 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 or visit www.jsilny.com
- World Education Service (WES): 212/966-6311 or Fax 212/739-6100 (www.wes.org, e-mail: info@wes.org)
International applicants who do not provide documentation of acceptable US or Canadian course/degree equivalency will not receive credit, and will be required to complete all prerequisite courses at an accredited college or university in the United States, or at a recognized post-secondary institution in Canada that uses English as its primary language of instruction and documentation.
For clarification about recognized post-secondary institutions in Canada that use English as a primary language of instruction and documentation, international applicants should contact the Midwestern University Office of Admissions.
Click here for more information on International Student Financial Services
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 sense of touch 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 CHS Dean and AZPod Associate Dean and Director, will identify and discuss what accommodations, if any, the School would need to make that would allow the candidate to complete the curriculum. The School 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 apply online through the American Association of Colleges of Podiatric Medicine (AACPM) at http://portal.aacpmas.org
To initiate the competitive selection process, applicants must submit the following directly to AACPMAS:
- A completed Application for Admission form (a non-refundable application fee will be also be due to the AACPM Application Service [AACPMAS]).
- Official transcripts. Applicants must submit official transcripts directly to AACPMAS from every undergraduate, graduate, or professional school that they have attended or are currently attending. These transcripts must be signed and sealed by the registrar at each institution.
- Official MCAT score report.
Application Deadline
The deadline for priority consideration is April 1st of each year. The final application deadline is June 1st.
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, applicant files are reviewed to determine whether applicants merit interviews based on established criteria of the Admissions Committee. The Admissions Director, with the approval of the AZPod Associate Dean and 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.
Applicants who accept interviews will join several other interviewees in a meeting with members of a three-person interview panel, which is selected from a volunteer group of basic scientists, clinicians and admissions department officials. Team members question students about their academic, personal, and health care preparedness for podiatric medical school and rate applicants 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 to place applicants on the alternate list. Recommendations are then forwarded to the CHS Dean for final approval. The Dean, via the Office of Admissions, typically notifies applicants of their status within one or two weeks of their interviews.
Matriculation Process
The matriculation process begins after students receive notification of their acceptance. To complete the matriculation process students must:
- Submit the matriculation agreement and required deposit monies by the date designated in the matriculation agreement. Deposits are applied toward the first quarter's 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. Students who are accepted to MWU less than one month prior to the first day of classes 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 sent to and approved by the Office of the Dean of the College. Students who fail to submit all official final transcripts by the stated deadline may jeopardize their acceptance or continued enrollment in the College.
- Submit completed medical files documenting completion of a physical exam, immunizations, tuberculosis and titer blood testing as instructed by the Office of Student Services and detailed in the Student Handbook.
- Meet the Technical Standards for the Program.
- Submit proof of medical and disability insurance coverage. Students may select either a plan offered by an MWU-approved carrier or a comparable plan offered by an outside carrier of their choice, as determined by the Office of Student Services. Insurance must be maintained throughout the entire period of enrollment.
- Submit additional documents as required by the Office of Admissions or college
- Students who are requesting an I-20 visa or who are not U.S. citizens or permanent residents must prepay tuition and in some cases other mandatory program fees for the entire length of their program at Midwestern University.
- Submit a signed Credit Policy Statement
- Authorize and pass the MWU criminal background check and/or fingerprinting background check as required by the specific college/school/program.
- Submit a signed MWU Drug-Free Workplace and Substance Abuse Policy Statement.
Students who either fail to satisfy the above matriculation requirements or omit or falsify information required on official admissions documents automatically forfeit their seats in the Program. Any individual accepted for admission to the college/program who does not comply with stated time lines for submission of all required materials receives no further notification from the college regarding forfeiture of their seat.
Reapplication Process
After receiving either denial or end-of-cycle letters, prospective students 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
Tuition and Fees
Tuition rates are subject to change each academic year for all enrolled students. Click here for the current Glendale Tuition and Fees.
Transfer Admission Policy
AZPod may elect to accept transfer students from other U.S. podiatric medical schools as long as these students remain 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 to the third- or fourth-year; however, transfers to the second year may be granted.
To be considered for transfer, a student must meet the School's general requirements for admission. They must also submit:
- A letter to the Director of Admissions indicating the reason for requesting 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, including undergraduate, graduate, and professional
- A letter from the dean of the college in which the students are that describes the current academic status and terms of withdrawal or dismissal of prospective transfer students
- Additional documents or letters of recommendation as determined necessary by the Director of Admissions
Following receipt of these materials, the Admissions Committee determines whether the student merits an on-campus interview. Students who receive interview invitations will meet with an interview team. The interview team offers recommendations to the CHS Dean, who approves both the admissions status and class standing of transfer students.
Transfer applications must be received at least three months prior to the desired matriculation date. This allows time for processing of applications, interviews, and student relocations 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
