Acceptance with a 3.3 GPA?

[jtb93]

Hey guys,

Graduating with my BS in Exercise Science this May. I'll be applying for PT schools starting this summer. In the beginning of my college career, I didn't take my education all that seriuosly and didn't get the grades I wish I would've gotten. Once in my Exercise Science program, I motivated myself a lot more and my grades improved. I'm expecting my final cumulative GPA to be 3.3. The schools where I'm applying (in Wisconsin) all have a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0, but the average GPA is roughly 3.5. My advisor doesn't think I should have much of a problem, but since the time is coming up to apply, I'm starting to get nervous.

I was told an above average score on the GRE can trump a high GPA but I'm not sure the validity on this. Most of the schools I'm applying to only need 40 observation hours, but I intend to have well over 100. Guess I'm looking for recommendations how else I can make my application stand out more with a more baseline GPA (3.3).

Thank you.

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[mark_93]

Hey guys,

Graduating with my BS in Exercise Science this May. I'll be applying for PT schools starting this summer. In the beginning of my college career, I didn't take my education all that seriuosly and didn't get the grades I wish I would've gotten. Once in my Exercise Science program, I motivated myself a lot more and my grades improved. I'm expecting my final cumulative GPA to be 3.3. The schools where I'm applying (in Wisconsin) all have a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0, but the average GPA is roughly 3.5. My advisor doesn't think I should have much of a problem, but since the time is coming up to apply, I'm starting to get nervous.

I was told an above average score on the GRE can trump a high GPA but I'm not sure the validity on this. Most of the schools I'm applying to only need 40 observation hours, but I intend to have well over 100. Guess I'm looking for recommendations how else I can make my application stand out more with a more baseline GPA (3.3).

Thank you.

I've recently got into school with a mediocre GPA and mediocre GRE, but the one thing I had that was not mediocre was experience and connections who wrote exceptional letters of recommendations. Don't complete your observations by counting the hours. See if you can land an internship (like how I did). I got 400 hours inpatient and then graduated and started working full time outpatient working in 5 different offices. Within each office is about 4 PTs. Do the math, that's a lot of experience with different PTs who all practice their skills differently. Watch and learn. It will help get you an interview and your passion will show during the interview


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[turtlot]

Hi there!

Same as the post above. I recently got accepted into PT school with a 3.3 GPA, mediocre GRE score, and okay letters of recommendation. But I think a few things that separated me from other candidates was my commitment to community service, the number of settings I shadowed in, and leadership experience. I spent a lot of my free time during undergrad volunteering with non-profit organizations (ranging from the ALS Association to food banks), but that goes along with my passion to help others. I've shadowed in 4 different settings and received the opportunity to observe a myriad of patients.

I think you're selling yourself short as well. When the essays come around, make sure to really show your passion for the profession and patients! Some school out there will like you and accept you! Be optimistic 🙂

 

[redrose424]

Hey guys,

Graduating with my BS in Exercise Science this May. I'll be applying for PT schools starting this summer. In the beginning of my college career, I didn't take my education all that seriuosly and didn't get the grades I wish I would've gotten. Once in my Exercise Science program, I motivated myself a lot more and my grades improved. I'm expecting my final cumulative GPA to be 3.3. The schools where I'm applying (in Wisconsin) all have a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0, but the average GPA is roughly 3.5. My advisor doesn't think I should have much of a problem, but since the time is coming up to apply, I'm starting to get nervous.

I was told an above average score on the GRE can trump a high GPA but I'm not sure the validity on this. Most of the schools I'm applying to only need 40 observation hours, but I intend to have well over 100. Guess I'm looking for recommendations how else I can make my application stand out more with a more baseline GPA (3.3).

Thank you.

Agreed with the other posters, variety of settings is more important than mass total of hours. Community service is also useful for making you "stick out" once you get to the interview stage. However, I disagree with the others that shadowing will trump GPA/GRE. I think getting in with a mediocre GPA AND GRE is the exception, not the rule. I'd highly recommend getting a great GRE score because you will vastly increase your chances of getting an interview, THEN in that interview a wide variety of settings and experience will help greatly.

 

[jtb93]

Thanks for the responses. Any suggestions on which GRE prep materials to get? Been told Manhattan Prep is a good way to go, but want to make sure before buying.

