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Self Assessment
Your preparation for Podiatry programs should continually include assessment of your individual candidacy. Use the Pre-Health Pillars Candidacy Assessment as a guide for your progress and plan to discuss with a Pre-Health Advisor as you go!
Resources:
Pre-Health Pillars Candidacy Assessment
Coursework
Pre-requisite course requirements vary widely by individual school. You should determine specific requirements for individual programs of choice. We encourage you to begin researching individual program requirements as early as possible.
Resources:
The summary below is a list of the most common pre-podiatry requirements.
| Course | Amount | Required for Schools | Needed for MCAT Preparation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Introductory Biology | 2 lectures, 2 labs | Yes | Yes |
| Introductory Chemistry | 2 lectures, 2 labs | Yes | Yes |
| Organic Chemistry | 2 lectures, 2 labs | Yes | Yes |
| Introductory Physics | 2 lectures, 2 labs | Yes | Yes |
| English / Writing Composition | 2 courses | Yes | Yes |
| Biochemistry | 1 course | Recommended | Yes |
| Immunology | 1 course | Recommended | No |
| Microbiology | 1 course | Recommended | No |
| Genetics | 1 course | Recommended | Recommended |
| Anatomy and Physiology | 2 courses | Recommended | No |
| Histology | 1 course | Recommended | No |
| Zoology | 1 course | Recommended | No |
Dependent upon your academic home at UVA (College or School), specific course options to fulfill these requirements vary.
AP Credit
Programs vary on whether they accept Advanced Placement (AP) credit as completion of a prerequisite requirement.
- You should complete lab courses for science coursework if UVA did not award lab credit for your AP science coursework.
- Many programs that accept AP credit require you to supplement that credit by completing an equal number of hours in the same discipline at the university level.
- Some students choose to retake science coursework they received AP credit for to prepare them for upper level coursework, as well as for entrance exams.
Dual Enrollment
Provided you earned a C or better in your dual enrollment coursework, you can receive credit for the purpose of health professional program admission requirements. We encourage you to complete upper level coursework in the science disciplines to supplement dual enrollment credit.
Opportunities for Engagement
Engagement within the field of podiatry will not only help you continue to explore and confirm your interest in the profession, but also demonstrate a commitment to serving others. We encourage you to review the sampling of opportunities below, as well as self-initiate opportunities of your own!
- Madison House Volunteer Programs
- Charlottesville Free Clinic
- UVA Medical Center Scribe Program
- Charlottesville-Albemarle Rescue Squad (CARS)
- Western Albemarle Rescue Squad (WARS)
- Podiatry School Undergraduate Internship Programs:
- AACPM Footfest Conferences
- AACPM Contact a Podiatry Mentor
Find additional health-related opportunities for engagement on the clinical opportunities page
Student Organizations
Getting involved in a student organization is a great way to network with peers who have similar interests, access resources such as programs, speakers, and shadowing opportunities, as well as gain leadership and teamwork skills. Whether you select an organization directly related to podiatry or not, we encourage you to review these organizations and participate.
- Alpha Epsilon Delta PreHealth Honor Society (AED)
- American Medical Student Association (AMSA)
- Daniel Hale Williams Pre-Medical Society (DHW)
- Women in Medicine Initiatives (WIMI)
Find additional health-related UVA student organizations on the clinical opportunities page
*Although these organizations have members who are University of Virginia students and may have University employees associated or engaged in their activities and affairs, these organizations are not a part of or an agency of the University. They are separate and independent organizations, which are responsible for and manage their own activities and affairs. The University does not direct, supervise, or control these organizations and is not responsible for the organizations' contracts, acts, or omissions.
