The problems that we face as a profession is indeed the same as any other. You must remember the history of podiatry when it was still called chiropody in the US. We didn't have surgical privledges , etc. I have full admitting privledges at our local hospitals, which was unheard of 30 years ago. Our profession has made leaps and bounds in recent years. Concerning the admission requirements, when I applied to podiatry school, you had to take the MCAT. Go ahead and apply to podiatry school, you will find the process much like medical school application.

I am shocked at your assumption that podiatry as not "carved out a niche yet"? We have carved out a niche that no other physician wants to tackle, treating ulcers, diabetic foot complications and doing foot surgery better than most any other 'specialist' in the field of foot and ankle surgery. Don't kid yourself, most orthopods, vascular surgeons and FP's look at foot surgery and the treatment of diabetic foot complications as something they can hand over to podiatrists because they know we are more skilled and have real life case experience to handle it. Sure there are cross-overs to every profession. Let's see where do I start:

1. I treat warts, so does the dermatologist and pediatrician. But if there is a complication, they will send it to the podiatrist.
2. I treat ulcers and infections , so does the internest, orthopedist , nephrologist and endocrinologist. But in reality, most if not all doctors in the real world, send these complicated patients to the podiatrist.
3. I treat bunions and hammertoes and so does the orthopedist. But, in the real world, most orthopedists look at foot deformities as a head-ache and would rather send that patient to the podiatrist who has more case experience to correct the problem. That way he can concentrate on reconstructing knees, hips and shoulders that pay a hell of a lot more than any foot surgery, with half the complications.
4. I treat back pain and knee pain, leg swelling, peripheral vascular disease, and so does the chiropractor , vascular surgeon , FB and orthopedist. We all share in the treatment of these conditions, but I know when to send my patients to the more qualified doctor when it is needed.

Get the picture?

Massive student loan debts you say? Well, look at the average cost of going to medical school in general. When I went to Temple Medical School in 1988, the average cost capped at $18,000/yr (including living expenses, etc). The cost to go to Jefferson Medical School in the same years was $25,000. Go figure? I got out of debt within 3 years of practice paying off my 100,000 loan AND my wifes! Go figure?

You say "MD/DOs, DDS, PA/NPs all have loan repayment programs--not podiatry." That is just plain untrue, and a statement without any fact what so ever.

"We tried many years ago to initiate change, however, this profession sometimes enjoys the status quo mentality, "we went through it, so can they mentality." As usual, nothing was done. And it we are correct, nothing has still been done after much note writing, phone calls, and speaking with 'leaders" in the profession."

REALLY? You sound like someone who doesn't really understand the profession or medicine in general.

"Not one pod I know works only 40-50 hours a week, yet the schools entice and purport this falsehood. No beepers? what? To practice any doctoral clinical specialty requires blood and sweat and 24/7 mentality and workload at times; not no beeper, and 40 h/week that is what the PR podiatric school firms may drum up but it is incorrect and misleading to potential students and applicants."

I'm not really sure what your getting at with that statement? What does carrying a beeper and working 40-50 hours per week have to do with anything? I have yet to see any evidence of any podiatry school advertising "no beepers and a 40 hour work week?