GPA's, GRE's, XTRA's, ACCEPTANCES!!! Those with low scores please post too!

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Hey! I have no idea where I stand, and would love some honest feedback about what my chances are this wave:)
Undergrad: Texas A&M University
Major: Biomedical Science
Minor: Psychology
cGPA: 3.55
preq GPA: 3.6- 3.75 (depending on the school)
GRE: 158 Q, 156 V, 5 AW

Obs hours: 550 as an outpatient tech, 40 inpatient acute, 40 home health, (20 orthopedic surgery)
Volunteer: 600 hours working with underserved kiddos, and 100+ working in other capacities (building medical units etc...)
LOR: 2 DPT's, 1 Anatomy professor
EC: leadership positions in a few on campus service orgs and one off campus service org, Intramural vb, job at Panera freshman year
Honors: a merit based scholarship from Texas Resources every year, and Dean's list

Schools: Texas State, TWU, UNT, Angelo State, UTMB, UTHSCSA, Texas Tech

PTCAS completed: 7/17, verified: 8/7

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Youll get in easily, but you already knew that.
 
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Hey! I have no idea where how my application looks and would love some honest feedback about what my chances are. I am currently going into my junior year and applied to Stockton's 3+3 program that what why it is the only school I am applying to this wave.

University: Stockton University
Major:Biology(Pre-Physical Therapy)
Overall GPA:3.89
Pre-Req GPA:3.95
GRE: V:147 Q:150 A: 4.0

Extra-Curric: Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society, Organic Chemistry Club, Pre-Physical Therapy Club, Global Health Team, President's List all 3 years, Dean's List all 3 Years

Volunteer:2100 (outpatient orthopedic clinic) as a PT Aide
18(inpatient subacute rehab facility)

LOR: 2 PT (both who i worked with as a Aide)
2 Professors ( Gen Chem professor and Organic Chem professor)
Acceptances:

Rejections:

Applied: Stockton University
 
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Hey! I have no idea where I stand, and would love some honest feedback about what my chances are this wave:)
Undergrad: Texas A&M University
Major: Biomedical Science
Minor: Psychology
cGPA: 3.55
preq GPA: 3.6- 3.75 (depending on the school)
GRE: 158 Q, 156 V, 5 AW

Obs hours: 550 as an outpatient tech, 40 inpatient acute, 40 home health, (20 orthopedic surgery)
Volunteer: 600 hours working with underserved kiddos, and 100+ working in other capacities (building medical units etc...)
LOR: 2 DPT's, 1 Anatomy professor
EC: leadership positions in a few on campus service orgs and one off campus service org, Intramural vb, job at Panera freshman year
Honors: a merit based scholarship from Texas Resources every year, and Dean's list

Schools: Texas State, TWU, UNT, Angelo State, UTMB, UTHSCSA, Texas Tech

PTCAS completed: 7/17, verified: 8/7


I haven’t heard back either. I submitted my app thru ptcas on 7/19 and was verified on 08/03! Goodluck!




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Hi all! I know many of you are applying ED right now, but I applied regular admission and I have heard back from a couple of schools already and thought I would join in on the fun here.

University: University of St. Thomas (MN)
Major: Exercise Science
Overall GPA: 3.79 (undergrad alone: 3.89)
Pre-Req GPA: ~3.55 or higher depending on the school
GRE: 154 V, 160 Q, 5.0 AW

Extracurriculars: Catholic Medical Association, Dean's List every semester (3 years), Concert Choir, Festival Choir, St. Paul's Outreach, and 6 years volunteering on missions trips.

Observation hours: 103 outpatient, 2 inpatient in 6 different settings. 44 of the hours were done volunteering as a PT Tech.

LOR: 2 from PT's. One I have known since I was a child and the other from a shadowing experience.
2 from professors. One is my advisor and the other I have taken numerous courses from.

Applied: University of Minnesota, St. Catherine University, Mayo Clinic, Concordia (MN), Marquette, University of Illinois at Chicago, Northwestern University, University of Iowa.

Accepted: St. Catherine University

Interviews: Mayo Clinic (9/14)

Waitlisted: University of Minnesota

Rejected: N/A


Good luck to everyone applying this cycle!!
 