 

[redrose424]

Thanks for the responses. Any suggestions on which GRE prep materials to get? Been told Manhattan Prep is a good way to go, but want to make sure before buying.

I used Princeton Review, but I'm generally a good test taker. A lot of people have complained of PR and suggest Magoosh frequently.

 

[mark_93]

Thanks for the responses. Any suggestions on which GRE prep materials to get? Been told Manhattan Prep is a good way to go, but want to make sure before buying.

I have also heard great things about Magoosh


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[turtlot]

I have also heard great things about Magoosh


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I'm not a very good standardized test taker to begin with so, I've used a variety of resources while preparing for the GRE. I have taken the prep course offered by The Princeton Review, used study books by Manhattan Prep, and used Magoosh. I found the 5lb GRE Prep Book by Manhattan Prep. I think it's about $15 on Amazon. I believe Manhattan Prep also allows you to buy 6 practice tests from them for $30.

But Magoosh is more bang for your buck. You can buy 6 months of availability for $99 which allows you to access their 400+ plus questions for each section and offers video tutorials on how to approach certain questions. I also believe the questions offered on Magoosh relate most to the types of questions on the GRE.

Hope this helps! Good luck!

 

[starrsgirl]

What's your pre req GPA? That's another huge factor. You can get in with a 3.3 cum if you nailed the pre reqs.

 

[jtb93]

It depends on the school. Each school I'm applying to has slightly different pre-req requirements. I think the lowest school pre-req GPA is 3.25 and the highest is around 3.5.

 

[Daniel M. Pitta]

My advice would be to look at schools with less competitive average GPA's and GRE scores. Also schools that look at the past 60 credit hours as your cumulative GPA, if that works to your advantage. Lastly, I would apply to as many schools as possible, the logic being that it's a numbers game, and the more programs you apply to, the greater the likelihood of you getting accepted.

I used Kaplan and Magoosh for my GRE prep, with Magoosh being vastly superior. Take your time preparing for the GRE, especially if you haven't taken a Math course in a while. I studied for about 6 weeks and got average-to-mediocre scores because the math sections almost made my head explode.

 

[hhma16]

It's all about applying strategically to schools. I don't have the strongest GPA, but I was still very fortunate to be offered admission to multiple schools, a few of them ranked in the Top 10 according to US News. I know the ranking system on US News isn't the most reliable one, but it's still something to look at and take into consideration.

I worked my butt off on the GRE, had a lot of experience at a variety of different PT settings, wrote solid essays, and hope and prayed that my LORs turned out well. So don't give up. My advice is to pick and chose schools accordingly primarily based on your GPA and GRE, but schools will also take into consideration other aspects of your application. However, nothing wrong with picking a few dream schools. You can't really do all that much too your GPA before you apply (unless you retake a few classes before you apply), so just rock out and finish strong this academic year.

In regards to the GRE, I found Magoosh to be very helpful. They have free tutorial videos online that you can check out. Also, there are free apps you can download onto your smartphone or tablet to take with you on the go. The free vocab apps from Magoosh helped me out the most. Totally recommend!!

 

[jtb93]

Thank you all for the responses. I'm taking a course this summer to fulfill a requirement and boost my overall/pre-req GPA, so that will somewhat help. I requested GPA ranges from all of the schools I plan on applying to and I'm well above the lowest GPAs accepted, so that gives me more hope. Talked with a PT I'm shadowing right now and he told me to focus more on community service hours than observation hours. I'll obviously surpass the minimum observation hours requested, but the schools I'm applying to typically weigh community service high in their admission decision.

 

[turtlot]

Thank you all for the responses. I'm taking a course this summer to fulfill a requirement and boost my overall/pre-req GPA, so that will somewhat help. I requested GPA ranges from all of the schools I plan on applying to and I'm well above the lowest GPAs accepted, so that gives me more hope. Talked with a PT I'm shadowing right now and he told me to focus more on community service hours than observation hours. I'll obviously surpass the minimum observation hours requested, but the schools I'm applying to typically weigh community service high in their admission decision.

That's good to hear! I think my commitment to community service is one of the reasons why I stood out as a candidate. Choose a non-profit organization you're passionate about. I chose to volunteer with the ALS Association because I'm interested in neuro. I have also volunteered at food banks. I hope this helps!

