There are 17 schools and colleges of optometry in the United States and Puerto Rico. Students should apply at the earliest possible date, which varies. After individual schools have received an application, they mail supplementary application materials to the applicants in whom they are interested. Competitive applicants are interviewed subsequently. An Early Decision Plan may be available at some schools of optometry.
Podiatry is a surgical specialty and involves very little strictly medical practice.
Procedures of the podiatrist range from clipping toenails to major operations on the foot and ankle, where the podiatrist is akin to the orthopedic surgeon in those areas. Although there are only seven schools of podiatric medicine in the U.S., there is little competition for admission into these schools. Competitive applicants usually have a B average. Applicants should apply at the earliest possible date which may vary from school to school. Competitive applicants are interviewed subsequently.