Welp, I thought I had a decent PTCAS application going, but then I stumbled onto this forum lol. Tell me how likely or unlikely I am to get at least an interview with this.

*Second time applying

Undergrad: Arizona State University, B.S. in Kinesiology (Dec. 2016)

cGPA: 3.30
Pre-req GPA (rough guess): 3.40-3.55 with Human A&P 2 retaken from a C to an A, and Gen Chem 1 (B-) currently being retaken.

GRE: V:146, Q:153, A: 4.0

Experience: 1500+ hours outpatient
*135 hours from an Internship as a Rehab Tech at a Physical Medicine clinic.
*Approximately 8 months as a PRN OT Tech at an outpatient Hand Therapy clinic.
*Full time outpatient PT Tech since November 2017 with a good combo of ortho, neuro, hand, and geriatric patients.
33 hours of inpatient shadowing (20 acute care, 13 neuro rehab).

Extra-Curricular: Competitive BMX racer, collegiate cyclist for 2 years on scholarship, 1+ years experience as a Mobile Personal Trainer.

LORs: 2 PTs (worked with both as a tech that I built great relationships with), 1 academic advisor, 1 OT that also serves as a supervisor/employer (also worked with as a tech and built a great relationship with).

Strong Personal Statement, at least says my buddy who is an RN.

PTCAS Submitted: 9/3/18
 
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Welp, I thought I had a decent PTCAS application going, but then I stumbled onto this forum lol. Tell me how likely or unlikely I am to get at least an interview with this.

*Second time applying

Undergrad: Arizona State University, B.S. in Kinesiology (Dec. 2016)

cGPA: 3.30
Pre-req GPA (rough guess): 3.40-3.55 with Human A&P 2 retaken from a C to an A, and Gen Chem 1 (B-) currently being retaken.

GRE: V:146, Q:153, A: 4.0

Experience: 1500+ hours outpatient
*135 hours from an Internship as a Rehab Tech at a Physical Medicine clinic.
*Approximately 8 months as a PRN OT Tech at an outpatient Hand Therapy clinic.
*Full time outpatient PT Tech since November 2017 with a good combo of ortho, neuro, hand, and geriatric patients.
33 hours of inpatient shadowing (20 acute care, 13 neuro rehab).

Extra-Curricular: Competitive BMX racer, collegiate cyclist for 2 years on scholarship, 1+ years experience as a Mobile Personal Trainer.

LORs: 2 PTs (worked with both as a tech that I built great relationships with), 1 academic advisor, 1 OT that also serves as a supervisor/employer (also worked with as a tech and built a great relationship with).

Strong Personal Statement, at least says my buddy who is an RN.

PTCAS Submitted: 9/3/18
Where are you applying?
 
Officially submitted my applications and very nervous! This is my first time applying, please let me know what you think my chances are as my GRE scores are bad.

Undergrad:
Lehman College
Major: Exercise Science Pre-PT
Overall GPA: 3.83
Pre-Req GPA: 3.81
GRE Scores: Q 151 V 146 AW 4.0
Hours: 1050 outpatient, 500 inpatient
LOR: 2 PT, 1 professor
Experience: Internship in personal training in fat-loss competition and physical education experience in elementary school children.

Applied: Seton Hall, Utica College, SUNY Downstate, Hunter College, College of Staten Island, D'Youville, Nazareth Rochester,
Interviews: Hunter
Acceptances: None
Rejections: None

Will keep you guys updated!! Good luck to everybody!
 
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Posted this to show that even those with lower GPA's still have a shot! Thanks to everyone who contributed. 2nd application cycle:

UPDATE!

University: Texas A&M University

Major: Kinesiology; Psychology Minor

Overall: 3.20
Pre-req: 3.25 - 3.4
GRE: 150Q 154V 4.0

Extracurricular: Undergrad PT club VP, Group Leader - The Big Event - Nations Largest Student-lead Community Improvement Event, Volunteer - Special Olympics

Volunteer Hours: Inpatient (28), Outpatient (84)

LOR's: (1) PT (2) Prof's

Employment: Student Library Assistant, Counselor - After School Program.

