The Future of Applications to Podiatric Medical School in the United States-2024.

Abstract

Background: The number of applications to podiatric medical schools in the United States continues to fall. There are many reasons for this decline, and this article attempts an impartial look at some of the forces at play in potentially affecting students' decisions to apply to podiatric medical school in the first place.

Methods: I reviewed the existing literature on the current state of the podiatric medical profession in the United States, with attention to enrollment rates in podiatric medical schools during the past decade.

Results: There are limited definitive data, and those displayed herein come from the American Association of Colleges of Podiatric Medicine and other organizations. The data suggest a steady decline in applicants to US podiatric medical schools during the past decade.

Conclusions: The reasons for this decline are multifactorial and include problems extrinsic to the profession, such as a declining US birth rate, as well as problems within the profession, most of which are now easily discoverable through Internet searches and research. The issue of lack of plenary licensure, the inconsistent salary data, and in-fighting among the various boards that exist within the profession seem to be major factors that may be perceived as negative influences in choosing a career in podiatric medicine.