Sole Purpose 59
Canceled Plans, New Purpose: My Personal Statement and Journey to Podiatry School

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My original plan after graduating college was to join the Peace Corps. I had completed all my interviews and accepted a two-year assignment in Costa Rica, where I would be teaching Spanish language and grammar at a local school and studying infectious disease at a nearby rural hospital. I had always known I wanted to pursue podiatry and had planned to submit my application before leaving, so I could matriculate when I returned. I graduated undergrad with a double major in Spanish Language and Culture and Biomedical Studies, with all the prerequisites for podiatric medical school already completed.

But then came the curveball: I graduated college in May 2020—right at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic. Just one week before my scheduled departure, the Peace Corps canceled all deployments. I suddenly found myself back home, attending my graduation online in my parents’ living room, with no clear next step.

I started podiatric medical school just a few months later, in August 2020. I have since graduated podiatric medical school and I am now finishing up my first year of residency as podiatric medicine and surgery resident.

Unlike traditional medical school, the podiatric medical school application remains open from August through June. So, on a whim—and very last minute—I applied in May 2020. I’m grateful every day that I did. Costa Rica would have been an amazing adventure, but I truly believe everything worked out exactly as it was meant to. I started podiatric medical school just a few months later, in August 2020.

I wanted to write today’s article to encourage students to still apply—even if it’s late in the cycle. It's easy to second-guess yourself or feel like you've missed your chance, but that couldn't be further from the truth. In this post, I’ll be sharing my personal statement, along with insights into why I wrote it the way I did and what I might do differently if I were writing it now. My reflections will be included in another color to help distinguish them from the original statement.

(This was the prompt when I applied) Prompt - State below why you are interested in becoming a Doctor of Podiatric Medicine. Provide information about your development for a career in Podiatric Medicine. Your essay should be limited to 4500 characters.

Feet are gross. Especially my feet. I’ve been a competitive runner since the age of 6; I have become intimately familiar with every bump, bruise, and callus on each foot. Running has caused me to have a fascination with how my feet can carry me through so many miles and, at the same time, cause so much pain. (I wanted this opening to show how much I value podiatric medicine and how I have personal experience with knowing the importance and value of our feet). As a runner, I’ve always been told by medical professionals that my feet were “just going to hurt,” a statement that has always frustrated me. I never saw a clear correlation as to why running, an activity that millions of people do every day, was a complete diagnosis for why I felt pain (This shows a long-term connection to podiatric medicine).

Whether it was at home or practice, I was taught the importance of grit. This served me well in all areas of life and especially in my quest for answers about my feet. Throughout middle and high school, I read books on the mechanics of running, sports medicine, injuries and I even studied my mother’s anatomy and physiology textbook. (I wanted this to show how detail orientated I am and my love of learning). This search for answers nurtured my passion for medicine as early as age 15, when I began a glorified coffee retriever internship at Midcity clinic, an opportunity that I embraced with a goofy, excited smile every day until my high school graduation. (This detail came up in several of my podiatric medical school interviews—many interviewers commented on how impressed they were that I had already begun working toward my goals at just 15 years old). I worked knowing that once the doctor finished up charts, I could ask as many questions as the remainder of my shift allotted. I adored observing the doctor answer patients' questions and apply their vast knowledge to solve whatever problem was presented. (I talked about this to show my passion for medicine, again, love of learning and drive to learn).

It was no shock when I began college and committed to running for UCCS and declared myself premed (Being an athlete is something important to me and I wanted to show how much it has taught me). Grit was our team's mantra, and I was pushed academically and physically every day that I was on the team. I hadn’t truly known grit until I ran what would be my last college race at the end of my sophomore year. I remember the thrill of each turn and how the strain in my legs made me want to push harder, all while a pain in my foot began to grow. I remember sprinting to the finish and feeling like something was wrong, like my foot was being smashed by a hammer with each step. I ignored the pain; I gave myself 5 minutes of disappointment in my performance (I wanted this to show how I can bounce back from a failure) and then left for my cool down with a slight limp but smiling once again. When I returned, I could hardly put pressure on my foot, as it turned out I had been running for the last couple months on 3 stress fractures that had caused my 3rd and 4th metatarsals to break completely.

The team doctor told me it was normal, put me in a cast for 6 weeks and then was perplexed when 6 weeks later I showed 2 new stress fractures. He referred me to an orthopedic surgeon who told me it was normal and re-casted me for another 6 weeks. This cycle went on for a total of 6 months. I painted flowers all over my cast, did cross training workouts, crutched a 5k completely non weight bearing and spoke all the positivity into the world that I could muster (I wanted this to show the type of person I am, how I approach a challenge and work through it).

This all was done in an attempt to convince myself that it would eventually end, and I would heal. After 6 months of being told it was "normal” to have a seemingly forever broken foot, my orthopedist recommended that I get screws put into my foot. I discovered podiatry while watching videos of my potential surgery. I asked my doctor for one more second opinion and saw a podiatrist that he recommended. My podiatrist was the first healthcare professional in those 6 months who made me feel like I was being heard and cared for. My podiatrist, who herself was a college athlete, noticed that despite my low normal BMI, healthy diet, and daily exercise that I am diabetic. Her close attention to my medical history caused her to deduce that I needed to get my bone density tested and it was discovered that I was suffering from osteopenia. My bones would have never held a screw if they put one in. She listened to my concerns, examined me holistically and eventually helped me get into a walking boot and after months of PT, running shoes (I wanted this to show my personal positive interaction with podiatry and that I understood the role of podiatry in the healthcare setting).

I believe that grit is the manifestation of passion that helps someone get through a seemingly impossible task. (connects back to theme of grit) I want to have that same grit that I had after my last race and, just as my podiatrist did, use it to make patients feel truly heard and to stop them from being put through painful cycles of denial. Being a college athlete was a huge part of my life, and now that I am graduated, I want to take the fight that I’ve utilized in races and use it to advocate and help patients. I want to be a podiatrist for the “puzzle” of patients like me and the regularity of patients who just need insoles, bunion removals, diabetic foot checkups, and everything in between (This came up in interviews when asked if I only want to do sports medicine, I wanted to show I want to do all of podiatry). Most people think feet are gross, but I am overwhelmingly grateful for mine and I want to help other people feel that way too.

Things I Think I Did Well:

Things I Would Do Differently Now:

Conclusion

Looking back, I’m incredibly grateful that I hit “submit” on my application—even if it was later in the cycle than I had planned and not the timing I originally wanted. I am now a proud first year podiatric medicine and surgery resident. Podiatric medicine and surgery have turned out to be the perfect blend of everything I love: patient care, problem-solving, biomechanics, and the chance to make a real difference in people’s daily lives. I’ve found a field where I can channel my passion, resilience, and curiosity into something meaningful. If you’re thinking about applying—even if it feels late or uncertain—I encourage you to go for it. You never know where one decision can lead. For me, it led to the most fulfilling journey I’ve ever been on. I love podiatry and I know you will too.