Applied: Angelo State University, University of St Augustine for Health Sciences - Texas, Baylor University, University of Texas at El Paso, Arkansas State University, Texas Technological University Health Sciences Center, Marshall University, Indiana State University, Husson University, Chatham University, Franklin Pierce University - NH, Franklin Pierce University - Arizona, Des Moines University - Osteopathic Medical Center, Southwest Baptist University, University of Mary

Note - 1st cycle - got only 6 apps in - waitlisted Marshall, South, Baylor

2nd cycle (above stats):

Interview: St Augustine Austin (9/21/18), Angelo State (11/10)
Waitlist:
Denied:
Accepted: St Augustine Austin Spring 2019 (10/1/18), Southwest Baptist University (11/1/18)
 
Posted this to show that even those with lower GPA's still have a shot! Thanks to everyone who contributed. 2nd application cycle:

UPDATE!

University: Texas A&M University

Major: Kinesiology; Psychology Minor

Overall: 3.20
Pre-req: 3.25 - 3.4
GRE: 150Q 154V 4.0

Extracurricular: Undergrad PT club VP, Group Leader - The Big Event - Nations Largest Student-lead Community Improvement Event, Volunteer - Special Olympics

Volunteer Hours: Inpatient (28), Outpatient (84)

LOR's: (1) PT (2) Prof's

Employment: Student Library Assistant, Counselor - After School Program.

Applied: Angelo State University, University of St Augustine for Health Sciences - Texas, Baylor University, University of Texas at El Paso, Arkansas State University, Texas Technological University Health Sciences Center, Marshall University, Indiana State University, Husson University, Chatham University, Franklin Pierce University - NH, Franklin Pierce University - Arizona, Des Moines University - Osteopathic Medical Center, Southwest Baptist University, University of Mary

Note - 1st cycle - got only 6 apps in - waitlisted Marshall, South, Baylor

2nd cycle (above stats):

Interview: St Augustine Austin (9/21/18), Angelo State (11/10)
Waitlist:
Denied:
Accepted: St Augustine Austin Spring 2019 (10/1/18), Southwest Baptist University (11/1/18)

Congrats on your acceptances! I also applied to Marshall ... have you heard back from them yet?
 
Congrats on your acceptances! I also applied to Marshall ... have you heard back from them yet?
Thanks!

No word yet from Marshall. Last year's interview invite came on Dec 12, 2017.
 
Hi so I’m reading everyone’s comments and wanted to share my story. I just received my first acceptance to Samuel Merritt but it wasn’t without hard work and perseverance that got me here.

This year was my 3RD YEAR APPLYING to PT SCHOOL. Applied to around 8-12 schools each year.

My stats were NOT competitive. But I made myself stand out by doing non-traditional things that showed my commitment to the profession.

Overall GPA: 3.3
Pre-Req (after retaking courses the last 3 yrs): ~3.5-3.7 depending on the school

GRE: Took a TOTAL OF 5x!! (I suck at standardized testing and my last one was still garbage)
141v, 144q, 4.0a - 1st
144v, 143q, 4.0a - 2nd
146v, 144q, 4.5a - 3rd
151v, 144q, 4.5a- 4th
146v, 145q, 5.0a -5th

I pretty much just ended there because I was putting in waaaay too much money into this exam...but I was persistent!! I think I only reported my last 2 exams because these were my highest in terms of individual scores and some schools super score GRE.

1000+ hrs of observation/volunteered/paid work in different PT settings

I have worked 2 jobs for the past 2 yrs and have made to do outside extracurricular plus classes and GRE. This year was the turning point where I joined online courses (out of my own pocket) that would help me become a better applicant and PT in the future - and no im not talking about getting a certification as a trainer, even though it’s still a goal of mine to get my CSCS eventually!

I joined Pre-PT grind on FB and got involved in their program where I was mentored by PTs on how to get into PT school. With this, it opened up opportunities for me to NETWORK and get involved in innovating ways such as writing blogs for them, for newgradpt, working with PTs and building their social media, etc. Also going to a conference at the end of May in FLORIDA called SSPT that helps PTs build their own businesses and learn to market themselves to their desired niche.

