YOUR PATH TO PODIATRY STARTS ON THE RIGHT FOOT
If you’re drawn to a career focused on human movement and specialized medical care, podiatry puts you at the forefront of foot and ankle health. Ripon’s pre-podiatry preparation pairs rigorous science coursework with the personal mentorship you need to stand out—and our affiliation with LECOM opens the door to a reserved seat before you’ve even finished your bachelor’s degree.
WHAT PODIATRY SCHOOLS ARE LOOKING FOR
A doctor of podiatric medicine (DPM) specializes in the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of foot disorders, diseases and injuries. Getting into podiatry school takes more than good grades—admissions committees want to see the whole picture.
Here’s what they’re evaluating:
- A strong undergraduate transcript and grade-point average
- Competitive Medical College Admission Test (MCAT) scores
- Four letters of recommendation—one from the Health Professions Advisory
- Committee, two from science faculty, and one from a podiatric physician
- A confident interview
- At least three years of pre-professional education—though more than 90% of entering students hold a full bachelor’s degree
Specific admission requirements vary from school to school, so it’s important to consult the prerequisite courses for any program you’re considering.
BUILD THE RIGHT FOUNDATION*
There’s no single required major for podiatry school, but there is a roadmap—and your advisor will help you follow it from day one.
Your core coursework:
- Biology — 8 credits with lab (BIO 123 plus an additional course)
- General/Inorganic Chemistry — 8 credits with lab (CHM 112 and CHM 211)
- Organic Chemistry — 8 credits with lab (CHM 111 and CHM 214)
- Physics — 8 credits (PHY 131, 152/172)
- English — 4-8 credits (CTL 110 plus an additional course)
Strongly recommended, and required by some programs:
- Anatomy and Physiology (BIO 211 and 312)
- Biochemistry (CHM 422)
- Genetics (BIO 219)
- Microbiology (BIO 314)
- Statistics (MTH 120)
- Psychology (PSC 110) or Sociology (SOC 110)
These are also helpful when preparing for the MCAT.
*Specific admission requirements vary from school to school, and students should plan carefully to ensure their coursework and experience enhance their chances for admission. See the Health Professions section of the Ripon College Course Catalog for more information.
A RESERVED SEAT AT PODIATRY SCHOOL
Imagine knowing you’re headed to podiatry school before you’ve even finished your bachelor’s degree. That’s the power of Ripon’s affiliation with LECOM School of Podiatric Medicine in Erie, PA.
Through the LECOM Early Acceptance Program (EAP), qualified students earn a provisional, reserved seat to pursue a Doctor of Podiatric Medicine (D.P.M.).
How it works:
Apply as early as your senior year of high school, or up through your first or second year at Ripon
What it takes to matriculate:
- Completion of 8 credits in Biology (BIO 211, 312 and 314 recommended), CHM 111, 112, 211, and 214, PHY 131, 152/172, CTL 110, and 4 credits in English—all prerequisites completed with a C or better
- A minimum MCAT score of 490
- A letter of recommendation from the Health Professions Advisory Committee, including two different writers
