You can't be serious!

I'll borrow the technique of some by using your post to add my comments.

"Applicant inquiries are increasing again, and those who interested in podiatry from the most recent MCAT also is drastically increasing (up 654%)."

And this information is based on what??? How do they monitor "applicant inquiries"? Even if that dubious number of 654% is correct, what is this based on? From when? As far as I know, the applicant pool is at an all time low and the schools are willing to overlook just about anything that would qualify as criteria.

"In talking to a few school officials it appears that by 2005, we should be back at the 1980's stats of three qualified applicants to per available seat."

This one's funny. Maybe not the funniest statement in the post, but it's right up there. I doubt that the schools will have 3 APPLICANTS for every seat, much less 3 QUALIFIED applicants. How do you think they'll go about this with the current disinterest in health care as a career and a particular disinterest in podiatry as a career??

"With the advent of the baby boomers and increasing physical activity, the podiatrist will not be able to keep up with demand for his/hers services."

I'm thinking that you're a student and you WANT to believe this tripe. I don't blame you. It's best to put the blinders on now and stave off the inevitable for as long as possible. Do you know how long this propaganda has been out there? Ever since I've been in it (a while). If it were true, it would be happening right now.

"Call any frigging podiatrist in town and you can't been seen for 4 months...WHAT DOES THAT TELL YOU?"

Which town? Nowheresville?

"I have friends in surgical residency who are already getting job feelers for mid 6 figures ($150,000 +)."

Good God, tell me where!!!! And this does not entail any organ donation or soul selling??

"The gov't will likely increase medicare reimbursement for podiatry while most all others specialties see a 5.4 % cut."

OK. This one is the funniest statement. Thanks. I needed a good laugh today.

"I also hear that for all those graduates finsihing pod school in 2001 and after, they will be eligible for federal stafford loan forgiveness if they pratice at least 51% primary podiatry medicine. We can still do the triples, etc.. but we do have to do at least half primary podiatry. I think podopediatrics would fit under that, and that is what I plan to do to fulfill my primary pod obligation. It will be nice because I have $65,000 in chiropractic loans, and will have an additonal $180,000 after pod school. Wiping that debt away just for practicing primary podiatry seems like a great deal."

I don't know. This one is making me snicker, chortle and guffaw all at the same time. First off, I think everyone who graduated after 2001 will be practicing "primary podiatric medicine". In fact, pretty much all DPM's do this. A lot of them won't even be practicing. This statement is so bizzare that I'm beginning to doubt the authenticity of this post.

"Look for news in the APMA News Journal. In general things are good."

Of course the APMA News Journal is going to say things are good in general.

"Alot of the negativity stems from the old timer podiatrists who do not have sound biomechanical training along with surgical experience."

I can't even comment on this without wondering what the Hell you're talking about. How does "sound biomechanical training" help?

"I see podiatry being teh cash cow of the decade, I am telling you, trust me."

Oh. Ok. I'll trust you. With such compelling hogwash (sorry, I mean evidence) I'll be first in line to get the best part of that cow.

"If/When the APMA can force all lower extremity surgical work our way, we will have made it."

First, this will never happen. How do you propose them to do this? Second, this is not the problem with podiatry.

"I think you are gonna see orhtopodic surgey cave when it comes to foot and ankle surgery."

Yeah, I can hear them cowering in the corner as I read.

"we just plain do it better."

Well, that is true.

"DOn't think managed care orgs, etc.. don't see that."

And you're under the false impression that they give a rat's buttock whether or not we're the best.

I love reading this stuff. Keep it up!