Everything I learned this year I feel has really contributed to my acceptance! I also learned so much about myself and was able to pour my heart and soul and ASSURENESS of myself into all the essays I had to write. SMU admissions even told me that they loved my essays, so don’t sleep on the importance of this component of the application!!

If you’re still reading this, my whole point is that if you really love the profession, you will do WHATEVER it takes to get there, no matter HOW LONG and WHOEVER says you CAN’T.

If I can make it, so can YOU!!! Just show the admissions who you are and the right school will fall in love with you and recognize your hard work. If you do get rejected or waitlist, don’t be discouraged because just remember there is ALWAYS room to improve on yourself internally and externally!

If you have questions for me or want to know more specifics of my story, send me a message and I’m willing to help you if you really want it! I’ll send you to my FB/insta if you want to communicate through there.

GOOD LUCK EVERYONE, I BELIEVE IN YOU!! ❤️
 
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So I figured that I should share my story, since I graduated with a cGPA of 2.81 and managed to get into a top ten school. It's a bit of a long read so Tl;dr at the bottom.

I graduated back in 2016 with a cGPA of 2.81. This was due to the fact that I was originally pursuing dentistry, but I wasn't passionate about it thus I wasn't really trying when it came to my coursework.

I had an epiphany after I graduated and I reflected back on what truly made me happy during my undergrad career. During those years I ran a fitness club (which I was the founding father of) and taught dozens and dozens of people the fundamentals of weightlifting. This club was quite successful, and at its peak I had over 150+ people in it! Since I realized that I wholeheartedly enjoyed working with people on a one-on-one basis, monitoring their progress, and encouraging them; I decided to pursue a career in which I would work with people in such a way. So I shadowed both PT's and personal trainers and ultimately decided on physical therapy.

I knew my cGPA was laughable, and that I didn't have much of a chance of getting accepted to PT school with a sub 3.0 cGPA. So for two years I retook most of my prerequisite courses and aimed for grades of no less than an A. Seriously, this is what you have to do with a subpar GPA. You have to prove to adcom that you have what it takes to thrive in PT school. You cannot settle for a B, not even an A-.

And that's what I did. For two years I retook many prereqs and earned straight A's. During that time I shadowed PTs in both inpatient and outpatient. I had about 100+ hours by the time I applied.

For employment, I work with people with developmental disabilities and so I gained even more experience in working with people. This job helped me acquire the ability to communicate with people who are non-verbal. A useful skill to have as a future Physical Therapist.

In regards to the GRE, I studied my butt of for the verbal section; and in the end I must've learned about 800 new vocabulary words. Unfortunately I think I focused too much on this section, as I didn't really grasp the math. Fortunately, my verbal score was somewhat able to overshadow my quantitative score.

When it was time for me to apply, I knew that I had to be strategic and only apply to schools that I had the best chance of being accepted to. So instead of shotgunning it and applying to 10+ schools, I limited my applications to 3 schools. MGH IHP, Shenandoah University, and The University of New England. These programs focus more on your prereq GPA and also take the highest grade (as opposed to most programs that average retaken courses.)

I made sure to make the strongest personal statement essay + school specific essays that I could. I must've worked on these for over 3 weeks straight. I emphasized my leadership abilities, my interpersonal skills, and my ability to work with a diverse group. I made sure to focus on my fitness club and my current field of work. After reading my essays, you could literally feel my passion emanating from the page. I believe these essays, coupled with my flawless postbacc work, was the reason I got accepted to PT school.

So here are the stats that got me into PT school:

cGPA: 3.03 (after 2 years of retaking courses.)
pGPA: 3.70-3.80
GRE: 157 V, 148 Q, 4.0 AWA
Extracurriculars: Founding father of my UNI's first fitness club. Taught many people the fundamentals of weightlifting. Worked at the Women's Resource Center at my UNI. Work with people with developmental disabilities for over 3 years.
Volunteer Hours: 50+ hours at acute inpatient. 50+ hours in outpatient.
Certification: CPR and AED.
Applied: MGH IHP, Shenandoah University, University of New England
Interview/Open House: MGH IHP (12/1), Shenandoah University (12/18)
Acceptance: MGH IHP (12/17)
Waitlist: Shenandoah University (12/20)

Attending: MGH IHP with scholarship!!!!!! :soexcited::banana:

So there you have it. Don't let your cGPA discourage you. As long as you're diligent and can make your application stand out against competition, you too can get accepted to physical therapy school! :)

Tl;dr: Had low cGPA in 2016. Retook most prereqs. Applied only to schools that considered pGPA and took the highest grade for retakes. Made sure to get relevant experience and highlight it in my essays. Got accepted with scholarship to a top ten program.