Good luck!

 

[redrose424]

Thank you all for the responses. I'm taking a course this summer to fulfill a requirement and boost my overall/pre-req GPA, so that will somewhat help. I requested GPA ranges from all of the schools I plan on applying to and I'm well above the lowest GPAs accepted, so that gives me more hope. Talked with a PT I'm shadowing right now and he told me to focus more on community service hours than observation hours. I'll obviously surpass the minimum observation hours requested, but the schools I'm applying to typically weigh community service high in their admission decision.

Definitely pick community service you are passionate about and can talk about. In all of my interviews I mentioned my community service, and in one interview I was specifically asked about service which was non-observational. When I mentioned the particular service I do (I work in a DV shelter) I visibly saw the interviewer's interest pique (raised eyebrows, audible wow etc) and that is always a good feeling in an interview.

 

[j12813145]

Hey guys,

Graduating with my BS in Exercise Science this May. I'll be applying for PT schools starting this summer. In the beginning of my college career, I didn't take my education all that seriuosly and didn't get the grades I wish I would've gotten. Once in my Exercise Science program, I motivated myself a lot more and my grades improved. I'm expecting my final cumulative GPA to be 3.3. The schools where I'm applying (in Wisconsin) all have a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0, but the average GPA is roughly 3.5. My advisor doesn't think I should have much of a problem, but since the time is coming up to apply, I'm starting to get nervous.

I was told an above average score on the GRE can trump a high GPA but I'm not sure the validity on this. Most of the schools I'm applying to only need 40 observation hours, but I intend to have well over 100. Guess I'm looking for recommendations how else I can make my application stand out more with a more baseline GPA (3.3).

Thank you.

Hey there! I just ot accepted into a pt school with a 3.3 GPA, (3.1 science). Like others have said, focus on your application as a whole. Be able to explain the low GPA, no excuses but just acknowledge it. Some schools also look at the last 60 credits, or an upward trend. Ex:. I did horribly my junior year because of outside influences (which I explained) but my last two semesters, my GPA steadily rose back up. Also, if there is a school you really want APPLY EARLY! Some schools review students as soon as they receive their applications, others review in order they were received. Either way, the earlier you have your applications in, the better chances you have. I was denied from a school because they did not have enough room once they reviewed my application. Make sure you have a variety of hours in different settings, try to have a unique setting to help you stand out (aquatics, women's health etc.) Make sure you have great letters of recommendations from people who want to see you succeed, a great essay and a good GRE score (I suggest Magoosh) and make sure to have a lot of energy , ask unique questions and display a good grasp of the field during the interview! Finally, apply strategically, don't apply to schools that are out of your range. It's nerve wracking but I think you should be good!

 

[jtb93]

Thanks again for all the responses guys. Was a rough end of the semester but I should be finishing with a 3.7 for the term. Will bring my final cumulative GPA to a 3.32. Concerning repeated courses, how does PTCAS factor them into your GPA? I retook 1 course and have that factored into my CGPA, so I'm assuming theirs will be relatively close (at least a 3.3). I landed a rehab tech job in a PT unit for the summer, so I'm hoping to get some good experience in there before finally submitting my application in August!

 

[SKINSKIN25]

Hey there! I just ot accepted into a pt school with a 3.3 GPA, (3.1 science). Like others have said, focus on your application as a whole. Be able to explain the low GPA, no excuses but just acknowledge it. Some schools also look at the last 60 credits, or an upward trend. Ex:. I did horribly my junior year because of outside influences (which I explained) but my last two semesters, my GPA steadily rose back up. Also, if there is a school you really want APPLY EARLY! Some schools review students as soon as they receive their applications, others review in order they were received. Either way, the earlier you have your applications in, the better chances you have. I was denied from a school because they did not have enough room once they reviewed my application. Make sure you have a variety of hours in different settings, try to have a unique setting to help you stand out (aquatics, women's health etc.) Make sure you have great letters of recommendations from people who want to see you succeed, a great essay and a good GRE score (I suggest Magoosh) and make sure to have a lot of energy , ask unique questions and display a good grasp of the field during the interview! Finally, apply strategically, don't apply to schools that are out of your range. It's nerve wracking but I think you should be good!

What schools did you apply to? My stats are to yours and having a hard time finding schools with lower gap. Thanks