Zoom Drop-Ins have updated hours for 2024. Updated: Zoom Drop-Ins will be hosted Wed. 3/20 and Thur. 3/21 of Finals Week.Drop-Ins will be cancelled during Spring Break and resume Week 1 of Spring Quarter (Week of 4/1).

HPA serves all UC Davis students and alumni! HPA is currently operating with a hybrid model. Stay connected on social media for updates. HPA is available via phone, (530) 752 - 6435, and email, healthprofessionsadvising@ucdavis.edu, from Monday - Thursday, 10 am - 5 pm and Friday 10 am - 2 pm. (Updated 3/15)

Victoria DPMVictoria Liew

Major: Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
Graduation Year: 2017

Which school are you attending?

California School of Podiatric Medicine at Samuel Merritt University

What UC Davis extracurriculars did you participate in?

Women’s Rowing, Student run clinics, worked in a lab

How many hours on average did you spend studying for your courses per week?

20.

Did you use a test prep course?

Princeton Review.

What do you consider to be your strengths in your application?

Good grades, personal statement.

Did you apply nationally?

No.

What advice do you have for others?

Find the field you want to do. Just because everyone else is applying for MD/DO programs, doesn’t mean you have to. Decide for yourself what you want for your future – family time, a good work life balance, how many hours in the OR, etc. Always talk to those that are older and have gone thru the program already for advice, but take their advice with a grain of salt and ultimately make your own decisions.


StephKoStephanie Ko

Major: Biological Sciences
Graduation Year: 2012

Which school are you attending?

I’m currently a second year student at the California School of Podiatric Medicine at Samuel Merritt University.

What UC Davis extracurriculars did you participate in?

Pre-Med AMSA and Pre-Health Internships through ICC

How many hours on average did you spend studying for your courses per week?

During my undergraduate studies, I spent an average of about 30 hours a week studying for my courses.

Did you use a test prep course?

I didn’t use a test prep course to prepare for the MCAT. I followed a self-schedule and used the Berkeley Review and Examkrackers books. 

What do you consider to be your strengths in your application?

MCAT, GPA, leadership, community involvement

Did you apply nationally?

I applied to the two California podiatry schools.

What advice do you have for others?

Upon graduating from UC Davis, I had a strong thirst for the sciences and knew I wanted to become a health professional but I wasn’t sure which field I wanted to go into. I took a year off after my undergraduate studies and explored many different health professionals and volunteered in my community. I would recommend prospective students to shadow many different podiatrists and to also find volunteering opportunities in the community. I went on the AACPM website to search for local podiatrists in my area and I was so happy to see how easy it was to set up opportunities to shadow. It’s also a great way to build relationships with the podiatrists and seek advice through them as mentors throughout podiatry school. Feel free to email me with any questions! Here is my email: stephanie.ko@samuelmerritt.edu.


Dara Taeb

Major: Microbiology
Overall GPA: 3.8
Graduation Year: 2012

Which school are you attending?

California School of Podiatric Medicine 

What UC Davis extracurriculars did you participate in?

American Society of Microbiology, UC Davis Chapter

How many hours on average did you spend studying for your courses per week?

7-10 hours

Did you use a test prep course?

No. I began early and organized all my study time to make sure I was efficient. I used books and of course took many practice tests.

What do you consider to be your strengths in your application?

Unique Major 

Did you apply nationally?

No. 

What advice do you have for others?

Planning and organization are some of the most important traits in order to achieve success. However, with all the planning in the world, things happen that our out of our control and you must learn to adapt to the current situation. The road to your goals may change, but the goal itself can always remain the same. Hard work will always pay off, no matter what. 


MeghanTeagueMeghan Teague

Major: Neurobiology, Physiology, and Behavior
Graduation Year: 2013

Which school are you attending?

California School of Podiatric Medicine

What UC Davis extracurriculars did you participate in?

I spent all four years at Davis (and one extra!) playing violin with the UC Davis Symphony Orchestra, three years as a lifeguard and student manager in the Aquatics department of Campus Recreation and Unions, and three years as a research assistant in the Veterinary Orthopedic Research Laboratory at the UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine. I also worked as an EMT and played violin in many productions at Davis Musical Theater Company.

How many hours on average did you spend studying for your courses per week?

I studied about 20 hours per week.

Did you use a test prep course?

I took a Kaplan course at Davis during fall quarter, studied a lot during winter break, and took MCAT in January. I would recommend taking a prep course. It helps you focus your studying and learn skills you will need for the exam.

What do you consider to be your strengths in your application?

My strengths were in my experiences. I was involved in so many different aspects of the community both at UC Davis and in the city of Davis. This included orchestras, aquatics, the emergency response company I worked for, advisory boards, and clubs. Being so heavily involved really enriched the meaning of service for me. I was able to draw from a lot of experiences that collectively directed me into the medical field.

Did you apply nationally?

Yes. I applied to podiatric medical schools in California, Arizona, and Iowa.

What advice do you have for others?

Enjoy yourself and get involved in activities and organizations that interest you, not just something that you think will look good on an application. Your experiences at Davis will be so much more meaningful if you take the time to find things you are passionate about, and this will show on your application and in interviews.