EDIT. Grammar and typos.
 
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I’m here to offer hope to anyone applying in future cycles who scoured these message boards like I did for any stories that would give me a glimmer of encouragement cause seriously I thought I had no hope of even getting into a school.

Summary Stats/Results: 3.0 cGPA/low pGPA and got into/interviews/waitlisted at: Columbia, UCSF, Northwestern, MGH, etc.


Graduated in 2015 w/ a cGPA of 2.82. I was pursuing PA, didn’t really like it, and spent my time building a volunteer organization. I had 3 years off w/ 2.5 years retaking classes. 1st year I was still pursuing PA and got grades in the A-/B+ range for about 10 classes. I was told by an advisor to not retake pre-reqs but rather “higher versions” of a class. Bad idea. RETAKE YOUR PREREQUISITES! Once I decided on PT I got straight A’s (about 10 classes worth). I already wasted a bunch of time though so the only prerequisites I got to retake were Physics 1 and Chem 1.

——————————————————————————

cGPA: 3.04
pGPA: 2.92-3.3
GRE: 159 V, 162 Q, 4.0 AWA (I studied for about a month while taking a light course load, didn’t do as well as I would have liked cause I was super sick on the day of the test and spent half the time wanting water and the other half wanting to pee)
Extracurriculars in College: Founded first west-coast collegiate branch of the world’s largest service organization Lions Club International (4 years and awarded President’s Volunteer Service Award), 2 years in student run clinic (officer in my last year), 2 one-week medical mission trips, ~6 months volunteering at a medical center (4-6 hrs/wk), 1 year volunteering at hospital(4-6 hrs/wk), misc things (2 jobs about 7 months each, Entertainment Council, Photography Club)
Extracurriculars after College: 2 years as a health coach at low-income clinic (10-20hrs/week), 3 years as shift coordinator at non-profit holistic health clinic (4-5 hrs/month), Peer Advisor for PA & PT (2 years), TA for Psych Professor (1 year), Rehab Tech (8 months)
PT Volunteer Hours: 4 hrs outpatient dance clinic, ~700 hrs rehab tech at SNF (paid), ~100 hrs at outpatient orthopedic, ~70 hrs at outpatient pediatrics
Certification: BLS

------------------------

Applied: So damn many. I didn’t think I’d get in anywhere so I applied to soooooooo many places. And it was not necessary.
-Briar Cliff, AT Still, Northwestern, Rocky Mountain University, Columbia, Augusta University, UCSF/SFSU, Mount Saint Mary’s, Samuel Merritt, University of Mary, Touro College, CSU Northridge, Touro University Nevada, University of Rhode Island, University of Saint Mary, MGH Institute, Creighton University, Mount St. Joseph University, CSU Fresno, Chapman University, Mercy College, Rosalind Franklin, Hunter College

Offered Interviews that I Accepted : Augusta University (10/19), University of Mary (10/24), Columbia (11/2), UCSF (2/1)
Offered Interview but I Declined: University of St. Mary, Mt. St. Joseph, University of Rhode Island, AT Still, Mercy College

Accepted: Columbia (11/5), Touro University Nevada (11/20), Augusta University (12/3), Samuel Merritt (12/13), MGH Institute (12/17)
Waitlist: Northwestern (11/30), University of Mary (10/24-my online interview was plagued by bad internet connection, I didn’t expect much)
Rejected: Creighton University, Rocky Mountain University, CSU Fresno, Hunter College

As of now I've chosen Columbia which was my top pick along with Samuel Merritt & Augusta. I am giving UCSF a look though since I never got to visit.

——————————————————————————

Every school counselor I met with except 1 said I wouldn’t get into school period. I met the Program Directors of both Columbia and Northwestern when I was about 1.5-2 years after graduating (when my grades were already quite a bit better) and explained my grade situation. Both were really sweet but told me I basically had no chance with my grades. They even went as far as offering other school suggestions. But I can now say I was accepted into one and waitlisted in the other and I applied to both.

My biggest tips:
1) Retake prereqs
2) Do well on your GRE (they say it doesn’t super matter but if you have low grades it seems like they use it as a basic “are you somewhat academically competent” meter.
3) Blow them away with your personal statement: I had my idea done within a few days but spent 2 months perfecting it. I strongly believe my essays were a huge contributing factor to my acceptances.
4) Make sure your letters of ref stand out. Talk to the people who are writing your letters about what each school is looking for. I even typed up lists of things I did w/ that advisor that demonstrated those traits. It’s nerve-wracking and I’m not a very self-promoting person, but trust they want the best for you and you can word it as “I’m applying for __school name___. They like applicants that exhibit __traits____. Here’s some examples of when I believe I demonstrated __traits______. If you are comfortable, can you work it in?”

Most importantly DON’T GIVE UP! I seriously never thought I’d get into a single school versus multiple top ranking schools. My TLDR moral is: don’t bother applying to a butt ton of school just cause your GPA is low/you have more hope than you think + apply to schools even if you think you’re not gonna get in. Good luck future PT’s! I really hope this offers some hope to people out there.
 
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I’m here to offer hope to anyone applying in future cycles who scoured these message boards like I did for any stories that would give me a glimmer of encouragement cause seriously I thought I had no hope of even getting into a school.

Summary Stats/Results: 3.0 cGPA/low pGPA and got into/interviews/waitlisted at: Columbia, UCSF, Northwestern, MGH, etc.


Graduated in 2015 w/ a cGPA of 2.82. I was pursuing PA, didn’t really like it, and spent my time building a volunteer organization. I had 3 years off w/ 2.5 years retaking classes. 1st year I was still pursuing PA and got grades in the A-/B+ range for about 10 classes. I was told by an advisor to not retake pre-reqs but rather “higher versions” of a class. Bad idea. RETAKE YOUR PREREQUISITES! Once I decided on PT I got straight A’s (about 10 classes worth). I already wasted a bunch of time though so the only prerequisites I got to retake were Physics 1 and Chem 1.

——————————————————————————

cGPA: 3.04
pGPA: 2.92-3.3
GRE: 159 V, 162 Q, 4.0 AWA (I studied for about a month while taking a light course load, didn’t do as well as I would have liked cause I was super sick on the day of the test and spent half the time wanting water and the other half wanting to pee)
Extracurriculars in College: Founded first west-coast collegiate branch of the world’s largest service organization Lions Club International (4 years and awarded President’s Volunteer Service Award), 2 years in student run clinic (officer in my last year), 2 one-week medical mission trips, ~6 months volunteering at a medical center (4-6 hrs/wk), 1 year volunteering at hospital(4-6 hrs/wk), misc things (2 jobs about 7 months each, Entertainment Council, Photography Club)
Extracurriculars after College: 2 years as a health coach at low-income clinic (10-20hrs/week), 3 years as shift coordinator at non-profit holistic health clinic (4-5 hrs/month), Peer Advisor for PA & PT (2 years), TA for Psych Professor (1 year), Rehab Tech (8 months)
PT Volunteer Hours: 4 hrs outpatient dance clinic, ~700 hrs rehab tech at SNF (paid), ~100 hrs at outpatient orthopedic, ~70 hrs at outpatient pediatrics
Certification: BLS

------------------------

Applied: So damn many. I didn’t think I’d get in anywhere so I applied to soooooooo many places. And it was not necessary.
-Briar Cliff, AT Still, Northwestern, Rocky Mountain University, Columbia, Augusta University, UCSF/SFSU, Mount Saint Mary’s, Samuel Merritt, University of Mary, Touro College, CSU Northridge, Touro University Nevada, University of Rhode Island, University of Saint Mary, MGH Institute, Creighton University, Mount St. Joseph University, CSU Fresno, Chapman University, Mercy College, Rosalind Franklin, Hunter College

Offered Interviews that I Accepted : Augusta University (10/19), University of Mary (10/24), Columbia (11/2), UCSF (2/1)
Offered Interview but I Declined: University of St. Mary, Mt. St. Joseph, University of Rhode Island, AT Still, Mercy College

Accepted: Columbia (11/5), Touro University Nevada (11/20), Augusta University (12/3), Samuel Merritt (12/13), MGH Institute (12/17)
Waitlist: Northwestern (11/30), University of Mary (10/24-my online interview was plagued by bad internet connection, I didn’t expect much)
Rejected: Creighton University, Rocky Mountain University, CSU Fresno, Hunter College

As of now I've chosen Columbia which was my top pick along with Samuel Merritt & Augusta. I am giving UCSF a look though since I never got to visit.

——————————————————————————

Every school counselor I met with except 1 said I wouldn’t get into school period. I met the Program Directors of both Columbia and Northwestern when I was about 1.5-2 years after graduating (when my grades were already quite a bit better) and explained my grade situation. Both were really sweet but told me I basically had no chance with my grades. They even went as far as offering other school suggestions. But I can now say I was accepted into one and waitlisted in the other and I applied to both.

My biggest tips:
1) Retake prereqs
2) Do well on your GRE (they say it doesn’t super matter but if you have low grades it seems like they use it as a basic “are you somewhat academically competent” meter.
3) Blow them away with your personal statement: I had my idea done within a few days but spent 2 months perfecting it. I strongly believe my essays were a huge contributing factor to my acceptances.
4) Make sure your letters of ref stand out. Talk to the people who are writing your letters about what each school is looking for. I even typed up lists of things I did w/ that advisor that demonstrated those traits. It’s nerve-wracking and I’m not a very self-promoting person, but trust they want the best for you and you can word it as “I’m applying for __school name___. They like applicants that exhibit __traits____. Here’s some examples of when I believe I demonstrated __traits______. If you are comfortable, can you work it in?”

Most importantly DON’T GIVE UP! I seriously never thought I’d get into a single school versus multiple top ranking schools. My TLDR moral is: don’t bother applying to a butt ton of school just cause your GPA is low/you have more hope than you think + apply to schools even if you think you’re not gonna get in. Good luck future PT’s! I really hope this offers some hope to people out there.
Great tips and congrats on your many many amazing acceptances. Good luck, I hope you choose a school you'll love! Did Hunter College offer you an interview?
 
Great tips and congrats on your many many amazing acceptances. Good luck, I hope you choose a school you'll love! Did Hunter College offer you an interview?
Thank you very much! Unfortunately they didn't offer me an interview :( I suspect it's cuz they were my only school that didn't go by PTCAS so by the time I did my application for them I was pretty burnt out and I don't think I did my best work. They also required a letter of evaluation from every place I worked at and unfortunately the person that had to evaluate me at one of my locations didn't seem to like me very much and I'm not sure if she left me a bad evaluation that may have affected my application.
 
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ACCEPTANCE UPDATE WOOOOOO

Major: Exercise Science Pre-PT
Overall GPA: 3.83
Pre-Req GPA: 3.81-3.87
GRE Scores: Q 151 V 146 AW 4.0
Hours: 1050 outpatient, 500 inpatient
LOR: 2 PT, 1 professor

Applied: Seton Hall, Utica College, SUNY Downstate, Hunter College, College of Staten Island, D'Youville, Nazareth Rochester,
Interviews: Hunter College (11/13), Nazareth (Declined), College of Staten Island (11/29), Utica College (Declined), SUNY Downstate (12/27)
Acceptances: SUNY Downstate (01/09)
Rejections:
CSI (12/19)

I honestly thought I wouldn't get into school this cycle as my GRE scores were extremely low, especially one that is in my top list and only 30 mins away. I hope this gives hope to those with low GRE scores-- make sure you have an above average GPA, seriously prepare for the interview, and show that you are dedicated to PT by exposing yourself to PT observations! I can finally go to sleep peacefully now!! Good luck to all!
 
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